Going to New York. What to do there??

[Earnhardt321]

Ok so a friend of mine and I have decided to take a summer trip to New York. Neither of us have been before. So I need some ideas of what to do for 6 days in New York in August.

[GAN]

You're talking New York... so where does one begin? Aside from all the usual stuff(Empire State Building, Wall Street, Statue of Liberty -recently re-opened, World Trade Site, Rockefeller Center) I would recommend a place off most lists -McSorley's Old Ale House(do an internet search). If you enjoy beer, of course. The place is a little quirky, they only serve their ale(light or dark) -I believe nothing else, and you order based on the date(even days you order even quantities, odd days you order odd quantities). It's been a few years since I've been, but they keep the cash in the open behind the bar -they say they've never had a cash register and never will. Check out the restrooms.

[kakn7294]

DH and I spent a weekend in NYC last summer. Our favorite part other than the Yankee game we attended was the Circle Line cruise that we took out of the South Street Seaport. We also enjoyed just walking around Manhattan and made our own sight-seeing tour. I hated Times Square but I don't like large crowds and it was definately crowded - wall-to-wall people! I bought a small NYC guide-book that fit in my purse and did a lot of internet research to map out the best route to see what we wanted to see in the little time we had.

[SBETigg]

You definitely have to see a Broadway show, try a matinee for lower prices. Try to get tickets for attractions, like the Empire State Building, online in advance- it will save you time waiting in lines once you get there, and might be less expensive, too. Check into that now because you need time to get the tickets in the mail.

There are some wonderful walking tours. I love getting a guidebook and mapping out my own walking tours of various parts of the city. My favorite thing to do in NYC is to just walk around and soak it all in, stop at little cafes or shops when I feel like it. And don't forget Central Park. The Bronx Zoo. The museums.

[DeniseMB]

I also agree that if you would like a couple of beers to try McSorley's Old Ale House.

Look into The New York Pass (not the City Pass), it includes admission to over 50 attractions, such as...

Empire State Bldg
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
Central Park Zoo
Bodies, the exhibit
Carnegie Hall tours
Madamme Tussauds
Top of the Rock
Circle Line Cruises
NBC Studio Tour .... just to name few
check their website

get up early and be outside The Today Show, get a photo with Matt, Al & Meredith.

Request tickets for The David Letterman Show or The View.
Do this well in advance. My requests for Letterman took about 2 1/2 months. I did let them know when I would be in town. Otherwise, try the standby line.

Of course, go to Ground Zero.

A Broadway show is a must...

HAVE FUN.

[DizNee143]

well of course..i will suggest the World Of Disney in NYC!!!!

[DeniseMB]

also, (correct me if I am wrong)..Times Square has recently been closed to traffic, except emergency & delivery trucks for the next 6 months. If things go well, it will be a permanant pedestrian mall.

[Earnhardt321]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will look in to the New York Pass. I think it would be a big help if we could avoid lines!!
Where would the World of Disney be? Any excuse to buy Disney stuff!!! We are planing to see Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia and possibly the Lion King!! Keep the suggestions coming!!

[kakn7294]

World of Disney is currently located on 5th Ave very near the south entrance of Central Park, the Trump Tower, FAO Schwartz, Rockefeller Center, and St Patrick's Cathedral. If you head that way, take a dip inside the lobby of the Trump Tower and check out the 5 story waterful - it's spectacular! We didn't have time to see a Broadway show but there are some pretty good deals on tickets sometimes available.

[Mickey'sGirl]

We were in NYC 3 weeks ago. We had such a fabulous time. We always say that there is something to do for everyone in NYC -- regardless of what you like doing.

Top of the Rock (going to the top of the Rockefeller Center) was phenomenal, and provided views far superior to the Empire State Building in my opinion.

Duck Tours. You can pre-book on line for one of these amphibious tours. It was a perfect "light" tour --- saw some points of interest whilst heading to the Hudson River, saw a little film about the Hudson, then took a little boat ride before heading back to Times Square through Hell's Kitchen. Fabulous couple of hours, and we highly recommend it.

Walk through the park. I don't know where you are staying, but you have to get into Manhattan and spend a day wandering through Central Park. There is so much to do, or not to do depending on your tastes. There is still an old Caroussel working there, and it doesn't cost much to ride.

The Museum of Natural History is a fabulous way to spend at least part of your day.

Go to a Deli. Our favourite is The Stage on 7th Avenue. The food is fresh and fabulous, and the experience makes us think "Real New York".

We were disappointed in the WofDisney store this time. It used to have some special Disney things, but it now seems to have become just an oversized Disney Store. Too Bad.

Wear comfortable shoes, 'cause walking is the way to go in NYC. Such an efficient road system (at least Midtown, where we stay). I hope you have a terrific time!

[PETE FROM NYC]

I am 58 yo, lived here all my life, and I have not done most of the touristy things.
When outside folks think NYC, they think only of Manhattan forgetting the other 4 boros.
Try the Bronx Zoo, Coney Island Aquarium, Coney Island itself.
Go swimming at Rockaway Beach in Queens,try fishing from a party boat in Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn.
Go to a baseball game, both MLB teams have brand new stadiums. (I am a Mets fan).
Try some real pizza, not the catsup and cardboard sold by the chains.
Go to Peter Luger's in Brooklyn, the top rated steak house in the country.
Still, Manhattan has the museums, Broadway shows, South Street Seaport,etc.

[Earnhardt321]

Thank you all for your suggestions, I am busy looking them up on line!
Now my next question is about the subway. I am a little leary of the subway but realise it will be a very convenient way to get around. They also look confusing. What should I do to get around via the subway?

[Scar]

Get yourself a Map. Study it, especially the key. Know which station you are closest to, and which station is closest to where you want to go. Know where you can transfer. Don't transfer if you don't have to, in other words, if you're on a line that goes to Penn Station, and you want to go to the Empire State Building, get out at Penn Station and walk, it would be way faster than transfering just to save a 15 minute walk. And conversly, If you are leaving a place, it may be faster to walk to a further station if that line brings you closer to your destination.

Try to buy as many fares as you think you may need the first time so you don't have to buy them each time.

[Nekochan]

I would not worry about being on the subways (unless it's 3 am), but at all times do keep your purse firmly under your arm. THe bus system is also very good, but slower. Other things to do could include the cloisters museum at the north end of manhattan (it's a museum of medieval stuff). If you are a chocoholic try Max Brenner's or Serendipity3. There's also a double decker sightseeing bus that you can buy a ticket for and get on/off all day long.