A week in New York - What are the 'must do' things?

[MitchT]

The OH is taking me to New York for a week in September as a birthday present. What are the absolute 'must do' things for a first-time visitor to NYC?

[Matt..]

Yankees or Giants game

[Wacky Racer]

A trip to Coney Island....

See The Dakota building where John Lennon was shot

Central Park, inc, Zoo

Ground Zero

Chrysler and Flat Iron buildings...

Empire State Building

Harlem

Brooklyn...........................

[andyjo1982]

Wacky Racer said:

A trip to Coney Island....

See The Dakota building where John Lennon was shot

Central Park, inc, Zoo

Ground Zero

Chrysler and Flat Iron buildings...

Empire State Building

Harlem

Brooklyn...........................

Central park zoo is not very good as far as zoos go. Try get to the garden for a basketball game, take in a show, plenty of shops and places to explore round soho, chelsea and you'll need a day round the battery area to do ground zero, statue of liberty. When i went with the oh, we also took a helicopter ride, they're not cheap, but so long as you get in the front seats are well worth it. Rockafella is decent from the top, plenty of decent museums and loads of shows to see but maybe try and book before you go.

enjoy, oh and there are a lot of other threads on new york

[drillfield47]

Grand Central Station without doubt

A drink in Harrys bar in the Waldorf

Pasta in little Italy

Drink in the rotating Marriott hotel bar in Times Square

Helicopter ride over Yankie stadium

[Benzman]

Rockafella Centre

Central Park

A New York Rangers Ice Hockey game in Madison Square Gardens

A show on Broadway

Any random Deli for a sandwich, they are huge irrespective of where you go.

Macy's - don't forget to take your passport and get an overseas visitor discount card, that way you'll get an extra 11% off everything you buy.

[toasty]

+1 for the helicopter rides

[langy]

Good work, I was going to be asking for a similar advice for a trip at the end of October.

[Pkh72]

It's well worth making some time for the zoo in the Bronx, really enjoyed it last year.
One of the subway lines goes virtually to its door.

[MitchT]

Thanks for the contributions folks, got a good little intinerary now.

Flying tomorrow...
13 Sep Heathrow to Boston
16 Sep Amtrak to New York
23 Sep JFK to Heathrow

We've got a friend in Boston who's going to show us round there and in NY we're staying in Times Square

[bull996]

I have been a few times so done most of the usual touristy things. However, when I went in June, for first time with step brat (21st birthday present) she wanted to go on a circle line cruise.

It is by far and away the best way to see NYC. Do the 3 1/2 hour whole island cruise-you wont be dissapionted. From the water you will see every buliding, every district and every water front you could wish for. I just cant recommend it enough. You get to see all of Harlem etc etc and the best thing? The fact you are sitting down relaxing during the whole thing-not stomping round getting tired and sore feet. The best $35 each spent!

[K50 DEL]

Been to NYC half a dozen times or so now and I also find new stuff to do there.
I've done pretty much everything recommended above, so here's a few slightly more left-field suggestions.

Head into Brooklyn for the NY Subway / transport museum, much more interesting than it sounds!
Walk across Brooklyn bridge and head to the little park underneath the bridge on the Brooklyn side, the photos of the Manhattan skyline are to die for.
Go to the Lower East Side and just walk aroun, find a little place for dinner and people-watch the locals.
Walk times square at midnight or later, it's a totally different atmosphere.

I'd also second the full circle lines Manhattan trip, I'd add a Gray lines bus tour and suggest that the Top of the Rock is actually better than the Empire State.

Also, you have to have a steak dinner at either Peter Lugers or Smith and Wollensky.