Kinda depends on what you are into. Pick up a copy ouf TimeOut New York magazine, they usually have a good list of events going on.
1 - Times Square - just to say you've been 2 - Carnegie Deli - for a pastrami sandwich 3 - Empire State Building or 30 Rock - you can't understand NYC unless you see it from the top 4 - ride the subway everywhere - you can't understand NYC unless you see it from the bottom 5 - St. Patrick's Cathedral - a religious experience, even if you happen to be an atheist like me 6 - try a pizzeria - doesn't have to be Grimaldi's or John's, a Ray's will do in a pinch All of these things you can do in 24 hours. Of course there's so much more, but this list will give you the flavor of the city. Bonus Tip: the Upper East Side may be a little out of your way, but Tal Bagels on E. 86th has the best bagels on Earth.
The Kramer Tour (Seinfeld) is by far the most fun touristy thing to do there. Its only done on Saturdays, but I dont know if they run them this early in the year
I don't have time for touristy things, only there for 24 hours..... I had a job offer from MTV and their mobile division but turned it down, don't want to move to NY..... Not with a family to raise....I am addicted to Austin. I am not even sure where midtown is.....but any suggestions for a quiet restaraunt/bar to hook up with my biz partners Sunday evening? DD
walk around looking up at the buildings without seeing where you are going, don't forget a camera. The other day I saw a stupid biatch walk through a busy crosswalk in times square looking up and taking a picture.
Mr. K's is posh Chinese restaraunt with GIANT chairs, and lots of guys is suits around. I know of a great authentic Japanese place called Rio and You, but they don't open on Sundays. There is Robert's Steakhouse, which is a highly rated steak place with lot of businessmen customers and located inside the Penthouse Executive Club (yes, it's topless). It's chef owns a little barbecue called Daisy May's place next door (not topless). Hawaiian Tropic Zone has waitresses in bikinis. Bobby Flay owns a place called Bar Americain. There are a ton of places you can go.... And here's a Greek restaurant:http://www.livanosrestaurantgroup.com/
what I would do is dig up the other hundred or so threads that say the exact same things as the advice given here... there is simply too much to do or recommend to do in a couple of days...but this jaded ex-New Yorker gives you this advice- live like you were a local for a day- avoid being a tourist and walk around/take the subway all day- see what kind of adventures you can get yourself into... do not visit Times Square. Do not visit the statue of Liberty, do not visit the Empire State Building... Do go to Rockefeller Plaza and visit The Top of the Rock, check out Central Park, get lost in it if you have to. Check out Strawberry Fields and the Dakota Building. Go all the way uptown to the Cloisters and Fort Tryon if you have the time. check out the East Village near Tompkins Square Park. instead of the Circle Line tour, take a Water Taxi... ride the train out to Shea Stadium or Yankee Stadium. visit a museum- the Guggenheim, Metropolitan or Museum of Natural History... take a tram ride over Roosevelt Island. rent a bicylce on the Hudson River. go to Canal Street and you will find Chinatown and Little Italy. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
It sounds like a real touristy thing, but go up to the top of the Empire State Building, if no one has already suggested it. Incredible view. Just incredible. Hell, New York is incredible. One of my regrets is never having lived there for a year or two. Just a great place, and nothing else like it in the world.
If you want a nice place to take your business partners, lounge type place....go to The Lemon classy place...you can sit down and talk....
late night Chinese open 24 hours go to Wo Hop on Mott street. Been open since 1938. Be sure to walk downstairs. Get a tshirt and leave your picture on their wall. The best fried rice in town.
You should stay an extra day. Your options for Monday are very limited. I would be paranoid about getting back to LGA in time to make the flight. I flew out of New York on 9/11/2002 and it was no big deal at all. This is your first time and you owe it to yourself to see a few things. Some of these suggestions are awesome. I suggest you fly out Tuesday and treat yourself to a 9-10am to midnight adventure. New York is an incredible thing to experience, especially the first time you go.
If you are looking for something cheap to eat, they have these gyro stands and $1 roasted peanuts on the street that kick ass! They were around the 5th street, also shanghai joe's (1 in chinatown and 1 by central park) have good dumplings. Too many things to list...the Natural History museum has a lot of dinosaur fossils if you're into that...didn't have a chance to catch a show on Broadway...also be prepared for a lot of walking unless you take a cab, in that case your paying for a rollercoaster ride because they drive crazy.. I'm talking about driving on the sidewalks crazy!
***THREAD BUMP! im going to nyc for the first time next tuesday and am having a b**** of a time getting a hotel for under $300 a night (for 2 people). am i being naive in thinking i can get $200 a night? is there some kind of event going on next week that is causing all the hotels to be booked up? do all the euros take their "holidays" in september? i was looking at one called the carlton arms that a friend raved about, but they have nothing available till october. i would prefer to stay in manhattan somewhere (midtown or upper east/west side), but am now thinking maybe brooklyn. if i understand correctly, its pretty easy/quick/cheap to get into manhattan from brooklyn via subway? can anyone suggest any decent hotels for me? the internet search has been futile. i dont need a tv or phone or spa or anything. we'll be out and about all day - just need a quiet place to sleep.
Craigslist.com: Look for a short term sublet in the areas you want to stay in Manhattan (close to attractions): - Hell's Kitchen - Chelsea - East Village (although these will probably be smaller) - West Village - Midtown - Upper West Side - I would say if you're a first-timer, don't go about 72nd street and don't stay 'downtown'/financial district They are usually nicer and cheaper than hotels in New York. I've put up my place to rent when I go out of town and you should be able to find one within your price range.
is there a reason why you want to stay in those areas? i can assure you they suck. what are you in town for? if you are just in town farting around, get the cheapest place possible and blow the money on hookers or drugs or whatever. i would stay here if this is to be a recreational visit: http://www.hostels.com/en/availability.php/HostelNumber.16931
I was going to recommend the Mansfield, because I've stayed there more than once and it was in the $150 range, but Hotels.com has it for $299 now. Try calling and bargaining with them. There's no way it should have doubled in price in 2 years.
