What to do in NYC

Apart from the obvious things! [:I]

I mean is there any bars, pubs, restaurants, live music venues, unknown shopping places etc some think a bit different that you dont get in the guide books. [y]

Cheers,

Wayne

[Nottingham Nick]

Have a listen to the Virgin Atlantic New York podcast - link from the VS site, it has some excellent tips on making the most of New York.

Nick

Thanks Nick, do you know if its accessible from iTunes (i cant seem to find it on there, only on the virgin site) as i want to put it on my ipod?

Cheers Wayne

Dont worry ive just worked it out

All the details below not just MHO, we got all the details from tripadvisor.co.uk prior to our trip and they all lived up to (and exceeded the hype - Most of the pointers come from people resident in NYC)

Eats -
Try Grimaldi's for Pizza
> Over the Brooklyn Bridge by the promenade
> Then stroll back over the bridge to Manhattan afterwards
> Voted one of the best two Pizza places in NYC (other being Lombardi's).

Katz Deli
> 205 East Houston Street (Lower East Side)
> A New York institution! - Best pastrami or corned beef on rye in Manhattan
> Meg Ryan enjoyed it in 'that' film

Juniors @ Grand Central
> Best cheesecake in the world - never mind NYC
> Grab a slice to take away and enjoy back in the hotel with a coffee........or even a beer

Shopping -
> Look out for 'Yellow Rat Bastard' stores
> Great T-shirts / Jeans etc

Bars -
> So many! Didn't find a bad one in our time there

Music -
> CBGB's - Still alive and well at 315 Bowery
> The place that launched the Ramones / Talking Heads / Richard Hell etc etc

Overrated -
Century 21
> Huge crowds, suffered 10 minutes of the place before calling it a day
Times Square
> Visit it during the day and night......but don't eat or drink there
much better places downtown

Different things to do -
> Catch the subway down to Coney Island and walk along to Brighton Beach (re-living 'The Warriors' on the way [y]
> Loads of bars and a thriving Russian community

Have fun

Thanks Jon B, much appriciated! [y]

> CBGB's - Still alive and well at 315 Bowery

But not for long I understand. See here for more

CBGB's is still open at present and bands still playing live - They've been fighting to stay open since last March without a lease so another 90 days or so will see the doors still open.

There is a very strong feeling in NYC that this is almost a heritage site, so closing it is proving very difficult (Thank God) - Go along to just see the history if nothing else

Pax Wholemeal are great for quick lunches - I'd really recommend them![:p] When thinking about their paninis you seem to make that same noise that Homer from the Simpsons does...mmmmmmmm:D

Cheers,
VS045

ha ha mmmmmm im feeling hungry now

Have a cocktail in the revolving restaraunt at the top of the Mariott at times square. Great views, cheap eats during happy hour.

Also, grab a Martini at the Oyster bar in Grand Central - if Marcello is on, he'll tell you the whole history of the place.

Empire State is a must, as is the Brooklyn Bridge.

Otherwise, just wander, you'll always find something great to see/do/eat

g

Thanks v8gaz

[HighFlyer]

Otherwise, just wander, you'll always find something great to see/do/eat

To be honest, thatÕs probably the best advice for getting to see a city like New York É get your walking shoes on and just wonder.

Im not the most active person in the world, but I do love just exploring cities by foot. I walked from Central Park to Battery Park the last time I was over there. I had been in the American Museum of Natural History and planned to walk up 5th Ave, have a look at the shops then grab a cab back to my hotel, but I took a slow walk and on every street there was something of interest, some kitsch shop or street entertainment, so I ended up walking the whole way. YouÕll not need to look far if you fancy a bite to eat or something to drink!

Oh! Nearly forgot - get down to soho, theres a bar called Bar 89 (look it up, I can't remember the address) which has the coolest toilets in the world! the full length cubicle doors are clear glass, which looks really daunting, until you close the door - and they frost over! Amazing! You do have to eat or drink there, as they are now fed up with toilet-tourists wandering in and spending no money.

Thanks again Sarah

You do have to eat or drink there, as they are now fed up with toilet-tourists wandering in and spending no money.

Ha ha. toilet tourists! will have to check it out!

see the producers live! it's far better than the film!

Though I've never been, I hear the Nintendo World Store is a sight to behold, if you're into that sort of thing. Be sure to catch a show Ð some friends of mine saw Chicago on Broadway with Melanie 'Face like a tree stump' Griffith, and said it was awesome.

Let us know if you find any hot spots, 'cos I'm heading out there in Novemeber for the marathon.

I will let you know, no problems.

The shows (as in Chicago, producers etc etc) really aint my sort of thing, i would rather go to a baseball game or something but unfortunately all the NYC teams are away when im there! apart from the ice hockey.