New York help!

[javamoma]

Hey, disers. I know there are a few New Yorkers out there that can help me. My husband and I are planning a trip to NYC for our anniversary this spring. It's been a few years since we were last there so I am looking for suggestions.

We love off the beaten path kind of places and we have already seen the major attractions. We are both adventurous foodies as well. We have a few favorites we will go back to but are always in search of a new hole in the wall.

Any suggestions for site seeing or eating? Intrests include history and art.

TIA. You guys rock!

 

[MainStreetFireman]

Will you be staying in Manhattan, or somewhere else nearby?

How long will you be here?

And is it just you and your DH, or are you including any kids (ages and food restrictions?)? TIA for the specs.

 

[javamoma]

It's just DH and I for the anniversary trip in spite of my daughter's pleads for us to take her with us!

We will be staying in Manhatten. My husband booked the hotel and it's not where we use to say so I'm not sure exactly where it is located. Seems like he said upper east side or midtown. Not sure exactly.

We will be there for 5 days.

Do you have any suggestions for us?

 

[MainStreetFireman]

Staying in Manhattan is a huge bonus. Use the Subway to get everywhere as it is cheap, trustworthy, and safe.

If you have been to the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum, you should go to the Cloisters in Fort Tyron Park. It is connected to the Metropolitan in admission, but is an incredible and different kind of museum. It is especially beautiful in the Spring.

Depending on what time of Spring you are here, there may be art shows shops in either Union Square Park or Madison Park. Idk when those schedules come out.

Since you should get to Madison Square Park anyway (great sculpture there), there are great eats in the Chelsea/Flatiron District. The Shake Shack (possibly one of the greatest cheap eats in town) and Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop (so old school it is hip again) are must dos.

Another day you sould go down to Chelsea Market on 10th Avenue and W15th St. Great food kiosks here, as well as being located at the southern terminus of a great Spring attraction -- The High Line Park. Originally an elevated train platform, this 20+ block length park incorporates both landscaping and wood metal construction in a living park, while giving you a great view of Manhattan, New Jersey and the Hudson River.

Other Chelsea notables for dining -- La Bergamote on 9th Ave. and W20th (fabulous French patisserie with the best Napoleans in the world (including ones I have had in Paris)), The Tipsy Parson and Klee's (same neighborhood).

Give me some more time to think about this thread. I promise to be back.

 

[SamSam]

I was in Manhattan several years ago with a group of 10 women (fun) and we did the Greenwich Village Food tour http://www.foodsofny.com/, everyone enjoyed it...although I think who you have for your guide could make a difference.

We also all enjoyed the Grayline Tours, did this our first day to get a good idea of where we might want to go back to later. http://www.graylinenewyork.com/

And, yes, the subway is great, we never had a problem getting to where we wanted to go.

 

[ninecrayons]

The Cloisters are excellent. A+ One of those Manhattan experiences where you feel removed from actually being in the city. If you go up to The Cloisters, my friend owns an awesome cafe not too far away - The Indian Road Cafe. It's on Indian Road and W218th. Delicious food and fun, funky atmosphere.

One of my favorite things to do that's a bit off the beaten path is the Union Square Green Market. Fun food stuff and Union Square is a cool neighborhood.

In terms of other foodie things, I went to David Burke Townhouse with friends right before Christmas. Delicious and very playful food. It was a great time.

My favorite "off the beaten path" thing has to be walking through Central Park and visiting the Alice in Wonderland statue. In spring it should be beautiful.

 

[captinhookedondisney]

Best Burger in the most unexpected place!

It is called The Burger Joint and is literally a hole in the wall, covered by huge velvet Curtians in the lobby of Le Parker Meridian Hotel (a really fancy hotel)

Here is a link The Burger Joint

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I really like Ellen's Stardust Diner. It's where many of the performers from Broadway start out and the food is excellent. There's regular performances throughout dinner.

I also enjoyed Jekyl & Hyde's. There's two of them with one being in the village, I believe, and the other is closer to downtown. Both are fun places to go.

I have been there, but have heard that Mars 2112 is also fantastic. It's near Times Square and Broadway.

All of these places have websites that show their menus.

 

[Cotillard]

What a great time you will have

Have you heard of Eataly? It's a huge food market/emporium, brainchild of Mario Batali (among others). I haven't been - but I want to! 5th Ave. and Madison Square Park. http://eatalyny.com/

I would recommend walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. I loved it! (It's not a long walk, surprisingly). Take the subway (A or C) to Brooklyn (High St.) and walk across the bridge back into Manhattan, enjoying the incredible views.

If you love art and have not been, I highly recommend the Frick Collection http://www.frick.org/index.htm and the Neue Galerie http://www.neuegalerie.org/ both are on the Upper East Side. In both you see art in a mansion setting (Neue Galerie is exclusively Austrian and German art from the early 20th century.)

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

If in case you have not done the Circle Line boat tour all around Manhattan, I always thought that was wonderful !

I second the opinion of Ellen's Stardust Diner. We were there many years ago and I am happy that they might still be there. At the time I was there, we had used a two for one "Entertainment" coupon.

