Mom and teen daughter planning to spend a week in February, hopng to walk alot if it's not too brutal. We're bringing good black walking shoes, & maybe Uggs but I'm wondering where we could buy practical, but not ugly, short boots if we find our walking shoes arn't enough and the Uggs are too "county". We're from casual CA and would like to try and blend in.

Any great Off-Broadway shows to recommend? We have tickets to a couple big shows (Wicked, Ave Q) but want to see some Off-B, too.

What is a favorite locals' lunch/dinner cafe. We're staying near Times Square but want to venture out into neighborhoods where locals eat.

Thanks-we've planned out whole trtip (first timers) based on the help from Fodorites.

if the weather is really bad the uggs will look ok. the problem is that they aren't waterproof. so - if there is major snow you'll need to try to find some boots. where is hard - since the stores are full of spring clothes, perhaps try macys- just on the volume principal.

for restaurants - we can't do much until you let us know flavors and budgets,

For boots, price makes a huge difference. Any of the major dept stores should have some selection. Saks would be a good first stop (they have 2 shoe depts.) Places like Nine
West and Unisa are good options for stylish but less expensive.

"...Putnam County Spelling Bee" is a big off Broadway hit.

There are hundreds of "locals" places in all neighborhoods. Isabella's on the Upper West side is one. Nice Matin is another in that area. Luke's bar and grill on the upper east side. In the theater district, Joe Allen's is a "must."

cts, do you look down on people who go to CA and DON'T wear uggs? Well, of course not. So why do you care if NY-ers look down on your California-ish? I say to heck with them. You'll only be there a week. Look anyway you want. This is what people do in Florida. We've learned to adapt to seeing swimsuited people walking around the malls with water shoes on their feet. Not that we would do that, but it's perfectly acceptable for the tourists to look like tourists. It's like a large flock of birds of many colors. You and your daughter need to carry that CA-look with you.

Thanks for the replies annd suggestions. We are vegetarian but find we can usually find that's meatless in most restraurants. We like all different kinds of ethnic food although teen doesn't like really hot-spicy. We are looking for good food on the less-trodden tourist pathway. I know that as soon as I open my mouth people will know I'm not a local but I don't want to stick out like a sore thumb-it's more a respect-for-where-I-am thing for me than a trying-to-be-something-I'm-not. I waterproofed the Uggs . . .
cts

We like the Zen Palate Oriental vegetarian restaurants. Good food, lovely decor, moderately priced.

I've been wearing uggs for years before it was fashionable. We had 25 inches of snow recently and my uggs did not get wet enough to touch my skin.