NYC - 5 days / 5 adventures/ excursions
 

Hi NYC fans! I'm heading back for a week and will be solo during the week. I'm trying to plan an adventure/excursion a day for the weekdays - focusing on things I've not seen or done before. On my list of possibilities -

- Walking the Brooklyn Bridge, one way, toward Manhattan
- Walking the High Line
- Heading up to the Cloisters (finally)
- Walking around Harlem (using santamonica's experiences as a starting point)
- ??? not sure. Looking for ideas

I want to use the bus more this trip than in the past. I'd like to add in something interesting in the area. I like tours and would love to fit in one of St. John the Divine during my Harlem day - http://www.stjohndivine.org/pe_forthcoming.html
I'll want to stop in Fishs Eddy of course. Can anyone think of something new/different for me to try around the Flatiron / Union Square? I never made it down to Chinatown for dim sum last time. Will have to see if I can go see the Pickle Guys when they are open. They were closed on my last trip, as well as Kossar's. - http://www.kossarsbialys.com/ Maybe a Village/Chinatown wandering day? Any ideas will be appreciated. I've not taken any of the tenement museum walking tours (just the ones in the tenement building) so maybe that would be a good option. Thanks for sharing ideas!

The Merchant's House Museum -- see how the other half lived. The self-guided tour booklet is very well written. http://merchantshouse.com/

The NY Botanical Gardens -- the orchid show is over but the gardens are in bloom. http://www.nybg.org/

After visiting St John the Divine, explore the less familiar northern reaches of Central Park.

<<<After visiting St John the Divine, explore the less familiar northern reaches of Central Park.>>>

And then cross all the way over to Fifth Avenue, and down to about 110th (?) and visit the Museum of the City of New York, if they have an exhibit that interests you -- someone mentioned a current exhibit about how Manhattan was "planned". A few years ago, we saw a fantastic baseball history exhibit there. (And when I was in 4th grade, I learned how to churn butter there :-) )

Have you don the New York Historical Society? It was redone recently and has brilliant exhibits. Rightnext to the Mueum of Natural Hist - and you could drop in on Zabars' - to pick up lunch - or cheeses and goodies - and also check out their incredible housewares dept (upstairs).

If you are thinking of seeing Harlem (and since I live here, quite honestly can't really think of a reason you would want to visit), take a tour and see the highlights and ok there are a few. Harlem is mostly residential and stores with a few "this building was the home of..... and at this corner .... and this church ......" That said, there is a city maintained building at 163 and Edgemont, at the top of a hill, and one of the oldest buildings in the City, I can't think of the name, and right in front is a row of early 1800 homes.

St. John is worth the trip uptown and you can just walk around, or take a tour.

Howabout then heading further uptown from there to The Cloisters, which imho is one of the best museums in the City, with breattaking views of the Hudson River.

Walk back down through Ft. Tryon Park and down Ft. Washingto ST to a great restaurant Kismat for lunch/dinner at 187th St.

Enjoy your trip.

I like your list of possibilities, and the suggestions by Fodorites. There's a nice little restaurant near the Cloisters. I can't remember the name, but it's hard to miss. It's in the park between the shrine of Mother Cabrini and the museum. New Age Cafe, maybe? Something like that.

Don't forget to eat at Miss Mamie's when you go to St. John the Divine.

I don't know if you've ever been to the Frick but it's a wonderful museum - right on 5th, around 65th St or so.

P.S. No reason you can't walk the BB RT -- unless you want to explore Brooklyn Heights and walk the Promenade after you cross from Manhattan.

There are great views of lower Manhattan from the Promenade and lots of places to eat in the Heights along Montague St. The Brooklyn Historical Society is right in the area -- also an interesting place to visit.

A couple suggestions:
1. Have you ever spent the day in Central Park? I mean the WHOLE day! It's one of the city's great pleasures.
2. If you'll be here after May 19, then I'd definitely include a trip to the NY Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. They'll be offering a special exhibit on Monet's Garden. To quote part of their information:"This stunning tribute to the artist and his work showcases a seaasonally changing interpretation of the gardens in Giverny that inspired his art. Throughout the exhibition, films, concerts, poetry readings.....will provide rich insight into the life and work of this renowned master." From past experience, I can tell you that Botanical Garden's exhibits are always visual dazzlers.

Make the Cloisters a definite rather than a possible. What an oasis of calm and beauty it is!

Ellis Island? and if there is time left, Governor's Island--although the latter is probably best when the art studios are open.

If you're visiting St. John the Divine, take some time to enjoy the rest of Morningside Heights--it's fun to sit on the steps in front of Low Library on the Columbia University campus and enjoy the scene; there are a few decent places to eat on Broadway near the campus; and Riverside Park is where I used to go to enjoy greenery along the Hudson River when I lived in the area. This is a nice slice of a relatively low-key part of New York City.

I have been wanting to go to Governor's Island and The Cloisters. Life keeps stomping on my plans. When are you coming? A quick gtg maybe?

Definitely walk the Brooklyn Bridge. Have you done the double decker bus? Top of the Rock?

There's always some event going on. Check the NYC tourism site for stuff to do.

As I think of it, if starting in Manhattan, Governor's Island could be part of a single excursion: ferry to Governor's Island, ferry from Governor's Island to Brooklyn, walk along the East River to the Brooklyn Bridge and over the bridge to Manhattan.

Consider the hop on/off nywatertaxi.com You can get over to Brooklyn that way and also explore areas you may not know.
http://nywatertaxi.com/tours/hop

Thanks all. These are really good ideas. Michael, I like the idea of the Governor's Island/BBridge loop. mclaurie, I have not. I'll look into it. Thanks!

I would get up bright and early and head to the Bronx Zoo for a few hours including the monorail. I do enjoy the Botanical Gardens, but think the Zoo packs a bigger punch including lovely grounds and gardens and oh those peacocks!
http://www.bronxzoo.com/animals-and-.../exhibits.aspx
Then head to Arthur Ave and and a tour of Harlem for the afternoon.

Looking for activities that can be done in up to 4 hour segments - 5 at the max. The evenings will be spent on Broadway

Just trying to help given the information you shared. It would have been helpful to know you had time restraints before wasting peoples time.

Bill me for your wasted time

Your previously mentioned High Line would be a good 4-hour activity, as you tie in a walk around the gentrified Chelsea area and have lunch at one of the many fine dining spots near the High Line.
And, again I repeat the recommendation of the New York Botanical Gardens. You can easily spend a delighted 4 hours there. The previously mentioned Monet exhibit is but one of the many attractions you can experience.