Must do or see in NYC for a short trip?

[leebee]

When we went to NYC (or really any big city), on the first night we take the evening bus tour- these are run by a variety of companies, but we liked the Grey Line tour in NYC best. I recommend the open air bus, weather permitting, but take the last tour of the day- the sunset tour- that runs AFTER rush hour is over. You will see the highlights of the city, and it goes over to Brooklyn and back so you can see the Manhattan night skyline. Very touristy, but fun, especially if you can sit on the top tier of the bus (it's outside)- you are up in the lights of the big city.

DON"T do the HOHO buses- or any daytime buses, even NYC buses. You'll spend your time sitting in traffic. If you can't walk, take the subway; it's clean enough, safe enough, cheap enough, and the most time-efficient way to get around NYC.

Places to eat: Friends have been to Havana Central at 151 W 46th St. and they said it's the best deal in the city; great food, generous portions, reasonable prices. I can recommend Becco at 355 W 46th for terrific Italian at affordable prices- remembering it's NYC- and a wine list with bottles at $25.

Things to see: Walk through Times Square but don't spends tons of time there; it's nothing but a big crowd of people and stores. Go to TKTS in Times Square for a "deal" on theater tickets. We liked MOMA, the modern art museum. Radio City Music Hall has a great tour, and NBC has a studio tour that we all enjoyed. If you do the Empire State Building, don't waste the time or money to go to the very top (102nd floor, maybe?). It's expensive and the view isn't that much better. I haven't been to Top of the Rock- saving it for next time. Remember that there is only one ferry company that can let you off at the Statue of Liberty; the rest of the Liberty Tours are float-by only. If you don't want to pay for a "float by" take the Staten Island Ferry; great view of the SoL and Manhattan, and it's free! If you have time, Ellis Island Museum is probably one of the most fascinating I've ever been on. Haven't yet been to the 9-11 museum/memorial; it's on the top of the list for next time!

 

[luvmyboys]

If you like German food, Rolf's is wonderful, and also great ambiance!

 

[jlmarr]

Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) gives you a great view of the Empire State Building *and* Central Park. Also you'll see that iconic skating rink, and Radio City Music Hall is across the street.

We loved Central Park - have explored different parts of it each visit.

A Broadway musical is a must. The two or three months prior to the Tony Awards in June is when there will be a lot of shows opening with name stars. Check playbill.com for the buzz.

Use the subways to get around, and your Metrocard also works on the city buses, which has come in handy a couple of times. Someone mentioned the Hopstop phone app for routing schedules.

 

[disykat]

When we were in NYC for a short visit, we did a tour with "real new york tours." It was a walking/subway tour with a not currently employed actor. It was a great way to see a lot quickly. Sure, a lot of the stuff we could have done on our own, but it was a very efficient way to see things in a short time.

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd do a Broadway show, the 9/11 Memorial, the Irish Famine Memroial (which is pretty close to the 9/11 area if you're down there), a walk through St.Patrick's Cathedral, a walk through Times Square (which you will basically do if you do a Broadway show).

I'd probably skip Central Park...realistically it's a big park...lovely, but a big park.

I'm not a huge museum person and my feeling is that on a short trip, a museum can really eat up a lot of your time, so I'd probably skip a museum if your goal is to try and see as much of the city itself as possible.

One of those bus tours that a PP recommended is a good way to sort of get an overview of the city.

Food...there's food everywhere in NYC. We like Carmine's in the theater district...maybe 47th Street??? Somewhere in that vicinity. It may or may not be "kitschy" to a true New Yorker, but the food is good. It's family style and they give you A LOT so don't over order.

 

[marcyinPA]

Food: We have been to Carmine's. it is good- but entrees are for 2-3 people. There is another place we ate at like Carmines. Cant recall the name of it right now. I thought it was awful. We had a good meal at Basso 56 in June. We have done Ellen's a few times. The food is pricy and nothing to write home about, but the kids enjoy it. My girlfriends and I went to Serendipity once. It was ok. The frozen hot chocolate was fun. I agree that the food improves immensely the further you are from Times Square, but we always seem to end up in that area at dinner time.

 

[skylizard]

So many great tips! We'll be going in June, so I imagine it'd be pretty warm.

 

[dennis99ss]

If you are catholic and/or enjoy saints, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton house is down by battery park. Mother Cabrini (St. Francis Xavier Cabrini) has a shrine at Cabrini High School (Next to the cloisters--right off the subway). And, this is where she lies, uncorrupted, in a glass alter.

 

[scrapquitler]

There is also a place she says has the best cheesecake, but I can't remember the name of it now..

That would be Juniors. They have a restaurant over in the Broadway district, but there's also one in Grand Central Station. I always stop and get myself a piece of cheesecake before I get on the Metro North train to go home (and my husband is trained to get it for me if he's in NY)

I like the Museum of Modern Art and the Met.

The Staten Island Ferry is also a nice thing to do. It's free and you can get a nice look at Manhattan from the ferry and you get pretty close to the Statue of Liberty as well.

I like visiting the Garment District and doing some shopping while I'm there.
And it's fun to walk around Chinatown.

We usually stay on the Upper East Side because that's where our friend lives, and we often go to both PJ Clarkes and JG Melon for dinner and drinks, and we enjoy both very much. I like the atmospher at PJ Clarkes a little better, but JG Melon is closer and has better burgers.

We also like Dos Caminos for Mexican food.

 

[NewRVLady]

The reading Room in the NY Public library It is beautiful
The bathroom in Bryant Park.just go look how lovely it is
Top of the Rock instead of Empire State because you get to look AT the Empire State and it's faster up & down
The High Line park and Chelsea market