Dohlice

Do the Statue of Liberty early. The lines get really long. Also, a lot of the waiting is out in the sun and/or rain so keep that in mind. It's hard to say how long the Empire State Bldg takes because of the lines. It is definitely worth the wait though (and that's coming from a jaded, life long NYer). Try to go in the evening as it's getting dark. Downtown can be done at once with The Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, The Exchange, the Brooklyn Bridge etc. You should walk out over the bridge - it's beautiful. You don't have to go the whole way, just get out over the water. There are also a lot of inexpensive places to eat down here. (I'm looking at the statue of liberty now) A lot of people seem to be interested in Fraunces Tavern. If you are they have a lunch special - 3 courses for $20.06. Are you the one who likes cheesecake? If you can't get to Junior's in Grand Central go to Aunt Butchie's in the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.

joelst

Ok guys, I've started an itinerary. I feel so much better now! After I get it maped out pretty well, I will list the places that ya'll seem to think we would enjoy eating and tell me which days I can go there according to what part of town I'm in that day. Also, there are some places that I'm not too sure about like Grand Central Station, what is that exactly? And Greenwich Village? I'm not sure where that is near. Also, on my shopping day, is Chinatown near 5th and Madison Avenues or is that another part of town? I will be posting my draft itinerary later. Thanks

Dohlice

Grand Central Station is a beautiful, old station where all different train lines come into the city (grandcentralterminal.com). It is also full of stores. From there you could walk to the NY Library on 5th Avenue and 41st Street (place with the giant lions outside). Bryant Park is behind the library and that's worth a look at lunch time. Then over to Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Move up 5th Avenue to the "Snotty Shops" and over to Central Park. Or continue up 42nd street to Times Square/Broadway area.

Chinatown is closer to downtown. If you look on the subway map (http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm) that would be around Canal Street. Century 21 is right across the street from the World Trade Center site and it's wonderful for shopping. I'm not sure what exactly you'd like in the Village but it's a fun area. On the subway map you'd be looking for stops like 8th Street or Astor Place. Coming from downtown it would be Chinatown, Little Italy and then the Village. You could start in Chinatown and move up Broadway for good shopping. I know it's confusing. Can you find a streetmap or buy a walking guide? In the Village I love the area around Bleecker and MacDougal Streets. Cheap food, lots of places for a cold drink and plenty of shopping.

I just saw you are coming in Oct. My favorite time in the city!

GoTravel

joel, while the information you are getting here is helping you, you still need to read a guidebook.

A guidebook will help you get your geographical bearings, get a realistic idea about the cost of dining, shopping, and attractions, and may help you uncover other fascinating attractions.

rncheryl

Ellis Island, Met Museum, Broadway, Tenement Museum. No to Tavern on the Green.

joelst

The week we will be in NYC will be the Columbus Day Parade. Is this a big deal? Can anyone tell about the SoHo district, what is special about it? And how hard is it to get stand by tickets to Letterman? Thanks

maj

We went to the theater the day before and we told it was a lottery. We put our name on a list and they were to call us (cell phone) by noon the next day if our names were drawn. (there were two tapings that day) We were not called. If you go to their web site, I think you can ask for tickets (again it doesn't look like anything is for sure).

Good luck.

ilovetotravel29

I recommend having a sandwich from Katz' deli on Houston street

I recommend definately seeing the statue of liberty

yotefan37

For a first visit to NYC, I recommend starting off with a Gray Line Tour. I know it seems touristy and long, but they have wonderful 2-3 hour tours that show you much of the city. There are three advantages to this:

1. You'll get a great overview of the city, and it will help show you the "lay of the land".
2. I PROMISE there will be at least one item on your to-see list that you'll be able to cross off just after seeing it through a bus window (or at a short stop).
3. I PROMISE there will be at least one item you'll want to add to your to-see list because you are intruiged and the tour just doesn't spend enough time covering it.

It's a great invesment of time for a first-time visitor, and you can spend the rest of your trip hanging out with the locals! Have a great trip!

yotefan37

Here's a link for a tour that covers a good portion of downtown:

http://www.coachusa.com/newyorksight...productId=1388

joelst

Here is my draft I have come up with with all your help. At the bottom are lunch and dinner suggestions that I think we would like. I need to know which day to go to the particular places. Let me know if I am totally off base on anything. Also, a couple of people mentioned Top of the Rock - what is that?
New York City Itinerary
October 10-15, 2006
Tues, Oct. 10
• Arrive at airport 11:02 am.
• Lunch: somewhere near hotel on W 51st St.
• NBC Studio Tour
Wed, Oct. 11
• Century 21 (discount department store) Broadway & Church,
• Chinatown, SoHo district
• Ground Zero
• Greenwich Village
• Little Italy
• Thurs, Oct. 12
• Today show
• Columbus Day Parade on 5th Ave.
• Rockefeller Center – ice skating
• Grand Central Station
• Shopping Day! 5th Avenue & Madison Ave. – FAO, Louis Vuitton, Saks, Tiffany, Prada, Macys, etc. Midtown East district. Bloomingdales 3rd Ave.
• Bryant Park
• Dinner – Theater district “pre-theater dinner”
• The Lion King, 8:00 pm.
Fri, Oct. 13
• Statue of Liberty*
• Ellis Island*
• Battery Park (shopping too)
• Brooklyn Bridge
Sat, Oct. 14
• Central Park
• Zoo
• Carriage Ride through CP @ night
• Tavern on the Green
Sun, Oct. 15
• Flight leaves @ 8:35 am.
• Return to Huntsville @ 12:20pm.
*Tickets/reservations
Tickets to Letterman if I can
Top of the Rock???
Lunch:
Carnegie Deli
Lombardi’s
Grand Central Station food court
Joe’s Pizza
Junior’s Cheesecake
Katz’ Deli (Houston Street)
Dinner:
Dos Caminos, Rosa Mexicano, Mexico Lindo
Café Mon Cheri
Il Fornaio

http://menupages.com/
www.cafemoncheri.com