Another thing we used to do was just take a walk through Greenwich Village at around 9:00 to midnight on a Saturday night. It was always very busy at that time, really lots of people out and about. There were lots of stores and boutiques open very late. It was fun to go in and out of all the stores, and just sort of "wing it" for the evening.

I always loved going to The Museum of Natural History and the Planetarium, although it sure is not "off the beaten track". LOL

 

[Kimberle]

Some of my fav restaurants:

Etcetera Etcetera http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/etcetera-etcetera/ The Risotto is divine!!

Le Rivage, a wonderful little French restaurant on restaurant row. http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/le-rivage/

Carnegie Deli - a NYC staple. The sandwiches could feed a family of 4! *LOL*
http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/carnegie-deli/

The Flame - a great little diner to get b/fast or casual meal. http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/the-flame-restaurant/

La Boite en Bois http://www.laboitenyc.com/index.html A wonderful French bistro on the Upper West Side. We had a wonderful dinner here after seeing South Pacific at Lincoln Center.

Magnolia Bakery http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/magnolia-bakery-3/; Wonderful sweets! Little pricey, though, and generally a long line, worth the wait!

To find discounts: http://www.broadwaybox.com/

I have also eaten at Ellen's Stardust dinner. Personally, I found it very "cheesy" and loud. Very much a tourist trap. Plus it's quite expensive for average food.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Three words: Red Rooster Harlem.

Also, this is not a hole in the wall, but Leopard at the old Hotel Des Artistes is a favorite restaurant that my husband and I frequent. It's right off of Central Park, and frequently has fun celeb sightings.

 

[MainStreetFireman]

Eataly is a bit pricey, but there are some great finds there. Ther gelato bar is great, and, if it is warm enough during your trip, you should head for the roof and the Italian beer garden.

If you are going to be in the Theater District, one of my favorites (and a decent value) is Marseille (630 9th Avenue - in the Film Center Building). Google their website and check out the menu and prices. Neither can be beat in the normally over-priced TD.

Carnegie Deli does have the best pickeled tomatoes. However, the mother of all things deli is still Katz's Deli (205 East Houston -- bet. 1st Ave. & Ave. A). It's a bit out of the normal stomping grounds, but it is so worth it.

While we are on the lower East Side, you may want to check out Sammy's Roumanian Steak House (157 Chrystie St.). It's like a trip in a time machine to the post WWII Catskills -- both in terms of entertainment, as well as cooking. A little pricey, but sooo New Yawk.

Desserts tend to be a touristy --- but that's OK. That's why I'm recommending trips to either Serendipity 3 (225 East 60th) for their signature frozen hot chocolate, or Max Brenner's Union Square location (actually, 841 Broadway, about a block south). Even real New Yorkers eat here.

 

[Tony NY]

if you like to try some good pizza thier is a pizzaria in Astoria called Rizzo's it been their for like 50 years it on 30th ave and stinway steet and thier also Roosevelt Island tram ride over the east river it takes a metrocard .. and the best way to save a buck to to take the staten isalnd fery to get some good pictures of Lower Manhattan if you like bar pub food their are some relly good ones on first ave for the 30's - 70th street.

 

[MainStreetFireman]

There is a Magnolia Bakery in the basement of Grand Central Station, and a Crumbs on 42nd Street, 1 block north east of the New York Public library.

Magnolia is better known, but Crumbs is a real contender.

 

[Tony NY]

There is a Magnolia Bakery in the basement of Grand Central Station, and a Crumbs on 42nd Street, 1 block north east of the New York Public library.

Magnolia is better known, but Crumbs is a real contender.

they make some awesome cupcakes

 

[javamoma]

Oh, my gosh! So many wonderful ideas! I am making tons of notes right now and soon I'm sure I will be replying with questions.

I love disers...way better than google

 

[thatslygirl]

I recently came back from an overnight trip and will be back in the city next week. A friend and I trekked up to Astoria to go to the Museum of the Moving Image. It's $12/person. Right now they are featuring a Jim Henson exhibit, so if you are a fan of muppets, check it out! I had seen the exhibit when it was in the Smithsonian, but they have a few other ones that are great fun. Also, that part of the city is industrial-like (think car sales lots) but it wasn't sketchy. We found a great Venezulean arepas place not too far from the museum. It's called Arepas Cafe. They had a fantastic lunch special: $7 for one arepa and a drink, or $12 for 2 arepas and a drink. Their cafe con leche was delish.

If you have a smartphone, download a few apps for the MTA and maybe the Yelp app. I found both to be really helpful. The MTA-related apps helped with navigation and even listed delays for the subway.

 

[challer]

If you're hitting Astoria for the pizza, I'd give a stop at the Museum of Moving Image. They just finished an awesome renovation and have been host to a really fabulous Jim Henson exhibit. Easily accessible by subway from Manhattan.

Of course, you can head up to my boro - the Bronx - and hit the sights there:

• Bronx Zoo
• NY Botanical Gardens
• Tour of Yankee Stadium
• Wave Hill

 

[MainStreetFireman]

...you have to stop for some Tres Leches Cake from Jacqueline's Bakery (1579 Westchester Ave.). Mmmmmmm!