New York, New York

[kiki-do]

My oldest son gave my husband and I a trip to NYC for four days, three nights in Manhattan this coming May. This is a dream of mine! So we will take the train in, and hoof it the whole time there. Okay, what I would like to know are some favorite "hot spots" that you (who have been there or live there) recommend and why. If any place has orchids to look at, that would be a huge plus, but the hubby is not an orchid enthusiast, so orchid sights will not be on the top of the list. But!!!!!!
Wouldn't hurt to point me in that direction...if you know what I mean.
What stood out for you as a "must see" when you visited NYC?

[cb977]

What a wonderful gift!

I lived in NY my entire life and I am drawing a blank in trying to answer your question!

Give me time, we'll come up with the must-see places for you

The Bronx Botanical Gardens comes to mind immediately and you should also look into taking a boat tour around the city for one of the evenings. You will love it!

[whygreenberg]

How fantastic, Kiki!! Sue is right, the New York Botanical Gardens is wonderful. It's too bad you'll have missed their annual orchid show which usually runs Feb–March. Here's the website The New York Botanical Garden

I'll have to think some more about things to suggest. You've not been before, right?

[BikerDoc5968]

Kiki, I'll meet you in The Big Apple. My daughter is graduating from Pratt in May so I'll be there for a week or so! Don't tell Al or your hubby

[Ross]

I would definitely suggest the bus tour around NYC that leaves from Times Square. Take the whole tour. You can get off wherever you please and reboard. Then take the ferry tour around Staten Island and Statue of Liberty. If you've never ridden the subway at rush hour, it's a must-do just to say you've done it. Not an esthetic tour, that one, but a real education. We got off the bus at the Staten Island ferry park (not sure the name - I think Battery Park) and waited for the next ferry ride. Then we took the subway back to parking garage. A Blast, but not for faint of heart. The park is really close to the Twin Towers area. You can see the construction from the walkway. Enjoy your trip, we did, (including my 5-year old grandson who was amazed by the subway and the ferry boat.)

[lepanthes89]

Hi;
I live in NYC, and I would recomend a visit to the MET;the metropolitan museum of art that is; one of the best museums in the world.Its too big to do in one visit,so dont try.!Decide what you want to see, and go for it.My favorites are the recently reinstalled Greek and Roman galleries,and the Medieval galleries.
Other museums worth a visit are the MUseum of Natural History;(for dinasaurs,gems,etc.),the Cloisters,the Morgan Library, the MOMA(museum of modern art),etc.
Not in a museum mood?:go downtown to the village at the peacock cafe for coffee and pastries.
And for heavens'sake stay out of the tourist traps,they are very expensive,and no one other than tourists go there.Ex: avoid like the plague those "all in one"shops around Times Square that sell electronics,rugs,postcards etc.
New York is very diverse;you'll find something worthwhile.
take care.

[lepanthes89]

Oh, I forgot to tell you: If you want to find out what the best place to eat is,or how to get to whereever youre going,or whatever ask a local.
You'll find New Yorkers only LOOK in a hurry,or stern,or no-nonsense or whatever the latest stereotype is.
9 out of 10 people are friendly and helpfull, and love to share what they know.

[whygreenberg]

You'll find New Yorkers only LOOK in a hurry,or stern,or no-nonsense or whatever the latest stereotype is.
9 out of 10 people are friendly and helpfull, and love to share what they know.

This couldn't be more true. New Yorkers get a really bad rap.

I love The Cloisters myself and don't go there nearly enough. That said, I also actually really love Times Square at night. There's nothing quite like the sheer spectacle of it.

[whygreenberg]

Originally Posted by Ross

If you've never ridden the subway at rush hour, it's a must-do just to say you've done it. Not an esthetic tour, that one, but a real education. ...A Blast, but not for faint of heart.

I guess the subway is an acquired taste. I love the subway too!

[kiki-do]

Thank you everyone, and keep the ideas coming. I am enjoying this thread and taking lots of notes. I have never been to NYC and only have the four days (well, only three and a half), and want to experience it to the fullest. I don't think I will take time for shows, but perhaps a couple museums. I've seen the ads for the "circle line boat tour" and was wondering if it is a good choice. Definitely want to pay my respects to the world trade center and will take advantage of the bus tour. I want to experience central park. And silly or not, I want to find where John Lennon lived and the memorial that is there for him. He was an all-time favorite. So if anyone knows where that is, please tell me. Thanks so much for all your input and please keep telling me more places of interest. Thank you, thank you, thank you!