New York childfree this Thursday for 5 days with DH. Advice and Tips, pls? Never been!

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Off to NYC on Thursday. Never been. Have all the guides and have trawled Trip Advisor but thought that the collective might and wisdom of mumsnet might offer some insider tips and advice. Shopping, food, sightseeing.
Am sooooooo excited. Just need to put in place the many arrangements for ds and dd while we're away and then will be able to relax and hpefully, enjoy.
Any advice?

You lucky woman - I'm v.v. jealous. Haven't been to NY since 1999 but had a great time.

Shopping wise I loved Bloomingdales and Old Navy. Found Macy's a bit tired and in need of a facelift which it may have had since then!
Also went to south Street Seaport which is a sort of shopping mall with some good eateries as well. FAO for the kids is great and Tiffany's is wonderful if you're treating yourself! Barney's and Saks good for browsing.
Woodbury Common great for designer bargains but about an hour out of Manhattan.
Had lunch at Tavern on the Green one day in Central Park... really lovely.

Would stick to the touristy stuff - there's loads to see and do and you can walk pretty much all round Manhattan. Found taxis were plentiful and very cheap too!
Have a great time!!

Just got back. Macy's is tired and a pretty confusing layout, but there are some 'bargains' around. Bloomingdales is fab though!

My tip would be to visit the 'Top of the Rock' early in your visit - it gives you an understanding of the layout of NYC. For the first time on this visit I went to the top of the Empire State Building at night - that was pretty spectacular too - although I would say TOTR is better for orientation!

Where are you staying?

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Staten Island ferry if the weather is OK - you get a great view of the Statue of Liberty from the water. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is worth a visit - followed/preceded by a stroll through Central Park - but just pick one exhibit/wing as it's huge.

The Stage Deli (can't remember where it is but it'll be in the guidebooks - not far from Central Park) is great for breakfast for a 'New York Diner' experience.

Go and watch the Basketball at Madison Square Garden best, it was excellent fun

Also if your a film buff Central Station is worth a visit......I loved the Untouchables

Guggenheim
Staten Island Ferry (do not make the mistake I made though and attempt to visit Staten Island...)
erm Empire State, obviously.

spent lot of my trip there just strolling around, was with someone who lived there though so I kind of just let myself be dragged around! As far as I remember, we spent time in East Village, Little Italy, Spanish Harlem, Brooklyn amongst others. Was all really interesting. Agree Metropolitan Museum of Art too. Some great bars but I would have to trawl deep into the recesses of my brain for names!

oh, and agree Central Station - swanky oyster bar and great atmosphere.

Time Square of course.....DH proposed to me at The Grand Met in NYC, it was just the best time, am very, very jelous

here and pastis are good

soho has fabulous shops, prada, marc jacobs etc.
now the dollar has dropped things wont be that much cheaper.
go for cocktails on the roof of the metropolitan museum.

here is good and near to central park

I loved the Circle Line trip. Boat takes you around Manhattan. It takes about 3 hours and there is commentary on the sights from one of the learned actors they employ.

Great for when you are tired of walking and just want to chill for a bit. It gives you an idea of the layout too.

You can visit the original Pooh bear in the New York public library. Although it made me feel a bit sad.

I second doing the Rockerfeller - you get great view of the Empire State from it!

The Tenement Museum was fascinating. You did have to pop in and book a tour (about 2 hrs later) but it was really interesting. Gave you a real idea about the American idea of history and old things - they were horrified that indoor toilets were only put in during the early 1900s and they sometimes used newspaper for toilet roll. I didn't like to say that my house only got an indoor loo in 1965 and DH remembers using newspaper as a child.

Another couple of things -
We got a cap to the other side of Brooklyn Bridge, had breakfast pancakes in a diner just on the entrance, and then walked into Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge. Really good memory.
Also Ellen's Stardust Diner near Times Square, where the waitresses sing as they work - all budding actresses apparently.
We also spent a very pleasant Sunday morning - it was pouring down outside - at the Museum of Modern Art, which is very central.
Going now, before I get carried away.............

'cab' even!

Wow. Thanks sooooo much for the fab tips.
We are staying in a friend's apartment in Tribeca. Bloody jammy, I know.
Have booked a couple of dinners and have the new york city pass so just can't wait!! Thanks for the tip re Empire State at night. I'll come back and read everything properly once I've done the nursery run and fed the little 'uns.
Thanks, ladies. Much appreciated.

Have fun!

Oh lucky you. Soho and Tribeca are fantastic places to hang out and enjoy NY, especially the great bars and restaurants. If you like Japanese try Bond on Bond Street which does amazing sushi and has a martini bar downstairs - Balthazar for brunch is meant to be an NY institution but was pretty damn good in the evenings as well (both in Tribeca). Lots of great smaller shops in that area as well, so well worth just spending some time wandering around there before hitting the major shops. Central Park seems pretty obvious (but hasn't been mentioned) - just an amazing city park with absolutely stunning views of the Upper East side from it. If you walk up to there from Tribeca (very long walk) you can take in the full length of Broadway or 5th as well. Oh, and the museum of modern art is well worth a visit. God, oh yes, and dinner at the top of the Rockefeller Centre if you can get in (are they still doing ice skating outside it?) God you're lucky!

Thanks, guys. Will print out the thread!
Tribeca does appear to be a cool area so we'll try not to disgrace ourselves too much!
I shall have a large Manhattan and go mad in Prescriptives and Benefit on everyone's behalf!!

Oh, and queue up at the TKTS booth in Times Square as well to see something on Broadway. We saw 'Closer' with Rupert Graves, Natasha Richardson, Anna Friel and Ciaran Hinds in for a tenner! While you are queueing you can see them recording MTV live segments in a window. I waved at Carson Daly which made my day. I am now showing my age and sadness...

Another in agreement about Top of the Rock, but don't don't don't line up with the other tourists to go up. Go to the restaurant at the Top of the Rock, we went to ask if we could book for the next night and ended up having drinks. You don't have to eat there if you don't want and it was soooo lovely to have the view and a little glass of bubble - or two. We got there early evening, so just in time to see the view in daylight, but also as the sun came down and the lights came on. One of the best evenings dh and I ever had .

If you do decide to do Empire State in daylight, go first thing (if memory serves it opens just before 9). You avoid the queues.

If you want to save some dollars both Macys and Bloomingdales do a discount card for visitors. Just visit the Tourist Info desk (or Visitor Info, can't remember what each is called) in each store, present your passport and you'll recieve a discount card. 10% I believe.

We were taken to The Carnegie Deli while we were there. Sticky floors and not somewhere I would have voluntarily eaten in, however it is retro tacky and do the best NY Cheesecake ever (Also do takeout should you not wish to eat in)