Recommend stuff to do and see in NYC!

[fujiyama]

Since I last was there when I was a kid, I've just LOVED the city.

OK, I'll be staying just outside of NYC this week and I'm overwhelmed with the number of things to do here.
What are the things I HAVE to see or do in NYC. I'll probably have two-three days to wander the city by myself.

Anything and everything! Night and day. I'll be starting tomorrow and checking out normal touristy things...but I'd love to hear some particularly cool recommendations. Which museums? Which restaurants?

[Book Lover]

1. Where is "just outside"? (nm)

[TreasonousBastard]

2. One stop everyone forgets is the Bronx Zoo...

http://www.bronxzoo.com/

One of the premier zoos in the world. It prefers to be known as the Wildlife Conservation Society, but it still can't help calling itself the Bronx Zoo. Everyone else does. Winter isn't the best time, what with Wild Africa packaged up and sent to Florida, but there's still a lot there. Don't dare miss the Red Pandas or Snow Leopards.

If you got wheels in the burbs during this trip, you can drive there, otherwise the subway, express bus, or Metro North can get you there.

And, Wednesdays it's free, sort of. Suggested donation 5 bucks then, but you can pay as much or as little as you want. Other days it's 14 bucks per adult.

Right next door to it is the Botanical Gardens-- again the wrong time of year, but still some great stuff there.

[Reverend_Smitty]

3. I just want to be the first person to "recommend" Olive Garden

:hide: :evilgrin:

[KitchenWitch]

4. There is one in Times Square, is there not?

:spank:

[Reverend_Smitty]

5. so I've been told

:P

[LeftyMom]

6. There is! JackBeck and I went by there

We didn't stop mind, more like "and there's the famous Olive Garden" followed by a five minute giggle fit.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

7. Yes, and be sure to order the Corn Flake encrusted

chicken alfredo.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!

[distantearlywarning]

14. I hear Applebee's is much better

And sometimes you don't even have to pay your bill there!

[GCP]

8. If you go up the Empire State Building

Make it in the evening - much more spectacular at night. And take in the gorgeous Art Deco interior while you're at it. The foyer is magnificent.

[bettyellen]

10. sunset is a beautiful time for that.

try the spotted pig for lunch.
it's in the west village.

[crispini]

16. I actually hear the observation deck at Rockefeller Plaza is just as good, if not better, for views.

And the line is shorter. Haven't been myself, FWIW, so :shrug:

Edited to add -- if you'll be there *this* week, get by there and see the tree! :bounce:

[GCP]

24. You need to reserve for the Rock

You can do it online

Tickets can be booked through www.topoftherocknyc.com, or by calling 877-692-7625. There are several terminals on-site as well, but it's a good idea to book before you go to avoid the wait.

[MrScorpio]

9. Macy's

Just Midtown in general.

I love it

[Corgigal]

11. Museum of Natural History

and if time the Rose Center. Walk through central park and sit on a bench and just listen to what is going around. Times Sq at night and take in a show. You can get same day tickets to some shows, Phantom Of The Opera is fun for all ages. ToysRUs in times square is fun with rides inside the store. Walk down to David Letterman's studio. We were lucky and got to see Letterman's show the next day just because we were in right place at the right time. Take a double decker bus tour, fun and it's nice to see downtown Manhattan from Brooklyn.

Get a hot dog at the hot dog trucks and flirt with the firemen. They are use to it. If you want me to see my NYC photo's let me know and I can send you a link.

Have a great time.

[_testify_]

17. I agree about the Museum of Natural History.

I love that place!

[Connonym]

12. If you are at all a book lover you MUST visit The Strand

It's simply the most amazing bookstore.

Strand Book Store http://www.strandbooks.com/

Our main store is located at the corner of 12th Street and Broadway.

Hours
Monday-Saturday 9:30 AM-10:30 PM
Rare Book Room Closes Daily at 6:20 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM-10:30 PM

Take the N R Q W 4 5 6 or L train to Union Square. Walk two blocks South to 12th street.

828 Broadway
(at 12th St.)
New York, NY. 10003-4805

212-473-1452
212-473-2591 fax

[seemunkee]

13. Pizza

Best pizza in the world.
Papaya dogs, for hot dogs
Those wonderful roasted nuts from the street vendors

[racaulk]

15. Here are a few suggestions...

Go to the American Museum of Natural History. It's just an amazing museum, and almost any discipline in the sciences you can think of is represented there. http://www.amnh.org

If art is your thing, check out the Guggenheim Museum. The art displayed is always good, and the architecture of the building is definitely unique. http://www.guggenheim.org

Those two museums are almost directly across Central Park from each other. Take some time to walk through the park, and just observe what is going on around you. It's a great place to people watch, if nothing else.

Although it's very touristy, go to the Empire State Building. Once you get to that observatory on the 80-somethingth floor, you will find the quietest place in NYC. I could hear sirens and horns from cars all night from my 22nd story hotel room (you almost can't escape the noise of the city), but all you hear from the top of the ESB is the wind and the other people around you. They're open during the day and at night. It was during the day when I went, but I'm told the scenery at night (on a clear night) is a sight to behold.

Make time to walk through Times Square. I'm sure you've seen it in movies and on TV, and it's really cool to see it in person. If nothing else, just take some time there to look around. If you like chocolate, check out the Hershey store while you're there.

See a show on Broadway. There are so many good ones to see and you can't see them all, so just pick one. It's wonderful to see so much theatrical talent live. You can usually get cheap tickets for same-day shows at the TKTS booth in Times Square, but the lines can be long and the tickets are on a first come-first served basis...so you run the risk of the show you want selling out. Be flexible and you can find some great tickets!

Make sure to have lunch and dinner at random restaurants that you see along the way. You'll find some great food! (If you like Spanish food, check out Sevilla Restaurant down in Greenwich Village...they have the best paella I've ever had! http://www.sevillarestaurantandbar.com)

Above else, realize there is only so much you can do during your time there, so don't be overwhelmed. Just enjoy the heck out of the time you do have.

Have fun! :hi:

[HERVEPA]

18. MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) for sure

[Flaxbee]

19. The Morgan Library & Museum

on 36th and Park, I believe. http://www.morganlibrary.org/

Fantastic museum, recently renovated (I haven't been there since they've finished) and a good cafe in the atrium. I used to go there and study for the bar exam.

From the website: Rembrandt and Picasso, Mozart, Bob Dylan, Dickens and Hemingway, a Gutenberg Bible, and Babar the elephant, The Morgan Library & Museum is, in the words of The New York Times, "extra special, in a class of its own."

Located in midtown Manhattan, the Morgan houses one of the world's greatest collections of artistic, literary, and musical works, from ancient times to the medieval and Renaissance periods to the present day.

[ET Awful]

20. Museum of Sex (and no, I'm not kidding).

It was very interesting and entertaining, we had a lot of fun with it (takes about 2 hours to see the whole thing).

The Museum of Modern Art is well worth a visit too (go there first actually, save the MOS for if you have any time left after seeing everything else).

[stuntcat]

21. Astor Place and St. Marks

I'll recommend it because I used to live there :headbang: A lot's changed since I left but it's still a fun place to watch people and go in a lot of weird shops. There are some vintage clothing stores and used bookshops around there if you go back & fourth and up & down the streets. On the weekends there used to be a lot of tents selling stuff on the streets, I think that still goes on.

[LynneSin]

22. I heard there is a great Olive Garden near Time Square

You should try that!

[Richard Steele]

23. The NY Botanical Garden is pretty damn impressive, I tellyawhut.

If you like that sort of thing, of course.