Posted on 04/15/2015 1:58:44 PM PDT by eeevil conservative
My son is graduating from college! Worked his way through on his own! As a gift, I am taking him to NYC. Staying with my sister in Queens.
I want to do just ONE thing that is extra special- like to a taping of the The Tonight Show?
Any ideas, suggestions?
We will be going to see Statue of Liberty, Coney Island, Central Park, etc... But I am looking for one thing that will stand out for a young man graduating college-- no girlie clubs! MOM is on this trip!
Speaking of pizza, don’t forget Famous Rays, Original Famous Rays, and World Famous Original Famous Rays.
And Papaya King hot dogs.
Might visit a nice Chinese restaurant too. :-)
Go to Coney Island, and if they still have the Parachute Drop, ride it! You’ll never forget it!
Dunno if it is still possible, but a trip to the gallery at NYSE is pretty cool.
Find out for yourself just who really is buried in Grant’s tomb!
(Actually, its not worth visiting. Skip it. But I remember my year attending Columbia [with Barack Obama!] and living in an apartment on Riverside Dr. right across the street with fondness.)
” never thought of the Chrysler building.”
Oh! It’s a stunning building!
If I may add...at rush hour (5pm). Watch the crowds fill up the place. The escalators up to the Met Life building are amazing. Like ants.
Then go down stairs and have dinner at the Oyster Bar (or maybe just a bowl of chowder).
and if you are there on a week end and the weather is nice, a walk in Central Park to see NYers in full bloom.
make sure you have a NY bagel and a slice of pizza from a street window pizzaria. The best!!!!
If possible take in a Yankee game or two and splurge on some high end souvenirs...like a jacket.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Original_Soup_Man
Street address 259-A West 55th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue), in Midtown Manhattan
The Original Soup Man is a chain of soup restaurants run by Ali “Al” Yeganeh, modeled after Yeganeh’s original restaurant Soup Kitchen International, which was a well-known soup restaurant at 259-A West 55th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue), in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.[1]
The 55th Street location was closed in 2004, with the windows soaped over. Yeganeh, however, kept the lease on the shop while he looked to expand into a broader market. This led to the formation of the Original Soup Man chain and eventually led to the reopening of Soup Kitchen International, which now bears the name “Original Soup Man” like all of Yeganeh’s other restaurants.
Peter Luger’s Steak House.
Do you have any first hand memories of him when you were there? If so it would be a first.
As someone who works in the area (and has worked at times onsite at clients in the Met Life building), let me say - please do not do this.
Take picture at Ellis Island with Manhattan and the Freedom Tower behind him.
I have one with the Twin Towers in the background.
Go to Central Park and walk from The Plaza to the Boat House.
Go to the Museum. Amazing place and be sure he sees the Egyptian period.
See any show on broadway, even off broadway. Get the tickets at TKTS, on 42nd.
Go to Canal Street and buy some fake thing.
Ride the subway.
Have dinner at Arial (expensive ) but worth it. Reservations required.
Go to Wall Street and get picture in from the Stock Exchange, then go across the street and see the first bank of the United States.
Go to the library. Amazing architecture and old books.
Visit the Grand Lodge Masonic Hall on 23rd and Avenue of the Americas.
Have pizza at Ray’s. I hate pizza but, love theirs.
Eat a pierogi from a street vendor. Yumm!
Eat a Pretzel with mustard.
Go down by the Brooklyn Bridge and hang out in the Italian District. Great restaurants.
The Jewish and Chinese are nearby and they have great wares.
Picked up a leather backpack 20 years ago, that was handmade. Still beautiful.
All free or very inexpensive.
I could go on about all the great things you can do that cost very little or nothing.
Oh! Go to Macy’s and take the only wooden escalator in existence. It’s gorgeous.
The go to Saks 5th avenue and loom at the window display. Go in and on the top floor is the restaurant. Order the Millionaire Coffee. Price is commensurate with the name.
Get a window seat and look out across the street to the rooftop garden. You’ll get it if you see it.
Then go up to Saint Patrick’s Church. Doesn’t matter if you’re not Catholics. It’s beautiful and this time of year brides are everywhere.
Do not pass up walking by Rockefeller Center by the skating rink, which is probably converted to seating for outdoor dining this time of year.
If you must go to Empire State building, buy reserved tickets. I hate waiting in line.
I get things like from a lady I know at The Plaza but, I can’t share her name. I stay there occasionally, so she knows me.
If you do go to The Plaza then go straight back to The Oak Room Bar. Gorgeous and have one drink. Pricey, even if you order a coke.
Get a picture with NYC cop and beam proudly. America’s finest.
Get a picture at a firehouse downtown, toward Freedom Tower. They love the attention and do make a donation, of only a dollar.
Buy a hat, maybe a shirt that displays NYC Police and FDNY Fire.
I could go on but, those are some of the inexpensive things you can do and all in one day, if you’re militant about getting them done.
Finally, I encourage you to visit the memorial at ground zero. When you are done, walk south to the water and take in the view while sipping an American Coke and some hot American Fries.
You’ll understand why afterward.
Lots more to do but, gotta back the grind.
What??? Yes,It's expensive and crowded but what better way to fully appreciate the majesty of the City That Never Sleeps? IMO the *outdoor* deck at the WTC was much better but,alas...
- Statue of Liberty. Not worth the lines/crowds. Take the (free) Staten Island Ferry, you'll get a great view of the Statue without the hassle.
I agree that the Ferry is an excellent way to see Lady Liberty.But as an out-of-towner the crown of the statue is unlike anything I've ever experienced (check my profile to get an idea of what I've experienced).
I think you're just one of those jaded New Yawkers! ;-)
There are some outstanding public buildings that are worth visiting, like the public library on Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street. The entry lobby, stairs, and the Main Reading Room are monumental, to say the least. Walk through Grand Central Terminal on 42nd Street and crane your neck to inspect the ceiling.
Wander the streets of the West Village (everything below 14th Street to Canal between Seventh Avenue and the Hudson) and just go whichever way you choose. Continue south into Soho and Tribeca and ultimately the Financial District and the World Trade Center.
If you're crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, I'd walk rather than bike. The walkway is jammed and people are not paying attention so you will be frustrated. It can be walked in about 15 to 20 mins. On the Brooklyn side, slip down the stairs and turn left for Dumbo or right for Brooklyn Heights. There's great brick oven pizza under the bridge and the view from Brooklyn Heights Promenade are unbeatable. The subway back to Manhattan is easy.
Also St Patricks Cathedral. I havent been over there in awhile but although under renovation on the outside, I think you can go inside now.
Were you warned to stay clear of Earl Hall?
I would disagree. I worked in the city for 7 years, coming from a town of 8000.
The mass of commuters coming and going was one of my biggest surprises. The only place I’ve seen that compares is Tokyo’s Ginza.
But we all have our opinions.
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