Help with sightseeing & shopping
 

We will be staying in NYC for one week!
First night I thought we would take the Circle Line Harbor lights cruise. We will be staying in Time Square. Where could we get a quick early dinner before the cruise?
Also we will be doing the Met Museum one day, is that within walking distance of Time Square?

We thought about going to Ground Zero as well , not sure if we will have enough time. Is Century 21, near ground zero?
My granddaughter wants to do as much shopping as she can! That is high on her list of things to do. Not sure how I will hold up though! We plan on seeing two shows, do not have ticket's yet.
We really wanted to see Wicked, I guess tickets are really $$$ for that show?
The last two days of our trip will be at the US Open for tennis!

Do you know about menupages.com Great website for NYC restaurants. TS and the cruise terminal are in the west 40's if you want to do a search.

Your choices for a quick early dinner are endless. There are places right in Times Square like Junior's (famous for their cheesecake but they have diner type food). There are loads of places along 9th ave. which would be on your way to the cruise terminal. Vynl is one idea http://menupages.com/restaurantdetai...mp;cuisineid=0
If you like Japanese, Kodama is good and quick on 8th ave. (and you don't need to have sushi; they have other things). Just be aware that in other areas of town you wouldn't have a problem getting a table for an early dinner but in the theater district you'll be competing with the pre theater crowd. The more popular places may require a reservation.

The Met is not really walking distance. Hopstop.com is a great website to help you with directions and will give you options for subway, bus, walking directions (including distance and approx. time) and even give you an estimated price for a taxi for a trip within Manhattan.

Century 21 is right near Ground Zero. If you go to Cent. 21, best time is very early, certainly before lunch hour.

Wicked sells out months and months in advance. If you really want to see it, there are a few options though. There's a daily lottery you could try for $25 tickets --info here http://www.wickedthemusical.com/lottery.htm
but understand loads of people show up for this and it is time consuming. If you're prepared to pay $110/ticket you can try the box office when you arrive for cancellations. If you're willing to pay a bit over the face value, broadwaybox.com usually has some in the "sold out shows" section and www.applause-tickets.com is another broker that can be somewhat reasonable.

Otherwise, there are lots of other shows playing, many with discount codes on broadwaybox.com and/or at the TKTS booth at discount on the same day as the show (but you need cash). Info on the TKTS booth at tdf.org/tkts Some ideas are Legally Blonde, Spelling Bee, Hairspray, Xanadu.

Have fun. I have great memories of trips with my Grandmother. @};-

I've just remembered you're staying at the Marriott Marquis so a few more thoughts. The Broadway Lounge on the 8th floor of your hotel has a nice view over Times Square and serves drinks and food. You could easily get a burger there or a bunch or appetizers before the cruise. Juniors that I mentioned is directly across the street from the hotel on the 45 st. side.

I also want to mention that some folks find the area immediately around the cruise terminal a bit desserted feeling at night. While it's an easy walk back to your hotel, if you feel at all uncomfortable, either hop in a cab for the few blocks or if there are no cabs, take the crosstown bus on 42 st. which stops almost at the pier and get out at Broadway and walk the few blocks up to the hotel. On Broadway there will be LOADS of people. Here's a bus map.
http://mta.info/nyct/maps/manbus.pdf

The TKTS booth for discounts is located on the 46 st. side of your hotel. ;)

We love Zuni Cafe on 9th, just north of 42nd. You can check their menu on their website. It's about halfway between the Marriott Marquis and the Circle Line docks.

Mclaurie...Thank you, you're such a wealth of information!

Can you tell me what excatly Century 21 is, store or mall? Would it be good shopping for a teenage girl? The stores we plan to hit are Conways Teen, Daffy's and H&M store. Where will we fine good price's on jeans?

We plan on seeing Hairspray! Since we are not sure if we will get tickets for Wicked, what would be another choice for a young 14 year old.

Century 21 is a Department Store right across the street from Ground Zero. It is a ZOO later in the day. Crowded - and I mean should to shoulder with people in several parts of the store. My teen - 17 and her friend couldn't wait to leave - after buying sunglasses, of course. They liked H&M, Macys and Filenes' Basement much better. So did we.

