New York - what to do top tips please

[crumpetsolo]

We are having our first weekend break on our own since having children at the beginning of June, it's a sort of belated birthday celebration for me since I was busy giving birth to DC2 on my birthday last year.

We're going to New York at the beginning of June for 3 nights, and I am SO SO excited. I want to plan some fun things to do, but have no idea where to start. Would anyone be kind enough to share their New York must-dos with me?

I'd like to see a Broadway show I guess, and would love something like an open air concert or theatre type thing. Cool restaurant or bar recommendations would be fab as well. Ooh, maybe some jazz??? If I had my way I'd be awake for three whole days to fit it all in

Thank you in advance

we just walked and walked and walked and saw everything - loved it all!

I read loads though so knew what I wanted to do - get the most recent magazine rather than whole travel book as it should be easier to navigate for when you're going.

Don't bother with the Empire States Building, head up Rockerfella instead.

Go for lunch in Central Park

MOMA too is fab

will have a think as all lovely

So jealous, LOVE NY.

Second the vote for Rockefeller as you get a lovely view of Empire State, if you do it at dusk it's spectacular.

Also second MOMA, and the restuarant is fab and trendy, and has posh and brassierre menus, and nice cocktails!

Take the Staten Island ferry if it's a nice day for a lovely view of the city from the water (don't bother getting off the other end though, just come straight back).

Definitely Central Park. Eat a burger at Shake Shack in Madison Square Park (queues, worth it).

Go to one of the big departments stores, and pick a lovely designer shop to go and fantasy shopping/trying on. If they offer champagne, say yes

Go to the lower east side and eat a pastrami bagel at Katz's (from the Harry Met Sally YES YES YES! moment!)

If you're a fan of Sex and the City go to Magnolia bakery and Pastis.

Enjoy. It's amazing.

Yes, go to Katz's - it's the best! I'm having a bit of a dribble at the memory :)

Ellen's Stardust Diner - singing waiting staff all hoping for their 'big break' (warning, I've been there 4 times recently with visiting guests and I'm sure it's getting louder each time)

Carnegie Deli - Largest sandwiches in the whole world EVER

You will need to check the dates but Robin Williams is in a show off Broadway called 'Bengal Tiger' - I try and look out for 'big stars' and splash out to see them as opposed to the musicals

Most people I know prefer the Top of the Rock view compared with the Empire State Building (as do most posters above!) You can buy a sunrise/sunset ticket which enables you to go up twice in any 24 hours (I think) so can get a daytime and an evening view. The longest queue I've ever had there though was at 9pm.

I've had a couple of guests recently who have done the yellow water taxi ride around lower Manhattan/Liberty Island and say the tour guides on there are fantastic (you can't get off on Liberty Island though)

Catch some sun and relax your feet in Bryant park and watch the world go by or visit the Reading Room

Go and visit the 'real' Winnie the Pooh and the other toys in the children's section of the New York Library

Wander around and look at the stars at Grand Central station

And I'll second the cupcakes in Magnolia Bakery

You'll have a brilliant time!

Definately Staten Island Ferry and back again trip/ Grand Central Station and Shake Shack.

Walk the highline - lovely here and try to spend some time in the lower neighbourhoods rather than right in central manhattan - brilliant vibe

Tiffanys??

Balthazars Bistro in Soho- the authentic NY bistro, old and full of atmosphere.

Central Park- go to Dean and Delucas deli and make a picnic

Century 21 for bargain shopping

The El Quioxte in Chelsea does the "daily double" which is 2 lobsters for £25, and it is delicious and amazing. A real institution. Get the jugs of sangria too.

Walk around Greenwich Village.

Century 21 - I'd forgotten about that - it's like the world's biggest TK Maxx!!!

I wish I could remember the name of the steak house we went to - it was like something out of the Sopranos

I second:
Ellen's Stardust Diner
Greenwich village and Washington Sq Gds
Century 21
Staten Island

I also enjoyed going to Ellis Island and looking round the museum, river boat tour thing on Hudson river, having a walk round Chinatown lots to see and buy.

Wouldn't bother with Empire State though, too much queueing for the end result.

Hope you have a fab time.

Second the Staten Island ferry trip.

But also the first time we visited New York, we were staying with friends in Princeton, New Jersey. We left the car on the New Jersey side of river and caught a boat from Jersey Landing. The views from there and on the boat were fantastic as you get that classic Manhatten skyline with all the famous buildings in. It was way more impressive than from Staten Island ferry and would be worth doing for views alone

Katz Deli - wonderful place for lunch. You'll recognise it from THAT scene in When Harry Met Sally.
Balthazars - If you are in NY on a Sunday, go here for Sunday Brunch - outstanding. You will need to book.
Ellen's Stardust Diner - an experience. Great singing most of the time - very busy.
Shake Shack - great burgers - always a queue but worth it. Outdoor seating only.

Surprised no one has mentioned walking the Brooklyn Bridge. Great views from the walkway above road level.

My top tip woud be to go see a baseball game, the Yankees or the Mets. It really is how best to get the USA experience. Again, it is probably best to book in advance.

3 days will go just like that in NYC, so you will need to do a bit of planning to get the most out of your visit.

A great way to start your visit would be to book a limo from the airport to your hotel. They are surprisingly cheap and not that much more than a cab.

Second Rockerfella over Empire State as also less queues. You could try The Spotted Pig for amazing Michelin star food in a cool old pub setting, great beer of the same name too. The bar I'd recommend and have brilliant memories of is The Flatiron Lounge, round the corner from the Flatiron with the nicest cocktails ever ever! Spent a few very long nights in there!

Excellent suggestions. NY is vast. And AMAZING.

If you have a chance I would get the subway to Brooklyn and eat in a picnic (or pizza from Grimaldis -best pizza in NYC) in theriverside park there and walk back to Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge. It is amazing just how different the atmosphere is in Brooklyn compared to Manhattan and some of the best 'movie' views of the city are to be had from the across the river in Brooklyn.

Central Park is a must. It is wonderful.

How exciting!

Go to the Rainbow Room/Grill (can't remember which) at the top of the Rock instead and have delicious cocktails looking out. Truly fab, especially at dusk. Don't eat there though, overpriced tourist rip off spot for food.

Weather will be perfect at the start of June, not too hot. Great for walking around which is the best way to see the city. If you're only there for a few days, the bus tour is hard to beat so that you get your bearings quickly and make use of the hop on/off.

All great suggestions above, but it'll be hard to see too much in 3 days given the inevitable eating/drinking/shopping!

US steakhouses are definitely the best, some of our favourites are: Peter Luger, Sparks (real life mob history), Keens and another one that I can't for the life of me remember the name of... Chain steakhouses Morton's and Ruth Chris' will also be great coming from the UK but a little less authentic. Yum yum, creamed spinach...

Central park is a must. NYC is amazing for just soaking up the atmosphere tbh, so don't stress about having a hugely taxing itinerary. It's all great. Love it and miss it (we lived in the burbs for 4 years).

Have fun!

central station has a great oyster bar....

Bibibelle was it Strip? Had amazing steak there and agree it was just like the Sopranos.

I can't remember Serious but it was on the Upper East Side and it was a fecking fortune! Worth every penny though