Cjar

Well, our family of four is booked for New York in mid June. Thank you to those who made suggestions on accommodations while traveling with teens. We are staying at Hotel Beacon. I think it'll work out great..
My question now is what's your favorite New York neighborhood and why? What's your favorite thing to do there? With so much to see and do, I always love to hear other's favorite spots. It inspires me to try some thing new, something that I might not think of.

Also , has anyone done any tours in Harlem?
Favorite place for tea?
Favorite show?

Big thanks to all.

nytraveler

My favorite is the upper west side - that's because we live there - or why we live there. Favorite spots are Nat'l Hist Museum, NY Historical Society, Zabars and of course Central Park. But Riverside Park is also lovely in the spring and can be cooling in the summer with breezes off the river.

But there are bunch of neighborhoods to enjoy - to me the residential areas (like west village, museum mile of the upper east side, and parts of SoHo are the most enjoyable to just enjoy/explore).

Since we both work in midtown we tend to avoid that area except for specific trips for shopping or to a show - but I know a lot of tourists like to explore that for a more big city feel different fro most US cities (masses of street life versus the end of the world emptiness you get in many cities).

Cjar

Nytraveler- I believe that is where we are staying and I liked that hotel for all of those very same reasons, very close to AMNH, Central Park, Metropolitan Museum. We also plan to see The King And I which is quite close as well, no?

I hopped on someone else's post about discount show tickets., but I'll ask again here. Can anyone explain RUSH tickets and how that works?

nytraveler

Yes, King and I is at Lincoln Center (Vivian Beaumont theater) which is about 12 blocks south down broadway. Can't help with rush ticket info since I don't know how it works at that theater. Suggest you call them for info.

As for the upper west side another benefit is that the avenues are lines with inexpensive/moderate restaurants of every possible ethnicity. If you tell us what cuisines you like and budget we can make recos.

starrs

For living: UWS
For visiting: Midtown

Fra_Diavolo

I'd like to live in the Village, specifically on 10th or 11th Streets between University Place and Sixth Avenue. They're attractive, quiet, un-touristed, yet near to the East and West Villages and Union Square. Maybe I'll get lucky this summer -- we're thinking of changing apartments. Midtown has been very convenient, but I've grown weary of the constant construction and the monstrous scale of many of the buildings.

Upper west is nice, upper east very elegant.

IMDonehere

Fra those are some of the nicest streets in all of the City.

If were to live anywhere I would like some places buried in the West Village such as on Horatio, Commerce, where it is quiet but convenient for other things to do.

For activities, I have no real favorite neighborhood as each its charms and drawbacks.

HappyTrvlr

I have always loved the West Village, washington Square, charm, history.
I enjoy West Chelsea and the area around Union Square too.

Pepper_von_snoot

I can't remember where I read it, but professional movers were asked the difference between UWS and UES.

The response:

Upper West Side more books than clothes.

Upper East Side more clothes than books.

Thin

BigRuss

>

Easy way to tell everyone you're from out of town is to refer to it as such. In NYC, it's The Met. And it's not on the UWS - it's on the UES.

I tend to like whatever neighborhood is having a street fair.

Cjar

Thanks BigRuss- I'll try to remember to use the Met. Although I am certain there is absolutely no possibility I could ever be mistaken for a cosmopolitan New Yorker, raised in SoCal and now a fixture of the broiling **** we call Phoenix. Speaking of street fairs, are those summer events?

We have every intention of spending time in Greenwich this trip. Last time NY was short and sweet enroute to Ireland. I would also like to check out Brooklyn and maybe Harlem. Feel free to offer suggestions or to discourage either if you don't feel there is something distinct and interesting in either of those. I have gotten some of my best suggestions/ guidance from Fodorites.

Am I mistaken or is there an old school diner with excellent malts and shakes on Lexington and? I thought I had an old post with assorted dining suggestions from a couple of years ago ,but can't seem to find it.

Nytraveler - are there a couple of food places you particularly like especially breakfast since we'll always be in that area at that time of day?
We're pretty open to different kinds of food.
We like Thai, Chinese, Italian, Indian,French, you name it.

sf7307

Speaking of "The Met", you might want to visit Greenwich Village, which is one of Manhattan's great neighborhoods, but not Greenwich, which is a tony Connecticut suburb.

Pepper_von_snoot

If you are on the UWS, you can walk across Central Park (at the Beresford on Central Park West) and come out at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Metropolitan Opera is also referred to as The Met, so I don't agree with Big Russ.

As for the malts, maybe you are thinking of Serendipity near Bloomingdales?

Does anyone here remember Rumplemeyer's near the Plaza Hotel?

IMDonehere

I tend to like whatever neighborhood is having a street fair.

Apparently you are intrigued by tube socks, overpriced kennel corn, and rusty dental instruments.
_________________

You do have to add either Museum or Opera after the word Met, unless it is clear in the context of the discussion music or art.

Then, of course, is Mr. Met. (Mr. Met is the mascot of the NY Mets who has an over sized baseball head.)

Gwendolynn

Pepper… I think he's thinking of the old soda fountain on 84th…83rd.. and Lex. Can't remember the name. It's an interesting throw back but not worth a special trip…. IMHO.

IMDonehere

Pepper… I think he's thinking of the old soda fountain on 84th…83rd.. and Lex. Can't remember the name. It's an interesting throw back but not worth a special trip…. IMHO.

Lexington Ave. Candy Shop

Cjar

Sf7307- Thanks for keeping me in line. I'd hate to end up in the wrong state.

At the rate I'm going, I'm going to end up taking Mr. Met or a coloratura soprano to Connecticut for a really terrible shake.

maryanntex

Favorite place for tea (or breakfast)? Alice's Tea Cup at 73rd and Columbus, just a couple of blocks from your hotel.

maryanntex

Also, really, really good cookies at Levain Bakery at 74th and Amsterdam. Yum!

Bedar

Yes, remember Rumplmeyer's - in the St. Moritz. Paris branch is now Angelina's.