Must do or see in NYC for a short trip?

[VAfamily1998]

When will you be there?

For food, I would avoid all the tourist traps in/near Times Square. My favorite part of NYC for food is the East Village. Lots of great small ethnic food places. I LOVED http://www.veselka.com/ for Ukranian food. It is open 24 hours. If you have not yet seen STOMP, it is right down the street.

If you are interested in the 9/11 memorial, you may also want to visit St. Paul's Chapel. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...-St_Paul_s_Chapel-New_York_City_New_York.html

 

[Art 1]

My favorite Chinatown hole in the wall is Wo Hop, the one at 17 Mott, in the basement. The street level restaurant at 15 Mott just isn't as good.


No frills, but excellent food. They serve tea in a glass. Everything is a la carte. Other than tea and water, you must order everything -- if you don't ask for crispy noodles, if you don't ask for white rice, you won't get any. And they don't take reservations, you have to stand on line outside the restaurant until a table opens up.

I have never been there but a buddy of mine works in Manhatten and lives in Brooklyn, he loves the place and has sent me pics of there. Next time I want to try it out, forgot to the last time.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

Here's the link to it on urbanspoon:

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/3/43117/restaurant/Chinatown/Wo-Hop-NYC

 

[Art 1]

Here's the link to it on urbanspoon:

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/3/43117/restaurant/Chinatown/Wo-Hop-NYC

That's the place, he likes Katz too, so do I. And some pizza place in Brooklyn that's famous, I forget the name if it but have seen pics.

Just was reading about a place that sells nothing but Lasagna, all different kinds.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

That's the place, he likes Katz too, so do I. And some pizza place in Brooklyn that's famous, I forget the name if it but have seen pics.

Just was reading about a place that sells nothing but Lasagna, all different kinds.

Lots of good places to eat in NY. I haven't been to Katz's Deli in decades.

I like to recommend Ben's Kosher Deli on 38th Street. I think I'm genetically programmed to crave hot pastrami on rye, and I can satisfy that craving at Ben's.

 

[Art 1]

Lots of good places to eat in NY. I haven't been to Katz's Deli in decades.

I like to recommend Ben's Kosher Deli on 38th Street. I think I'm genetically programmed to crave hot pastrami on rye, and I can satisfy that craving at Ben's.

Have you been to the peanut butter and jelly restaurant?

 

[Lorelei Lee]

Have you been to the peanut butter and jelly restaurant?

Not yet. sounds like a real trip though.

http://ilovepeanutbutter.com/

 

[Spont Combust]

I really enjoyed eating in Greenwich Village. I liked eating at the Olive Tree Cafe which is a laid back hip restaurant with slate tables and chalk and they play silent movies on a screen. I also like this little Ethopian place- it's super tiny but sooooo good. It's hard to pick out since it's located down a tiny staircase. I think it's called Meskerem Ethiopian Cuisine.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

I really enjoyed eating in Greenwich Village. I liked eating at the Olive Tree Cafe which is a laid back hip restaurant with slate tables and chalk and they play silent movies on a screen. I also like this little Ethopian place- it's super tiny but sooooo good. It's hard to pick out since it's located down a tiny staircase. I think it's called Meskerem Ethiopian Cuisine.

Never had Ethiopian, what do you recommend?

 

[minkydog]

I really like Ellen's Stardust Diner, the singing waitstaff is very entertaining, but you're paying top dollar for diner food.

We loved Ellen's Stardust Diner! It might be diner food but the entertainment is top notch. I imagine a lot of the servers are also aspiring actors, singers, and dancers. We thought it was well worth the money and time.

OP, If I only had 2 days I'd consider getting a Hop-on, Hop-off tour. You can see a lot of the "usual" stuff and get off where you want to and explore. If you've never seen the Statue of Liberty I think that's a must see. It looks so little from land, but it's huge in person.

Another vote for the Museum of Natural History. I love museums and this one is one of the best. Honestly, you could spend 7 days in there if you had the time.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I would suggest you stay as far away from Ellen's as humanly possible. *shudder*

 

[klacey1]

Not sure I'd waste time in Central Park if you're only going to be there for two days. It's absolutely huge and just a park. I'd spend time doing city things. I know a lot of people love it though!
Definitely see a Broadway show! Get a cupcake from Billy's, Magnolia's, or Georgetown's. Get pizza at Waldi's (6th ave. btwn 27th and 28th street) or Lombardi's (Spring/Mott). See the biggest Macy's in the world and at least stand outside the Empire State Building and 30 Rock. SoHo is really fun just to walk around, but Broadway is being invaded by chain stores that you can find anywhere.

 

[Spont Combust]

Never had Ethiopian, what do you recommend?

I'd recommend getting a few different kinds of meats you would like (like chicken or beef), because when I went there we did that and they served the meat and some curry on top of a weird bread that is kind of like a foam mattresses, along with some more bread on the side. Don't let the bread freak you out, you don't eat the bread on it's own. You rip up the bread and use it to pick up the meat and then relish in the deliciousness. They have entrees you can order too, and is pretty vegetarian friendly too.

 

[Tiramisu]

I would suggest you stay as far away from Ellen's as humanly possible. *shudder*

Agreed, 100%. It's the definition of a tourist trap and the "talent" passes a bucket for tips after each and every (extremely loud and usually off-key) song. I've suffered through it a couple of times and have promised myself that I never, ever have to go there again, no matter who's visiting!

If you do get stuck in the tourist district, OP, a couple of my favorite places are Merilu (on Fri/Sat you can order THE MEATBALL, and it's awesome) and Ippudo (always a wait, but always worth it).

 

[Lorelei Lee]

I'd recommend getting a few different kinds of meats you would like (like chicken or beef), because when I went there we did that and they served the meat and some curry on top of a weird bread that is kind of like a foam mattresses, along with some more bread on the side. Don't let the bread freak you out, you don't eat the bread on it's own. You rip up the bread and use it to pick up the meat and then relish in the deliciousness. They have entrees you can order too, and is pretty vegetarian friendly too.

Sounds like I should give it a try.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

The two negative reviews of Ellen's notwithstanding, most people do seem to enjoy it. But yeah, they do pass the hat.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I am going next weekend if there is not tons of snow coming. We are going for three days, two in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn. Somebody else recommended the hop on hop off bus. My dd who goes a lot says we should just stick to regular buses. Any thoughts? If the big storm is coming then we will be going the week after Valentine's day.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I am going next weekend if there is not tons of snow coming. We are going for three days, two in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn. Somebody else recommended the hop on hop off bus. My dd who goes a lot says we should just stick to regular buses. Any thoughts? If the big storm is coming then we will be going the week after Valentine's day.

I would avoid all buses. Especially the hop on hop off.

 

[Tiggeroo]

Actually dd said subway. How would you get around the city if you only have a few days?

 

[Tiramisu]

I am going next weekend if there is not tons of snow coming. We are going for three days, two in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn. Somebody else recommended the hop on hop off bus. My dd who goes a lot says we should just stick to regular buses. Any thoughts? If the big storm is coming then we will be going the week after Valentine's day.

HOHO buses are not reliable transportation at all. They're good for first-time visitors to become acclimated with the city and discover areas that they'd like to explore further on their own. The subway is the best, fastest, and most reliable method of transportation.