NYC with big kids
March 24, 2015 9:13 PM Subscribe
We're going to be in NYC for two weeks from Friday.
I've read most of the previous Asks so now I'm looking for updated info and things that are specific for seeing NYC with three children (10, 12 & 14).
We're coming from Australia and will be staying in the east village for two weeks.
1. The kids want to know if there's still snow. Where can we see snow? Happy to do a day trip if that's what it takes. And um...we have no idea how to dress for cold, we're from Sydney. Will my kids be warm enough in jeans then layers on top? Or should I be making them wear thermals under everything and padding them with down?
2. What are your favourite family-friendly eating places? Good vegetarian options are a bonus.
3. Miss 14 will want to go shopping. Is there some hideous oversized outlet mall I can take her to on the bus/train? She'll want to consume the usual: clothes, shoes, make up.
4. We're going to do all the main touristy things (Statue of Liberty, Empire State, Central Park, Museums & Galleries) but if you have kids the same age as mine, let me know what stuff your kids like doing. I'm thinking maybe there's a funny old cinema or bowling alley somewhere, or a great ice cream place, stuff like that that's just for the kids to have fun.
5. We want to see a lot of art. Any tips? Like websites that list current exhibitions, multi-venue passes/family discounts/free days? Where can we see lots of street art?
6. And finally, this question is for me. Husband and I are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the day we met*. We met on the Townhall Steps here in Sydney. It's in the middle of town and it's The Place for meeting up with friends. What is the equivalent in NYC? I'd like some iconic steps, somewhere lively where people meet. I want to have a photo and maybe pop a piccolo of champagne if we won't upset anyone. I want to do this in the afternoon if that makes any difference.
*If this sounds familiar, it's because this was me but plans changed, again.
SO excited.
We're coming from Australia and will be staying in the east village for two weeks.
1. The kids want to know if there's still snow. Where can we see snow? Happy to do a day trip if that's what it takes. And um...we have no idea how to dress for cold, we're from Sydney. Will my kids be warm enough in jeans then layers on top? Or should I be making them wear thermals under everything and padding them with down?
2. What are your favourite family-friendly eating places? Good vegetarian options are a bonus.
3. Miss 14 will want to go shopping. Is there some hideous oversized outlet mall I can take her to on the bus/train? She'll want to consume the usual: clothes, shoes, make up.
4. We're going to do all the main touristy things (Statue of Liberty, Empire State, Central Park, Museums & Galleries) but if you have kids the same age as mine, let me know what stuff your kids like doing. I'm thinking maybe there's a funny old cinema or bowling alley somewhere, or a great ice cream place, stuff like that that's just for the kids to have fun.
5. We want to see a lot of art. Any tips? Like websites that list current exhibitions, multi-venue passes/family discounts/free days? Where can we see lots of street art?
6. And finally, this question is for me. Husband and I are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the day we met*. We met on the Townhall Steps here in Sydney. It's in the middle of town and it's The Place for meeting up with friends. What is the equivalent in NYC? I'd like some iconic steps, somewhere lively where people meet. I want to have a photo and maybe pop a piccolo of champagne if we won't upset anyone. I want to do this in the afternoon if that makes any difference.
*If this sounds familiar, it's because this was me but plans changed, again.
SO excited.
1. While we're all (I think) quite ready to be done with snow, you should be able to find snow at some of the ski areas in North Jersey or NY (Hunter Mountain, et)
3. Westfield Garden State Plaza is easily accessible by bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal (163/164 bus) and sufficiently hideous. I believe its the largest mall around.
4. It might be a little to deliberately educational and maybe not immediately "fun" but the Lower East Side Tenement Museum is awesome and totally engaging. Whenever I chaperone the 4th grade trip to that place, they are always immediately immersed in NYC history.
