[RiflemanSharpe]

DON"T GO!!! There are alot nicer and cheaper placed on the eastern seaboard to visit.

[NautiNurse]

Wear very, very comfortable shoes for lots of pounding pavement. A fun tourist place to eat is the Carnegie Deli. Bring a large appetite.

[Alberta's Child]

Best advice I can offer:

Stay the hell away from here.

Seriously -- New York City is a great place to visit once in your life, but away from the glitter of Times Square and the hustle and bustle of the city's streets, the place is really a dysfunctional toilet.

If money is not a major concern, I would suggest you stay somewhere in Midtown Manhattan where most of the major attractions are, and where you'll be able to get around easily via taxi or subway.

If you're looking to save money, you might consider renting a car and staying in an outlying suburb with a train station (NJ TRANSIT in New Jersey, Long Island Rail Road in Long Island, or Metro-North in Westchester) that will allow you to get into Manhattan in less than an hour each day.

[ClintonBeGone]

I would suggest you stay in midtown, which is generally near Times Square/Grand Central Station. From there you'll always have easy access to the subways and where you want to go. Get familiar with the subway routes and the landmarks you want to visit. I personally find the east side from midtown on down to be the nicest and least congested with tourists. However, there are no subways on the east side (1st Ave). Hopefully you guys plan to fly into Laguardia Airport because you don't want to pay to park. From there you can take a bus or limo to midtown. You should do a hotwire.com search to see what type of hotel deal you can get. You would be suprised at how reasonable a deal you can get. And, of course, continue to use this site as a resource. You'll find that asking others who know NYC will really help you have a good time.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Can you bring me one of those $10 Rolexes the street vendors sell?

[wireplay]

I always stay at the Hilton New York. Expect room rates near $300/night. I hear the DoubleTree Times Square is great. All are within easy walking distance to Times Square and Central Park.

Places to see:

The Met. No need to really go anywhere else. It will take you a week to see this museum. ;-]

Sacks 5th Avenue

Restaurants (no concern for price):

Del Frisco's for steak. This is a power dinner but expect a large tab.
Cite Grill for all around service, food, atmosphere
Judson Grill (great seafood and service)
Aqua Grill (really, really good seafood and a little less expensive. Need to take a cab.)
Rue 57 (sea bass is to die for and prices are reasonable...for NYC)
Redeye Grill (GREAT seafood. Nice atmosphere.)

My 2 favorites are Redeye and Cite. You won't go wrong with any of them however.

[Huck]

Take her someplace nice, like Wyoming or Colorado. Don't go to Manhattan. It's a pit.

[Alissa]

I'd recommend the Belvedere Hotel. It's walking distance to a large restaurant district, Times Square, theaters, and Fox News!! It's a small hotel on a side street that is not outrageously expensive. Here's a link to their web site: Belvedere Hotel

[alisasny]

I recommend the newly refurbished Millenium Hilton by the former WTC.

I am so sick of NY bashing. Its a great place to visit.

Also do an ebay of event tickets in New York. You will find many great deals. You can also put in the dates in the search feature and see whats available. I have gotten many good tickets from Ebay.

For a ritzy dinner I recommend the Mesa Grille. : )

[alisasny]

OH and stay away from Patsy's, the place Rush recommends. We went and service was downright horrible. Food was so so and we were rushed out of the place even though it was our Anniversary and that was stated to the Maitre'D : )

[whattajoke]

Oh come on... a trip to NYC is a must for all.

since this is visit # 1 (and I'm sure last), you have to do all the touristy crap. Liberty Park, Empire State Building, Times Square, Broadway show... the museums are top notch to be sure.

Don't be scared. Certain NYC elements prey on the fearful tourist.

don't be stupid. Don't trust anyone who looks like you can't trust them. (You CAN trust the taxi drivers though, believe it or not).

Don't buy mixed drinks in Manhattan. The shock might harm your heart. Actually, there's a code in the city if you are buying drinks and tipping a couple bucks each round, the bartender will buy your 3rd round or so. then again, maybe not with a southern twang, but who knows?

Don't think that you can rent a car. I mean, you can, but you have no need to. I actually drove from the Holland tunnel down Canal Street Saturday to the Manhattan Bridge. 2 miles = 45 minutes and 3 near dings. Welcome to Manhattan! (That's through Chinatown and it's nuts and another must see, to my mind. You can go to 5 points--see Gangs of NY-- Tribeca and chinatown).

