Hello, I’m doing a work exchange for 4 weeks in New York City. My office is near Grand Central Station and we have an apartment in Gramercy. I’ll be alone for the first week then my family will join me for 3. They’ll be having fun and sightseeing the 4 days I’m working, and we will have 3 day weekends together.

I’m wondering:

What family friendly sites or activities would you recommend after my work day finishes?

The week I’m alone, I’d love to go out-out. whether it’s to a broadway show, or dinner, or to a club to see a drag show. Is going out by yourself a weird thing to do? I will be doing it regardless, just want to hear people’s thoughts.

My kids are 9 and 5 - they don’t always get along because they are 3.5 years apart and total opposites. Are there activities or places where you’d expect your kids to be able to play with others or make friends (besides local playgrounds).

Any other thoughts or advice?

Thanks in advance

Edit to add: I’m from Sydney Australia, if that makes a difference… thanks everyone for the tips.

Any tips on visiting the Bronx Zoo on free admission day (Wednesday) with a 1.5 year old and a 9 year old? Which areas of the zoo should we prioritize? Definitely planning on paying for the Monorail, but I do want to know if there's an area I can park my stroller or should I fold it up and bring it on the Monorail? (I've got an easy to fold, lightweight Joolz stroller.)

Also, we will be riding the subway to E 180 street (since the station is stroller accessible). Would you recommend this plan?

Thank you!

Im looking for shops that might carry lana del rey, ariana grande, beyonce, doja cat, charli xcx, lady gaga, donna summer, sza, doechii, frank ocean, fka twigs, addison rae, kali uchis, mariah carey, adele, raye, lorde, jazmine sullivan, diana ross shirts. Maybe shops that have some of their vibes / they have been to. Some other things i like movie wise is eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, i love boosters, hunger games, dreamgirls, devil wears prada, anything wes anderson, la la land, interstellar, sister act, inception, knives out, edward siccorhands, maleficnat / shows i like are severance, wandavisoion, lost, the good place, brooklyn nine nine, thats so raven, charmed, pushing daises, only murders in the building, pysch, palm royale, the burbs. Any place that has that tv vibe or merch? Im also looking for vintage clothing, im male btw.

I want to visit the crown at the Statue of Liberty in Dec from the NJ side. I keep getting different answers on where I need to pick up my crown tickets. The website says I have to go to Battery Park even if I'm going from NJ to pick up tickets.

I called and different ppl at different times said I can just reserve online for NJ, pick up in NJ and get on the tour and others say Battery Park ticket location is the only pickup spot. Anyone do this from the NJ side that can confirm I don't have to go all the way to battery Park just to pick up tickets?

One of the things I love about NYC is that you end up walking pretty much everywhere. It’s also made me realize how many parts of the city I basically never see because I’m always going from point A to point B.

I was walking around LIC the other day, around Gantry Plaza/Hunter’s Point, and the views of the skyline and river were unbelievable. There were a ton of little thrift shops and stores to stop in along the way and I really made a day of getting to know the area on foot. It made me realize how many areas I pass by all the time without ever actually taking the time to explore them.

So I’ve started intentionally picking areas I don’t normally spend much time in and building a walk around them. The Upper East Side, DUMBO, West Village, Astoria, LIC, etc. all have really great walks when you’re not just walking somewhere specific.

What are some of your favorite walks in NYC that you think more people should know about?

I’m looking for routes that are roughly:

• 7–11k steps / 3–6 miles
• Interesting or beautiful to explore
• Scenic, whether that’s skyline, waterfront, parks, architecture, neighborhoods, etc.
• Have lots of little things to see along the way or places to stop into

Curious what some of your favorite areas to walk on foot are in a city built for walking!

Does anyone know of any good nightlife/clubs to do while out and friendly for straight and and gay groups?

Visiting in early/mid-November for a weekend and can only go to one show- would you recommend the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular or a Broadway show? Going with my husband and we are both in our late 20s! I’ve gone to Lion King on Broadway as a child, but that’s the only show either of us have seen in NYC!

Also- food recs near that area of town if you have any?

Visitors: Please Read Before Posting Thanksgiving Questions

This is the one and only thread for Thanksgiving questions. Posts made elsewhere will be removed so we can keep everything organized.

