My NYC Itinerary, any suggestions?
 

My family (17 & 15 yr old daughters), will be in NYC the 1st weekend in August. We will arrive around 11'ish on Friday & will be staying at the Belevedere. I've gotten all my plans from this site (thanks to all!), and would like opinions if it's do-able. We've done all the touristy things on our last visit, girls mainly want to shop. Thought we would lunch at John's Pizza, then wander to the NYU campus (this is a reasonable walk, is it not?), as we have a 2 pm tour scheduled. After the tour we'll wander thru Soho, then head back to Times Square. It's my daughters 15th b'day, so we'd like to take her some place fun for dinner. Think they would like someplace where the waiters sing, have read about a few places, but would appreciate suggestions! On Saturday, we'll have lunch in Little Italy, wander Chinatown & hit all the places on Canal St that we missed on Friday. Think we have tickets to 42nd St, but am waiting to hear. Thought about Carmine's for dinner, but it seems to get pretty mixed reviews. We leave 3'ish on Sunday, so thought we would lunch at Carnegie Deli then shop at the H&M store. Thought about walking the Brooklyn Bridge, but am not sure that we'll fit it in. Any suggestions? Thanks to all for all the great advice on this board!

Hi CB:<BR><BR>Sounds very similar to our recent shopping trip with a teen, and it seems you have a great time planned.<BR><BR>We ate at Camrmine's and enjoyed it. Don't know what they do for birthdays, though.<BR><BR>Another thing we enjoyed after Little Italy and Chinatown, was a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. Enjoying ice cream on the promenade under the bridge, overlooking lower Manhattan at dusk is a treat.<BR><BR>Our teen also enjoyed having lunch and a fabulous dessert at Serendipity (from the movie). We did have to wait in line, though, so you can anticipate that. But, we had to wait in line almost anywhere in NYC, so it was fine.<BR><BR>On the more touristy side, we also enjoyed the NBC Studio Tour. More interesting than I would have expected, and not overly long.<BR><BR>If tickets to 42nd don't come thru, Rent is good, just as long as you're ok with a tad bit more mature content. Our teen was 18 and she thoroughly enjoyed it. We also saw much younger teens there, as well, but it's a personal choice.<BR><BR>Have fun and report back when you return!<BR>

You could have the b-day dinner in Little Italy at Puglia's. There is someone (Jorge, I think) singing there all the time and I'm sure he would sing a birthday song for you. Carmine's is ok, but I think you can get that quality and atmosphere anywhere in the US. I would go for something a little more NYC, a little less suburban. Ruby Foo's can be very fun, although I find their great cocktails to be my favorite part of the dinner. Also, consider brunch on Sunday instead of lunch. If you want an ethnic/Jewish type meal, Barney Greengrass has really good lox and a great Nova & eggs. Sarabeth's has an amazing brunch, but you will have to WAIT.<BR>If you eat dinner in Little Italy, you can have Dim Sum in Chinatown on Saturday, and if you are still hungry head to the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory for funky flavors like ginger and red bean. Eat it in the park where all the elderly Chinese play mah jong. <BR>If the girls want to shop, make some time for Canal street and the Pearl River Mart. You might want to head to a Zara(the one I know is on 34th between 5&6) for really fashionable clothing a really great prices. It is a little more $$ than H&M, but the clothes are MUCH better made and don't look as cheap/shoddy. They also have great accessories. <BR>If you are looking at colleges it might be fun to head up to the Columbia area for a different vibe. It's very neighborhoody and quiet during the summer, but still beautiful. Also, unlike NYU there really is a campus. <BR>Have a blast--NYC is a great place for a high school visit!

I think your schedule looks great!<BR><BR>I would definitely skip Carmines. NYC just has so many better restaurants. Since it sounds like you will be hitting a lot of Italian restaurants, you might want to try a more exotic type of food not typically found in your hometown. (i.e. Japanese, Korean, Brazilian)

Another shopping idea is Century 21, although we found the crowds and chaos to be a bit much. However, if you have the time, you can find some great bargains.<BR><BR>

It is a good 2 mile walk from John's Pizza to NYU campus. At a normal pace it is going to take in excess of 40 minutes so you will have to be finished with lunch by 1 pm. If it is one of those August dog days you will probably arrive coated with perspiration. You might be better off taking public transpotation or a taxi and save the walking for after the tour.

Johns Pizza on Bleeker St. is 5 mins from NYU, NOT 2 miles!!!!!!!!!!!

Ellen's Stardust Diner at 51st and Broadway is a 50's style diner, with singing waiters. It would be perfect!

Thanks for all the great info! I had considered that the walk to NYU might be a bit much so I did have the subway as Plan B. Also had Serendipity on the list, but was not sure where to put it! Read about Ellen's Stardust, which also has pretty mixed reviews. Is the John's on Bleeker Street as recommended as the one in Times Square? I will definitely report when we get back.. Thanks again..

There are four John's Pizzeria in Manhattan. Since she is staying at the Belvedere I assumed she was referring to the one on W.44th near 8th. That is the one most frequently mentioned on this board.

but it's john's on bleeker that gets all the raves and is famous, i think. i love that place. you order pizza by the pie, not the slice. it's classic NY pizza. on a hot summer night, i love a pie and a pitcher. it's really close to NYU.

I don't know anything about the one on Bleecker but the one on W.44th is a full blown restaurant. It is one of the most popular restaurants in the theater district. CB - which John's were you referring to?

Do Not go to Carnegie Deli very overrated. Good broadway show Mamma Mia at Winter Garden. Go to New York ublic Library - worth the trip. Daffy is a great place for bargains on fifth avenue. Enjoy and take good walking shoes.

