Planning second NYC trip
 

Planning 2nd visit to New York City. We came during the Christmas Holidays of 2000. Really lots of snow; GREAT since our son had never even seen snow. Our son(now 16) so loved the city; we are letting him bring a friend(17) this go round. Looking at some of the walking tours--Greenwich Village, Ground Zero, and Kramar's Reality Tour. Any suggestions? Read the post on off the beaten path and not sure we are ready for that yet.<BR>The two teenagers are typical absolute Seinfield fans and of course SNL.(Which from prev. post have decided SNL tics. prob. not possible. We will be there 8/31-9/2.<BR>As for dining: Did the nice, expensive stuff last time. Becco's was marvelous--Thanks Howard. Tavern on the Green--at least we can say we have been there. Carnegie deli is a must repeat acc. to our son. I am looking at places like Soup Kitchen Int'l and Tom's Kitchen. Also, missed out on the art museums last go round. Best ones for teenage boys???? The boys also would like to go to a REAL NY coffee shop. Got Broadway tickets at booth in Times Square last time--suggestions for, once again, teenage boys?? Saw Phantom and Seussical. Will repeat some major things since one boy has never been to the city.<BR>AS EVERYONE can probably see by now I am planning this trip around two teenage boys. Finally, WE all rode the subway last time; big accomplishment for the smallsville girl; and it was fun.<BR>Any help I can get from my favorite fodorites would be so greatly appreciated.<BR>And I will really try to not over plan this time so as to relax and enjoy in my families' opinion one of the GREATEST places to visit.<BR>

Hi Susan:<BR><BR>Just a few things your boys might like:<BR><BR>NBC Studio Tour (from NBC Experience Store at Rockefeller Center).<BR><BR>Dining at Roxy or Carmine's at Times Square (huge portions for growing boys).<BR><BR>Natural History Museum on Central Park West.<BR><BR>I know there are lots of other ideas, but those are the ones that come to mind at the moment. I'm sure you will also get lots of other great ideas from the NYer's who frequent this forum.<BR><BR>Have fun!<BR><BR>

Since you liked at least one of my suggestions last time, I'll try again.<BR>Museums: You certainly can't go wrong with the Metropolitan--so many choices, so much to see. What are the teenagers' interests? Also, the planetarium show at the American Museum of Natural History is must-see.<BR>Theater: Some may disagree, but I think they'd enjoy Chicago. Tickets are readily available at TKTS, or you can check out the Playbill website for discount offers (www.playbill.com). Since you're going over Labor Day weekend (a slow time for the theater), you will probably have a wide choice of shows at the TKTS booth.<BR>If they're sports fans, they'd probably enjoy going to the ESPN Zone in Times Square. Are they baseball fans? How about a Yankees or Mets game, depending on who's in town.<BR>Another suggestion: Take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. It's free and offers a great view of the Statue of Liberty and the New York harbor.

Here are some of my suggestions for teenage boys:<BR><BR>Shows to see: Rent (Broadway) Blue Man Group (off-Broadway)<BR><BR>Art museum: Go to the Metropolitan, there are so many different types of exhibits, the guys might especially like the armor and weapons exhibits<BR><BR>Restaurants: how about a trip to Little Italy? Try Puglia's at 189 Hester. You can have good Italian food and the atmosphere is a boisterous "sing along" place which has been used in a few movies. For dessert, go to Ferrara's at 195 Grand Street where they have every type of pastry that anyone would ever crave.

Soup Kitchen Int'l is closed during the summer.

I just thought of another....Intrepid Air-Sea Space Museum.<BR><BR>A walk across the Broolyn Bridge followed by ice cream on the promenade during sunset is another fun thing to do.<BR><BR>

Since your son and his friend are Seinfeld fans they may enjoy a visit to Tom's Diner at West 112th Street and Broadway...this is the diner that was used in all the exterior shots on Seinfeld that was supposed to be Monk's...the diner where Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David came up with the concept for the show is the Westway on 9th Avenue between West 43rd and 44th Streets...Soup Kitchen International is closed during the summer and on weekends during the rest of the year.

