thanks to all for the advice on our recent 4 day trip to NYC.We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott at 53rd and 3rd---excellent place,services were great, place was clean,view from 25th floor downtown was incredible(Chrysler Bldg),2 lareg comfy queen beds.very convenient to subways--2 stops to Bdwy shows, 10 minutes to Battery Park for tours of Ellis Island etc--we walked back from show sat night--took 20 minutes.
Did the Ellis island tour---fantastic really,make sure though you get a reserve ticket ahead of time,otherwise you wait on a very long,slow moving line.
Top of the Rock was great--no crowds,clear view,plenty of room--go to the top deck to see without glass.
Did a Spirit luncheon cruise on Sunday--what a great festive time.30 minute floor show,very good food ,music (no rap), had window seats(by request),they actually greeted us with a happy anniversary when we boarded the ship.It goes out of Chelsea piers, Pier 62.They have a more mellow cruise on the Bateaux ship,which is all glass,and a little more expensive.
I wont give a food report,but if you like very good German food,and a festive atmosphere,try Heidleberg at 86th streetIf you go and like broiled pork, you have to get Schweinhaxen platter.
Finally for an unusual place to eat,try Grand Central Station---there are 2 very nice spots in the balcony above the main lobby--the one on the West end,cant recall name but the last name was Dolci,was excellent and not expensive.
If you go to the WTC site,theers a chapel there called St Pauls---inside they have an incredibly moving display of mementos that were left afetr 9/11.Its also the oldest pre-revolution bldg in city,and was George Washingtons church.
Saw Jersey Boys,and that was really fun--well done,get tickets way ahead or it'll cost lots--we got our in May.Concierge at Marriott will help with tickets

PS thanks to mclaurie for Spirit/Bateaux suggestion

Thanks for the interesting report. I am glad you had a good time. My sister works at that Marriott.

I haven't been to St. Paul's yet, but I have heard it is very nice. I will have to put it on my list for next time.

she must be very friendly,outgoing,and helpful--we didnt meet one person who didnt go the extra yard--we even got a stretch limo to LGA for $35, after paying NY limo 80 from the airport

Glad you had such a good trip (we'll be there this weekend). We've stayed at that Courtyard (maybe I was one of the people who recommended it), and at pretty much all the other Marriott-brand hotels in NYC! - and think that one is a great choice. Super-huge rooms (by NYC standards), comfortable beds, great location, friendly staff. Really, if you aren't looking for "luxury" and don't want to spend a small fortune, it's a terrific choice.

I didnt metion it,but if your going soon they are using a drill hammer in the street from 4 til 10 on Lex side of the hotel--so ask for another side we were on south facing downtown--bob

Glad you liked the cruise. What kind of floor show was it?

The restaurant in Grand Central is Cipriani Dolci. On the other side is Metrazur which is very good.

Heidelberg is great! I'm glad you found it.

It opened in that location in 1964.

The floor show was a group of 3 young folks,two girls and one guy,who sang and danced a medley of Broadway tunes,ending with New York,New York.As passed and paused at Liberty Island they did 2 patriotic songs as well.Some audience partcipation in the act as well when they asked some folks to help them out.We live in Atlanta,and it was worthy of an audience here,but Im sure theyre singin on a ship for a reason,but we didnt expect it, and it was very entertaining.If you do the Sprirt trip, ask for window seats when you reserve,I think it was $15 more.I also got the pacakge with roses and champagne as well--and it was worth it Thanks for the note on Cipriani Dolci, the lunch was terrific,and not expensive.
I know Heidelberg has been there a long time--i graduated Manhattan college in 66, and we'd wind up there after the St Pattys parade--then there were quite a few German spots on 86th.

Alas, old German Yorkville is basically now just a memory.

Heidelberg remains, along with the German butcher next door, but that's about it.

I, too, have ended up at Heidelberg on March 17.

I miss The Ideal . . . .

Thanks for the report. We are going next week and I'm so excited! I, too, am seeing Jersey Boys.

claire----we got to the Wilson theater early,7:15, the doors dont open till 7:30--it ws pretty crowded on the sidewalk with all the show going on--may want to get there after 7:30