Midtown’s Not Just For Commuters. Get To Know Our 6 Favorite Hidden Treasures

To some, Midtown is just business suits, lunch spots, and tourist groups, but in reality, there’s so much more to this bustling part of Manhattan. The neighborhood is filled with history, culture, and secret getaways. And as with any treasure hunt, cannabis can take your adventures to higher levels. Here are our top spots that keep us coming back to Midtown, with tips on how to pair them with cannabis.

Transcendent treasures: Pair Midtown’s highs with cannabis

Settle into tranquility at King Cole Bar

King Cole Bar is a classic New York gem located in the St. Regis Hotel on 55th Street. This lauded bar opened in 1932 and has been a gathering spot for the city’s thirsty (and elite) ever since. It’s also the birthplace of the Bloody Mary cocktail, then known as “The Red Snapper.”

The bar’s centerpiece is a mural of King Cole commissioned by John Jacob Astor (namesake of Astor Place) and painted by the iconic artist Maxfield Parrish. Beyond this esteemed mural, King Cole Bar is home to rotating bar snacks that up the game. Expect cheese crisps and spiced cashews that go great with a virgin Bloody Mary. Ayrloom’s Beverage Enhancers further elevate this drink and the rest of your gilded night at King Cole Bar.

Travel through the aisles of Little India

Midtown is a crossroads of worlds and cultures, and Little India Market on 3rd Avenue and 28th Street is a highlight. There’s nothing “little” about it: The shop is filled with aisles of fragrant spices, international ingredients, and other Indian groceries. Little India has everything you need to go all-out and authentic with your Indian cooking — it’s always stocked with ingredients you might not see every day. The market has also become somewhat of a landmark in itself: Since it opened in 1978, it has become an important part of New York City’s Indian community.

If you’re doing your shopping here to make a scrumptious meal at home, pick up some aromatic teas. Once you’re home, sweeten up your cup with Chef for Higher’s infused honey for a true high tea.

Immerse yourself in the Morgan Library & Museum

If you pictured a museum as a speakeasy, you’d get the Morgan Library & Museum. Highly underrated and often overlooked, this collection on Madison Avenue between 36th and 37th Streets hosts true treasures. It started out as a private library for its namesake, J.P. Morgan, best known for his role in 19th-century Wall Street affairs.

Morgan may have dominated Wall Street during his time, but he was also a philanthropist. As he collected historical manuscripts, early printed books, and drawings, he expanded his library, eventually opening it to the public. During his time alive, the library became a beautiful architectural artifact in itself.

As the collection goes, one of Mozart’s handwritten symphony sheets, a Gutenberg Bible, original printed copies of the Declaration of Independence, and so much more reside here. In the art department, sketches and drawings by Renoir and Picasso are also on display. There’s even a sculpture from around 2000 B.C. — everything housed at this library has shaped human culture and art for centuries or millennia.

The Morgan Library & Museum hosts tours Tuesdays through Sundays and is open on these days minus Fridays. If you feel moved by the artistic library vibe, we recommend Her Highness’ Snake in the Grass Joint Holder Ring for your personal collection. It’s 14k gold-plated, glamorous, and an absolute statement piece.

Stroll the secret gardens at the Ford Foundation Building

Although “busy” and “crowded” are frequent descriptors when talking about Midtown, there’s an oasis in the chaos. If you find yourself at 43rd Street and 2nd Avenue, whisk yourself away to The Garden at the Ford Foundation.

The unique atrium at this garden holds nearly 40 types of trees and other exotic flora. Enter this hidden paradise for free, and reflect on your day while peering into the reflecting pool — it’s often pretty empty.

There’s no smoking allowed in the garden, but you can still bring an edible travel companion. Max out your zen with 1906’s Chill tablets, which may start delivering effects in as little as 20 minutes. With your cannabis edibles in hand, head to this meditative garden before word gets out to the rest of Midtown.

Keep your head in the clouds at JJ Hat Center

Midtown has style. JJ Hat Center on Fifth Avenue near 32nd Street has been shaping fashion and tradition since it opened in 1911 — it’s the city’s oldest, most renowned hat shop. Whether you’re into beanies, bucket hats, fedoras, or something else, this iconic shop has your head covered.

For finishing touches, pair your old-school New York hat with the flavor the city is known for. The one and only Everything Bagel has come to cannabis in the form of a delicious chocolate bar: Kiva’s infused Everything Bagel chocolate bar. It’s crunchy, sweet, savory, and as elevated as your style will be after a visit to JJ Hat Center.

Embark on a journey at AKC Museum of the Dog

Human’s best friend truly shines at the AKC Museum of the Dog, which opened in 1982 and combines art, interactive tech, and the celebration of everything “dog.” It’s a dream for dog lovers, but even if you’re more of a cat person, you won’t find an experience like it anywhere else.

Exhibits rotate, but during any visit, you can expect to see intriguing canine paintings and sculptures and enjoy interactive installations. You can also bring your own dog to the museum on Furry Fridays, when the museum is pet-friendly. It’s best to get tickets well ahead of time if you’re bringing your pup along.

The AKC Museum is located at Park Avenue and 40th Street, and there’s parking beneath the building. And while you can’t quite light up at the museum, Dogwalkers’ cannabis is the natural pairing here. You can’t go wrong with any of Dogwalkers’ pre-rolls, especially since the brand donates proceeds from every sale to animal shelters. Think of it as doing good for you and your best friend.

Traveling in style: Cannabis tips for making the most of Midtown

Midtown may move fast, but you shouldn’t when pairing your adventure with cannabis. Start slow and go slow — begin with a low cannabis dose, then only consider consuming more if you’re not feeling your desired effects. It’s better to be only a bit elevated in public than to have your head too far up in the clouds.

If you’re trying to keep your Midtown explorations discreet, vapes and edibles are great options. Plan your trip ahead so that you’re consuming your cannabis with enough time for the effects to kick in and avoid the biggest crowds. The goal for your journey should be low stress and high vibes.

Start your Midtown journey at The Travel Agency

Midtown has its ups if you know where to find them, and The Travel Agency’s Fifth Avenue dispensary is a highlight. Whether you’re looking to explore, relax, or live it up, visit us first, then go for liftoff and immerse yourself in your wondrous neighborhood.