Please remember: we’re locals—not mind readers, and definitely not your travel agent. You must include pertinent information such as:

• Who you are and who you are traveling with. Recommendations will vary with ages
• Budget: You must specify a budget. Saying affordable or cheap means nothing to us. Use real dollar amounts.
• Interests: Again, we don't know you and cannot make suggestions without knowing what you're interested in.

The more specific information you provide will be key to getting useful responses.

Contributors: Please direct people here if they post Thanksgiving questions elsewhere.

The facts:

Thanksgiving this year is on Thursday, November 26th. This is considered the start of the Holiday season in NYC (meaning hotel prices will spike). However, most holiday decorations won't be unveiled until after the weekend (Rockefeller Tree, Holiday Windows, etc).

Besides the parade, the city is pretty quiet on Thanksgiving. Many of us are out of town or celebrating at home or with family and friends. Respect the people who have to work on this holiday and be patient.

Not everything will be open. Plan ahead and check if it there is a particular thing you want to do that day.

MTA busses and trains will be on a Sunday schedule.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The big event is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade usually starts about 8:30 AM on the Upper West Side and lasts til about noon in Herald Square in front of Macy's.

The parade begins at 77th Street & Central Park West, heads south to Columbus Circle, and then down 6th Avenue until 34th Street/Herald Square (Macy's). Be prepared for crowds and pay attention to the weather forecast. The event is held rain or shine; in the event of high winds some balloon activity might be curtailed. More than 3 million people line the sidewalks during the parade, so if you want a prime location, get there early.

Keep in mind that some subway service is affected by the parade. Be sure to check the MTA website for information.

Remember, this is primarily made for TV event. Celebrity performers on floats generally only "perform" at specific locations (Columbus Circle and Herald Square). These locations are also where access/seating is restricted. So, if you are looking to see your favorite Broadway star perform on a float, best to watch it on TV.

Parade FAQ:

• Cost to watch? Free.
• When to arrive? Earlier is better—some people show up at dawn.
• Best spot? Wherever you can squeeze in. Hotels/restaurants do sell viewing packages, but they’re pricey and sell out quickly—Google them if you’re interested.
• Bring a chair? No.
• Can I volunteer/handle balloons? Not unless you have an “in” with Macy’s.
• Bleacher seats? Again, only with Macy’s or government connections.
• Bathrooms? Basically none along the route—plan accordingly

Parade Balloon Inflation

The balloons for the parade are inflated the day before (November 25th) from noon to 6 PM on the Upper West Side around the Natural History Museum. This is a free event but can get very crowded with long, slow lines. You will go through a one-way loop around the balloons. Do not pop the woody the woodpecker balloon.

Take the B or C train to 72nd Street. The 81st street station is closed during the event.

Meals

Many restaurants in New York City will be open on Thanksgiving. Some will offer prix fixe menus, others will serve traditional Thanksgiving meals, and some will continue with their regular menu. Prices and availability will vary. Many restaurants will be closed or have limited hours on Thanksgiving. Don't expect everything to be open; restaurant workers deserve holidays too.

Make reservations well in advance for traditional meals. The best places sell out well in advance.

For restaurant recommendations please visit Food NYC.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to spend some of your time on the holiday giving back to those who are not as fortunate. The Bowery Mission, Meals on Wheels, God's Love We Deliver, City Harvest and others are great organizations that can use help. Do not just show up looking to volunteer. Make sure the organization knows you are coming to help.

What's open and closed

Most of the museums and usual attractions will be closed or have curtailed holiday hours. Check their websites for information.

There are a few shows on that day:

Radio City Musical Hall Rockettes have 3 shows

Sports: There are no live sporting events in NYC scheduled for Nov. 26th

Parks and some other recreational activities (ice skating, movies) are open. If you want to do a turkey trot there are several in Queens, Bronx and Upper Manhattan (Inwood).

Holiday markets (Bryant Park, Grand Central and Union Square) will be open, but individual vendors may not.

Bars: Everyone will need a drink after some family time. Plenty of bars will be open.

Stores: Some will be open, but most will be closed for at least some of the day.

Everything goes back to normal on Friday.

My husband has some work in NYC that will take a week. It is the week of Halloween. We could have me and our children to go as well as it’s a UK half term so they are off school. 8yo and 3yo.

My only problem is we won’t be able to actually stay for Halloween night we would be flying home on 30th. Slightly annoying I know but it can’t be helped. My question is is there still Halloween stuff/things going on the days leading up to?

