I should be at my hotel in NYC (Union Square/Gramercy Park) by around 5 pm on a Friday 5-16, Who has some suggestions of what I should do in the big city on a Friday afternoon/evening ?
Empire State Building Observatory ?
Night tour Gray Line ?
And dinner where ?
I am solo and is first time in NYC.
Grazie, Maria Luisa

If you're coming from the east (ie Europe) you may be too tired to do too much. From the west, it will seem early to you, so it depends.

The night lights tour of
nypartyshuttle.com
are evidently quite good if you have the strength.

As a solo traveler, I strongly urge you to book yourself some walking tours. Foodsofny.com are very good and popular (esp. the village and Soho).

I would walk south to the West and East Villages. On Spring nights the streets are filled with people and there would a variety of restaurants and stores that stay open late.

Maria, are you the visitor who was going to stay at Seafarers and International House?

If so, you can please provide a review at the end. We live nearby and are always looking for a place for our visitors?

Thank you.

Do NOT do the Empire State Building - the waiting lines are horrendous. If you go to the Top of the Rock - better views IMHO - you can get timed advance tickets - so you're not waiting forever to ascend.

Or - you could go to the Met - which is open until 9pm on Fri and Sat nights - for a little culture - then eat at a sidewalk cafe on the upper east side.

If you're more near Union Square Park, I'd walk down Broadway to Canal and then back up University past Washington Square Park.

It's simple, no subways or lines or tickets and you'd definitely spot a place to eat. In the walk, you'd see the shops on Broadway, Cooper Union, NYU, a bit of Chinatown. It might rain though.

If you're a foodie, Saturday morning, bright and early, go to Union Square Park for the greenmarket. Lots of good eats.

I'd go to TKTS to get some theater tickets, grab a bite, and enjoy the show.

Thanks to all, thanks so much

Aduchamp1: Seafarers ? there is a mistake, I do not know

Maria Luisa

Hi

Well, if you want some general info feel free to check out my trip report with pictures and links from last year: http://gardkarlsen.com/NYC_travelogue_2007.htm . Get in touch if you have any questions

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures