nelsonian

We stayed in the Times Square area when we visited New York city and loved every minute of it. We were close to the Top of the Rock, walked down (or is it up) 5th Street to Central Park, went to the Frick Art Museum, and also did the Staten Island ferry. Being from a small country such as New Zealand we were initailly reluctant to try the subway but managed okay and had a great time exploring the city. We also walked to Wicked and Hairspray, took about 5 minutes from our hotel.

bmw732002

My 2-cents on the resturant.

Go for a good food and atmosphere in a NYC resturant! (many recs on this site)

Go to "Top of the Rock" before dinner for the VIEWS!

Do try to combine both.......you will be dissapointed or much poorer!!

HowardR

Oooh, Patrick. Your "definition" of Times Square is really splitting hairs!

doug_stallings

You don't really go to the River Cafe for the food. It's ok but certainly not worth the hugely inflated costs. You go for the views. If that's really important to you, then I don't think you'll get a "bad" meal there. It's just a phenomenally bad value food-wise.

For me, I would prefer to be up in the clouds in New York City rather than down by the river, which is why I recommend Asiate. But to be honest, the cuisine at River Cafe may be more to your liking. It is much closer to what you have described when you describe the kind of restaurant you like.

goddesstogo

I agree that the River Cafe isn't on the cutting edge of gourmet but that would be lost on me anyway. There are so many places to get a great high-up view of Manhattan that I think the river view is really special. It always makes me think of Woody Allen's love affair with NY. Plus, we've always had fabulous service there. They really make you feel special and that hasn't been my experience in some other high end restaurants. In some of those places, I think they can tell how much much shoes cost and they judge me accordingly.

chaucerquest

A few weeks ago I stayed at the Westin Times Square and had a great experience. The rooms are high up, you can even get a view of the Hudson River, and all is quiet. We got a good deal on that particular weekend, but even the normal rates are under $400 a night, so check out their website and consider it. If you get a "club" room breakfast and evening hors d'oeurvres are included. It is west of Times Square, which makes it more convenient to theaters, IMO. On the other hand, since you are definitely going to see Wicked, I would also recommend the Michelangelo Hotel on 51st street, very near the theater. It is relatively small and makes you feel cared for. Read the reviews on Tripadvisor (the Westin also has good reviews). You'd be closer to Central Park at the Michelangelo, if that matters.

I have been to River Cafe within the last 3 months and it is indeed lovely. We spent about $300 for two including a bottle of wine and tip. It would be about a $20 cab ride from Manhattan. I thought the food there was better than people above have implied.

nytraveler

Agree that Asiate also has great views and the food is better than River Cafe - but at about the same price. However, from reading the OP I'm not sure they would like the menu at Asiate (they seem to be quite traditional eaters and don;t like seafood - so I think the menu at River Cafe may be somewhat more accessible).

I suggest the OP go to menupages.com to see the actual menus to find out if they would enjoy the dishes being offered at each place.

kem513

As a native New Yorker who loves to share her city and cares that others get a wonderful first impression of it - I'm so glad you are thinking about hotels other than the Wingate. The area around the Wingate (Penn Station and the Garment District) is one of busiest, grimiest, and most congested in the city. Particularly if your husband is not a fan of travels in large cities, it is a not a neighborhood I would recommend making your home base. If you could get something further up north (in the 50's perhaps), that would be ideal.

Here are some other thoughts for restaurants and shopping that I think would make your stay as fun and enjoyable as possible, given your criteria:

There are so many wonderful restaurants in NYC where the scene (both in terms of decor and people watching) is just as impressive and exciting as any outside view... Instead of limiting your NYC restaurant experience by only choosing among restaurants with a good view (which may not even be that good, or be unreasonably pricey) I would actually recommend going somewhere with a fantastic view (the Rainbow Room at the top of Rockefeller Center, the Mandarin Oriental at the Time Warner Center, etc.) for drinks and pre-dinner snacks. That way, you aren't restricted by cost (since you'll only be having drinks and a snack) and can just pick the place with the most fantastic views (in my opinion, it's hard to beat the Top of Rockefeller Center just after nightfall - it's magical). Then, head to a beautiful restaurant that has great food, and a lively - and quintessentially "New York" - scene for dinner. Your daughter would love going to a trendy restaurant in the Flatiron or Meatpacking districts rather than a stuffy or boring restaurant that you chose simply because of the view.

