NYC for 72 hours
 

I am traveling to NYC alone for a conference 4/11-4/13. I have the conference all day on the 13th but I have the rest of the time free. I have been to Manhattan several times but is has been about 12 years ago since I was last there. I am staying in the Financial district.

Question: If you have this amount of time (conference 8-6 on Tuesday) what would you do considering I have seen the usual tourist hot spots? I have no problem moving through the city alone. I don't get to have time without kids often so want to make the best of it. I am 50 yrs. old. I don't like late night discos but do like jazz. I would like to see 1 BWY show, shop uniquely NYC, eat uniquely NYC and maybe revisit a museum. Mostly I would like to enjoy local neighborhoods & maybe some music.

Any ideas???

Stop and reflect on the site where the Trade Center Towers stood when you were there last time.
Do you have your return tickets booked? If not, consider exploring another city like Boston or Washington DC.

Assuming good weather, I'd get out and walk. Talk in Central Park. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Walk the High Line. Walk around Greenwich Village/SoHo/Lower East Side. Walk around the residential neighborhoods of the Upper West Side. Go to the Tenement Museum or the Museum of the City of New York. Have a pastrami on rye at a NY deli. Etc!

Definitely the High Line. It wasn't there when you were last there.

The High Line was there 12/yrs ago and even longer... it just wasn't what it is today!

Sandi, that's like saying the Ferry Building in San Francisco has been there for 100 years....well yes, it has, but....

Have a look at some things that are new or changed/updated.

Walk the high line
Visit MoMA
Checkout some of the other newer museums (have you been to the Tenement Museum?)

Check out sites of Time OUt New York and New York Magazine to see what jazz is playing where while you're here.

What is High Line?

Thank you for your replies. I can always count on my Fodors Forum friends I really like the walk idea. I really enjoy walking and seeing the people and action. Even though High Line might have been there, I never heard anything about it. So, I will try to make it there. I did have on my list to go to the Trade Tower site. I have a strong personal connection to the tragic event. I know seeing the site will be emotional but I have to do it!
Anyone have a thought on which show to see if you can only see 1? Favorite restaurants?
Unfortunately, I do not have time to see any other area. I do have plans to come back with kids though. So may do the multi city tour then.

I enjoyed the jazz at Dizzy's Club CocaCola last year.
http://www.jalc.org/dccc/index09.asp

On Monday I'd shop and maybe do a cruise of some sort if the weather is good. See if Goldstar.com has In the evening have dinner and go to hear some jazz. Dizzy's Coca Cola in the Time Warner building is fun with a nice view and Mons. are young performers. Or head to the village to one of the jazz places there.

On Tues. I'd go see the Van Cleef exhibit at the Cooper Hewitt. While up there pop into the Metmuseum.org to see whatever strikes your fancy. Then hit the theater.

to get last minute theatre tickets:
http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?id=56&%20do=v

the website will tell you where the booths are and what shows have been sold lately at the booths.

When I need a little "Scotch and Jazz" I head over to Arthurs!

http://www.arthurstavernnyc.com/reviews.html

-john

The Highline was "there" as in abandoned elevated train but now it is an amazing park full of wildflowers and viewpoints that wends it's way thorugh the west side of Manhattan.

There are all forms of jazz. Check out Time Out NY on-line or the magazine to see who is in town that week. There are a number of small clubs, especially in the West Village.

There are two exceptional restaurants near the High Line, Red Cat and Cookshop.

Also near the High Lines are buildings filled with art galleries. Once again check out Time Out NY to see what you might like.