NYC on the cheap

Walking around in NYC is still free I believe.

- Disco skaters in Central Park by Sheeps Meadow after 1pm on the weekends, if it's dry.
- St. Marks Place
- Staten Island Ferry Friday at dusk
- Pedestrian Times Square
- Grand Central Station anytime
- Empire State Bldg.
- Farmers Mkt. Sat am 14th st.
- Curry In A Hurry
- Maxilla and Mandible
- Gray's Papaya, 72nd and B'way
- Pink Teacup

China Town.

tour of the Intrepid -- the aircraft carrier museum; especially if any had grandparents in WWII;
Natural History Museum and Planetarium have good discounts for students;
tickets to a show at one of the networks are usually free;
Ground Zero
arrange a tour of The New York Times and one of the publishing houses
Ellis Island will fascinate anyone who had family immigrate;
Miss Liberty

The Museum of Natural History!!! http://www.amnh.org/

Mango is a great one to tell you about NYC. She knows it really well.

Today Show at Rockefeller Center was fun for my kids. They also like the Apple bus tour (don't know if they're still there) where you stop at all of the sights but get on & off at your leisure (buses continually run).

I'm with SWGB, walking is an adventure in NY, people watching, all the great sites, but hopefully they will be able to catch a play as well, matinee's are pretty inexpensive. I'm sure they will have a blast!

We did a Circle Line boat tour around the whole island - great way to see EVERYTHING and get oriented.

Go to a deli beforehand and get a great sandwich and a soda, then enjoy!

The Museum of Natural History!!! American Museum of Natural History

Mango is a great one to tell you about NYC. She knows it really well.

I sent Rita an email already.

FYI--Many of the museums, including MOMA, have free entrance on Friday evenings. The Staten Island Ferry is free also. It's a great way to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. if you're doing the 5th Ave tour, Trump Tower is free to go in and one of the nicest bathroom stops, if you dig marble and lots of it. Across from FAO Schwartz is a small park like sitting area with fountains and in front of FAO. Bring your lunch and enjoy. I like the one across the street because you can watch the coming and goings of Plaza guests, the limos, Bentley, etc. You can also go in the Plaza- their entrance is spectacular, especially around the Holidays.
Relatively inexpensive, Top of the Rock. best views and you can combine with an NBC tour. Quite often, you also get to sit in on a recorded show for free in addition to the tour- total for both- about $30.

Broadway on a Budget-- Haven't done this personally, but know people who have, do stand by. if they have extra seats available, you can see a show at a reduced price.

Check for free concerts in any of the parks. Another fun thing to do.

The Museum of Natural History-- during holidays and spring breaks, it is a mob scene! If you hate crowds, do not go there. Also, plan on spending an entire day there if you do go and wear good walking shoes.

But, by far, my favorite place to go is Wall Street. The architecture and history behind the buildings is quite interesting and spectacular. There's also a feeling there you can't match anywhere else in the world. This can be done after the free ferry ride. South Street Seaport is nearby and there's always something fun going on there towards the evening and lots of choices for seafood that just came in fresh. Bodies, the exhibition is around that area. You have to pay, but I hear it's great.

if you like people watching, Greenwich Village and cultural watching, Chinatown and Little Italy. Quite often, on the weekends, there are lots of people in the street and lots of ya ta ya ta going on and eating cooking on the streets in Little Italy. Check before you go. They are like mini San Gennaro Feasts. One could eat their way through Little Italy inexpensively.

One of my favorite places to visit is the UN.
And, stand for a moment in St. Patricks's
and a visit to the Library is fascinating.
The NY Science Museum (Interactive) is a fun place; went because of my child--enjoyed it just as much myself!

http://www.nysci.org/learn/education

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This is great first hand information! Thanks!

Mangy has given me so much information, we'll need more than 4 days!
Bill & I have decided to go along too. We will be with the group to some things. I think I'm as anxious as the kids.


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agree with Grand Central...especially at rush hour...stand back, and people watch...its fascinating to watch so many people weave in and out, all with a purpose
Central Park...you'll see so many familiar sights from movies; a terrific family room for the city
St. Patrick's...sit a spell
take the subway
loved the wooden escalator at Macys...also enjoyed their flower show (around Easter)
cab we took had a fender bender...no one hurt, but the exchange between drivers was pure entertainment; on 2nd cab ride, I had to close my eyes...thought sure wreck #2 was imminent; also the guy on the cell phone crossing 5th shouting f*** you repeatedly
Rockefeller Center Plaza...another great spot to people watch and enjoyed the sights and smells of the flowers there
was not impressed with Empire State Bldg....line went on forever, up more floors, more forever line and the group 2 ahead of us was an "OMG" shrieky group...sure recipe for a headache
wear black...you'll fit in; walk/don't walk lights are seemingly suggestions
have a great time....I'd go back in a heartbeat...NYC is on my girl group list for a women only getaway

Nyc

A really fun place to eat is Ellen's Stardust Diner in the Times Square/Theatre district. The wait staff both dishes your dinner and sings Broadway show tunes in between.

Just walking through Central Park and climbing on the rocks is fun. Ditto on Rockefeller Center Plaza, The Today Show, walking Times Square, and St. Patrick's. Add window-shopping at Macys and along 5th Avenue.

Have fun!

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This is great first hand information! Thanks!

Mangy has given me so much, we'll need more than 4 days!
Bill & I have decided to go along too. We will be go with the group to some things. I think I'm as anxious as the kids.


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when are you going? have you been before?

when are you going? have you been before?

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Spring Break - 3/16 -20 and this is a first for us.

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you will have a wonderful time, but I agree four days is just enough for a "taste".
Perhaps the Columbia School of Journalism can treat the students to a seminar with journalism students/professors...if you have aspiring photographers in the group, I'd recommend a tour of the Center for International Photography Home - International Center Of Photography.

Also, the revolving restaurant on top the Marriott (I think) in Times Square is a good place to see the lights of the city...you don't have to have a meal, there is an area for snacks that is not too pricey.

NYC has such energy and so much to see and do--just walking around is a treat. Be sure and get away from the touristy areas and find some of the local places to eat--and a "behind the scenes" tour of one of the theaters is fun.