new York

[Andy Mac]

Heading out to New York for a long weekend witht he family

Any must see recommendations of what to do when there ?

Ta

Andy

[wdolson]

I believe the Intrepid is back http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/

Are you crossing the pond this weekend?  Let's hope the volcano in Iceland doesn't burp again.

Bill

[Andy Mac]

Allegedly tomorrow morning we shall see...

[SuluSea]

USS Intrepid is a must see attraction. I timed my visit to NYC to see the Yankees last year perfectly as it was during fleet week, man what a spectacle to see those warships on the Hudson.... This years fleet week starts next week.

[JohnDillworth]

I'd like to think I'm not too jaded. I would skip Broadway/42nd street unless you are seeing a play. Also, I would skip ground zero and the south street seaport. Just a big construction site (don't flame me, I was in the first bombing and have an early memory of the trade center being built). Don't know your interests besides what is presented on this board but if you have any interest in fine are the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a world class inquisition. Would not know where to begin but the impressionist and Egyptian wing are not to be missed. Museum of Natural History is big and fun. However, if it is nice out don't spend all your time in stuffy museums. High culture? The Philharmonic is in town but Carnegie Hall is the superior concert space ( A Scot are ya?).
Shopping for Camera & electronic stuff? B&H ,cheapest and best selection this side of Tokyo, not open Saturday. Electronics and music? J&R downtown. Baseball? Well there is Yankee Stadium, but the Mets CitiField is the better facility. If it is nice and clear out walk the Brooklyn Bridge or get on top of the Empire state building at night.

[Misconduct]

John nobody can blame you for your opinions, hardly doubt there are many trolls on this board specifically, can't say for the others i visit.

[JohnDillworth]

Thanks, it really is just a cool construction site, but if Andy is coming on the 20th he needs this thread not to get hijacked.
Thank You,I continue to be surprised by the grace of the people on this board.

[Q-Ball]

MOMA and Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Museum of the City of New York is also pretty cool. Empire State building is expensive and overrated.

[khyberbill]

Depending on your tastes, the Natural History Museum is a good show. Don't let your wife walk down 5th Ave. I was down in the city last week to get my wife a visa for Belgium and I had a hard time getting her out of Saks 5th Ave. If the weather is clear then a ride up the Empire State building is a good view.

[Canoerebel]

My family and I had one day - just one - to spend in New York City in September 2004.  We had an absolute blast and picked an itinerary that was interesting but wasn't overdoing it.  We parked at Liberty View State Park (New Jersey side), caught the ferry to the Statue of Liberty, then to Ellis Island, then to Battery Park where we walked down Broadway, toured Trinity Church (cool place with lots of famous people buried there), then to Ground Zero, then caught a water taxi back to Liberty View.

[The Gnome]

If you like steak, want a nice night out with the wife, and have a little cash to burn, I love Wolfgangs in Murrary Hill.

[Kitakami]

A few eating spots I have tried and liked:

- Steak: Peter Luger (http://www.peterluger.com/) CASH ONLY
- Italian: Joey's Paesano ((212) 966-3337, Little Italy, 136 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10013)
- Seafood: Docks Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill (http://www.docksoysterbar.com/)

- The Statue of Liberty.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art, definitely. I loved the Egyptian and Roman/Greek exhibits.
- B&H Photo is THE place to buy electronics in. Owned by Orthodox Jews, they do not open on the Sabbath, but they do open on Sundays, which sometimes is useful.
- The Intrepid, definitely a must.
- If you have kids and want them to go crazy, take them to FAO Schwarz, the toystore (767 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10153, (212) 644-9400).
- Grand Central Station (yes, the train station). The architecture is extremely interesting, if you are into that. On the same architectural thought, St. Michaels Cathedral and the New York Public Library.
- A walk through Central Park, if you have the time, the inclination, and the weather cooperates.
- Madame Tusseaud's Wax Museum (http://www.madametussauds.com/NewYork/).

I lived there for a while, and there is a lot to see. Hope the above help you in your planning.

[witpqs]

Andy,

Second what John and Kitakami say about B&H Photo, great prices, honest, and focus on good customer service. BTW, they do mail order via the web.

A warning: Stay away from the many electronics/photo/whatever stores that are run just to take tourists. Used to be a ton of them in and around Times Square but other places as well. Maybe it's illegal now, who knows, but they were each and every one of them having a 'going out of business sale' for decades on end! A favorite ploy is to take something (like a camera, but could be anything) that should retail for $200 - put a price tag on the bottom of $800 and try to sell it for $300. Such a bargain!

Safe traveling.

[crsutton]

Start with the Metropolitian. The medieval and samurai weapons and armor there are a must see. Some incredible stuff. Not to mention the rest of the museum which is out of sight. If it is a beautiful day, absolutely go to the top of the Empire State building. Not only is the view great but the building itself is one of the most beautiful skyscrapers in the world. Ride the Staten Island Ferry. It is still free. It is full of tourist but Times Square at night is a sight to see. Ride the RR to Brooklyn and walk along Brooklyn Heights. Some very nice views of the city there. And again if you have nice weather, a walk through Central Park is worth it. Designed by Olmstead the park is still one of the finest in the world.

Now I am jealous and wish I was there myself. Oh BTW, did I mention that you might want to take a suitcase full of money with you. It can be expensive....[;)]

[LoBaron]

And if you have a wife, or girl, and both want to make her happy and get loads of free hours witp time as a thanks, go for a walk in the evening hours
at the new Manhattan Highline Park (where the old high train track was). It was not completed when I´ve been there a year ago but it should be now.
And even then it was really nice. You get a great of the city while walking through a park 15 metres above ground level... [;)]

[JohnDillworth]

For whats going on in town each day (including crimes, fires protests and VIP visits:
http://gothamist.com/
and nowhere is the melting pot aspect of NYC better displayed then in our street food. Some of vest food is served from carts. Not to take away from the restaurant scene but if you want to save LOTS of time and Lots of money and you are flexible plese check this site:
http://midtownlunch.com/

[tocaff]

On the east side of of Central park there is a row of smaller museums to be seen and the Gugenheim is a don't miss. 

Take a ride on the Circle Line around the island of Manhattan. 

The ride up the Hudson River to West Point is really nice, but your time is limited and the Point will take a day.

There are so many diverse things to do in NYC that a long weekend won't even begin to scratch the surface. 

Now you've got me missing my hometown....[:(]

Enjoy the trip.

[eastwindrain]

I've just returned from a 15 day coach tour complete with hop on local guides of NthEastern USA and Canada.
Had some free time in NY but complied with the better-half and did the tourist thingy !!!.
However either use the sightseeing coaches and hop on and off at various points but for USS Intrepid you might need a cab.
This is as close as I got, a drive by veiw from the bus, just wanted to jump ship so to speak.

[JohnDillworth]

Lowlander reminds me. Get a unlimited metrocard. A 1 day is about 9 bucks and a 7 day 27. If you are going to be bouncing Manhattan the subways are quite safe and bar far the fastest way to get around. You will no doubt pick up some local color. Take the subway!

[eastwindrain]

OK this was a great holiday visiting all the historical and tourist sights but again from a distance I spotted this from the coach when crossing a bridge, USS New Jersey. With SS United States in the top right.