New York Must See Attractions/Dining???

[travelgrl]

I am traveling to New York City for the first time and would appreciate any advice on must see attractions or dining tips. On the list so far is:Tavern on the Green, Statue of Liberty, and a Broadway show (don't know which one-saw The Lion King and Phantom while in London last year). If you have tips or suggestions, I would greatly appreciate any assistance.

[Coach Man]

Originally Posted by travelgrl

I am traveling to New York City for the first time and would appreciate any advice on must see attractions or dining tips. On the list so far is:Tavern on the Green, Statue of Liberty, and a Broadway show (don't know which one-saw The Lion King and Phantom while in London last year). If you have tips or suggestions, I would greatly appreciate any assistance.

If you wish to do some Major Sightseeing, in New York City, then buy yourself a 2-day Hop On/Hop Off Pass from Gray Line of NYC. Their new, open top buses stop at most of the major tourist attractions including Times Square, Central Park, Grant's Tomb, Harlem, the Dakota Building (where John Lennon was shot and killed), United Nations, Chinatown, South Street Seaport (Good Place for Lunch), Battery Park (where you catch the ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island) and all sorts of other spots including the former site of the World Trade Centre. Buses are very frequent, running every 15-20 minutes or so.

If you want a sure bet at getting on TV, don't go to the NBC Studios, go instead to the CBS Studios at 5th Avenue and Central Park South where the "Early Show" is filmed and you are pretty much guaranteed to get on the TV.......especially if you make up a sign.

You may find Theatre-bargains at the "Half-Price" ticket booth, which is located at Times Square. But, expect to stand in line.

A decent place to stay is the Park Central Hotel;

http://www.parkcentralny.com

You may find some halfway decent prices here. The hotel is located at the intersection of 55th Street and 7th Avenue.......just one block away from Carnegie Hall, and easy walking distance from Central Park.

Hotel rooms in Manhattan are very expensive......in excess of $250-$300 per night in most cases. Occasionally you can find a bargain.

Coach Man.

[travelgrl]

Coachman:

Thank you so much for the detailed information for my upcoming trip. I really appreciate the tips.

[OKCtraveler]

The Grey Line bus is a good suggestion. We enjoyed it immensely, since we didn't have any idea where to go, where to park or how to get there. It made the trip very enjoyable. I'm sure we got to see a lot more than trying to make it on our own. Happy touring!

[Professor Piper]

Do not miss Sbarro's Pizza in Time's Square!!

It's the flagship of the franchise and the pizza is AWESOME!

Sbarro's was the first restaurant I ever worked (at a franchise in Odessa, Texas)...Their pizza is authentic, HUGE, and VERY tasty...

It's a MUST DO while in Manhatten!!

God Bless,

Terry
(Prof. Piper)

[Coach Man]

A Couple of extras;

The South Street Seaport is a shopping mall with a Food Court on the Top Floor which provides excellent views of the Brooklyn Bridge (the one featured in the opening titles of the TV Show "Taxi"). It has an open section where you can enjoy views of the East River, along with Brooklyn. It is also within walking distance of Ground Zero, via the Financial Nerve Centre of New York.....Wall Street.

You didn't say when you were travelling, but, the aircraft carrier "Intrepid" may be back from its multi-million dollar refurbishment. You can also go on a "Concorde" there. You can find it, if it's back, on the West Side Highway, near to 44th Street.

Speaking of boats, take a 3 hour long Circle-line Boat Cruise of Manhattan, or if you want to party on a boat.....the "Spirit of New York" could be the one for you. It features live entertainment, and, is a terrific way to spend an evening.

For breathtaking views of the City, don't go to the Empire State Building. You will face huge lines and massive security there. Instead, go to the NBC Studios, and go to the observation platform known as "Top Of The Rock" (Rock = Rockerfella).

5th Avenue and Madison Avenue features stores that none of us can afford to shop in:-). Macy's is of course a must see.

I'm sure something else will come to mind.......I'll post it when it appears

Coach Man.

[scaducky]

If you are in the theatre district there is an awsome itailian resteraunt that wont break the bank called Sofia's.

