LGA is a little nearer than JFK. However, I fly in & out of JFK for flights to/from LA or other West coast cities as the bigger planes (smoother, more comfortable flight) like the Boeing 757 tend to fly to JFK.
I'd recommend Tamarind for Indian food... the best in the city, in my opinion. If you want something different & want to try out South Indian food which isn't available easily in other parts of the US, you can try Saravanaas. It's on the South East corner of Lexington Av. & 26th Street. Really good veg, south indian food & it's cheap! Try the onion & tomato utthappam.
Another option to consider is Malaysian restaurants which are similar to Indian places... try Penang which has a couple of locations in the city.

mm, are you the only voice of reason among our resident New Yorkers who understands the idea of us out of towners going to New York BECAUSE we want the commotion, bright lights, noise, and congestion?

I totally understand why those living in New York would get tired of that and avoid Times Square like the plague, but for those of us who don't have it at home -- that's WHY we love New York.

Tracy -- sorry I missed your dates in the first post. Yes, that's Memorial Day weekend. Times Square will be just as lively -- residential areas may be quieter as that's the first official "beach weekend" for anyone who is renting a place in the Hamptons, Fire Island, North Fork, etc.
Wish I knew the hotels better.

There are tons of great Indian restaurants, one for every mood. If you're feeling adventurous, there's an Indian restaurant on 1st Ave., between 5th and 6th streets, which name escapes me now, but it's a short block. This place is an establishment. Food is good, but atmosphere is crazy--elbow bumping Bollywood disco-balls sums it up. Buy beer at the deli on the corner before going in. If you're not in for what can be rather claustrophobic, there are several great restaurants near Baruch college, near the 6 train stops at 23rd or 28th streets. If you're feeling really adventurous and love Indian food enough to justify the trip, hop on the subway out to Jackson Heights, in Queens, which is our own little Bombay. Not too long a trip from the east side of Manhattan (30 minutes maybe). The best Indian food (and a fascinating, vibrant immigrant community) are in this neighborhood (check out "Jackson Diner" online). Have fun!

Okay..thanks for all the replies....I guess i will rethink Hotel 373..It just sounded really good, and yes i did read the reviews on Trip Advisor..I am going to check out the Millenium UN Plaza and W Times Square Hotel..It is hard to know where to stay in a city when u have never been there b4!!

Also will check out the Indian Restaurants that were recommended..I love South Indian Food...

We will fly in LGA...thanks again, i better get busy putting this all together and if anyone has anymore things for me, feel free to post!!

Also, for dim sum, I recommend Jing Fong, a restaurant on Elizabeth Street. This place is very popular for "morning tea," and has a wide selection of good dishes circulating at any time. Jing Fong is open until around 3 in the afternoon, but it's best to go in the mid-morning when there's more of a crowd---during busy hours you'll share a table with other patrons. If you are in Chinatown and want a later lunch or dinner, there are a lot of great places; Joe's Shanghai on Pell Street is famous for its "xiao-long-bao," soup-filled dumplings. Also, the Hop Kee is well known for its duck. Chinatown residents know these establishments or will recommend another to suit your tastes!

The Jackson Diner looks fabulous!

Also jsut checked availability at Millenium UN Plaza on their website and they have an AAA rate for 199.00 per night...So that's not bad!!

And Jing Fong looks like it will be worth a visit as well!!

Times Square cam:

http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/...p?cam=charleyo

Has a few NY live cams

My DD and I go to NYC every summer for a girls trip. I love to stay in Times Square. We also live in a rural area and I love the hustle and bustle of the big city. We always stay at the Double Tree Suites right in times square, but I think I paid somewhere around $400.00 a night last summer. We fly into LGA, the taxi to Times Square was $70 that was with a good tip. I noticed that Wauhob3 taxi was only $30. I don't know what time of day she flys in, but from my five summers in a row we have never paid less than $60.00 for a taxi.

We got reservations for GMA a couple of years ago. It was fun. You do have to stand the whole time, but the time goes fast. DD even got to stand next to Spencer Christain when he was doing the weather. There is so much to do in NYC that's why we go back every summer. Have a great time!

