Sue25

Hi

In September I am bringing my mum and dad to NYC to celebrate my dad's 70th birthday. I have been to NY before but for my parents it's their first visit. I am in charge of the itinerary and I'm looking for some idea's to make the visit extra special. My dad's 70 on the Saturday and it's my mums 69th bithday on the Monday so no pressure at all to make sure we have a geat time! We arrive on a Friday and leave late on Wednesday. I am looking for places to visit and my dad has requested good steak and an all american breakfast. We are staying East Mid-town. Any recommendations of must do's and restaurants welcome.

So far I am considering booking a chauffeured classic convertible tour - anyone taken this before? and possibly a dinner cruise on my dad's birthday but the reviews are variable so I am a bit unsure??

Help needed

9evolution

I would avoid the cruise. A great steak place is The Old Homestead. Also in that area is Chealsea Market it is a great walk through good little shops in there and a elevated park that is very nice to stroll and look out to the Hudson. Breakfast I recommend a 1 oclock brunch at Jane on Houston St. A must is a evening trip to the top of the Empire State building. There is so much to do in NYC the list could go on and on

Aduchamp1

Skip eating on the boat.

For steak take a cab to Brooklyn and Peter Luger. http://www.peterluger.com/

Bring plenty of cash.

Everybody has a second favorite.

Mine-Strip house

http://www.striphouse.com/

_________________________

For a great breakfast, but only go during the week. The weekends are a zoo. It is located in a neighborhood your parents might find funky-Clinton St. Bakery. Great scones, pancakes, and biscuits.

http://www.clintonstreetbaking.com/

garyt22

great weekend lunch at The Loeb Boathouse in Central park... perfect for a quiet celebration...

Sue25

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply guys, I am pleased my thoughts about eating on the boat have been confirmed - I was worried about spending a huge amount of cash on a meal that might not be that great. I'll check out the places you have all suggested for eating and book a meal out instead. May have to do a steakhouse and The Loeb Boathouse - it's a good job there are two birthdays to celebrate!

txtree

Agree about Peter Luger. I've also never, ever had a bad steak at Sparks: http://www.sparkssteakhouse.com/

As for places to visit, my parents have loved the Tenement Museum (easy enough to head to Katz's deli for lunch before or after).

http://www.tenement.org/?gclid=CMHIs...FceQ5god0kv7ZA

doug_stallings

There are several really good steakhouses in NYC, but just realize that steak here is very expensive if it's at a top place ... no less than $75 per person (without wine) since steaks are served a la carte and come with nothing. Wine at a top steakhouse typically costs $12 or more per glass. Prices are pretty consistent.

Also, Peter Luger is nice, but it's cash-only, and it's in a pretty desolate part of Brooklyn, so factor in a $20 taxi ride each way as well, assuming you could get a reservation.

I like Sparks, but they don't treat tourists very well, often making them wait at the bar in the expectation they will buy expensive drinks. Smith & Wollensky has always been a favorite of mine, but I wasn't very happy with my last visit (again, ushering us into the bar for expensive drinks for no particular reason). But the steaks there are really good.

Angelos & Maxie's is a little less expensive, and Le Relais de Venise L'Entrecote, while not an upscale dining experience, is really great for a simple steak, fries, and salad at a very reasonable price.

For any of these places, also count on making a reservation at least 30 days out (some restaurants allow them to be made even further out). You can use Open Table, though not for Peter Luger, and Le Relais de Venise doesn't accept reservations (but you don't need them anyway since there's rarely a wait).