I’m hoping to receive feedback on my itinerary for a long weekend trip in August.

Arriving Friday around 10:00 AM. Drop luggage @ Paramount Hotel in Times Square . Take subway down to Little Italy & China Town. Possible Broadway show Friday night.

Saturday explore & shop SoHo & Greenwich Village.

Sunday we’re going to St. Patrick’s and then taking the subway to Grimaldi’s Pizza in Brooklyn . We’re then walking over the Brooklyn Bridge and plan to take the Staten Island Ferry for the views.

We leave Monday @ 4:00, so the morning is free for suggestions...Central Park?

This could make perfect sense or none what-so-ever, so feel free to give your advice! I’m open to restaurant suggestions, but only want to splurge on one dinner; lunches can be pizza/sandwich…semi-cheap! Thanks!

Little Italy is a few blocks and Chinatown is a zoo. I just can't imagine that's where you'd want to go first thing when you arrive. I would start with something fun and refreshing like a cruise. I would consider switching your Sunday plan to your arrival day (minus St. Pat's of course). Grimaldi's should be a lot less crowded on a Fri. than a Sun. and so will the bridge be. Save the show for Sat. or Sun. when you're fresher.

On Sunday, after St. Pat's, head to Central Park. If the weather is decent, maybe rent a rowboat. Have a nice brunch either at the Boathouse in Central Park or elsewhere. Maybe consider going to an off Broadway Show (Altar Boyz is fun). Most off Broadway shows have performances at 7 pm on Suns. (some Broadway ones do too).

On Mon. if you haven't managed to go to Little Italy and Chinatown (they're not far from the village) you could get that out of your system What about stopping at Katz's deli on the lower east side for lunch before you leave?

Not far from your hotel is an outpost of John's pizzeria (west 44th st.) that would be good for a lunch or dinner. Lomardi's is in Little Italy. If you hit those and Grimaldi's you will have tried some of the most famous pizza places in NYC.

Do you know about menupages.com for restaurants? You might want to check the calendar of events on nycvisit.com to see whether there are any walking tours or other events that interest you.

Thanks, mclaurie. I think you're right about switching Friday/Sunday plans. If we subway down to Grimaldi's, walk over the bridge and then take the cruise, that would be better for crowds. I'll stick to the Village & SoHo for Saturday. We (my Mom and I) don't want to do the 'mall' shops, we like the funky/antiquey places that I believe we'll find in that area.
I have looked at menupages, and did get some good ideas. I'm a bagel & lox girl, so I'll be seeking that out! Thanks for your advice. We haven't been to NYC since 2000 so we are really looking forward to this trip.

Hi,
Just a restaurant recommendation, Minetta Tavern in Greenwich Village. Excellent and not too pricey. I took my wife here for her birthday. She was unknowningly speaking to the owner (Taka) outside (they werer having a smoke) and commented we were there for her birthday and how she loved the wine served there. Upon recieving the check, the waiter bought out a LARGE bottle of the same wine and told my wife it was for her birthday fromTaka! Reservations aren't required, but if you're not having dinner early (by 6 pm), I'd call.
Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal Street (corner of Minetta)
NY, NY
212-475-3850

Paul

There are a few good bagel places in the village. Head there on Sat. morning and then you can start your exploring.
http://menupages.com/restaurants.asp...&home=Y&sort=2

On Sunday, Bagelfeller is not far from St. Pat's. If you want to do a big brunch, Brasserie 8 1/2 does one of the few buffets in NYC and is not far from the park
http://www.rapatina.com/cgi-bin/menu...erie%208%20%bd.

Nice story about the Minetta Tavern. It's a NYC institution.

We decided to skip the Broadway show and bought tickets to the Yankee game for Sunday afternoon. Our nights are free, maybe TOTR one night and Minetta Tavern for dinner another.