Sounds lime your interested in seeing commercial" things" and places! Do things that are real nyc if your spending m$$$$ey to come here.. Apple stores are exactly the same wherever you go! Anyway all tnise commercial places are 3 minutes from your hotel.. But youll waste a day. Going in them..

Not sure if you're interested in shopping, but my "must do"s for shopping when I'm in New York are Macy's and Century 21 (and now Woodbury Commons but you don't have time for that). Century 21 opens early so if you get there first thing in the morning it may not be too chaotic. Out of town people can get a discount card at Macy's. We'll be in New York from 11 to 22 Sept and are going to 7 Broadway shows as we think they're terrific - so my advice would be to try to get to at least one Broadway show. Whatever you do, I'm sure you'll have a great time. Have fun :-).

The Apple Store on 5th Ave is entered through a large glass square at street level which fascinates some people. However, once you walk downstairs, it is identical to all the other Apple stores. Walk past it on your way to Central Park but skip going in the actual store below.

Once you have decided on which attractions to visit, check out Smart Destinations to see if one of their cards will save you money on those attractions. You can usually find admission fees on the websites for those attractions. Add them up and see if the Smart Destinations card that would cover all of them is any cheaper. The card for NYC differs from that of other cities in that it is priced by the # of attractions and not the # of days when the card is valid.

I used that Apple store and what I liked was all the hours it's open and the fact that you an make an appt for whenever you want - but for buying. (I went at 8 am on a Sunday and has NO wait.) And they do a great job personalizing the computers to fit your needs - no charge.

But perhaps all the apple store do that.

My computer was dying and I went into the "cube" for a replacement. Was in and out with a new machine in 20 minutes. A lovely young man even carried it to the street and got me a taxi…and wouldn't take a tip.

Great place for service… but for fun the FAO Schwartz is right there on the same plaza.

Thank you SO much to everyone for their tips!!

The Nike Store is close-ish to the Apple store, and yessss it has the same Nike products as anywhere else that sells Nike, but it also has cool sports displays and it is worth a visit if your sons are into sports.

Totally agree about the Ferry over the SOL and also about Top of the Rock instead of ESB. These are really important points.

Dylans Candy is a fun place to go too (who doesn't like candy?!). One poster mentioned disillusionment with Serendipity and I have to wholeheartedly agree and recommend Max Brenner's restaurant instead, which is a one stop chocolate wonder.

I do see the charm in Dylan's candy is just overpriced sweets easily found elsewhere for cheaper and better. The same is true of Max Brenner's.

For chocolate:

Jacques Torres -various locations (including hot chocolate)
Payard's various locations

Hot Chocolate
City Bakery
Oro Bakery
Roni-Sue Forsythe Street


For a candy wonderland-old style-Economy Candy on Rivington St,

We had plans for Serendipity too but long long line - skipped it and went to Dylan's Candy Bar instead and I am still huge fan of Roosevelt Island Ferry - awesome pictures of skyline - go late in day or dark. I have been to Apple store in St Louis AND NYC - same thing!!
Economy candy is fun too.
IF you are thinking Broadway show book on http://www.broadwaybox.com/
$25 for Phantom in Oct

You will have a blast.

FAO opens at ten am - if you get there right before you can see the opening - toy soldier comes out and its huge production - I realize your kids are not young but if you are going that the time to do it!!

Well we went to the Apple Store by Central Park, it is a bit different in that yes you are entering through a big glass square/cube entrance. DH wanted to go there, and it was on our way to Central Park. Also visited the one in Grand Central Station!!. We also went to some Broadway shows!!!!

IMDonehere - Agree with you on places to eat vs. Eataly. Why go to a chain which you can visit in a lot of places when you can go to a genuine New York restaurant?

Eataly appeals to those who like malls. It has everything at usually high prices in a comfortable and modern setting. And just like malls, if you put in some extra effort you will often things that are superior and cheaper. Mario's Mall will succeed, however, while other across the country are now failing.

About a month ago, I stopped in Eatlay for bread because we were in the neighborhood. At least that day, they had not made their own and were selling from one NY finest bakeries, Sullivan St. I was standing next to a woman and when she selected a bread, I told her chose well. Her husband on the other side, "Hey we were first." I told him that is not what I said and told me he was a tourist, had not heard what I said, and was acting the way he thought NY'ers acted. I told him, if NY'ers acted like him, you'd be tripping over bodies in the street. Something like has happened before with tourists, thinking they must act aggressively.

Sounds like a fun trip! The Waldorf is a great central location. Yes, you can do Central Park, FAO Schwartz, Apple Store (or at least view it from the outside, there's not much different inside the store than any other Apple store), Serendipity together. Personally I like Cafe Lalo on the Upper West side, from the movie You've Got Mail, better than Serendipity. Dylan's Candy Bar is a little out of the way on Third Ave, but it is fun to walk through.

Times Square is always a zoo. You can also go to Bryant Park if it is a nice day. The park and the outside area of Bryant Park Grill is nice.

Eataly is fun to stop in. If you want Italian food, you are better off going to Little Italy.

One my favorite areas in NYC is Stone Street. It is a cobblestone road that is closed to traffic and there are a ton of casual, fun bars and restaurants that spill outdoors.

Get such a charge out of reading about the wonderful places to see/visit in this city I grew up in. Fortunately, have visited most all since childhood, thru my teens, twenties, thirties and on and on when there was barely any need for appointments or fees. When I have visitors in town I hand them a bus and subway map along with a Metrocard and send them on their way... have fun, see you later!

Others indicated above, we just lucked out when wandering around and managed to get in without waits. Avoid eateries, as there are just too many good ones and those as Serendipity or Dylan's the last places that would be on my list. There's a bagel shop on most every block and we all have our favorites and same goes for pizza.

Museums I pop into when I happen to pass and have a few hours... how lucky can one get.

The only thing I pass on is memorials regardless where or for whom, that includes the 9/11 Memorial as was close enough on that day that I have no desire to 'return to the scene of the crime.'

OP - you've got a short period of time, so pick carefully and for sure have comfortable footwear and place a small umbrella in your bag.

Eataly is fun to stop in. If you want Italian food, you are better off going to Little Italy.
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The only restaurants worthwhile in Little Italy are the ones these guys are involved with: http://www.majorfood.com/restaurants.php.