Favorite things to do in NYC

[ashers2u]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 2:49am

What are your favorite ways to spend a day/night in NYC, whether you're a tourist or have lived there for 42 years? I am wondering because I just moved here and would love to know what things I should check out in this exciting wonderful city. Also my best friend is coming to visit me next week and i would love to have some fun things to do :)

So far mine are:
-trying to win broadway lottery tickets :)
-iceskating in Bryant Park
-karaoke nights at random bars

Does anyone have any favorite comedy clubs, bars, museums, restaurants, etc they'd like to suggest? also...if you know cheap fun places, that is even better :)

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 3:09am

I get great joy out of knocking little old ladies to the street when in big crowds and pushing four year olds in front of traffic.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 3:20am

Avoiding Times Square like the plague

[Emilia]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 5:09am

one of the best things to do in New York is just to walk around and see where it takes you, such interesting things happen that way (but obviously don't do this alone at night or in less safe areas) I don't live in NY (I wish!) but on visits I try and have time where I don't have anything specifically planned and just explore.

Another recomendation is to check out the smaller museums in the city not just the met moma etc they're less crowded cost less and often you'll find really interesting things there!

Finally one of my favorite things in NY when I've spent the holidays there in the last couple of years is just walking in the park (I've done this on Christmas day the last two years) yes it's cliche but hey when you're fed up of crowds it's the best place to escpae

[mominator]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 7:29am

Strolling through the Park, seeing the MET or the MNH. shopping of course shows and a chocolate martini at Gaby's.

Updated On: 1/7/06 at 07:29 AM

[Glebb]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 7:52am

Even with the Faberge Eggs gone The Forbes Magazine Collection is still quite interesting. It's free - 12th St and 5th Ave. Be sure to call. I think it's closed on Mondays.

[Mamie]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 8:26am

I think it's fun to explore the neighborhoods. Chinatown, Little Italy, Greenwich Village, Soho, Chelsea, Battery Park - much more I'm sure. I used to house sit for friends in NY and I had the opportunity to take a day for each neighborhood's exploration. A walking tour guide book helped a lot. There's a ton of history and fascinating things to see on these streets!

[Kimmygonbefamous]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 8:53am

I'm personally a fan of getting :::cough::: designer handbags in Chinatown. But that's just me being an accessory slut. I really love poking around the really cool (though expensive) boutiques in SoHo and finding a little cafe to eat in that I haven't been to before. There's also something new and different (depending on your definition of different...)in and around the Village...St. Mark's place (good shopping there too), etc. Basically, when I'm not in the city seeing a show, I'm shopping. But I also agree with what some of your fellow posters have been saying. Wander around (with a map, just in case!) and just see where it takes you. Have fun!

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 8:58am

Just walking around the city, with a Starbucks coffe on one hand and a cigarette on the other (no comments please), is enough to make me absolutely happy ! And I have to disagree with orangeskittles, Times Square is my favorite place on earth. And walking in Central Park is also magical ! Also strolling around Chelsea and checking the hotties is nice !

[guitargeek0624]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 9:12am

-Broadway shows (duh)
-Just walking around (especially the Village)
-Getting stuck in the crowds in Times Square (kills a lot of time)
-Eating at fabulous "mom & pop" restaurants

Of course, my family never wants to do any of this stuff, and I'm only 14, so I rarely go into the city anymore. But my New Year's resolution is to get my family into the city more often. By any means necessary. Hehe.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 9:18am

Undi, I do Starbucks only because I know and trust it. I am totally open for any other coffee suggestions when we'll meet
Updated On: 1/7/06 at 09:18 AM

[cturtle]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 11:29am

it's a bit expensive, but i LOVE to hire one of those hunky european bicycle rickshaw drivers to ride me and my man around central park ... a trip to bethesda fountain is essential.

also, i like riding the subway to all the different stations and taking photos of the subway art. (ok, i'm weird.)

[Cheez Whiz]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:03pm

I really can't say anything, because I lived in NYC when I was three years old, so I don't recall much. Except, I was inlove with this multicoloured playground. My absolute favorite thing with the palyground. These days, though, I would probably visit a couple of the museums, central park, and every theatre I could seek out.

[Mamie]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:12pm

Not so weird, cturtle! I've done the same thing - on more than one occasion. Some of the mosaics are incredible. I know that they didn't let you (or didn't want you) to take pictures after 9/11, so I hope that hasn't changed things. Subway art is worth a trip all on its own.

[zepka102]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:17pm

check out brooklyn heights... it's AMAZING... lived there this past summer and i can't wait to go back and visit. the promenade is THE place to be if you want the perfect view of manhattan!

[JACXR71]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:19pm

Word, Zep. My cousin lives there and I love staying with her when I go...such a great area. Very cool shops, restaurants, and excellent views like you said. Don't miss Jacques Torres chocolate shop!

Updated On: 1/7/06 at 12:19 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:20pm

I love to just... walk around. Kills hours. Take a friend, pick a place, and go walk!

[stylinbohemian]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:31pm

Go to the Stardust and Colony...tis tradition to go every year for me!

[Billboard Girl]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:33pm

cturtle, I really enjoy looking at all of the subway art, too.

Another thing I really love to do is to just walk around and really look at my surroundings. Even on streets that I walk down every day, it's nice to really focus on all there is to see - I love looking at all of the ornate detailing on the exteriors of older buildings. Even though I never went through a phase of wanting to be an architect, stuff like that has always fascinated me.

Unless I'm seeing a show, I don't really like being in Midtown. It's just too crowded and flashy and touristy and I don't really feel "at home" there. I prefer to stay downtown, in the neighborhoods I'm more familiar with (mainly the East Village/Noho area and Tribeca).

[Parks]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:49pm

Make fun of stereotypical tourists...aka--people with binoculars and or cameras.

I'm a tourist, but my mom and I effing HATE slow walkers. Everyone who is mesmerized by anything in Times Sqaure...ooh...

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:52pm

hopefully one day I will be able to you.

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 2:06pm

I love walking around the Village and just winding up and down the streets. I love Teany and Magnolia Bakery, they're both amazing. If you just start walking around in the Village, you're bound to find a new street.

[greeneyed_one]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 2:34pm

More tourist-y things that are actually fun:
-Guided tour of the UN building- very, very, very interesting, highly recommended!
-Guided tour of Radio City- aggain very fun and touristy. It was awesome because I took it a few days before the Tony's and got to see the stage all set up!
-I really love Grand Central station especially if you want to show your friend an amazing building plus there are some great little resturaunts/ kiosks in the basement which are great for a casual lunch. (the gilatto (sp?) is excellent too!)

[Billboard Girl]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 2:39pm

Ah, Magnolia Bakery. Their cupcake frosting is heavenly.

"If you just start walking around in the Village, you're bound to find a new street."

Heh, I love how West 4th Street intersects West 10th. It's so easy to get lost in the West Village.

If you go to Grand Central during the holiday season, they have an amazing model train display in the Transit Museum annex.

[Lamc16]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 3:30pm

"Avoiding Times Square like the plague" -- I'm with you on that one, Orangeskittles! Other than that....

-walking through the park (esp. during the spring months)
-walking around (particularly the village) while listening to frank sinatra or billy joel on my ipod (TRY IT. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
-sitting in a nice comfy starbucks, reading a book, or people watching
-strolling the west side streets longingly (as I am an east sider)
-finding a new street or bookstore to explore
-taking pictures
-going to museums....