My daughter and her friend saw Legally Blonde when we were there and they loved it. (We split up and my friend and I saw THe Color Purple) Daughter and I saw the Lion King and Hairspray as well in previous visits. She liked Legally Blonde best. I preferred Lion King over Hairspray.

Austin...Did you shop at Conway's or Daffy's?

Your Grandaughter will LOVE Conway. TONS of tees, jeans, sweaters, hats, purses, basically everything she might want at GREAT prices.

The biggest store is on 35th and Broadway across from Macy's.

Lots of shopping around Macy's so she will have lots of stores to choose from in that area alone.

Century 21 is a discount store across the street from Ground Zero, and it is VERY CROWDED later in the day, so as an earlier poster mentioned, go early. I think the store opens at 7 or 8am.

The Met is on 82nd and 5th Ave so quite a ways away from Times Square. You can take the subway easily right in Times Square look for the Shuttle to the East Side (S) and then take the 6 train to 77th or 86th St and walk over to 5th Ave.

I'd suggest picking up a good book on New York City so you have some idea of where things are located in reference to your hotel and other sites. Also take the subway as much as possible, it is the fastest way to get around the city.

HOpe this helps and have a GREAT time while you are here.

I also think Legally Blonde would be a good second show. I personally wouldn't bother with Century 21. It's not great for clothes imo. It can be good for accessories (sunglasses and handbags) BUT whenever I've tried buying sunglasses, it's impossible to get sales help to get the glasses out of the case so you can try them on.

Strawberry is another chain like Conway that I think can be good. They're scattered around town. I've bought belts at the one on west 49th st. It's almost like disposable clothing it's so inexpensive. Forever 21 is also popular with teens. Don't know where you live if they have Abercrombie & Fitch which is also a popular teen place.

Jeans are everywhere and it really depends on whether she wants a particular brand. Loehmann's is another discount store and they sometimes have well priced designer jeans.

If you need a good map, poster emd (who has a teen daughter) raved about the Vandam foldout map. I think she had the "classic NYC"
http://www.vandam.com/shopflash/unfolds.htm

One other idea for a show is the off Broadway "Altar Boyz" It's been very popular with teens. You should be able to find discounts on broadwaybox.com

We are coming from So Calif We have lots of high end stores like Bloomies, Nordstrom, NM. My granddaughter, likes brand names, anything Juicy! She was hoping to pick up some good deals on jeans! Like Seven's, Rockin Republic they are very expensive here!

I was just in New York with MY 14 year old. We saw Legally Blonde and Hairspray....loved them both.

Century 21 opens at 7:45 am most days. (It is pretty much AT Ground Zero.) Go then. I'm serious. We pretty much had the place to ourselves, but they have the merchandise racks placed so close together that I could see it becoming a really hellish shopping experience if crowded. We were there to purse shop. We got some great deals. Clothes shopping is dicier....you have to be willing to dig through a lot and try things on in the narrowest little fitting rooms known to retail.

We went to the H&M on 5th Avenue. It was a non-holiday summer weekday afternoon and it was beyond crowded. There was a constant wait for the fitting rooms....a perpetual line of about 10 people. Every single employee was surly ; maybe I would be, too, if I worked somewhere that was ALWAYS swamped. If you can find a more "out of the way" H&M, try that.

We also bought some cute, trendy accessories at Liala Rowe (I may not be spelling that right.)

<<We love Zuni Cafe on 9th, just north of 42nd.>>

WE LOVE ZUNI's!!!!! Eat there everytime we are in NYC. Alot of people eat there before going to the theater, so it gets busy.

I work across the street from C21, and probably shop there 1-2 times per week. The best time to go is first thing in the morning, or 60-90 minutes before it closes. I usually find fantastic buys there, but you have to know where to look. At this point, I could probably be a C21 docent :-)

Last week I picked up a Diane Von Furstenberg cocktail dress for $85, marked down from $340, A Madison Marcus silk tunic for $49.95 marked down from $199, and a Shoshanna bikini marked down to $50 from $140.

Hi there, new to this forum, but I'm a native NY'er in my 20's and love sharing about my city!

