Metropolitan Diary

Reader tales from the city. Illustrated by Agnes Lee.

‘We Were Sitting on a Bench Resting Our Tired Legs Late in the Day’
A guide’s advice at the Met, giving up a good parking spot and more reader tales of New York City in this week’s Metropolitan Diary.
‘We Exchanged Small Talk, and I Asked Him About the Hat’
Saving a treasured item from the trash, making summer plans and more reader tales of New York City in this week’s Metropolitan Diary.
‘The Construction Worker Smiled and Lowered His Flag’
An impromptu starting line in Brooklyn, loose change on a sidewalk and more reader tales of New York City in this week’s Metropolitan Diary.
‘I Walked Right Into a Tree Branch, an Arm Extended Over the Sidewalk’
A block comes to life on a summer day, a Staten Island bird feeder and more reader tales of New York City in this week’s Metropolitan Diary.
‘I Was Settling Into My Morning Commute on the 4 Train’
Catching up on the news, appreciating a counterman’s skills and more reader tales of New York City in this week’s Metropolitan Diary.
‘The Evening Lights of New York City Were Beginning to Twinkle’
An unscheduled stop on the M72, an unusual signal for help and more reader tales of New York City in this week’s Metropolitan Diary.
‘As I Stood There, a Bird Watcher in Full Regalia Paused Next to Me’
Looking up in Inwood Hill Park, talking hip-hop on Bleecker Street and more reader tales of New York City in this week’s Metropolitan Diary.
‘He Talked About Wanting to Be a Doctor and Ate His Chopped Cheese’
Stopping for food in the Bronx, a windy day on Third Avenue and more reader tales of New York City in this week’s Metropolitan Diary.
‘I Walked Over to a Food Cart That Is Always at the Intersection’
Turning to a local institution in a pinch, a tip about Beethoven and more reader tales of New York City in this week’s Metropolitan Diary.
‘We Walked to the A Train at 14th Street, Where We Said Goodbye’
A trip to the Whitney Museum on a windy day, a stuck elevator and more reader tales of New York City in this week’s Metropolitan Diary.