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

[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 -

[Mark McLeod]

Serendipity on 60th between 2nd & 3rd Avenues serves a huge banana split.

Speaking of street fairs: http://www.nyctourist.com/st_fairs_calendar.htm
but I don't see anything in August.


There are free concerts in Central park all summer http://www.summerstage.org/, and you can usually find free outdoor dance and street performances all through the city.

I just looked up this site for city events: http://www.iloveny.com/search/events_index.asp

[KathieK]

One thing to remember with the restaurants that might surprise them at first, is that space in NYC is at a premium, so the restaurants, stores, etc. in Manhattan are sometimes narrow and deep. My husband loves Carnegie Deli (I've never seen sandwiches that big anywhere else - expensive but so worth it!). If they can figure out transportation, a trip to Connecticut to the Mystic Aquarium might be nice. Also, I grew up on the beaches of LI so maybe someone can tell us how they could get to Jones Beach or a closer one - you have to experience the Atlantic Ocean if you're going to be that close! And don't forget library preschool programs. www.nypl.org

[Alexa Stott]

Originally Posted by KathieK

Also, I grew up on the beaches of LI so maybe someone can tell us how they could get to Jones Beach or a closer one - you have to experience the Atlantic Ocean if you're going to be that close!

Good suggestion! Just as long as they don't end up in the Hudson by accident.

[Mark McLeod]

Some of the NY specialties to try while they are here are:

Bagel w/lox
Egg cream (no eggs are involved)
NY Pizza
NY delicatessen sandwiches
Italian ices, pastries, cannoli
all the ethnic foods you find in NYC and many more I'm overlooking.

Speaking of hole-in-the-wall places…

Il Laboratorio Del Gelato on Orchard St. between Broome and Delancey Sts. makes their ice cream by hand in the back and they have some specialty flavors.

For Jenny's Dim Sum try the Double Eight Palace for brunch at 88 East Broadway underneath the Manhattan Bridge.

I have to think about transportation to Jones Beach.
The easiest route is by car - LI is all about cars - (midtown tunnel-LIE east, to Cross Island Pkwy south, to Southern Sate Pkwy east, to Meadowbrook State Pkwy south).
{edit}
I looked up a couple of ways to take the train to the beaches.

• The LIRR from Penn Station has a Far Rockaway stop at the beach there. (I haven't been to the beach there)
• For Jones Beach take the LIRR to Wantagh then take the JB24 or JB50 buses to the beach.

Coney Island might be an easier choice. There are a couple of subway stops there and at the nearby aquarium. I haven't been to the beach there (other than driving by) in quite a while.

[evulish]

Originally Posted by Jane

Would anyone like to expand on 'casual dress' for dining?

most places don't care unless you're going very upscale. I spent $250 on dinner for my folks and myself and we were wearing shorts. Your safest bet is to just call ahead and make sure shorts and stuff are fine.

And as for not looking like tourists, I wouldn't waste the energy. We can all tell The only tip I can think of for walking around is if aren't moving at the flow of pedestrian traffic, try and stay to the edge of the sidewalk (ESPECIALLY if you're stopped).

Originally Posted by Don Rotolo

Umm, I think that ferry goes to, er. Staten Island. Hence the name.

Haha. I'm a little slow sometimes.