Hey Dawn! I just typed out a huge, awesome reply and lost it all
UGH! OK, I'll start over because I want you to have an amazing trip!
Your plans look good, but I'd honestly switch your days around. How set are you on visiting MOMA? It's one of the only museums in the city with an actual admission fee and it's not worth the money. We went for the first time this past summer and were just glad we got in for free (NBC used to sponsor the place so my parents and aunt got in, and I used my school ID). I'm usually a big fan of anything off-beat and different (Rocky Horror's one of my favorite movies and I love all the small and usually over-the-top experimental shows in the village), but this was just too much. I would have been pissed if I paid $20 to see an entire room full of blank white canvases. There was also a video of a naked woman hula-hooping with barbed wire and it was beyond disturbing. I'm all for the freedom of artistic expression but I mean, come on! Plus the museums really small and a rip off, to be honest. Definitely go if your heart's absolutely set on it, but I wouldn't even waste your time. It's always packed, and is so small that you really feel the crowds. It's a tourist trap!
I love the idea of spending your first night in Times Square. Nothing else is as quintessentially New York! Unless you're doing all the touristy stuff in the area (Madame Tussauds, Ripley's, etc) a night is the perfect amount of time to stroll around and take in all the sights and lights.
On your first full day, I'd spend the day checking out midtown. I'd actually start at the Top of the Rock. It's nowhere near as crowded as the Empire State Building, but it's slowly getting there. The view from the building is indescribable. I went with my ex and one of my best friends back in 2007 and after 22 years in the city, I'd still seen nothing like it. The view out over Central Park and the rest of the city is gorgeous! What made it really special, though, was how empty it was. Going early will give you the most peaceful view out over New York you'll ever see... looking down over the loud hustle and bustle of the city in the still and quiet of being so high up is magical. Go early to avoid the crowds, you won't regret it!
Rockefeller Center is one of my absolute favorite parts of the city, it's gorgeous! After the Top of the Rock you could walk around for a while and see the plaza, and probably even the taping of the Today Show. Rockefeller Center's in-between 5th and 6th Avenues so you can walk right over to 5th and have a great view of St. Patrick's Cathedral right down the block. My grandparents renewed their vows for their 50th Anniversary there last May and it's absolutely gorgeous in there! Then you can head up 5th to the World of Disney. Make sure to see if the characters are out! FAO Schwartz is nice, but not the same as it used to be since it closed down and reopened a few years ago. A lot of the fun little accents and larger-than-life toys are gone. It's more of a regular (overpriced) toy store now. It's around 10 blocks from Rockefeller Center (and they're pretty short blocks) so it isn't a bad walk if you're up for it. It's right on the edge of the park.
Then you can walk the two blocks over to 7th Ave and go back down 7th Ave to Ellen's Stardust Diner for a late lunch, which you're gonna love! The food isn't anything authentic but the place is so much FUN! It's regular diner food but we've loved it every time we've gone, and you can't beat the entertainment. They all have great voices and it's like stepping right into Grease!
The reason why I say to switch the days is since you have a deadline with going to see Wicked. Besides Top of the Rock, all the stuff you do today will involve just walking around, shopping and taking in the sites, which you can do at your own pace without feeling like you're missing anything. You'll have plenty of time to do it all, and still have time to head back to the hotel to freshen up for the show.
Then the next day I'd get up early and head over to the upper east side (do you watch Gossip Girl?!!
) Both the Met and Central Park are huge and gorgeous and you'll definitely want time to explore them without being rushed. I'd head over to the Met first. Like Kat said, it's a suggested donation. They want you to pay $20, but only the tourists who don't know about the suggested donation policy actually do. I have friends and professors who pay a dollar! My friend Mike and I are going this Thursday and that's what I plan on paying
I know it sounds cheap, but I'm a poor college student!
Seriously, they're used to being given all sorts of crazy amounts and no one bats an eye. Pay whatever you feel comfortable paying. I'm absolutely in love with the Met
It's BEAUTIFUL and the art in there is truly awe-inspiring. Be sure to check out the exhibit on Arms and Armour. It's one of the more unusual and fascinating parts of the museum! You can spend a good two or three hours in there, easily.
Central Park is another one of my absolute favorite parts of the city. People who haven't been there before don't know what to expect. Seeing how crammed and hectic New York is, they usually expect a giant lawn
It's really an incredible place full of gardens, meadows, waterfalls, lakes and more famous landmarks and statues than you can imagine. Be sure to find the Alice in Wonderland statue, it's really cute! Again, you can easily spend hours strolling through the park and finding all the gorgeous nooks and crannies. After a while the sound of the traffic disappears and you almost forget you're in the middle of New York. The place is pure magic - some of my favorite memories are from the park! It's on the other side of the park and is a trek, but if you're feeling ambitious you could even walk across the park to the Imagine Memorial right by the Dakota - must-see's for any Beatles fan.
You can (and will, I'm telling you!) spend most of the day strolling around the museum and park. Both places can be all-day activities, so it's best to at least give each one at least a few hours. Have you made reservations at the Mesa Grill yet? Try to make later ones (for around 7:00) so you'll still have plenty of time to head back to the hotel to change and relax before heading out for dinner and drinks
The Mesa Grill's really, really good!
Your Monday sounds great! The WTC is a must-see for a lot of people, but there's so much construction going on now that there's not much to see. It's definitely a good place to pay your respects and stop to reflect, but the entire area is just really sad. The Statue of Liberty is downtown too, so you'll have a great view out over the Harbor. Make sure to check out the village! They have the cutest little offbeat stores and cafes. I love it down there! Chinatown and Little Italy are fun too. I'd get pizza on this day! There's nothing like NY pizza, especially in Little Italy! And wave to me as you pass into Brooklyn!
Do you know what part of BK your sisters friends are in? There are so many great parts of Brooklyn people never get to see when they don't cross the bridge. Like they said on the promos for the Real World Brooklyn, "The Real New York Is Just Across the Bridge."
OK, that's it! I can't believe I just retyped all that
Really, switch the days! There's no way you can do the Met and Central Park in half a day, and then make your way completely across the entire park to Ellen's, while trying to get back to the hotel in time to change and get ready for Wicked. I know you said you didn't mind, but the Met and Central Park (and even Ellen's!) are a BILLION times better than MOMA. This way everything you want to do (and eat) is in the same area on both days, and you can do and see it all without having to rush. You'll love it, I'm telling you! I just wrote you an entire book so I'm gonna stop here... I should be a
travel agent!
Keep us updated on your plans
Oh, and don't forget to get bagels. Seriously, there's nothing like NY bagels... they're almost better than the pizza.
