This is a loose itinerary for our second trip to NYC. I’d appreciate any suggestions. My husband, 14-yr. old daughter and I are going the last week of May. Thanks.

Wednesday
Arrive 9 a.m. Benjamin Hotel, drop off luggage
Breakfast – somewhere close to Benjamin
Subway to Tenement Museum
Explore Lower East Side
Dinner Somewhere?
Wicked at 8 p.m.

Thursday
Norma’s for Breakfast
Natural History Museum
Central Park
Dinner somewhere?

Friday
Grand Central Terminal & Breakfast
NYC Library
Guggenheim Museum
Dinner somewhere?

Saturday
Times Square & Shopping
Dinner Somewhere?
Ballet

Sunday
Museum of Jewish Heritage
Brooklyn Bridge
Boat Tour
Leave for airport 7:00 p.m.

You have a nice array of ideas without crowding your days too much.

Why the Guggenheim? While it is an interesting building, most of its gallery space is given over to special changing exhibitions. Before your visit, check their schedule to be sure they're showing something you really want to see.

Looks good, not overly aggressive.

For restaurant options, search this site for many many threads as well as Zagat's, Time Out New York, Frank Bruni's review (NY Times), etc.

Enjoy NYC!

This is my first foray into Fodor, so please forgive any faux pas. I am planning a four day trip to New York in March. The plan is to see the Color Purple and possibly another Broadway or off-Broadway show. I must revisit the Guggenheim (worth the trip just to admire the architecture) and of course the Met Museum (Any suggestions about special exhibits during the month of March?) Would like advise about any AME churches in or near Harlem. We also intend to peruse all new renovations in and around Harlem. What about places to eat or stay near there? I missed the Statue of Liberty the last time I was there, is it worth an early rise? Should I see the NYC Library and why? I would also like to visit Ground Zero to pay my respects. Is this too ambitious for a four day stay? Would appreciate any advice and suggestions. What should I expect weather wise?

My husband is a big fan of Frank Lloyd Wright. Last trip, we spent a full day in the Metropolitan Museum, and several hours in the MoMA. I'd love to go the Metropolitan again, but I was overruled. I'll keep an eye on the Guggenheim. Thanks.

I also forgot to add Greenwich Village. I'm not sure where to add it.

I like to be liesurely, but I'm also awful at judging the time it will take us to do things. I leave room for places we happen to pass or that catch my eye, or my husband's or daughter's.

Hnnhoo,
Welcome! It might work better for you to create a new post, so you can mention Harlem in the title since you have special interests in that area.

Claire,
Greenwich Village could work on Satarday morning as your "shopping" and for lunch, working your way uptown later in the afternoon for Times Square.

Has your husband seen the Frank Lloyd Wright room installed inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art? It includes the entire room (walls, windows beams) and furnishings from a house that was being dismantled.

Also the Guggenheim is covered in scaffolding right now for a major much-needed facelift. The building's facade was literally falling apart.

I think this is a great itinerary. You are not trying to pack in too much and it is logistically well planned.
I would recommend the Big Onion Eating Tour of the Lower east side. It is informative for the area and you get to try a variety of ethnic foods. Make sure you reserve ahead of time for the Tenement Museum. Some of the areas are for tours only and the tours book up early.
The Guggenheim is open late on Fri and is pay what you wish.
I'm not sure where you want to go shopping but I would add Greenwich Village to Saturday. There are unique boutiques there and in the West Village and it is close to SoHo if you want to shop at chain stores.

Friday evening you can go to MOMA for free (sponsored by target). I think it is after 5 but check the website. I would do a search on citysearch to see what is on. You can make reservations at different restaurants via opentable.com...good to do ahead of time if you want a certain restaurant. Some of the of broadway plays are great too and less expensive.

Greenwich Village on Saturday. I'll check out the restaurant tips. Thanks so much.

Hi Claire-

Let's see if this is helpful to you at all....

Taking ellen's advice about doing the Lower East side on Saturday, you also might consider doing the Guggenheim instead of the tenement museum on your first day. It's right by your hotel, (if I looked up the right hotel) and since you've got a long day, it gives you a chance to stop and take a breather before dinner and the show.

Also, I personally would pick ANY day but Saturday to go to Times Square. It's the busiest day, and if you can work it in on another day, you may spare yourself some of the insanity of a Saturday crowd. By the same token, Grand Central is a bit LESS crowded on a Saturday.

Have you been to Top of the Rock. It's supposed to have the best view of the city (though I haven't been myself yet). You can schedule your time, so you just head right up.

Hope these are helpful. Have a great time!

Loved Top of the Rock. We also saw the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum. I did some rearraging to avoid big crowds. Any further thoughts or suggestions? Thanks.

Wednesday
Arrive 9 a.m. Benjamin Hotel, drop off luggage
Breakfast – somewhere close to Benjamin
Guggenheim Museum
Dinner: Café Un Deux Trois
Wicked at 8 p.m.

Thursday
Grand Central Terminal & Breakfast
NYC Library
Greenwich Village/Lunch
Times Square
Dinner Somewhere?

Friday
Subway to Tenement Museum
Explore Lower East Side
Dinner Somewhere?
Ballet

Saturday
Norma’s for Breakfast
Natural History Museum
Central Park
Dinner somewhere?

Sunday
Museum of Jewish Heritage
Brooklyn Bridge
Boat Tour
Leave for airport 7:00 p.m.

Two thumbs up. I mean let's face it, it's New York...there'll be crowds. But I think this will be a lot easier...especially that first day!

Although you seem to have removed shopping from your list. Somehow I think you'll squeeze that in. ; )

Don't miss the map room when you're at the library. It's really pretty, and it just reopened last year.

Have fun!!