<p>H has just discovered that one of his meetings tomorrow has been cancelled, so he has the afternoon free. THe dinner meeting that’s still on is very close to St. Patrick’s so that’s one thing (do they offer tours?). He’s only been to NYC once about 5 years ago - did the biggest tourist things then (times square, empire state bldg and at that time, ground zero). Does anyone have recommendations for something in the Rockefeller Center area for a few hours? Seems a shame to go back to the hotel and work on papers when you’re somewhere new!
Thanks!</p>
<p>The Metropolitan Museum of Art! It’s spectacular, and about 30 blocks north of St. Patricks. I walked it last summer with a group of 5 children and not one of them complained.</p>
<p>There is so much to do! You can go to the Top of the Rock (not cheap, but supposedly a spectacular view). Central Park isn’t too far from St. Patrick’s - it starts at 59th St. and Fifth Ave., and the zoo isn’t too far from there. The Museum of Modern Art is on 53rd St. & Fifth Ave., also close by. The Met and the Museum of Natural History are both a little more uptown, The Met is on 5th Ave., and the Museum of Natural History is on the west side of the park. If museums don’t interest you, you can always shop.</p>
<p>Top of the Rock looks cool, thanks! The museums are another good alternative - cab rides up to the met and back shouldn’t be too bad. Maybe stop off and walk around the park?</p>
<p>We once did the tour of NBC studios (at rock center) which included a tour of the Saturday Night Live sound stage. Lots of fun. Would also recommend checking out St. Pat’s Cathedral. After all, you are so close to it. They may or may not give tours… but you really don’t need one…could just walk around. It’s quite beautiful and worth seeing. Have a great afternoon! Report back to us! : )</p>
<p>We had a great time on a tour of the meatpacking district. I see that there are no openings for that this week but there is one of Greenwich village: [Greenwich</a> Village Food Tasting & Cultural Walking Tour: A New York City (NYC, NY) Sightseeing & Culinary Tour](<a href=“Web Page Under Construction”>Web Page Under Construction) This was so much fun.</p>
<p>Museum of Modern Art, the Craft Museum (both on 53rd St.) or the 57th street galleries are probably the closest things to Rockefeller Center. Waning: MOMA costs a whopping $20!</p>
<p>But it doesn’t take long to take a bus or subway or taxi up the east side to see one of the museums. Met, Guggenheim, and Cooper Hewitt (all on 5th Avenue between 82nd and 91st) are all worth seeing - depending on what floats your boat. Or there’s the Whitney Museum of American Art on Madison and 75th.</p>
<p>If he doesn’t like art he can head to the west side for the Natural History Museum at 79th and Central Park West.</p>
<p>I’d suggest–though it’s cold–that he take the Circle Line tour of Manhattan.I realize that advice doesn’t meet your criteria–but with six hours, he can fit it in, and it’s better than anything else he can do.</p>
<p>Since he will most likely eat lunch, I suggest SERENDIPITY, on 59th street between 2nd and Lexington. Best ice cream, great atmosphere. It is a little NY gem…He could also look around Lincoln Centre, see if they have any tours, or what about Broadway matinee if its the right time of day. There is no where in manhattan he couldn’t get to and back in that time. UN is also east side ( 42nd and first ) they definitely do tours.
My best suggestion, is put on a warm coat, walk around, eat a pretzel!</p>
<p>You could go iceskating or go to NBC studios (as mentioned).</p>
<p>I think there are some great ideas here! =]</p>
<p>LIncoln Center == aren’t they renovating the interior this year? If so, perhaps save for another time? Not sure.</p>
<p>If he’s anything like my H the big, shiny Apple Store on Fifth and 59? is in the area, and that could be nicely balanced by a trip to Tiffany’s, also very nearby, for a present for you. And if there are still children in your house (probably not, but fun anyway) FAO Schwartz is there too.</p>
<p>You can go in and see St. Patrick’s.</p>
<p>And I second Museum of Modern Art. Great lunch (and breakfast place) is Norma’s in a hotel in the area. Near MOMA. Closes at 3 I think. Often nominated as best breakfast place in the city. I can vouch for it. Ask Concierge for reservation.</p>
<p>Mythmom, I like the way you think. My husband would never ever bring me something in a little turquoise bag!</p>
<p>Hm. Actually D trained him into it. She is more “conservative” than I, and Tiffany’s means something to her, more than to me. But I did get a beautiful “infinity” or something silver pendant when she got a starfish. Then I gave her a little sideways stylized M (for Mia) that looks like a butterfly. It’s teeny-tiny but a talisman. </p>
<p>None of these things was very expensive.</p>
<p>Mia keeps the turquoises boxes. She has also decorated her room with the bags of every interesting store and gift shop we have ever bought anything in. She calls it bagism, after John and Yoko.</p>
<p>I really hope there’s money in her future.</p>
<p>Oh mathmom: It’s only fair play for the pointless item he would buy in the Apple Store!</p>
<p>“I really hope there’s money in her future.” LOL. Same here.</p>
<p>If you enjoy great restaurants, check out restaurant week <a href=“http://www.nycvisit.com/restaurantweek/[/url]”>http://www.nycvisit.com/restaurantweek/</a> . There are discounted menus at some wonderful restaurants. Museums are your best bet. A long shot is to contact Comedy Central and see if you can watch The Daily Show or the Colbert Report get filmed. I think they take standby people. I went to The Daily a few years ago, and it was filmed in the afternoon.</p>
<p>I’m with biohelpmom on this one - look no further than Metropolitan Museum of Art - six hours will barely scratch the surface. And if a docent is leading a group through an exhibit, by all means join in. And eat some modest but oh-so-competent food: a great burger, pizza. It’s the modest food that I love most in NYC, not the fancy stuff.</p>
<p>mammall: I agree with you if I were the visitor. I didn’t mean to be so crass as to just suggest stores. I was thinking of my H, who would just love to wander Fifth Avenue and have an excuse for store browsing. I totally agree that the Met is the most divine place in NY (love MofNatHis too, but sad, butterfly conservatory is not open right now) but it is on west side.</p>
<p>I also love, love, love the museums. The thing is, when you only have 6 hours to spend in NYC, it might be more interesting to roam around the city a bit. I usually recommend the museums to visitors who have time to really appreciate them. When mammall says that 6 hours at the Metropolitan Museum of Art will “barely scratch the surface,” she is not exaggerating. JMHO.</p>
<p>I don’t want to spend six hours just looking at art. You can’t take it all in. If you go to the Met you should just plan on seeing what you’d enjoy seeing. Last time I went I saw the Dutch masters show and a photography show. The time before I saw the same Dutch masters show and the Chinese art collection. New York is not going away. You don’t have to see it all at once. There are almost certainly things in the Met I’ve never seen, despite dozens of visits.</p>