mariemom2

My sister and I are flying into JFK on 1-4-07 to see my son dance at the Dance Theater Workshop. DTW is located on W. 19th St. He lives on the upper west side (upper 90's close to Central Park) I'm just looking for some general suggestions of things to do and or see during the day. Also open for restaurant suggestions in either area. The performance is Thurs. Fri and Sat. night so we will be there in the evenings. Sunday during the day and the evening is also open. My son has a couple of things in mind, but I've learned it's always best to have some extra things available to suggest. I'm pretty good at searching out things on the internet, but thought recommendations from real people would be the best. Thanks.
Marie

nytraveler

Have you been to NYC before? Seen all the basics? Any specific interests?

If you haven;t been here before there are about a hundred threads below with ideas - as well as the desinations section above.

mariemom2

Have been before--done the Met and the gugginheim (shows would now be totally different)--empire state building. Saw some off- broadway.

mclaurie

That's exciting Marie. The theater on west 19th is in the area known as Chelsea. Lots of art galleries, shops, restaurants, the famous Chelsea Market,
http://chelseamarket.com/pages/shops.html
(brownies at the Fat Witch !) the flower district. The Joyce theater, a major dance theater is also right there (maybe that's where they're performing?).

For dining near the theater, Tia Pol is very good Spanish tapas. La Lucheonette good french bistro. Gascogne is another french bistro(nicer in summer in their garden imo). Cafeteria (trendy diner)
http://www.cafeteriagroup.com/

Do you know about menupages.com? Research on your own too.

It depends on what interests you (ie food, theater, shopping, eating, history, art etc.) You might want to do the kingofnyc.com tour if you've never had an overall view of the city. This guy gets great reviews. Your son might even see some new things.

You should consider a Broadway matinee. You're coming at a great time for bargains. Either look on broadwaybox.com and see what you can get on discount (Drowsy Chaperone would be one great one) or wait until you arrive and take the discounts direct to the theater to avoid transaction fees or go to one of the TKTS booths. Info here
tdf.org/tkts
Or maybe your son would like to see some dance. Sleeping Beauty opens the day before you arrive at Lincoln Center and the Ballet de Troc. is at the Joyce.

Take a ride on the Staten Island ferry (free) to see the Statue of Liberty. The Tenement museum has become very popular (reserve ahead). Maybe check out the Frick museum if you like art. Frick.org Or what about visiting Ellis Island?

Here's a thread from another forum with some good info on dining up near your son's apt.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic..._New_York.html

mariemom2

Thanks mclaurie! thats just the sort of thing I was looking for. It is exciting--He just graduated in June and is doing several part time jobs to support his dancing. So getting to perform is great. I'm from MN and my sister is from TX--we've tried to support him throughout his college years--but distance made it few and far between. This is our first performance post college so we can't wait. But we do want to do some other things while we are there. He turns up his nose at doing some of the "tourist" things--but that's what we are--middle aged tourits.I will spend some time checking out several of your ideas!

kellbell

I just returned from a trip with my mom and grandmother. . . my mom's favorite thing was the view from the top of the Rockefeller building. Even if it is cold when you are visiting, there are indoor viewing areas and you can step outside to take in the view. The great thing about the Top of the Rock is that you get a spectacular view of the Empire State Building (as opposed to actually being on the ESB looking at everything else). Your son might think this falls into the tourist category, but there were very few people there when we went. . . so no one will ever know!

Mclaurie also suggested that we eat at Jules Bistro in the East Village, which was great! I am guessing we were the only "non-locals" (as I like to call myself when visiting places) there.

We wanted to go to Tia Pol (as Mclaurie suggested above), but never made it.

Have fun!

maryanntex

I just got back from staying in that area (Four Points on 25th between 6th and 7th. The flea markets in that area are fun--Saturdays and Sundays--best in the morning. There is an indoors one in a parking garage on that same block where we stayed--also one outdoors not far away on 25th, I think. Also, Loehmann's is fun for shopping--7th at about 19th. There is a great bakery across the street from it--Le Pain Quotidien. Also, Billy's Bakery in Chelsea (google to look up exact address) is yummy. We love the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. You need to get tickets in advance. It is really interesting. They have a website. We saw The Drowsy Chaperone and Jersey Boys. I got a tickets on Ticketmaster (not scalper prices) for both with no trouble. If you look for singles, tickets might be easier to get for Jersey Boys. The Jersey Boys ticket was obstructed view, but that made little difference. It was great! We had dinner at Barbuto. Check it out on the internet. They have the monthly menu posted. It was really good and fun and not far from where you'll be staying.