Help make trip to NY romantic
 

Hello, <BR> <BR>I am surprising my wife on our wedding anniversary with a trip to New York city. <BR> <BR>I'm looking for advice on how to make this trip as romantic as possible. Also, I'm looking to create an itinerary that gives us a good picture of NYC without having to deal with the headaches associated with "tourist traps." (i.e. I want to get a could view of the Statue of Liberty but I don't want to wait in line for hours and walk single file up her stairs to get a 1 minute view from the top...some good suggestions I've read in this forum are getting a view from Brooklyn bridge or the Staten Island ferry. Also, I realize we're not going to be able to stay completely away from crowds but any suggestions would be appreciated) <BR> <BR>That said, here is the beginning of what I'm trying to plan: (We arrive late Thursday night and leave late Sunday night in June - Staying at Hotel Sofitel near Broadway and Times Sqaure) <BR> <BR>Friday day: <BR>1. Conan or Letterman if our concierge can get us tickets. (My wife loves Conan so I thought she might like this) <BR>2. Empire State Building <BR>3. ??? <BR> <BR>Friday night: <BR>1. Sunset walk across Brooklyn Bridge followed by dinner at Windows of the World and dancing at "The Greatest Bar in the World" (We have reservations already but if there are other suggestions there's time to change) <BR> <BR>Saturday Day <BR>1. Shopping on 5th ave, diamond row, etc in the morning <BR>2. Walk and lunch in Central Park <BR>3. Metropolitan Museum <BR>4. ??? <BR> <BR>Saturday Night <BR>1. We have tickets to the Phantom of the Opera but I'm still searching for a nice romantic restaurant near broadway. $150 or less. - We like Italian, American, Mexican. <BR> <BR>Sunday <BR>1. A stroll through Battery Park and a trip on Statin Island ferry <BR>2. ??? We've got until about 6:00pm Sunday so any other thoughts to fill this day would be appreciated <BR> <BR> <BR>That is what I've got so far. Now, hopefully, is where one of you will come in and help me fill in some of the days' events. Also, let me know if my partial itinerary has any flaws. Or, any reassurance on my choices would be welcome too. <BR> <BR> <BR>Thank you <BR>

Sounds like a fun filled itinary, just make sure to allow some time to relax. You don't want to be so exhausted from running around non-stop on Saturday that you fall asleep during the play. <BR> <BR>The Staten Island ferry is actually a great way to get a good view of the Statue. And the best part is that it's a free ride. Just make sure to be prepared to run off the ferry as soon as it docks, so you can catch the return ferry in the next dock. There's only a few minutes between ferries, so be sure to hurry over. <BR> <BR>As for the Empire State Building, be prepared that it could entail a long wait to get to the top. It's open late, so you might be able to just wait and fit it in after dinner on Friday night. <BR> <BR>Have fun.

My compliments. You've done a good planning job. Friday looks a little light so you might consider a daytime stroll through Greenwich Village or Soho. <BR>For a Saturday evening restaurant, I recommend my favorite--Chez Josephine on 42nd Street, just west of 9th Avenue. Delightful place, with excellent food, with Jean-Claude, the most charming host in New York, Definitely ame reservations att least 2 weeks before (212-594-1925). <BR>

Tickets for Letterman have to be requested months in advance. Standby tickets are available on the day of the taping. Current procedure is to call (I think at 11am) to receive a number and then you have to show up at around 3pm to see if you will get in. Check the Letterman website for details. Tickets for Conan used to be available at the Visitors Center (Broadway between 46th and 47th). Don't know if this is still the case. Letterman taping is around 5pm, not sure of Conan <BR>After you finsh at Windows walk up to Little Italy. Mulberry Street becomes a pedestrian mall on weekends. YOu could consider dinner there instead of Windows. <BR>Shopping may be limited on Diamond Row on a Saturday. Many merchants are Orthodox Jews and they will not be open on Saturday. Consider doing this on Friday morning before going to Empire State.

Great coments everyone!My favorite place to buy jewelry happens to be a little store next to Barny's on Madison Ave. called The Jewelbox. Susan and her co-owner are very nice and I have purchased several items from them in the last few years.Tell them Amy from Houston referred you!I always get compliments on all of the pieces that I have bought from them. Also The Rainbow Room was recently remodeled last year or the year before and it is a very special place to go for dinner and dancing. I've even taken my two sons ther when they were in their late teens. Also if you call ahead you can go for a Prix Fix menu early before a show or after one. The Prix Fix menu is very nice and not as expensive! We've been twice! I also recommend the Staten Island ferry and be sure to follow the other persons suggestion about getting off and then on again. Also, another interesting building to see is the Museum where all of the imigrants came to Ellis Island. It happens to be very beautiful and interesting. You can get there by train and it doesn't take very long to get there.(You must experience a subway train!) We travel on it all the time while in New York. They've really done a great job of cleaning up New York in the last several years.Also, but of course this could take 2 or 3 hours , The Museum Of Natural History is a very good museum but you may want to save it for later. There is so much to do in New York that you will want to go back again and again! I never get tired of it. Also, Aida was very good as well as Contact, which was very different. Anytime,Chow

Do take in Howard's suggestion of dining at Chez Josephine's. Have eaten there several times while doing my New York Xmas "thing". The atmosphere is quite romantic and the food is very good. Quite frankly, the food at 'Windows' really isn't that good, IMO. Sweetie and I got all dressed up ready to enjoy a romantic evening there but were really turned off by all the tourist wearing their gardening clothes. They really should enforce their dress code. Have a wonderful time and let us know what you decide.