Fun things/restaurants in NYC right now?

[kellij]

I went to school in NYC from 2001-2002, so I'm pretty familiar with it, but I haven't been back since August '03. I'm heading there next Wednesday and I'll have Thursday- Saturday to play. The last time I was there I didn't have babies, they won't be with me, but my shopping could have a different focus this time. So what is fun right now to do in the Big Apple, and what are some great restaurants?

[lizzywednesday]

What do you like to eat? I'll eat pretty much anywhere ... among my favorites are Brother Jimmy's Bait Shack (web: http://brotherjimmys.com/) and Angelica Kitchen (web: http://www.angelicakitchen.com/)

(ETA: I should re-read posts before I respond!!!)

Since it's the holidays now, you'll have the department store windows tour:

http://gonyc.about.com/od/christmassights/l/bl_xmaswindows.htm

The Rockefeller Center skate rink & tree (which was lit last night) ... it's very crowded at night (be prepared to throw a ton of elbows) but it's nice during the day, too ...

(If you do Rockefeller Center, the American Girl Store is across the street. Really.)

In Times Square, in addition to the wonderful pedestrian "mall" that Mayor Bloomberg has set up, you've got Toys R Us (big draw: indoor ferris wheel; must buy tickets to ride, lines are longest late in the day), the M&M's store, Hershey's Sweet Spot and Dylan's Candy Bar within a few blocks of each other. I believe there's also a Nintendo store either in Times Square or on 5th Avenue between the NYPL-Humanities Branch & Rockefeller Center; I don't recall which.

Near the Plaza Hotel (um, Eloise fans anyone? BTW, they offer 2 Eloise package deals.) is FAO Schwartz (http://www.fao.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=3810526).

Depending on how old your DC are, the American Museum of Natural History (which has its own tree decorated with origami animals - http://www.amnh.org) is a big hit with the young and young-at-heart.

The Bronx Zoo has offered a nighttime "Zoo Lights" tour in the past; more info about the Zoo itself is available here:

http://www.bronxzoo.com/

I'm also partial to the tree up at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (web: http://www.metmuseum.org) ... they also offer choral concerts on Fridays & Saturdays. The museum used to be open "late" on Fridays as a "date night" offering, so that's often a fun thing to treat yourself to. Special exhibitions do not charge extra, but they tend to charge for concerts. (Also explore the Cloisters uptown if you get a chance. Link is on main Met page.)

What else do you like to do?

[hollybloom24]

Jane on W. Houston is excellent! Love the toasted ricotta gnocchi! Was just there two weeks ago. http://www.ctrnyc.com/JANE/index.html

Nothing like a cupcake at Magnolia Bakery. http://www.magnoliabakery.com/

I like Le Pain Quotidien for breakfast and coffee break. Great (and huge) baguette served with wonderful jams and chocolate spreads! They are all over Manhattan. http://www.lepainquotidien.com/

Pearl River Mart in SoHo is really fun and has all sorts of cute Asian things that are great for kids. http://www.pearlriver.com/v2/index.html

We walked the High Line Park which I thought was really cool: http://www.thehighline.org/

Have a great time!!!