For shopping, I would avoid midtown Manhattan west of 5th Ave. There's nothing unique - mostly overpriced tourist traps.
-- For the most "impressive" NYC shopping strip, head down 5th Avenue starting at 59th street until around 47th street (Tiffany's, Saks, Henri Bendel, Trump Tower, Rockefeller Center, FAO Schwartz (fun, even for older kids), and all the high end stores - Gucci, etc.) Even if one can't afford the stores, the window shopping and people watching is fantastic.
-- For boutiques, head down to Soho. Walk among the cobblestone streets and check out all the cool boutiques (high end and affordable ones) and enjoy lunch at a streetside cafe.
-- For a sense of what more a more typical "neighborhood" shopping experience might be like for an average New Yorker, head to a less croweded, more residential area, like the Upper West Side - the strip on Columbus Avenue from the Museum of Natural History at 77th Street down to 66th street has some great little boutiques (much more affordable than Soho) and a neighborhoody, non-touristy vibe. At 67th street you can walk over to Central Park by Tavern on the Green and it's then a quick walk over to some of the loveliest areas of the Park - Bethesda Fountain and the boat lake, the Promenade, etc. I love taking out of town visitors to this area to get a feel for non-tourist NYC.

Your husband may be hesitant about subways, but don't eliminate public transportation altogether. NYC public buses are a pleasant and affordable way to get around, and a terrific way of seeing the city (which you can't do when you're traveling underground in the subway). They just take longer than the subway or a taxi...

Hope that is helpful! Enjoy your trip!!

N77

Well, you all have shaped our New York vacation for sure.
We changed our flight arrangements. We went with your recommendation to forgo the free airline tickets (save for our next trip) and fly into the JFK airport. We made reservations at the Michelangelo Hotel (one night for $275 and the other for $199). The Tripadvisor reviews on this hotel are fantastic, and yes, one of the most repeated comments is that it is quiet. Thank you for pointing us in that direction.

Our big mistake was changing the time of our visit to March 26-28. It has put us in a mess with regard to the show, Wicked. I had to settle on $165 seats in Orchestra N 16-17. I just couldn't bring myself to pay the $250 for better seats! They just didn't have many seats left! I really wanted our first Broadway show to be wonderful. We should have investigated the cost for Wicked tickets and then booked our flights to coincide with those dates, since we were were extremely flexible on our travel dates. Well, you live and learn.

I'm still investigating restaurants, a lot of the menus are fixed, with a limited variety that we like in their course list. That is why we have to pass on the River Cafe, . We may go with Asiate, at the top of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. I'm also considering Tabla. They are both a stretch for us, but I like that.

I'd welcome any other recommendations. We do love Asian and Southwest influenced cuisine as well.

sf7307

Row N of the Orchestra will be great. My very favorite seats for any show are Row G-N of the Orchestra. I think we sat is Row K for Wicked in London and the seats were excellent.

N77

That would be wonderful! I hope it is true for the Gershwin Theatre! I found some $70 discount tickets for Phantom of the Opera. Does anyone know if Row V in that theater is acceptable? Here are the details:
Right Orch View/step Row V, Seats 2-6
24 rows from Stage. Seat 2 is on aisle.

LisaG

N77,

I've been reading your postings and the replies with much interest. I am so glad you will be staying at the Michelangelo Hotel. It is my favorite hotel in NYC, and I've probably stayed in 15 different hotels (I am a frequent traveler to NYC for business). Please call the hotel and ask to speak to the manager. Confirm your reservation with him, and let him know that it is a family celebration for your daughter's 16th.

Also, the concierge at the hotel is a wonderful resource. He is very conversant with many restaurant options, and will be able to steer you in a very good direction. Call him as well, prior to your arrival. There are quite a few excellent restaurant choices in the area that are within easy walking distance. Just give him your criteria, and you'll get good advice.

Lastly, please do take some time one evening to sit in the small lobby of the hotel and have a drink (or coffee, or soda). It is a charming and wonderful treat, and I think your daughter would like it very much.

