Last month, the two women next to us were wearing outfits that I thought were sweat suits, but my daughter called them pajamas.

I agree, take your time and don't over plan. I'd skip the Hop on and Off bus too. NYC is meant for the feet! (UNless any of you have problems walking?)

Broadway you will see everything but I always use the occaision to look extra nice. You will see some dressed up and some in shorts and tennis shoes.

If the weather is nice, take the subway to Central Park and take a walk there, then go to Fifth Ave for some shopping - mainly window shopping. Fifth Ave is is right there at the S. end of the Park.

I'm glad you are droppin the SOL. Wise move IMHO.

My daughter was in NYC the first time at age 13. We went again when she was 15 and 17. Her loves have been fifth Ave, Broadway shows, Serendipity, and the best one? Sitting at an outdoor cafe in Chelsea, having Sunday brunch, taking our time, people watching. Its still one of her favorite things to do, (next to shopping). She fell in love with NYC and now is in college there. I'll be there in 3 weeks to bring her home for the summer!

Isnt it great having a nice place to visit? Our son is in Phoenix and I love going there and visiting!Doesnt hurt that the weather is sunny and warm year round!Here in Michigan we are so excited to have it 60 degrees!
Thank you again for all your tips Fodor Travelers!

Thanks to everyone responding to this forum! We have a game plan and now need a show to go to..our choices so far based on tickets available and seats available adn price are:
9-5
august...osage county
chicago

Our group consists of Married couple in 50's and a daughter 17 and her dad..48

The BEST show by far is August/Osage, but honestly if you're looking for fun, you could be disappointed by the intense drama of it all. If you all agree you want to see some special serious drama (mixed with some humor) I'd go for it.

9 to 5 is getting some mixed reviews -- many saying the music itself is nothing special, but a fun show.

Chicago? Have you never seen it? Just the movie? Certainly no longer fresh, but if you haven't seen it, and only the movie, well you could really still love it.

Any other recommendations?

I'd definitely skip Grimaldi's but DO walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. I just ate pizza there on Fri. and after waiting 1/2 hr for a table found the pizza MOST disappointing. It has rubbery rather tasteless cheese, non-descript sauce and ok crust. Definitely NOT worth the wait! While you are down near the bridge, you could walk over to the South Street Seaport and get half-price tickets at the TKTS booth there. The lines aren't as long as in Times Square. However, Hair hasn't been on the list the past five days that I've been here and do remember, there is a fair amount of nudity in Hair. Wicked may be a good choice for a family of your description; I think you mentioned you are traveling w/your teenage niece? Mamma Mia has been on the list as has Phantom if for some rare chance that you've not enjoyed either of those in the past. Just check out the TKTS website for a list of the past week's selections. In Chinatown, a fun cuisine to try is dim sum. Oriental Garden has lovely selections. Also, stop by at Ten Ren Tea Shop for an iced bubble (tapioca) tea; it is a fun & refreshing beverage.

Oh, JUST saw 9 to 5 and it is the WORST Broadway musical I've ever seen and I LOVED the movie! I'd take Chicago over 9 to 5 if that is one of your three choices.

Ok scratch 9-5 and no we have not seen Chicago or mamaMia so maybe one of those would be good. Hate to see have not see phantom either. Perhaps one of those would be good to see now! Thank you everyone for your advice and recommendations! It is most appreciated. Anyone needing advice on Az or MI just ask!

Yes, DO walk over the Brooklyn Bridge (on a decent weather day). Wonderful vistas. Benches along the way if you need to sit down. If you start from the Brooklyn side you will end up in downtown Manhattan. Other places to eat besides Grimaldi's. Go to Jose Torres chocolate shop if you want some really incredible chocolate (Main Street near the Brooklyn Bridge on the Brooklyn side - the neighborhood is called DUMBO for Down Under the Manhattan Brooklyn Overpass.)

ALSO - Brooklyn Heights is right there as well. Beautiful Brownstone Neighborhood, with many places to eat. There's a Promenade there that that runs along the East River and gives you great views of lower Manhattan, The Statue of Liberty, etc.

