New York itinerary advice
 

I'm planning a visit to New York City with my husband and I am looking for some fun things to do. I will be staying 5 - 6 days. Would appreciate any ideas.

Your ages, interests, budget concerns, time of year you're visiting?

Some of us live here and never run out of things to do and see, so help us narrow it down a little for you!

A little more info would be helpful.

Have you been to NYC before and seen all the basics - or are you a newbie?

When will you be coming?

Who are you and what are your interests (basic sightseeing, special interests activities - theater, fine dining, clubbing, museums, history, fashion?????)

There are at least a hundred answers to your question - help us a little!

Here are some fun things to do in NYC:
Go to the Cafe Wha thursday - saturday night in the village to hear the best band in NYC - lots of fun -it's a party! Tel -212-254-3706
The Spotted Pig - Great gastro-pub in the west village, it may be small but you will enjoy the diversified clientele ambiance, and food.
New York City Photoshoot - Very cool way to experience the city -a professional photographer accompanies you around and takes amazing photos of you with famous landmarks as a backdrop.
Web site- www.nycityphotoshoot.com
New York's a great city - I'm sure you'll have a great time!

We are in our 30s. We enjoy theatre, music, tours, and anything a bit different. We should be visiting mid September. This will be our first time to NY. Hope that helps.

If you search this site you will get more ideas than you will have time to see.

Also get a book about the city so you can choose the things that you are most interested in seeing.

If you come into Penn Station there are several booths, you can get lots of free pamphlets, maps and tour books that are for the week you stay, all free. One day walk on 5th Avenue @ 34th St (Empire St Bldg)north to 42 (NY libr). Chrysler Bldg is east on 42nd. Turn left @ 42, walk 2 blocks to Times Sq, turn right walk north. You'll see TKTS you can get half price cash tickets to shows 4 afternoon or evening. For matinee be in line 9am. Cross over to Broadway and follow Bdwy up to Davis Letterman's Late Show @52. There is Ellen's Stardust Diner (next to Mamma Mia)on Brdwy and 50 or Mars 2112. At Ellen's waitress sing old rock and roll but pricey burgers and sandwiches. Pay for atmosphere. Go east to 5th Avenue. See Trumps, NBA, Disney, Tiffany's (closed on Sat), American Girl, St. Pat's, NBC and Rockefeller Center @ 50St. Central Park starts at 65. You'll be tired by then. You can do Central Park another day. One day for Chinatown, Little Italy and WTC. Another day for Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge. mta.info has subway schedules. Plenty of tour bus co and cruise the harbor. One day for Broadway Show and more of midtown. Lincoln Center at Columbus Circle. Order ahead free tickets to a talk show.

Rcco against doing bus tours-a waste of time and money.

Go to broadwaybox.com to get codes to buy advance dicount theater tickets.

Check out website of New York magazine - it has hundreds of speciial events listed by date and catgory.

The double decker bus tours in NYC are great for first time visitors.

Yes I agree that the double decker bus is great for first time visitors, that way you can return to the places of interest you see on the tour.We enjoyed South St. sea port, with good shops, outdoor dining and a great view of the Brooklyn bridge.
We also enjoyed BB Kings club on 42nd. St. The Harlem Gospel Choir has everyone dancing in the aisles and a buffet brunch is included in the price of the ticket.(think it's Sunday lunchtime)

Thanks for your advice. I checked out Ellen's Stardust Diner that looks really entertaining. And New York City Photoshoot looks like a really glamorous thing to do - I've never heard of something like that before.

still working on this, but give it a look
http://www.geocities.com/danserm/index.html

I would decide about whether and which of the big sites you want to see, which can all take a big chunk of a day
--Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty
--Metropolitan Museum of Art/MoMA
(there's also the Frick, Guggenheim, the Cloisters and other museums of interest)
--Central Park (easily a day in itself)

then which neighborhoods might interest you most
--Greenwhich Village, East Village, Little Italy, China Town, Lower Manhattan, Midtown, Times Square

--will you want to see a show or concert? (both) check out Lincoln Center

People have been mentioning Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center (go to the basement to get tickets). I love this place. You'll get amazing views of the city and park, as well as an historical overview of the area. I believe TOTR also has a deal with the MoMA, but tickets at TOTR and also get into the MoMA, keep your eye out for that, since entry into both is a little on the pricey side.

Another plus for TOTR is that you get to explore the Rockefeller Center area, St. Patrick's Cathedral is right there, and it's a quick walk to Grand Central Station, the Main Library with the lions, and Bryant Park.