Absolute Bagels

Top choice in Upper West Side & Central Park

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A bagel shop run by Thai immigrants might be puzzling to connoisseurs, but one thing's for sure: many folks – most of whom wait in a line down the block – agree this is the city's best. With a degree in look-away decor and appalling coffee, it's all about the bagels: heft and crunch on point, perfectly boiled and wonderfully satisfying.

The everything flavor is expectedly popular but egg is not to be missed, either. Get 'em plain, smeared with numerous cream cheeses (bacon and cheddar, jalapeño, walnut and raisin…) or tofutti (vegan 'cream cheese'), or toasted with bacon, egg and cheese – breakfast of champions!

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

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    Metropolitan Museum of Art

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  • OCTOBER 2015: Visitors paddle in boats near a bridge at Central Park..

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    1.38 MILES

    One of the world’s most renowned green spaces, Central Park comprises 843 acres of rolling meadows, boulder-studded outcroppings, elm-lined walkways,…

  • Ellis Island and the Immigration Museum

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    Located in New York Harbor, Ellis Island is the US's most famous and historically important gateway and is home to one of the country’s most moving…

  • Beautiful view of Manhattan during a summer sunset

    Empire State Building

    3.85 MILES

    The Chrysler Building may be prettier, and One World Trade Center taller, but the queen bee of the New York skyline remains the Empire State Building. NYC…

  • NEW YORK - MAY 29 : ONE WORLD OBSERVATORY grand opening day on May 29, 2015. It is open year round. Starting May 29th until September 7th from 9 a.m. until midnight

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    Spanning three levels at the top of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, One World Observatory offers dazzling panoramic views over Manhattan's…

  • SolomonR. Guggenheim Museum, detailed view

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  • Statue of Liberty

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  • NEW YORK CITY, USA - JUNE 18 2016 - Panoramic view of the interior National 9/11 Memorial Museum. The Last Column Remnants and Slurry Wall. Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan, New York City, USA

    National September 11 Memorial Museum

    6.7 MILES

    When the twin towers of the World Trade Center toppled during the awful events of 11 September 2001, it led to years of soul-searching about what would be…

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