OT: NYC "girls" weekend advice

[suzct]

Hi all,
Any NYC experts out there? I am planning Veteran's day weekend in the city. It will be me, my mom, DD5 and my sister 50ish. We have matinee tics to Mary Poppins on Sat afternoon. Right now, trying to decide where to stay and what else to do. Our stay options are Hiton Garden Inn Times Square or Omni Berkshire Place or Sheraton Manhatten Hotel. Any comments?
Also, any recommendations for restaurants? I've heard of Ellen's Stardust Diner and Serendipity, but other than that, I'm lost. Looking for "girlie"ideas.

Thanks so much.

 

[CinderellaIam]

I'm not familiar with the other two, but the Sheraton is a great hotel centrally located in midtown, not far from the theatre district.

Hmmm...girlie things to do...shopping! lol Seriously, what are your interests? There are a million and one things to do in NYC. Museums, Shopping, cultural events, spa days, etc., etc.

Where to eat, Ellen's is good as is Serindipity but be prepared for very long waits for both. What type of food do you enjoy? This can help me narrow down the venues for you.

I work in NYC and live in the suburbs. If you would like me to send you some brochures to help you plan your trip, pm me your address. I promise I'm not an insane internet stalker...

 

[java]

Check out Carmine's to eat. I would shop shop shop too. We are going into the city for a girl's week in Nov. no kids though on our trip. So we are hitting a club in the evening.. but we have diner at Becco and on Sunday we are going to Red Door for some Spa stuff. But the rest of the time(oh we are seeing the Wedding Singer) we plan on shopping and martini-ing....did I mention NO KIDS!!!
With your daughter you may want to do American Girl for a meal(it is actually pretty reasonable for NY standards) And hit ToysRUs in Times Square- it is no ordinary ToysRus There is an indoor ferris wheel! Mars 2112 is actually kind of fun for food but not fine dining by a looooong stretch.

 

[Love the Mouse]

Ellen's Stardust cafe is great. All of the waiters and waitresses are aspiring actors and actresses and they sing while you eat...lots of 50's type music and more. We have been there 2x and would definitely go back again. We had a lot of fun.

Someone had mentioned Mars 2112...the last time I was in the city, it wasn't open anymore. Not sure if it is open again.

Lion King on Broadway is FANTASTIC! I was in awe when I saw it. You should also check out the Disney store. It is huge! Maddame Truseau's (sp?) Wax Museum is really neat too.

I don't know much about the hotels, but hopefully someone else will.

Michaela

 

[HopperFan]

Ate at Mars 2112 in June. Food was very good, but it is a theme restaurant like a Rainforest, and it was louder and full of kid's birthday parties. I would not go there unless you think she'd be into the outer space thing. (we used w.restaurant.com gift cards I got for 60% off). Note there is a cover charge.

We stayed at the Hampton Inn (also a Hilton brand) not far from Madison Square Garden. Fairly new, great rooms, great breakfast......and easy to get to everything. We had tried Hilton Garden TSq but not available. After being up there I was glad. Times Square is so much nicer now, but it is always hopping, and I don't think I needed to sleep there too.

Maybe I would do the Metropolitan Museum. Don't know if it's still there but had an awesome Costume exhibit. My DD could have stayed all day. Went to the Disney Store, big, inventory was a cross between WOD and a regular store. Character meet and greet, we saw Pinnochio and Geppetto. Ditto on the American Girl IF she is into it. Mine is not so we didn't go.

I would do the TRUS for the experience and maybe some boutiques. None of the department stores. Wax Museum could be cool, my DD likes them...but I know they creep some kids out.

Have a great trip !

 

[Melissa]

American Girl store is so fun, they have a broadway style show and a lunch or tea that you can bring your doll to. It is hard to get ressies for the meals so call ahead.

 

[scorpad99]

I was in NY last week and took a cab ride to Soho ............lots and lots of stores, like flea market type knock off coach and louis vutton bags! fake movado watches, lots of great bargains...........perfumes, jewelry. I had a great time! if you walk the strip you will end up in little italy and tons of italian resturants. really good food!!!! you wont regret it!

 

[suzct]

Thanks for all the great suggestions everyone. Carmine's looks perfect. Not too sure how much shopping stamina DD will have so may just take her to TRUS and let mom and sis shop on their own. Sounds like we could spend some serious time in there and WOD.