5. The Met and MOMA will keep you quite busy.
6. Either the steps of The Met or The steps at Union Square park fit your needs! (I vote Union Square)
posted by blaneyphoto at 9:33 PM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
3. Westfield Garden State Plaza is easily accessible by bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal (163/164 bus) and sufficiently hideous. I believe its the largest mall around.
4. It might be a little to deliberately educational and maybe not immediately "fun" but the Lower East Side Tenement Museum is awesome and totally engaging. Whenever I chaperone the 4th grade trip to that place, they are always immediately immersed in NYC history.
5. The Met and MOMA will keep you quite busy.
6. Either the steps of The Met or The steps at Union Square park fit your needs! (I vote Union Square)
posted by blaneyphoto at 9:33 PM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
I can't imagine there'll be snow anymore except at the mountains -- which will be closing down before mid April. It's supposed to be warming up to 50s/60s F (10-17-ish C) by the time you get here, so not very cold; jeans and layers should be fine.
The Garden State Plaza Mall is one of the larger malls around but it's not hideous as far as malls go -- one of the anchor tenants is Nieman Marcus, after all (I guess it depends on whether you think malls are hideous in general; it's like the Westfield mall in Sydney, I think, if that helps). It's also not an outlet mall. For that, lots of people go to Woodbury Commons, accessible by bus and train.
When I was your kids' age, i enjoyed seeing Broadway shows. Go to TKTS and see what discounted tickets you can find. You can go to the one in Times Square, but if you go to one of the other locations the wait will be significantly shorter, at least at the South Street seaport location. You could swing by when during touristy things downtown (World Trade Center, 9/11 memorial, Statue of Liberty ferry, etc.).
Maybe a Rangers ice hockey game would be fun? Or a Knicks/Nets basketball game. (In fact, the Knicks are playing the Nets next week at Madison Square Garden.) The Rangers and Knicks games can be pricey, though, since they're at MSG; a Nets game should be better (cheaper tickets and they're playing better than the Knicks anyway).
posted by odin53 at 12:01 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
The Garden State Plaza Mall is one of the larger malls around but it's not hideous as far as malls go -- one of the anchor tenants is Nieman Marcus, after all (I guess it depends on whether you think malls are hideous in general; it's like the Westfield mall in Sydney, I think, if that helps). It's also not an outlet mall. For that, lots of people go to Woodbury Commons, accessible by bus and train.
When I was your kids' age, i enjoyed seeing Broadway shows. Go to TKTS and see what discounted tickets you can find. You can go to the one in Times Square, but if you go to one of the other locations the wait will be significantly shorter, at least at the South Street seaport location. You could swing by when during touristy things downtown (World Trade Center, 9/11 memorial, Statue of Liberty ferry, etc.).
Maybe a Rangers ice hockey game would be fun? Or a Knicks/Nets basketball game. (In fact, the Knicks are playing the Nets next week at Madison Square Garden.) The Rangers and Knicks games can be pricey, though, since they're at MSG; a Nets game should be better (cheaper tickets and they're playing better than the Knicks anyway).
posted by odin53 at 12:01 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: 1. Nope. And the mountains are too far away. No snow for you probably unless it randomly flurries in the city. It will be chilly but not arctic. Jackets and jeans should be fine. And hats.
2. There are 80 billion places to eat in New York. They almost all accept families. In the east village you should be looking for schwarma.
3. Don't go to a mall. There aren't any outlets within normal public transport distance anyway. Go to The Bowery or Williamsburg and go to a thrift store. Or go to a Brooklyn flea event.
4. The museum of the moving image is cool. Bowling alley? Brooklyn Bowl. They have shows there as well. You could also try digging through ScoutingNy to see if there are any movie scenes you want to recreate.
6. The steps of the New York public library in Midtown are lovely. Cops in New York take drinking in public pretty seriously though--try popping some sparkling grape juice instead.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 12:22 AM on March 25, 2015 [3 favorites]
2. There are 80 billion places to eat in New York. They almost all accept families. In the east village you should be looking for schwarma.
