Whoop! I'm coming to the big apple - what to do?

[bingbong]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 1:34pm

Hi there :)
I'm coming up to new york from London this weekend and was wondering what i should be doing while i'm there.
I'm with friends on friday and sunday, but i have the whole of saturday to myself. I'm seeing sunday in the park with george on the sat night.
Any advice on something else i can do while i'm there - where to go, etc?
I want to catch a saturday matine. Not sure what to see tho.

Any help/ideas would be brill! xx

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 1:38pm

Go see Little Mermaid, and Spring Awakening if you have a chance.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 1:48pm

If you want a fun, brainless show, see Xanadu. I've gone 8 times -- one of the most entertaining shows ever. Also, there are 29 seats on stage -- at a very reasonable price ($41.50). If you prefer to sit in the audience, there are discounts on the web -- try Playbill.com; broadway.com; broadway box.com; or theater mania.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 1:56pm

If you want to see a good play, see August: Osage County. A fun thing to do is go to the top of Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock). great views and I don't think the lines are as long as they can be for the Empire State Building. See the skaters in Rockefeller Center. Maybe take the Rockefeller center tour. The double decker busses are cool for a city tour. (I am assuming this is your 1st time in New York). I always like to walk through Grand Central Station and eat downstairs. great people watching. A few hours at MoMa is always fun if you want to do a museum.

[Calvin]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 2:00pm

Ed, he's coming from London. He doesn't need discounts. Our sucky currency has already assured him a huge discount on everything.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 2:04pm

"A fun thing to do is go to the top of Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock)"...and JUMP ! I do it every time I am in NYC, it's great fun !

Just kidding bibngbong ! There are soooooo many things to do in the greatest city on earth !!! The double decker bus could be a good way for a tour and they'll remind you of home ! They are hop on hop off, just like in London ! And don't miss Central Park !

[bingbong]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 2:29pm

hehe - 'he' is a she - my name's Hannah, lol (bingbong is a childhood nickname)

I am a student, so i will be making the most of student rush tickets - whoop! And yes, it's pretty much half price over there - hence the fact that i've managed to come over

Is there anything of Kerrigan/lowdermilk's workshopping/playing anywhere?
Or even any masterclasses - that would be an amazing way to spend my time.

I can't wait to come over! Hoorahh!

Thank you for your replies - keep em coming

lots o love xx

[Calvin]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 2:33pm

My apologies for my misogynistic assumption. Enjoy your visit!

[bingbong]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 2:38pm

no appologies needed - what kind of chick uses bingbong as a nickname anyway????
lol xx

[george95]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 2:42pm

I'd recommend just using the subway with a good map rather than the doubledecker buses. The buses are too expensive and unnecessary.

Have a Downtown Day and a Midtown Day. And see a B-way show each day.

I'm assuming you'll get here Friday afternoon. Head up to Times Sq, have dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner (51st/Broadway) Then see a show (I'm sure the other posters will give you ideas about shows) Then hit some bars afterwards.

Saturday, start as early as possible (I'm talking 8am) for the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island ferry and tour. That will take a few hours. Then, walk up B-way and see Ground Zero, St. Paul's Chapel, Winter Garden. On your way up B-way, you can turn right at Wall St and see Wall St, Federal Hall, NYSE, etc. For lunch you can stop in one of the delis down there or go to a Battery Park cart. (Restaurants are kinda dead downtown on Saturday)
When you get to Fulton St, walk across the island (not as far as it sounds) to South St. Seaport. Hang out there for a while, and if you havent bought a ticket for the 8pm show, buy one at the TKTS booth. Then, head uptown for your show.
Sunday, do Midtown.
You've already seen Times Sq, so start in the morning at the UN headquarters on 44th. Then walk back and have lunch at Grand Central. Then walk over to the NYPL on 42nd and 5th. Walk up 5th Av and see the stores, St. Patrick Cathedral, and Rock Center, then try Top of the Rock, and maybe the NBC Studio tour. Then, walk up a few more blocks to Central Park. The Central Park Conservancy website has some great free walking tour info. Have dinner at some place that you find listed in your playbill from last night. Go see your 8pm show. Then, walk down to 5th and 34th and go to the top of the Empire State.

