Places to see in NYC?

[Sunny95]

I have not been to NYC in about 15 years and we are going next month. I'm very excited!

I really need some advice on things to see outside of the typical
touristy stuff. Anyone know of any good shopping places (i love deals), places to eat and any other must sees in NYC? I will be traveling with my husband, soon to be 7 year old daughter as well as my parents. What a group we are! LOL! We actually travel together often and always have a great time!

If anyone has any info to share I would appreciate it!

[celstu1]

Take your daughter to FAO Schwartz (the toy store) its awesome! I have not been to NYC in about 6 years, but I love it there and used to go quite often. I am going in July this year for a few days. We used to take in a Yankees game, we always went to the site of the Twin Towers and said a prayer. We walked through Little Italy, Soho and China town and ate somewhere obscure. I also did a tour of Radio City Music hall and went up on stage to yell, sing & dance to see what it's like and hear the acoustics. That building is amazing.
Also there is a little zoo in Central Park. Its pretty cool! Shopping on 5th Avenue... oohh Carnegie deli for the BIGGEST yummiest corn beef or roast beef sandwiches. I mean they are huge... the line is always down the block, but it moves quick quick and you eat cafeteria style inside, and you leave quick... but you won't regret trying the sandwiches, they are amazing. 1 can feed 3 people easily!

[Sunny95]

Originally Posted by celstu1

Take your daughter to FAO Schwartz (the toy store) its awesome! I have not been to NYC in about 6 years, but I love it there and used to go quite often. I am going in July this year for a few days. We used to take in a Yankees game, we always went to the site of the Twin Towers and said a prayer. We walked through Little Italy, Soho and China town and ate somewhere obscure. I also did a tour of Radio City Music hall and went up on stage to yell, sing & dance to see what it's like and hear the acoustics. That building is amazing.
Also there is a little zoo in Central Park. Its pretty cool! Shopping on 5th Avenue... oohh Carnegie deli for the BIGGEST yummiest corn beef or roast beef sandwiches. I mean they are huge... the line is always down the block, but it moves quick quick and you eat cafeteria style inside, and you leave quick... but you won't regret trying the sandwiches, they are amazing. 1 can feed 3 people easily!

Thank you so much for the reply! I will certainly add FAO Schwartz to the list and the sandwich sounds AMAZING!!!!!! My mouth is watering and I'm starving at the moment. No lunch yet. My DH and Dad will LOVE that idea!!

I can't thank you enough! It will be cool to have some suggestions for the family! This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

[beecee]

China Town is great for finding deals!

[celstu1]

Originally Posted by Sunny95

Thank you so much for the reply! I will certainly add FAO Schwartz to the list and the sandwich sounds AMAZING!!!!!! My mouth is watering and I'm starving at the moment. No lunch yet. My DH and Dad will LOVE that idea!!

I can't thank you enough! It will be cool to have some suggestions for the family! This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

You are welcome! I love NYC.

I also suggest the Empire State Building... that IS a typical 'tourist' thing... but its still so cool!
I love walking through Times Square and seeing who might be on TRL (I saw the black eye peas from the windows waving down at Times square).

You can try to order tickets for SNL or another show that is taped live in NYC too. I saw SNL with Cameron Diaz hosting and it was like a free concert with Green Day playing. It was awesome and FREE!

[celstu1]

Originally Posted by beecee

China Town is great for finding deals!

hahaha those famous 'back room' sales?? I once got a Coach purse that way, turned out to be a knock off... told my friend though, who did the same thing and hers turned out the real deal. She paid less than I did too! Lucky girl! LOL

[Alvindy]

I would suggest going to the 'Top of the Rock' (Rockefeller Center observaton deck). the lines are WAY shorter than at the Empire State Building and, from the top, you can get a really good look AT the Empire State building. If you have a 7 year-old with you I am sure she would probably love to visit the American Girl store by Times Square - even my DH was impressed by the size or that store! As a freebie you can take the ferry to Staten Island. It goes right past the statue of Liberty. Then you can take it back again for aonther look at Lady Liberty...you are going to have so much fun!!

[jrsygal37]

Originally Posted by Sunny95

I have not been to NYC in about 15 years and we are going next month. I'm very excited!

I really need some advice on things to see outside of the typical
touristy stuff. Anyone know of any good shopping places (i love deals), places to eat and any other must sees in NYC? I will be traveling with my husband, soon to be 7 year old daughter as well as my parents. What a group we are! LOL! We actually travel together often and always have a great time!

If anyone has any info to share I would appreciate it!

If she is into characters there is a place called Jekle and Hyde, which is kind of neat to go for for lunch. My sister and I took her niece there who was about 7 at the time. The food is ok, a little pricy but food in NY is, but she enjoyed the characters. The servers are dressed up and it's got a lot of neat things. We sat at a table where there was something on the wall that popped out and made noises. It's been awhile so I forget. You may want to make a reservation because it is uually packed and you'll be standing outside in line waiting to get in without one.

[jrsygal37]

Oh also if you go to restaurant.com and type in NYC you can buy certificates to use for eating. They have a deal going, and so when you check out you type in I think dinner and it will give you a discount. My sister in law got $200 worth for $28. There is usually a minimum you have to spend like for a $25 certificate you have to spend maybe a min of $35 at the restaurant and the gratuity is usually 18 percent. You have to look and see what the requirements are for each restaurant before you purchase. They had a deal right before xmas the $25 certificates were only $2 each. We bought a couple for the first time and it worked out nicely. E.

