Super Bowl Week in NYC: 10 Coolest ‘In The Know’ Places

So you’ve been in New York City all week for the Super Bowl and you’ve done the touristy thing. All the touristy things.

But you still have a day left before the big game, maybe even a couple of days after. Now what?

Hit the places only the locals really know. Here are TravelPulse.com’s 10 ‘in-the-know’ places to check out before you leave.

LEXINGTON CANDY SHOP: It’s not really a candy shop, but we have one of those for you later. No, this is the best breakfast in New York or at least on the Upper West Side. It’s luncheonette pulled straight out the ‘Happy Days’ era. It’s like stepping back in time. Get the Cinnamon Raisin French Toast. Thank us later.

BIRRERIA: There are dozens – hundreds? – of rooftop bars in New York City. This is one of the least well-known, and that’s a good thing. Let all the people think you’re one of the many tourists going into Eataly, Mario Batali’s grossly overpriced restaurant complex/Italian market. Above it is the coolest rooftop bar in the city, brewing its own craft beers on-site.

WEST FOURTH STREET COURTS: Yeah, yeah, it’s winter and only the bravest and heartiest souls will be outside playing hoops even if the temps do get into the 40s, as expected this Super Bowl weekend. But if you head down to Greenwich Village you can tell everybody you saw “The Cage,” arguably the most famous street basketball venue in the country.

HOUSING WORKS BOOKSTORE CAFé: Barnes & Noble? C’mon now. You’re in the NYC. Housing Works is also located in the Village. It’s a used bookstore where a portion of the proceeds go to help fight homelessness and to AIDS funding. And the lattes and the conversation are pretty good, too.

BROTHER JIMMY’S: I guess we didn’t even count the number of tourists who are in town who don’t have tickets to the game who are here just to see and be seen. If you’re looking for the best sports bar in the city, head to Second Ave. and Brother Jimmy’s BBQ. The only bad thing about it, and we can overlook it for the Super Bowl, is it’s something of a Dallas Cowboys bar during the regular season.

POMANDER WALK: Head to the Upper West Side between 94^th and 95^th streets, and it will be like you never were even in the city. Definitely one of New York’s architectural wonders, Pomander walk is like strolling through 1900s London with its Tudors, or even Germany with its window boxes. It’s a beauty to behold.

WHISPERING GALLERY AT GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL: Go downstairs near the famous Oyster Bar restaurant. You will find an archway entrance. Have you and a friend stand in diaganal, opposite corners of the archway. Whisper something into the crevice of the archway and your companion will hear it – loud and clear – on the other side. Yes, it’s mystifying.

BERLIN WALL REMNANTS: At Paley Park in midtown sit five remnants of The Berlin Wall. They have been on display at the small park since 1990. On one side are vibrant, colorful drawings. That’s the former ‘western’ side of the wall. On the east? Nothing but concrete slab depicting the desolation and loneliness of the Communist side of the wall.

DYLAN’S CANDY BAR: A diabetic’s Kryptonite but it’s nonetheless like walking into a Willy Wonka factory. Founded by Dylan Lauren, daughter of designer Ralph Lauren, it has everything. Ev. Ry. Thing. Even the coolest old-school candy you remember as a kid.

STATEN ISLAND BOAT GRAVEYARD: Somewhat eerie, but worth it if you’re willing to couple your Ferry boat ride with a little, ahem, sightseeing. Literally, this is where old decommissioned ships come to die. Technically, it’s a scrapyard. Amazingly, it’s pretty darn cool.

BONUS: TOM'S RESTAURANT: Jerry! Yes, Monk's Restaurant from "Seinfeld" fame really exists in NYC and it's known as Tom's (pictured above). Have lunch where Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer would have.

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