I was glad to see CBGB and Arlene Grocery on your list! I would especially urge you to go to CBGB because I just read in the paper that NYU may tear it down to build more dorms - I think it should be a historic site!

Wow - have I ever learned alot just reading all the responses to Amy's request for help! My husband and I are going to NYC for our 10th anniversary in late October. We've never been and we are so excited. We're taking in two shows - Urinetown and Burn This (off broadway with Ed Norton) We absolutely love great food and great restaurants - and I would love some advice on fab places to eat - both for a 'romantic' evening...and great cheap eats. Anyone heard of Angelos in Little Italy? not sure if it's the same one referenced earlier.

What about a short visit to the Forbes museum(www.forbes.com/forbescollection), do Empire State just before dusk and I'd go for the Met, it's quite amazing.

tweedy, that suggestion to buy a Hallmark item at the ESB is the silliest suggestion that I've ever seen on this board. Did you know that Hallmark ornaments are available at every strip mall in America, including no doubt the OP's home town?

Angelos - yes, heard of it but never visited. Some Italian American friends of our think it is the best restaurant in Little Italy (wait for everyone to disagree!!)

One idea for time saving is to book tickets for the Empire State Building on-line. You pay by credit card and then print the tix yourself. Saves queuing time on a tight itinerary.

Sam,

Have you been in that store, they also carry New York items that would not be carried outside of NYC.

When I travel I usually look for small items like holiday pieces to remind me of my vacations. Just a thought. No need to jump on other people's suggestions.

Thanks for all the helpful and postive responses and suggestions, I really appreciate it.

I know it does seem like I want things planned out to a "T" as one poster said, but we are flexible. I just don't want to miss anything, especially the things we REALLY want to do. So if I am in an area seeing something else, I don't miss out on other things I want to see, just because I did not know I was near it. If some of it does get left out, fine, I just want to have a list of things we want to do, so we don't forget about anything.

And you presume wrong when you say you presume I can come back again. I may be able to at some point, years from now, but it will be a very long time before we get to come back. We don't have alot of money and can't travel like this very often.

I just want to experience the city to the fullest during our short trip, but of course don't want to have un-realistic expectations.