I knew I could count on you guys.<BR>And, Howard, we did do MUCH MORE than just one of your ideas--just didn't want to fill up space with repeat details. Our travel was interupted by a BLIZZARD; so my advance planning with your help really made things smoother.<BR>And as I have said the snow was great for all of us; and we had to spend an extra day and night due to flight cancellations; so we just had more time to enjoy the city. <BR>Museums of interest that we missed--Guggenheim, Mus. of Mod. Art. and Met. Mus of Art. Went to the Mus. of Natural History but missed planetarium show. Try to fit in if time allows.<BR>About the tours--I have found some info on guided walking tours--Greenwich vil.,<BR>Ground Zero, but just a little on Kramar's reality tour and "On Location Tour". Just needing to figure out if they are worth the time and money. I am convinced the Ground Zero is a must(the teacher and mother in me thinks we all should experience this site of American History if we are in the city.) A little unsure about Greenwich Village. Includes sampling 6 different restaurants, Washington park, NYU, etc. 3 hrs. for $35 including food.<BR>Just looked interesting for two almost college bound kids. Any inside info or opinions on these tours would help. I think they would also enjoy China town just haven't found much info.<BR>We will once again plan on doing the Staten Island Ferry, NBC tour,Sony Building and of course Times Square. I had considered Chicago as Broadway choice. Willing to wait and see what I can get at TKTS booth.<BR>I am trying to find places to eat uniquely NYC(also budget conscious)--I guess prime time has planted the idea of coffee shops and diners in the boys minds. Last time we all enjoyed the deli experience since we don't have much of that around home. Really not going to put much time and money into dining(I know this is probably an insult to some of you as I found some are VERY SERIOUS about NYC dining). I'll just save that for the time when my husband and I are empty-nesters and return to NYC just the two of us. Anyway, site seeing seems to be of major importance more than fancy, dress up dining. When you come from a rural area hot dog vendors on the street are an experience. <BR>Didn't even think about Yankee or Mets game. Great idea; will look into it.<BR>Since we are just going to have about 2 full days and half of another I wanted to have some idea of a plan. Thought the guided tours would help us see some places we might otherwise miss out on. The main interest of the boys is the Seinfield thing if possible. I am aware that there is so much more to this wonderful city than this; but hey; they are typical small-town, media influenced boys. I will just fit in the more refinded culture experiences on the sly.<BR>However, we found just walking around and enjoying the lights, sounds, people, historical places, famous places, and TALL buildings very enjoyable. Once again, thanks for all your help.<BR>Susan

For great NY city eats, try the Hallo Berlin street cart on Fifth Ave & 55th. You get a huge lunch(brat, potato salad, suerkraut, pickle) for $5 and its really good food. Where else but NYC can you get a full meal from a street cart?<BR>I've always wanted to take that Big Apple food eating tour--it sounds great, even to a local. <BR>You could also try eating at the lower-priced "next door" restaurants, ie Tabla's Bread Bar, Nobu Next Door, to get a taste of amazing food at half the price. Check out this week's New York Magazine at newyorkmetro.com for cheap eats under $25.<BR>The guys might like Into the Woods, sort of like mixed up fairy tales. I did it in high school, and everybody loved it. It hasn't had the greatest reviews, but certainly better than the cheesy mega-shows.

Yankees are in Toronto that weekend.

Jess,<BR>Just curious if you are a Columbia student? My son has gotten a letter from Columbia and has shown some interest in attending there. Forgive me for getting off the travel subject. Although this would be site seeing. Thought we might just go by and walk around if we have the time. He really fell in love with the city on our last trip and when he got a letter from Columbia, it just looked interesting. Dosn't the city sound interesting to most small town, hurry up and get out of this town, teenage boys???? Of course his dad and I want him to stay much closer to home, but it never hurts to check out ones options for the future. Just thought if time allowed it might be interesting for him to see; since we found that maps and pictures didn't do much justice to any part of New York as seeing it for oneself.<BR>Susan

Mrs Susan,<BR>Actually, I am a student at Barnard, the woman's college of Columbia. I'm from a mid-sized town in Washington state originally, so I certainly ventured far from home for school. I love it here and, sadly for my parents, won't ever be moving back home. The city is just too wonderful! I don't know anyone who didn't/doesn't love going to such a great school in such an amazing city.<BR>If you eat at Tom's, the Seinfeld diner, you will be just a couple blocks away from the campus. Definitely take a walk around. It will be fairly empty, but you can still get some of the atmosphere and check out the neighborhood. The Heights is a popular hangout, especially the roof deck, as is the Hungarian Pastry Shop on Amsterdam, though mostly for humanities majors. I really recommend your son take a walk around and if he enjoys, then visit in the fall. It really is so different when school is in session and your parents aren't there. <BR>Have fun, and don't forget to pick yp some fake Oakleys while you're here--guys just love them!

