Okay...we're still a bunch of rubes from South Alabama. Did NYC last Thanksgiving and we're doing it again this year. Need a three day itinerary...well, probably a two day since Thanksgiving Day will be taken up with the parade, Rockettes, Madame Tussaud (yes, we have a 12 year old) and dinner at Le Madeleine.

Arrive Tuesday night, so we probably want to go downtown on Wednesday...Ellis Island, don't care to visit the SOL or Ground Zero, would like to see Chinatown (shopping) and Washington Square/Village. Lovely wants to do some shopping so help me out. Have to be back for dinner at Becco and then Thoroughly Modern Millie at Marquis that night.

Friday would like to go north to Central Park and see what is that way. The Met I know is up there, the Park....need some 12 year old stuff.

I guess what I need most is subway lines and personeal recommendations. You folks have never let me down, so I look forward to some comments. Thanks!

A great way to get an overview of the city is a Grayline Tour. Their double decker bus tours are great. If you only haver time to take one of them, the Lower Manhattan one is the best. When you buy your Grayline ticket, you can also purchase tickets for the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island tour and the Empire State Building. This will save you time from having to stand in the ticket lines at those venues. I would plan on at least 2 hours at Ellis Island.

In terms of restaurants what type of food do you like? For Italian you can't go wrong with a restaurant on Mulberry Street in Little Italy. My favorite is IL Cortile. If you like oysters, you won't want to miss the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station. For delis I would recommend Katz's, Stage, and Carnegie.

The Rock Center Cafe alongside the ice skating rink in Rockefeller Center is nice. I had dinner there lat night.

Here are some helpful websites:

http://graylinenewyork.com/

http://www.littleitalynyc.com/

http://www.nycvisit.com/home/index.cfm

Good links! For Central Park perspective and info, try these:

http://www.centralpark.org/home.html

http://www.centralparknyc.org/

Since you are going to be here for Thanksgiving, realize that some things will close early on Wed because of the holiday on Thursday. Also I would NOT take the bus tour that weekend, since Friday is the WORST day of the year here for traffic. It is the busiest shopping day, and hordes of people will be here and lots of people have the day off as well.

I would plan everything around travel on the subway.

The Museum of Natural History would be a hit for your 12 yr old, lots to see and do there, so Wed there would be fun, and you can see a bit of Central Park.

Go look at the rink at Rock Center and then walk up to Central Park and rent skates and skate at Wolman Rink. Rock Center you will be waiting in lines forever.

On Wed night, you might want to go to Central Park West to watch the baloons being blown up, from 79th St down, is where the baloons are being laid out and inflated, fun to see.

Friday, Chinatown is a fun idea and you might do Ellis Island, but get there VERY early, since there will be lines.

Also in Battery Park is a memorial to 9/11 with an eternal flame. YOu might want to see that.

Another museum not seen as often by tourists is the Cloisters which is on the uppest west side. Take the #1 or the A train to 209th Sth and then walk through Ft. Tryon Park, and you will feel a world away. The Museum is my fav in the city, and the views of the Hudson and the Pallisades of NJ are really beautiful.

Not sure when the Tree at the Met goes up, but you might check. It is a wonderful holiday tradition, and the tree is decorated in priceless statues. Also on Friday and Sat nights the museum is open later and there is music played on the balcony, so you can relax listen to some wonderful music and have a glass of wine or a soda.

The city really starts to shine at Thanksgiving, so have a great time and happy holidays.

I second the idea of going to see the baloons blown up. They actually start it earlier in the day (I think around 3), but it is fun to walk by them even when they are already inflated.

Thanks for the great suggestions, folks! Between this and the other NYC Help thread I think we're on the right track.

You ask for subway directions. If you indicate hotel where you will be staying specific directions can be provided as to how to get around.

Rob,

Thanks for pinting that out...duh. We're at the Mansfield on 44th between 5th & 6th.

Tussard- 42nd between 7th and 8th - walk.
Ellis Island - walk to Times Square subway station 42nd St and 7th Avenue - take #1 or #9 LOCAL DOWNTOWN to the last stop SOUTH FERRY. You have to be in one of the first five cars on the train to exit the train at the South Ferry stop. Chinatown - walk to Times Square station. Take the N or R train DOWNTOWN to Canal Street station.
Central Park - go to 5th Avenue and walk UPTOWN to 59th St. and the Park. IT is about a 3/4's of a mile walk. For the 12 year old ice skating at the Wollman Rink in the park
Marquis - walk to 45th and BRoadway.
Metropolitan - 81st and 5th AVe. Take a bus on Madison Ave. Fare is $2 a person and you must have the exact fare in COINS. With 3 people I would take a taxi . Fare will be less than $10.

44th between 5th and 6th? OOh, you;re on the same block as the Algonquin--of Algonquin round table fame. Definitely stop in for coffee oir a drink. Next ddor to that is on eof my favorite delis--Romano's. Their tuna salad is very good and their bagels are damn fine too. Enjoy.

Thanks to all of you, especially Rob, for taking the time to give some details! I'm a bit of an overplanner...