what to see in the east side of manhattan
 

Looking for fun things to do or see in the area of 1-3rd avenue or so around 60th street. I'm more familiar with Times Square area and the west side. I have about a 4 hour time period and am already planning on Serendipity for lunch(need a reservation?) and a stop at Dylan's Candy Bar. Anything else in that area? - doesn't necessarily have to be touristy. Thanks

There's always Bloomingdales.

ANother option is the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum, 421 East 61st St. (btwn 1st and York). This was Abigail Adam's estate. See http://www.ny.com/museums/abigail.ad...th.museum.html for more info.

The Mt. Vernon Hotel Museum, one of the oldest buildings in Manhattan, is one of those charming surprise relics hidden away in NYC. While not exactly "fun," it's in the neighborhood you specified and surely more interesting and memorable than another day at Bloomie's.

To clarify (?): Abigail Smith Adams, wife of one president and mother of another, had a daughter, also named Abigail, who married a guy named Smith, and the museum is the hotel that was established in the building that was originally their carriage house. (Their own estate house burnt down.) Visit it to get a sense of NYC in 1830, when the streets weren't numbered yet, and E 61st was a weekend waterfront getaway in the countryside.

You absolutely need a reservation at Serendipity and even then, maybe a wait. Agree with the Mt. Vernon Museum. It's not fabulous in comparison to other buildings like it elsewhere, but in NYC, it's in an amazing spot.

You could also take a ride on the Roosevelt Island tram for great views. The entrance is at 1st ave & 59 st across from the bridge.

There is very good shopping along Lexington (and Madison) in the 60s.

Sotheby's is at York & 72 st. They always have something interesting on display.

thanks for all the suggestions so far. What about parking- any good garages or just anywhere we find? Also- is it safe for a 15yr old to take a cab by herself about 20 blocks? I know I wouldn't think twice about it myself but not being a city person I just wondered if it's done. my daughter would like to meet a camp friend for lunch...just wondering

I would be ok about the cab. Why are you going to Serendipity, though? If you are interested in interior design, you can walk through the showrooms of the D&D (Decoration and Design) Building at 58th and Third Avenues..many of the well-known names in fabric, furniture, and accessories have showrooms here and, while you cannot buy if you do not have an account, you can walk through and have a look.

Garages tend to be cheapest the closer to 1st ave./York Ave. you get but that may not be convenient for you. iconparking.com has a number of places in the east 60s. If you go to their website you can get a price by putting in day/time info. You can even reserve.

I think the cab should be fine if she's reasonably savvy. The only issue will be finding a cab on her own to get back. If you both have cell phones, should be fine.

good- my feeling about the cab was that she should be fine but just wanted a little reassurance. She won't have to cab back- we will pick her up. thanks for the parking info!