3. Don't go to a mall. There aren't any outlets within normal public transport distance anyway. Go to The Bowery or Williamsburg and go to a thrift store. Or go to a Brooklyn flea event.
4. The museum of the moving image is cool. Bowling alley? Brooklyn Bowl. They have shows there as well. You could also try digging through ScoutingNy to see if there are any movie scenes you want to recreate.
6. The steps of the New York public library in Midtown are lovely. Cops in New York take drinking in public pretty seriously though--try popping some sparkling grape juice instead.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 12:22 AM on March 25, 2015 [3 favorites]
The Cloisters are part of the Met, but at a remote location (still in Manhattan, and accessible via subway). Anyone interested in medieval art or history would likely find it as exciting as I always do.
Also, I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the Museum of Natural History is awesome. I'm a kid again whenever I go there and see the dinosaur skeletons.
The New York Public Library has the original stuffed animals owned by Christopher Robin Milne: Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Kanga. (Apparently Roo has been lost to posterity.)
It's far removed from an outlet mall, but would Miss 14 enjoy the thought of purchasing something from Bloomingdales? Has the name become iconic where you are?
posted by wjm at 12:48 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also, I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the Museum of Natural History is awesome. I'm a kid again whenever I go there and see the dinosaur skeletons.
The New York Public Library has the original stuffed animals owned by Christopher Robin Milne: Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Kanga. (Apparently Roo has been lost to posterity.)
It's far removed from an outlet mall, but would Miss 14 enjoy the thought of purchasing something from Bloomingdales? Has the name become iconic where you are?
posted by wjm at 12:48 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I grew up in the city and have been taking my kids there for over 20 years; one now lives there. Especially fun kid things:
If anyone is into comics, Midtown Comics is massive and has tons of vintage and new comics, manga, posters, collectibles and shirts. Equally comic worthy is Forbidden Planet.
Central Park Zoo, 66th and 5th Ave. is small and not nearly as impressive as the Bronx Zoo, but if it's a nice day, you can picnic in the Park, hang out at the Zoo, and people watch.
For always dependable, good cheap vegetarian food, find a Maoz Vegetarian. Falafels, salads, and everyone loves the salad bar where you add your own toppings.
Teenage shopper? I wouldn't go all the way to Jersey for a mall. All the big teen stores: Forever 21, H&M, TopShop are throughout NYC. She'll have more fun going to the shops on Broadway in Soho and getting a snack at Balthazar Bakery where her chances of seeing James Franco, Lindsey Lohan, some guy from One Direction, Madonna or other celebrities is pretty decent.
Being in Soho, everyone will like The Evolution Store where they sell fossils, skulls, skeletons, insects, and all sorts of weird and creepy things.
Also, lots of art galleries in Soho and people selling interesting stuff on the streets.
No trip to NYC is complete with the requisite search for perfect pizza. I am not going to get into the best NYC pizza argument (Lombardi's), but if you're already in Soho, go to Lombardi's Pizza, the first pizzeria in America.
**Also, if you want to get out for a night, memail me. I have a daughter at NYU who'd probably be happy to babysit.
posted by kinetic at 2:43 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
If anyone is into comics, Midtown Comics is massive and has tons of vintage and new comics, manga, posters, collectibles and shirts. Equally comic worthy is Forbidden Planet.
Central Park Zoo, 66th and 5th Ave. is small and not nearly as impressive as the Bronx Zoo, but if it's a nice day, you can picnic in the Park, hang out at the Zoo, and people watch.
For always dependable, good cheap vegetarian food, find a Maoz Vegetarian. Falafels, salads, and everyone loves the salad bar where you add your own toppings.
Teenage shopper? I wouldn't go all the way to Jersey for a mall. All the big teen stores: Forever 21, H&M, TopShop are throughout NYC. She'll have more fun going to the shops on Broadway in Soho and getting a snack at Balthazar Bakery where her chances of seeing James Franco, Lindsey Lohan, some guy from One Direction, Madonna or other celebrities is pretty decent.
