I just returned from spending the first two weeks in May in the Big Apple. I adore New York City so when my husband had to go there for business I was thrilled. The weather was exceptional and made the visit even more spectacular. I walked over l00 miles, took the subways and taxis and I never felt afraid. Well maybe a little afraid in some of the taxis as they maneuvered through traffic.

We stayed in midtown and it was convenient to everywhere. These are the highlights of my visit.

Museum of Natural History and the Planetarium - It has been years since I’ve visited last so I was eager to see it again. It’s easy to spend the whole day here. They had a special exhibit of real live spiders as a promo for the Spiderman movie.

Central Park –It was absolutely gorgeous during this time of the year with the cherry trees and spring flowers in bloom. It helps to bring a detailed map of Central Park to find certain landmarks.

Christies – I always wanted to see a live auction and during this visit I was able to attend one. It was so much fun. I would recommend purchasing a catalog (if you don’t mind paying $40) first before you go into the room so that you can follow what Christies is estimating on each art piece and see how much the art goes for. The serious bidders are given paddles to make their bid so you don’t have to worry that if you sneeze that you may have just boughten an art piece for $180,000.

Monty Python’s Spamalot play on Broadway – This was a delightful play and we really enjoyed it. Thank you to the poster who let us know about the BroadwayBox website for discounted tickets. Print out the theater seating chart map before you call as it helps to follow where the available seats are. I was able to get great seats in the orchestra area.

The Cloisters – Finally got to see the Cloisters (a branch of the Metropolitan Museum). It was about a 25-minute subway ride, Train A, from midtown to take you to Fort Tryon and then about a 15-minute walking through a lovely park to the Cloisters. It has the renowned Unicorn tapestries, art and architecture from medieval times here. When you are in a city of skyscrapers it’s amazing that the city has the beautiful parks to enjoy. It’s a little off the beaten path but so worth it.

Empire State Building – I went at 9:30 am and the wait in line was about a half an hour. The day was sunny and the views nice. It can get chilly on the top especially when you are in the shade so it helps to bring a jacket. The views are nice but Rockerfeller Observation deck has views that I think are better if you are deciding which one to do.

Guggenheim Museum – They are doing renovation to this museum so the top two floors have no exhibits and the exteriors are covered with scaffolds. Despite the renovation, the museum is still a great place to visit.

Metropolitan Museum – Paul Poiret (King of Fashion) and Tiffany exhibits were amazing to see. I got too busy and forgot about the time. Got here in the last hour before the museum close. We past the Kip Bay Boys & Girls Club 35th Annual Decorator Show House which was located across from the museum. I wished we had time to see this residence that was on 14 East 82nd Street but it was closed for the evening. I noticed it’s being held till May 22 and the admission is $30 to see the Decorator Show house for anyone who may want to see it. They choose a different residence each year.

Circle Line cruise – I walked to Pier 83 from my hotel in midtown on a gorgeous sunny day to take the 11:30 tour. The cruise was great to see the Manhattan skyline and to have landmarks pointed out throughout the cruise.

Yankee Stadium – Went to a Yankees game and watched them beat the Mariners. It was an exciting game that we saw on a sunny afternoon. We took the subway, train 4 from Grand Central station to get to the stadium. I think it took about 30 minutes to get there and the train stops right in front of Yankee Stadium.

Columbus Arts and Crafts Fair/Green Flea Market - I was lucky to be in the city when this fair was being held. There were about 150 very talented artists showcasing their crafts along Columbus. The Green Flea Market is held every Sunday and it was next door to the fair so that was fun to browse through also.

Madison Square Garden to see the Rangers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It was such an exciting close game-so sad to see the Rangers didn’t make it.

Upper West side neighborhood/Riverside Park – This is a gem of a park that I didn’t know existed in the city. I walked from Lincoln Center up to 90th on Columbus Avenue then turned left and went down a few more blocks before you see the park entrance. It has a walking/biking path that goes along the Hudson River down to Battery Park. During the week it wasn’t crowded but I’m told that weekends it’s mobbed with people. You can walk by the community garden where they filmed a scene from “You Got Mail”.

Times Square/Good Morning America – I got to the ABC studio closed to when the show was ending. I could easily see Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts through the window as they posed for pictures with fans in the studio. So excited to see them.

Bryant Park/New York Public Library – Beautiful park with lots of tables that you can sit at. Take advantage and see the Public Library that is right behind it. The architecture and art is outstanding. I overheard a teenage daughter tell her father that she just didn’t get it. “How could a library be a museum?”