I agree on 12th Ave being a bit far, esp for out of towners. There's not much to see between 12th Ave and "civilization", so I def rec taking a cab too. As for restaurants - the Hell's Kitchen area (just to the right of Times Sq) is chock full of spots. I recommend Q2 Thai or Bali Nusa for indonesian if you've never had it. For more standard fare, Rachel's and Julian (american) are quite yummy. If you have another cuisine in mind, just ask.

If you're going to Ground Zero, I also recommend the beautiful Winter Garden atrium w/ palm trees, which is right on the waterfront and is one of my fave places in the city for peace and quiet. There are a few shops there, but i'd go just for a few minutes to check it out.

Shopping - Century 21 is best described as a discounted dept store. They have a separate shoe store, and like someone mentioned - great for accessories. Clothing is a bit trickier since the fitting rooms are eh. They do have a good dress dept upstairs though. Also a good place to buy discounted undergarments.

re: jeans - i think Filene's Basement is having a sale on designer jeans right now. check out Union Sq for the largest FB, plus there's also a Strawberry there, as well as Forever 21, Mexx, and a few others along 14th Street.

Caveat about Conway - if you're looking for trendy, throwaway clothes, at ultra cheap prices, this is the place to be. Forever 21 too. But Strawberry, Mexx, H&M, and Zara are *slightly* better quality, though a bit more money.

re: US Open - consider taking the LIRR from Penn Station (10 min walk from Times Sq). It's only $3 on weekends and $5 off peak to get to Shea Stadium station. It beats the awful train ride on the 7 train, plus it's faster (20 min vs 40 min). (Trust me on this one, I take the LIRR everyday instead of the 7 for good reason!)

bway shows - Rent is also popular with teens, but does address issues such as AIDS. Also - Avenue Q is popular, but a bit racy for more conventional people.

I just caught your line about wanting DESIGNER stuff- just sharing the info. NY sample sales! (which i imagine are less prevalent in CA ;-)

In Soho, which also has a TON of shopping along Broadway and side streets:

The Art Of Shopping - Summer Clearance Buy 2 Get 1 Free

The Art of Shopping is clearing out all their merchandise including new arrivals. The racks are loaded with new arrivals of premium designer jeans and tops from the most sought-after names. Brands include 7 For All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, T Luxury, People's Liberation, Drifter, 1921, Theory, Earnest Sewn, Monarchy, 575 Denim, and more.
On top of their clearance prices (40-80% off), this week only, buy any 2 jeans, get 1 free. Also, buy 2 tops, get 1 free.

All sizes in stock for women and men. Full changing rooms are available. Visit www.TheArtofShop.com for more information

Mon-Fri 2pm-7pm
Sat-Sun 11am-7pm
435 Broome St.
(@ Broadway)
New York, NY 10013

caveat: that sale ends 8/26, not sure when you are arriving.

awlrain, thanks for that info, sounds like something we would like to check out! We will be arriving on the 24th...hope we're not to late!
Thank you for the heads up about the LIRR train, is that a regular train?.I was not sure about taking the subway!
Here in OC Calif. we all drive cars, no mass transit. The idea of the subway was intimidating to us!

Here's the Long Is. Railroad website:
http://www.mta.info/lirr/

It's a commuter rail, and much nicer than the LIRR. People are friendlier too. While subways just come when they come, keep in mind that the LIRR operates on a schedule and they usually run on-time!

I mean, LIRR is much nicer than the subway. ;-)

Seven, Rock and Republic, Juicy are expensive everywhere. My daughter likes them all too (R &R are the only jeans long enuf for her - 36") and my experience is that the best way to get a deal (other than ebay) is to wait for sales and also signing up for a store credit card. We were in Bloomingdales in NYC 2 weeks ago. They had a special 15% off everything, and then I got a Bloomies card for an extra 20% off. When the jeans are over $200, it's worth it.

Bloomingdales had a huge sale on Juicy at the time too. So did Macy's. Were were there during tax free week as well.

We did not make it to Daffy's this visit. I think we went there in 05, and she didn't care for Daffy's at the time. She liked H&M. But like someone else said, H&M is fair quality. Not great, but not as bad as Rave, etc.

Daffy's is discount, similar to Century 21 but not as good selection for clothes IMO. And I agree that C21 is better for accessories, if only because of the "digging" factor... However, there are a number of Daffy's around town, so if you see one you might as well pop in!

