NYC Tourist Questions - with a twist

[MDefarge]

Hi y'all.  BF and I both grew up right outside of Manhattan (me on LI him in Queens) but since we left HS neither of us have spent much time there.  I went to college upstate then lived in MD, he joined the Army and was in Iraq, Kuwait etc.  A couple of months ago we realized that we live 20 minutes from one of the greatest cities in the world, but we're not really taking advantage of it. 
In December we went in and saw Les Mis and Jan we went in to the Museum of Natural History.

We decided that this weekend we wanted to go in to see on of our favorite comedians but that it would be fun to get a hotel room for Sat night and do some exploring.  We've already decided that we want to go to the Met on Sunday, but are looking for something "touristy" to do Sat.  We were thinking about going to the Empire State building but I looked it up and it's $32 EACH just to go to the top...just a little more than I'm willing to spend.

So basically any suggestions for fun "touristy" stuff we could do on Sat (and in the future) would be appreciated.  Doesn't have to be free and we do have metro cards so we're more than willing to go to different parts of the city.


Also any restaurant suggestions would be MUCH appreciated.  We looove Thai, Indian, Mexican and are willing to try just about anything although BF can't eat Pork.

Thanks in advance 

[Lisbeth]

Maybe you'll enjoy Chelsea Piers (12th Ave and 23rd St).

[Alida]

Depending on your price range, our favorites are:

Sushi Samba - My 14 year old would live at Sushi Samba if she could.  It's a fantastic Brazilian/Japanese fusion with great drinks.  If I could eat their beef maki every day, I would.  Try their brunch on Sunday, it's incredible!

One if By Land, Two if By Sea - pretty pricey, but it's a special treat (and a 3 - 4 hr meal)

La Bonne Soup - Our favorite for after a cold walk

Mesa Grill - Do this for dessert.  I've yet to be really happy with the entrees there, but dessert?  Oooh, now we're talking.

If you're into something different, try Abyssinia for traditional Ethopian fare.  Sitting at the woven tables was a lot of fun (one of our friends is over 6'4" and all of that seems to be legs).

The Olympic Flame is great for breakfast.  Even my husband has yet to finish a meal there, the plates are huge.

ESB:  To go up to the observatory alone, it's $20 per person for adults. We just took DD last month.  I hadn't realized she'd NEVER been up there!

For later in the year (because I'm a wimp who hates cold on the water): Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty (though as a Jersey girl, I'm going to have to remind everyone that She stands in NJ waters  )

South Street Seaport

Wander Little Italy and Chinatown.  Pop into Pearl River, lots of fun things to buy. 

And, of course...
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.
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there's always the Museum of Sex


ETA:  And stay far, far away from Tad's Steaks, though DH and his coworkers eat there a lot when they're working.  Eeewwww.  Grease on a paper plate.

[megswsu]

Have you walked across the Brooklyn Bridge before? That was fun, and the view from the other side is quite nice.

I also seem to remember my uncle saying there is some ferry or something that goes around the harbor and I THINK you can get off at Staten Island and I THINK it's free. I'm sorry I don't have more info. We didn't get around to doing it, I just vaguely remember my uncle suggesting that to my friend and I when we visited.

Or walk around Little Italy or places like that.

It's been a while since I've been to NY, but that's what I remember doing (and I can't remember what we paid to go up to the Empire State Bldg, but $32 each sounds crazy!!).

[Jaywalker]

the Statten Island Ferry -- fun, cheap or free (it used to be a quarter, but I think it is free now)

the big planetarium --

Central park

the Metropolitan Museum is a great museum and the Natural History Museum across the park is very good, if you are interested

you can also go visit art galleries for free -- there are listings in the NYT on weekends as I recall -- we just go through and circle all the interesting sounding exhibits and off we go -- have seen some weird and amazing installation pieces

[AmethystAnne]

Is your BF still in the service?

If I remember correctly, Servicepeople wearing their uniforms can either get in free to the ESB or at a greatly reduced fee.

Or that's what was on my admission ticket when my kids and i went there in October 2005.

We thought that Times Square was fun.

[kingsrings]

I second going to Central Park. So much to do and see there, and it's so incredibly beautiful. Also Rockefeller Center is a great place to tour, and it's cheaper than the Empire State building. Look up coupons online for discounts.

[IndianInlaw]

We went a year or two ago and the Empire State Building was somewhere between 12 and 18 dollars, I can't remember.

Be sure to go to Macy's on 34th St and ride the antique wooden escalators.

Try to envision who has ridden them throughout the decades.

[Alida]

Try to envision who has ridden them throughout the decades.

I know I have, at least a half dozen times every Christmas for decades (gah, I can say that now... now I feel ancient) ...  I love Macy's

[JoyinVirginia]

Last summer we went to NYC for a few days, saw some show and shopped. A fun thing we did - I got the suggestion off a travel board - was to take the free tour of the New York Public Library on 42nd street. VERY interesting and learned some fun facts to amaze people with. It is a lovely and unique building.
Have a great time!
Joy in Virginia

[MDefarge]

Just booked the hotel, we'll be staying on 35th Street between 5th & 6th.  BF is a HUGE breakfast person so if anyone knows of any great brunch/breakfast spots either near the hotel or up by either the Museum of Natural History or the Metropolitan Museum of Art  let me know.

I think we are going to combine some suggestions

Sat - Get into the city @ 2pm, go to the Chipotle on 34th for lunch (haven't been to one since I left D.C. two years ago and I can't WAIT)

Wander around midtown and then either spend the $ to go to *just* the Observation Deck at the Empire State Building (thanks for pointing out that it's a different price just to do that AlidaDmed or go down and take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island.

We're meeting friends at the comedy place (on 14th st) @6:30/7
Probably get dessert or coffee when the show gets out (@ 10?)

So far it looks like the weather will be good on Sun, so I think we might take the Subway up to the Museum of Natural history and then walk across Central Park at 79th street?  Is it very far to walk across the park? 

I'm hoping to get to the Museum by noon/one at the latest.  Am I trying to do too much for one day?