Paris Theater – Right off Fifth Ave and behind the Bergdorf and Goodman store. It was great to catch a matinee and see the movie “Paris, Je T’aime”. This movie was filmed in different locations throughout Paris so it was fun to be transported back to Paris for a couple of hours.

Sony Plaza- They have a gigantic inflatable Spiderman crawling on the wall that is worthy of a picture.

Greenwich Village, Soho, Chelsea, Chinatown/Little Italy neighborhoods – No sales tax is added for clothes that is less than $100 in the city. I spent afternoons visiting these neighborhoods and exploring Chinatown/Little Italy was the first for me. It was fun.

Tip: I recommend purchasing a City Pass if you plan to see the MOMA, Guggenheim, Natural History museums, Circle Line, and Empire State Building. It’s about half the price of what you would normally pay if paying separate.

Some restaurants worth noting that we ate at:

Tao (Midtown) This place is next to the Four Seasons Hotel on East 57th Fifth Ave.
The interior is Asian influence with a giant 16-foot-tall Buddha that greets you in the middle of the room. They have a great pre-fixed lunch menu. I had the duck spring rolls, ginger glazed salmon (good portion size with udon noddles) and fuji apple springroll with vanilla ice cream. The meal and service was wonderful.

Russian Tea Room (Midtown). The restaurant is next door to Carnegie Hall.
We had eaten here before many years ago and I wanted to try the place after it was renovated. We had dinner during the week and it wasn’t too crowded. It’s very expensive but worth the treat. We enjoyed Russian white cranberry and Czars gold vodka at the bar. For dinner we had the goat cheese blinchik and borscht for appetizers, bouef of stroganoff and Kobe beef entrees. Everything was delicious.

Balthazar (Soho) I took my mother-in-law for lunch here as she came into the city to visit. I had the fresh made lemonade and eggplant sandwich was delicious. MIL had the warm goat cheese/grilled vegetable salad and both entrees were outstanding. Service was fast and courteous. I have eaten here a couple of times for dinner and have never been disappointed. However, it is very noisy.

Buddakan (Chelsea) Next door to the Chelsea Market. We enjoyed drinking Proseccos with our lobster egg rolls, char sui pork buns, boneless spare ribs, wild mushrooms noodles and we split a Chocolate malted tart. The food and service was great. A noisy. but fun place.

Fraunces Tavern (Lower Manhattan) – The food was delicious, service a bit slow and not too many diners for a Friday night. The restaurant interior was a bit bare but I guess that is what it was like back in 1762 when this restaurant was built. I think having lunch would of been better and then you could also see the museum.

Caffe Grazie (Upper East Side)-84th Madison – A few blocks from the Metropolitan Museum. A charming small place that serves good Italian food.

I had a fabulous time, eating my way through Manhattan and enjoying the hustle and bustle of the city and people. Thank you New Yorkers and Fodorites for making it again a wonderful experience.

What a great trip! I really enjoy reading your trip reports. Thanks for posting them.

How wonderful to have two whole weeks to explore. We will be there for 6 nights next month, thanks for the restaurant recommendations!

Thanks for posting, this info will be very useful to many people!

Sounds like a fantastic trip. Where (which hotel or apt.) did you stay?

Great trip report! I haven't been to NYC for a few years but hope to get back soon. Your report will make a good guide.

Really enjoyed this - thanks! I'm hoping to catch the Paul Poiret exhibit next month, sounds like you enjoyed it.

Nice tip re: Christies, I haven't attended and auction there but I have gone to some a few previews - can be a fun and interesting experience.

Great report. I only get into NYC for a night or two at a time, so hearing what you did for 2 weeks was amazing!

Also glad to hear you liked Spamalot as we are taking my son and a couple of his friends to see it for his birthday.

Hi mclaurie: We stayed at the Grand Hyatt.

Hi travelgirl2: What a terrific birthday present to give to your son - you picked a winner.

Thanks everyone for your very kind responses.

Portebello - I live 20 miles north of NYC and you have seen more of the city than I have.

I don't care for the hustle and bustle of the city but it makes me happy that so many do.

Nice report

Isn't an extended stay magical this time of year? Thanks for sharing. I had never considered Christies and will definately add it to my list. I adored visiting the Cloisters as a young girl and every trip I drive by on the Henry Hudson I remind myself - one of these days!

great trip report. That would be neat to see a real Christie's auction. The craft fair sounded cool too.

Have you also seen the unicorn tapestries in Paris? They're at the Cluny.