Derek Bambrick

My wife and I shall be in New York from 11/5 to 11/8 98.We have never been before and want to know the best things to do and at what time of day.We really want to the catch the atmosphere of the real New York.We would love to sit in a genuine NY Deli aand watch all the New Yorkers pass by. Suggestions where?
Please advise suggestions on restaurants and sights not to be missed.

THANK YOU

Derek and Emer Bambrick
Dublin
Ireland

PS:If there is anybody coming to Dublin we would be happy to return the compliment of information.

phil

New York is so big and your question so general that it's hard to know where to start. There is literally something here for everyone but with only three days, you need to decide exactly what you hope to get out of your trip or you'll probably be overwhelmed.

Must sees on most visitors lists include: Cenral Park, Fifth Ave, Rock Center, Times Square, Greenwhich Village, World Trade Center, Statue of Liberty. Don't expect to see any New Yorkers at any of these sites except Central Park and Greenwhich Village.

As far a deli's go: Second Avenue Deli at 10th is most people's favorite but it's not great for people watching. Carnegie Deli and the Stage Deli are also popular.

Check out Sidewalk.com. It has some really good ideas.

Have fun!

Owen O'Neill

Be sure to see the restored concourse of Grand Central Terminal - phenomenal! Look up to the corners where the blue painted ceiling meets the marble. There is a small rectangular area in one corner that was left uncleaned to illustrate the change brought about by the restoration. If you'd like a fantastic museum experience that can be viewed in a few hours or less, consider visiting the Frick Museum on the East side. It is much smaller than The Met, MOMA, Guggenheim or the Whitney but the collection is of the highest quality. Although I haven't done it, I'm advised that walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is a unique experience. Also, the subways are relatively clean, very safe and you will definitely see lots of real New Yorkers riding them (and they are by far the most convenient form of transport - buy a "metrocard"). If the weather is good, consider getting a box lunch and sitting out somewhere in one of the "square" parks such as Union Square or ideally Washington Square. There are tourists but you'll take in plenty of local color as well. The referral to sidewalk.com is a good one - they have a great search function that will be helpful. I also suggest doing a search in this forum - you'll find a wealth of information from both travelers and NY natives.

Brian Kilgore

NY has several double decker bus tour lines that take yuou all over the city, and let you get on and off at various attractions. Check the brochurtes because at least one lets you travel for two days on the same ticket. this would get you to all thee tourist sites without paying the price of taxi cabs. Lunch for two at the Carnegie eli, a half block away fromCArnegie Hall, on Seventh Ave, is about $40 for two corened beef sandwiches, two side dishes, and two non-alcoholic drinks. You share tables with strangers, and it is an advernture, and the food is very good. Go to Trump Towers on Fifth Avenue to see the rich shopping, and the cafeteria in the basement is very good. Make sure you take some sort of boat tour; $10 each for forty minutes to see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, starting from South Street Seaport, is a good deal. You do not get off the boat, incidentally. Best boat trip is the Circle Line, going all the way around manhatten in three hours. There's an aircraft carrier that's a museum next to the Circle Line docks, if you like old war stuff. Check what museums are open Friday evenings; they are full of genuine cultured and rich New Yorkers then, and give you something interesting to do before a late dinner. Metropolitan is opne for sure and I am not positive about the Museum of Modern ARt, but think it is open Friday evenings, too.
GEt discount theatre tickets in Times Square, which is worth a visit anyway. Real New Yorkers drink coffee in Starbucks and Timothy's (Canadian owned, but what the heck) all around town. Make sure you visit the lobby of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Wear conmfortable walkign shoes. It is a big city, and there is lots to see. If you have a hobby, check out stores, musuems, etc. that relate to this.
Bring lots of money. NY is much more expensive than most of the United States.

ilisa

Ok, let's see if this actually posts this time. The aircraft carrier mentioned in the above post is the U.S.S. Intrepid. It has been turned into a fascinating air and space museum and is more than "old war stuff," including an SR-71 Blackbird. Regarding food and drink, I would hardly call Starbucks true NY. The Carnegie Deli has been mentioned several times. Woody Allen's "Broadway Danny Rose" was filmed there. While it is somewhat of a landmark and its wonderful pastrami sandwiches can choke a horse, it can hardly be called a true NY deli anymore. Real New Yorkers don't generally pay $10-$12 on a deli sandwich. While NY is expensive, there are cheaper places to eat. At one point, Carnegie was the place to eat, but now it is more of a tourist attraction. If you go there, you will spend more time watching tourists than New Yorkers. If you really want to watch NY pass by, just buy something to eat off the street vendors (it's perfectly safe) and sit in Central Park or Washington Square, or on the steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral for awhile. Sure it will be chilly in November, but if you can stand it for a little bit, why not? Just remember, things like the Circle Line cruise and bus tours will not capture the essence of NY. Have a great time. It's an amazing city.

Kat

Hullo Derek --

Here are a few great delis to check out whilst you're in NYC:

Many New Yorkers swear by the Second Avenue Deli (at 156 Second Avenue at 10th Street in the East Village). 212-677-0606

Another stellar choice on the Lower East Side is Katz's Deli ( at 205 E. Houston St. at Ludlow St.) 212-254-2246

For smoked salmon it's Barney Greengrass on Amsterdam between 86th & 87th Sts. 212 724 4707

The New Yorkers who don't swear by the Second Avenue Deli probably patronize the Carnegie Deli on Seventh Ave. between 54th & 55th Sts. An experience! 212 757 2245

Good Appetite! Enjoy your trip,
Kat