Nearby places

Using these places as a founder in New York

The spots listed above are more than sightseeing stops. For early-stage founders working in Manhattan and Brooklyn, they double as informal meeting points, thinking spaces and a quick way to understand how the city's business districts fit together.

Meetings outside the office

Not every conversation with an investor, advisor or potential co-founder needs a conference room. Bryant Park, behind the New York Public Library in Midtown, has movable chairs and tables and is an easy midpoint for people coming from different parts of the city. Union Square sits on several subway lines, which makes it a practical place to meet someone arriving from downtown or Brooklyn. A walk along the High Line often suits a relaxed first conversation better than a formal sit-down, but it can get crowded at busy times. If you need a quiet table, plan for a café instead.

Reading the neighbourhoods

The Flatiron District and the area around Union Square have long been associated with New York's tech and media scene, earning the old "Silicon Alley" nickname. Hudson Yards is a newer large-scale development on the far West Side, home to big corporate offices. Chelsea Market, a food hall in a former factory building, sits in a neighbourhood where tech companies and startups share streets with galleries. Walking these areas gives you a feel for who works where and the kind of office space each district offers.

Practical tips

• Check each venue's official website for current opening hours, events and any ticketing, especially for One World Observatory.
• Allow extra travel time between Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge Park. The subway or ferry is usually quicker than a car.
• Have a backup indoor option in mind for outdoor meetings when the weather turns.

For more on running a lean early-stage company in the city, browse our insights or explore the guides section.