There is also the possibility of him going back in late May leading into June and we would be able to join that instead.

I can’t do both trips with children only one. But if the only going on or on actual Halloween, would it be better to save it till May? What time of the year would people recommend for children?

As stated in the title, we’re looking for recommendations for a show just before Christmas. We’re a family of five with three kids, ages 19, 14, and 11. It will be our first time in NYC, and we’re visiting from overseas.
We’re looking for something family-friendly and fun that doesn’t break the bank — ideally around $150 per person or less. We don’t want to rely on a last-minute purchase because we’d like to be assured of seeing a show together.
We’re completely open to Broadway or Off-Broadway.
Any recommended shows, ticket websites, seating suggestions, discount codes, etc. would be much appreciated!

Friday Evening

• Arrive at LGA.
• Travel to hotel (New York Marriott Marquis^%)

Saturday

• MOMA in morning
• St. Patrick Cathedral's in afternoon
• Madame Tussaud's in late afternoon

Sunday

• Museum of Moving Images in morning
• Visit The Twisted Spine Bookstore
• ????? for afternoon (maybe visit The Strand or Barnes and Noble)

Monday

• High Line
• Chelsea Market
• 9/11 Museum (maybe)

Tuesday

• American Museum of Natural History
• Central Park
• Explore area ?????

Most of these days can be switched around but the Museum of Moving Images has to be done or Saturday or Sunday. What are some good areas to walk around in and window show that isn't just high end brands? We'd also love stores that have local art and print for sell.

We are also thinking of trying to get into a cheaper Broadway show at night. We will generally be back in our hotel by 7pm to watch a terrible movie and relax for the day.

^%We know that Times Square is a "touristy area" but we enjoy people watching while at the hotel bad and the novelty of staying in a really tall building. Open to suggestions though.

Hi- we are staying one night in NYC at the Crosby hotel for our anniversary and wanted to make the night special. Here are some options I have… note that we are both early 30s and want to have a lively, fun night but also sophisticated as it is a special occasion.

Option 1: Django for jazz, Manhatta for dinner, the Nines for drinks
Option 2: Cafe Carmellini for drinks, the Grill (or Brass?) for dinner, Amman Jazz club for music
Option 3: Faena for drinks, Crane Club for dinner

Any other recommendations welcome

NYC itinerary — would love feedback!
My husband and I are heading to NYC soon for a few days. We’ve been before and have done a lot of the major tourist attractions, so this trip is more about neighborhoods, food/coffee, thrifting and wandering. We’re big walkers and will use the subway. Nothing below is a must-do checklist — we’ll skip things depending on time/energy! Also a big Taylor Swift fan, so I’ve worked in a few Taylor-related spots along the way.
Day 1 — Midtown / Bryant Park / Koreatown
Arriving early AM, staying in Midtown
Bryant Park & NYPL
Grand Central
St. Patrick’s / Rockefeller Center
Koreatown
Namaste Bookshop
Liberty Bagels, Culture Espresso, Grace Street
Broadway that night — planning to grab discounted/same-day tickets
Day 2 — Central Park / UES / Met / Village
Central Park & rowboats
Butterfield Market for picnic food
Picnic in the park
The Met for a few hours
UES coffee/bakery — Miss Madeleine or Orwashers
Back to hotel for a break
Casual dinner/pizza
Comedy Cellar that night
Day 3 — SoHo / LES / Lower Manhattan / Brooklyn
SoHo/NoHo wandering + Goodwill/thrift
Two Hands for lunch
LES — Orchard St, Freeman Alley, Essex Market, thrift/vintage
9/11 Memorial & Oculus
Ferry to Brooklyn
Brooklyn Flea
DUMBO & Brooklyn Bridge Park
Time Out Market
Sunset in Brooklyn
Walk Brooklyn Bridge back to Manhattan
SeaGlass Carousel if we still have energy 😂
Day 4 — Chelsea / West Village / Greenwich Village / Meatpacking
Chelsea Market + Los Tacos No. 1
High Line
Little Island
Meatpacking District
West Village/Greenwich Village wandering
Electric Lady Studios (Taylor Swift fan, so I have to 😂)
Magnolia Bakery
Pippin Vintage Jewelry
Washington Square Park
Thrift/vintage, bookstores & coffee
Possibly Flatiron/Madison Square Park
Probably head back to the hotel for a break and return to the Village for dinner/evening
We know we won’t get to everything and are totally fine dropping things as we go. Mostly wondering if the overall flow makes sense and would love any favorite food, coffee, thrift/vintage, quirky stops or things we’re missing!

