I am a 28 year old, single female visiting NYC for my birthday. There will be a small group of girls (all 28 and single) and we want to know some things for us to do. This will be my first time in the city. We love to party and have a good time. We also want to do some sightseeing while we are there. Thinking about ice skating, Top of the Rock, Staten Island Ferry. Any suggestions? Also looking for some nightlife ideas!

I should have been more specific. We are staying with a friend in West Village, arriving next Thursday and staying until Sunday. We like to listen to live music as well as fun Hip dance music. Thanks in advance for any help!

Go on line and take a look at Time Out NY and Village Voice and they will have the best lsiting for live music and clubs.

urbandaddy.com is another good site. NYmag.com has a good search engine for nightlife too. I think you'll get better advice for sightseeing and dining here. Many of us are older and not into the new hip clubs.

Based on my stepdaughters experience, new hip clubs change about every 3 months. And if you want really trendy places you need to be prepared - be confident, be gorgeous and be VERY trendily dressed if you want to get in (your role is to attract the guys with really big money so they spring for $300 bottles to get a table - and you're competing with local models, actresses and minor celebs). (Sorry they're both away at school - so I have no names to offer - and obviously they're not places I would go - or be allowed in.)

If you just want clubs with good music - and are willing to avoid the trendy - there are many more places that's it's much easier to get into.

Some basic rules:

Thursday and Sunday are the biggest nights - Fri and Sat are popular with the mobs but not the select.

Depending on the club don;t turn up before 11 - or perhaps 12 (unless you know there are performances at specific times advertised).

If there is someone controlling the door be sweet and charming - and get into a conversation if possible - do NOT offer a tip.

Bring lots of $ unless you assume you will find guys to buy you drinks.