What to do w/10 days vacation in New York City?

[Alexa Stott]

Well...there's tons of stuff to do in New York.

Over spring break, I went to NYC for a day. We went to "Top of the Rock", which is where you get to go to the newly opened observation deck at Rockefeller Center. Also, we went to Canal Street in Chinatown to buy some knock-offs, if you like that. I got a "Rolex" for $36 there. We also considered going to the Empire State Building, where they, too, have an observation deck. The UN also has tours, but I have heard many good things about that. But it really depends on what you're interested in.

Also, there are some good restaurants. A place that I like is called Jekyll and Hyde. There's one at 6th and 57th and in the Village on 7th ave. I've been to both and I prefer the one in the Village much better.

Of course, there are some neat stores in Times Square and Rockefeller Center. If you like sports, I know thatYankee Stadium offers tours. If you plan far enough ahead (depends on when you're going), you might be able to get tickets to a Yankees or Mets game, or maybe something at Madison Square Garden. Also, if you like art, there's always the Metropolitan Museum of Art, if you like art. And you could maybe get tickets to a show at the IMAX Theater at Lincoln Center. They have some cool films there sometimes.

For your friend's son, you might want to check out ESPN Zone. It's true that they do have these everywhere, but it's really cool to be able to eat your dinner while looking out over Times Square. Mars 2112 is a fun restaurant for kids. It is Mars-themed, and you take a "shuttle ride" to Mars where you eat your dinner. The food isn't the best, but it's a fun place for kids.

The Nintendo Store also just opened recently, and that's a cool place. It's right in Rockefeller Center, so you can also go to those shops while you're there.

You may also want to cross the border and go into Jersey for a day to visit the Statue of Liberty (yes, it's in New Jersey, not New York). There are some tours there that do leave from the city, though. Circle Line cruises around Manhattan are supposed to be fun, too.

I hope that was helpful. Have lots of fun on your vacation. NYC is a really fun place.

[JaneYoung]

Update:
I composed a listing of all of your suggestions and gave it to my friend.
A very tall - but not as tall as Big Mike or Brandon - Texan was giggling like a kid when I gave him the list. And he has been extra extra nice today.

The nanny idea didn't go over too well, he thinks I would have too much fun. Thanks again -
Jane

[Greg Marra]

Two words: Nintendo Store

[DonRotolo]

I definitely second the following:

Circle line around NYC (but not if it's really hot out)
Dylan's candy bar (Buy & eat a Violet Crumble - very sweet, and unique)
Chinatown (not in the rain). Hong Fat's is great.
the Intrepid
American Museum of Natural History & Hayden planetarium (if it's hot or raining)

Then there's....
Ray's Famous Pizza - REAL Pizza.
Have a bagel, anywhere. With a schmear (cream cheese).
South street seaport, and walk over to Wall Street, just to see it.
And come on over to Jersey - you can walk across the George Washington Bridge (about a mile) - very cool, and the other side is Fort Lee historical park, at the top of the famous Palisades.

Oh, and definitely take the subway (daytime only!), it's cheap enough, and the A/C often works. Well, sometimes.

Don

[David55]

I have to say that this thread is pretty helpful as I am going to stay in NYC for a few days next week before I go on to Philly and I need stuff to do.

From my past experience:

Stomp is a very cool show, but it depends on the type of person. I am a drummer so I like that kind of stuff, but some people look at it as a bunch of noise. Whatever show you go to, stop by TKTS in times square the day of the show, where you can buy tickets for cheap. I just want to warn you that there might be a very long line.

The museum of natural history - I was there a few years ago and I remember it was really cool and interesting. Don't know if it will interest a 4 year old, but even for adults it's a lot of fun. Can take at least half a day, if not more.

Madame Tussauds wax museum - They have museums in many places, but if you have never been to one you should definitely go to see it. It is truly amazing.

The USS Intrepid - very cool tour of the retired aircraft carrier. You get to see lots of different planes and helicopters.

If you are technology lovers, you must stop by B&H. It is a Photography/audio/video heaven. The store ceiling roller system is awesome and they have great prices.

ESPN zone - very fun place to spend a few hours in. Just watch out not to keep on putting more and more money on your card.

NBC studio tour - the NBC studios are located at Rockefeller center. The tour was really cool and interesting. Takes about an hour and a half.

Also being an audience on a TV show is fun. I think you can do this online on the show's site.

If you get a chance, stop by the Marriott Marquis hotel in times square. Take the elevator up to the 49th floor and you will be amazed...believe me, it's very cool.

[Eugenia Gabrielov]

Just a cautionary note - there are so many fun, fun things to do there, but depending on the family's background, and especially the child's, NYC can be a very big, big place. I lived there when I was younger, but I've been back for school trips and I've found that even the most responsible of teenagers get lost and distracted easily.

[evulish]

The museum of Natural History is nice & probably the most kid-friendly museum in manhattan. There's also the met (classic art), and the moma (modern art), both on Central Park East, I believe. If you want to get out of just manhattan, in Brooklyn you can go to the aquarium (which really isn't that impressive.. it's smaller than I had expected). If you get tired of walking the circle line bus tours are nice. If you like just wandering around looking at people/places, check out City Hall, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, check out China town (Canal St.).

Honestly, when I have friends come to the city, the highlight of the weekend is generally the food/nightlife. There are some amazing restaurants that you just WON'T find anywhere else. Whatever you do, don't go to a chain. Some of the neatest restaurants are the little holes in the wall. However, there are some really nice fancier places that are very family friendly (lax dress code, noisy, but amazing food and a hefty price). If they have internet access, www.menupages.com is indispensable. The zagat's restaurant guide is also so helpful (You can just look at one in Barnes & Nobles without actually buying it.. I did that for a while when I wanted a nice restaurant )

I'd probably avoid the subway in the summer, especially with a kid. The 4/5/6 line is super crowded, especially.. if you're on the east side. But regardless of the line, it gets really hot in the stations (it's not so bad when the humidity is low.. but if its 80% or so, it's killer).