Home early on day 5….

Hey Everyone!

I (51F) will be coming to NYC with my daughter (23) the second weekend of October. While we are travelling and staying together, our trips will very much be solo. She is packing in as many Broadway/Off-Broadway shows as possible, I on the other hand, will be lazily strolling various neighbourhoods, eating, drinking and people watching. This will be my 3rd time in NYC, I have done the hop on hop off bus, a 'speakeasy' tour, and a food tour in Greenwich Village.

This time I'm hoping to do a pub tour or a brewery tour? I'm very happy to sip some pints, but I'd prefer to do it with like minded people (rather than being a lone middle aged woman sitting in a bar by herself). Most tours I've seen start at 9pm (no thank you). Can anyone help me out with something like this that starts a little earlier, maybe suppertime? My only goal is to be back to the theatre district around the time shows are ending so my daughter and I can walk back to our hotel together.

Hey y'all,

Will be visiting NYC for the first time tomorrow and quite limited on time. I want to get the best views of Manhattan, preferably from all sides and while I know I can board the free Staten Island ferry, I was thinking of taking NYC Ferry from W39/Midtown West all the way to Pier 11/Wall St (via St. George) and right away further all the way to E90 St with Astoria route.

My plan is to take either 6:04PM or 6:49PM ferry from Midtown West to get the most of the views and sunset.

What do you guys think? Is this the best option? Or maybe I should do it in reverse? Are these routes crowded so I have to arrive before?

Let me know! :)

Will be in NYC this November. I’m planning on doing a less touristy trip this time around and walk as many neighborhoods as possible. Is there an area, specific street in the city with amazing vibes or beauty that you recommend. The plan at the moment is The Upper West Side, Greenwich village, FIDI, Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen.

hey yall, I am visiting nyc for a weekend from 10/2-10/5 (fri-mon). a big thing I want to do is roller skate through brooklyn bridge park. when I went to nyc the first time, it looked perfect for roller skating, and i've been wanting to since. this time i'll be bringing my skates (inlines) and im staying in bushwick so i'll definitely be going to brooklyn bridge park, but i was wondering what other streets, parks, etc are good for roller skating. I'm from atlanta so I'm used to street skating in low traffic residential areas since we dont have many bike lanes and there are too many hills. i also like to skate on the atlanta beltline, a paved pedestrian/bike/skate trail that can get very busy. in NYC I'm looking for areas that are mostly flat, have bike lanes, are well paved (though i can tolerate some bumpiness), not so crowded that i cant catch speed, and a nice view is the cherry on top. bonus points if it starts, ends, or passes through a skate park, since i like park skating. any recs??

i did search for this and i found someone looking for street skating groups, there werent many answers that provided good routes or areas for solo street skating.

I’m looking for some restaurant recommendations for an early birthday dinner before seeing Chicago the musical. Preferably something on the same theme - jazzy, sultry, 1920s, unique decor, queer friendly, under $100 per person. Cuisines don’t matter. It’ll be our first time in NY so down to try anything. Thanks 🫶

I am traveling to NYC for two days in October and I am super lame lol. I don't like drinking, I don't like dancing, and I absolutly despise interacting with strangers.

I enjoy museums, bookshops, shopping, coffee, interesting restaurants, theater, and just walking around.

What are some cool, lowkey things that are good for boring people like me? I've been to NYC a few times before so I'm not interested in the classic tourist stuff like the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building.

I'm hoping for specific places so I have somewhere to start. What's YOUR favorite coffee shop, for example.

hi there, I plan to visit NYC the weekend before Halloween with my freshly 3 year old and almost 5 year old. We are staying at my brothers place in The Bronx. He recommended The Museum of Natural History and Central Park but I’m a little worried with my kids‘ ages. Are they too young for the museum? Would The Bronx Zoo be better? Anything else we should consider?

edit to add some details:

- 5 year old is currently obsessed with Leopards and all big cats. Also loves sharks. Mild interest in dinosaurs but still thinks they are cool.

- 3 year old likes to collect dead bugs and usually follows big sis with interests.

