New York child free - must see, do and buy?

[spub]

Looking for some suggestions, please.
Visited NY 6 years ago so managed quite a bit of sight seeing then. LOVED NY and so excited to be going back mid October.
Planning to see One World Center. That aside, keen to eat some amazing food, maybe see a Broadway show, some art and LOTS of shopping.
Any ideas/advice hugely welcome.
We like cocktails and reasonably nice food - ate at Gramercy Tavern and Blue Hill last time around if that's any help? Also had some amazing burgers in a real dive joint in the back of a hotel so not food snobs - just enjoy good grub
Keen to do some xmas shopping so any ideas about what is cheaper/better in NY would be great. Thank you.

Sunset from one world observatory

Used to live in New York.

For awesome cocktails head to the gin-bar Pegu Club. Drinks and atmosphere both great.

The wild,
Thank u! Pegu club and dead rabbit on our hit list. Our household loves a craft cocktail (or ten)....

That's all brilliant tips, spub - thanks! DD is desperate to go to the 9/11 memorial so I will book us in! And the view looks fab

Looking forward to your report on converse/trainers! Are adult jeans similarly priced?

Dunno yet re jeans but I've got 4 pairs of Levi's to buy for friends so will let u know! Off shopping this morning

Ooh, I'm looking to get Levis - probably demi-curve if I can find some that fit my weird shape!

Can you give me your shopping tips of where to buy too?!

Happy to

I'm a big believer in buying a guidebook or two for anything over two days.

Since you're obviously someone who appreciates good food, I'd suggest doing some searches on the Chowhound website. Gotham (12 East 12th Street) is a good option for excellent food that isn't priced as insanely high as some places.

Hi BigTilly,
Sorry for being off the grid - real life has been incredibly busy since we got back mid week.
Ok, so there are some lovely folks on here who may have better advice but I'm happy to share what we did/found:
Shopping - we decided to hit lots of stores under one roof rather than traipse around everywhere so we took the subway to the Queens Center - subway to Woodhaven Blvd. You can download the app for the center before you go and get the layout but also register for store coupons.
We hit Macys and got the 10% off for being tourists plus they were doing ridiculous deals on levis - $36 for most styles but with 30% off a second pair plus they gave us a $5 macys gift card.
Lots of good deals there. We also hit bath and bodyworks, lego store, Forever 21, Sephora to name but a few.
We went to the Converse store on 6th avenue ( i think) and they were selling leather cons for $65 and regular styles for $45-70 depending. They can also customise cons for you. Looked amazing when they were doing it in front of us.
Shake shack burgers and milkshakes very good but the best burgers (IMHO) are in the Parker Meridien hotel in the wee divey place off the main lobby.
Best tip we got from our hotel staff was to head to the Brooklyn Flea and Smorgasbord which runs Sat and Suns from 10am. Think your DS would like it and so would you - amazing vintage stalls plus about 20 food stalls selling some tremendous food that you eat at big communal tables in an old warehouse. Fab.
The Highline was also very cool and you'd both enjoy that.
MOMA a good trip though the Andy Warhols finished last week. GREAT gift shop, too!
We laughed like loons at The Book Of Mormon but if you are not a fan of South Park or Frankie Boyle type humour I'd give it a miss....
Can't encourage you enough to go up the one world center viewing deck half an hour before sunset. Spectacular.
Hope this helps and that you have a fabulous time. Any other q's I can try and answer, just shout.

Ooh spub, thanks! It sounds like you had a great time!
I have noted down the Queens Center - only half an hour from our hotel on the subway, so we could do it easily. Maybe if we still need to shop after mooching round the usual stores in Manhattan!
A colleague was telling me about getting converse customised - DD may be interested!

We are planning to do the Highline on arrival tomorrow, and will def try to fit in WTC in an evening. And so much more!

Did it take long at immigration?

Feeling very excited and a bit nervous - have checked-in online, now need to pack!

Ooh have a fab fab time
Immigration was fine. 10 mins. We went into Newark and out of jfk.
Do take a scarf and gloves and some layers. Temps were deffo dropping last week. Let us know how u get on!

10mins?! Hope we are so lucky! We fly in and out of JFK...

I have got 2 scarves gloves and a furry headband - mainly for going up the Rock and WTC!

Hey BigTilly,
How goes it in NYC?

I LOVE it! Walked along the Highline in the sun yesterday afternoon then ate and mooched in Chelsea Market. Went up the Rock at 8 this morning, had a huge breakfast then shopped in Macys and around then took the Staten Island ferry - beautiful clear blue sunny day

Yay! It's a magic place. Hope you are continuing to have an amazing time

Got back this morning - tired, but we had a fantastic time and saw loads. Can't wait to go back!