Mrs. Susan, if you are going to go to Tom's Diner then you will be only a few blocks from Columbia University...I don't know if security will allow you on campus without an appointment with an admissions counselor...walk up to West 116th Street and Broadway and you'll be there...the campus stretches back toward Amsterdam Avenue...great diverse neighborhood.

Thanks,<BR>We will definitely be planning on eating at Tom's. As you can tell, I am doing research most of today and making a list for the boys to check off what they want to do. They have informed me that Tom's is a must already. They will be disappointed that the Soup Kitchen is closed; but maybe we can go by and take a picture. Since we will be close to Columbia, MAYBE we will take a walk by just to see the campus. Really didn't plan on taking an in depth tour; just a look from a distance will be okay. So as not to encourage too much interest.

Mrs. Susan -- the posters have given you some great ideas. Here are a few more:<BR><BR>people have mentioned the Metropolitan Museum and some of it might be boring for teenage boys, but they have a really cool Egyptian exhibit including real mummies, sarcophogus (is the plural sarcophogi?), and a complete temple re-planted here from Egypt (it was in "When Harry Met Sally" -- the scene where he says, "waiter, there is too much pepper in my poppykosh.")<BR><BR>The Big Apple (I think that's the name) walking tours are really good. They are always run by professors or post-doc students and usually give you a unique look into a neighborhood. The "noshing" tour of the lower east side is especially good and includes snacks from the various immigrant influences of that neighborhood including Italian, Chinese, Korean, Jewish, etc. They have a website for info.<BR><BR>Have you walked around the East Village? Not quite as revolutionary as it used to be, but all those tattoo parlors, used record stores, vintage clothing shops, etc., would be interesting to someone from a small town. There are also really cheap eats -- DoJo on St. Mark's place, any of the Indian restaurants on 6th Street between 1st and 2nd, Miracle Grill on 1st near 10th Street. The restaurants would be a fun experience.<BR><BR>For shows, I would lean toward Blue Man Group, Stomp (very cool), or Rent.<BR><BR>HTH!

Quick note for Jess--<BR>Researched Into the Woods.<BR>"psychological parable about parents, chidren, and growing up"<BR>Amazing what one reveals about themselves unknowingly. <BR>Looks like something the boys might enjoy. Thanks

Susan,<BR>A couple of extra suggestions, for a real coffe house, try some of the east village places on Bleeker there are a couple and that is right in the heart of NYU, so you might want to see that "campus" too, it's a real city college with building spread out in the village.<BR><BR>For museums, I would try the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Natural History, and to give you a different side to the city, go see the Cloisters, part of the Met but way up on the upper westside, take the A train to 190St and walk through the park to the Museum. You will feel like you left the city behind.<BR><BR>You also might get intouch with Columbia to see if you can schedule a tour for your son.<BR><BR>Another good restaurant they would like is America (another huge portions place)on 18th St between 5th and Broadway, (good shopping area there as well), and the Stardust Diner on Broadway around 48th St. The servers are aspiring actors and perform while you eat. Great sandwiches there.<BR><BR>If the weather is really hot while you are here, you might try a day on Jones Beach, or the Sunken Forest on Fire Islans (a quick trip on the Long Island railroad, good package of rail, bus or rail, taxi and ferry)<BR><BR>Have a great time while you are here.<BR><BR>tweedy<BR><BR><BR><BR>

Here's a hearty second on the arms and armor exhibit at the Met. Soooo fascinating. And the sculpture garden on the roof for the view.<BR><BR>

Mrs. Susan, contact On Location Tours about tours in the city that spotlight tv show locations such as the Friends apartment building, the Cosby brownstone, etc...they also have a separate Sex and the City and Sopranos tour...I was told that the only way to book a Kramer tour is by phone and that it costs $37.50 per person.

A word of caution about Into the Woods. Stephen Sondheim, its composer, is an acquired taste, and I not sure your teenage son and his friend would enjoy the show. The other recommendations of Blue Man Group or Stomp are good suggestions for them.