H&M also has a number of locations. There are two stores adjacent to each other across from Macy's and Penn Station - but I don't think they're very good. The 5th Ave one is the biggest/best, but as missypie said, very crowded! My favorite one in the city is the SoHo location, on Broadway below Prince Street. (There's a Daffy's down the street there, too.) While/if you're in the area, check out the SoHo Bloomingdale's just for the beauty of it - and the great bathroom on the lower level! And take your granddaughter to Pearl River Mart, also on Broadway closer to Canal Street. It's a great Chinese import store with lots of fun Asian-inspired clothes and accessories; pottery; teas, etc. Really cheap stuff in the basement! Then walk west down Broome Street to Marie Belle for a splurge on gourmet chocolate, either take-away or in their tea room.

If you are in Union Square, there is a large building with a DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse), Filene's Basement, and Forever 21 and Strawberry right next door. (Watch your wallet: Diesel is right around the corner!) Whole Foods is in the ground level of the Filene's building. And more chocolate around the corner here, too, at Max Brenner's Chocolate by the Bald Man on Broadway between 13th and 14th Streets.

If you haven't totally died by that point, you can head north up 5th Ave; from 14th to 23rd Streets there are every kind of clothing store: Anthropologie, J Crew, Banana Republic, Esprit, Express, Gap and more... Even a brand new H&M (I haven't been in yet). It's like a mall, only not! LOL. If you end up at 23rd Street, go to Shake Shack in Madison Square Park there (seasonal, not open in the winter).

As for restaurants, here is a list of some of the options in Hell's Kitchen (area just west of TS) that I wrote on another thread, copied here:

For eats at any hour, there's a range from the basic NY diner (<b>Olympic Diner</b> on 8th Ave between 48 &amp; 49th Streets) to <b>Pigalle</b>, a 24-hour French bistro-style restaurant in the corner of the Hilton Garden Inn on 8th Ave and 48th Street: surprisingly good bistro food and dessert.

Personally I'm not a fan of Delta Grill - but I only ate there once. Other good options in the area are:
- Thai: <b>Pongsri</b> on 48th just east of 8th Ave; or <b>Pam's Real Thai</b>, a hole-in-the-wall on 49th just west of 9th Ave.
- <b>Vynl Diner</b> is good for asian-fusion diner food (wha??), either brunch or dinner; it's on the east side of 9th Ave at 51st Street.
- <b>Rice &amp; Beans</b>, another hole-in-the-wall, this time Brazilian; best at lunch; also the east side of 9th Ave between 50 and 51st Streets.
- <b>Island Burgers &amp; Shakes</b> (IBNS): great, massive burgers or grilled chicken sandwiches with *tons* of options (no fries, though!); also east side of 9th Ave at 51st Street.
- For a take-away breakfast, you can't beat the items at <b>Amy's Bread</b> (good coffee, too); east side of 9th Ave(!) between 46 and 47th Streets.
- You can also count on <b>Pax Wholesome Foods</b>, a local chain of take-away breakfast items, salads, premade sandwiches, etc. There's one on 7th Ave and 49th Street in TS.
- Go to menupages.com for menus and reviews!

This was from this thread:
&quot;NYC Hotel Advice&quot;; my post on restaurants was on 8/14/07, 3:02pm
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35048195

Other TS recommendations (almost an oxymoron!) are <b>Carmine's</b> for large portions of family-style Italian home cooking, and <b>Virgil's</b> for good bbq. (Certainly no need to eat at Olive Garden or Applebee's!!)

Enjoy!

Century 21 is warrior shopping for sure, and unpredictable, but my out of town friends who love shopping and designer clothes go crazy over it. True shopping addicts just love the sense of promise there, even if it's not fulfilled.

If granddaughter is a serious urban shopper, she might have a good time.

Thanks to all for your ideas... helpful suggestions. I am looking forward to a great time with my GD! Thanks again

Hi
My wife and I went to NYC for the first time a couple of years back and here is my trip report with pictures, links and maps: http://gardkarlsen.com/new_york_city_trip_report.htm . Maybe you can find some useful information there to start with :d Get in touch if you have any questions.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures