If you only had 2 days in NYC...

[Losluv]

As the title suggests, hubs and I got 2 days in the city. Broadway show is in the works but otherwise open itinerary. We are staying in midtown Manhattan- W.48th. This is our first trip and we want to do everything but there's so much and so little time. So CBers give me your favorite restaurants, entertainment and activities for a short timer in town. Appreciate your suggestions.

[IndyPoolPlayer]

Try to take in the Stardust Diner for lunch if you can get in. Lot of aspiring Broadway singers work there while waiting on their "big break". It's on Broadway at 51st.

[Losluv]

Thanks Indy, we will check it out on day one and report back!

[TeeSharice]

Must have corned beef sandwich.

 

Chinatown for dinner

 

Do the silly bus tour because it's fun to be goofy

 

Ride the wooden escalator in Macy's.

 

See the Naked Cowboy on 7th Ave

 

 

Grab a pretzel from any street vendor.

 

 

#homesick

[tmkats]

Hop on a train and go uptown to, oh say, the Harlem vicinity.

 

It will be a trip you surely won't forget.

 

[TeeSharice]

Harlem.

 

Upper Manhattan to museums.

 

 

Soho. Shopping

 

5th Ave. Shopping

[VintageWillow]

I've never been, but am tentative planning a trip with a friend of mine who use to live there. She says the Bronx zoo is a MUST see.

[AnnMichele]

Hop on a train and go uptown to, oh say, the Harlem vicinity.

 

It will be a trip you surely won't forget.

 

What do you mean?

[ubercat]

Hop on a train and go uptown to, oh say, the Harlem vicinity.

 

It will be a trip you surely won't forget.

 

 

What do you mean by this?

[tmkats]

 

Hop on a train and go uptown to, oh say, the Harlem vicinity.

 

It will be a trip you surely won't forget.

 

 

What do you mean by this?

 

 

Nothing bad, I swear.

 

I've live in NYC all my life and there are LOTS of great things to see uptown.

 

Never have, personally but that doesn't mean that someone else shouldn't.

[TeeSharice]

Harlem is my #1 choice to live if I ever could afford to live in NYC.

 

 

a brownstone in Brooklyn is #2.

 

 

Try to eat at some trendy non-chain, non national, non-former HGTV star related places.

 

I highly recommend Pellagrinos in Little Italy.

[ubercat]

I loved living in East Harlem (in the `80s). Loved it. I don't even wanna say what I paid for a one bed rr. It was crazy cheap.

[AnnMichele]

I've never been to Brooklyn before. I just admitted that this past weekend to someone who lives there, and they told me that was "uncool".

 

Harlem, well, I love it. My Aunt and Uncle have a gorgeous brownstone there, and I spent a nice amount time there. If I could live in a Brownstone, then I would live in the city. That's the only way.

[Fallon]

If I had two days in NYC, I'd try to see if I could shorten it to 1 or 0.

[TeeSharice]

I've never been to Brooklyn before. I just admitted that this past weekend to someone who lives there, and they told me that was "uncool".

 

Harlem, well, I love it. My Aunt and Uncle have a gorgeous brownstone there, and I spent a nice amount time there. If I could live in a Brownstone, then I would live in the city. That's the only way.

 

All. Of. This.

[CTSoxFan]

If you like Italian food, I would recommend going to Becco (on 46th between 8th-9th in theatre district). Great food, and very reasonably priced for NYC. Recommend getting the daily pasta special.

[mec]

I'm a pastrami fan and would like to try Katz's (205 E Houston)

 

I haven't spent time in NY for a couple of decades but my best memories were looking out over central park from a 59th st hotel room and walking the streets / riding the subway... just stopping and buying local food from a place that looked inviting.

 

I would like to see Governor's island someday or other remnants of the days of Dutch rule... just because I'm interested in early American history... but I have no idea if it's a rewarding experience.

[IndyPoolPlayer]

Oh, and take the subway downtown (1,2,3 will get you there) to the 9/11 memorial and take a few moments and let it sink in.

[ubercat]

I guess the old Small Pox Hospital is open to the public. We were forced to climb security fences with concertina wire back in the day.

 

Old Gothic Revival Small Pox Hospital built in the mid 1800s on the south tip of Roosevelt Island. You can take the tram across.

 

They say maybe 13,000 people died there. It's a beautiful site, and the building is stately and romantic. ...and spooky in the middle of the night.

Edited February 2, 2016 by ubercat

[pjmaxwellian]

My advice, if you only have 2 days, wear comfortable walking shoes, can't stress that enough. Don't try to fit the entire city into that time frame or you'll be spending most of your time in cabs or trying to figure out how to get from a to b. I usually try to get a few hours in one museum, but that's what I like. MOMA is about 6 blocks from 48th. I would walk and take in Times Square, and a few shops on the way. Sunday brunch at The Boathouse in Cental Park is a splurge, if you can get reservations, I've always enjoyed it, then a people-watching walk around part of the park.

 

Zoom in on a map that highlights the sites, shops etc. near your hotel and pick a few that interest you. It really depends on what you like and what you want to see. You probably won't get to everything, there is so much to distract you on the way from whatever mission you may be on. I think that's part of the fun.

 

I agree with Indypoolplayer, the 9/11 memorial is worth a trip downtown.

Edited February 3, 2016 by pjmaxwellian

[Losluv]

Thanks to everyone who responded. You've given us some great ideas and insight to the city. The comfortable shoe advice is a lifesaver. I think we now have a good deli, Italian restaurant and museum choice (the MOMA was already on my radar). We will do the 9/11 memorial as well. I was thinking the Rainbow Room for Sunday brunch but the Boathouse sounds great too - perhaps easier to get a reservation?

 

Harlem will have to wait till next trip - but I'm intrigued that so many of you suggested a visit. CBer's are a smart and cultured group!

 

Thanks again all!

[Konrad2012]

My favorite NYC memory is breaking in to the Spaceship Observatory Towers in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, climbing the old deteriorating staircases, and then jumping off them with a parachute.

 

Always good to get a foot massage in Chinatown. Then walk to Little Italy and eat.

 

Taking the subway from Wall Street area to Yankee Stadium and watching a Yankees-Orioles game was pretty cool as well...even though I hate those teams and don't even really like baseball

Edited February 3, 2016 by Konrad2012

[IndyPoolPlayer]

My favorite NYC memory is breaking in to the Spaceship Observatory Towers in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, climbing the old deteriorating staircases, and then jumping off them with a parachute.

 

That's where MiB parked the crashed spacecraft back in the 60's, no?

[ubercat]

...wear comfortable walking shoes, can't stress that enough.

 

...and pay attention to the traffic, not the traffic lights.

[Losluv]

 

...wear comfortable walking shoes, can't stress that enough.

 

...and pay attention to the traffic, not the traffic lights.

 

Words to live by. Will do!