Being in Soho, everyone will like The Evolution Store where they sell fossils, skulls, skeletons, insects, and all sorts of weird and creepy things.
Also, lots of art galleries in Soho and people selling interesting stuff on the streets.
No trip to NYC is complete with the requisite search for perfect pizza. I am not going to get into the best NYC pizza argument (Lombardi's), but if you're already in Soho, go to Lombardi's Pizza, the first pizzeria in America.
**Also, if you want to get out for a night, memail me. I have a daughter at NYU who'd probably be happy to babysit.
posted by kinetic at 2:43 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
For shopping: they certainly won't have outlet mall prices, but it's worth visiting Macy's and Bloomingdale's anyway.
It's *the* Macy's from the parade and Santa and "Miracle on 34th Street" and everything; I also seem to recall there being wooden escalators.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 4:10 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
It's *the* Macy's from the parade and Santa and "Miracle on 34th Street" and everything; I also seem to recall there being wooden escalators.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 4:10 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
In addition to the "main touristy things" that have been New York traditions for decades, a tourist trip to New York these days is enriched by venturing out to Brooklyn. Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge and heading down to Brooklyn Bridge Park is a great way to spend a morning or an afternoon. I have two brothers coming to visit this year and I'll be taking both of them to the Brooklyn Museum to see The Dinner Party, which is really an awesome experience, and enjoy the rest of the museum as well. Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, which is attached to the museum, is a great bonus if you are at all interested in horticulture.
posted by layceepee at 5:13 AM on March 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by layceepee at 5:13 AM on March 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Discount high fashion shopping: Union Square has a collection of shops better than any outlet mall in Jersey. Nordstrom Rack (fashion) and DSW(shoes) and there's a Sephora(make up) on the far side of the park. The closest and most easily accessible mall from Manhattan is probably the Newport Mall in Jersey City. First stop on the Path Train.
Kid friendly activity: We took some small people to Sugar and Plumm for a post museum lunch. It was lovely, better food than one might expect and the children loved it. For the younger kids there is the Children's Museum uptown and the Liberty Science Center (in Jersey but easy to reach via public transport). As mentioned above Natural History is an all around great time but can get really crowded.
Food: Go-to places easily found around the city are Fika (coffee and pastries, light food, multiple locations), Paris Baguette (same), Petite Abeille (belgian, multiple locations, kid friendly-isn, good food), Panya (less seating, more selection, otherwise the same, east village), Soba-Ya (great Japanese, not too fancy, very hip), Death and Co. (East Village tourist spot with crazy bar for grownups night out). Sorry, apparently all I do is go for coffee and not real meals...?
Good luck and have a great time!
posted by palindromeisnotapalindrome at 5:33 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Kid friendly activity: We took some small people to Sugar and Plumm for a post museum lunch. It was lovely, better food than one might expect and the children loved it. For the younger kids there is the Children's Museum uptown and the Liberty Science Center (in Jersey but easy to reach via public transport). As mentioned above Natural History is an all around great time but can get really crowded.
Food: Go-to places easily found around the city are Fika (coffee and pastries, light food, multiple locations), Paris Baguette (same), Petite Abeille (belgian, multiple locations, kid friendly-isn, good food), Panya (less seating, more selection, otherwise the same, east village), Soba-Ya (great Japanese, not too fancy, very hip), Death and Co. (East Village tourist spot with crazy bar for grownups night out). Sorry, apparently all I do is go for coffee and not real meals...?
Good luck and have a great time!
posted by palindromeisnotapalindrome at 5:33 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Remember if you go to Macy's to take your passport and you will get a 10% discount for being an out of state customer. (Or I guess you can print something out online now?)
Federal Hall National Memorial is on Wall Street, on the site of the former Federal Hall where George Washington was inaugurated as the first president. They are nice steps. Champagne would have to be super discreet though. As in, use a coffee cup?
posted by gaspode at 5:41 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Federal Hall National Memorial is on Wall Street, on the site of the former Federal Hall where George Washington was inaugurated as the first president. They are nice steps. Champagne would have to be super discreet though. As in, use a coffee cup?
posted by gaspode at 5:41 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If you are doing Brooklyn, you must go to Juliana's (NOT Grimaldis) , which is amazing and also one of the last of the original New York Pizza places. It's also right by the Brooklyn Bridge if you're planning on doing that.
I highly recommend Brooklyn Flea and the Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn Flea is moving out of their winter location so they're not as close together.
If you are doing the Brooklyn Museum, there are many awesome lunch/dinner locations on Franklin or Washington.
posted by KernalM at 6:07 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
I highly recommend Brooklyn Flea and the Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn Flea is moving out of their winter location so they're not as close together.
If you are doing the Brooklyn Museum, there are many awesome lunch/dinner locations on Franklin or Washington.
posted by KernalM at 6:07 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
I would definitely see a Broadway Play. My daughter's senior class (17-18 year old girls) just did a trip to NYC and saw Aladdin. She said it was the best play she has seen and that they all loved it. I thought they may think they were too old (read "cool") for it but apparently not. She has also seen The Lion King, Mama Mia, Wicked, and The Book of Mormon to give you reference. They are all also great but The Book of Mormon is likely not appropriate for your ages. I have heard great things about Matilda as well.
I would probably skip the mall/outlet type shopping and just hit up the big brand stores. My daughter enjoyed just shopping as we walked at places like H&M, Forever 21, and Uniqlo as well as small shops in various neighborhoods.
posted by maxg94 at 6:39 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
I would probably skip the mall/outlet type shopping and just hit up the big brand stores. My daughter enjoyed just shopping as we walked at places like H&M, Forever 21, and Uniqlo as well as small shops in various neighborhoods.
posted by maxg94 at 6:39 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Definitely Dylan's Candy Bar to satisfy all their Wonka-like dreams.
posted by kinetic at 6:50 AM on March 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by kinetic at 6:50 AM on March 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I live in the East Village, so feel free to send me a MeMail if you have further or specific questions.
1. I'm not positive from your question as to whether you're going to be in New York starting two weeks from Friday (i.e., the 10th), or for 2 weeks beginning this Friday. I hope the snow answer is the same either way - sorry, no snow, we're finally done with winter - but there is a slight chance we could get flurries if you mean the earlier time period. Either way jeans and layers + jacket will be fine - no thermals required, and it is particularly blustery one day, you can buy a scarf or a hat somewhere on the street.
2. Most places (with the exception of fancy places) are family friendly. The least friendly part about NY restaurants is that many of them (especially downtown) tend to be really cramped. Your kids are older, so that's less of a problem than if you had little ones with strollers or the like, but you might consider whether trying to dine off hours if places are too crowded (which would probably be early or really, past 10 pm late, and later on weekends).
For vegetarian options, for on the go options there is Maoz (which is a chain), falafel all over (especially down by NYU), dumplings and pizza places (of course). Cafe Mogador on St. Mark's by Ave A isn't vegetarian exclusively, but my vegetarian friends find plenty of options there. I agree with the walking over the Brooklyn Bridge and going to Juliana's (shorter line than Grimaldi's, as good at least), then spending some time in Brooklyn Bridge park or wandering through Brooklyn Heights.
3. As for shopping, I think the recommendation varies on whether your daughter wants to spend a day shopping in typical teen stores or you are planning to do full on outlet shopping (i.e., arrive with an empty suitcase to fill up with new stuff). If the former, stay in the city and do some parts of Broadway and adjacent streets in Soho, Union Sq + 5th Ave from 14th to 23rd St, or, if she isn't looking for typical stores (most of which I think are in Sydney), try Brooklyn Flea.