If it's this weekend, I might avoid some of the more touristy stuff, like going up in the Empire State Building and stuff like that. People will be flocking in. Also, more people will probably be out this weekend than usual, so be warned for food.

Another thing to check out could be the TIX booth in Times Square (there's a similar thing down at the South St. Seaport) where you can get day-of discount tickets for Broadway shows (although on a weekend, they'll only have the less-popular ones or off/off-off broadway shows).

Also, for one of the best views of the city, take the Staten Island Ferry (down near battery park) over to Brooklyn. It's free and pretty relaxing. Seriously, it's great.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by evulish

Also, for one of the best views of the city, take the Staten Island Ferry (down near battery park) over to Brooklyn. It's free and pretty relaxing.

Umm, I think that ferry goes to, er. Staten Island. Hence the name. But, it's almost free (I think it's 25 cents each way), and it is a great 20 minute or so boat ride through the middle of New York harbor. Go to the south end of Battery Park, the ferry terminal is obvious.

As for safety, use common sense, like anywhere. Ask your hosts, too. Although NYC has become a LOT safer in the last 20 years, Central Park at night is still a poor choice.

Some restaurants can cost $100 per person, most are just expensive. I agree completely with evulish, don't waste time eating at a chain, the tiny holes-in-the-wall can be spectacular. Schedule your meal times for slightly off house - 11:30 or 2:15 for lunch, and as late as 6:30 for dinner. You'll get a nice table and good service without a 75 minute wait. (But, sometimes talking to locals during that 75 minutes can be fascinating)

Don

[JaneYoung]

Would anyone like to expand on 'casual dress' for dining? I guess the hosts will address that but I didn't think of it.Austin can be very laid back/casual. We can dress for dinner but it isn't anything my circle would think of. We head for good coffee, all night places, great food, and yummy queso. Two adults and one child can eat for $30, no problem.

[Alexa Stott]

Originally Posted by Jane

Would anyone like to expand on 'casual dress' for dining? I guess the hosts will address that but I didn't think of it.Austin can be very laid back/casual. We can dress for dinner but it isn't anything my circle would think of. We head for good coffee, all night places, great food, and yummy queso. Two adults and one child can eat for $30, no problem.

$30 for two adults and one child? I definitely don't think that's happening in NYC. Like Don said, there are some restaurants that could be upwards of $100/person. But with a child, they're probably not looking into places like that, and those are the places that usually require people to dress up.

Like probably many places in the US, most family-friendly restaurants are casual. I don't think they'll run into a problem with formal vs. casual, unless they would like to maybe just have a fancy dinner one night.

Since this is New York, there are many all night places, but just be careful of the location. You don't want to end up in one of the bad parts of town late at night, especially with children. Again, though, NY has gotten a lot safer in the past few years.

Also, as Don mentioned, the "hole-in-the-wall" places can be really good. And they definitely don't require formal wear, and sometimes they can be less expensive than the chains.

[JaneYoung]

In the early 70's I stayed in the Bronx for a couple of weeks and ate in some of the hole in the wall places that you guys are mentioning. Some of the best times and best food I've ever had. When I was eating in one whose choice of seasoning for everything was curry, the server eventually came and set down 2 large pitchers of water next to my plate instead of having to stand there with me refilling my glass.
It was great! Mark, thanks for the book suggestion, I'll look this weekend.

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by AtalanteStar25

$30 for two adults and one child? I definitely don't think that's happening in NYC. Like Don said, there are some restaurants that could be upwards of $100/person.

Also, as Don mentioned, the "hole-in-the-wall" places can be really good.

I'm most definitely not a New York expert, but how come I haven't seen any discussion of the New York deli? My husband insists that a deli is something a visitor to New York must experience, and I'm sure the family will want to eat lunch. I've also read that sidewalk vendors are popular.

[Alexa Stott]

Originally Posted by KarenH

I'm most definitely not a New York expert, but how come I haven't seen any discussion of the New York deli? My husband insists that a deli is something a visitor to New York must experience, and I'm sure the family will want to eat lunch. I've also read that sidewalk vendors are popular.

The delis are quite good. Thanks for bringing it up.

For Letterman fans, there's always the Hello Deli. Plus many other good ones. I can't name any off the top off my head.

I've never had anything from a street vendor. The only thing I know is that when you're driving along the road, one of them may be walking in the middle of your lane, so watch out! (True story)

[evulish]

Originally Posted by KarenH

I'm most definitely not a New York expert, but how come I haven't seen any discussion of the New York deli? My husband insists that a deli is something a visitor to New York must experience, and I'm sure the family will want to eat lunch. I've also read that sidewalk vendors are popular.

Well, for a classic deli feast, go to Katz's Deli on Houston St. Try their pastrami. There are deli's all over the place, but that's probably one of the more famous ones. As for street vendors, the ones in the touristy places are nothing to rave about (boiled hotdogs, expensive pretzels, etc), but during lunch hours, there are all kinds of street vendors for the working class which are usually pretty good.

Also, for some good food and just an interesting experience, there are a lot of street fairs in the summer around this time. I run into one just about every weekend. They take up a big part of an avenue where they sell food and cheap wares (jewelry, art, clothing, etc.). I usually run into them in midtown east on like 3rd avenue (I think) in the 50's or down near Union Square (I think there was one on 8th ave this past weekend around 18th st).

[JaneYoung]

Any ice cream places or stands to go with that Violet Crumble?
- He'll like the deli suggestions -