This is our families first trip to NYC. We have two teenagers and five days to explore and shop. Any experiences with Thanksgiving dinner, T.V. studio tours...any little tips would be appreciated!

To get discount theatre tickets - there's a booth called TKTS on Broadway at 47th St - day of show, not every show available. NBC studio tour at Rockefeller Center would be fun, as might the Radio City tour across the street from that. Hard Rock Cafe on 57th St is a winner with the teenagers, and I, myself, would love to see the new Wax Museum on W 42nd St. Where are you staying? How's your budget (ie - limited, sky's the limit, or somewhere in between ) Macy's and Bloomingdale's are good shopping - the former on 34th St and Broadway, the latter on Lexington Ave and 59th St. Eat ice cream amongst stained glass and ambiance at Serendipity, just a few blocks from Bloomingdales. Go to the top of the Empire State Building at 34th and 5th Ave, and/or visit Ellis Island or the UN or the Stock Exchange on Wall Street. You can mix educational with funky and fun. Visit the Metropolitan Museum, or the Guggenheim Museum for modern art. Bring comfortabel walking shoes. Take buses. You get to see the sights. Subways are very convenient. Have dinner at a little funky bistro in Greenwich Village. See the galleries in Soho. Chinatown for an inexpensive meal. You could keep busy for weeks!

The great other thing to do is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parada--but make sure you do this FROM your HOTEL room-- you need a hotel in the Times Sq area that FACES BROADWAY--that way,you are out of the cold and can see everything....

The David Letterman Show also is taped in NYC--

There are a bunch of homeless shelters in the city that prepare great Thanksgiving Dinners. Bon Appetit!!!

For Thanksgiving luncheon try "The Old Homestead" on 14th Street. It's right in the meat district and accessible by cab or subway. The food was delicious and the restaurant is an old New York favorite.

Wonderful suggestions, thank you. Linda, we're staying at the Hilton Times Square. I've heard some good things about it. How can we get into the David Letterman taping? Book ahead or wait in line?

Don't know about any TV tapings...Maybe check with the station.
And, of course, you know there's lots of action every morning outside the TODAY SHOW, which is broadcast from Rockefeller Center, ground floor, sort of the southwest corner of the plaza. People love Katie, Matt, Al and Ann! Get there early (well before broadcast time) if you want ringside...

Carmine's is really a great place to have Thanksgiving dinner. It's inexpensive, lively, and the food is good. Everything is served on large platters for family style eating. Reservations are a must. If you want quiet,fine dining go someplace else.