As everyone here has said, it's all in the eyes of the beholder. But I stand by all my warnings. I have particular disdain for the hop-on/hop-off buses, as I think everyone on this board already knows. They are a particularly bad deal money-wise, and none of the companies offers sufficient service during busy times of the year and day. But if you want a bus tour (and many people do for some reason), then they do the job.

Unfortunately, the 1-day FunPass is gone. The only unlimited Metrocards are now the 7-day card and the 30-day card. Depending on how many rides one plans to take, the 7-day card can still be a good deal even if you are here for less than a full week. It costs $29, so it starts to be a savings after 13 trips. Many people will take 13 trips in just 4 days if they are here for tourism. But you can also put a fixed amount of money on a Metrocard and just pay by the ride.

Avoid Canal Street knock-offs.

Do NOT play card games with anyone on the street. (tsk tsk, Logandog)

While talking about what to avoid, there are some not so touristy places that you should do.

After your play, especially if it is at night, go to the Marriot Marquis. There is a cocktail lounge, that is free, don't go to the one at the top where you have to pay, where you can see Times Square through floor to ceiling windows from on high. You might need to buy a drinnk, but a soda will do, no pressure. I went with my kids, 21 plus, but still of the age they generally perfer to be with friends, and they loved it. Good for a 1/2 hour sit.

If you are into museums, try the Cloisters. It is part of the MET and if you go on the same day, included in the MET price of admission. Great views, new look to NYC. Check it out on line, if it is your thing.

There are lots of choices like this in NYC besides the must dos which will give you a less touristy NYC experience. Do some on line work, off the beaten track and you will really enjoy your trip.

Once again, I'm going to defend the ESB. It's a NYC icon and if people want to visit it, they should not be discouraged from doing so. It was for a long time - and sadly now is again - the tallest building in the city.

Yes, the lines can be long, but they do move. I've been there twice in recent years, with my nephew who loves the place, and it was never an ordeal.

Nothing wrong with doing both ESB and TOTR.

Is there anywhere worth eating on the street that is right off of Times Square that I think is called Restaurant St? It is a street with brownstones that house some restaurants.

You mean Restaurant Row, W. 46th between 8th and 9th Avenues.
There are many nice places there. La Rivista has excellent Italian food.

japw82: You're referring to Restaurant Row. Here's the link:

http://restaurantrownyc.com/media/restaurantrow.html

I like Lattanzi, Becco,Cafe Athenee, and Orso. A lot of people enjoy Joe Allen's but I'm not one of them.

panecott: We posted at the same time. I like La Rivista too.

We also liked Becco, although we had to wait awhile for a table. I think I remember that they take reservations, but we weren't sure about our timing. We ended up with just the salad and 3 pastas and were glad we had decided against adding that to an entree!

I'll also endorse Lattanzi and Orso....two of the best in the theater district and, unlike many others, both provide excellent food and service.

One additional note - buying knock offs in Chinatown. the obviously fake knock offs are just a waste of money. The ones made to try to fool people - and sold at higher prices - are illegal, since they are copyright infringements. It has long been illegal to sell them and every once in a while the police do a sweep through the area and arrest the worst offenders.

Tourists should note that the city council is now considering a law also making it illegal to BUY the more expensive fakes - and in sweeps would pick up the buyers as well as the sellers. Don;t know if it will pass - but it has been proposed by the council member from the area as a mean of cutting down on organized crime activity.

I don't know whether it will pass, but I know it won't hold legal muster the first time someone challenges it!