Good idea. When I was headed to Argentina, there was the Cicerones guides. Same idea. I never did get to go on that trip. Had to cancel it twice. Once my health and the other time the health of a family member. Maybe I am not meant to go there!

Ellenem, What hours and on what days is the MoMa not so packed?

MOMA tends to be less crowded on weekday mornings. Just remember that it's closed on Tuesdays.

We thought about Metropolitan Museum on Saturday and MoMa and the Top of the Rock on Sunday.

We are thinking about seeing Memphis (the musical). It looks really fun and gets great reviews.

Okay. One more time..for now.. How about a spot for that birthday dinner? Sushi is a favorite. I noticed that Sushi Yasuda is relatively close by the hotel and has an amazingly high Tripadvisor rating. When I read the reviews though, I am concerned that it may be too 'mellow' for a birthday dinner and might have a very limited menu. Maybe just sushi on it.

I think we'd love a fun place with really great food. Any suggestions? Thanks!

I am trying to buy on-line the MoMa/Top Of The Rock combo tickets. Where can I buy them on-line? When I go to the website, they state that I would have to buy them at the box office. That didn't make sense. Which one should we opt to visit first? It'll be on a Sunday and probably really hot.

We chose Memphis for our show.

It seems that you have to buy them in person at either
location box office.

Those combo tickets must be bought in person. I'd do TOTR first.

PS do you realize you don't have to do both on the same day??? You can, but don't have to.

Thanks, Maybe after my first cup of coffee I'll run through my itinerary. Thanks for all the comments!

Here are some links that you may want to take a look at in planning your trip. My family also likes to hit some places that are shown on the Foodnetwork's Throwdown with Bobby Flay show.
There are so many things to do while you are in NYC. Here are some links that I refer to:
http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/tours/
http://www.eatstreetmeat.com/ Like the Biriyani cart at 46th and 6th. Get the chicken and lamb over rice. Can get hot sauce, cream sauce, or both.
http://www.walkny.org/Step3.html
http://nymag.com/guides/cheap/walkingtours/
http://www.grandcentralterminal.com/ Beautiful building. Can take a tour.
http://www.harlemheritage.com/tours/...-walking-tour/
http://www.foodsofny.com/ Lots of fun.
http://www.bigonion.com/
http://rec.iceculinary.com/Home/ToursAndOffsites
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m.../ai_110730193/
http://www.nycgo.com/?event=view.sli...202074&slide=1
http://www.wafelsanddinges.com/

Also have taken a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and gone to Grimaldi's Pizzeria for some amazing pizza. Then down the block to Broolyn Ice Cream Factory.

Whatever you do, you will have an amazing time!

On the subject of Moma being crowded, we were there last week on Wednesday morning. All I can say is that if you want to get in early, you have to line up early--we arrived around 10:15 and the line snaked way down the block. It moved quickly once the museum was open, but the museum was *packed*. We went straight up to the 5th floor to see the impressionists etc., and even up there it was packed. But worth it. We were out of there by about 1 p.m. and there was no line to get in at all then, but place was still packed.

I was looking at the MoMa website and they suggested coming in after 11:30am. So, I was thinking of getting a timed slot at TOTR at 10:30ish and then go to MoMa, get in and have an early lunch at the museum Cafe and then on a happy belly, head into the museum. This is all on a Sunday, by the way.

Or...go to the TOTR another day...go to brunch somewhere (Norma's?) and then go at 11:30 to MoMa. Any opinions?

Day 1-Private NYC tour and a little shopping. Day 2- Statue of Liberty Cruise first half the day and then a little more shopping (window or otherwise),light dinner and Broadway play. Day 3-Metropolitan Museum, go back to the hotel for a nap, B-day dinner and maybe a club. Day 4- Top of the Rock and MoMa and some time in Central Park. Lots of eating in between...probably sweating too.

Dinner before our Broadway show? We are easy walking distance to the Schubert, so any suggestions for a casual-lite (not heavy)dinner before the show close to the theatre? If the show starts at 8pm on a Friday night, what time should we get a rez so we have time to eat? Thanks! Happy holiday weekend!!

You'll have to eat very early to make the show. If you go to one of the restaurants that ceter to pre-theater (this is a category listed on menupages.com) you can reserve for 6 and they'll get you out by 7:30 as long as you don;t want a full dinner. (We usually either have a late lunch or just a small snack/drink before and dinner afterwards.)

I'll have to disagree with nytraveler. You can easily have a full dinner with a 6 p.m. reservation in the theater district. We're not after-theater dinner people and regularly (and easily) have a full dinner after making 6 p.m. reservations without any rushing.

Thanks for replying so fast. So, how about some recommendations from you? I will also check out the menupages.com site. We're eating Italian on Saturday night. So, not Italian.

Our favorite is Chez Josephine just west of 9th Avenue on 42nd Street. Excellent food, service and ambiance.