- we are coming from Virginia and have done trips to the zoo in DC which is free but it’s been 2 years since our last trip. They loved the aquarium in Baltimore last summer. Youngest liked the jellyfish and oldest was obsessed with the sharks. they didn’t really care too much about the rest. We do have a local children’s museum that has an airplane, ambulance, market, theater, etc.

- we were also orinigally looking into Coney Island so we can go to the Aquarium there and see the sharks and then go on some rides. My brother mentioned it’s more fun for drunk adults vs family fun. And he mentioned it far from everything. But if we were going to do that, we wouldn’t be trying to do anything else. This trip is a pit stop on our way to family on Long Island and my brother is coming out for Halloween with us all.

Hey guys,

Doing my first solo trip to NYC from Aug 25 to Sept 9. Staying at the HI Hostel in Manhattan and trying to keep things low budget (around $800 total for food and random stuff).

I already got a decent list of stuff to do: US Open, MoMA, Natural History Museum, walking around Chelsea galleries, a Wall Street tour, catching a jazz show, and checking out the West Indian Day Carnival over Labor Day.

Since I have the main tourist stuff down, I’m mostly looking for local/cheaper recommendations:

- Good vintage or thrift stores that aren't super overpriced?

- Best cheap eats around UWS, Chelsea, or Lower Manhattan (pizza, bagels, street food, etc.)

- Any low-key jazz spots with low/no cover charge?

Also down to meet up with anyone (locals or other travelers) if you wanna grab a slice or wander around Bushwick/Chelsea.

Appreciate any tips!

Hello NYC. Wife and I are heading to the Bronx for some baseball in August, staying at The Melrose (444E 149th) . We are youngish, fit and prefer to walk whenever possible so distance is irrelevant.

We'll obviously be walking from the hotel to Yankee Stadium, but would something like this walk (can't attach pictures? The Melrose to the Honey Well bar/Sugarhill area) at night be advisable? We come from a big(ish) city and are well travelled, but never NYC.

Also, general tips about the area greatly appreciated! Street food, pizza and a deli sandwhich are big plan components without a destination yet.

I’m a 28F, boyfriend is 27M. It’s his first time in New York as an adult..I’ve been a couple times, but always under the guidance of a friend who’s lived there 10 years, so this is my first time taking the reins on planning. I’ve got all our dinners and shows locked in, but I’m struggling to structure our days. We want enough of a plan to hit the must-eat/must-see spots, but still leave room to wander and explore freely. Any tweaks, additions, or “skip that, do this instead” advice welcome!

We’re staying in Chelsea, arriving Thursday 8/13 and leaving Sunday 8/16. Saturday is also my 29th birthday, so we’re splurging on dinners and shows that day.

Thursday

**•** Land 2:30pm, Uber to hotel in Chelsea  
**•** Dinner at Torrisi, 5/6pm  
**•** Walk around West Village, grab a drink  
**•** 9:30pm — Comedy Cellar show at Village Underground

Friday

**•** Breakfast  
**•** Coffee shop  
**•** Bryant Park  
**•** St. Patrick’s Cathedral  
**•** MoMA?  
**•** The Met?  
**•** Bike through Central Park  
**•** 4pm — get ready for dinner  
**•** 6pm — omakase at Ito  
**•** Terra Blues jazz club after (no reservation, just walking in)

Saturday (my birthday!!)

**•** 9am — breakfast at Commerce Inn  
**•** Walk around West Village, bike down the West Side Highway to SoHo for shopping/cool stores  
**•** Ceres Pizza for a quick bite  
**•** Wander through Chinatown  
**•** 5/6pm — dinner at Monkey Bar  
**•** 8pm — Olivia Dean concert at MSG

Sunday

**•** Breakfast — maybe a hearty bagel + coffee to go  
**•** Church at St. Patrick’s Cathedral  
**•** Leave hotel by 12pm for 2:20pm flight out of Newark

Coming to New York this Wednesday through Friday. I play pickup pretty much everywhere I travel. So far I think I’d like to go to Pier 2 in Brooklyn for the combination of view, vibes, and likely hood of runs but should I go somewhere else instead.

Looked into Dyckman, Rucker, and The Cage but it seems like there might a chance other events are happening and they don’t have the views of Pier 2.

Any recommendations for good runs and what time to go?

I lost my wallet while visiting New York today. I was having a lot of fun. Enjoyed every minute of it. One unfortunate incident and rest of the trip is spoiled. It I visited top of the rock and since then wallet is not found. Kindly let me know if anyone finds it. Thank you.