Chit Chat

Things to do in NYC

DH's buddy is going to NYC in a couple weeks. For some reason they asked me for recommendations because I used to live outside the city when I was 8 years old... :) lol

Anyone have any suggestions for hotels, landmarks, activities, restaurants...?
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Re: Things to do in NYC

  • Can you narrow it down a bit?  How long will he be here for?  what part of the city does he want to stay in?  Is he going alone, with friends, with a family?  What kind of food?  
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  • Broadway! It makes me sad how many people don't go to see shows when they're in NYC. 
  • I've only been once, and it was only for a couple days, but I had the BEST time.  I did a lot of the typical tourist stuff so, no real insight there.  But I highly recommend, if it is in his schedule and convenient, to eat a meal at one of the restaurants in Little Italy.  I don't remember the name of the place I went to, but it was the best Italian food I have ever had, bar none.  And the impression I got is pretty much all the restaurants there are spectacular. 
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  • I would see the September 11th museum and memorial.  I have been since they opened up.

    I went to the Top of the Rock instead of the Empire State Building and I really liked it.  We were looking right at the Empire State Building and had great views.

    I've always wanted to do a Hop-On Hop-Off tour to get a good overview of the city...
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  • Where is he staying? And who is he coming with? In terms of hotels, if he stays in Manhattan, it will be pricier. The Affinia hotel is a nice one. The Marriott is also a nice hotel to stay at.

    In terms of things to do: I believe the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City will be playing, I would definitely check that out. That is near Rockefeller Center, and while it can get crowded, it's gorgeous to see in the winter. The tree will be lit the first week of December, and he can check out the storefronts with the Christmas decorations at Saks.

    I would also take the train to DUMBO, and check our the gorgeous city views. Pedro's is a  Mexican restaurant in the area that makes yummy margaritas. For dinner, he can go to Grimaldi's - if he is willing to wait on a line. If not, Juliana's right NEXT door, has a small line, and AMAZING pizza. FI thinks it is better than Grimaldi's. If he wants to try Grimaldi's, though, there is another location in Chelsea. He must try the pizza at least once, though.

    Some other restaurant suggestions: Yerba Buena in the Village, Cafeteria in Chelsea, and there are 2 really awesome burger places in the meatpacking district. Bills Bar and Burger, a low key reasonably priced burger joint. There is also BFT Highline (I think that is what it's called) where they have a pricey, yet amazing burger called "The Heisenburger."

    Speaking of the Highline, he needs to check it out! That's in Chelsea. And there is a beer garden in Astoria, Queens called Studio Square, which is huge and tons of fun. They have a big indoor area for the colder months.


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  • Can you narrow it down a bit?  How long will he be here for? 4 days what part of the city does he want to stay in? I was going to recommend SoHo or Midtown, but open to suggestions! Is he going alone, with friends, with a family? just with his wife What kind of food? anything! I know they like sushi 
    Sure - info above! 
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  • If they are willing to spend money, they should go to either Brushstroke or Morimoto for the tasting menu for sushi.  Sushi of Gari is also excellent.

    Will come back later with more suggestions, need more caffeine now to really help haha
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  • Le Bernardin opened up a wine bar. I've been DYING to check it out. So, I would recommend that. It's called Aldo Sohm Wine Bar (he's their top sommelier and is an amazing guy) 
  • If they like a speakeasy type vibe, Death & Co is my fave
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  • Sushi Samba in the west village is a cool spot.

    And speaking of Speakeasy's - Please Don't Tell (PDT) is a cool one in the East Village. It's a bit tricky to make reservations, but they have to walk inside a hot dog place (AWESOME hot dogs there. I used to go to HS across the street, and we used to go there almost every day), then go inside a phone booth, which opens up on the other side into the Speakeasy.
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  • pinkcow13 said:

    Sushi Samba in the west village is a cool spot.

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    I think I walked by this last night ....
  • pinkcow13 said:
    Sushi Samba in the west village is a cool spot.

