Tips for NYC

[NewYoiker]

We're going to New York in 27 days eek! I just wondered if anyone had any absolute must dos? It's for a week over thanksgiving ❤️

So far we have;
Empire State Building
Free ferry to see the Statue of Liberty
Patriots nfl game out of the city..
Brooklyn brewery tour
Macies thanksgiving parade
Avoiding everything on Black Friday!
Maybe a show
Ground zero memorial

Any ideas on other things to do? Places to eat and drink?

What can we do on thanksgiving? Will everywhere be shut?

Thanks!

I prefer Top of The Rock (Rockefeller Centre) for views, and often less of a queue.

A visit to Grand Central (tip for sign posts, its actually called Terminal not Station) is a good choice, it’s a hugely impressive place anyway but underneath is a fresh food market and some great food places to eat, also see if you can find the Whispering Gallery.

Take a walk around the South Street Seaport area after Ground Zero, lovely place. Designer shops, little boutiques and food places and it feels a bit different to central Manhattan, plus a view of Brooklyn Bridge and you can get a ferry to the liberty statue 🗽 from there (if you do i would get off, you can’t go up it anymore so the view is best from the boat).

On my list for another trip is a walk on the High Line.

Make sure you have very comfy shoes and you’ll have a fab time

Have you booked your tickets for the main attractions?
Saves a lot of time and you can buy queue jumping tickets.

Ah fab thanks! I haven't booked tickets yet but that is today's job!

Top of the Rock rather than Empire State, it’ll be part of the view then!

Maybe take in some ice skating, the rinks are very festive!

Have you considered the time difference? When we went we were awake at 4am and ready for bed at 9pm. Just thought I would mention it so you don't book too many evening activities you are too tired for.

@Changedtoprotect yeah last years trip to Boston was HARD! we just went with it  and went to bed early haha!

We got a NY pass to get access to all the touristy stuff the first time we went, it saved us a couple of hundred dollars with all the places we visited.

I agree 're Top of the Rock having the better view but, if it's your first time, I'd recommend both (if you have the pass). We did Empire State on our first night, timed it just before sunset so we got both day and night and then did TotR a couple of days later when we did Radio City and the NBC Studio tour (neither particularly worth it but it was free on the pass) because they're all within a block or so.

The High Line is great for a morning stroll, especially if you've been out the night before! Wander down to Chelsea for some breakfast/brunch.

Cafe Wha? in the village is a total cliche/tourist spot but it's also a great, un-pretentious night out.

If you have enough time and want to shop, head to premium outlet like Woodbury Common. We always drive but I think there are buses that take you. Top tip that we didn't know the first time, go to the customer service desk, register your email and they'll give you a discount book that gives you extra on the savings in store. I went a bit wild in Michael Kors and Kate Spade and only spent a couple of hundred bucks.

So jealous, you'll have an amazing time!

Oh, and unless you really want to go to the visitors centre, you get great views of the Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island ferry, which is free.

OP, we go 5 weeks today, so just as you come back probably!

There are a couple of other threads on NY, think one is in travel, maybe other in chat, do an advanced search. One had 3 or 4 pages with lots of ideas on things to do and good places to eat too.

There are lots of museums, one we have picked up on is the Tenement museum, supposed to be superb.

Zabars - get a picnic to go to the Central Park
Spot Bansky
Catch a ferry to Ellis Island - can see Statue of Liberty this way
Moma or New York Metropolitan museum - some days are free, check before you plan
Definitely walk the high line and Brooklyn Bridge