Your daughters are old enough to appreciate great art, which NYC has in abundance. I'd suggest working in at least one, if not 2 museums--the Met, MOMA, or Guggenheim would be my top three suggestions.

x-<BR><BR>I guess I was originally referring to the John's on 44th, but it's good to know that there is one on Bleeker close to NYU. Maybe we'll just decide when we're there which one works out better logistically! Paula- you're right about the museums, we'll have to work that in too (maybe we need another day or two??)

My 2 cents...<BR>Be sure to swing by the Italian Grocery while in Little Italy. It's my favorite place, much better than most authentic restaurants in the area.<BR>It's on Grand @ Mulberry (I think) and is a very small grocery store with a wonderful hot/cold deli.<BR>They have prepared pizza crusts w/sauce all wrapped up. I buy a few to take home for family. The whole plane smells like pizza by the time we arrive.<BR>Your itinerary is way too busy for our leisurely pace. I go to the city with my daughter (16) periodically and we just wing it. Last time (the first week of Sep/01)we had NO plan. We took the Staten Island Ferry, went to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, shopped til we dropped and ate, ate, ate. It was great fun. <BR>

I haven't been to Ellen's Stardust Diner, but another place with singing waiters and lots of fun is Mangia e Bevi on 9th Ave at 53rd Street. It's Italian, the food is good, but not great. They pass out tambourines and the patrons stand on top of chairs and sing and dance. It's really a lot of fun.

Oh yeah, Carnegie Deli is pretty busy. The Stage Deli nearby is the same concept, but a little nicer. You may still have a wait.<BR><BR>Since you're shopping at H&M on Fifth, you might as well check out all of the other fancy stores on Fifth. Your girls might also like Sephora -- just 1 block up from H&M -- a nice, cosmetics store with lots of different brands, everything can be sampled and no high-pressure sales tactics.

FYIW:<BR>The John's Pizza on Bleeker St. is THE ORIGINAL location - the others are all relatively recent branches.

MOMA is currently housed in Queens while major renovations are being made at the Manhattan location.<BR> <BR>Considering the time constraints (arriving around 11, tour at 2) I would head for the John's on Bleeker as soon as I was settled into the hotel. Would use public transpotation to get there and then do the walking after the tour ends

cb, if you want to do all you've said, and if your daughters are really focused on shopping, you'll have to save the museums for next time, because you just won't have time!<BR><BR>Here are my suggestions:<BR><BR>On Friday, take the subway down to Houston St after you get to your hotel, one one block up to Bleecker and head east to John's. In my experience the (original) location on Bleecker has better pizza than the uprown locations, plus I'm sure your daughters will enjoy the feeling of eating in a Village place. For dessert, get ice cream at the excellent Cones, right next door.<BR><BR>After the NYU tour, head east to Broadway and walk down Broadway into Soho. There are many shops catering to young tastes (college neighborhood, after all) along Broadway. Don't miss Ricky's drugstore (there are two, both above and below Houston): lots of cool, fun makeup, hair accessories, etc., and very NY. This is a place that is at the forefront of the up-and-coming trends and is inexpensive. Below Houston on Broadway there is an H&M store, though it's not as big as the 5th Ave one. Another do not miss for your daughters: Canal Jean Co. (you will run into it if you just keep on down Boadway; it is above Canal). Hip, young clothes, including lots of labels, at extremely good prices. Teens LOVE this place.<BR><BR>Ruby Foo's in Times Square might be a fun bet for your daughter's birthday. No singing waiters, but really done-up Asian-theme decor to go with the sort-of pan-Asian cuisine (dim sum, sushi, Asian entrees). An 'experience" kind of place in a sophisticated way that your daughters would probably appreciate. It's known for its exotic cocktail menu, and perhaps they could whip up a fun virgin drink as well. Desserts are over the top in presentation, perfect for a birthday. You can check out photos and menu at http://www.brguestinc.com. Make an 8 pm or later reservation, so you won't have to compete with the pre-theater crowd.<BR><BR>Saturday, start out early and work your way west to east on Canal (unless you did it all on Friday, of course) until you hit Chinatown. The poster abover is right, definitely hit Pearl River Mart (Broadway and Canal) one of the two days. After lunch in Little Italy or Chinatown, you can do the Brooklyn bridge and then take the subway from the Brooklyn side back to midtown. <BR><BR>If you're interested in Italian for pre-theater, a popular choice (better than Carmine's) is Becco on 46th St, with its $22 prix fixe menu, which includes salad or antipasto and selection of three pastas. You'll need to reserve well in advance, as they do a bustling pre-theater business.<BR><BR>Have fun! I had a ball visiting and shopping in NYC when I was your daughters' age.

If the girls want to shop, Century 21 is a good idea (its on same block as ground zero so they can also see that--dusty memorial in front of Trinity Church is sooo moving. My kid loves to shop in Soho, Canal St, etc. Timeout.com (NY) has good ideas.<BR>A dim sum place in CHina town would be fun--Golden Unicorn is unique and fancier than most Chinese restaurants.<BR>A great/spectacular but pricey place for a b-day party might be the Waterside on east river around 34th st.<BR>Its out of the way, but have you visited my favorite spot--Central Park?

Caitlin-<BR><BR>Wow! That all sounds marvelous! I think we may just follow your directions. The girls love Asian food, so that may just be the thing. We were in NYC 2 yrs ago, and they have bugged me to go back since (my parents live upstate, the Catskills, & we go every year, but had never visited "the city". Even though I grew up 2 hrs away I never visited). Seems strange now..<BR>nymom- we did walk around Central Park when we were there 2 summers ago. It was when the cow parade was there. We have MANY pictures of the various cows. Thanks to everyone, how I ever planned a trip without this site, I'll never know:)