WANTED - TIPS ON INTERESTING PLACES TO GO/THINGS TO SEE IN NEW YORK - EVENTS - GOOD RESTAURANTS, DANCING - NIGHTLIFE - SIGHTS OFF THE BEATEN TOURIST TRACK?
(ARRIVING ON JUNE 26TH, LEAVING JULY 10TH)

Take the Circle line 3 hour boat ride around the city. Leaves from the west side piers, call for exact times and location. This gives a first timer good orientation of the various sights and neighborhoods from the narated boat ride. As for unusal, The Cloisters, sit on top of Fort Tryon Park just north of the George Washington bridge. This walk thru mideviel times, tapestries etc. and view make a refreshing quiet afternoon in the city.

Helen,
For something a little offbeat and off the tourist path, check out the Frick Museum on Fifth Avenue. This museum is the former home of one of the late 19th, early 20th Century "robber barons" of industry. The mansion is magnificent and magnificently furnished with a wealth of paintings ranging from Holbein to Renoir. A visit makes for a lovely afternoon and a respite from the harried pace of New York life.

We loved the Circle Line, although we took the sunset cruise. Gorgeous views of the skyline with daylight, dusk, sunset and after dark all in one trip. Also highly recommend the Frick Collection. This is spectacular. We've been to museums all over and this one is not to be missed. The Brooklyn Museum is wonderful as well. If "Jewels of the Romanovs" is still on exhibit - not to be missed. Be sure to check out www.newyork,sidewalk.com and www.metrobeat.com for lots of ideas.

If you've never been to NY before, don't miss (1) a BIG splashy Broadway musical (Lion King if you can get a tic). (2) The Metropolitan Museum of Art - something for everyone. (3) Sunday bargain hunting on Orchard St.. (4) Chinatown (5) Riding the subway somewhere (in the daytime). (6) Zabar's food bazaar on the West Side. (7) At the South Street Seaport buy a box lunch at the Fulton Fish Market to take along as you sail around the Statue of Liberty on a schooner sailing ship, (8) mass at St. Mark's cathedral, (9) The Blue Men Group (a NY must) and (10) just walk around and soak up the atmosphere. Eat at: Jackson Hole @ 232 E 64th for the best burgers and fries in the universe, Circus at 808 Lexington for wonderful Brazilian food, Le Madeleine at 403 W. 43rd St. for good bistro before or after theater, Zarela @ 953 Second Ave. for great Mexican, Carmine's 200 W. 44th for heaping plates of inexpensive Italian. Walk "Restaurant Row" (W 46th ST. between 8&9th Ave.) and eat anywhere. Upscale: The Manhattan Ocean Club @ 57 W. 58th or DeGrazia @ 231 E. 50th St. Have fun.

I second the motion on the suggestions of The Cloisters/Fort Tryon Park and the Frick Museum. Have been to both places several times. The uptown subway will get you within a block or two of Fort Tryon Park and is the most convenient way to get there (and it IS safe). Definitely take a lunch and enjoy the park. I also recommend going to the west Greenwhich Village area late night for dinner. Very causal and the sidewalks filled with people and diners until very late - lots of fun. I'm sure "The Lion King" is okay but I strongly recommend "Rent" if you're looking for music and a story that is intelligen, rocks and has heart. Tickets are tough to get but if you go to the theatre at 5:30 - 6PM on day of show and ask to be directed to "Standby line" you're almost sure to get good seats for that night's show as long as you're among the first 10 people in that line (you will have to wait in line until 8PM for tix, however).
Have fun and don't forget the Staten Island Ferry - it's free!

Forget "Lion King" unless you mean 6/26/01. Sold out because it's that good. Make a stop in their box office (New Amsterdam Theater) and buy a ticket for your visit time after next one. Instead, go across the Hudson River for a buck and a half on the "Path" train and see something at the just opened New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Check their website for events.
The best tall building is the Chrysler bldg which so many people miss for the Empire and the Twins.

Times Square....43rd St.(where 7th Ave and B'way cross) at night, after a rainstorm. TRUST ME!

Hopefully this post will rotate this message back to the top so it will be more convient to get at as I will be visiting the Big Apple in October.

As a native Nyer, What not to miss? A walk through Central Park on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon in the fall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Madison Avenue between 57th street and 82nd street, the top of the World Trade Center both inside and out, Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral, especially at Christmastime, and a Broadway show. Go to the TKTS booth at 47th Street and Broadway day of the show for discount tickets to many shows. They post the shows available that day on the board at the head of the line. Last time I looked (several weeks ago( there was Ms. Saigon, Les Miserables, Bring in Da Noise, Scarlett Pimpernell, Cats, and Titanic among others. Get there earlier, it opens at 11am for matinees and I believe 5pm for nights, but the line forms much earlier. By waiting in line there, you will be treated to one of the greatest people watching venues in NY. Also, standing room only tickets go on sale at the Roundabout Theatre same day for Cabaret, however, sadly this show is still closed because of the infamous scaffolding accident at 43rd and Broadway. And of course, DO NOT miss Macy's. Have a great time, and we really are nice people here in NY.

Me again, and I forgot to mention --- Ellis Island. Fascinating and a nice ferry ride past the Statue of Liberty. Skip the statue, it's to crowded and takes to long to climb to the top. Go directly to Ellis Island. Bye!!