<p>I vote for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It will keep you busy for the better part of the day. You can also visit some of the interesting shopping places (and just don’t buy anything). We love going to FAO Schwartz and all the other places nearby (Disney Store, etc). It’s just fun. If it’s just you and your husband, go down to Canal Street…it’s hilarious to see all the interesting and cheap “shopping” in Chinatown. You never know…you might find the perfect whats it to buy (cheap). Go to Little Italy for lunch. There is a great place called Lunella. I’ve been there a few times. I would say…get a decent restaurant lunch. We do that and then get hot dogs and pretzels on the street for dinner (seriously…they are the BEST hotdogs and pretzels on the planet). The Museum of Natural History is also quite good and also can be a good chunk of the day activity. I’ve never been to the Tenement Museum but it’s on my list of things to do. I’m a big fan of the Carnegie Deli. It’s not all that inexpensive, but really the sandwiches are SO huge you can easily split one at least two ways. I would definitely take some time to walk around Grand Central Station (if you haven’t done so on a previous trip). It has been restored beautifully. It’s just fun to go to…you can browse in the shops. There is a food court in the lower level and there are plenty of choices of reasonable things to eat there…and great people watching.</p>
<p>The Met is a great museum, and you don’t have to feel guilty about paying what you wish. I never pay more than $1 and they really don’t even notice. Or they don’t say anything. You don’t have to explain, just pay them something. Then you can walk down Fifth Avenue, or go a bit west to Lexington or one of the other avenues and walk around. Rockefeller Center is at about 47th Street and Fifth, so it would be about a two mile walk from 85 St. down, but it’s a very nice walk. There are 20 blocks to a mile. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is also close to Rockefeller Center and it’s a beautiful Gothic Church. The MoMA is only free on Fridays; otherwise it’s about $20. But the MoMA bookstore is very nice. It’s at 53 St. between 5th and 6th Avenues.</p>
<p>Explore some of the other boroughs. Brooklyn is great. Take the F train all the way to the end to Coney Island, if it’s a nice day. That is an experience, even in the winter, but stores there might be closed. You can go to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, which is beautiful, or the one in the Bronx. Even in the winter, these are very nice places to visit.</p>
<p>Downtown Manhattan is Soho, Greenwich Village, Chinatown and Little Italy. Chinatown and Little Italy are in the same neighborhood. VERY INTERESTING. Get a map of the subway system on nyc’s subway site [MTA</a> Home Page](<a href=“http://www.mta.info/]MTA”>http://www.mta.info/) and you will find all of this stuff. Have a good time! You can ask more questions here, and lots of people will be happy to help.</p>
<p>Off-Off-Broadway is not a location but means a smaller size theater with reasonable ticket prices. Shows can be found all over the city every night of the week.</p>
<p>In November, I’d recommend FluxTheatre Ensemble’s newly written play about the 1960’s called
“The Lesser Seductions of History.” It follows the lives of ten characters, each representing one year of the decade.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The Tenement Museum is wonderful and not super-expensive; check the Web site for schedule of tours–reservations are suggested on weekends. It is a terrific destination and a nice accompaniment to walking on the Lower East Side in general, which is extremely interesting. For that neighborhood and others, check walking tour listings (in the NY Times every Friday among other sources)–there are many each weekend offered by various companies and they can be very interesting and not very expensive. </p></li>
<li><p>I also agree that the Metropolitan Museum of Art (which incidentally does have e a decent Impressionist collection but not like the Art Institute of Chicago or Musee d’Orsay) is well worth a visit. It is a world-class museum and it’s fun to go there and hear so many people speaking other languages and seeiourselves as part of a tourist destination. And it is quite true that you can pay what you wish. My husband and I go fairly often but are not members, so we do have to pay each time; we find the $20 entrance fee excessive and usually pay $5 to $10 apiece and rationalize on the basis of time spent there–that is, we are only there for an hour or two and are repeat customers who pay each time, probably adding up to more income for the museum than one long visit (or so we like to think). The Greek and roman sculpture wing and the incredible courtyard in the American wing are highlights for me but they are just a small part of the whole.</p></li>
