Not quite uptown, not quite downtown, the expanse between Union Square and Herald Square has lately turned into a neighborhood combining the best of both worlds. Thanks to a crop of buzzy new dining destinations, cocktail haunts, and luxury hotels, the area surrounding Madison Square Park is no longer just a no man's land of office buildings people are looking to escape from after work. On the contrary, these swanky spots in NoMad and Flatiron can hardly keep the crowds of cool kids away.

[Photo courtesy Everdene]