If I may, I'd recommend against that. Daytime Manhattan traffic sucks, so you won't be moving very quickly, to say the least.

Better to combine footpower and the subway to see the City.

Thats fine. It worked great for me in November. The tour guides are very knowledgable and they were on the microphone the whole time. If you have never been to NYC and arent sure about much, I think its a great thing to do.

Me and my daughter will be going May 23-27. Can't wait. Decided to stay at the ROW NYC. Should be fun.

John's has pretty good Pie, but go to the one on Bleeker St, not Times square.

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also another question - going in April - what is typical weather?

and wife wants a nice modern hotel - with views up top at bar/restaurant - any Hyatts or Marriotts come to mind?

we are both in 30s no kids and like the scene

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April will most likely be cold. I'm pretty sure I was still wearing my overcoat to work last April...

not necessarily...as cold as Feb and this week is, supposed to be in the 50s next week...I'd bring a sweater and light jacket

Ya, I guess its just impossible to predict this far out with April. Just hope to get lucky with weather in the 60s rather than the 30s.

I'm checking hotels and 4-4.5 star places are $350 a night in Manhattan Not even times square. Is this normal?

Also what are the best marriott properties?

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I'm checking hotels and 4-4.5 star places are $350 a night in Manhattan Not even times square. Is this normal?

Also what are the best marriott properties?

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Yep

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I'm checking hotels and 4-4.5 star places are $350 a night in Manhattan Not even times square. Is this normal?

Also what are the best marriott properties?

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I hate using this method, but have on occasion for the more expensive destinations. Book a refundable fare room (slightly more expensive than an advanced purchase) and as your trip gets closer (2-3 days enough time to cancel the original reservation without penalty) do a name your own price/bidding on Priceline or Expedia. You can either try to get a hell of a deal on a 4-5 star in a specific area or you can keep your original reservation.

I use this website for bidding reference:

http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/forums/68/New-York-State-New-York-City/New-York-State-New-York-City#.VPsdpkZOKnM

Scimi,

I'm taking my wife to NYC this fall for her first trip to the city. Our initial dinner plans include Per Se (should be white truffle season) and possibly dinner in Williamsburg at Peter Luger's (and hit up Mast Brothers Chocolate fo sho). Is Luger's worth it? Being from TX, I'm usually disappointed in steak houses in other states. But since it's an institution there, im open to eating there. What is another fine dining establishment or two we should consider? What about cool neighborhood spots with great food?

Also, like others here, I am trying to figure out where to stay. We'll be all over the city (wall st, Central Park, Brooklyn) so location isn't too important as long as we're close to a subway line or taxi. I really just want to be in a cool neighborhood. Thoughts? How's the lower east side? In sure I'll have more questions as we get closer (it's 7 months away so I'm in no hurry). Gracias.

Per se is excellent. Nothing else needs to be said.

On steaks, I always caution Texans into thinking they're the only ones who know how to cook them. Plenty of great places here. Lugars is, as you'd imagine, an icon, but a bit touristy now. Cash only.

Personally, I never make the trip over because there are plenty of great steak houses in Manhattan. Empire on 54th and Delmonico's in the financial district are my favorites. If you want a decent steak, but more of a scene, try American Cut in TriBeCa, STK in the Meatpacking District, or Quality Meats in Midtown.

The lower east side is a given for foodies, but I rarely go out there. A younger crowd and locals tend to stay in their own hood.

For fine dining, Marea on Central Park South (59th St). Since you mentioned Per Se, you might like Aquavit in Midtown. A Nordic tasting menu place, not as pricey, but still very nice...and unique.

What else?

Thanks for the info. I doubt I'll do a steak if I don't do Lugers. There are just so many other great options, as you well know. I'm sure there are great steaks but we will probably lean towards something, well, just different. Marea looks awesome. We are looking at Jean Georges for lunch before heading to the Met and the park. Other than that, maybe a lunch at Katz's for a touristy thing? It's my wife's first visit so it will be quite touristy I'm sure.

As far as hotels, who knows at this point. I found the Ludlow which seems to be about $150 cheaper than some other 4 stars. After 4 nights, that kind of savings will cover Per Se! Well, the regular food menu anyways.

Per Se during truffle season is great. The truffle risotto supplement is worth every penny. Marea has a fantastic braised octopus pasta dish. Le Bernardin is the best seafood I've ever had.