<li><p>Since you lived abroad for quite a while I don’t know if the Cloisters will be as interesting for you since it is essentially bits and pieces of monasteries and such brought from Europe. Still, it is part of the Met so entrance may be covered by the same fee you pay for the Met if you go on the same day (we’ve never done both in one day so I am not sure). It is a wonderful setting and a great display, with beautiful views of the Hudson River–might be worth a visit for you just for the peace and loveliness if not for art discoveries. </p></li>
<li><p>MOMA is great for people who like modern art and it has some really interesting design exhibits, but I would not put it at the top of the list if it’s not your favorite kind of art. (Not my favorite and not a flexible fee schedule.)</p></li>
<li><p>New-York Historical Society in conjunction with a walk around the Upper West Side. Best part to me is the collection of decorative arts and furnishingss and ephemera (forget what it is called but it is on the top floor I think.)</p></li>
<li><p>The Frick if you love traditional art museums–lovely building and lovely artworks–very civilized. And then go for a nice walk in a selected part of the Upper East Sdie admiring storefronts on Madison Avenue, townhouses on the side streets, or venture farther uptown for the lower 90s between Fifth and Third Avenues to see the Carnegie Hill neighborhood, which is just a very pretty part of the city that feels both elegant and cozy.</p></li>
<li><p>Bronx Botanical Gardens for the conservatories and if you like zoos you aren’t far from the Bronx Zoo and you can visit that in the same trip–again, not superexpensive. Not Manhattan but reachable by subway.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I always found the Bronx Zoo to be very expensive. The zoo is absolutely amazing if one has never been and I understand why it has to cost what it does. As expensive as it is, I find it to be well worth every penny. Still, people from out of town must get sticker shock between fees to get in, parking fees, food, fees for some attractions etc. I can’t remember if there is an extra charge for the train ride, etc. I just don’t want the OP to think that a visit here is nearly free (ie: the zoo in Washington DC, because it is not). The good news is that I just checked and it seems that the price of tickets go down as of 11/2 from $27 each to $15. That is a very good deal if the weather is good.</p>
<p>Plus they won’t be parking because will be going by subway, which saves the parking fee.</p>
<p>NYC is such a great combination of free attractions (endless places to walk and see buildings and businesses) and expensive (food, theater, lodging), with museums and the zoo and botanical gardens being the gray area. But it would likely take several full-price museum admissions to equal the cost of a seat at a Broadway or mainstream 0ff-Broadway theater even at the half-price TKTS booth! (Which reminds me that TKTS is a good thing to know about for people who want to be spontaneous about a theater ticket.)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That depends. Most Broadway shows have regular (non-discount/non-code) tickets available to every performance starting in the $40-50 range. Some are even less, e.g., one of the best current shows, Next to Normal. where you can get a seat for $36.50. Same with Off-Broadway. It depends on the show. Altar Boyz, probably the most popular and successful OB show in years, has tickets that start at $25.</p>
<p>Your comments are all so helpful! I’m copying them into a word doc, where I can also copy official info from websites. I don’t know what time we’ll arrive on Saturday (we’re flying with Buddy Passes, so will be at the mercy of Delta). And Wednesday will also be devoted to travel. I’m thinking that we will try to fill our days with mainly free stuff, with one paid attraction per day. My goal is to average no more than $100 per day for the 4 days, for food, attractions, and subway/taxi. </p>
<p>We did do TKTS last time - saw Gypsy with Patti LuPone. It was amazing, and I got her autograph afterwards, too! That was right before she got the Tony. She deserved it! But that’s not in the budget this time around. (We will have one more trip to NYC in May for graduation. We’ll see how much money we have left then.)</p>
<p>The Tenement Museum doesn’t seem to be one museum, but rather several different tours, all for about $20 each, if I’m reading it right. Does anybody know the best tour or how it works?</p>