Skip Queens, Staten Island and Brooklyn. in April, see if the Yankees are playing at home. I hate baseball, but a Yankee game in Yankee stadium is a good experience.

Lastly, prepare to spend quadruple for stuff, esp if you stick to midtown and tourist areas.

Good luck!

[KellyAdmirer]

So many cynics about NYC, sheesh. Everyone should visit once or twice, it has a lot of history and I think it will be a great place for you.

Since it is a one-time visit, your main sightseeing venues will be in two places: a) downtown, around Wall Street, Battery Park, and the ferry to Staten Island (which you MUST take); and b) midtown, from 34th Street north to 59th Street. Manhattan is an island, a walk along the shoreline (preferably West Side either in Riverside Park in the 80s or in the new park from 14th Street South) is a great way to spend an afternoon. Do not bother with cabs, walking or the subway is the way to go. You can buy day passes for the subway that will cut down on expenses.

In terms of where to stay, that depends on so many things. I usually have friends stay at the Gramercy Park Hotel, not too pricey for NYC with an old-time feel and within walking distance of midtown and also (if you are a good walker) downtown. If you go midtown, expect to pay 2-3 times as much. If you want under $100, look to New Jersey or Long Island, but for a nice visit stay in Manhattan.

For restaurants, I would suggest Greenwich Village. Get a Zagat's Restaurant Guide, it will help a lot.

Good luck, and enjoy your visit. :)

[nicmarlo]

Thanks for posting this...my daughter would like to go to NYC for her 16th birthday (she's never been there)...I told her I'd try and see if I could afford the trip (driving in from Central NY)....as I've not had to stay in NYC before (I've got family in Long Island), this thread is most helpful!

[marlon]

Look I know the propensity on this board is to bash anything East Coast but New York still is one helluva town. I have lived on the east coast all my life and while I regret that most of the area is demo/socialist there are still alot of conservatives here. Let's face it, you average Wall Streeter is not exactly urging for socialism. And, in the CT town in which I live finding a democrat is a rare sighting.

That said I think NY is a great place to visit. I have traveled extensively to other US cities and still find that there is no better food than in NY. You can get anything and it's almost always good so just pick you ethnicity and you can find a top restuarant serving it.

Finding a hotel is not a problem it all depends on what you want to pay for a room. They are expensive almost anywhere in NY but there are degrees. Mid-Town maybe a good place to stay but I wouldn't limit yourself to it. Despite what others have said it's actually quite easy to get around NY. The subways are fast as you never have to deal with traffic and you can get from one end of the city to another in less than 1/2 hour. They are also incredibly safe. Sure, I wouldn't get on one at 1:00 AM but then at that time traffic won't be a problem and you could zip around in a cab.

Specific recommendations are hard since I don't know what you like. If glitzy touristy things are you bag then stay in mid-town do Time Square, Empire State Bldg, etc. Remember also though that NY has great museums, the library is worth a visit and there are great neighborhoods to explore, SoHO, Greenwich Village, Little Italy/China Town etc.

My best advise would be to review what things you and your wife really like or would like to experience and chances are you can find it in NY.

[Labyrinthos]

Despite what others say -- enjoy your trip. What kind of budget do you have? Although I live in the Northern Burbs, I often stay in Manhattan for business and pleasure. I prefer the east side -- Mid-Town area -- which is more business oriented and near residential sections, which offer places to eat and drink where the locals hang out. Around Lexington and 50th Street is the Marriot East Side Hotel, which used to be the Halloran House many years ago. The rates are much cheaper Thurs - Sun, than during the week, as with most hotels in Manhattan. If you stay there, however, make sure you ask to see a room layout, because many of the rooms that go for the same price are substantially different in size. I also like the Hotel Intercontinental (check Expedia for great rates), which is across the street from the Marriot on Lexington. The Waldorf (overpriced) and the Hotel W (models, artists, and metrosexuals dressed in black) are also across the street and next store to the Marriot, respectively. The Theater District is walkable as is Rockefeller Plaza, and Central Park South. Indeed, depending on how much you like to walk, most of Mid-Town is walkable from the hotels I named. There are also major subway stops nearby at Grand Central Station and the CitiCorp Plaza.

