Village Breaks

Family of four (two teenagers) with 7 days to vacation in New York...What would you do?

Okay....some background here. We will be going to The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, The Metropolitan Museum of Arts, The Cloisters, MoMA, St. Patricks Cathedral, The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, The American Museum of Natural History and The Empire State Building. We will try (cost permitting) to make a Broadway musical and a Yankees or Mets game. We are not into clothes shopping. I want to go to Zabar's and everyone wants to go to Greenwich Village. Please don't suggest Tavern on the Green or Delmonico's as I cannot take out a second mortgage for the sake of a five star chef.

Public Comments

1. Central Park, FAO Schwartz, MTV Studios, and Rockerfeller Center are some other places to go too since you mentioned you have teenagers. You might be lucky to see some celebrities.
2. Leno and Letterman are both taped in NYC. Get there early because very long lines will form. You're not missing much with Tavern on the Green, I've always been disappointed in their food, no matter how many stars they claim.
   
   In Chinatown check out Wo Hop for a meal. They are on Mott Street, use the downstairs dining room.
   
   South Street Seaport. Inexpensive shopping and lots of food places.
   
   The United Nations. Sit in a meeting and wander for free or take a tour. Gift shop is great for souvenirs. FAO Schwartz toy store also has an ice cream parlor (sorry to be a bad influence)
   
   Get out of Manhattan; if you are going to a Mets game, get to Queens early and see the Bowne House in Flushing (stop on the underground railroad) with good restaurants a couple blocks away; or go to the Flushing Hall of Science and the adjoining zoo, where you can walk at tree top level to see the birds.
   
   Brooklyn: the Aquarium and Coney Island.
3. Definitely get sandwiches one day and go have lunch in Central Park. Walk around and check out all the different areas. The zoo is rather inexpensive to get into. Your kids (if they dont mind getting up early) might want to stand in front of the Today show for a chance to get on national tv. If you want to go see a Musical and aren't set on one particular show, definitely use the TKTS window. You get same day tickets for 50% off.