New York trip questions

[iavagabond]

My wife (no pics) and I are heading to New York next month for a long weekend. I've been there for business, basically in and out....never been a "tourist" there. We have Marriott points so we are looking at staying either at the Essex House or Marriott Maquis.

Any recommendations regarding the hotels (other Marriott properties?) ..... must do restaurants? Must do activities?

Any show/theater experts have any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

 

[markfromj]

The Marquis is a great place to stay. Right in Times Square. If you can do it, recommend walking Manhattan...at least from Battery Park up to, say, the 60s. Best way to see it. Of course the statue and Ellis island. Top of Empire State Building but pay the extra $15 on the 86th floor to go up to 102...really cool up there and no one up there. Especially at night. Bazillion of ideas but there are a few.

 

[ANYCHawk]

must do restaurants? Must do activities?

Any show/theater experts have any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

Yes lots of answers on all these questions. But, gonna need more info on price/interests.

 

[ANYCHawk]

If you can do it, recommend walking Manhattan...at least from Battery Park up to, say, the 60s. Best way to see it. Of course the statue and Ellis island. Top of Empire State Building but pay the extra $15 on the 86th floor to go up to 102...really cool up there and no one up there. Especially at night. Bazillion of ideas but there are a few.

so much false here.

 

[Kenneth Griffin]

must do restaurants?

Either per se or le bernardin.

 

[ANYCHawk]

Either per se or le bernardin.

per se is so overrated its not funny

 

[hawkifann]

Stay at the Algonquin in NYC. Wife and I stayed there a couple years ago and it was fantastic. If you've never been there, the obvious stuff is obvious. Make sure you spend time walking Central Park. It's spectacular, especially this time of year.

 

[LuteHawk]

Take a tour of Yankee Stadium, the cathedral of MLB,
and get a glimpse of the 27 World Series Championship
pennants as well as Monument Park with tributes to
Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle
and other Hall of Famers.

 

[dgordo]

per se is so overrated its not funny

I don't think it's one of the two best like ken but pretty much everyone from Michelin to zagat to the ny times says its one best and I would agree with that.

 

[sultanofsuede]

old fave - been a long time, but had some great times here:

http://artisanalbistro.com/

you just can't go wrong in that city. explore on your own, have a nice dinner, land in any watering whole within 15 blocks of your hotel, and be yourself. had so much fun meeting NYers, just because we (& they) were up for chatting with new people (but that's kind of my normal way).

 

[sultanofsuede]

same for this joint:

http://www.gramercytavern.com/

i'd guess there are more interesting places now - but when i used to visit more often, these were kind of my 'go-to's'

 

[dgordo]

same for this joint:

http://www.gramercytavern.com/

i'd guess there are more interesting places now - but when i used to visit more often, these were kind of my 'go-to's'

Gramercy tavern is outstanding.

 

[10kHawk]

Got to the MoMA amazing place

 

[theVoicefromtheTomb]

I have lived just north of the city for over 15 years. Have done the tourist thing many times with friends and relatives.

Downtown

Depending on time I would skip the Statue/Ellis Island tour. It takes the better part of a day, you need reservations, and they don't let you into much of the statue. A quick way to see the statue is to take the Staten Island Ferry which goes right by it. Free. And if you hustle when you get to Staten Island you cam get the return ferry in 5 minutes. If you have the time, by all means do the Statue and Ellis has a great tour.

Just north of the ferry is Battery Park, the stock exchange, Trinity Church, the Fed building steps where Washington was sworn in as president, the bull statue, and the 9-11 memorial. You should look on line and get reservations for the memorial as it can get crowded.

Walk through Chinatown and Little Italy, just off Canal St. Right next to each other.

There is a tenement museum/tour that is interesting. Done it several times.

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Places to eat

Pepolinos - small Italian place. Just off Canal on west Broadway. Highly recommend. Reasonable price. Best cheesecake in NYC.
Cuba - Cuban Food, outstanding mojitos.
Blue Water Grill - Union Square. Seafood.
Spice Market - Thai/Asian fusion

Mid town

We don't do the Empire State Building anymore. We find the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center better due to crowds. But if time isn't an issue always good to say you did the Empire State. At Rock Center is the ice skating rink. If late Nov they may have the tree up and this will be very crowded. See St Pats church across the street. Go see Grand Central especially at rush hour If Christmas time see the light show at Saks

Theaters - always fun. Go to Broadway.com. Pick out what you want to see and pay the price. All the theaters are small so you can sit in the cheap seats just fine. There is also a discount ticket place in Time Square if you aren't particular.

Have a hot dog from a street vendor, or the roasted nuts if cold enough.

Places to Eat

Bar Americain - Bobby Flay's place. Steaks. Good food but a place to be seen so get a reservation. Pricey
Carmines - Tourist trap in Time Square but surprisingly good. Family style Italian.

Uptown

Walk through Central Park, got to the Museum of Art or Natural History. Go to the Dakota where John Lennon was shot.

I find cabs to be a reasonable form of transit in NYC. Try the subways. Confusing and chaotic if you have never done it but something you should experience.

Yelp is very useful for finding places to eat. Check out a site called Trip Advisor for things to do.

There is a hop on/hop off bus service for tourists called the Circle Line. Never done it but it would seem useful.

 

[Tom Paris]

Lots of good here. Look up the city pass online and see if it has anything in it you want to do to save some money. Essex House is right across the street from Central Park. I have been interested in staying there but opted for a Courtyard a few blocks below Times Square. I would recommend Gabriel's - very good Italian food - on W. 60th. It would take you about 3 minutes to walk to it from Essex House. Stroll through Central Park...definitely a special place. Treat your wife to a dessert at Seredipity...which is also not too far of a walk from Essex...on East 60th. I know it is kind of touristy because of the movie, but the sundae I had there was freaking awesome.

 

[N_fuego]

Haven't stayed at the Essex House, but the location is great. Here is a flyer talk link if you're interested:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marr...iott-essex-house-new-york-city-manhattan.html

The Ritz Carlton on Central Park south is exceptional. If you book an award stay of 4 nights, you get the 5th night free, and it's available for all Marriott properties.