by JollyJill » 27 Nov 2011 18:43
I love New York and have been there 4 times- so far.
If you don't fancy a HoHo bus tour (the traffic in Manhattan is always chronic), then make good use of the subway as I have always found it's the quickest way to get around.
Time is precious so plan your days/evening with precision.
As Mungo says, the Empire State is worth visiting- I guess I must have been lucky because I have been to the top 3 times and have never queued for long. They also have a great 'ride' attraction in a theatre within the building.
On the first evening, you could make for Times Square and go to the Marriott Marquee revolving Observation bar where you can enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view of Manhattan whilst partaking a cocktail ot 2. Or you could eat in Ellen's Stardust diner on the junction of West 51st street and Broadway. It's a great place where all the waiting staff are Wannabe singers and take it in turns to entertain in between serving- the atmosphere is really something and the food is good too.
Alternatively, you could pre-book a Broadway show if that's your bag. I've seen Jersey Boys, Phantom of the Opera and 42nd St on Broadway and it's a great way to spend the evening.
During the day, you could do a Hudson River boat trip, a helicopter ride over the city, get the ferry from Battery Park to Staten Island (it's free) which will take you past the Statue of Liberty or altenatively a ferry to Ellis Island which is fascinating but time consuming and maybe left to another time.
If you fancy a walk in Central park, you could visit the Strawberry Fields monument to John Lennon, which is near the Dakota building where he lived. I wouldn't bother with the horse and carriage ride in the park as it's just a tourist trap and not worth the time and money-IMO. The Gugenheim museum is at the North East side of the park if that's to your liking.
A visit to Grand Central Station on 42nd is a must and can be reached by a subway shuttle from Times Square - you could even fit it in during the evening.
If you've got time for a look at the shops, then Maceys is on west 35th St - near the Empire State. Bloomingdales (on a par with John Lewis) can be found on East 59th St just east of the southern end of Central Park.
I'm going on a bit aren't I? Probably because I haven't been back for a few years and would love to.
If I can be of any more help just ask.
36 cruises on 26 ships.
so if I do the Empire State or Rockefeller it will be alone. I have heard it is better to do the later as you get a better view of the Empire State Building. 
