I admit that the travel bug has begun to gnaw away at me again and on my next trip I want to visit NYC. I went only one time before, but only for 48 hours and missed out on a lot of things...

Some of the more different places I want to visit are:

The Peanut Butter Store....

The Spice Store (a store that has nothing but spices from all over the world)

The Rice restaurant ( a restaurant that serves nothing but rice pudding)

Cupcake cafe

And the Sex and the City Tour.....(but I know it is not obscure...)

What are some more funny things to do or see in NYC that are a little of the beaten path?

If it is the same Cupcake Cafe, around 9th ave. and 41st, I would second that, that whole area is filled with interesting ethnic food.

I also like the ethnic areas around Orchard Street in lower Manhattan and some of the places near 1st Ave. as well as alphabet city.

I love the late night jazz jam sessions in the village.

Walk along St. Mark's Place east of Astor Place and check out the stores, bars, and local color.

Fun fact about Rice to Riches, the rice pudding place -- the owners were busted for running a huge gambling ring out of it. The restaurant was a front, but I believe it's still open.

topping...

Hmm...rock and roll Karaoke at Arlene's Grocery, rollerskating on Wednesday nights at The Roxy, drag queen bingo, adult spelling bee at Pete's Candy Store in Brooklyn.

Just a note about the Cupcake Cafe...if you are talking about the one on 9th Ave...just a warning that it is a GRUNGY place. I was a little taken aback when I went there - it is not a cute place. But I have friends who really like the cupcakes there...

You could also try the cupcakes at Magnolia bakery...they're sweet but I wouldn't turn one down.

Forbes Galleries are worth a look, on 5th, down around 12th.

I understand the Cloisters is worth a visit, though I've not been there yet. That one is way uptown....

Porto Rico Importing Company on Bleeker Street for the best coffee in the world!

Kiehls original store on Second Avenue around 13th Street.

My son and his girlfriend just went to the Peanut Butter Store last weekend. They raved about the chocolate/peanut butter sandwich.

As far as Rice to Riches goes...they went once but decided that since they do not recycle the plastic bowls they serve in, they wouldn't return.

Oh, and if you love pickles, visit Gus's Pickles on Orchard Street. Their pickled tomatoes are really good!

Arlene's looks pretty cool.
Any inside info on the place? The crowd? The ambience?
Would a 40ish person fit in?

Depends on the band(s). Each band at Arlene's attracts its own crowd -- from scary to not-so-scary. When I go there, a few times a year, it's to see a specific band or singer-songwriter. I wouldn't just walk in w/o knowing who's on the card.

I don't know if it's "odd," but the Cloisters is definitely worth a visit.

Located in the northern tip of Manhattan, Fort Tryon Park, the Cloisters houses the Metropolitan Museum of Art's midieval collection.

It's easily accessible via bus or subway. You'll see more from the bus, obviously, but with traffic it can be a SLOW ride.

Cupcake Cafe has opened a branch in a less grungy neighborhood; it's downtown off of Union Square (check their website - you can gain weight just looking at the pictures).

topping

I live a block from the Cloisters and taking the bus there is plain nuts it takes nearly 1.5 from downtown, and stops often. Hop on the A train and you'll get there really quickly- stand at the front of the train, get off at 190th street stop and take the elevators to the street (not the tunnel, that leaves you elsewhere). On street level you'll see the entrance to Ft. Tryon park - follow any path to the Cloisters. Well, well worth a visit. Also, the New Leaf Cafe within Ft Tryon Park is a wonderful lunch/dinner destination. Enjoy!

Lori - I though you lived in the theater district?