Things to do in the theater district

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 10:36pm

I feel a little square for asking this, but I'm out of ideas. My family's coming in to meet me for two shows tomorrow, so we'll have about 3 1/2 hours to kill in between. They live near NY and I live in NY and we've seen the major sights, so walking around and staring up at the big buildings has lost its appeal. We've seen a lot of the other touristy things. We don't want to just sit in a bar or restaurant--we're not bar people and we're looking for something to "do." I've done lots of things in the area but looking for some new ideas. Any favorite activities to kill the intra-performance gap? Thanks!

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 10:39pm

I'm a fan of checking email at the Apple Store on 5th Ave. Or hanging out in Borders at Columbus Circle

Um... Yeah...I'm a dork. :P

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 10:40pm

Ripleys Believe It or Not Museum on 42 nd St
Virgin Megastore
St Patrick's

[dshnookie]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 10:42pm

May not be the greatest idea, and sadly very touristy but when I went to NY I had a huge gap between the Xanadu matinée and the evening performance of The Little Mermaid. Madame Tussaud's, Top of the Rock, and a quick dinner filled the time quickly. The Met Museum isn't a bad idea either. I'm sure you've been to all of these places.

Which shows are you seeing?

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 10:43pm

Oh yeah. Virgin kills a lot of time too. :)

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 10:46pm

What museums have you been to? Natural History, the Met and Guggenheim are pretty close.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 10:50pm

If you only have three and a half hours, which I'm going to assume will include a meal, I would go to the Museum of Modern Art instead of the Guggenheim or the Met, which are 30 blocks north of Times Square. The MoMA is at least in walking distance. Also, I'm not sure if the construction is done yet, but walking around Lincoln Center is nice as well.

[Rotel1026]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 10:50pm

I'd say MoMA, and it's closer too.

You could always hang out around Rockafeller Center and maybe do the Top of the Rock while you're there.

[sally1112]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 11:01pm

Not bar people??

I'm gonna need a moment.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 11:04pm

Updated On: 3/3/08 at 11:04 PM

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 11:22pm

It's expensive, something like 30 bucks to get in.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 11:33pm

Bowling at Leisure Time Bowling IN The Port Authority....it was renovated recently so I'm not sure if it's open, although you could check...
The Bway shows have "leagues" there, usually in the winter.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 11:33pm

I enjoy taking in a film at the IMAX theater, if there is a film playing that seems like it would benefit from the IMAX screen.

ETA...the bowling lane is open...it's right next to the terminal my bus usually leaves from, so I see it all the time. Updated On: 2/29/08 at 11:33 PM

[george95]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 11:41pm

My students always enjoy ESPN Zone in Times Sq--or the NYPL on 42nd and 5th. Window shopping along 5th Ave is a good time too. 3.5 hours is enough time to take the NRQW downtown 8th St and shop around SoHo as well.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 11:41pm

I echo going to the MOMA, but keep in mind the admission is $20, in case you're factoring in a budget.

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 11:46pm

I love killing time in the Virgin Megastore.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 11:47pm

Oh I think MoMA is a great suggestion. It's a fantastic museum, and it isn't too far away. Please don't take your parents to check their email at the Apple Store.

3 1/2 hours isn't a very long time. You can walk to Bryant Park. Check out the NY Public Library.

What are you seeing?

[dave1606]

Posted: 2/29/08 at 11:49pm

trying to get into the Espn zone should kill a good deal of time. Almost every time I have gone or tried to go there there is a two hour plus wait time. Virgin is great! also, the shops underground at rockafeller are kinda fun or columbus circle...such a pretty mall even if there is nothing i could think about buying in it!

[winston89]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 1:51pm

Madame Tussaund's is a tourist trap as is the riplies museume.

When I am in the theatre district and on my own I go into virgin. I keep getting suprisded about how easy it is to kill time there. That is something that never ceases to amaze me.

It's hard for me to think of the stores in NYC as fun to go hang out in because I live here. If I need something that is in a particualr store I go there to get it. I lost the appeal of going to a store just because it is a particualr store in NYC.

The only store that was fun to brows in was the original FAO Schwarz. The new one can't even hold a candel to it.

I would suggest bowling at port athority. I have never done it myself but I have heard it's fun.

The walk around Lincoln Center just put up more walls to block people from the construction. There is even one around the fountian. I was just there the other day. And unless you knew your way around and you knew how to get from point A to point B it will be hard to get around the walls. Plus they got rid of the whole appeal to star at the buildings and the fountian etc.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 1:54pm

Updated On: 3/3/08 at 01:54 PM

Posted: 3/1/08 at 8:15pm

Cruise the Port Authority Mens' room...

[matjomae]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 9:00pm

Heh Leisure Time Bowl at the Port Authority. Actually not a bad idea - my company's Holiday Party was actually there (I obviously work for for a very classy company). It is the cheapest place to bowl in the city, and really, who doesn't enjoy bowling ; )

ETA - Browsing in Macy's is also a suggestion.

Updated On: 3/1/08 at 09:00 PM

[george95]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 9:00pm

There will NOT be a wait to get into the 3rd floor game room of ESPN Zone---I have taken a group of students there about once a month every month for the past 5 years, and we've never once waited. I do get carded though! : )

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 1:19pm

On 42 nd St, there is Dave & Busters a restuarant & game complex

[BrianIdol]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 1:27pm

eww Dave and Busters sucks