lbell12

Any input is appreciated.

Wednesday. Arriving Newark around 4. (Best way to get from airport to hotel in Tribeca?)
Check into the Cosmopolitan in Tribeca.
Dinner and the Empire State Building. Any recommendations for restaurants near ESB?

Thursday. Museums and shopping. Definitely planning on the Met and the Museum of Natural History. Lunch recommendations?
Dinner at 8 at Cercle Rouge.

Friday. Early morning class at the Trapeze School. Lunch at the United Nations, followed by the tour. Get in line for half-price tickets, dinner (recommendations?) and a show.

Saturday. Breakfast (recommendations?) Afternoon game at Yankee Stadium. Perhaps another night of dinner and a show or maybe just dinner and a pub...

Sunday. Brunch. Harbor tour. (Is it worth it to take the Circle Line trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Or should we just take the Staten Island ferry for a good view of them?) Last, early dinner. Depart early the next morning.

We don't want a jam-packed schedule, don't need to see everything because I'm sure we'll be back. Is this too much, not enough?

Thanks!

NYer1979

I'm not much help for restaurants (I'm a diner kinda girl), but I will say that you can still get discount theater tickets without waiting in the TKTS half-price line. You can get tickets in advance using discount codes from a site like http://www.nytix.com. I think you can also get them by signing up with some other theater sites, like PLaybill.

mclaurie

Best way from airport as in easiest is a taxi or car service. I like limores.net Cheapest is probably train.

The area around the ESB is not known for great dining. Nicest place nearby is ARtisanal (French, known for their cheeses) and I think they have a prix fixe dinner that's affordable. But I think you'd have more fun/options going back down near your hotel. What do you want to eat and budget?

The Met is on the east side and the Nat. Hist. is on the west side. I think both in one day is overload, but if that's what you do, your options are eating near one or the other as Central Park is inbetween (unless you grab a sandwich and eat on a bench in the park which is not a bad option).

Trapeze school sounds fun! Where is it and when does it get out? I ask b/c there's a TKTS booth across from the South St. Seaport where you might be able to get tix for that night and not bother with Times Square. Again, for dinner recos, it would help to know what you like and budget. Are you alone (I ask b/c John's pizzeria is one good inexpensive but tasty option but they only sell whole pies).

Sat. breakfast, Bubby's or Kitchenette. Any shows on Sun. night start at 7 or 7:300 fyi.

kawg

If you are staying in the Tribecca Area – definitely eat at Robert DeNiro’s Tribecca Grill – very good food and atmosphere … wonderful experience. Here’s a link http://www.myriadrestaurantgroup.com...ill/index.html

Theater Distric/Broadway Area two recommendations – Dinner at Carmine’s http://www.carminesnyc.com Great Italian restaurant (make a reservation)

Lunch at the famous (and delicious) Stage Deli... (http://www.stagedeli.com/)
7th Avenue… unbelievable sandwiches and authentic waitresses.

In Little Italy you can’t miss the opportunity to dine and be amused at La Mela Ristorante – great food, no reservations, long lines so go for a mid day meal meaning after lunch but before dinner. Ask for the huge family style meal and enjoy the experience. (Phone number and address on the internet, can’t find a link)

At the top of the ESB definitely do the simulated ride – fun NY experience.

Here’s a link to check out discounted tickets for show - www.broadwaybox.com

If you’re a AAA member, they also have some discounted rates and packages.

Have Fun!

nohomers

Doing both the Met and the Natural History musuems in one day is probably too much. You may want to visit the Met and then take a walk in Central Park on your way to shopping. As for the Circle Line you may want to take the half circle tour of Manhattan, a great way to spend Sunday morning (if it's sunny) and get a different view of the city.

nytraveler

Agree that the Met and Natural History i one day is to much - each could take 2/3 days to do the whole museums - including movies and gallery talks. Depending on your interests, do one or the other - or do just 1/2 things at each (check web sites to find out what you really MUST see).

