Heading to NYC In a Week - Any Last Minute Recs?

1,475 Views | 18 Replies | Last: 14 days ago by Squadron7
TheDoctor
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Howdy all -

Next Friday, my wife and I are heading to NYC for five night stay. I've never been to NYC and am open to any suggestions y'all may have!

We have some no brainer to-dos on our list and scheduled: Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Top of the Rock, and a Broadway show.

We will be staying near Bryant Park at 37th and 6th. Any recs, especially food spots, are appreciated!

Thanks!
aglaohfour
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Bryant Park Christmas market is fun!

Christmas decor at Macy's Herald Square is awesome. Walk down to Liberty Bagels while you're there. So delicious! You can order online and then just go directly to the pickup counter when you get there so you don't have to stand in line forever.

Actually, all of the flagship designer stores are really beautiful this year. Especially loved Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Dior. And Saks of course.

You are going to love the Rockettes. Saw it two weeks ago and it was just delightful.

They have little heated cabins next to the ice rink at Rockefeller center you can rent for 40 minutes to drink hot chocolate and watch people skate.

Touristy, but if you've never done it, a Central Park carriage ride is so much fun. I've used the same guy a few times and he does such a great tour: https://www.nychorsecarriageride.com
AgFormerlyInIrving
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If you haven't picked your Broadway show, the Outsiders is great!

If you like history, the Lower Eastside Tenement Museum is fantastic and often overlooked. If you plan to head to Liberty Island - look into the hospital tour on Ellis Island. Very cool. But going out to the SoL takes all day. Just do Staten Island Ferry if you only want a photo op of it.
fredfredunderscorefred
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electric scooter rental. Lot of options obviously - we used cycleparknyc on 56th by 8th and broadway. went through Central Park and then rode up to times square in the bike lanes (be careful here as cars turning don't pay too much attention). Nice way to see Central Park.

tao sushi. (we went to uptown)

you already have one observation building scheduled; so maybe on another trip, summit one at Vanderbilt is nice.
Aggie87
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We saw Sunset Boulevard there last month, fantastic show, with a modernized take/production on the old 1950's era film. Nicole Scherzinger does a fantastic job in the main role as an aging superstar trying to reclaim her relevance. And Tom Francis is solid in the Joe Gilis role too.
aglaohfour
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Aggie87 said:

We saw Sunset Boulevard there last month, fantastic show, with a modernized take/production on the old 1950's era film. Nicole Scherzinger does a fantastic job in the main role as an aging superstar trying to reclaim her relevance. And Tom Francis is solid in the Joe Gilis role too.


I am *dying* to see this. May make a day trip just to catch it before Francis and Scherzinger end their runs. Everyone I know who has seen it can't stop raving about it. I also want to see Hadestown one more time before Maia Reficco leaves, she is unbelievable as Eurydice.
wangus12
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3 blocks north of Bryant park on 6th & 45th is a restaurant called Butter. My wife and I really liked it. Its Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli's restaurant if you're familiar with her.
Urban Country Boy
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TheDoctor said:

Howdy all -

Next Friday, my wife and I are heading to NYC for five night stay. I've never been to NYC and am open to any suggestions y'all may have!

9/11 Memorial.
Get your tickets online.
Kenneth_2003
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Been a few years since I was there...
No one was raising safety concerns at the time but it was super easy to pick up a 5 (or 7) day metro pass from a kiosk at LGA. A bus to Jackson Square then transfer to the proper train to get to my hotel. I stayed at the Marriott Downtown (very end of the E-line as I recall).

If you feel safe doing so, the subway is by far the easiest and cheapest way to move around town. The first time I was there in 2015 I spent more on two taxi's the first day we were there than i did on subway passes for the rest of the week.
malenurse
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TheDoctor said:

Howdy all -

Next Friday, my wife and I are heading to NYC for five night stay. I've never been to NYC and am open to any suggestions y'all may have!

We have some no brainer to-dos on our list and scheduled: Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Top of the Rock, and a Broadway show.

We will be staying near Bryant Park at 37th and 6th. Any recs, especially food spots, are appreciated!

Thanks!
As stated, 9/11 memorial tickets should be purchased online.

Take the combined Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island tour. If you truly are a doctor, pay the extra $$ for the "Hard Hat Tour". It's a 90 minute behind the scenes, tour of the facilities.

I prefer The Top of The Rock over the Empire State Building. YMMV

Absolutely go to The Rockettes Christmas Show.

I enjoyed Ellen's Stardust Diner. My son and DIL hated it.

Don't skimp on the museums. The Met and the Guggenheim are must sees.

The Central Park pedicabs are hokey, but the drivers make them very entertaining.

Also, very important reminder. This is NYC. Leave your pocketknife at home. You will be going through lots of metal detectors on most of the tours.
The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But, it's still on the list.
DannyDuberstein
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Download the MTA app to navigate the subways. Far and away the best way to get around. I don't think they are any more dangerous than walking the streets. It's a busy city, so there is risk regardless, just be aware of your surroundings and trust your gut if something feels off
DannyDuberstein
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If you don't want to spend a chunk of a day on the Statue of Liberty, take the Staten Island Ferry. You'll go right past it, get the chance for some close photography, but can do it all with a 25 minute ferry ride (each way). Leaves every 30 min and more frequently at rush hour
MarkItZero
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Been to NYC many times (son lives in Bklyn).

BY FAR this is the the best touristy thing I've ever done:

https://www.nymediaboat.com/

malenurse
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MarkItZero said:


Been to NYC many times (son lives in Bklyn).

BY FAR this is the the best touristy thing I've ever done:

https://www.nymediaboat.com/


Looks great but not in December
The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But, it's still on the list.
MarkItZero
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I did it the day before Thanksgiving several years ago. A 40 degree day. They have amazing gear that keeps you warm, head to toe. No issues staying warm.

Their seats are a special made hydraulic design that you straddle like a saddle. Very comfy. Keeps you from bouncing as you zoom like a dragon fly all over the Hudson and East Rivers.

There's a reason this is the #1 rated tour on Trip Advisor.
Pirate04
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I think the metro card has gone away. You can use any credit or debit card to scan in at the turnstiles.

Edit: a quick search and it looks like it won't be phased out until sometime next year.
wangus12
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Pirate04 said:

I think the metro card has gone away. You can use any credit or debit card to scan in at the turnstiles.

Edit: a quick search and it looks like it won't be phased out until sometime next year.
It'll still work the same as the MetroCard with OMNY I believe except you aren't prepaying. As long as you use the same card, once you hit $34 in fares, every ride after that is free in a 7 day period. So 12 rides or more.
kyledr04
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Scanning a credit card is easy. Google maps is good at navigating the subway.

If you like Back to the Future, the musical is great. Definitely check out the Christmas market at Bryant Park and walk up Fifth to the park, stop by Rockefeller Center. Hit all the shops you want.
Squadron7
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Sig Sauer P239.
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