Travelling to New York - any tips?

[MrsK]

Hi,
We are going for a long weekend beginning of December, DH, DD & me. DD is 16 & keen to shop. DH & I went just before I was pregnant, so have done certain things like a Broadway show DD isn't interested in.

She is keen to do a bit of sightseeing, we will have 3 full days there. What I am wondering is if any of you have any suggestions of places to visit, eat, shop or general tips? I know I need to arrange ETSA's before we travel. I've looked at the Statue of Liberty website to try & prebook tickets, but, it appears bookings currently only go to August.

Also, we haven't booked accommodation yet. DH said it was very expensive so is going to do it last minute. I'm a bit concerned about that, as I really don't want to end up homeless. I'd like somewhere ideally that has good transport links or fairly central. Quirky rather than an anonymous chain style hotel would be nice too, though I realise that often comes at a price.

Apologies for the essay, I wanted to be comprehensive rather than waste your time drip feeding information.

The Tenement Museum is brilliant and really gives a taste of what the immigrant experience was like at the turn of the 20th century. Other great museum options are the Frick and the Natural History Museum. In terms of the Met, the price listed is not what you HAVE to pay, you actually pay what you'd LIKE to pay (they just don't tell you!). Not sure what the High Line will be like around Christmas, but it seems to be one of those things which is better when the weather is nice.

For food, I'd recommend Eataly, just above Soho. You can wander and try different things, and their gelato is fantastic. Also see if you can get to Momofuku Ssam Bar - amazing food, casual environment. If you are feeling adventurous, KoreaTown on 38th street is fantastic - you should try Korean Fried Chicken (all the rage throughout the US now).

I'd avoid Macy's and Bloomingdales - they are really quite dull. Nolita is much better for boutiques and quirky shops.

crossed posts with oldlaundbooth!

They made me feel awful when I wanted to pay half price and visit twice for a shorter amount of time (with children) rather than one huge visit. Don't feel bad though - I recently read that the Met have money coming out of their ears and just pay what you can. The Impressionists series of galleries there is AMAZING btw (as is everything else inc Temple of Dendur etc)

Highline was good in Feb! I like the fact that it cuts through areas you wouldn't see otherwise and then drops you down right in the middle of the Meatpacking District.
Agree re Bloomingdales - not special at all (surprisingly)

Sandy I think it's valid for 30 days from first activation - we arrived late Friday night so I just put the Saturday as my first date, but with 30 days to play with it probably doesn't matter.

You explained it better, Mominatrix!

I live in Northern NJ and work in UES and midtown.

Eataly is great for lunch or breakfast. DH and I sometimes stop in when we go out at night but I prefer it for lunch. Grimaldis is good pizza but not worth waiting in line for. You can pick up a slice at brick oven in Manhattan. If you really want grimaldis go to one of the two in hoboken. Never a line and it's the same pizza. The grimaldis on Washington street is new and really nice. The walk up from the path station along the waterfront is lovely.

You do need to book hotels now. There is no such thing as a cheap hotel room in Manhattan. If you want to spend less than $150/ night I suggest staying at the doubletree in jersey city or the holland inn hotel in Newport. The doubletree is about $150/ night if you book now. The holland tunnel inn is about $110-140/ night and sells out all the time as that cost includes breakfast and parking (not that you need it). You take the path into Manhattan. For your length of stay I'd pay the extra and stay in Manhattan.

Also, the museums expect tourists to pay the suggested donations. As a local they are much nicer and I kill them with kindness when they give me the tourist treatment. I give them the 'Oh we live here and are just stopping in quickly on our way as DC asked to see something worked on at school.' They are then fine with $10 for the lot of us.

I much prefer the Frick collection to the Met. It's also much friendlier!

We air bnb'd in Greenwich / Chelsea. Apartment was great though got the odd cockroach. Nice to be surrounded by people going about their lives. High line was lovely in June, perhaps nice in Dec though cold? Chelsea market also great for browsing and snacking. The Whitney was great as was Moma. Can't remember much else - the usual sightseeing stuff and lots of sweating. Wanted to do natural history museum but too jet lagged. Central Park fab. Love visiting pharmacies, mainly CVS, and bulk buying new / unheard of products. Soooo envious of your upcoming trip!!!

Sorry for my lack of response, it's been rather hectic gearing up for Duke of Edinburgh camping trip. Explaining that, yes you do need all this "stuff"😏. Next stop Beavers for DD & BF for their volunteering bit. I will acknowledge replies, but, I just wanted to say I really appreciate you all taking the time to post. Thank you

I'm a big advocate of buying guidebooks. That's the best route for general ideas - and you have everything neatly compressed.
Personally, I'd advise skipping the Statue of Liberty. It's very time-consuming if your trip is so short.