 

[wrighter]

Don't forget to take some time in Central Park. We love to get lunch at a deli or bagel shop and have a picnic style lunch in the park. People watching is a blast, and it's always nice to take a break from running around. Your DD will love the carousel.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[ReadingMama]

If its not raining, then take a ride on the Staten Island ferry. You go quite near the Statue of Liberty (at least you used too, haven't done in since 9/11) and get great views w/out the wait or stairs of actually going to the Statue.

I second the American Girl Cafe, although your daughter is too young for the show (but could go to Bitty Baby show), the lunch there is quite nice, but ressies need to be made in advance.

Central Park has a lot to offer as well.

Its always fun to go to Rock Center, not sure when the ice skating starts.

If its bad weather, you could also go to the Childrens Museum of Manhatten on the Upper West Side.

 

[susieq76]

Although I agree Carmines is nice (and if you go make sure you have the Tiramisu for dessert)- if I were only able to eat in one place in NY it would be La Mela in little Italy. It is a set food combination for the night with lots (and I do mean lots) of family style food for you to taste. The fried cheese is unbelievable, the gnocci is top rate and the shrimp are perfect. We always take out of state friends here for a great, NY meal. Also, they treat my boys like their own when we go which is awesome.

Other places that we like- Churrascurio Plataform (even the sushi here is good) and Les Sans Cullotes (very unpretentious french- 2 locations one on 56th & 2nd & 1 on 47 or 48th & 8th).

 

[dana1003]

hi- im a jersey girl 10 min from the"city"-lived here for over 30 years and still love going to central park. take a carriage ride, go to the zoo, right outside the park is FAO schwartz, st patricks cathedral, rockefeller center. and its all free .just walking and seeing the sights is great! i would definently take in a showa nd walk thru times square and fifth ave. you can find great places to eat but just asking the locals. i've had a view of the skyline my whole life and i think that something to see at night. have fun!

 

[fofinia]

What about going for tea?

My friend took me to a place called Alice's or Alice's Tea Room. Something like that. It was so cute. A little tiny place all based on Alice in Wonderland. They had all variations of Alice things. The table we sat at was a curio style table and it had books and a tea set and a doll in the table. The scones were delicious.

I always love going for afternoon/high tea. I feel totally girly when I do it. The Ritz usually does an afternoon tea as well.

 

[suzct]

Oooh. Tea sounds great. Do you remember where that tea room was?

Thanks

 

[SunKat]

Oooh. Tea sounds great. Do you remember where that tea room was?

Thanks

Another fun place for tea is Tea & Sympathy. It's not a fancy tea like you'd find at the Four Seasons, but it's the real deal. It's a small place and it's very popular. I can't remember exactly where it is, somewhere down in the Village I think.

I've never been to Alice's Tea Room (not sure of the name) but I have friends who have and they loved it. They're also big fans of Tea and Sympathy.

I agree with the poster who mentioned Ellen's Stardust. The last time we were there, our waiter was up on our table singing. Brilliant!

 

[fofinia]

Hi! I just looked up Alice's. It's actually Alice's Tea Cup 102 West 73rd Street, New York, NY 10023
I looked it up on Verizon's yellow pages and it gave pictures and it's definitely the same place i've been to. Really fun and cute. And the scones were so good.

The verizon page had a link to Restaurant.com for a certificate too. I don't know if that would help you, I've never used them.
Here's the link.
http://www.restaurant.com/microsite.asp?rid=308373&rpid=3670

I think if you get to go for tea anywhere you'll have fun. I might be going to NY in the next few weeks and maybe we'll try that Tea & Sympathy place sounds good.

Have fun.

Oh they have their own website it's www.alicesteacup.com !!!

 

[emma'smom]

Where is this? I thought I have done every girlie-kid thing in NYC...I've missed this one! I should have kept reading...sounds great for next trip to the city!

What about going for tea?

My friend took me to a place called Alice's or Alice's Tea Room. Something like that. It was so cute. A little tiny place all based on Alice in Wonderland. They had all variations of Alice things. The table we sat at was a curio style table and it had books and a tea set and a doll in the table. The scones were delicious.

I always love going for afternoon/high tea. I feel totally girly when I do it. The Ritz usually does an afternoon tea as well.

