My sister and I are FINALLY taking my gram and mom to NYC. . . we used my gram's 80th birthday as the catalyst for planning. We've both been to NYC, but are no means experts. My gram hasn't been in years and my mom has never been. I want to plan a great three days for our foursome.

Here are our details thus far:
Arrive Sunday, 12/17 at LaGuardia at 10:00 am (we intend to stay in midtown, most likely the Ameritania. . . )
See Mary Poppins at 3 pm (tix yet to be bought. . . StubHub or similar website)
Need to make a plans for lunch, dinner, and some sites after the show

Monday, 12/18: Open!
Tuesday, 12/19: Open! Leave LaGuardia at 4 pm

I'd like to mix in the NYC usual suspects with a few new things that maybe my sister and I haven't seen. Priorities include Empire State Building, Lady Liberty (I'm thinking a glimpse from Battery Park should suffice -- or should we get on a ferry??), MoMA, Central Park, Times Square, Rockefeller Plaza (TODAY Show), Radio City Music Hall, shopping and EATING!

If you were in charge of our trip, how would you arrange our time in NYC? We are early risers, foodies (but want to be economical about it), like walking (weather permitting), want to avoid subways and take taxis instead, and make sure my mom feels like she got a big taste of the big apple.

Restaurant rec's for breakfast, lunch, and dinners would be much appreciated. (BTW, my mom is all about funky/quaint ambiance with restaurants. . . . )

Looking forward to your suggestions!

-Kellie

About the restaurants, not sure of your preferred location or cuisine, but we love Dylan Prime (steaks) and Peasant (Italian). Neither are famous, but we tend to avoid big-name restaurants/ chefs as they sometimes focus on themselves rather than their guests.
Dylan Prime has no signage so must know address for your taxi driver. Find address at menupages.com. Peasant is on Elizabeth street.

Thanks for the recommendations. I like small and not-necessarily-famous, as long as the food is good and the atmosphere is interesting.

I would also appreciate any thoughts on what we could do for Monday night dinner/entertainment. My mom likes restaurants/bars that have some sort of performer, if possible. We'll be seeing a show on Sunday afternoon, but I want Monday night to have interest for us, too. (If it were just me and my sister, we'd do something like seeing an improv show or a band, but it is more difficult to figure out a Monday night activity that will hold everyone's interest. . . )

Thanks!

-Kellie

There was another post on this board for NYC suggestions where I posted a response. I believe the person was traveling in December. I would post but I'm not that Fodor's savvy yet. That being said, the key to maximizing sites and minimizing foot pain (a concern with an 80 y/o grandmother) is grouping areas/sites of the city together. So do downtown one day, do midtown around Rock Center another, museums another, etc.

Also FYI I just saw Mary Poppins last night and it was great. Started out slow but there were definitely some high impact/impressive moments. The kids are great in it.

Have fun.

Gosh! I live in NYC and I did not know about StubHub. Great site! I have been trying to get matinee tickets for Mary P and Ticketron has been sold out until April. Know any other good sites?
I know not everybody agrees, but a birthday dinner in the Crystal Room of Tavern on the Green is special and fun. Go for the early-bird and it is a NYC bargain. The Metropolitan museum is also a must in NYC. Don't plan to stay all day even tho there is more than a day's worth to see, but just till you get tired. The gift shop has goodies.