The ticket kiosk in Times square is the best place to get tickets you just have to go with an open mind and not expect to get the tickets to your first choice. and make sure the tickets are full view. Alot of New York theatres are old and have been renovated to seat more people( the differance betweetn broadway and off broadway shows are the number of seats not the quality of the show) and you might wind up behind a supporting beam if you are not full view. Show attire is casual now a days so don't go crazy dressing up.

As for pizza being an ex New yorker I am offended that anyone would pick franchise pizza over true Ny pizza. This is like saying dennys country fried steaks is the best when lamberts is down the street. (mind you sabbaros has good pizza, just not NY pizza) If you want true New York Pizza Lomardis in Little italy was the first pizza in New york and USA. If you aren't in south manhattan Any pizza place that has the words Rays and Famous in the name are bound to be good.

As for attractions. Most museums have a free day just check the guide books. The times square visitor center is the best place to get info. Grey Line Tours are Fabulous. Get the tickets that let you get off and on.

If you have any othe Questions feel free to PM me.

[Gabriella]

Scaducky, there used to be a FANTASTIC pizza place in the village near NYU. You could buy a whole pizza or by the slice. I'm wondering if it's still there. It was the BEST pizza, bar none, that I have ever had. I believe the name was Rocky's?

[Ms_Terese]

Don't miss a chance to go to the original Carnegie Deli.

[Coach Man]

Originally Posted by Ms_Terese

Don't miss a chance to go to the original Carnegie Deli.

....which is located out the front door of the Park Central Hotel, turn right, and it is on the next block.

Coach Man.

[Ms_Terese]

Don't miss a chance to go to the original Carnegie Deli.

Meant to add...I had a sandwich there for lunch, and I had leftovers for 3 days....I'm not exaggerating. Don't pass up the strawberry cheesecake. It's worth every freakin' calorie.

[scaducky]

OMGosh i miss the Carnegie Deli. Ruebens is also fabulous for huge juicy sandwiches.
I never been to rockys but if its a local joint its most likely good.

[travelgrl]

Thanks to everyone for the great tips. Keep them coming if you have more. Our trip is planned for the second week of May so maybe we will be traveling in between peak seasons.

[Lindsey]

so, how was your trip to NYC? I don't think I ever saw a report from you about where you stayed and what all you did??? we are thinking about going up there in september and i am anxious to hear from someone about places to stay that won't break the bank, etc. . . . i have never used public transportation so i would be interested in hearing about that, also.

[travelgrl]

Hello:

Sorry it has taken awhile to post from my trip, but I've had some unexpected family emergencies. Anyway, the trip was great. We stayed at the Sheraton in Manhattan which is located in the middle of Time Square. The first night we took the Staten Island Ferry (free) for a tour of the NYC at night. It was beautiful to see NYC lit up at night.We also toured Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. The next day we went to Sunday Service at the Brooklyn Tabernacle. The service was 2 hours but it was great! We had cheesecake at Juniors (yummy!)

The third day, we went for our tour of the Statue of Liberty, but due to the weather the ferries were closed. We received a raincheck for the following day. FYI, if you want to go up in the statue which is just to the base since it was closed after 9/11 you must upgrade your ticket, or you will just be able to tour the grounds. Since we were rained out we took the time to tour Wall Street, Ground Zero (not really much to see unless you go underground to the subway memorial), toured China Town, and took the subway back up town to Grand Central Station. We toured Macy's flagship store, and went up to the top of the Empire State Building. We had a fun day at Madame Tussads to distract us from the rain. That evening was a broadway show "The Lion King".

The fourth day, we were able to take our tour of the Statue of Liberty and it was amazing. Words don't do it justice. It is so amazing to see it in person. We took the subway back up town, and visited the 5th Avenue shops of Tiffany, FAO Schwartz, and the Apple Store. We made our way to Central Park for our lunch reservations at Tavern on the Green (touristy but worth it). That evening we attended another Broadway play "Wicked". It is the untold story of the Wizard of Oz. It was fabulous.

The next morning, we made our way back to the airport for our flight home to Arkansas.

I may have left something out because we ran from daylight to dark and saw so many things. We of course tried a hot dog from the vendor, and had traditional New York pizza at Adrians.

I hope you enjoy reading the review, and if you have questions, I will be glad to help.