<p>My S mentioned that there has been lots of work on the subways and many stops are closed. So I probably need to look closely at the website for those details.</p>
<p>Re the Tenement Museum I hvae been there two or three times; I don’t think there is one “best” tour–probably the one that most fits your own family’s heritage is the one that will seem best. (It is one museum, it’s just that each apartment within the building is its own tour.)</p>
<p>The subway was really disrupted one recent weekend but I haven’t heard about similar disruptions planned for future weekends this fall. The MTA Web site does provide full information about the system though–I referred to it that weekend to figure out where not to go. It seemed worse in the outer boroughs than in Manhattan though. I am a great proponent of walking in Manhattan anyway: anything within a twenty-block distance is usually pretty easy in good weather–and more if you are walkers, and it really saves subway/bus fare.</p>
<p>Nice thread. Please count the “offs” before you dismiss theater as too expensive an evening. </p>
<p>Off-Broadway runs around $40-75 per ticket.</p>
<p>**Off-Off-**Broadway tickets run between $l0 and $20 apiece. </p>
<p>For the cost of seeing a movie, ypu can instead find an original play or musical with low production costs and much talent. Many are recent graduates of theater programs from around the country and NYC. Some are equity showcase and have highly experienced actors. The quality range is wide, so research for topics that interest you and experience of the ensemble.</p>
<p>Answering Binx’s question about the Tenement House tour choices, I enjoyed the tour that traced three different families from three decades, all in a single tenement building. Hearing some of the stories retold, and standing in the small spaces occupied by so many people helped me imagine domestic family life in those days. The goodness of the tour rests on the storytelling ability of the guide, since there were few furnishings in a tenement apartment. Ours was a history graduate student and very good at her job! </p>
<p>Edit: just reread Mattmom’s post above. Perhaps the tours have changed since I went 3 years ago. It sounds as though they made my tour of three apartments into three separate tours now.</p>
<p>More free entertainment: what are the chances of visiting Wall Street and seeing an actual arrest?</p>
<p>^^^ ha ha ha ha.</p>
<p>My NYC son uses Google transit all the time and I’ve used it in Boston. Very useful if you have a phone with internet: [Google</a> Maps](<a href=“About Google Transit - Transit Partners Help”>About Google Transit - Transit Partners Help)</p>
<p>It will tell you if it’s quicker to walk, bus or subway, distance, etc.</p>
<p>Long post…but hope it has helpful info. for Binx and others!</p>
<p>Inexpensive show tickets: In addition to TKTS, many shows have day of show rush tickets available when their box office opens. A couple are student, only, and many are lotteries. You can end up wasting some time signing up and going back for the lottery
.but
.the prices are very attractive (most are $20 -$35 for usually good tickets.) Here’s some more info.:
[Playbill</a> Celebrity Buzz: Broadway Rush and Standing Room Only Policies](<a href=“http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/82428-Broadway_Rush_and_Standing_Room_Only_Policies]Playbill”>http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/82428-Broadway_Rush_and_Standing_Room_Only_Policies) </p>
<p>Stores that are like museums (FREE
.unless you buy something. Then they are a far distance from free!)
Steuben Glass: 667 Madison Avenue (nr 61st)
Georg Jensen: 687 Madison Avenue (nr 62nd)
Tiffany: 5 Avenue @ 57th</p>
<p>Please dont immediately write off the Museum of Modern Art. Modern is considered late 19th century to present day. The Photography and Impressionist sections are spectacular.</p>
<p>If you like Jewelry, the relatively new Museum of Art and Design has an extensive jewelry collection (in plexiglass-top drawers that pull out .very efficient use of gallery space!) , as well as a current exhibit of Madeline Albrights pins.</p>
<p>If you have any discomfort not paying the suggested rate at the museums, some have pay what you wish hours. Heres a summary of many of the free and pay what you wish museums: [New</a> York City Museums Free and Discounted Admission - Free Admission and Discount Days for New York City Museums](<a href=“http://gonyc.about.com/cs/museums/a/museumdeals.htm]New”>http://gonyc.about.com/cs/museums/a/museumdeals.htm) </p>