Updated On: 2/4/08 at 02:42 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 2:51pm

Do your friends already have something planned for you on Friday and Sunday?

[Ninscherl]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 3:03pm

Thanx!!
This poster served me very well for my trip to NYC in two weeks!

[Lynnespock2]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 3:06pm

If you are going to be visiting Ground Zero, go across the street and do a bit of shopping at Century 21. The prices are terrific!

[bingbong]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 3:11pm

we're going to see a show on the friday, but nothing is planned yet.
on the saturday, I have friends involved in SITPWG, so i'm rather excited about that, but until i see them in the evening on i'm on my own all day (a slightly exciting yet scary prospect).

Thank you so, so much for all the advice!!!!!
you're all legends xx

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 3:12pm

Young Frankenstein would be another option for a show to see. Just walk around and enjoy the incredible city! Have a wonderful time!

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 3:16pm

I second The Top of the Rock. When we were there the wait was minimal, compared to 1-2 hours at Empire State. The view is terrific.

I also agree with Xanadu for a matinee. Since the running time is only 90 minutes it leaves you more time to sightsee. Really a great time at the theater.

Any of the major museums would be a great choice for a few hours (or a whole day). I especially like MoMA, the Met, Guggenheim, and Museum of Natural History.

If the weather is OK and you have some time, get out of Midtown and go down to SOHO or the Village. Walking these streets any time of the day or night is an absolute treat. Lots of great restaurants, shops, bars, clubs, and people everywhere. We never miss this area on each visit.

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 3:25pm

Xanadu is sooo much fun! It's really clever.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 2/4/08 at 3:55pm

Go to seasonofsavings.com for discounts for Top of the Rock. There's also a good discount for the Bodies Exhibition, which is quite interesting.

Saturday matinee, August: Osage County should not be missed. Student tickets are available for 26.50..which is only 13 quid!

If you want to see a musical instead, A Chorus Line is a great one. Student tickets are $35=£17.50, but like I said, you shouldn't miss August: Osage County. That would be blasphemous.

[bingbong]

Posted: 2/5/08 at 10:58am

will do :)
Cheers me dears xx

[Timmer]

Posted: 2/5/08 at 11:55am

Curtains is a lot of fun.

If you get a chance, have a pre-theatre meal at Sardi's. Whil;e it's not what it was when Vincent Sardi ran it, it's still the preeminent "theatre restaurant" in New York and the canneloni is heavenly.

It's touristy, but take the Circle Line. It will take you around Manhattan Island and you can see a lot of sights that way.

New York has many wonderful museums. I'm partial to the Museum of Natural History and the Hayden Planetarium because I spent a lot of time there growing up.

Go into Grand Central Terminal and look up at the art deco ceiling. Whatever else you want to say, the Giuliani Administration gets credit for having that cleaned so it could be enjoyed.

Then take the M104 up to Lincoln Center. There is a lot happening there.

[BrianIdol]

Posted: 2/5/08 at 12:13pm

ugh, the natural history museum was a complete bore and waste of $$ IMO. SEVERELY out-dated. Go to the MOMA and/or The Met instead.

[viola13]

Posted: 2/5/08 at 12:26pm

I would say try to see Rent since it's closing, especially if all you've seen of it is Rent Remixed. I second the Met and MoMA suggestions.

You might want to check out Chinatown this weekend since Chinese New Year starts on Thursday, and the big parade/festival is on Sunday. There are still small, rather spontaneous parades on the other days, if you don't want to brave the crowds.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/5/08 at 12:34pm

definetly MoMa. I go every time I am in the city. So sad they didn't time the Sauraut sketches to be shown right about now to correspond with Sunday in the Park's opening. I did get to see them in December and they were wonderful.

Another thing I love to do is walk through Bryant Park. And if you have the chance, walk through the Public Library. Beautiful building and interesting. I spent a few hours in there a year ago.