which part of manhattan to stay in?
 

My hubby and I are planning a week in Manhattan in late March. I've been twice before and stayed in Midtown West both times. (I am a huge theatre buff!). I loved staying there but I wondering if I should try something new.
We would like to stay somewhere that is very close and accessible to subway, would like to have several dining choices nearby, plan to go to three or four shows, plan to go to central park, Met. museum of art, natural history museum, staten island ferry, and perhaps standby tickets to conan or dave letterman. May like to catch some jazz at a bar one night. Also want to do some shopping at Macy's. Any suggestions from you fodorite's??!! thanks in advance!!

ALmost anywhere is near transportation and restaurants. The upper west side is a very nice residential neighborhood, very near central park and good for dining. Midtown south is convenient to lots of transportation and various restaurant neighborhoods (like chelsea, grammercy). Also Midtown East (but not too far east, stay closer to Lexington Av), is also convenient.

I like the Murray Hill area.

Well, as a theatre buff as well, it's hard for me to pass up staying midtown since I'm doing one to two shows every day on a short trip, my second choice for what you mention would be staying at Union Square. You can't beat the restaurants, lots of activity, and not that far a walk from Macy's. Great access to transportation. And actually last trip we ended up traveling to Union Square twice to see theatre -- the wonderful Omnium Gatherum is just a couple blocks away for example. And over early enough to walk back to Union Square Cafe, Grammercy Tavern or others for a wonderful after theatre dinner.

great thoughts guys!! thanks

All things being equal, it is always best to be in a central location so you can be near the action and have a retreat to go when when you need to rest.

I like Central Park west but it is a bit pricey. The Murray Hill suggestion is a good one-- they have those two good reasonable suite properties there, older but nice- Beekman Towers and another one owned by same co., Manhattan hotel group or something like that. You get a 1-2 bedroom apartment, full kitchen, etc., art deco feel. Murray Hill is safe and a nice neighborhood. But for being in the action, I like the Essex House on Central park west. Owned by Starwood, and you can sometimes get good deals there depending on timing. It is also art deco. Lots of good places to eat, you are on the park- I don't usually do subway when staying there so don't know about that though. It is a short ride by cab to the natural history museum. Walk to theaters (most of them aroudn Times Square anyway). Everything in midtown is far from Battery Park, but the subway will get you there.

I like either Midtown east or Midtown west.