[AllDogBoots]

I think the best way to see NYC is by foot. I'd walk from Penn Station south toward Chinatown if everyone can handle it. You'll pass Chelsea, Soho, Greenwich Village, Little Italy and Chinatown. You can go as far as the South Street Seaport but now we are talking a full day. It'll probably be about 3-4 miles, but you won't know it because you will be stopping, shopping and eating. I'd start at Broadway, around 34th Street, head south and just go until you can't walk anymore, or until you hit the Statue of Liberty

Or, you can always head north up Broadway and take a look at Rockefeller Center, Central Park and of course Times Square and all the wonderful things in the Times Square area.

Here's some information if you are interested in that kind of journey: Mark's New York Broadway Walking Tour

Can I come?

[Sunny95]

Originally Posted by celstu1

You are welcome! I love NYC.

I also suggest the Empire State Building... that IS a typical 'tourist' thing... but its still so cool!
I love walking through Times Square and seeing who might be on TRL (I saw the black eye peas from the windows waving down at Times square).

You can try to order tickets for SNL or another show that is taped live in NYC too. I saw SNL with Cameron Diaz hosting and it was like a free concert with Green Day playing. It was awesome and FREE!

More great ideas!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

I know we are going to try to get some discounted Broadway tickets at Times Square too. We would like to see either Mary Poppins, Mama Mia or Lion King. Thought that would be best with a 6 year old. I wanted to see Wicked but a few people said my daughter probally wouldn't like that too much.

I would love to see SNL!!!!! That's awesome that you did that!!! And you saw the Peas! Wow!

[Sunny95]

Originally Posted by Alvindy

I would suggest going to the 'Top of the Rock' (Rockefeller Center observaton deck). the lines are WAY shorter than at the Empire State Building and, from the top, you can get a really good look AT the Empire State building. If you have a 7 year-old with you I am sure she would probably love to visit the American Girl store by Times Square - even my DH was impressed by the size or that store! As a freebie you can take the ferry to Staten Island. It goes right past the statue of Liberty. Then you can take it back again for aonther look at Lady Liberty...you are going to have so much fun!!

My Dad has Rockefeller Center on the itinerary! He is quite the planner and loves to travel.

I have mixed feeling on the American Girl store. As of right now we plan to go, but I know my daughter will be all about it and have to have a doll. It's not that I mind getting her one, it's that when when we get home it will be tossed aside as usual. They are expensive and I would love to see that money go to something more worthwhile. Is that wrong?
I know every little girl loves dolls. Lindsey is blessed to have so many things. I just want her to appreciate them. Did I mention she's an only child (like me) and the only Grandchild on both sides. There is a tendency to spoil her a bit. It's crazy, my parents made a point not to spoil me and made me work for things if I wanted them. It seems like now that they are Grandparents that all went out the window. Hilarious! It's me that has to say "hold a minute". Oh boy!

The Staten Island Ferry idea is excellent!!!!!!! I will certainly add that to the list.

[Sunny95]

Originally Posted by jrsygal37

If she is into characters there is a place called Jekle and Hyde, which is kind of neat to go for for lunch. My sister and I took her niece there who was about 7 at the time. The food is ok, a little pricy but food in NY is, but she enjoyed the characters. The servers are dressed up and it's got a lot of neat things. We sat at a table where there was something on the wall that popped out and made noises. It's been awhile so I forget. You may want to make a reservation because it is uually packed and you'll be standing outside in line waiting to get in without one.

Wow, is that still there? My last visit to NYC I actually went there - 15 years ago! It was fun and I have a picture of me standing out front with the skeleton. I remember the bathroom door looked like a bookshelf and you couldn't really tell that was the door. Too funny! Thank you for reminding me of this place!

[Sunny95]

Originally Posted by jrsygal37

Oh also if you go to restaurant.com and type in NYC you can buy certificates to use for eating. They have a deal going, and so when you check out you type in I think dinner and it will give you a discount. My sister in law got $200 worth for $28. There is usually a minimum you have to spend like for a $25 certificate you have to spend maybe a min of $35 at the restaurant and the gratuity is usually 18 percent. You have to look and see what the requirements are for each restaurant before you purchase. They had a deal right before xmas the $25 certificates were only $2 each. We bought a couple for the first time and it worked out nicely. E.

GREAT idea! I'm going to check this out tonight! Thanks so much!!

[Sunny95]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

I think the best way to see NYC is by foot. I'd walk from Penn Station south toward Chinatown if everyone can handle it. You'll pass Chelsea, Soho, Greenwich Village, Little Italy and Chinatown. You can go as far as the South Street Seaport but now we are talking a full day. It'll probably be about 3-4 miles, but you won't know it because you will be stopping, shopping and eating. I'd start at Broadway, around 34th Street, head south and just go until you can't walk anymore, or until you hit the Statue of Liberty

Or, you can always head north up Broadway and take a look at Rockefeller Center, Central Park and of course Times Square and all the wonderful things in the Times Square area.

Here's some information if you are interested in that kind of journey: Mark's New York Broadway Walking Tour

Can I come?

AWESOME suggestion!!! Thank you! I agree, best to walk it and we are all able! Thank you so much for the link. I have lots of planning to do!!! I'm really starting to get excited now.

Of course you can come! Pack a bag and meet us there!!! Love to have you!