My two girlfriends and I are planning a trip to NY in June, and we will arrive to our hotel, Waldorf, around 3:00 assuming our flight is on scehdule.

I was wondering if anyone could give me any ideas of what we could do that afternoon or night? Keep in mind we don't want to wander off to far, or stay out too late since we will be waking up early to tour the city.

If you know of any places or things to do that are by the Waldorf please let me know.

Thanks.

Rockefeller Center is only about two blocks away with St. Patricks Cathedral and Saks just across from it. Morrells Wine Bar on West 49th is a really nice place for a glass of wine and the view.

Alternatively, you can walk about 7 blocks up to the Peninsula Hotel and have a drink at the PenTop Bar. It has a really great view of the NY Skyline. One caveat, drinks aren't cheap.

Walk a few blocks downtown from the Waldorf and watch rush hour in action at Grand Central Station. The renovated building is a wonder and you might even find a place for a drink or snack among the new restaurants there.

If the weather's nice, wander north on Park Ave to Cafe St. Bart's at 50th/51st and lounge about at a comfortable umbrella table for a while just watching the passing parade! The menu here is wonderful (snacks, light meals, great salads, sandwiches, wood grilled pizza, wonderful entrees, terrific beverages, all at modest prices). Always check to see if you can get into St. Patrick's when you walk by - you never know, and it's not to be missed. Rockefeller Center is a wonderful area to explore. A fun thing to do is drop into Saks cosmetic department on the way. Here, the "makeovers" are fantastic (you'll look gorgeous and "natural", not overdone) and there's absolutely no hard sell (well, once in a while, but not often). If you're not familiar with the Trish McEvoy line, go there first. All her "kits" and travel accessories are masterful. Even a lipstick purchase gets you one of those fabulous little shopping bags, great for toting your "stuff" around while out and about during your stay (maps, bottle of water, etc.).

I'd recommend heading for the Rainbow Grill for a drink (just as the pre-show crowd leaves, around 7:45, but before the after dinner/theater crowd for the best chance of a right-by-a-window table - think "Sleepless in Seattle"). Be advised that drinks are pricey (cocktails around $18, but they're large enough to sip for quite a while), but the view is worth every penny. If you go, be sure to wander down the hall for a view from the other side of Central Park. Peek into the Rainbow Room, while your at it.

Whenever I stay at the Waldorf, I start off with a manicure in the (Kenneth) Salon (phone for appointments). Price is about double anywhere else ($28, I think), but an absolutely perfect manicure (they give you the bottle of polish in case of touch-ups, but you won't need it for that) in a place that's an "experience" (saw Dorothy Hamel and her daughter last time). This is one swanky salon that is also very warm and friendly.

Saks Fifth Avenue is right in front of the hotel. Huge, huge, huge and you can easily spend hours in there. Also, tons of shopping within blocks of the hotel on Fifth.

Saks is not "right in front" but is certainly very close to the Waldorf. Saks is lcoated at 5th and 51st and the Waldorf is located at Park and 49th.

Both Saks and the Waldorf are between 49th & 50th. If you go left when leaving the Waldorf, then right on 49th, after you cross Madison, there's a side entrance to Saks. Saves walking all the way to Fifth and the main entrance (it's a huge building!).

Excuse me. Saks is two blocks in front of the Waldorf. The Waldorf is between 50th and 51st Streets on Park and Saks is between 49th and 50th on Fifth Avenue.

Is that better?

GoTravel, My apologies if I came across in a nasty way. I certainly did not intend to.

No you didn't sound nasty. When I stay at the Waldorf, I always walk up 50th and forgot about having to cross Park and Madison.

I'd walk over to 5th Avenue and get a bus down 5th Avenue to Soho - the most "happening" area of New York City.