GOING TO NYC FOR HUSBANDS 40TH B.D. NEXT WEEKEND, STAYING AT THE PALACE. NEVER BEEN TO NYC. RESERVATIONS AT BLUE WATER GRILL AND MAYAS. GOOD CHOICES? ALSO PLEASE RECOMMEND FROM THAT LOCATION WHERE CAN WE WALK TO FOR SITE SEEING? ALSO WHERE DO YOU GET TICKETS FOR CARRIAGE RIDE IN CENTRAL PARK, CAN YOU WALK FROM PALACE TO CENTRAL PARK?

Please remove your Cap Lock when typing messages. Thanks.

If you want to "shout" - shout. I don't understand why this bothers people. Now to answer some of your qustions. The Palace is on Madison around 49th St. 5th Avenue is one short block west and right at 50th and 5th is Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Central Park is at 59th and 5th - less than a 1/2 mile walk. Carriage rides can be arranged at 59th and 5th as well as 59th and 6th and 7th. Also within walking distance is Times Square.

At Blue Water Grill, ask to sit downstairs, or at least pop down there for a drink and listen to the live jazz band. They're usually really good. They definitely peform on the weekends, not sure about weekdays.

To ss: It seems to me that "please" made a very polite request. I've seen responses where someone will say something like "hey moron, is your shift key broken?" So why does it bother you when someone politely points out posting etiquette that Jackie may not have been aware of?

Most people are aware that typing in all caps is considered the equivalent of "shouting" in cyberspace, and is considered to be rude. But as to why it bothers some people, the simple answer is that many people find it difficult to read. It actually hurts my eyes. Therefore, in addition to getting annoyed, many people will simply skip over & ignore a posting in all caps. And doesn't that defeat the purpose of posting in the first place? Don't you want people to read your inquiry? Hope that answers your question.

Anyway, Jackie, have a great weekend, and I hope you'll have a chance to take in a show or two. You can usually get decents tickets at the TKTS booth in midtown.

Maya is a good Mexican restaurant, if it's the one on First Avenue and about 64th. Rosa Mexicano, on First and 58th, is also a good one (great margaritas and guacamole made at the table).

One thing: Central Park is beautiful, especially this time of year. But for the love of God, please don't take a carriage ride. You can easily walk the route the carriage takes you, and it's such a rip. The spiel those guys (the carriage drivers) reel off is hard to take. There's so much to see in the park (Boathouse, outside art installations currently there, the Conservatory Garden, zoo, Sheep Meadow). Put your walking shoes on and enjoy! I guess as a runner/walker, I could easily see walking in the park. But if you prefer an escorted tour, do it if you must.

In any event, I hope you enjoy the city. We're glad you are coming.

Thank you for advise. Sorry about CAPS, now I know better. Thought of a couple more questions. I Would like know if anyone reading this has stayed at the Palace and any comments/tips they may have about their stay. Also, would like to walk over Brookland Bridge, is this a long walk from the Palace?

Jackie:

You're going to love NYC. I've been going on business for years, but finally got my hubby there this past April for my birthday. I'll give you some suggestions on what we did that particular day. You two might enjoy some of the same things.

Strolling around Greenwhich Village, SoHo, Chinatown, lunch in Little Italy. Dinner at One if by Land, Two if by Sea in Greenwhich Village (pricey, extravagant, but worth it). We also went to Hudson Bar and Books after dinner for a nice cigar and cognac. At the end of the night, we went to the top of the Empire State Building...enjoyable view of the city to end a great evening. You can go up until 11:30 p.m.

Another thing that we enjoyed that weekend, even though it's kinda cheesy and touristy, was a drink at the View Lounge in the Mariott Marquis on Times Square. It was a fabulous sight.

Have fun!

Just walk a few blocks over from the hotel to 51st and Lexington. Take the #6 Lex Ave local to the Brooklyn Bridge stop. It's a very short walk from there to the base of the bridge and the walk is well worth it - you'll have a fantastic and very memorable view of the skyline from the bridge.