I'm staying in NY in late August with my girlfriend. We're both on a v. small budget, but I'd like to surprise her on her birthday which falls during our stay.
Since my knowledge of NY is limited in the extreme, does anyone have any ideas for a cheap but novel day?

My idea of a great low-budget day with my sweetheart is to go somewhere beautiful, relatively uncrowded, off the beaten path, an outside the concrete jungle. So here's what I'd do: Buy some sandwiches, etc. at a deli, hop on the subway and head to the far north of Manhattan. Have a picnic lunch in Ft. Tryon Park, and then head for the Cloisters. The Cloisters is the Met Museum's medieval collection, including some wonderful tapestries, which is housed in transplanted stone monastary buildings and has beautiful gardens. It is usually uncrowded and peaceful, as well as being a beautifl and romantic setting. The Met has a pay-as-you-can donation policy, dspite the posted admissions prices. Then back on the subway, and head all the way down to the far southern tip of Manhattan, for a sunset ride back-and-forth on the Staten Island Ferry (which is free). Then to Soho for an inexpensive dinner of a real (and really good) New York pizza at Lombardi's on Spring St., and a stroll with an excellent ice cream cone from Cones on Bleecker ST. Gee, I wish I could take off and live that day with my sweetheart!

Caitlin, my compliments. A great one-day NYC itinerary--better than a lot of agendas costing a lot more!
Howard

Thanks, Howard. I hope Nik likes my suggestions as much!

I was going to suggest almost the same itinery, except with the Central Park Zoo or the Carosel thrown in. There is also a lovely lake in Central Park where you can rent a boat for an hour or so a row around. Nice on a hot day.

The Cloisters is my favorite place on a Sunday afternoon, it really gives you the feeling that you have left the city behind.

Catlin, we have probably bumped into each other in the neighborhood, see you sometime at the Cloisters, (lol).

Nik have a great trip. Oh and also if you want to get her a nice and inexpensive gift go to Max Nass Jewelers at 118 E. 28th St. They usually have very nice things and very well priced.

Have fun.

tweedy

Thanks for the replies everybody - why don't you take off and live that great day you suggested Caitlin? You never know..we might bump into each other.. The lake sounds good too - cheers tweedy!

Nik, next time the slavedrivers let my sweetheart have a restful day off (he's a medical intern--horrendous hours), we may just do that. It truly does make for a romantic and different day. Have a wonderful visit here in NY.

Visiting nyc looks like being a once in a lifetime thing, so i'll definitely enjoy it no matter what!
Would anyone know of any good vegetarian restaurants?

Nik, there are definitely good vegetarian reataurants, and most are fairly easy on the pocketbook. Here are some to try:

Angelica Kitchen, 300 E. 12th St: vegan
Bachue, 36 W 21st ST.: vegan
Cafe Viva, 179 2d Ave.: Kosher vegetarian pizza, pasta, salad, lots of vegan options
Hangawi, 12 E. 32d St.: Korean, not too cheap
Herban Kitchen, 290 Hudson St.: not all veggie, but lots of vegetarian/vegan selection, prices mid-range
Josie's, 300 amsterdam: vegetarian, mid-range
Pongal, 110 Lexington Ave.: southern Indian, kosher and vegetarian
Quantum Leap, 88 W. 3d St.: vegetarian (macrobiotic maybe)
Zen Palate, 34 Union Sq. East; 663 9th Ave.; 2170 Broadway: pan-Asian vegetarian

Of course, if you eat ovo-lacto, you'll find plenty of options at Italian and pizza places as well, plus at deli salad bars for lunch.