Hi Howard, we were at Moma last Saturday, the 9th.
And my trip there made me wish I were a New Yorker. I came home to Orange County CA and felt culturally deprived.

sfamylou, I amazed that MOMA was that crowded on a Saturday morning. I'll have to change my thinking when recommending when to go to that museum.

I was amazed too, and mad I didn't get a CIty Pass or buy my tickets ahead of time. The lines were for tickets; I'm sure inside, that early at opening about 10:30, it would have been OK.

Tons of awesome info! Keep it coming....

I will be there literally when summer turns to fall in mid-late September. Anything special then or specific to that time of year?

NoLiTa: Elizabeth, Mott, Mulberry Streets, walk south from Houston to Spring Street.

Merchants House Museum on East 4th Street.

If you're in NYC mid-September, you've GOT TO go to the San Generero Feast in Little Italy (but I'm not sure of the exact dates). Go hungry and just eat your way through all the yummy Italian food. And be sure to sit at one of the little outdoor cafes and drink some overpriced espresso and just people watch!! It's well worth the price.

Two of my favorites have alrady been mentioned: The Museum of the City of New York and the Conservatory Gardens in Central Park -- virtually acoss the street from each other in the low 100s.

Another favorite is the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden at 421 E 61, just 3 blocks from Bloomingdale's -- a miraculously preserved 18-th century stone barn, one of the oldest buildings in NYC.

Mount Vernon's web site is

http://www.mvhm.org/

I would also like to go a High Tea. Can anyone recommend a good high tea service?

The Pierre Hotel and the St. Regis both do a nice job. I gather the St. Regis food offerings are plentiful. It's in the King Cole bar with the famous Maxwell Parish mural. The setting at the Pierre in the Rotunda area somehow feels more of a NY secret ;) Lady Mendl's tea salon in the Inn on Irving Place is also famous for tea. Here's some more ideas

http://gonyc.about.com/od/restaurants/tp/tearooms.htm

If they serve tea at the Mandarin Oriental, either in the lobby or in their restaurant Asiate, that would be lovely with the view from the 35 floor.

We were not at all 'packed like sardines' at the Empire State Building last week, on a Wednesday Morning. Bought tickets in advance, and walked right through to the elevators, with maybe 5 min. wait for security check. The same at the Intrepid, and the American Museum of Natural History.
The church opposite the WTC site has a very moving exhibition. No crowds there either.
Not at all off the beaten track, but don't stay away from places that might interest you because you think they will be crowded; they might not be.

A week ago Tuesday you could barely move at the Empire State Building on the observation deck, and even with tickets the security line was around the block outside. Maybe because last Tuesday was the first clear day in a long, long time? With rain in the forecast? In any case, get your ticket ahead of time.

I think a visit to Grand Central Station is worth it. They have completed the restoration of the magnificent ceiling and the architecture is a reminder that buildings didn't always have to be ugly to be functional. You could have something to eat at the Oyster Bar, or have a drink at the Campbell Apartment, the recently restored luxury apartment of a Manhattan tycoon.

sfamylou, yes, I would imagine that the long line the day you were at the ESB was because it was the first clear day we've had in a while. It seemed like it was cold and rainy here for a month!

Anonymous, thanks for posting the info about Mount Vernon. I grew up here and I've never heard of that place! I'll have to go check it out.

In "route " to the museum of city of New York, try to make a visit to "Spanish harlem" and to look for the mural fresque of a portorican artist,
De La Vega(between park, 3rd end 100/115):his store is Lexington and 105.
If you are in NY a sunday, the jazz sesion to Marjorie in Harlem, at 4 p.m. is not to miss...The website :
parlorentertainment.com
And a jazz club not so "turistic" : smoke on Broadway and #105 : website :
Smokejazz.com
Erik

I would also say check out Dizzy's Club Coca Cola at the Time Warner Building near Columbus Circle for some great jazz. It's a very happening spot right now and the facility is fantastic.

No one mentioned two landmarks up in the Bronx, the New York Botanical Garden (which definitely trumps the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in my own humble opinion) and the Bronx Zoo, perhaps the finest zoo in the country. Both are very accessible via metro north, which you can get to from Grand Central Station.

I would also say definitely go to the Angelika theater downtown to see smaller independent films, and general atmosphere, which is not very touristy.

Also, The Juilliard School presents several performances a week that are mostly free, the Juilliard School is located in Lincoln Center and might be worth a visit.

Hey, I just thought I'd mention that I went to the Mount Vernon museum today. It was interesting, but I just wanted to warn people, they make you do a guided tour/lecture that is more geared towards school children than adults. It drove me nuts, quite frankly. :) It was only supposed to be half an hour and it turned out to be more than an hour. It was certainly informative, but ouch! The gardens out back were pretty small, too. No surprise there given the development in the area.

Anyway, for those who were wondering, I'd say the Mount Vernon museum is worth a look from the outside, but if you're short on time, this place might not be the best idea. ;) I don't mean to be negative; I just hate being lectured at for an hour when I didn't ask for it.

I also checked out the Conservatory Gardens in Central Park today. Now THAT was fun, and I bet it's even nicer when everything is in bloom.

Hope this helps some people!

Wow, sunny, sorry to hear that. When I toured Mt. V, the guide was most informative, one of the better docents I've come across. They do a lof of tours for school groups; I guess your guide was on the wrong speed!