4. Concur with seeing a Broadway musical, particularly with cheap tickets. Brooklyn Bowl is fun, and just off the L train from the East Village, though I've only been there for evening events that might be 21+, so you might want to confirm in advance that the time you intend to be there will be okay to bring kids. There are bowling alleys in Manhattan as well, up by Times Sq, though they are not cheap and sort of cheesy, but not a terrible place to spend some time on a rainy day. The movie theater on 2nd Ave and 11th St or so in the East Village is sort of cool because it used to be a theater, and there are still aspects of that inside, though it is otherwise just a typical (small) move theater.
You could rent CitiBikes (check the site for the details) or bikes from one of the tourist-outlets (Bike and Roll I think) - without helmets, I'd avoid most of the streets, but from the East Village you could head over the East River and bike down under the bridges towards battery park/statute of liberty (with Citibike, you can return the bikes to any open Citibike kiosk down there). Any interest in a baseball game? The Yankees are home April 6-12, including playing the Red Sox (their historic rival, though tickets will be more expensive) the weekend of the 10th-12th. You can get to the stadium by taking the 4 train from Union Sq. (I like the idea of Rangers or Knicks/Nets too, but Rangers tickets are going to be expensive now that they're winding towards the playoffs. Nets/Knicks aren't doing as well, so there may be decently priced tickets if you'd prefer that.)
6. Congratulations on your anniversary! My first thought for iconic steps in the Library (5th Ave between 40th and 42nd St - with the lions). You'll have no problem taking a picture there (lots of other people will too), though the caveat re: public drinking is a true one. I'd probably look around and, if there are no cops right there, consider risking it, hoping to get an understanding cop if one showed up, but that is definitely not guaranteed. Other pretty options include the steps at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or (not really stairs, but impressive and pretty), outside the fountain at Lincoln Center, with the Metropolitan OperaHouse behind you?
posted by Caz721 at 7:12 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
1. I'm not positive from your question as to whether you're going to be in New York starting two weeks from Friday (i.e., the 10th), or for 2 weeks beginning this Friday. I hope the snow answer is the same either way - sorry, no snow, we're finally done with winter - but there is a slight chance we could get flurries if you mean the earlier time period. Either way jeans and layers + jacket will be fine - no thermals required, and it is particularly blustery one day, you can buy a scarf or a hat somewhere on the street.
2. Most places (with the exception of fancy places) are family friendly. The least friendly part about NY restaurants is that many of them (especially downtown) tend to be really cramped. Your kids are older, so that's less of a problem than if you had little ones with strollers or the like, but you might consider whether trying to dine off hours if places are too crowded (which would probably be early or really, past 10 pm late, and later on weekends).
For vegetarian options, for on the go options there is Maoz (which is a chain), falafel all over (especially down by NYU), dumplings and pizza places (of course). Cafe Mogador on St. Mark's by Ave A isn't vegetarian exclusively, but my vegetarian friends find plenty of options there. I agree with the walking over the Brooklyn Bridge and going to Juliana's (shorter line than Grimaldi's, as good at least), then spending some time in Brooklyn Bridge park or wandering through Brooklyn Heights.
3. As for shopping, I think the recommendation varies on whether your daughter wants to spend a day shopping in typical teen stores or you are planning to do full on outlet shopping (i.e., arrive with an empty suitcase to fill up with new stuff). If the former, stay in the city and do some parts of Broadway and adjacent streets in Soho, Union Sq + 5th Ave from 14th to 23rd St, or, if she isn't looking for typical stores (most of which I think are in Sydney), try Brooklyn Flea.
4. Concur with seeing a Broadway musical, particularly with cheap tickets. Brooklyn Bowl is fun, and just off the L train from the East Village, though I've only been there for evening events that might be 21+, so you might want to confirm in advance that the time you intend to be there will be okay to bring kids. There are bowling alleys in Manhattan as well, up by Times Sq, though they are not cheap and sort of cheesy, but not a terrible place to spend some time on a rainy day. The movie theater on 2nd Ave and 11th St or so in the East Village is sort of cool because it used to be a theater, and there are still aspects of that inside, though it is otherwise just a typical (small) move theater.
