Im so excited that travelers are coming to the USA, because now I can actully tell them places to go. Haha, I'll have to stay loyal to the show this season.

I think the Adirondack's and Niagra Falls are a little too far. Jekyl and Hydes Club is a really cool restraunt and bar in NYC. Its all horror themed with waitors that interect. I've seen little ones to 20 year olds go there. The food is pretty average but the atmosphere makes up for it. Hershey Park would be awesome if they had time for it. Its a lengthy distance, from NYC to my house in NJ is about an hour. From my house to Hershey PA is about 2 1/2 - 3 hours. The PA country side is a pleasant relief from NYC and urban northern NJ. There are also numerous hiking areas in NJ and the Catskill Mtns. NY.You could also goto Newark NJ. Newark has a reputation as being a "gang" city, but it is also very cultural. You could see a play at NJ PAC or visit the Portugese, Ironbound, section which has authentic Portugese stores and supermarkets. Sometimes festivals are held for certain occasions. There is this restraunt in Ironbound called Seabra's Rodizzio and it is absolutley great. They serve freshly cooked Portugese meat and they bring it out on steaming skewers. Its fantastic for groups. Six Flags amusement park in Jackson, NJ woud be loads of fun! If you go around Halloween, they have the Fright Fest...which is basically they transform the whole park into a an entirely differet one. People constantly come and scare you, people are dressed up, etc. Even if you don't make it for Fright Fest, there still is the world's tallest coaster, Kingda Ka in the new "Animal-themed" section of the park. There are some cool shows with tigers and acrobtics...dunno if you'd be interested. Like laughability said, it would be wonderful to meet up with Renee! Well im done, ill post more if I come up with anything.

If you do get a chance to see LI, couple other spots to go to would be to hit Roosevelt Field Mall, visit the Tanger Outlet Mall (Riverhead, Long Island), and check out some of the local museums on the Island. There is also the Atlantis Marine World Aquarium out east in Riverhead.

In addition to the the comment I made before, in the city there is a place called "Rice to Riches" which makes the best rice pudding ever! (And I'm not even a rice pudding lover either) It's a bit pricey (about $5 for about 2 scoops) but it is well worth it (and they come with cute containers)! It is on the border of Chinatown in Manhattan (37 Spring Street).

TJs, If you need any rides to view Long Island e-mail me! I live just about in the center of the "Island".

Enjoy New York TJs!

(PS I just found out that Bevis's birthday was 10/8 so Happy Birthday)

The Newyorican Poets Cafe on a Friday night in downtown Manhattan is a fun and cultural experience.

I remembered one more thing. The travel journalists should buy Time Out Magazine if they want to know about food, art, and other things happening in the city. Sometimes there are free things happening in the city that is advertised in Time Out.

I just made my first real trip to NYC in Aug. I had been there last fall for a couple hours on a weekday then on a Sunday afternoon.

Just walking in NYC is fun and you see so many different things. Carnigie Deli is a fun place to eat but beware one of the sandwiches are enough for two people at least. Pretzels and Hot Dogs from the sidewalk vendors make for a quick and cheap snack/meal.

Times square is a must see at night. During the day you don't see all the neon. It is such a vibrant and touristy place afterdark. Toys R Us is a must see because it is so huge.

Walking down 6th ave. to the Today show area and Rockefeller Center is a mustsee. Then Radio City Music Hall. For about $7 you can take a backstage tour of Radio City and even meet a Rockette.

A stroll down 5th Ave. is a treat all the stores, Trump Tower, All the neat buildings. Fao is a must see in NYC, (don't bother with the one in Las Vegas). The famous piano keyboard from the movie BIG.

Then you are at the edge of Central Park.

One of the fun things I did was taking a Tour of the city you could hop on and off where ever you wanted and you always had transportation back to Times Square. I did the uptown, downtown and afterdark tour unlimited on and off for 48 hours for one price.

The staton Island Ferry is free just to go past the Statue of Liberty. But then to go to Liberty Island and Ellis Island it is about $14-17. I really enjoyed Liberty Island and walking around the Statue and looking back on the waterfront of the city.

By just getting an overview of the City on my trip and I'm ready to go back anytime. Enjoy NYC just get out and enjoy.

Just a note lines are usually long (about an hour at least ) to go to the Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building so factor that in when you are trying to decide what to do.

Ellen in IN

For the biggest slice of pizza you may ever see go to Koronet Pizza on 110th and Broadway. Last time I went it cost either $2.50 or $2.75. It's cheap, good and it fills you up.

Oh, and Koronet Pizza is near the Seinfeld Restaurant if any of you wanted to see that.

Whenever I'm visting New York City (I'm from Connecticut), I always make it a point to drop in on Chelsea. It's got dozens upon dozen's of art galleries, from amateur to pro, and they're all for free.

Not to mention, I visit Empire Diner. A lamb burger? Just melts in your mouth, there.

Omg go to Central Park. It is so goregous there. I have been there a view times on vacation. It is absolutely goregous.

I also had just been to New York in Mid August. My favorite places are East Village and MOMA ( Meseum of Modern Arts). It has reopened and rearranged since 2004 winter. If they haven't changed the schedule, usually the admission is free on Friday night. If you plan to go there, remember to arrive there early or you'll wait in a long line.

you MUST take the circle line cruise and if you do it, do it early when it isn't too crowded. They go alllll the way around Manhatten island and you get to see a part of NYC that dosn't look like it at all but It also gives you some of the BEST views of the city.Back to the part of NYC that dosn't look lik it at all: i am talking about the back side of the island. it looks like you're no where near a city.I also recomend that you go to the rockafeller plaza's observation deck. it gives you a great view of the city and central park. you always see veiws from the Empire state buildings observation deck but never the rockafellers so you should see.I also reccomend that you see ground zero because if you havn't ever seen it, it is huge and sad.

go to page three to see the web site i've put for the circle line cruise

If nothing else is done, you MUST, MUST, MUST, go and see Lion King on Broadway. It is spectacular...I would tell you but that would ruin the suprise. But it really is a magnificant show!

Wow. I think New York is one of those cities that will give me sensory overload. Just reading through all the varied suggestions on this board is staggering. I'm definitely visiting Ground Zero. There's just so much of New York to take in I have to confess right away that our one week won't be enough to do the city justice. I'm very, very interested and excited to see all the art galleries (right! like all the other parts of the city won't blow my mind away as it is!)... I think all the other TJs, Bevis and Lena, specially, are most excited about New York.

The Staten Island ferry also gives you a nice view of the city skyline, and if you take it at night you'll see the lights of the skyline.

quote:

Originally posted by cruisingbug:
Skip Albany! Geez, don't come all this way and take a day trip outside of NYC! Too much to do!

Take the free Staten Island ferry to see a close up view of the Statue of Liberty if you don't have time/money to spend going to Liberty and Ellis Islands. Walk on Wall Street, get inside the Stock Exchange if you can, go to Ground Zero if you must. Eat dim sum in Chinatown and dessert in Little Italy. Take the subway to midtown and go up to the top of the Empire State Building. Take a walk through Central Park - Beatles fans must make a pilgrimage to Strawberry Fields in front of the Dakota building - go to the Museum of Natural History or the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which overlook the park. Eat a pretzel from a street vendor. Work your way to Times Square. Everything you see will cost more than downtown, but the view is free. If you want to see a Broadway show, same day discount tickets are available at the TKTS booth in Times Square (and also at South Street Seaport with a much shorter line). Ride the ferris wheel inside the world's largest Toys R Us, and then play with the toys at FAO Schwarz on Fifth Ave.

While you're at Rockefeller Plaza you should take a tour. In the NBC store you can buy a ticket for an architectural tour of Rockefeller Plaza. The guide will show you a lot of things you never would have noticed otherwise, and you also learn some of the local history.

quote:

Originally posted by mr2z0:
you MUST take the circle line cruise and if you do it, do it early when it isn't too crowded. They go alllll the way around Mahatten island and you get to see a part of NYC that dosn't look like it at all but It also gives you some of the BEST views of the city.Back to the part of NYC that dosn't look lik it at all: i am talking about the back side of the island. it looks like you'r no where near a city.I also recomend that you go to the rockafeller plaza's observation deck. it gives you a great view of the city and central park. you always see veiws from the Empire state buildings observation deck but never the rockafellers so you should see.I also reccomend that you see ground zero because if you havn't ever seen it, it is huge and sad.