As for places to eat and drink, there are several cafateria type restaurants right on Lexington Ave, which offer a good breakfast for a fraction of the cost of your typical hotel breakfast. And Second Avenue from the 20's to the 70's has a lot of small neighborhood type restaurants, including some very nice Irish Pubs that serve pretty decent food for a reasonable price. Whatever you do, avoid theme restaurants and chains. I can't believe the number of people who vist the city with its 4000 plus restaurants only to go to TGIF's for dinner. If you tell me what you like to eat, I'll give you specifics.

As far as places to go other than the theater district, Fifth Ave, and Central Park -- I like the Greenwich Village, NYU, Soho areas, and I really like the West Village in the old meat packing district for funky food, beer, and art galleries.

[alisasny]

Oh and indoor pool and sauna..forgot about that LOL, plasma tv in room, best deal for you dollar at this hotel if you ask me. Just reopened less than a year ago I believe.

[hc87]

Stay in Midtown Manhattan. Lots of hotels and convenient to transportation. Use the subways, they're faster than taxis.

Most hotel rooms I've been in NYC are small and more often than not have had minor problems (carpet stains, non-working lights, etc.) That having been said, I've had relatively good luck with the Grand Hyatt (right next door to Grand Central Station). I also loved the staff at the Peninsula, but was unimpressed by the room. The Sheraton Manhattan was ok, but not great.

As for tourist sites, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has an unbelievably good collection, perhaps the best in the world (in terms of having great coverage of everything). The Empire State Building observation deck is always fun, as is a Broadway show. If you absolutely have your heart set on a particular show, get tickets at Ticketmaster.com before you leave. If you just want to grab tickets for best available show while you're there, go to the TKTS half-price booth in Time Square on the day of the show.

I'm pretty sure that the interior Statue of Liberty is still closed, but the ferry ride out gives you a good view of lower Mannhatan. (Either that or a ride on the Staten Island Ferry). You can also visit Ellis Island from the same ferry landing at Battery Park.

The Museum of Television and Radio (midtown) is fun for an hour or two. They have copies of just about everything that has ever been on TV and will let you sample the collection for free at an audio-visual terminal. The last time I went, I grabbed one of Letterman's shows from the mid-80s. Lots of fun.

The USS Intrepid Air-Sea Museum is interesting if you have an interest in history or the navy.

Chinatown is always fun for shopping and dining. Also, just walk around the area around 5th Avenue and 50th Street. Within about 4 blocks, you have St. Patrick's Cathedral, Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Plaza. The Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Natural Histry just built a brand new wing and is supposed to be great. (I missed it last week when I was there when I had to cut short my trip).

Finally, grab a good NYC guidebook and do some reading beforehand. There's something for everyone in New York. You just need to figure out where it is.

P.S. I haven't been to Ground Zero, so I can't comment on going there, one way or the other.

[lady lawyer]

I used to spend lots of time in Manhattan on business. The last time I went was for a four day trip with my eight year old granddaughter.

You definitely should stay in mid-town. There's a Marriott Courtyard just south of Times Square that's decently priced, and many more expensive hotels in the area. You're walking distance to the theaters, midtown shopping, and lots of restaurants. Short taxi rides to Central Park,the Metropolitan Museum, and the Circle Line tour terminal. The Circle Line tour is a great way to get a sense of the lay of the land. I agree about the Carnegie Deli. The cheesecake is a life-altering experience.

Don't rent a car. If you're not used to the way people drive in Manhattan, it won't be fun. And parking will cost you so much, you're better off taking cabs.

[whattajoke]

Oh yeah, the food! Quite simply, there are no better restaurants in the US than in NYC.

I'm spoiled, I guess, living in CT between Boston and NYC we have some incredible restaurants here too (and lord knows the wife has "suggested" all of them, all too often!) In my travels for work and pleasure, I'm often amazed at the lack of independent restaurants in other state, the lack of fresh seafood, and the extreme lack of ethnic places.

Biggest surprise: honeymooning in Kauai, the Big Island, and Honolulu and eating at "the best" places every night and we never got a meal anywhere near as good as we get in an above average place in CT, NYC, or Boston.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Now, I may be biased, since lower Manhattan is my 'hood, but there's a lot of great history to be seen here. If that's your thing, you can check out www.nycvisit.com/HHD, as well as http://www.lowermanhattan.info/todo/. If you have any questions or anything, please *do* ask me! :)