NYC planning pre-trip About This Page:

[luvmycastle]

Your trip sounds wonderful!!! I had been there a number of times for business, but our whole family went over spring break last year and loved it. I'll throw in a few ideas.

I agree with "The Chocolate Bar"...spicy hot chocolates and chocolates with ancho chile. They are incredible.

Our restaurant suggestions: Lupa (chef Mario Batalli)--we had the most incredible Italian dinner and there are wonderful shops nearby.
170 Thompson St
Cross Street: Between Bleecker Street and Houston Street

Dos Cominos in Soho...wonderful wonderful fresh guacamole

We tried Noche near Times Square for dinner and were underwhelmed.

We went everywhere in Cabs and it worked great, especially on a whirlwind timeframe, because you can be taken to the specific address and limit walking time. (We tried the New York Sightseeing Bus and after a painful hour on it, I said "that's it, we're taking cabs").

Seeing Liberty and Ellis Island up close IS worth the time. It's much more powerful up close. I would substitute that for the NBC tour. You don't have to get off on Ellis Island--we did because my grandmother came through there when she was five.

Empire--definitely! But plan enough time--we stood in line about 90 minutes. Glad we did it, but bring along amusement for the wait.

Where are you staying?

Have fun!!!!!

[BabieeMelly]

The Statue of Liberty is nice, as long as you only look around the island. The walk up the statue is ridiculous! At this time of year you'll wait 2 hours or more to go up, then you'll all be hearded into a SMALL and HOT spiraling staircase in which the steps are hardly big enough to put yur whole foot on. The whole thing is a major accident waiting to happen. And with so many people packed into an extremely narrow area in the heat you can only imagine the smell lmao! Then once you get to the top of the crown there are 4 SMALL windows that you can peak out of for a second, but since there are so many people pushing behind you you only get a very, very quick look before you run back down the steps directly into the gift shop It was definitely an experience, but since you have such limited time I would skip it. I really don't think you even need to go down to the river to see it... as you enter Manhattan you can see it. You can really see it from anywhere in the city (including here in Brooklyn... especially in Bay Ridge) as long as you're near the harbor. I wouldn't waste time since you have a lot you want to see in a short amount of time.

[mestitch]

yeah I have heard from my in-laws and my husband that seeing the Statue up close and going up it is overrated. I get bored at stuff like that, it's like yeah I see it, take a picture, next.

Andy said he saw where you can buy your tickets for Empire online so you don't have to wait in line to purchase them. He has a schedule for the elevators and he really wants us to do this at night. I'm really looking forward to it.

I talked him into (this wasn't really hard) getting me something at Tiffany's for my birthday He's a sweetie So we're going shopping rather than doing the tour.

luvmycastle, we're spending the night at Park Central New York Hotel. My DH stayed there back about 8 years ago when he last went to NY.

[lauren-roxy]

You won't regret seeing the Empire State Building at night Melissa, it's really breathtaking!! You will really enjoy Tiffanys, there is so much to see, you are really fooled by the outside, it's enormous inside!! I am just so excited for you, it's such a neat place to go!!

[BabieeMelly]

You'll LOVE Tiffan'ys, it's gorgeous in there! Getting tickets to the Empire State Building isn't hard, it's the HUGE line you have to wait in to get to the elevator. Make sure to get there really early, and have fun!

[SuperKate]

Your plans look so fun Melissa! We went to ground zero, and I am so glad I did. If you want to go there, I would go because even though we were only there for about 30 minutes, it's a piece of history now, and it was really emotionally impacting for me.

I agree that the village is a blast. We ate an early dinner there, and just people watched/ window shopped.

Have fun Melissa. You're going to have a great time!

[Desiree]

Melissa -
It sounds like fun! I'm wondering if you have heard of Magnolia Bakery - if you and Andy like cake and cupcakes, you should definitely make a stop there while you're in the Village area - it's fun, inexpensive and tasty!! Add me to the list of people that say the ESB is great at night - I was really worried because I have a fear of heights, but I didn't have any problem and it was so beautiful! Have fun!!

[immomto2]

Melissa:
We were up there not long ago and stayed at the Millenium Hilton right across the street from ground zero. (DH works for the Secret Service and was supposed to be there on 9/11 but wasnt due to MY schedule. First time in TWENTY years that he wasnt in NYC on that date.) Anyway, he definitely had a need to see it. (First time back.) I think it is totally worth it. There are signs and stuff up that you can look at. PM me and I can email you some pics if you want. It will take you about 5 minutes to walk to Battery Park from there. I would definitely walk down to the park if you just want to get a look at the statue.
We did a boat cruise from South Street seaport. This might be another option for you. It was one of the coolest things we did. We got an overview of things we want to do when we get back. If you or DH are techy, you might want to check out doing the Sony tour. My son LOVED this. It is basically 4 floors of all kinds of electronic stuff that you can do. Best of all it is FREE.
Just some suggestions. Have fun. NYC is one of our favorite places.
Angie

[BabieeMelly]

The Sony Wonder Lab is a LOT of fun! However, you need to get there early and make a reservation and be ready to wait around. It's free and was really unique and definitely fun, but if you only have a day I think there are better, more popular things to do in the city

[LBAK]

I second Melissa's choice of Ellen's Stardust Diner. It's a fun experience. Definitely consider it. Have fun planning!