Tell me about New York City

[merrymelody]

I'm planning something special for my next birthday: it's a big one. So I'm thinking a trip for two to the Big Apple for 4/5 days. I'm not in a relationship so I'll probably bring my DD(21).

The last time I was there was about 30 years ago so I haven't a clue about what it would be like nowadays. What to see in particular, where to shop, which restaurants best without breaking the bank, etc. Any recommendations on where to stay would be helpful too.

You can’t go wrong with Midtown Manhattan. You can explore on foot without having to spend on transportation and by avoiding the tiring journey to the sightseeing spots, you will also save a lot of time. It’s also well connected to other parts of the city and has a huge variety of hotels at every price range. Another good option on a budget would be Lower Manhattan if you’re interested in tourist spots like the Wall Street district, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, World Trade Centre, 9/11 Memorial, and Battery Park.

Hi OP.
You don’t say when your birthday is so my suggestions assume nice weather.
Be aware NY can be very hot in the summer.

Walking wise, Brooklyn Bridge out and back, The High Line, north to south as there’s an indoor eating market place at the south end.

Central Park

5th avenue at the south end of Central Park is where the ‘posh’ shops are.

Wall Street to twin towers memorial site.

Grand central.

If I could only go up one skyscraper it would be the rockerfeller tower, views north and south are spectacular.

Restaurant- The Chart House over on the NJ side at Weehoken?
Great views back to Manhattan.

My birthday's in October so hot weather won't be an issue. Not too interested in touristy things but love Moma, Guggenheim, etc. And restaurants!

I’d stay in soho. My Dad and I did 4 nights. I’m 30, he’s 70. Did the get your guide pass and did so much.. Rockefeller, Statue of Liberty, met museum, Guggenheim, little Italy, Chelsea, state library, Bryant park, Empire State Building, Brooklyn market etc.

I’d recommend staying in Midtown. Really good location

I would definitely recommend Patsy's Italian Restaurant. Not from the Art and Design Museum. The food is excellent! We've had a few good meals there.

Keep an eye on groupon and simillar. They often have attraction passes on sale. You can pick your number of attraction. I got one before going to New York while my friend did not want to. I saved a fortune with mine. Also got to skip queues etc.

If you wanted to put the trip off a little bit, we managed to have a 5 day trip where it was Thanksgiving the day after we arrived so we saw the huge parade (we didn't notice anything was particularly closed either), and then the Rockefeller tree light ceremony was on the day before we flew home. It was fab and such a lovely Christmas atmosphere. This was at the end of November.
We also got a bus out to Woodbury Common for Christmas shopping as its an outlet shopping place but loads of good, designer shops.

Staying in Midtown is your best bet as even if everything you’re interested in doing is not actually in Midtown, it’s a great base. If you want to stay away from the Times Square area (not particularly good value) then I recommend somewhere near Grand Central, which is only a few blocks away but a completely different price range for hotels and a much more relaxed atmosphere. Look for “Midtown East” when searching.

October is a beautiful month to visit New York City. Cool enough to walk around without a bother but sunny and warm still (yesterday was 75 degrees f).

In addition to the obvious attractions you’d like to visit, the tour bus is really great for getting your bearings and spotting neighbourhoods you might like to explore further. It is obviously a bit “touristy” and you’ve pointed out you don’t want to do anything like that but I found it definitely broadened what I saw and gave me a look at areas that I wouldn’t have normally seen. The Circle Line boat trip round Manhattan is also really worth doing.

For any galleries and museums but particularly MoMA, I would advise getting tickets online ahead of time and bypassing the massive queues that build up on the day. They all may still be doing timed entry then so do check.

The Radio City Music Hall tour is absolutely brilliant if you can get tickets. Central Park will be beautiful with all the autumn colours and you can explore residential neighbourhoods and their amazing Halloweeen decorations.

Enjoy your trip!

LOVE LOVE LOVE New York City!!!

Would highly recommend Midtown as others before me have done, Central Park is fab (best avoided at night mind ) its well worth a trip up the Empire State as well.

Take plenty of tissues if you visit World Trade 9/11 Memorial

Have fun!

Love New York and been there a lot since I was 17 and have a close friend from there but a lot has changed since then.

Midtown good to stay in. Tour bus for good views round city. You can get a museum pass which is good value.

Ellen’s Stardust Diner is good fun as the waitstaff sing.

Radio city music hall and Rockefeller Center (top of the Rock) both good for views and performances. Try to see a Broadway show too.

Staten Island ferry also good.

If you can afford it do a helicopter flight or cruise around the harbour.

One thing I also did was the catacombs of St Patrick’s Cathedral.

If you like roller skating go to Central Park to do this, you can hire them.

The restaurants can change a lot but accordingly to a friend who lives there Korean food is trendy now and Kochi and Atoboy are two of the best.

You’ll have a whole year to prepare so you can research a lot.

If you like walking then schedule that in, it’s nice to walk through different areas stopping off for coffee/at a diner etc.

Definitely prebook museums etc as queues can be a nightmare.

Factor in shopping like Macy’s, Saks 5th Avenue, Tiffany’s, FAO Schwarz etc.

If you both fancy it you can do Washington DC in a day too.

Oh and if you’re looking for something quirky to do, check the Fever app and see what they have on in New York City whilst you’re there. Have always had great fun at anything they’ve promoted

Following

Following with interest as we have just booked to go in April

I'm getting excited already!