Thanks to Fodorites! Our plans are set for NYC in early October
 

Apologies to the admin!
I'm posting this again WITH the New York tag.
Sorry.

Thanks to Aussiedreamer for stirring our interest, and to Aduchamp, Ellen, McLaurie, and all the great New Yorkers who helped us understand how to make the most of our time.

We have pulled the trigger, and we are heading south on a big adventure from our rural home in New Brunswick (Canada, not NJ). We will spend a couple of days in Providence, RI in transit, and then following our NYC sojourn we'll spend a couple of days in Stone Harbor, NJ before heading back north. We think it will be a great trip!

We are staying 3 nights at the Best Western on 38th, MTW (or Hell's Kitchen) and will spend most of our time midtown. We were fretting about parking and considered CT and NJ to save a bit, but in the end we decided to drive on in and get a decent parking rate through this site: Manhattan parking coupons http://nyc.bestparking.com/index.php#1

After mulling over the many choices, we have secured tickets for Altarboyz and South Pacific through Broadway Box and we are really looking forward to the performances.

We will visit Times Square TOTR, Grand Central to get the vibe and see the restored ceilings. We will spend a day at the Metropolitan Museum and Central Park, and another day walking around Geenwich Village. We are active, and love to walk so we will use the trains sparingly depending on our energy level and the weather.

In the middle of making our plans, we decided to extend our stay and as a result we have to move hotels, so we have one final NYC night at the Westin in Jersey City, right on the banks of the Hudson. That final day, we will nip over to Tribeca on the PATH train and see the 9/11 attack sight, the Freedom Tower and Wall St.. We will walk the Brooklyn Bridge and ride the Staten Island Ferry. Not sure where we will eat down in that area, but we don't expect any problem finding a great spot!

We will be choosing from these restaurants:
Market Cafe 496 9th Ave. ) http://www.marketcafenyc.com/
Le Pain Quotidien 70 West 40th Street (bet 5th & 6th Ave)
*Mario's Trattoria 493 9th Ave (bet. 37th and 38th) http://www.mariotrattoria.com/
Aura Thai 462 9th Ave. http://www.aurathainyc.com/
Shorty’s 576 9th Ave (Philly cheese steak)
Piece of Chicken 630 9th Ave, (window).
Bali Nusa Indah 651 Ninth Ave., nr. 46th St. Indonesian
Basera Indian Bistro 745 9th Ave @ 50th St. http://www.baseraindian.com/
*Uncle Nick’s Greek Cuisine 747 Ninth Avenue
Q2 Thai 788 Ninth Ave
**Ben's Kosher Delicatessen Restaurant 209 W. 38th

Thanks again, Fodorites.
We'll report on our experience afterwards.

Enjoy tour stay.

Sorry that should enjoy your stay.

what Freedom Tower? It isn't built yet.

Sounds like a good plan.

mp, you are right.
But the Freedom Tower is on the rise, and a work in progress is sometimes more interesting than the completed project.
We're gonna have a look!

Best view of the construction site from the top of the steps inside the Winter Garden at the World Financial Center.

The WTC site is actually in lower Manhattan, not exactly Tribeca which is just a bit north. If you get out of the PATH at the WTC and visit the World Financial Center (with the winter garden in it) make sure to look for the Irish Hunger Memorial. Have a wonderful trip and drive safely.

I had a group yesterday and we went to the new information center that is also raising funds for the memorial. It is on the North East side of the site across from St Pauls churchyard. It is free to enter but proceeds from anything you buy will go to the memorial. The stuff is good and appropriate - please don't buy off the street at the site.

Also the Wintergarden was funny - major exhibit of high end cars - (sorry I don't own one so I don't keep track of brands) - virtually no one (translation - no big crowds) - was inside the place - everyone was outside enjoying the nice day and all the Harbor 400 events.