What is there to do in Manhattan for 5 hours?

Question

I might be going to Manhattan on Saturday with a friend, but I don't really know much about Manhattan. I'm going to arrive at Penn Station using the LIRR. What are some things we can do/see for fun in Manhattan if we only have 5 hours? Some interesting places to visit? (Not too expensive is preferable)

The more details, the better

Answer 1

If you're going to Times Square, look for the Naked Cowboy (he's usually around 44th and Broadway.
http://360vr.com/nakedcowboy/
http://www.littleviews.com/home/newyork/naked_cowboy.cfm

You can walk up to Central Park - pass Rockefeller Center and St Patrick's Cathedral - Fifth Avenue and 49th Street - go to FAO Schwarz Toys - Fifth Avenue and 58th Street - ride the robot elevator - watch the show on the piano that Tom Hanks danced on in "Big" - between shows, you can dance on it. See the TimeWarner Building at 59th Street - stop at Sanyo on the third floor - you can use their cell phones, digital cameras and computers or watch a movie on a high definition screen - these activities are all free.
http://www.shopsatcolumbus.com/scs/user/shopdetails.aspx?tenantID=TN-00044

Or go downtown and take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry - it's free, too - you'll get a good look at the Statue of Liberty and the Manhttan skyline. You can walk through the East Village and get some inexpensive exotic food to try for the first time. Or, eat in Chinatown and have desert at the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory on Bayard Street - get an unusual flavor like green tea or red bean ice cream.

Have a wonderful day!

Answer 2

If you've never been to NYC, you should walk from Penn Station to the Empire State Building and go up to the Observation deck. It's maybe $15 but it's the best view in the world. Then just walk up 5th Avenue, checking out all the famous stores (Saks, Tiffany's, etc) to St Patrick's Cathedral and then across the street to Rockefeller Center. Keep your eyes and ears open for any musical groups or street performers. Find a little delicatessen somewhere and buy a hot pastrami sandwich on rye (don't ask for it on white bread unless you want to see some pretty dirty looks).

Or, you could head south to Greenwich Village/Soho, look at art galleries, hang out in Washington Square (you could just watch people there for 5 hrs). Look at al the strange unidentifiable foodstuff in the markets in Chinatown. Head to McSorley's Pub for an unforgettable time.

http://nymag.com/listings/bar/mcsorleys/

It really depends on what you like and where you are from, what you want to see that is different. You can just walk around Manhattan for 5 hrs and not spend a dime and have the time of your life.

Answer 3

Go play with the tourist in mid town
go down to battery park
hang out in Washington square just take the a or the e train for that
the village is a weird place but fun

Answer 4

Just go to Manhattan! You will find millions of interesting things to do in minutes! 5 hours will fly like 5 minutes!

Answer 5

Time Square is super fun. At night it looks so scool cuz of all the light they have. You could go shopping. Um they have people there that are artist who paint your name on a piece of board. I got mine name done and it looks great. But that is only part of your time if you dont go to Time Square. You could walk around and see all the buildings. Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Go to the South Street Seaport.

Answer 7

Times Square is a must!