Myself, 48 yrs, and husband, 59 yrs, are visiting NY for first time.We'll be staying in midtown Manhattan. We want all the "touristy stuff" but need some timetables. Another poster recommended the 5 1/2 hr NY Party Shuttle "See it all" tour. My ex told me to do the boat tour around Manhattan. Is the NBC Studio Tour worth it? If anyone is tight with Racheal Ray, I'd love to see her show! We're not into the theatre or museums. We just want to see the city and have alot of fun. We don't plan on "getting dressed up" for dinner so give me a few informal and semi-formal ideas, maybe seafood or mexican with a killer margarita! Where is a nice smooth jazz club? We get off the cruise ship Monday, June 2nd. We'll need to get our bearings that first evening. So plan me out...Tue-Thu. We leave at 4PM Fri.

Karen, perhaps unintentional, but all caps heading is SCREAMING, there's not not one please in your whole post and you're asking someone to plan your entire trip while showing that you've done no research at all. Sorry to say it sounds unreasonable to me.

Some sort of boat tour is a good idea, but many people find the one that goes all around the island too long. There's a half circle that just covers the southern end that most think is enough. The Circle Line is the co. that does the typical half and whole circle tours and nywaterways.com also does some tours. Then there's the nywatertaxi.com

There are also some great dining and/or drinks cruises that would be very nice at that time of year.

shearwatersailing.com
nyc-sail.com

Rosa Mexicano is a popular Mexican rest. where they make guacomole at the table with good strong drinks.

Dizzy's Coca Cola is a jazz venue in the Time Warner building with views of Central Park and very good music.

Sorry, one link is wrong nywaterway.com for tours

Of all things NY does well Mexican food is not of them. Try what is good in NY-other ethnic food. And do not worry very few NY restaurant require jackets and ties.

I really apologize Mclaurie. I had tried another post and someone wrote back that it was too vague, how old are we, what do we like, etc so I went with that and tried to be more specific. I have done a certain amount of research but wanted the opinions of someone who lives there or knows the city well. Thank you for the info, even after I riled you up. How did you know my name?

You signed your name in another post to me here
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...Yannazzo&fid=1
Don't panic.

I agree that Mexican is not one of the great NYC food offerings, but if you're from some place (like the UK?) that doesn't have much or any, why not? Where are you from?

Can't remember if anyone posted to you about menupages.com a good website for restaurant research. One small place with live jazz is Jules Bistro in the east village.
http://www.julesbistro.com/index.html

In the Times Square area, Chez Josephine is a fun restaurant with live music (starting around 8 pm) every night.
http://chezjosephine.com/

I know nothing about RRay show timing nor do you mention when you're visiting, but here's a link about getting tix.
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show-i...ience-tickets/

What time of year are you coming?

I don't consider myself a great fan of Mexican food (with globs of orange cheese everywhere), but I do have it occasionally because my sons love it. There are some good choices in NY, IMO, including Rosa Mexicana. Suenos in Chelsea, Maya on the UES, and Mexicana Mama (no reservations) in the Village come to mind. Also, there's Pampano on E 49th that's the most upscale and pricey - lovely upstairs room and great food with emphasis on very fresh fish. I'm sure there are more options out there - seek and ye shall eat well.