You could rent CitiBikes (check the site for the details) or bikes from one of the tourist-outlets (Bike and Roll I think) - without helmets, I'd avoid most of the streets, but from the East Village you could head over the East River and bike down under the bridges towards battery park/statute of liberty (with Citibike, you can return the bikes to any open Citibike kiosk down there). Any interest in a baseball game? The Yankees are home April 6-12, including playing the Red Sox (their historic rival, though tickets will be more expensive) the weekend of the 10th-12th. You can get to the stadium by taking the 4 train from Union Sq. (I like the idea of Rangers or Knicks/Nets too, but Rangers tickets are going to be expensive now that they're winding towards the playoffs. Nets/Knicks aren't doing as well, so there may be decently priced tickets if you'd prefer that.)
6. Congratulations on your anniversary! My first thought for iconic steps in the Library (5th Ave between 40th and 42nd St - with the lions). You'll have no problem taking a picture there (lots of other people will too), though the caveat re: public drinking is a true one. I'd probably look around and, if there are no cops right there, consider risking it, hoping to get an understanding cop if one showed up, but that is definitely not guaranteed. Other pretty options include the steps at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or (not really stairs, but impressive and pretty), outside the fountain at Lincoln Center, with the Metropolitan OperaHouse behind you?
posted by Caz721 at 7:12 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Jeans and layers should do you fine, although it will still be pretty cold at night and depending on what kind of spring we have it may not be consistently that warm during the day either. A medium warmth coat would be a good idea.
When I was a teen my favorite places to go shopping were SoHo (especially Broadway between Houston and Canal St.) and Herald Square (34th st. between 8th and 5th ave.). Both areas have all of the big brand clothing stores that you would find in a mall without the crushing ennui of actually being inside one. SoHo also has a lot of funky independent clothing stores, while Herald Square has larger stores with bigger selections.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum are always pay-what-you-want, although their signage tends to imply that you need to pay full price.
In terms of iconic steps, the first thing that came to mind is the main post office. Be aware that being caught drinking in public will earn you a hefty ticket. If you are very very discreet you might be able to get away with it but people get ticketed while drinking out of unmarked cups on their own stoops all the time so you might want to incorporate the champagne drinking into another activity.
posted by fox problems at 7:16 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
When I was a teen my favorite places to go shopping were SoHo (especially Broadway between Houston and Canal St.) and Herald Square (34th st. between 8th and 5th ave.). Both areas have all of the big brand clothing stores that you would find in a mall without the crushing ennui of actually being inside one. SoHo also has a lot of funky independent clothing stores, while Herald Square has larger stores with bigger selections.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum are always pay-what-you-want, although their signage tends to imply that you need to pay full price.
In terms of iconic steps, the first thing that came to mind is the main post office. Be aware that being caught drinking in public will earn you a hefty ticket. If you are very very discreet you might be able to get away with it but people get ticketed while drinking out of unmarked cups on their own stoops all the time so you might want to incorporate the champagne drinking into another activity.
posted by fox problems at 7:16 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Happy anniversary!
NYC Way (for iOS and I think Android) has a public rest room finder if you're on Wifi. otherwise the Starbucks suggestion is a good one. Public parks often have one, but they're frequently dirty.
I've spent time in Australia and NYC right now is akin to Canberra/Melbourne in May. Jacket yes, arctic and snow, no.
3. Is Sephora in Australia? If not, your 14 year old may like that for makeup. They're all over the city.
5. Public Art Fund and Madison Square Park have great/free art. For general free stuff, the tourism office (my employer, full disclosure) lists free events, free museum times, etc: nycgo.com/free.
Ping me if you need anything while here.
posted by TravellingCari at 7:53 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
NYC Way (for iOS and I think Android) has a public rest room finder if you're on Wifi. otherwise the Starbucks suggestion is a good one. Public parks often have one, but they're frequently dirty.
