New York hidden gems

[squashyhat]

I'm thinking of doing a solo trip to New York next spring. I love the city and have been several times before, so done the main tourist sights (Empire State, Ellis Island, Top of the Rock - which I will probably do again as the view is so great - bike ride in Central Park, walked the High Line etc) The 9/11 memorial wasn't open when I last went so I will do that, and see a show on Broadway, but are there any other less obvious sights/visits I shouldn't miss?

would UGG type boots be ok? I'm imagining wet slushy snow everywhere?

I don't own UGG boots so I just had a look at them online. They look warm enough, but yes, wet and slushy snow are a distinct possiblity and I can't tell how waterproof they are.

It's also possible that February will be cold and completely dry. My recommendation would be to watch the weather forecast closely before you pack:

NYC 10 day weather forecast

Or if you own the UGG boots already and they are reasonably waterproof, just bring them.

Can't wait to go, it'll be my first time to the city.

That's great, we love tourists, especially the ones who speak English! NYC is an experience. According to DH, who knows NYC and London quite well, London is a bit more dignified and proper, NYC is more energetic and friendlier. And faster. Don't dawdle on the sidewalks when people are trying to get to work!

Thanks! Will be tracking the weather after Christmas.

Me and two colleagues are bringing 27 students over. The other 2 staff know the city pretty well so we'll be on a schedule, but I still can't wait.

Me and two colleagues are bringing 27 students over.

Good grief, the British are coming! That's a famous phrase from the American revolutionary war.

That's a sizable group. How old are the students? I imagine the itinerary is already set. How long will you be here and what will you be doing and seeing?

the youngest will be 13, and the eldest 18. It is a theatre school trip so we are doing the main sightseeing stuff - Rockerfella, Statue of Liberty, 911 and Natural history museums, Central Park, Ellen's Diner of course, and 2 shows on Broadway in the evenings. The children are all lovely - NY need not worry!!! The trip has been run several times, so the other staff know NY pretty well. I am the only newbie adult to New York.

I haven’t got Ugg boots and maybe there are different types, but having seen people in them I would have thought they would have been the last thing you wanted in wet slushy conditions, as the suede and fur linings will just soak up the wet.

Love NYC - be warned that when its cold, it can get very cold due to the grid system. The cold is very dry too and with central heating indoors, it plays havoc with your skin! Everyone tends to wear thick woolly hats, comfortable shoes and duvet type coats.

When looking for a hotel, try to get one near a subway station - it makes life so much easier. Its also a cheap way of getting around - a few dollars per ride (no matter how long!).

www.metmuseum.org/visit/met-cloisters

www.thecampbellnyc.com/

www.oysterbarny.com/

cocktails on the roof
www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/met-celebrates/met-after-hours

Isn’t the real Winnie the Pooh in a Library in NY. That’d be something merging to see.

hifi those are all great suggestions. Grand Central is usually overlooked by tourists but there is so much there.

I've been to the roof bar at the Met and the setting and views are stunning.

Are you a NY'er or just a frequent visitor?

Cakes, it's true! We have Winnie and some of this friends:

www.nydailynews.com/new-york/winnie-the-pooh-back-display-new-york-public-library-article-1.2737319

MissConductUS frequent visitor :)

Frances Tavern in gorgeous little street at the bottom of wall street, its where George washington went after declaring independence, down stairs is lovely bar and up stairs the room taped off. The Frick collection, again lovely house its housed in and fabulous collection,

Just went to the The Tenement Museum today. It was superb.

Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, we did bike tours in Brooklyn, Harlem and the Bronx it was the best part of out trip, food tours around Greenwich Village, Roosevelt Ferry.

Bike tours were through Bike the Big Apple.

I also agree with pp the Frick collection is well worth a visit

Was at Tenement Museum last week. Did a ‘Hard Times’ tour with my family and then did a solo tour ‘behind the scenes’ on my own the next day. Brilliant guides and really gives you a sense of the ‘melting pot’ of immigrants that made America what it is today. Great social history. Went to Russ and Daughters Cafe afterwards for bagels and pickles. Loved the Brooklyn Flea too (every Sunday).

Titsywoo : take them to the Bronx Zoo at Christmas - it is a trip worth doing.

Was going to suggest The Cloisters - but I see HiFi has beaten me to it. Don't forget to go and have a chocolate martini at maxbrenner.com/

We have been in NY for a week..in fact got married here! And have had a ball.
We had post wedding champagne at Jordans Grand Central Station..fab.
Bryant Park is lovely.
Loved Greenwich Village.
Whitney Art gallery has great views

Am going to New York in the morning! Any last minute tips? Very excited!

It was mentioned earlier but my fave is the Highline. And don't get a taxi in from JFK like we did, take the sky train for $5 to Howard beach then get yourself one of the all day tickets for the subway. Oh I'm jealous I just love love love NYC!!! Have a blast!!!

Ooh lucky you!

Art: Guggenheim & the Neue Gallerie (& of course the Met)
Bars: Dh rates the bar on top of the Peninsula Hotel on 5th Avenue (Salon de Ning)
Markets: Ganesvoort Market in the Meatpacking District
Walk over Brooklyn Bridge and have a pizza on the other side
Staten Island Ferry
Walk in Central Park and have a drink outside at Tavern on the Green
Jazz Club (we went to Dizzy's Jazz Club Coca Cola - at Columbus Circle but part of the Lincoln Centre)

@ladyflangewidget I would totally recommend staying out towards Greenwich village with kids. Was recommended to us and so glad we did-out of The mentalness of Times Square which, to be honest, I don’t really like.
We spent a whole day just mooching about in Greenwich village on foot. Best cheesecake ever from the Magnolia Bakery and a lovely Sunday brunch at the Bus Stop Cafe...full of locals which is always a good sign.
I also really enjoyed dinner in Buddy’s just near the Ghostbusters fire station.
The carousel in Brooklyn is lovely as is the pizza from Grimaldis.
And if you can, I’d recommend a baseball game-so much fun.