w351

Hi Fodorites,

Hoping you can help me with some ideas. My dad is planning a surprise getaway for my mom for her 60th bday and is thinking of NYC in November. They have already been, but not for a while, so they wouldn't be doing the main tourist sites. I would love suggestions as to restaurants (they are foodies, doesn't need to be high-end though,) other fun things to do, and what area to stay in. They will likely go to a Broadway play, I'm thinking probably Evita.

Let me know if you have ideas!


Thanks,

Liz

abram

What have they done before and what do they like doing?

bspielman

Please offer a "doesn't need to be high-end" price expectation, including 20% gratuity and 8.875% NYC sales tax.

w351

My mom is an explorer. She likes doing anything she hasn't done before, and enjoys food, drinks, music, plays, pretty parks, museums, walks, etc.

As far as specific sites they've done before, I'd have to check but I just meant no Statue of Liberty and things like that.

For restaurant prices, I'd like suggestions of any places you recommend. They will probably do 2-3 nicer dinners (maybe $150/pp max?) and the rest more casual options. (sit down but cheaper, cute lunch places, etc.)

d_claude_bear

If your parents are reasonable mobile (as we are, at 69 snd 65), they should try walking the Highline (Google NYC Highline) which parallels the Hudson River from the Chelsea/Meatpacking District to 30th Street. It is a fascinating experience and a wonderful viewing location. It is a repurposed abandoned elevated train track that used to serve the meatpacking plants and has been creatively turned into an urban oasis. We walked once in each direction last May.

Of course, the Staten Island Ferry offers superb views of the harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and lower Manhattan. Take it to SI and then immediatey walk to the pier where a return ferry back to Manhattan awaits.

There is no charge for the ferry or for the Highline.

MichelleY

Go to lunch at the Boat House in Central Park then walk over to The Frick Collection.

abram

I agree with the recommendation of The Frick Collection.

We also like to see special, temporary exhibits, both at big museums like MoMa or the Met and at small ones like the International Center of Photography and Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art.

bspielman

If your folks intend on walking on the High Line, I suggest they try The Red Cat (10th Avenue just above 23rd) for dinner. http://www.theredcat.com/redcat.php

Among other restaurants in their price range, I'd also recommend Boulud Sud, a Mediterranean outpost by Daniel Boulud, on West 64th just east of Broadway. http://www.danielnyc.com/boulud_sud.html

We've also recently had an excellent dinner at Tom Colicchio's Riverpark on East 29th at the East River. www.riverparknyc.com/

Many, many choices. Do they have a particularly favorite cuisine?

maryanntex

I agree with bspielman--Red Cat is really good, not terribly expensive, and very close to the High Line. I also love Kefi on Columbus between 84th and 85th. http://www.kefirestaurant.com/

nytraveler

Another vote for Kefi. Great Greek and modestly priced. But can get very crowded - so time it or reserve.

maitaitom

Here is our 2011 trip report with photos. This could give you some good ideas.

http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...City_2011.html

MarjF

Hello, since there is no mentions about specific cuisine, they might wanna check-out the romantic ambiance of the Arabelle restaurant at Hotel Plaza Athenee. They have an elegant interior with beautiful classic furnishings and specializes in contemporary American cuisine. Their meat and seafood dishes are the most popular.

w351

Thanks everyone! I have passed on to my dad and I'm sure I will have more questions as it gets closer and they finalize dates.

frugaltraveler

We were in NYC last weekend and we did a food tour of Chelsea and the Meatpacking district.. it was $49 pp, took 3 hours, was absolutley wonderful... it starts at the Chelsea Public Market and there are about 13 different stops where you sample the foods of different places.. we were so full by the end that we couldn't finish at the last place. We had Carla for a tour guide - just wonderful...

Anne_DeManser

maitaitom.... I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading your NYC blog pieces. We're heading to NYC at Christmas & so it was a timely read for me

w351

Hi All,

My dad did end up booking this a couple months back and my parents arrive tomorrow night. They looked at canceling but some of their reservations were non-refundable and their hotel (at 37th and 5th) is back to being fully operational. Any updated suggestions based on current state? I've been keeping up with the travel updates on here (thank you to those posting.) Seems like they'll need to get a car from the airport, and then stay mostly north of their hotel within walking distance?

Many of the restaurants here still work, and they have Broadway tickets one night. Looks like the High Line is even open with limited hours (8-5.) They also have the City Pass for museum access.

Anything else they should know about? Anything they should avoid, any other updated suggestions?

Thanks for your help.

nytraveler

No - Manhattan is fully operational except for a very few places with severe damage (South Ferry subway station and Brooklyn Battery Tunnel (large slabs of concrete have falen from the walls.)

But it's certainly possible to see most of NYC without either one. (If they want to take the Staten Island ferry they just need to walk from the nearest open station - depending on where they're coming from. Lower Manhattan is up and running - and the rest of Manhattan was so a couple of days after the storm.

w351

Great news! Thanks. Any other recommendations for things to do or restaurants not listed already?

nyer

I don't know if this was part of their plans, but just to update them and others, note that the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are closed "until further notice"