I've spent time in Australia and NYC right now is akin to Canberra/Melbourne in May. Jacket yes, arctic and snow, no.
3. Is Sephora in Australia? If not, your 14 year old may like that for makeup. They're all over the city.
5. Public Art Fund and Madison Square Park have great/free art. For general free stuff, the tourism office (my employer, full disclosure) lists free events, free museum times, etc: nycgo.com/free.
Ping me if you need anything while here.
posted by TravellingCari at 7:53 AM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
For finding out what is going on, pick up a Time Out New York when you are here - endless listings of art and happenings.
Spring Street Natural is a vegetarian restaurant with a great reputation.
posted by shothotbot at 10:07 AM on March 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
Spring Street Natural is a vegetarian restaurant with a great reputation.
posted by shothotbot at 10:07 AM on March 25, 2015 [2 favorites]
All the ages of our family loved Stomp. We walked over to the scruffy Orpheum Theater from an early reservation at Bareburger (2nd Ave) (with three veg burger options) and a short walk to Momofuku Milk Bar for grabbing dessert to take back to the hotel.
The kids loved climbing on the rocks in Central Park.
posted by RoadScholar at 12:29 PM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
The kids loved climbing on the rocks in Central Park.
posted by RoadScholar at 12:29 PM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Chelsea Piers Sports Entertainment Complex for bowling, and lots of active things to do.
posted by kinetic at 4:16 PM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by kinetic at 4:16 PM on March 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thank you everyone! So many great answers. I really appreciate it.
It didn't even occur to me to ask about bathrooms but of course, very good to know!
We're sad about the snow being gone but I'm happy that I can not-pack all the puffy jackets etc.
One last question, is there something like TKTS for sports games? We have tickets to a yankees game at yankee stadium and really wanted to have a MSG basketball experience too but tickets for 5 of us was crazy.
posted by stellathon at 8:49 PM on March 25, 2015
It didn't even occur to me to ask about bathrooms but of course, very good to know!
We're sad about the snow being gone but I'm happy that I can not-pack all the puffy jackets etc.
One last question, is there something like TKTS for sports games? We have tickets to a yankees game at yankee stadium and really wanted to have a MSG basketball experience too but tickets for 5 of us was crazy.
posted by stellathon at 8:49 PM on March 25, 2015
For sporting events, I usually check stubhub, though it looks like the cheapest Knicks tickets on there are in the $50/person range. Tickets look cheaper for the Nets, who are slightly better, and play in the new Barclays stadium in Brooklyn. If you're looking to see a game at MSG, that won't work, but if you just want to see an NBA game, check that out.
posted by Caz721 at 2:17 PM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Caz721 at 2:17 PM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also, for the romantic/steps - what about Bethesda fountain in Central Park? There are stairs, there is a fountain and I've seen pictures of dozens of people getting engaged there, so it would be of a theme with your engagement. Same caveats with respect to open container as everywhere else in the city. There is a restaurant with a (weather-dependent) outside bar - the Loeb Boathouse - close to the fountain in Central Park, so you could perhaps stop by there for a glass of champagne?
posted by Caz721 at 2:22 PM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Caz721 at 2:22 PM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
as the Knicks are terrible and Yankees are likely to be (and I say that as a fan), there should be some discounts available. Knicks had one on Groupon earlier this month. For this and other reasons, check Yipit, which aggregates all of the groupon type deals. Could also be good for restaurants.
If you're coming tomorrow Friday, be aware that there was just (today) a major fire in the East Village. No safety issues, but things are a little bit of a mess down there.
posted by TravellingCari at 3:06 PM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
If you're coming tomorrow Friday, be aware that there was just (today) a major fire in the East Village. No safety issues, but things are a little bit of a mess down there.
posted by TravellingCari at 3:06 PM on March 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by goingonit at 9:32 PM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]