What to do in NYC

[cally]

I'm traveling with two teen girls. One loves museums (as do I) and the other loves shopping. We've been before so we've been to the large, well-known museums. We've walked through the ritzy shopping districts. What I would like to find is small, quirky museums or gardens. Also, any ideas for cheaper shopping districts or areas with resale stores. I remember walking through an area with blocks of fabric stores and button stores but I don't remember where that is. Also, any ideas for bead stores.

We will probably check out the half-price ticket booth and look for off-Broadway plays.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated. :hi:

[swag]

1. Small, quirky museums

Two that come to mind immediately are the American Folk Art Museum, which is wonderful, and the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum.

The International Center of Photography can be a pleasure as well.

Those are just a couple of the small museums I've enjoyed along with the Met, MOMA, The Goog, and the Whitney.

Have fun.

[cally]

11. Those look great

I'll see if we can make those and the Cloisters. I can't wait to go now.

[SteppingRazor]

15. Only problem with the Cloisters is that it's way out in BFE...

way, way northern Manhattan. Practically in the Bronx. But I highly recommend it too :thumbsup:

[Catchawave]

41. We took the public bus from midtown Manhattan

to the Cloisters, and it was a wonderful tour of some cute ethnic neighborhoods, but you can't be in a hurry ! It was the end of the day, and a great "sit and stare" sort of event.

[smirkymonkey]

51. One of my favorite museums is the Neue Gallerie on Fifth Avenue

and 86th Street. It's small, located in a beautiful old mansion and specializes in German & Austrian Expressionism. It also has a great Viennese cafe attached that is quite a treat - although there is sometimes a wait to be seated. In fact, I am going there this weekend.

[swag]

52. That sounds terrific.

Noted for my next trip.

[swag]

2. Oh, and why not go up to the Cloisters? I've always wanted to.

http://www.metmuseum.org/Works_of_Art/department.asp?dep=7

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. I would suggest that, too!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

5. I second this.

The Cloisters are cool.

[cally]

12. I'm going to try. Looks great

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. Geez, that's tough. NYC has so little to do - there's the park,

that's kind of cool to walk through and will burn up an hour or so. They have a theater, but it's hit and miss whether any play will be going on when you go there. You should call ahead to make sure.

If you want quirky, there is a national park in Harlem - Alexander Hamilton's old home. It's on Convent Drive, and I think it's between 142 and 143, or within a block or two of that anyway. It's pretty cool! And wedged in between a church and an apartment building, just a teeny little national park that is probably all of 2500 square feet in land area, if even that. The rangers there are always helpful and happy to give a tour and talk, since I don't think they get a lot of visitors.

The MTA museum in Grand Central Terminal is kinda cool, and they have a big train layout there, too.

The museum of TV and Radio (something like that) in midtown - maybe 51, 52, or 53, somewhere between Fifth Avenue and Madisonn Avenue - you can go on and watch old TV shows, and blah blah blah.

[SteppingRazor]

10. Please tell me that subject line is...

:sarcasm:

I mean, the word "NYC" and "so little to do" shouldn't really appear in the same sentence together.

[dr.strangelove]

21. I don't think something that obvious needs a "sarcasm" icon

[SteppingRazor]

23. Yeah, I know. I was partially joking...

But I have been in NYC with my friends that live there and had to deal with them complaining about there being nothing to do. So, it is within the realm of possibilities.

[dr.strangelove]

45. How one can not find anything to do on a trip to NYC is beyond me.

I figured you were joking.

[cally]

13. I know, I can't find anything to do

;-) Thanks for the recomendations and the streets for the garment district.

[Rabrrrrrr]

6. Oh, and the Sony Building on 54th and Park (approx.)

has a really cool activity center thingy that you can go into, and it's free, and you get a little certificate at the end of it. I wish I could describe it more, but I took my niece and nephew there and they loved it. Some pretty cool high tech stuff they get to play with.

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. The Fabric Dsitrict is below Port Authority and above Penn Station

[ncrainbowgrrl]

8. Check out Brooklyn Heights- then walk back over the Bklyn Bridge.

Especially at sunset.

Makes me miss the city of my birth!

[cally]

14. Is this for the view?

I'm willing to try but I have to sell it to my companions.

[Rabrrrrrr]

19. The walk across the bridge is great!

I used to do it a lot. Especially nice on a warm day, but even in the winter it can be very beautiful and fun. And there's a bunch of stuff on the making of the bridge by the two support columns.

And Brooklyn Heights is pretty neat. You can see houses that still have the doors for the carriages in them, and see some of the most expensive homes in NYC. Montague Avenue can be worth a walk up and down, though I wouldn't call it essential.

[Beetwasher]

20. Bklyn Heights Promenade is One of The Nicest Views in The City

It overlooks southern Manhattan and you can see the statue of liberty as well.

