What is it you're looking to see on the UES besides the Guggenheim?

"According to our guide it is the largest cathedral in the world!" St John the Divine is the largest Anglican Cathedral, but is only 4th largest Christian church--still pretty big.

UES: Historical sites such as the Metropolitan Club, Seventh Regiment Armory, Frick Mansion, etc. There are several historical sites we want to visit.

UWS: The Dakota and a few other sites we want to visit.

As I mentioned previously, our main interest this trip is history and architecture. I understand we could spend a week in each location, however we are just having to pare down to our must see's. I also can understand why people who live in the area don't understand why those who don't live there would want to visit these places! For us, it is the rich history, not the current state. Hope this makes sense.

Oh, and just as a reminder, the main purpose of our trip is the cruise to Bermuda that leaves out of NYC so our visit there is just a little side step. Had NYC been our final destination we would be planning differently.

I really don't want the focus of this discussion to be about "why" we are choosing to do what we are doing. We all are diverse people with different interests. I can't necessarily explain "why" I want to do or see certain things. More helpful would be the "hows". I really have appreciated the constructive feedback on things such as the tram & how to better organize the day to see the things we want to see. This will help us make the most of our short visit to NYC.

Understanding the "why" of your priorities does indeed help us discern the best "how."

For example, a bike ride in Central Park is not necessarily the best way to experience the architectural and historical features of Central Park, since you can't really use bikes on the pathways, just the roadways. You may be better served studying a map of the park and pinpointing the features you want to visit. Central Park is bigger than Monaco --2.5 miles long by .75 miles wide -- with interesting areas spread throughout the park.

Agree that biking in the park won;t help you see much of it - since you are limited to the very few roads. Most of the park and many of the sights are reached by pedestrian only paths. (And if the police decide to be strict the fine for riding a bike on the sidewalk is $100 or more.)

Thanks Ellenem. Actually, I just learned through reading yesterday about the restricted bike paths in the park. I definitely will need to rethink this. Might be a real time burner anyways with having to hassle with the rental shop. We would probably be better off just picking a walking path. We walk 1-2 miles each day so we can cover a lot of area on foot without being put out. The CP website has lots of info & maps that should be helpful in planning.

On another note, I have a real soft spot for You've Got Mail which is another reason I am attracted to the UWS. If I only had 4 hours in NYC, it would be in the UWS. I know that might sound a little strange but ever since I watched the movie decade(s?) ago, I have always wanted to visit that area of the city :)

mkm99, catching up on a long thread here that I missed in the last few days ;)

Here's my latest suggestion for your itinerary:
- Friday: take the 1 train uptown from 50th Street to 116th Street*, which puts you on Broadway near Columbia U. Traverse the campus over to Amsterdam, into St. John the Divine. From there, you can take the eastbound crosstown M4 bus**, which will cross 110th Street along the upper edge of CP, then down 5th Ave; get off where you want but certainly by the time you reach the Gugg. Note that the Met is open late on Fri and Sat; since it's pay-what-you-wish, my friends and I sometimes like to go in simply to have a glass of wine there instead of in a bar. (Feels so much more refined somehow when surrounded by art LOL.) To get back to your hotel/etc., take a downtown bus from 5th Ave to Rockefeller Center.
* Alternatively, get off the train earlier, say 79th Street, so you can wander up through the UWS, zigzag over to the Dakota etc.
** 1 free subway/bus transfer within 2 hours of entry into the system.

- I will add that IMO you do not want to go to Flatiron/Chelsea from the UES, as it's rather a public transit hassle. However, you could do it by keeping your Friday plans (St. Pats then UES): then walk across Central Park to CPW; take the downtown B train at 81st Street to 34th Street where you would switch to a downtown N or R train to 23rd Street, putting you at Madison Sq Park and the Flatiron Building. I like the suggestion of heading west from there and walking our new, pretty Highline to 14th Street - but of course that's the opposite direction from Grammercy Park! TOR or The View at the end of the night. ;)

- Saturday: IMO, the info about the Financial District being deserted on weekends is outdated. True, the people who work in the area aren't around (and the people who live there don't hang out outside, per se). But it's thronged with tourists! City Hall Park at the eastern edge of the Brooklyn Bridge is a pretty place to bring a take-out lunch; try Chambers Street for options like Blue Spoon. From your hotel, you have a couple of itinerary options: take the downtown N/R from TS to Whitehall Street for views of the SoL (and buskers, and war memorials) from Battery Park; <i>OR</i> take the downtown 2/3 from TS to Wall Street for a bit of the Financial District as you make your way to the WTC, or just to Fulton Street to be more directly there; <i>OR</i> take the downtown F from 47-50/Rockefeller Center (6th Ave) to York Street in DUMBO, Brooklyn, where the walk back over the BB should take you about 45 min at a leisurely pace.

- I would add here that IMO the only Financier pastry shop that's really great is the original on Williams Street in the FD; Financier has recently become a city-wide chain where the pastries are not made on location... Stone Street is an excellent suggestion in an area without a particularly interesting selection of eateries - there's a pizza place on Stone who's name is not coming to mind. (Cart food in the area being a good choice but alas probably not on the weekend.) On the edge of the Seaport area, we like Meade's to stop in for a drink and some quick appetizers...

Phew, I think I've tied myself in enough logistical knots for the moment! I hope I've helped rather than hindered. ;)

BTW, did you know that 20 "street" blocks in Manhattan = 1 mile? ("Avenue" blocks are longer.)

The N or R trains stop on the east side along 59th/60th St (at both Fifth Ave and Lexington Ave) and would make a reasonable connection to the Flatiron district/Madison Square Park after visiting the OP's interests on the UES (Metropolitan Club, Seventh Regiment Armory, Frick Mansion). In fact the Metropolitan club is virtually on top of the Fifth Ave stop.

On another note, I have a real soft spot for You've Got Mail which is another reason I am attracted to the UWS. If I only had 4 hours in NYC, it would be in the UWS. I know that might sound a little strange but ever since I watched the movie decade(s?) ago, I have always wanted to visit that area of the city

Doesn't sound strange to me at all! On my recent trip (in Dec) I seriously considered a trip to this area also, but time, and weather got us busy elsewhere. I would have loved to have seen that area in Riverside park at the end of the movie where Brinkley comes running as it looked so lovely, but thought it might be better to see it when the weather, and the foliage, was better. Everyone has little things that mean something to them and not to others when they are travelling. I was happy this time seeing the 'stoop' of the series 'Sex and the City', but others might look at it as corney. Who cares? We are there on our own dime, so see what you want! Enjoy your time in NY.

Oh you will probably like the little restaurant "Good Enough To Eat" for lunch on the Upper West Side, if you love You'Ve Got Mail. it's very You've Got Mail style. Also: EJ's Luncheonette , also on Amsterdam (b/t 80th and 81st) . Super cute shops around there, very colorful storefronts like in the movie.

Thanks for all the tips on places to eat, drink, visit, etc. I am taking notes!

I know logistically it makes more sense to do the UES & UWS on Friday. My only thought was that of all the places, the UWS would be the best to do on Sunday morning. So, back to the drawing board now that I have new info and suggestions.

I am thinking maybe of just doing St Pats then UES across CP then UWS Friday. My husband wanted to stop by and just see the GUGG (exterior & lobby). It closes at 5:45. Does anyone know if the lobby is open after this time? I know there is a restauarant there so wondering if the lobby area is open after hours?? I couldn't find anything specific on their website so I can give them a call.

Otherwise, we would just need to skip seeing the lobby area or go there first and back track to the MET since it is open late. We need to keep our visit down to an hour or 2. There is a Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit my husband wants to see then whatever else we can get in within that time before we head to the UWS.

My Saturday is still a work in progress. Only thing for certain at this point is that we are heading to the Financial District first thing in the am. I am thinking we could cover a lot of ground with a good map, good walking shoes, a decent plan and a few tips from you all ;)

On Sunday am, we could still take a stroll in CP. I think most of the things we wanted to see are in the southern part of the park and we should be able to get through within a few hours.

Is HOPSTOP basically reliable? It seems to be a handy little tool as long as it is relatively accurate.