What to do in NYC...

[derbystfc]

Oh, do the brookyln Bride but DO walk over it, and find a pizza parlour called Grimaldis (its in an area called Dumbo), I promise you, it will be the best ever!!!

[Leggett]

Not the first person to recommend Grimaldis, will check it out! Mrs isn't bothered by shopping (apart from presents for our boys and family) so thats a bonus! Thanks for all the advice so far, will check it out :-)

[Chubbs]

eat a pizza from RAYS PIZZA (well a slice, because they are massive)

[Wandered]

Was in NY 2 weeks ago, recommend:
Dizzy's Jazz Club at the Lincoln Center, great views of Central Park and the option of an early show, which can be useful for the jet lag.
MOMA if that's your thing, nice cafe/restaurants for lunch.
Grand Central Station has a unique Apple Store that overlooks the main hall.
Hire a boat at Central Park.
As pointed out, take the free Statten Island ferry to get great views of Statue of Liberty. When get to far end just run round to catch the same one back.

[mystical_goat]

Eggs at Schillers - http://schillersny.com/ - their 'eggs hussard' is one of the finest things I've eaten.

Roberta's is a great pizza place in a cool area of Brooklyn - lots of artists and graffiti if you like that kind of thing. Roberta's is a laid-back pizza/bar place, really good food and even better atmosphere http://robertaspizza.com/

[nochee]

A tip I was given before I went the first time.  Wait until dusk when the lights start coming on, and then start walking across Brooklyn Bridge away from Manhattan.  The trick is not to turn around and look back until you are half way across.  It's a lot harder than you think.  But if you manage it, you'll be rewarded with one of the most mind-blowing views when you do.

And stick a pair of headphones in and have Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue' playing while you do it, and you'll probably start blubbing like a little girl.

Thanks, we will definitely try this.

[Ardiles]

I never did the headphone thing, by the way.  That was just an afterthought.  But if ever there was a piece of music that perfectly described a city, it's 'Rhapsody in Blue' and NYC.

[Batch]

Grand Central Station is great, and I'm not really into architecture and things like that. Find out the oyster bar and make yourself look silly doing the whispering gallery.

Although it was touristy (and tourist prices), I quite liked the horse and cart trip around central park. It was March when we went and it had snowed. We went for a walk after and did the zoo.

Generally did all the other touristy sightseeing things, times square, Stanton island ferry, Empire State, Flat Iron building, etc.

Didn't do anything too exciting food wise, the Lebanese restaurant with table top BBQ was interesting. They didn't seem to speak English, so it was all a bit of guesswork.

Also we got to see the St Patrick's day parade, which obviously you can't do but it was interesting to see primary school aged children carrying "England out of Ireland" banners.

[RobertT]

If you don't mind spending some money on drinks, go here:

http://www.230-fifth.com/

Brilliant views on a sunny day

I did a food walking tour in Greenwich Village which was really good.  They take you through the courses at different restaurants, some of which were really quirky.  One was a farm house inside the middle of a block - they'd just built around it!

Boat tours are good, did an old clipper style boat at sunset.

[Hoboken]

Go see the Yankees play baseball. or, the Mets if the Yankees are on the road.

Take PATH to Hoboken, NJ and walk along the waterfront

http://icons-ak.wunderground.com/data/wximagenew/h/Hobokenite/235.jpg

Then stop in at Marguerita's Italian restaurant - get there before 7pm as it gets busy. It's a BYOB place, too.

Or eat the jambalaya at Oddfellows or the paella at Puerto Spain.

I used to live in Hoboken and miss it!

[Leggett]

Baseball bores the shit outta me, I (and my mrs) are hockey fans. Praying the Rangers are home that weekend...

[Hoboken]

Baseball is a great game, but the less you understand the nuances, the less likely you'll enjoy it. Definitely worth going to see, if only for the retro feel to it. A good way to spend an afternoon or evening...

The Rangers are out of the NHL playoffs (only 4 teams left) so don't expect to see a hockey game...you can always see the NY Red Bulls in the MLS...not quite the same American experience, though...

Oh, this place is expensive, but the food is amazing. Only go if you're really hungry... http://churrascariaplataforma.com/

[Leggett]

I know the Rangers aren't in the playoffs, as I'm going in October the new season will have started

I've watched a couple of games of baseball, I've read up about the rules and how best to enjoy the game, and it's dull. each to their own!

[tans]

Whenever i think about baseball it reminds me of this

[RobertT]

This was the food tour:

http://www.foodsofny.com/

This place was good for a sarnie:

http://www.brooklyndiner.com/menu

and this was the last boat tour I went on:

http://www.manhattanbysail.com/About-Us/Our-Boats/

Pier 17 has plenty to do as well, so you can make a night of it.

Ellis Island was interesting, Liberty less so I thought and if it is open, don't bother going up the statue.

The Top of the Rock views are probably better than the Empire State Building, mainly because you get to see the Empire State Building!  But both are well worth the trip up.  I'd recommend The Rock by day and Empire by night.

Someone recommended Battery Park to Central Park.  I did that first time, and it was a long old walk!

If you want a less expensive but more rowdy night, around 80th St on Amsterdam Ave there are lots of Frat bars.  Got some free drinks from one them on my first afternoon in the city, seems the accent was winning the bar maid over.  Went to an Irish bar (O'Reilly's) on 31st St near Madison Square Gardens (on the St, not the Ave) and there was a cop having a drink with a guy who looked like a gangster and another one who could easily have been a politician.  Had to double check I wasn't in a film set.