Lugers is junk. They give you a ketchup style dipping sauce for your steak and are proud of that. That's all you need to know.

Minetta Tavern has a better steak, and also has an epic burger.

If you want something cool on the LES, go to Momo***u Noodle House then grab cocktails at Death and Company, PDT or Employees Only.

Didn't know you had frequented Marea - that place is amazing.

Thanks for tips

What's everyone's favorite nyc Italian or tratorria?

My new favorite is a place called Acapella in TriBeCa. Totally old school...ambiance and service is like you're back in the 50s.

My favorite Italian that I've had in the last several years is Il Corso in Midtown. Great pastas, apparently great meat. Great service.

Marea, Del Posto, Babbo, Osteria Morini, SD26, Maialino.

Morini is probably the only one that would be classified as a trattoria.

For something fun and casual, go to Eataly. It is an incredible Italian market that has maybe 10 different places inside to eat. You can walk around the store eating Salumi, pasta, pizza, etc. There is even a beer garden on the roof.

Scarpetta is really good too, but you can go there in LA or LV.

I almost forgot Chefs Table at Brooklyn Faire. It's a 3 star coursed menu, heavy on seafood, but everyone (maybe seats 15) sits at a bar surrounding the chefs. You get to watch them prep every course right in front of you. It's a little like combining dinner with a show.

G-I-A-N-T-S lets go BLUE!!

Grew up in Garden City and love the Giants. My first game was watching them play Dallas on a Sunday night in early December. I remember snow starting to fall that game and my dad and I got some chili to keep us warm, some foam fingers and other things I thought I desperately needed at the time. I can remember just staring in awe of all the fans chanting in unison, all the different accents from the boroughs, looking up at the sky and seeing the snow fall, and the general disdain for the Cowboys.

One of the greatest nights of my life, and since then I've hated the cowboys.

Gig'em Giants baby

P.S get him an Odell Beckham jersey, that guy is going to be great for us!

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

NFL schedule was released last night. Jets/Giants game is 12/6. I think that will be really cool with all of the Christmas stuff displayed and snow on the ground. Just worried about some kind of crazy winter storm. How is the weather typically that first week of December? I'm sure it's gonna be cold, but is it usually that bad in early December?

My wife and I love to travel, so we take our kids on these big trips hoping to instill in them a love of travel too. We are going to NYC this summer and my two daughters are 8 and 5. Will they remember everything? Probably not, but I think they will remember the major stuff and they are going to have a blast. We did Chicago last year--Wrigley Field, Museums, Aquarium, Sears Tower, Navy Pier, Deep Dish pizza, etc. and my daughters still talk about the trip.

When we did Chicago we used CityPass. It allows access to the top 5-6 spots in the city, and as a bonus allows you to move right to the front of lines. They have one for NYC as well:

http://www.citypass.com/new-york

All the top (touristy) stuff is included--Empire State Building, Met, Statue of Liberty, 30 Rock, 9/11 memorial, Intrepid. I think it is worth the money.

We are staying near Times Square as that will give us a good point to take the metro to the places we want to see. I found a hotel for $250 a night. We also have tickets to Yankees vs. Red Sox! Can't wait for that.

I know it's touristy but I love walking the Brooklyn Bridge, then having pizza at Grimaldi's, followed by ice cream on the pier over looking southern Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.

Top of The Rock is much better than Empire State. Viewing deck is much larger, you can buy tickets for a specific time in advance, and you can see the Empire State building. With little kids, especially girls, do a carriage ride in Central Park before the communist mayor there outlaws them. Aladdin on Broadway was great with kids.

If you like Marea try Costata. Same guy but more Italian steakhouse. You get can get several of his amazing pastas as well as solid steaks. Carbone is classic Italian American ( think lobster fra diavolo) but in a much nicer setting. As of a few months ago it was a very tough reservation. Tried Marta (higher end Pizza) last week and it was quite good but a big scene. It is affiliated with Danny Meyers group (Gramercy Tavern Shake Shack to name a few). If you are intent on taking your kids to Serendipity for desert, don't. Try Sugar and Plum up by Natural Science Museum. Best meal I have had in the city in the last year was probably Neta. Think Japanese tastings very much like Masa just in a much more casual setting. It is down by Washington Sq Park.

You are never too old for FAO Schwarz Toy Store and we also loved Eataly. Grand Central is my favorite place to stay.

Scimitar- I sent you a PM the other day. Any info you could help me with would be greatly appreciated.