Hester,

Are you talking taxi or car service, and for how many people? A yellow-cab taxi from the official taxi line at LGA to Times Square should around $30. If you paid $70 to a yellow cab, you paid way to much.

this is for hester.
I have tickets to GMA, could you give a little more detail. My daughters & I are trying to decide if it's worth getting up so early & standing in the cold. I read somewhere they send you in & out of the studio several times, is that correct?

hester, something is weird. Are you sure you don't fly into JFK? I've never paid more than $30 with tolls for a taxi from Laguardia to midtown Manhattan. Never.

But even JFK to Manhattan is a fixed rate now -- $45 I believe. I can't imagine how a taxi from LGA could be $60 unless you got stuck in traffic somewhere for at least an extra hour.

TracyB, don't stress about the airport thing--JFK is a fixed rate ($45), or also has an AirTrain ($5), which I personally love. LGA is always a bit of a mess, but you can ask your driver to take you over the Queensboro Bridge--you'll get a great view of the skyline and there's no toll and traffice isn't as crazy as the Triborough.

For restaurant ideas, check out this link to NY Mag's archives:
http://nymag.com/restaurants/index.htm
I live here and it's a great resource.

Some places I take friends from out of town:
Oyster Bar in Grand Central
PJ Clarke's
Top of the Rock (in my opinion better than Empire State)
Century 21 (discount designer shopping)
Keen's Steakhouse
Shanghai Cafe
Grimaldi's Pizza (under the Brooklyn Bridge which is also fun to walk across)
Staten Island Ferry (it's free, you have a great view of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty AND they sell beer onboard)

I think hotel location is not the most important thing. If you've never been before you'll probably be out and about all day anyway and NYC is very easily navigated by subway, taxi, and yes foot.

I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Check out the Carey bus (around $13 pp) from JFK or LGA to Manhattan ((718) 632-0506), although a cab is not too bad for 2 people.

We love the Jolly Madison hotel on 39th & Madison. Good food right outside the door and close to all. Priced around $230/night.

Also enjoyed Radio City Apartments when needed a kitchenette.

FOOD: Check out Buddakan for Asian funk, Angelika Kitchen for cool vegetarian fare and if you are there on a Friday night, make a reservation (ahead of time) for dinner at the Natural Gourmet Cookery School - very fun, very NY.

Brandy's Piano Bar (uptown) is a fun place to test your own vocal abilities with the bonus of Broadway performers and top talent stopping by to belt out a song.

I always take visitors to Ellen's Stardust Diner for talented singing waitresses and the "kitchen sink" ice cream.

Please let me know how you enjoy your trip on www.travelingmom.com. Thanks!

Okay thanks again everyone for all of your suggestions...I am following up on every single one...I just confirmed our flight details...and we are staying 4 nights in New York and 2 nights in Montreal...

I will have more questions of things to do coming up shortly!!

Jackson Diner is good but don't miss Tamarind... probably one of the best Indian restaurants in the US. It's a little more upscale than the regular Indian places, but totally worth it.
Jin Fong is great for dim sum but in case it's too crowded when you go (place is gigantic but yet there often is a wait) you can try Dim Sum Go Go.

Hester we flew in and out on a Saturday afternoon and it was within [email protected] of each other.In a few weeks we fly in on a Friday so I'll post after our trip and see if a business day makes a difference but unles you were stuck in stopped traffic for a very long time I don't see how you paid double each time for LGA.

For restaurants, check out nyc menupages--google for exact location.
I think that Sapphire is a great indian restaurant right next to the new Time Warner building. They also have a great buffet for lunch except on Sunday.
If you stay near the UN you can take the Carey bus or whatever it is presently called to 41st and Mad. which is not far from the hotel. Taxi rates have recently risen so JFK can easily exceed $60 with tip and tolls. The airtrain is a good alt. as is the bus.

I have booked a room at the Millenium UN Plaza for 199.00..However, i would prefer to stay at the W Time Square, but it is more expensive...If i can find the W at a better rate b4 we leave, i will cancel the Millenium..

And i will print off all of the great restaurant recco's and all the other info u all have given me....Thanks.

Keep an eye on travelzoo.com as there are sure to be specials at hotels (probably not the W Times Square) closer to your trip. You should PHONE the W and ask what the cheapest rate is they can offer. But there are plenty of other hotels in and around Times Square if that's what you'd like. The Renaissance is nice and has nice views.