Be Excellent To Each Other

Just caught up on Bits and Bobs and saw how helpful people had been with Mr Chris when he asked about Singapore, so I realised there must be a few people here with good knowledge and tips about New York!
We are going on Thursday for five nights and are staying in Manhattan, between the Port Authority and Times Square. We've mostly planned our itinerary but are flexible on what we will do so does anyone have any do not miss things, pub/club/restaurant/Broadway recommendations or highlights of their own trips of places to visit that they'd advise other people to visit?
Thanks my lovely beexers x

Visit The Peculier Pub and marvel at the largest selection of beer I've ever seen contained in a single place. Then drink some of it.

that looks fantastic!

Never been to New York, but I did see this place on Man vs Food

http://katzsdelicatessen.com/

Its supposed to be one of the best deli's in New York, the pastrami sandwhich had 1lb of meat in it

Would love to know whats its like in there if you have time

A load of Man vs Food New York locations here

http://www.manvsfoodlocations.com/new-y ... tions.html

I really like just walking around the place. Take an hour or so to walk down Broadway just enjoying the atmosphere and watching the people.

St Paul's Church is one of the oldest buildings in the city and also has a moving tribute to how it was used as a hostel for emergency staff after 9/11 (I almost cried). There's another old church around near Wall Street, the name of which escapes me right now.

If it's not too cold and you like tat, Coney Island is a fun, in a sleazy-end-of-the-pier kind of way.

And Grant's Tomb, natch. Especially if you're into the Marx Brothers.

Also: remember that the underground trains have express and local services - I've got onto the former by mistake before and ended way past my stop! It's really handy though.

The empire state building has about 5 floors of queueing, so don't think once you have to got to the lift, you're almost at the top...

Remember to have bags of fun at the UN:




My mate and I spent the whole tour trying not to giggle at the ugly 50s decor and trite gifts on display given by countries from around the world. Probably not the right attitude...

Go before 8am and you'll be fine

Has anyone done the Rockefeller Centre? I hear it's got great views and less queues, but have never climbed it myself.

As for bars, I had a very pleasant evening in the Prohibition Bar.

Not personally, but I've seen quite a few recommendations for it. It sounds a better option than the Empire State.

I want to do http://barcadebrooklyn.com/ when I go back next.

Yeah, several times! For me, it was loads better than empire state, plus you can look at the empire state building from it! I never had to queue on any occasion either as opposed to the empire state.

Thanks for all the recommendations so far!

Kats deli was already on the list, although I'm not sure how much I'll be able to enjoy there since I've had to go Gluten free. It's a must for my girlfriend though! That link to Man v Food locations is great, I'll have a wee look at it soon

Museum wise, I have been limited to what I'm allowed to go and see. I think the only one I have managed to get into the itinerary is the Natural History Museum! Our hotel is fairly close to the Intrepid so I might try and sneak in a wee trip there.

Barcade is on the list if we make it that far into Brooklyn, I'd be interested on hearing if anyone else has been to that area of Brooklyn to tell us how far away that bar is from the Brooklyn bridge? We're planning a day to walk across the bridge, visit the flea market and hopefully spend a couple of hours in Barcade!

My girlfriend wants to do the Empire State and top of the rock. We've heard top of the rock has better views and less queues but the Empire State is such an iconic landmark. We can't visit some things we really wanted to, like Ellis Island and the NYPD museum because they're still closed after damage caused by the hurricane.

MOMA is a good one to have a quick stroll around and its so central you can tie it in with other things.

You can always have a quick look at the guggenheim ( the architecture is my favourite part anyway) whilst you have a stroll in central park.

There is a ridiculous amount of great restaurants and bars, i'll have a look when i'm back home if theres anything specific youre after.

Toys r us in times square is worth a visit for a go on the indoors ferris wheel.

Oh, and if you're seeing a show, i can recommend spider-man!

Pizza by the slice.
The ghostbusters firehouse.
Times Square by day
Times Square by night
USS Intrepid
Watch a softball game in Central Park (may only be a summer thing)
Boat trip under brooklyn bridge
Natural history museum (and chicken and rice from the dodgy cart outside)
People watching in union square
Etc...

Oh and Macy's is ace. Bloomingdales is just John Lewis.

I thought Macy's was utter shit. Tat central.

Yep.

Ah, Ace as in "WTF? this is awesome", rather than a straight "this is awesome"

I love taking a stroll around yo Moma.

Also don't forget Macy's tourist discount. If you're not from the US you can get an extra 10%(or so) off card by visiting the info desk and showing your passport. Cheap ass Levi's with extra discount! Win!

It felt proper. History. Bloomingdales was literally John Lewis with a different sign

I've been there. It's where Meg Ryan faked an orgasm in When Harry Met Sally. There's a sign above the table it happened at, too.

Sorry to interject but I have just applied for a job in Singapore. Where is the Singapore advice mentioned above please?

When I went to New York I went up the Empire State Building, ate at WWE New York (no longer there) and bought some baseball gloves.

That is all I remember of it. Brilliant place!

Mr Chris' initial question is here so just have a nose from there

Ah, ta.