carolv

My 16 yr. old daughter and I are planning a day in NYC next week, arriving in midtown late morning. We're not sure what areas to cover - so I'm open to ideas. We've already been to Ellis Island, ESB, Central Park, Museum of Natural History, & Metropolitan Museum of Art. She may be open to a museum (this is not her priority) - either the Guggenheim or MOMA.

I'd be open to a show - Legally Blonde? Since time is so limited, we're not sure about that.

I'd be happy to tool around the upper east side or go down to Greenwich Village. I haven't been downtown in years, so any suggestions are welcome. (I have fond memories of funky cafes, great little restaurants, sidewalk bazaars...)

We are looking for a great (not necessarily fancy) meal (French?) She's a vegetarian.

We're very excited but just want to be sure we pinpoint where to go since our time is so limited. Would it be pratical to walk to the village (from Park/50th)? We think nothing of walking a few miles - I'm just concerned with time.
I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

nytraveler

Exploring downtown - shopping, window shopping, have a little lunch, look at a couple of galleries (Village, East Village, SoHO) sounds good. But you'll be doing enough waling there. Just hop on a subway to downtown. Not sure exactly where you'll be - but hopstop.com will let you find nearest train and where to get off downtown.

MoMA is great if you like modern art. The Guggenheim leaves me cold - plus it's all the way uptown at 80th St.

You don't say when you';re leaving - if late, after an evening show I wold do it - but not waste the whole afternoon at a matinee - esp of Legally Blonde (IMHO kind of boring).

Gekko

The Guggenheim is on 5th Avenue between 89th & 90th, not 80th.

Vttraveler

I would take a bus down Fifth Ave to Washington Square Park rather than trying to walk that distance. You should save walking energy for Greenwich Village, Soho etc. You can also walk easily to Chinatown and Little Italy

the Lower East side Tenement museum is very interesting as is the surrounding neighborhood (I would do this some day other than Saturday)

The Frick is another museum you might consider--small and with an excellent collection

I haven't be to the UN in years but I think that might also be interesting to tour, and you will be staying very close to it
http://www.un.org/tours/

carolv

Thanks for the quick replies. Would Washington Square Park be the most central location to get off to walk around the village? We could just walk over to 5th Ave. for the bus.

Legally Blonde wasn't a priority, and we have to leave at 7 - so I really wasn't worried about whether we saw it or not (and a matinee would eat up most of the afternoon).

The Tenement Museum is a possibility. I recall reading about it on this forum. Is it crowded on weekends? Is that located right next to the village? (sorry, I have no orientation of that area). I've been to the Frick - great place.

It just occurred to me that we'd want a quick dinner too before leaving. Any suggestions for midtown? Thanks again!

Vttraveler

Carol--I somehow missed the fact that you are only doing a one-day trip. I was thinking that the Park and 50th address was of a hotel. Are you coming in to Grand Central Station? It is worth stopping to explore if you have not done that on your earlier trip

You could easily take the subway down to the Greenwich Village area instead of the bus but would see more on the bus of course. Washington Sq Park is a very central place to start touring the Village

You could walk from the village to the Tenement museum which is southeast of the Village area but doing that this trip might make you feel too rushed. Advance tickets are recommended there and would mean you would be committed to a specific tour time at the museum. The tours are small and fill up fast.

This link has some information on major architectural features in the Village and also Park Avenue
http://www.nyu.edu/classes/finearts/nyc/main.html

carolv

Well, we still haven't decided what areas to explore. What part of the village would have fun restaurants? Are there any areas that have weekend sidewalk sales (we're inclined for bargains over boutiques...)

I usually have a very specific plan, but I'm thinking we may play it by ear and just bring info on a few options. Advice is appreciated - we're heading down in a couple days!

DownSouth

It's probably booked but check out www.foodsofny.com for the Greenwich Village Tour. Two years ago, my daughter, almost 16 at the time, LOVED it and you will too! I went ahead and checked the calendar...one ticket left for this Saturday and more next Monday. Maybe they would squeeze one more in for Saturday. It's well worth it. Besides discovering wonderful neighborhood restaurants, you sample plenty of food along the way and learn the interesting history of the Village.

libssmfamily

We (grandmother, myself and three daughters aged 6 to 10) were in Manhattan in January and saw Wicked, Legally Blonde and Mamma Mia. All three were excellent and fine for younger audiences. Use the subway to get around. It's safe. We used it any chance we got to meet up with a cousin attending college in Queens to visiting Central Park and nearby museums/restaurants from our hotel near Times Square. I loved walking around Grand Central Station. Go there during rush hour or at night. It's amazing! Buy a black and white cookie and people watch. Your feet will need a break at some point. Also go shop on 5th Avenue and check out Tiffanys. Even my 6 year old found something that she wanted to buy in there! And one more thing a teenager could love, try the frrrozen hot chocolate (enough for two) at Serendipity 3. If you go in the afternoon you won't need a reservation. New Yorkers eat late. http://www.serendipity3.com/food.htm

libssmfamily

One place our family friend didn't have to drag us to was Juniors (Juniors Cheesecakes) in the Theatre District in Manhattan. This place originally made its start in Brooklyn, but can be found all over New York. Here's a link to see reviews and find other locations. I highly recommend for lunch, dinner or just dessert. Beware, each slice of cheesecake is definitely enough for two people, but you'll end up ordering more than one because there are too many delicious options!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/juniors-rest...ourse-new-york