    And speaking of Speakeasy's - Please Don't Tell (PDT) is a cool one in the East Village. It's a bit tricky to make reservations, but they have to walk inside a hot dog place (AWESOME hot dogs there. I used to go to HS across the street, and we used to go there almost every day), then go inside a phone booth, which opens up on the other side into the Speakeasy.
    I forgot that sushi samba is still open!  When I worked in the wine industry, a friend of mine was the sommelier at the one that was near flatiron.  I like PDT too.  Milk and Honey is a great spot as well.  Also The Tippler if you're looking for just a cool underground bar with a speakeasy vibe but without the hassle of getting into one of the smaller joints.
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  • Personally I tell people to stay in Union Square or further south, because Midtown is a hellhole to me and I do everything to avoid it. 

    Definitely the High Line and Top of the Rock, I haven't been to the WTC Museum yet, but the Memorial is now completely open and you can just walk around (as opposed to having to get a timed ticket). 

    I love Central Park, even in the winter. The north end of the park has a large skating rink which is where the locals go, though the Bryant Park skating rink is good too. 

    If he wants to go to the Met he should go Friday or Saturday evenings, after 5pm. They're open until 9 and it's soooooo much less crowded. Some galleries you get all to yourself. 

    Brooklyn Flea usually has a winter indoor location, the past few years its been in the Williamsburg Savings Tower and it's a fun place to browse for gifts and get some food. 

    Personally I think Grimaldis is waaaaaaay overrated, especially since they moved to their new location. If he really wants to go, just go to the Chelsea location, there's no wait. I prefer Paulie Gees or Di Fara for pizza, but neither of those are particularly convenient to get to. I live on the UES so most of my restaurant recommendations are up there-Uva, Jones Woods Foundry, Heidi's House. 


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  • duhitsdduhitsd member
    100 Comments 25 Love Its First Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited November 2014
    If they are looking to do some touristy things, I would suggest looking at the New York Pass. My family and I did this during our trip to NYC last year. We did a 2 day pass for maybe like $250 for my FI and I. If you look at the prices of all the attractions you want to go to, the pass saved us at least $100. They also have a line skipping sort of deal at some of the places so you don't have to wait in long lines. We also got a bunch of coupons with our passes too.

    ETA - clarification on how many passes we bought for $250
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  • I second the New York Pass! I went for around 6 days the first time I visited and it saved me so much money.  I also agree with Central Park and a broadway (or off broadway) show being a must for touristy things! Also, not to be totally cliché but I went to Serendipity one time when I was there and holy moly, the size of the desserts were crazy huge and so good.

    Formerly martha1818

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  • daria24 said:
    Personally I tell people to stay in Union Square or further south, because Midtown is a hellhole to me and I do everything to avoid it. 

    Definitely the High Line and Top of the Rock, I haven't been to the WTC Museum yet, but the Memorial is now completely open and you can just walk around (as opposed to having to get a timed ticket). 

    I love Central Park, even in the winter. The north end of the park has a large skating rink which is where the locals go, though the Bryant Park skating rink is good too. 

    If he wants to go to the Met he should go Friday or Saturday evenings, after 5pm. They're open until 9 and it's soooooo much less crowded. Some galleries you get all to yourself. 

    Brooklyn Flea usually has a winter indoor location, the past few years its been in the Williamsburg Savings Tower and it's a fun place to browse for gifts and get some food. 

    Personally I think Grimaldis is waaaaaaay overrated, especially since they moved to their new location. If he really wants to go, just go to the Chelsea location, there's no wait. I prefer Paulie Gees or Di Fara for pizza, but neither of those are particularly convenient to get to. I live on the UES so most of my restaurant recommendations are up there-Uva, Jones Woods Foundry, Heidi's House. 


    I second DiFara's (it's a hike. You have to get there early and wait for upwards of an hour if you're not one of the first few in line. And it. Is. Worth it.)

    I also second staying the hell out of midtown. I mean, you can GO there, if you're doing something there. But staying there would give me a panic attack (and I work in midtown).

    I recommend walking the Brooklyn Bridge, checking out Smorgasburg (moving to a new indoor location mid-November in Crown Heights, which looks to be cool), going to the Met and the Cloisters (your Met ticket gets you into the Cloisters and the park it's in is GORGEOUS), and getting one ridiculously overpriced drink at a rooftop bar (the Birreria at Eataly and the bar at the Library Hotel both have covered/heated spots if it's cold).
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  • daria24 said:
    Personally I tell people to stay in Union Square or further south, because Midtown is a hellhole to me and I do everything to avoid it. 

