New York Here I Come! =)?

Question

Hi everyone! My family and I are going to NY City for the first time for a week in either March or April of next year. We are definately doing the Ground Zero stop for the WTC 9/11 and also the Rachael Ray show as i'm a big fan (they aren't giving out tickets yet for those months, I checked already), but if you had only one week in New York City, what would you do, where would you stay, where would you eat? Any hidden places you would recommend that aren't on the touristy stops? Any places outside of NYC that you may recommend that are maybe a few hours outside of NYC by train? How far is Niagara Falls from there by train? Too far? Thanks for any advice!!

Answer 1

Do the typical tourist things - see the empire state building, see the statue of liberty and ellis island - there used to be a ferry ride from one to the other, but i haven't been there in years.
If you like museum check out the metropolitain museum od art or the museum of modern art
you should see some of the ethnic area too like chinatown and little italy.
You should see a broadway show while you are there - you can go with a classic like phantom of the operasomething edgy like Avenue Q (which is NOT for kids! lol) or see the Lion King - it was awesome!
There are a boatload of great places to eat (La Bonne Soup on 55th is a great quaint little french restaurant )- would probably depend on where you're going or staying. But my only piece of advice there is not to eat anywhere you could at home or near home.

Answer 2

Jekyll and Hyde is an awesome restaurant located in Midtown Manhattan, across the street from Macy's and a block away from Central Park. A novelty restaurant, the food is slightly ovepriced but you get a big bang for your buck. The atmosphere definitley makes up for the slightly raised prices, though. When you first enter the restaurant, you and about 14 other people enter a pitch black corridor with a mad scientist. When the door closes, the walls begin to close in on you, the ceiling, which is covered in spikes, lowers towards your head, lights flash all around you, a siren blares, and the mad scientist screams and laughs manically. It's not as scary as it sounds! Finally a door on the other side of the corridor opens and lets you into the restaurant. The portraits on the walls have eyes that move every few seconds, following people as they walk by. The mad scientist makes visits to your table, as well as other spooky characters. Every half hour a show is put on with all of the characters, and the giant temple of doom creature on the wall talks to the audience, with fire in his eyes. It's an amazing experience with great food and an even better atmosphere. I definetly reccommend it. Expect LONG lines, though, since this is an extremely popular place. Try to go at non-meal times, such as around 11:00 in the morning or 2:00 in the afternoon. Also, if you LOVE cheesecake like I do, you've got to try Lindy's! I love it so much, I'm trying to get a whole cheesecake shipped to Arkansas for my birthday! LoL! And they do that! It's THAT good! 825 7th Ave...

Answer 3

You can go to Katz' deli on Houston St for a pastrami sandwich as Bill the cockroach suggests, but if you go with your family, bring a credit card. The last time I had a pastrami on rye there (about two years ago) the price was FOURTEEN DOLLARS! The pickles are free.

Other suggestions: Lower East Side, esp. St. Marks Place; Union Sq. Farmers Market; Chinatown (esp. Canal St.) in the afternoon; central park; The Museum of Natural History & Planetarium; The Metropolitan Museum of Art & Museum of Modern Art; Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Niagara is not worth the time.

Answer 4

When I was there, I was there for 3 days, 2 of which were blizzard conditions. Thing you should try to see, are, 1, the statue of liberty/ellis island, go early because I think the last ferry is at like 2pm. 2, go to central park, and see the fountain. you know, the one in all the movies where people are always playing chess?, it's something to see, all the people and commotions. 3. I was Beauty and the beast on broadway, that was oh so cool. I would love to go again, but get tickets in advance. 4. the Empire State Blg. it's worth it, trust me. 5. Go to papaya's and get a papaya coney. it's so yummy... 6. Go see the Museum of art, there's DaVinci paintings in there. Restraunts, there's tons in any directions, best food I had tho was a turkey paninni from the corner deli in ronconkoma longisland. Don't use taxi's, unless you have $, the subway can get you anywhere you want to go. don't touch the rails, and those puddles aren't rainwater. Don't Pay street performers, or beggars.

You should definitely check out CBGB's (where the Ramones and countless bands got started) and maybe Coyote Ugly. there's tons of clubs. if you like that.

Word of Caution. NY is a dangerous city, Don't look up unless someone is watching you and your back's against a wall. Guard yourself from pickpockets, and don't carry a big camera. If you can avoid alley's and unpopulated areas, then do. If something bad happens, Get as best discription as you can and find a cop. The NY cops are really very good, and have a HUGE job, so as much info as you can give will help. Good luck and I hope you have the best time!!

Answer 5

Enjoy. Hit the Met, MOMA, Central Park, maybe Ellis Island, Chinatown, Times Square, the Empire State Building. Forget Niagra Falls though, it is 10 hours away.

Answer 6

Go see the Blue Man Group. That's the original show at the Astor Theater. Go to Katz Delicatessen on Houston for a pastrami sandwich if it's still around. That was the setting for Meg Ryan's orgasm scene, but the pastrami sandwiches are to die for. I haven't lived in NYC for about ten years and I still have dreams about Katz's pastrami. Have fun!

Answer 7

New York is the Safest big city in the US. Just use common sense and ignore that crap about not looking up, you need to see where you're going --- and also to look out for falling debris, cranes etc.

also, please don't stand in the middle of the sidewalk chatting with your family move to the side and stay out of the way of us busy New Yorkers

Answer 8

i would stay at the plaza if i could. visit the statue of liberty and ellie island too.

Answer 9

1. I WANNA GO!!!
2. you just named the trip I would have picked! lol