New York City

I'm going to New York for the first time next week (very excited!) and I was just wondering of a few must-sees around the city (not plays/musicals just sights). Must-eats wouldn't be bad, either. Just what are some of your favorite places to see (and eat) that don't necessarily cost a whole lot?
Thanks!

I just mean sights. Not plays.

I was recently there and spent a day at the Museum of Natural History where I saw The Frogs exhibition (it's hold over until January) which was cool and then the space show and an iMax movie on Lewis and Clarke. You can spend the whole day there for around thirty bucks.

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Well, the Met is a must-see if you have time. It can be overwhelming, however, so plan ahead and just pick one or two exhibits you want to see -- my suggestion. There are MANY other museums. One of my favorites is the Frick Collection as it is small, intimate, and beautiful. Check out www.frick.org and www.metmuseum.org.

Will you be alone? If you have a companion, Carmine's is a fun place to eat in the theatre district. Great italian food and HUGE portions, so it makes for a good deal if you share. Get there early (before 5:30 PM). Good for two or more, not if you're alone. Right by the St. James Theatre on 44th Street.

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Updated On: 10/20/04 at 05:13 PM

Try if at all possible to do the Showbiz Insider Tour. It's through Greyline Tours and it is amazing. Their office is around Times square soemwhere and you see their double decker buses everywhere. It's an awesome behind the scenes thing, I even got to make my Broadway debut on the Lion King stage. Actaully I just got to stand there but still!

New York is more of an atmosphere than a specific sight -

You can start by sitting for a few moments by the pond on Central Park south ( featured in some movies), off Fifth Avenue. Walk south on Fifth Avenue - you can see the Grand Army Plaza and the famous Plaza Hotel ( I'm sure you have seen it in some movies, too) and marvel at this beautiful avenue and some of the famous retail buildings lining it. There's Bergdorf Goodman ( temple of retail therapy - you don't have to buy but you can ogle), Tiffany, Trump, etc...until you reach the most famous church in New York, the gothic-looking St. Patrick's Cathedral and right beside it is now the landmark building of Saks Fifth...If you cross the street, there is the Rockefeller Center and its famous plaza ( best time to be here is at Christmastime)... you can also see famous television studios ( if you are very early, you may even get to see yourself onscreen on the TODAY SHOW)... Walk a little westward and there is the Radio City Music Hall - home of the TONYs the Rockettes, and Hugh

There are many neighborhoods which are interesting to explore for historical or cultural reasons - there's the Museum mile on Fifth Avenue, the theatre district, the financial district ( close to Ground Zero) and not too far from a view of Lady Liberty, Greenwich Village, Southstreet seasport, or even a view of Manhattan island from the river via a ferry ride...No need to spend a lot of money if you are simply walking around ( you can probably go on one of the Hop On/ Hop Off buses to take you around and to get you back).

Plenty of inexpensive places to eat at - many choices of cuisine, many open a good part of the day and night..

Don't forget to see a show for the Broadway experience! And if you get a stiff neck from looking at the tall buildings too much - that is part of the experience,too

Enjoy!

I highly recommend THE WAX MUSEUM and THE LOWER EAST SIDE TENEMENT MUSEUM. Anyone ever been to the latter?

And if you're into hardcore sightseeing, you can visit the Fraunches Tavern Museum in Lower Manhattan. The founding fathers spent quite a bit of time there. Only a short walk away is a Radio Shack that use to house the White Star Line Offices, which you've probably seen in a number of documentaries about the Titanic. (survivors and victim's families stormed them for news of loved ones fates)

Thanks for all the help! I didn't realise there was an off-topic board. Sorry! But thanks again!

The Alice in Wonderland Statues in Central Park, not to mention Bethesda Fountain. I love walking in the Village on a rainy spring evening also, the cobblestone streets in the rain remind me of those paintings of Paris.

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