    Definitely the High Line and Top of the Rock, I haven't been to the WTC Museum yet, but the Memorial is now completely open and you can just walk around (as opposed to having to get a timed ticket). 

    I love Central Park, even in the winter. The north end of the park has a large skating rink which is where the locals go, though the Bryant Park skating rink is good too. 

    If he wants to go to the Met he should go Friday or Saturday evenings, after 5pm. They're open until 9 and it's soooooo much less crowded. Some galleries you get all to yourself. 

    Brooklyn Flea usually has a winter indoor location, the past few years its been in the Williamsburg Savings Tower and it's a fun place to browse for gifts and get some food. 

    Personally I think Grimaldis is waaaaaaay overrated, especially since they moved to their new location. If he really wants to go, just go to the Chelsea location, there's no wait. I prefer Paulie Gees or Di Fara for pizza, but neither of those are particularly convenient to get to. I live on the UES so most of my restaurant recommendations are up there-Uva, Jones Woods Foundry, Heidi's House. 


    I second DiFara's (it's a hike. You have to get there early and wait for upwards of an hour if you're not one of the first few in line. And it. Is. Worth it.)

    I also second staying the hell out of midtown. I mean, you can GO there, if you're doing something there. But staying there would give me a panic attack (and I work in midtown).

    I recommend walking the Brooklyn Bridge, checking out Smorgasburg (moving to a new indoor location mid-November in Crown Heights, which looks to be cool), going to the Met and the Cloisters (your Met ticket gets you into the Cloisters and the park it's in is GORGEOUS), and getting one ridiculously overpriced drink at a rooftop bar (the Birreria at Eataly and the bar at the Library Hotel both have covered/heated spots if it's cold).

    I have been dying to try DiFara's for years! Have you guys had Totonos in Coney Island? Amazing pizza. There's also a really good Chicago style pizza spot in the village, called Emmett's. This thread is making me hungry.
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  • 5/$1 dumplings as Prosperity Dumpling on Eldridge Street in Chinatown. And there's nothing like shopping for junk and chachki (and knock-off bags) on Canal Street. 
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  • OMG Di Fara's.  A friend of my FI's knows the owner and had his birthday party there last year.  UNBELIEVABLE.

    I personally don't like Grimaldi's.  

    I would do hot chocolate at City Bakery though.  That shit is amazing.
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  • OMG Di Fara's.  A friend of my FI's knows the owner and had his birthday party there last year.  UNBELIEVABLE.

    I personally don't like Grimaldi's.  

    I would do hot chocolate at City Bakery though.  That shit is amazing.
    QFT. I work a block away. It is dangerous in the winter.

    I like the Cloisters as well. Medieval Art is not particularly interesting to me, but the walls of them museum are made from old abbeys and medieval buildings, which is cool. They also have the Unicorn Tapestries. 

    Most of my NYC expertise is in dessert-Spot Dessert Bar on St. Mark's is incredible. Their desserts are actual works of art and taste amazing. I also like Melt (ice cream cookie sandwiches), Prohibition Bakery (tiny boozey cupcakes), and Milk & Cookies (you make your own ice cream cookie sandwiches, amazing). 


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  • It seems everyone has covered the tourists spots pretty well, so I will focus on my favorite part of New York--food! I recommend Gramercy Tavern for a fancier meal. Also, I can't believe no one has mentioned Shake Shack! I know the lines can be crazy, but I think it is one of the best burgers I've had, and not just fast food wise.

    My other favorites in no particular order:
    -Joseph Leonard in the West Village
    -Eataly- I know it can be crazy, but I really like Birreria. 
    -Pomme Frites for drunk late night eats
    -Resto- hands down the best grilled cheese I've ever had.
    -Boqueria in the Flatiron for tapas
    -Barcade in Brooklyn. Okay, so it's not a restaurant, but there's booze and old school arcade games!




  • kat1114 my FI and I had our first date Birrerria!  And we go to the Barcade in Chelsea now all the time haha, we have major Pong tournaments haha
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  • kat1114 my FI and I had our first date Birrerria!  And we go to the Barcade in Chelsea now all the time haha, we have major Pong tournaments haha
    I totally forgot they opened Barcade in Chelsea! I haven't been to New York since last spring. My mom was living there, so it made visiting really easy. Then, I graduated and got an adult job, and she moved back to our hometown. 
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