Upper West Side

For three weeks in the heat of a New York City summer, young dancers can gain a glimpse of life at one of the finest dance institutes in the world. This program is not for the novice. For teens studying ballet for years, Julliard can take their craft to the next level. There are some limitations on who can apply—at least one year of high school under the belt, and no high school graduates—leaving a range of fifteen- to seventeen-year-olds for a mini-college experience, complete with optional on-campus housing. Students meet in one of Juilliard's six dance studios for classes that combine classic ballet technique and pointe, with training in yoga and improvisation. Camp wraps with a final performance choreographed by Julliard faculty and renowned guest artists. Outside of the studio, there’s plenty of time to explore New York City—an intensive summer experience all on its own.

This popular Colorado-based yoga studio is known for cranking up the intensity of typical Vinyasa classes. Strength training is incorporated through squats, free weights, and ab workouts in between traditional stretching and lengthening exercises. It’s ideal for those who want the calming magic that comes with a yoga session, but who may not have the time to also hit the gym. Studios are kept warm and humid to promote flexibility, and teachers are reliably energetic, which helps to keep motivation high.

The Alinea team made their New York debut on the rooftop of the Mandarin Oriental, and while the restaurant is just as good as the Chicago version, we're actually most excited about their high-end bar, which is accessed through the kitchen. The cool interior feels like a cozy, leather-bound library, and there are plenty of great snacks (which come directly from the Alinea kitchen), but the real star here are the cocktails. There's a five-course tasting menu with ambitious cocktail pairings, or you can just order a la carte. Pro tip: The bartenders love whipping up custom mixtures, so don't be afraid to ask.

The location of Lincoln Center's refined Italian restaurant makes it a no-brainer for before a show, but the menu (not to mention the seriously sophisticated, Italian-only wine list) actually stands up to our favorite hole-in-the-wall joints downtown. The menu fulfills cravings for all the classic dishes, from spaghettini al pomodoro to lobster risotto, plus a glorious bistecca alla griglia. If you come in the evening, don't forget to check out another bonus from the drinks program: The negroni and prosecco bars.

Beyond the extensive list of yoga classes offered by husband and wife Stephan Kolbert and Ingrid Marcroft and their team, UWS Yoga offers meditation classes and sessions in their infrared sauna. You have to pre-book, so try and snag an appointment right before or after a yoga or meditation session for an extra detox boost.

The P.J. Clarke’s on 55th Street—it’s been there since the 1880’s—is one of those classic NYC institutions where everyone who grew up on their burgers can think of nothing better. That sensibility translates to the downtown outpost, which seems to play particularly well with bankers who are thrilled to have a burger and a beer to wrap up the day. The Lincoln Square location is a hit with kids walking home from Central Park.

Dig Inn’s philosophy is “farm to counter,” which means that they serve sustainably sourced, usually local food in a casual setting and in a price range that makes it a reasonable option for everyday lunch. The salads and the market plates are easy to take back to the office (or home for dinner), and the menu changes with the seasons, so you won't ever be bored with the offerings. There are locations in Morningside Heights, Union Square, Tribeca, and in Midtown on 52nd, Madison, and 55th, in Lower Manhattan on Pine, Liberty, and Broad St., in Nomad, and off Madison Square Park.

Just Salad was an early adopter of the fast casual dining option, and they now have locations in practically every New York neighborhood. While they have some great existing menu options (including a few rotating seasonal choices), the main move here is to create your own salad and have it chopped. The ingredients are always really fresh, as they source them from within 350 miles of the restaurant at New York, New Jersey, and Vermont farms; everything is organic and exclusively non-GMO. Other locations: Flatiron, Fashion District, Financial District (on Broad St., Gold St., and Broadway), 30 Rock, Murray Hill, Chelsea (there's one on 8th Avenue and one on 6th Avenue), World Wide Plaza, Lexington, Park Slope, Downtown, Upper East Side (on 3rd Avenue and also on 1st Avenue), Hudson Square, Downtown Brooklyn, Macy’s Herald Square, Upper West Side, and the Woolworth Building.

Chef Ben Lee learned to cook alongside Philadelphia food legend Marc Vetri, so his command of sophisticated Italian flavors (without getting too fancy) makes the menu here an automatic standout. The cuisine is casual Italian, but the plating and the décor are both distinctly modern.

Towering over Central Park in the Time Warner Center building, the Mandarin Oriental's location is within striking distance of Fifth Avenue, Broadway, and Lincoln Center. That's all overshadowed by the view. The décor is typical of the Mandarin's modern, Asian-inflected style, the spa is excellent, and there's a pretty insane 75-foot lap pool.