 

[emma'smom]

OK....as a former NY'er whose now takes my girls to NYC at least 5-6 times a year (DH still works/telecommutes to the city), here is what we do:

Again and again-

Children's Museum of Manhattan
Swiss Cottage Puppet Theater (in Central Park)
Children's Museum of Arts on West Lafayette Street (wear old clothes)
Natural History Museum (dinosaurs and planetarium)
China Town/Little Italy- Just go to pick up bakery items from both sides of Canal Street (Tai Pan Bakery for roast pork buns and Ferrara for italian cookies and cannoli)
FAO Schwartz
Toys R Us
Macy's
Ollie's Noodle Shop
Magnolia Bakery (in the Village)
Cupcake Cafe (on East Side)
Central Park Zoo

Some things we've done just once or twice (but dd liked):

American Girl Tea- We loved this and it was only 20.00 a child (but spent much more after cruising through the store...guard your charge cards here!). It's cute...it's festive! We met one of her friends here when we discovered we would be in town at the same time.

Staten Island Ferry- So Papa could relive his boyhood....fun, but cold!
Subway Museum (first stop on the 2 into Brooklyn)- I used to take my first graders here when I taught in NYC. They can climb on all kinds of old subway cars!

Met Museum Shop at Rockefeller Center- Go upstairs for great art related kid's games/toys. Santa shopped here a lot of dd4 last year!

Lower Eastside Tenement Museum- May not fit the mood of your trip, but they have great dress-up opportunities for the kids and, if NYC immigrant history interests you, it is a very, very interesting hands-on museum. You actually tour a tenement set up in three different time-periods where they tell the story of three-different families. Again, may not fit the Broadway Play and Shopping mood- but put in on the agenda for some trip in the future. Definitely a hidden gem!

Meals-
Here's my best advice- You don't have to spend a lot to get a good meal in NYC! If you are in the theater district, go west to 9th and 10th Avenues and skip the theater menues...great restaurants....not so touristy...but very safe!

Carmine's is good...but a bit touristy (although a lot of locals eat here too) and a long, long wait! However, I also think Little Italy restaurants are touristy. We like Angels on the upper east side for good Italian and DH swears by Patsy's for pizza. I would sent you to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx or Aunt Suzie's in Park Slope, Brooklyn...but you won't have time. Save these for another trip...they are worth the trek!

I like City Grille on 72nd and Columbus.

Our "go every time" is Delta Grille on 9th avenue (just west of the theater district).

DD likes Tom's Diner on the 112th/Broadway...not fancy, but great food. It's the diner whose exterior was featured as Monk's in Seinfeld. Great egg creams....and open all night- logged some early morning hours here in graduate school.

Deli- We love the matzoh ball soup at Artie's Deli at around 72nd and Broadway. We often go here after the Children's Museum or a trip to Central Park.

Spice on the Upper East Side has great Thai.....but the Lemon Grass (a chain) does just fine. You can find the Lemon Grass in the Village and on the Upper West Side.



For fun:

Serendipity- frozen hot chocolates
Dylan's Candy Bar- ice cream
Peanut Butter and Jelly Factory- (a fun little hole in the wall near the Village)
Magnolia Bakery (for cupcakes...dd just likes the frosting)
Central Park- We also just like to hang out at the playground on 72nd and Central Park West.

I'm really interested in this thread since we visit so often and it is usually just me with my two dd's all day while DH is working. I think we've turned NYC upside down taking advantage of every kid-friendly activity! I've learned to never pay for an expensive meal (unless I really want to try a special place). Also, we take the subway....families who live in NYC do this....why shouldn't we? DD loves it....but I do take cabs when I am pressed for time or just sick of lugging the stroller and two girls down the steps!

 

[lg3]

suzct - If you get a chance could you tell us how your trip went and the highlights? You mentioned you were going over Veteran's Day - hope it went well.

I didn't see this thread before, but am excited about trying these great suggestions myself at the end of November. My sister and I are going to spend about 5 days in NYC for shopping/fun. We last took this same trip 16 yrs ago, so it is a reprise. Should be fun. I'm sure things have changed and prices have gone up even more (is that even possible? ) Hopefully we will get through it without the homicide rate going up. There is probably a reason we only see one-another every few years.

 

[lg3]

Leaving tomorrow and guess what happened this morning - stubbed my little toe on the couch and broke it! It is all black and blue. Of all the luck! I am icing it up and trying to keep elevated, but have so much to do.