I'm envious, as it's been a little while since I've been to the Michelangelo. It is a real oasis.

Have fun, and happiest to your daughter!

LisaG

starrs

N Orchestra will be great for Wicked.
For Phantom I'd check for seats in the front mezzanine.

starrs

If your daughter is a big Wicked fan, I'd recommend the Behind the Emerald Curtain tour -
http://www.emeraldcurtain.com/

N77

LisaG- What a wonderful post! You have given me amazing advice and I am looking forward to speaking to the manager and concierge.

Starrs- Orchestra N is great?!? I am thrilled to hear that! Also, thanks for the Phantom tip on seating. I'm going to check out the "Behind the Emerald Curtain Tour."

Thanks for your help!

LaurenKahn1

I was in Times Square last week as part of a "FAM" (familiarization) tour for travel professionals. We went into the Marriott Marquis to search out the location of toilets that can be used by groups (and discovered it was no longer an option as the Marriott is onto the nonguest use of its toilets). I just mention this because the hotel looked nice and it is on Times Square. It also has a restaurant on top. I have no idea of whether it is any good or not (we ate at unmemorable places used by kids on group tours so we know where they are (Sbarro's on 34th and an unmemorable restaurant in Chinatown) OR if the view is "worth it", but it is right on Times Square. If you take any of the Grayline loop tours, you do get a discount coupon for the Marriott Marquis' restaurant.

I would not stay on Times Square because it is too noisy. We stayed at the Sheraton Suites in Weehawken, NJ, and took the ferry across the Hudson every morning and evening--which was quick and fun (you have to take the courtesy shuttle to another ferry stop on Saturday and Sunday because the ferry right by the hotel only runs during the work week). The price of the hotel was not bad and it was not all that inconvenient at all. It was also a lot quieter at night when we were all studying for the NYC tour guide test. We ALL passed, so all is well that ends well.

We did find 3 of the 4 guides we had on the Grayline tour were excellent and funny. They "joshed" us a lot because we were all taking the tour guide exam. I did post a trip report about my crazy tour.

I am sure you will have a good time wherever you stay. I do recommend Top of the Rock rather than the Empire State for a view. From Top of the Rock you get a view of the Empire State and a view of Central Park that can't be beat! If you try to see Central Park from the ESB, it is partially blocked by Rockefeller Center.

doug_stallings

I don't know anything about this Sheraton Suites in Weehawken. Is it actually within walking distance of the weekday ferry? How far is the shuttle bus to the weekend ferry. I'd be very interested in some details because that's a great location if the hotel is reasonably priced. (I say this because the ferry is actually pretty expensive per person, so it definitely adds to the cost of staying there.)

ruckus

My husband and I were in NY in September and, being tourists, enjoyed Times Square. We stayed at Rockefeller Center and got the multi-day pass for the hop on-hop off tour. We would take it from Times Square to almost every part of the city. I found Times Square was a great base and the tour got us (almost)everywhere we wanted to go without paying for a taxi.

scarboroughmom

I hope I am not repeating anything, because I didn't read every post here. My hubby is a little like yours, just not so extreme. We, (me, hubby, and sons, 14, 11,11), recently spent 4 nights at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. We all enjoyed it. We had 17th floor rooms facing Times Square. We had a commanding view of Ozzie Osborn's Samsung Commercial on on the side of the facing building. The rooms were fairly large, comfortable, and very quiet. The beds were terrific. My husbabd & I usually sleep badly in hotels and we both slept like rocks. The hotel food was REALLY mediocre, but there are many places to eat right outside the door. You can walk to enought stuff to keep you busy for a couple of days. I agree with another poster's opionion that the "locals" tend to dislike Times Square. But some of us country bumpkins think it is fun for a few days. Our rate with a senior discount was $255 for the weeknights and $299 for the weekend nights.

nytraveler

The restaurant atop the Marriott is very expensive and the food is poor - to put it nicely - not nearly worth the money. The food at River Cafe is quite good - but not excellent, but IMHO combined with the view worth the money. Asiate IS exellent if you like the menu choices - we do, but some people may not.