The name NoMad was coined in 1999 and reflected the area being north of Madison Square Park. It’s loosely defined by East 25th Street and East 30th Street as south and north borders, and Sixth Avenue and Madison Avenue to the west and east. The park functions as a core part of the neighborhood, with its 6.5 acres providing Midtown-area residents and tourists with a place to eat lunch and enjoy some shady trees among one of the most built-up areas in the city. Of course, our favorite spot in this neighborhood is our Arlo Hotels, located at 11 E 31st Street. We’re a little biased, but we feel it’s the perfect central location for going uptown and downtown and heading over to Brooklyn and the other boroughs as well. 

A historical part of NoMad includes “Tin Pan Alley,” which references both a set of buildings and a collection of New York songwriters and music publishers who dominated the American music scene during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A row of buildings on West 28th Street are now on city landmarks and preserved as part of the city’s unique musical heritage. 

To the south of NoMad is the Flatiron District, so-called because real estate agents wanted a flashier distinctive name for the neighborhood, which became more residential-focused in the 1980s. And of course, the name originates from the Flatiron Building, a beautiful 22-story skyscraper completed in 1902 that boasts a distinctive triangular shape. At its completion, it was one of the tallest buildings in the city, and it remains a signature attraction for architects and tourists alike. 

An interesting museum in the Flatiron District is the Museum of Sex which features various exhibits that explore human sexuality. It’s an 18 and over the museum that presents various subject matters in an educational format and promotes better understanding, equality, and open discourse. 

Both neighborhoods also offer great food, from the epicurean delights at Eataly to the fine dining at Eleven Madison Park, a sophisticated spot that’s earned three Michelin Stars. The eating choices reflect the immense variety of New York City, where you can grab the best slice of pizza of your life or sit down to a five-course meal that you’ll remember forever.