I'd recommend stopping in one of the classic NY hotels for a cocktail--a glass of Champagne or a martini!! My mom and I usually stop in at the King Cole Bar at the St. Regis or the Algonquin after/during a theater or a shopping day! A little pricey, yes, but (in my opinion) a must-do! Have a wonderful time!!
P.S. I'd also hit up one of Sinatra's and Jackie O's favorite burger places: P.J. Clarkes on 55th and 3rd. YUMMY burgers and again, a classic NY kind of place!! (Last time we were there, we saw Johnny Depp enjoying a burger!

2 GREAT shows on B'Way right now: Spamalot is HYSTERICAL and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was incredible too. I enjoy more of the upbeat, fun shows (no Rent for me!) and these 2 were amazing. Try the TKTS booth if you can!

But don't expect to see Spamalot or Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at TKTS!!

True, neo...unless you can get lucky if it's a weekday matinee--now that I look at the original message, they'll be there only over the weekend! (they ARE great shows though

McLaurie - just had to say that place looks great - I love a new find - I will have to seek it out next week when I'm in the city again !!

If you need some quiet moments:
Quiet New York City

1. The Cloisters – Up town (Harlem)
2. Central Park – Has a scaled down replica of Belvedere Castle
3. The JP Morgan Library & Museum – on Museum Mile - Gutenberg Bible, Beethoven sheet music, Medieval papers, Has an atrium with trees & a good snack shop.
4. Whitney Museum - on Museum Mile - Has an atrium with a fountain
5. Metropolitan Museum - on Museum Mile – World class museum that has a spectacular outside view of Central Park from the coffee & wine bar on the 5th floor. Inside you can find nooks & crannies to get away from the maddening crowd.
6. Greenwich Village – It is a true village in some places.
Commerce St. is a quiet brownstone lined street with 2 restaurants & a theater;
a. Chumleys which was a speakeasy with hidden panels & doors—The radicals were in the back rooms fomenting ways to over throw the US government. Since it was a speakeasy there is no sign for ” Chumleys” on the outside.
b. Grange Hall -- Art Deco 40’s type interior had some great meals here.
c. Cherry Hall Theater. I believe Actress Kim Hunter (Planet of The Apes & Street Car Named Desire) lives next door.
d. Around the corner on Barrow St. is the Edna St. Vincent Milay house. Noted as being the shortest in width of any brownstone in NYC
7. Union Square & Washington Square Parks – Union Sq. & Green. Village, both have dog runs but Washington Sq. has a side show of freaks & free acts. Lot of people in both parks so it is not really quiet but typical NYC.
8. The Strand Bookstore – On Broadway near Union Square with 8 shelf miles of books.

Sadly, Grange Hall has closed. Agree -- was a lovely place to grab a meal.

Grange Hall is now Blue Mill Tavern and very cute. The Morgan Library is currently still closed for renovation. Should be opening soon.


Escargot, I had a ball there with my niece. She got a really cute newsboy cap, handmade. SUVA, which is toward the back, silkscreens photos onto a silky stretch material and makes tops, jackets, dresses etc. And the clothes at Selma Karaca were amazing. Lots of brocades and laced bustiers, looked straight out of Casanova.

mclaurie: I forwarded the info on that place to my daughter and she to her friends and it is on their list for their next excursion ! The girls thank you - always looking for a new find!

If you have time and are in a wild mood, go see "Naked Boys Singing" on Off-Broadway. (They just moved to a different theatre than where I saw it ... you need to check for new location).

It is a hoot !! The "Boys" are completely naked for the whole show. After about 20 minutes, you forget they are not wearing clothes .... but the music and songs are surprisingly pretty good.

I took my 30-year old daughter there this past summer. The audience consisted of three bachelorette parties, several gay guys, and me and my daughter.

Seriously, this is really different, and worth seeing if you are in an adventurous mood. I would not do this instead of a Broadway show, but if you have time, check it out. I think the shows are only Friday and Saturday evenings.

Have a good time regardless.

You've gotten some great advice here and I love JJAH's tips! LOL! I always ask my husband, "is anyone bleeding from an artery?"

Here are some restaurant recommendations:

Artisanal -- moderately priced French bistro with an emphasis on cheese! They have delicious fondue and a delicious cheese course. Midtown

Les Halles -- french steakhouse (can you tell what kind of food I like??) with GREAT mussels and frites. The chef (or is he former now?) wrote "Kitchen Confidential". 20's on Park.

Chinatown for dim sum on Sat or Sun morning. Others will have specific recommendations, but it's a real adventure.

Grand Central -- if you happen to be in the neighborhood, Grand Central has a food court on the lower level with locally-owned restaurants. Delicious food, great people watching.

brunch -- I like Bryant Park Cafe (midtown), Isabella's (upper West Side), the Cupping Room (SoHo).

Cibo -- Italian in midtown. Reliable.

Rosa Mexicano (East side or West side). Delicious margs (try the pomegrante) and mexican food.

I am so overwhelmed! What great advice I have been given. I wish we could stay longer to do everthing everyone mentioned. I have definately done some research with all of your advice.

So this is the plan so far.

We fly into Philly and are takling the SEPTA into 30th street station. I have found that to be about 6 bucks and it looks like it is a pretty regular route so there shouldn't be any need to purchase tickets in advanc if that is even possible. Then we will be taking Amtrak into Penn Station. Does anyone out there think I should book those tickets now or can that wait and be done the same day?

Then I did the Priceline thing and got the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel for $200/night. It looks pretty nice and I did hear that the nearest subway was 3 blocks and Times Square was a 15 min. walk but we are pretty fit and walking alot has been part of the plan all along.

Other than that I am taking everyone's suggestions and going to cram as much as possilble in, with some mellowness thrown in. If anyone wants to hear about the trip after then I can post something. But I don't want to bore anyone.
Keep those great ideas coming!
And again, thanks!

Jerio

Hi, jerio. Can't advise on the train tickets but I hear there are always discounts on Amtrak so look on their website carefully and make sure there's not some special offer that would allow you to use Amtrak all the way for the same price. Septa will take longer and there's at least one train change involved. Also check on their website about discounts for advance purchase. I know right now there's an offer to buy 1 adult ticket and get the 2nd for half price. Look here
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...21809&ssid=224

I'll also mention, there's a Wyeth exhibit in Philadelphia. Don't know if you'd be interested in stopping to check it out.

The Mill. UN Plaza is a great hotel. Bring bathing suits. There's a rooftop poool (with great views). Uou might be interested in arranging to have lunch at the UN Delegates dining room. Lovely atmoshpere. Reserve now.
http://www.newyorkology.com/archives...d_nations.html

Mclaurie is right on - definitely check Amtrak for specials, and if none on their website call 1.800.usa.rail and ask about any - there was one a few weeks ago for new travelers that was very reasonably priced - so if you aren't in their system as a frequent user, you are considered a new traveler - have a ball.