You can make a day out of going downtown, the South St. Seaport then take a water taxi($5) across to the promenade.

The Heights is an historic neighborhood that is beautiful, w/ lots of old mansions and some nice little parks and gardens. It's also where I live! ;-)

[cally]

26. Sounds great

I'll try to make it there. Thanks

[Rabrrrrrr]

29. And be sure to do the Promenade especially at night

Most wondrous!

[Rabrrrrrr]

36. And if you're gonna to the Heights, walk a few more block to Jacque Torres

chocolate shop - especially wonderful in the winter, where you can get a piping hot hot chocolate that will destroy your soul. Get the one with the hot pepper.

http://www.mrchocolate.com/default.aspx

God, I miss living there - that was the coolest area of NYC I ever lived, though I loved the convenience of Morningside Heights.

[Rabrrrrrr]

32. Where in the heights are you at?

I had friends on Montague street (though cross street I don't remember - a block or two off that main street parallel to Hicks), and some friends over by Hicks and Pineapple; and I lived in Vinegar Hill for just under a year.

[Beetwasher]

38. Livingston St.

Right behind Boro hall off Court St.

Where are you now?

[Rabrrrrrr]

40. I don't know that area well - I only went to boro hall for the subway

I am now out of NYC (maybe!) in an undisclosed location.

But God, I miss living in Vinegar Hill. Had a great apartment, and the place has begun to seriously change in the last couple of years; though I'm sure in a couple more years the yuppies will have fully destroyed it, like they did SOHO. It's really too bad - DUMBO stayed pure for so long.

[SteppingRazor]

9. Do the Guggenheim...

best museum in New York. If you want to see all of these: Guggenheim Museum, American Museum of Natural History, Circle Line Sight Seeing Cruises,
Empire State Building,Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum and Museum of Modern Art for one price ($50, I think), check out citypass.com.

And for shopping hit the stores along 5th ave., like Tiffany's and Versace to drool, and then go into Macy's to actually buy something. (hit H&M, just down the street from Macy's for really hip yet dirt cheap stuff).

Also, if you've never been, go to Strawberry Fields in Central Park, or else you're a complete loser. :evilgrin:

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

16. Walk around the West Village, the Meatpacking District

and Greenwich Village from W. 14th Street and below. There is some good shopping on Hudson and West 14th Street (Scoop, Stella McCartney, La Perla, DDC Lab, etc.) and other streets in between, but what's best about this area is the architecture, the quaint townhomes and the occasional celebrity who lives in the area. Shopping at Century 21, right across from the World Trade Center, is a blast. If you like electronics, check out J&R, by City Hall, just a few blocks from the WTC. You may want to visit Battery Park and Ft. Clinton for a free little history lesson, as well as the area around Wall Street. You may hop on the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from Battery Park. If you go horizontally across, you'll end up at the Pier 47 area which has shops and a fantastic view right below the Brooklyn Bridge. If you feel like it, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is also fun and the view coming from Brooklyn to Manhattan is great.

[cally]

27. Thanks...we spent a lot of time in Greenwich last time

I like that area a lot.

[smirkymonkey]

49. You might also want to check out the East Village and Nolita

It's a bit younger, hipper and lots of funky little stores, restaurants & cafes.

[cally]

28. I guess I'm not a loser...I've been to Strawberry Fields

and I don't think my kids will allow me in the Natural History Museum. I love that museum. I'll go to the Guggenheim if we head over that way. Thanks.

[Beetwasher]

17. Century 21 Dept. Store Downtown By Ground Zero

Trust me, this is the place to go for shopping. Amazing deals there.

The Garment district is around 7-8th ave in the low mid 30's- low 40's. The sidestreets have all sorts of fabric stores and button shops, beads etc.

[cally]

30. Thanks...we'll go to both those areas

I just hope they don't blast the lousy music they play in too many teen stores. :crazy:

[Beetwasher]

39. Ha! It's Not A Teen Store, It's More Like a Macy's

But it does tend to get very crowded because of all the great deals.

[cassandra uprising]

42. Someone told me about Century 21

She said it was the place to go. I was going to suggest it but I couldn't remember the name. Thanks for posting! I'll have to check that out.

[Mz Pip]

18. The Natural History Museum is awesome

THe Planetarium is really neat, too. Sunday afternoon in Greenwich Village is a hoot if the weather is decent.

I enjoyed the MOMA when I visited.

As for shopping it's everywhere! There is a Ross that has 5 floors.

I'll probably go in April to visit my son. Hopefully, the weather will be good.

On edit: Take the ferry to Ellis Island. The place is really facinating.

:hi:

Mz Pip
:dem:

[cally]

31. I'm not allowed in the Natural History Museum although

I may sneak a trip there. I love this museum.

