OT: Taking my wife to Manhattan, Any suggestions on things to see? Options

[wbergtho]

I promised my wife I would take her to Manhattan as soon as she finished a triathlon. Well she just finished one a few weeks ago and now I'm making good on my promise. I also bought 2 tickets to her favorite rock band...the Scorpions and they will be playing the Beacon Theatre on the upper West side the night we arrive (tommorrow...wednesday Sep 26th).

We'll have some time to sight see in the city that never sleeps and would like to ask you guys/gals what you might suggest we do or see there besides the obvious Central Park, Times SQ, Statue of Liberty, Empire State building, etc. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) I'm looking for good places to eat, "hole in the wall places" that are great fun. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) That sort of thing. I've never been to NY and would like to experience the steel jungle at least once. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) The friggin hotel prices are ridiculous!!!

Thanks for all the suggestions in advance!

Bill

[orthobiz]

If she likes shopping, go on 5th Avenue, start at 42nd street and head north. You'll pass Rockefeller Center, at around 55th St you'll see the skating rink (of course no ice now) on your right, you will have passed St Patrick's Cathedral.

Go West on 57th st and around 7th Ave get a pastrami sandwich at Carnegie Deli, right across from Carnegie Hall. Wait on line and do not go to the deli across the street. Have a half sour pickle, they are fresh and are the best.

Find a Ray Bari's and get an "original Ray's Pizza." Order by the slice, don't go for any "personal pan pizza" bullshit. Unfortunately, they all claim to be the original Ray's but Ray Bari is considered the original original. Either that or stop by any little pizza place and you probably won't go wrong. Don't ask for Brooklyn style or NY style 'cause you're already IN NY!!!!

Go to H&H Bagel (somewhere on the upper east side). Ask for "what's hot," meaning what just came out of the oven. Eat it plain, with butter or cream cheese to let the flavor come through.

Statue of Liberty is OK but you will spend all day ferrying yourself out there. Then, you spend 90 percent of the time behind her, wasn't my favorite.

Ride the subway: you can go to the 80's where H&H Bagel is and you'll take the 4/5/6 line (pretty safe) and you'll be able to say you did it.

Go see a play. Monty Python's Spamalot was a complete hoot.

Go to the Living Room just below Houston Street. You'll see some real talented rock groups, probably four or five, for pennies PLUS no smoking anywhere in NY, not even the bars. Probably cost 3 or 4 bucks.

Pick up a copy of TimeOut magazine from the nearest vendor as soon as you hit the street: best selection of all entertainment in the city.

If you're into records, go to 8th St and 2nd Ave (St Mark's Place). Walk west to third ave, lots of fun punk shops, CD's, vinyl, local color. Get some funky food at DoJo's cheap. Maybe even get a felafel if you haven't had one. Continue to 4th Ave, cross over Broadway and find Sullivan St by Washington Square, more record stores there.

Have fun!

Paul