NYC 1st timers - what to do 1st evening?
 

Taking first NYC trip in April. We have an itinerary in mind but would like some suggestions as to what to do the first evening. (we are a married couple, young 30s). We check in to the Affinia Dumont around 3:00PM. Hotel is located in midtown east area. We'll probably want get our bearings first and stroll a bit around the neighborhood, but then what? We're up for pretty much anything as long as we can see the city (would like to go to a show but probably not the first night there).

Here is the itinerary we have in mind:

Day 1: (3:00PM-?)
Day 2: Tour Lower Manhattan/Little Italy/Chinatown
Day 3: Midtown/Fifth Ave./Rockefeller/Empire State/NYC Public Library
Day 4: Greenwich Village/Central Park/The Met
Day 5: Upper East Side/Guggenheim/Brooklyn Bridge/Brooklyn Botanical Garden
Day 6: Flight at 2:15 PM - morning free to do anything we missed

Hmmm...well, I'm no Manhattan expert, but it seems to me that your itinerary has you jumping back and forth quite a bit -- I would think about doing the Brooklyn Bridge/Botanical Garden the same day you do lower Manhattan, and maybe do the Village, little Italy and Chinatown on another day. Everything else you've mentioned is midtown or above.

As for your first day, I can tell you what we did last year -- we were also staying in midtown east so we just walked over to Times Square to look around and get our bearings (you could check out the free walking tours at the Times Square visitor's center), then went to 30 Rock in late afternoon, went to the top of the Rock and stayed until early evening when all the lights came on -- if the weather is good, there's no better introduction or overview of Manhattan for a first timer.

I would either go to the Frick or window shop on Madison Ave. Be sure to check out the windows at Barney's.

On Day 2 I would do Greenwich Village along with Little Italy/Chinatown/Soho because they are in the same vicinity. Greenwich Village is not near Central Park or the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

On a Wednesday I would go to the Farmer's Market in Union Square, then go shopping at Fishs Eddy and ABC Carpet and Home.

Thingorjus

If both you and your spouse are fit and able (and a bit crazy), I would actually recommend renting bikes and taking to the streets. If you have an extremely secure lock, you could see a large amount of the city very quickly, cheaply, and intimately.

Yes, and be killed by a car. Riding a bicycle in Manhattan is dangerous for the uninitiated. I, a former Manhattanite, only rode my bike around Washington Square Park on Sunday mornings. I certain would NEVER have ventured up 6th Ave. during rush hour. Plus, you would be COVERED in dirt, exhaust, and sweat. Yuck!

Those women you see in the Styles Section of the NYTimes riding their bikes ride from 5th Ave. and 68th St
to Bergdorf's. Big whoop.

Thingorjus

What day of the week are you arriving? Most museums in NY are open at least one evening a week, often with free or reduced rate admission. It would be a nice relaxing way to start a trip, and you can usually have a bite or a drink at the museum, and go back to see more another time if you like.

I also think that your itinerary is a little geographically awkward.

I doubt that "Tour Lower Manhattan/Little Italy/Chinatown" would really take a whole day, unless you are adding in a boat ride or a museum. Definitely add the Brooklyn Bridge (which is right down there) and possibly the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.

Other than walk through some of these areas (which is fine if you just want to stroll, or take photos) what types of things do you like to do? For example, Central park is huge, and while you could spend a whole day, I suppose, it sounds like maybe you just want to walk through before or after The Metropolitan Museum?
Greenwich Village is a lovely neighborhood, but there are no specific "sites" there unless you want to do a literary or architectural walking tour or maybe some boutiquey shopping?

Whichever day you do the Met, do it first thing in the morning as soon as it opens, then you could explore Central Park after that.

Thanks for the replies! I knew my itinerary was not the best as far as geography, but I figured there was time to tighten it up (plus it'll never be set in stone:-) We're arriving on a Wednesday and departing the next Monday, so we'll have a weekend there.

We enjoy walking as much as we can to see as much as possible, but we know there will be times we'll want a cab/subway ride. We're not partiers or into a late nightlife, although we're planning to see Times Square and possibly top of Empire State Bldg. at night. We're both into photography, so we'd be interested in any cool architecture or anything that will have great photo opportunities.

In Greenwich, we'd be up for shopping but also to experience a bit of what a NYC neighborhood is like. We know that Central Park is huge and we probably won't get to see all of it. After exploring Central Park, we planned on going into the Met on a night it's open late. I love art, hence The Met and the Guggenheim. I would love to see MoMA but I don't know if I could drag the husband to more than a couple of museums. Since we like photography, I'm trying to find a good photography exhibit while we're there (April 23-28).

I'd also like to fit a visit to Soho in if possible... so many choices so little time. But hopefully it's not our only trip to NYC!

I would bag the Empire State Building - lines are WAY too long.

What you might do the first afternoon is stroll over to Fifth Ave, have a look at some of the shops, Rock Center and St Pat's and then ascend the Top of the Rock (you can get timed advance tickets) at least 30 minutes before sunset - so you can see the city from above both in daylight and with lights on. This will give you a good overview of both the geography and the atmosphere of the city. You can then have a dinner in the area - Rock Center Cafe for the view/atmosphere - or Roberto Passon for something a little less expensive.

If it were later in the year I would suggest Central Park - but in April you won;t have a chance to see much by the time you get there.

That way you can put the 2 halves of Day 4 - which are far apart - and too much for one day - on separate days. (You really need the whole day for the Met and Central Park is you want to see much).

And you can group Brooklyn/bridge with the Village - which makes much more sense.

^ I totally agree with NYTraveler. Stroll 5th Ave, etc. Make dinner reservations and enjoy.

I agree. Walk!! And skip the Empire State Bldg. Top of the Rock is great.

We always arrive mid-evening because we fly in from the left coast and don't like to get up at 4am for an early flight. Our tradition is to eat at the Hudson Cafeteria the first night. Always. It is loud and busy, with great music, and the food is comfort food - great for the first night in town. Take a cab there, if you want to try it.

Since you're interested in photography you might enjoy the Int'l Photography Center on 43rd St.and Sixth Av. They've had some wonderful exhibits over the years.

As for architectural, and general, photo ops, you will find them everywhere.