I realized a couple of days ago that we have NO TRIPS PLANNED for the upcoming months; I usually have a couple in the pipeline. So, we started planning a trip for our 24th anniversary (mid-October).

We're thinking about NYC. We have enough points to stay at the Marriott Marquis (in Times Square). I've never been to NYC; husband has been there.

We want to see a couple of plays (maybe Mamma Mia, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and/or Spamelot); Wicked is coming to Atlanta in the spring, so we won't see that one.

We would probably like to see the Dave Letterman show, maybe Regis & Kelly (not sure about tickets for that one), do some Christmas shopping. We'd like to go out Monday night for a nice anniversary dinner; any ideas?

We also need restaurant ideas for places to go before the shows (probably Tuesday and Wednesday nights). We want a really nice place for Monday night, but probably more casual for the other 3 nights. We'll arrive on Sunday and fly back to Atlanta on Thursday.

We have reservations at the Marriott, but these can be changed if we change our mind. We had also considered Phoenix, San Francisco, and Curacao (or some other tropical place), but we thought NYC would be fun.

Is mid-October a good time of year for NYC?

Any thoughts/ideas? Thanks very much.

October is a great time to visit NYC -- the weather will probably be nice. It's also a very popular time to visit, with lots of conferences filling up hotels, so you're lucky to already have a room.

I hear that Spamalot is booked through January, so you might have to work extra-hard to get those tickets.

You're situated in a nice place, in the center of all the action for the theater.

Like Anon says, it's a nice time of year to visit. I'd say see the plays in NY, since you'll often get to see the original cast. I heard that Mamma Mia is really cheesey, unless you love ABBA. Definitely see Dirty Rotton Scoundrels though, I've only heard great things about it. I plan on seeing it myself soon.

I think for tix to Letterman, you have to send in a postcard, or stand in line early on the day of the show you want to attend.

There's this great restaurant my friends and I go to a lot, which is near the theaters, but I don't remember the name, so will post back soon once I get it.

Good luck and have fun planning.

October is a great time to come to NYC.
As for theater tickets, you might be able to get Tuesday or Wednesday evening seats for Spamalot if you call Telecharge NOW--800-432-7250.
What type of food do you prefer for your special Monday evening dinner? Top price you'll pay? What about the other nights--types and price?

What other plans do you have besides the theater and shopping? If you tell a little about your interests - history, art, exploring new neighborhoods, ??? - we can make better recos.

We aren't really fancy food eaters, so the anniversary dinner (Monday) would probably be at a steak place. Is $150 reasonable for 2 of us (with no alcoholic drinks) for a nice dinner? If not, we can go higher.

For the other nights, we'd like anything sort of casual (even pizza), and we love to eat outside if possible. I'm not sure if that would work in NYC or not. I'm thinking under $100 for the other nights for dinner. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we would need to be near the theaters if we're able to get tickets those nights.

We love to explore; is Chinatown feasible for us to visit? Also, I'd like to see the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We were thinking about going to the Empire State Building one evening (maybe Sunday, our first evening?).

So we'd like to explore neighborhoods, see a museum or two, maybe see the Dave Letterman Show, and we like to just wander around seeing what we see. We're not really late night people, and we definitely aren't party people. We like to be outside as much as possible. We just generally enjoy hanging out with each other.

I also love photography and will be taking lots and lots of pictures.

Thanks!

For steakhouses, try Sparks or Bobby Van's. Both are within your price range for that special dinner.

BLT Steak is a new trendy steak house that supposed to be quite good - a little less masculine than the other two IMHO.

Eating dinner outdoors may be an issue depending on the weather - not just the temps - but if its windy they also have to bring the tables inside. You'll need to play that by ear. Outdoor places are not so common in midtown - much more common on the upper east/west side and in the Village etc.

But if you're going to do theater I reco eating nearby - so you're not rushed/late if there's a traffic jam.

Some casuale places that are nearby and reliable include Becco, Joe Allen's and Cafe Un Deux, Trois. For a little longer walk but fun Italian - great antipasto, semi-casual and busy try Trattoria de Arte (giant ceramic nose in window and most of the wait staff are actors in waiting).

For the Met suggest you go to the web site in advance to pick out 2 or 3 departments that interest you most otherwise you could end up spending a couple of days there.

You also might consider taking the Staten Island ferry (free) for a great view of the Statue of Liberty (but does not go to Liberty Island - which can take forever - and most of the statue is closed).

Another wonderful option is the Ellis Island Immigration Museum which not only allows you to track any family that might have arrived there - but very movingly portrays the lives of all the diverse peoples that make NYC - and the US - the unique place that it is.

Thanks so much for all the info! I'm looking up info for all these restaurants. I appreciate everyone taking the time to help.

Thanks again,
Sherry

I've stayed at the Marriott Marquis on several occassions and have always been very pleased. John's Pizza is nearby - good pizza in a nice atmosphere. I think it is on 44th street but am not quite sure of the exact address. For Christmas shopping, you are close to Macy's - 34th street and Broadway. You are also close to Lord & Taylor's on 37th Street and 5th Ave. New York is usually lovely in October. Have a great trip.

Samsaf:

October is great, and please, take a few minutes in Central Park. It's gorgeous in October.

Since you love photography, check to see what's on at the ICP and maybe some galleries that feature photography. We have gone to the ICP (International Center for Photography) and seen some great shows.

Christmas shopping is, of course, fun. Have a great time.

John's Pizza is excellent- I work nearby, and frequently go there after work for a nice, casual dinner. It is on 44th, right near 8th Avenue. For Tuesday and Wednesday nights, many restaurants have pre-theatre, prix fixe meals. Take a look at Becco and the 21 Club, for example (both on the web).

Also, the shows you have mentioned are musicals, but just to throw a play into the mix- The Odd Couple, with Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane, opens in October (previews begin the 4th). Tickets go on sale on July 5, so you may have luck for your trip. If you have an Amex, you can buy now through Ticketmaster. I definitely don't plan to miss the show with that cast!

Enjoy!

For steak near your hotel, try Palm in the theatre district. You can easily visit Chinatown by subway, bus or taxi. Good places to eat there are Congee and NY Noodletown; the second one is very cheap, kind of ugly but with some of the city's best food! Have fun!