My husband and I will be in NYC with our children (13 and 24) for 3 days in early August. This is a return trip for all of us with the goal of seeing a few new things and repeating a few favorites. I would appreciate help in arranging a workable itinerary. We will be staying in the Times Square area. We will see a show each of the three evenings.

Things we want to fit in:

Museum of Natural History
MOMA
World Trade Center Memorial with guided tour
Chinatown- around lunchtime so we can enjoy some good Chinese food
Brooklyn for pizza and walk the bridge back
Empire State Building
Central Park- possibly rent bikes or go for the carriage ride.

My daughter and I would also love some good shopping suggestions. A nice area to walk around in with some nice shops for a teen is the goal.

I would also love suggestions for good meals as well. We know that we will probably have pizza in Brooklyn for lunch one day and Chinese for lunch another and my daughter insists on Ellen’s Stardust Diner for at least one dinner beyond those we need suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

If you look at the board for yesterday under "Ideas for visitors" You will see a list of restaurants. And if you look at the NY Board for the past few months you will see many helpful ideas,

You do not have to be in Chiantown for lunch. The restaurants are open all day and a few are open 24 hours.

The East Village from Ave A to 2nd Ave from 9th Street to 12th Street is filled with shops by designer/owners.

Check out the post I had as I have received so many good ideas etc.One of the many helpful suggestions was to check www.hopspot.com. They list all the time and miles etc to walk, taxi or take a bus.

Natural History and Central Park - Same day

MOMA - NOT Tuesday

WTC - Chinatown - Brooklyn - same day

NOT ESB - Do Top of the Rock

SoHo is a great area to shop in. Broadway has a lot of the typical mall type stores, but the side streets have lots of boutiques that are cool. There are also cafes and restaurants down there.

You can take the R or W to Prince Street or the B/D/F to Broadway/Lafayette or the 6 to Bleeker Street.

Of course there's Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue in midtown, but those are pretty high end stores although there is an H&M.

You have a lot of activities planned for 3 days. Perhaps you should think about what you really want to do and not tire yourself out?

Whatever you do, do not attempt two museums on the same day or you'll end up a babbling idiot. It is just too much.

As far as I know, there is no World Trade Center Memorial yet so I'm not sure what kind of tour you'd be doing. You would be better off doing internet research and getting a map and walking the area yourself.

If you are in Chinatown for lunch try -- Ping's for great dim sum.