Taking the Staten Island ferry will give you a distant view of the Statue of Liberty - it doesn;t get close. And there's nothing to see at Ellis Isand - and the ferry goes nowhere near it - New York Harbor is enormous - unless you do the Museum. If you have time I would do the Museum - but you relly do need to get advance tickets for this ferry - or you'll wait in line forever.

Also- I would do the Top of the Rock rather than the ESB. IMHO better views - no lines since you can get timed tickets - and a much better area to find a restaurant. (There's little near the ESB). I would try the Rock Center Cafe just for fun - but if you want something less expensive there's a lot in the area - if you tell us what cuisines you like/don't.

For the game at Yankee Stadium get there early so you can see Momument Park - but only before the game - and it closes I believe 45 minutes before the game starts. (Call them for the exact time to get in.) And - since security at the Stadium is tight don;t bring any large bags - and be prepared for everything to be searched.

signmeup

Tribeca will be fun. If you want Chinese in Chinatown, go to Joe's Shanghai-- famous and good. And good prices. Shopping in Soho is great. Also, Bubby's. I think someone mentioned it for brunch. Good idea. If you like sushi-- there is the expensive- make reservations- Nobu and then Nextdoor Nobu. Grab a zagat's at the bookstore. It's worth it for recommendations.
Pastis is a fun lunch experience- french bistro.

wauhob3

Sunday you may want to do an accomplice tour. It's a pretty unique experience. I would classify it as an interactive mystery theater tour. We did the Village one since it was the only one running the weekend we were there and saw things we ever would have otherwise. www.accompliceny.com . You could then take the ferry or circle line later in the afternoon.

Aduchamp1

I would skip the United nations tour. It is boring and not edifying.

I would also skip the Stage, Carmine's and Little Italy. These are all tourist stops and there is much better food throughout the City.

For Deli-Katz's particularly the pastrami

For Italian-genuine romano-Caci e Pepi, Northern Italian-I Coppi or Supper

For Pizza-Lombardi's or Tontono's

The Staten isalnd Ferry is a much better choice than a day at the Statue.

Chiantown-Big Wong's (Yes that is the name) cheap and slap dash service

Jing Fong or Sweet n' Tart for dim sum.

Near Empire State is Hangawi-excellent veggie Korean and I hate veggie places.

lorem_ipsum

Hi lbell12,

Sounds like a great itinerary you have planned. A few reccommendations:

The ESB area is fairly devoid of great food options, except as one poster mentioned, Artisanal (if you like cheese try this place!) The only other option I can think of is Koreatown, the stretch of 32 St. between Broadway and 5th Ave (try Shilla for good Korean BBQ) If you like beer hit the Gingerman pub or Stout after dinner (both in the 30s/midtown, you can email me for specific locations if interested)

If you're looking for some more city views, try Top of the Tower in the Beekman Hotel, 49th and 1st Ave. (maybe the day you do the UN as this is close by) Have a drink and sit outside if weather's nice.

I agree with the other posters who said the Met and Natural History museum in one day is overdoing it. Both are huge and with lots of things worth seeing. If you wind up doing the Met their museum cafe is actually quite nice.

If you'd like to see a show, I'd definitely recommend one of the online services that another poster mentioned... either Playbill or SmartTix. That way you know in advance that your tix are secure and you avoid all the waiting, plus the show you want to see might not be available from the booth that day. Save time and aggravation, buy in advance. Can recommend several restaurants near theater district: Esca, Becco, John's Pizzaria, Rosa Mexicano (near Lincoln Center but a quick cab ride away), a place called Turkish Cuisine.

Do you have your tix for Yankee game yet? Depending who they're playing that day could be limited availability. You might not want to sit through a show that night after a 3 hour ballgame! As an alternative, hit a jazz club or someplace else with live music.

Staten Island Ferry is a lovely way to see the Statue. While you're downtown, walk through Battery Park City, up the promenade and then along the path by the Hudson River Park. Head into the West Village and eat dinner there.

I have to disagree with the poster who recommended La Mela in Little Italy for dinner. I went here once and thought the food was terrible and the service a bit obnoxious. There is a place called Il Cortile on the same block which I preferred, much better food, pleasant atmosphere.

Also, what dates are you coming in and do you have any particular food preferences or budget?