[dr.strangelove]

22. Go into the NYC Tourism office right across from the TKTS booth

in Times Square. Great info for off-broadway plays and discounts. As for things to do, try the oft ignored Staten Island. There is a free ferry from downtown. On Staten Island, I would head over to historic richmondtown. A taxi from the ferry terminal is about $15. It is a re-enactment of the first NYC village. Great museums and a fun day.

Also on Staten Island is the Jacques Marchais Center of Tibetan Art which is one of the only places in the US to see such a collection of tibetan art.

Just an idea. The ferry ride itself is free and takes 25 minutes each way and offers great views on a nice day like this.

[Rabrrrrrr]

24. There's also the maritime museum near the ferry drop off place

a quick bus ride there.

Used to be a retirement colony for sailors, and now a museum and a couple small restaurants and some pretty interesting stuff.

I can't think of the real name of it, though.

[dr.strangelove]

47. Snug Harbor Cultural Center

The museum is nice, the children's museum is great. My sister worked there in high school. Great place.

Also soon to open next to the Ferry in the National Lighthouse Museum, the only federally funded lighthouse museum in the country.

[cally]

33. That sounds like fun if the weather is nice

We're Californians and I'm a weather wimp. Otherwise, that's just the type of idea I was hoping ot get. Thanks

[dr.strangelove]

46. Don't be a weather wimp, cold is part of NYC is February.

Enjoy your trip.

[smirkymonkey]

50. Today it was like spring again.

Very volatile winter we're having here - you just never know what your going to get, so it's best to layer.

[cassandra uprising]

25. Museo del Barrio

It's just North of the Guggenheim and is incredible and cheap.

http://www.elmuseo.org/

For Cheap (ish) fun shopping H&M is the way to go. There's one at 59 and Lexington.

The Sweeny Todd broadway run is reported to be amazing by several accounts. All the actors double as musicians an never leave the stage. I have a friend that got standing room tix for 25 bucks.

http://www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/114462

Also if I had the loot to see broadway I would check out Sarah Jones' Bridge and Tunnel. Acclaimed one woman show about the immigrant experience.

http://theater2.nytimes.com/gst/theater/tdetails.html?id=1124987588913

For you're into not so run of the mill theater I would suggest, Zomboid!

http://theater2.nytimes.com/gst/theater/tdetails.html?id=1124991948645

and while you're in the village go eat and drink at The Spotted Pig. Grab a seat around 4 or 5 pm or expect to wait for an hour or two if you go during dinner time. The food is out of this world entrees from 10 - to 30 bucks.

http://www.thespottedpig.com/

There is so much to do it can be overwhelming. Have a blast!

[cally]

35. Thanks, all of your suggestions sound great

I'm going to look up the plays and start looking at maps to see what we can fit in. Thanks.

[ThomCat]

34. A tour of really good restaurants?

The food in this city is amazing! You could easily start a whole new thread with people just talking about favorite restaurants in NYC.

[cally]

37. I know...but I tend to not like to focus on restaurants when I travel

I would rather spend the time seeing things. I've eaten some amazing food in NYC, though.

[ET Awful]

43. It may not be small and quirky, but MOMA is a MUST.

I LOVE that place (haven't been since the big remodel though).

If it was still in business, I'd say who cares how old the two teen girls are, you must spend some time at FAO Schwartz, but I think they're gone now. That place was too much fun to just go look around.

[Catchawave]

44. Canal Street for shopping !

From a teen at heart....

If the feds aren't raiding it that day, great shopping for your favorite "knockoff" brands. I love my $20 Prada purse :)

Coney Island and the NY Aquarium is a nice day trip if you're going in warmer weather. Also a very scenic subway train ride away.

Go see "Rent", go to the box office to find out about student tix for the first two rows.

Take a tour on the big red busses, top level seating, again if you need a rest day, but still soak in the sights and learn a little more about obscure NYC facts and destinations.

The South Street Seaport is nifty, and lots of little shops to plunder in.

Have a blast :hi:

[Fredda Weinberg]

48. A walk in the village

You'll find lots of galleries and boutiques. Keep going south from W 4 & Ave of the Americas to Soho, south of Houston Street.

[Flaxbee]

53. Have you been to the Morgan Library?

OH MY GOD! Lovely, lovely museum (with illuminated manuscripts) at 36th and Madison, I think. Though I just checked the link and they're closed for renovations until end of April. Damn! They have a nice atrium and cafe, too. Here's the link, for future reference:http://www.morganlibrary.org/

There's also the Frick, one of my other favorites: http://www.frick.org/

Some of the other places mentioned in this thread sound wonderful - let us know what you guys ended up doing!

And I think some of the fabric/bead areas were upper east side... don't remember exactly, but I do recall a store with nothing but buttons, on the north side of the street, somewhere in the upper 70s/low 80s. :shrug: Sorry I can't be of more help ... maybe a Google search could give you some info.