Im getting mixed reviews about Grimaldi's...is it just a convenient place to get pizza or is it really great? The chocolate and ice cream sounds wonderful too!Hope the weather is good while we are there!

Has anyone seen the off broadway show alter boyz?

Hi Sunshine,
I replied to your separate post about Altar Boyz. It's definitely a lot of fun, but if you have your heart set on a big B'way production, this isn't it. I saw 9 to 5 last night - most of the audience was wild for it, but not me. I laughed more at Altar Boyz. Loved Chicago if you are still thinking about that one. Also, South Pacific is excellent, and I'm hearing very good things about Rock of Ages, but I have not seen it.

HI spring 212, we decided to do both Altar Boyz and Mama Mia. Thanks for everyone's input! I love South Pacific but have seen that in San Francisco before so thought we should do something new. I'm getting anxious for our trip now!

HI spring 212, we decided to do both Altar Boyz and Mama Mia. Thanks for everyone's input! I love South Pacific but have seen that in San Francisco before so thought we should do something new. I'm getting anxious for our trip now!

Opps I did that two times.

Here is what we have decided to do after listening to everyone's helpful hints and advice. Hope it isnt too much but we can cut stuff out if we get overwhelmed. Now we just need to figure out how to get from place to place most efficiently....will use hopstop to help us or any advice you have will be helpful!

not specific days except shows

Day One
arrive Laguardia..take cab to AFfinia Dumont
AFfinia Dumont to the BEast ride..( circleline tours not downtown)
back to hotel area to shop, walk in esb, etc
Times square
MAMA MIA
COCKTAIL LOUNGE THAT WAS MENTIONED
TOTR if time OR DO ANOTHER DAY

DAY TWO

ELLIS ISLAND TOUR (NOT SOL) FIRST OF DAY
(FINANCIAL DISTRICT)
GROUND ZERO
CHINA TOWN
BROOKLY BRIDGE..WATER TAXI THERE AND WALK BACK AFTER VISITING CHOCOLATE SHOP AND ICE CREAM SHOPS? PIZZA MAYBE
BACK TO HOTEL..SUBWAY?

DAY THREE

CENTRAL PARK-BIKE AND BOAT EAT AT BOATHOUSE VISIT BALTO STATUE ( WE ARE IDITAROD FANS) PICNIC
TENEMENT MUSEUM IF WEATHER IS NOT NICE
ALTAR BOYS OFF BROADWAY SHOW

DAY 4
7AM VISIT ONE OF THE TV MORNING NEWS SHOWS
WHICH IS CLOSEST TO HOTEL?

SHOP AND ETC AROUND HOTEL TIL 11
11-TAXI TO AIRPORT FOR 2 PM FLIGHT..IS THAT ENOUGH TIME?

I HAVR LEFT OFF THE EXTRA DETAILS LIKE RESTAURANTS THAT APPEAL TO US ETC BUT WILLFIT THOSE IN IF P OSSIBLE...WE DONT EAT ON A SCHEDULE!

I stayed in NYC in Manhattan for two nights a couple of years ago and Jekyll and Hydes is a great place to eat.

My sister and I didn't have much time to actually go into things; We definitely walked, took the subway the bus and cab. My husband and I and two sons 18 and 20 will be going there on the long weekend of May as well May 15-17. We are staying at the Westin Times Square. We are going to Shrek the Musical on Broadway. My husband would like to see statue of Liberyt son I think we also will take that 2 or 3 hr cruise.

Hello again!
The only other suggestion I now have is for your DAY 3. If the weather is yucky, why not visit an uptown museum like the Met or Natural History? Since you are spending DAY 2 entirely downtown, it doesn't make sense to go back downtown again the next day just for the Tenement Museum. The two museums I mentionned are some of the very best in the world. The Tenement Musuem is interesting, but not at all in the same category (world class). Have a wonderful time!

Thank you for that advice about museums...wasnt sure where the tenement museum was.

Just a word of caution about Jeckyl and Hyde -- beware of places that offer some sort of ersatz "entertainment" - the food and service usually suffer greatly in these places. Most reports from people who have been enticed to go there have been very negative. Too many good eating spots in town to choose from.