<p>City Pass: I havent seen mention of the City Pass on this thread. If youre ambitious, and really want to try to pack a lot in during the brief time youll be in NYC, its a good value for $79, and includes admission to the following: Empire State Building Observatory, Museum of Natural History (including Rose Center) , Guggenheim Museum, MOMA, Met & Cloisters, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise OR Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island. </p>
<p>Metrocard: 7 day unlimited ride $27, 1 day pass: $8.25. Good for buses and subways. Single fare, one way, is $2.25. Since you indicated some hesitation about lots of walking, you might want to consider getting the pass .depending on how many things you plan on doing each day.</p>
<p>Eating: It is very easy to eat in NY inexpensively but, usually not if you eat in your hotel or in a name restaurant or even a national chain (TGI Fridays is VERY expensive in Manhattan!)</p>
<p>Lunch and Dinner: New York pizza is good almost everywhere and very filling! A slice of pizza and a drink is rarely more than $5.00. If you like ethnic food, Chinese, Indian and Greek food in NY is usually very reasonable (except at the fancy well-known places!) A number of the moderate/nicer New York restaurants have lunch deals (appetizer, main course, dessert for $20.00 or less). So you can eat a bigger meal for lunch, and then have a slice of Pizza for dinner! The list of restaurants is endless! If a place looks interesting from the outside, its floor and counters are clean, you look at the menu and theres stuff you want to eat at a price youre willing to pay, and there are at least 3 4 tables with people eating (if its meal time!) be adventurous and go for it!!!</p>
<p>If youre a little less adventurous, and have access to a computer when youre in NY, and know what neighborhoods youll be in at mealtime, New York Magazines website has an excellent restaurant locator .where you can choose from a drop list of neighborhood and price, and get an excellent list of suggestions with a brief review…</p>
<p>(For anyone traveling to NY where breakfast is not included in their room rate: : Almost every deli/bodega has a morning special, particularly on weekdays with a fresh cooked egg on a roll with coffee for anywhere from $1.99 - $4.99. If the floors, counters and shelves of the place are clean, its likely to be OK!)</p>
<p>The city pass looks interesting! We’ll have to see if we can squeeze enough in to make it worthwhile.</p>
<p>The weekly subway pass would be great. S’s apt is at 136th, and we’re staying in Times Square. We’ve walked the Times Square/ Lincoln Center route many times, but that’s about my limit. I thought I remembered some deal where you could buy 5 tickets at a time for a little less. And I knew about the monthly pass my S gets. But the weekly is news to me.</p>
<p>Another great resource is Time Out New York – either the magazine (you can pick up a current copy when you arrive in the city) or [the</a> website](<a href=“Time Out New York | New York Events and Things To Do All Year”>http://newyork.timeout.com/).</p>
<p>I agree with the posters who have recommended off-off-broadway. Time Out New York has a page just for those shows: [Off</a> Off Broadway events](<a href=“Time Out New York | New York Events and Things To Do All Year”>Time Out New York | New York Events and Things To Do All Year).</p>
<p>The 7-day unlimited metrocard is $27, the 14-day $51.50. Given the 15% bonus for buying pay-per-ride, you have to use the 7-day 14 times and the 14-day 27 times to make it worthwhile.</p>
<p>RocKy Horror Picture show experience is cheap and pure NYC. Sony museum is free. Stop at the visitors center in Times Square. China Town is fun. Free ferry to Staten Island.</p>
<p>Don’t know your heritage - but the Jewish Museum (right across the street from Central Park) is quite fascinating too. There’s also the Museum of the City of New York (though I haven’t been there in many, many years.) Walking around Soho and/or the Village (and then dinner in Little Italy or Chinatown) is always fun. I was just at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex (unfortunately not inexpensive at all) which I really enjoyed and right now they have a special John Lennon exhibit. There’s also the Bodies exhibit at the South Street Seaport (I don’t know the price.) If you want to venture into Brooklyn there’s the Coney Island Aquarium as well at the Brooklyn Museum (not near one another) which has one of the best ancient Egyptian collections.</p>
<p>Personally, I love the Met, though the human evolution exhibit at Natural History is terrific too. (The dinosaur exhibit is not too shabby either.)</p>
<p>Binx, based on these suggestions I think you’ve got enough to do in NYC for about ten days. Too bad you’re only going to be there for three, plus your travel days!</p>
<p>I’m saving the suggestions - we’ll be back in May for graduation!</p>