Hi folks
I’m heading to New York in august-staying at a hotel in Manhattan near Times Square. I have tickets to a broadway show (Wicked) and the catacombs but want to find little “hole in the wall” places to eat and see art/entertainment/poetry etc. also what are the best neighbourhoods to walk through etc. i love exploring!

there's a coffee shop/bookstore near Times Square that specializes in plays, poetry and theatre titles. We really enjoyed it. https://www.dramabookshop.com/

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Lavaux wine bar for Swiss fondue, Remi Coffee for gorgeous lattes and flowers, take the tram to Roosevelt island, wander around the waterfront in Brooklyn, Battery Park City. You can’t go wrong, there’s something fun around every corner

I am going the last week of August and want to see Wicked. Where did you buy advance tickets through? Is it better to buy now or wait and purchase when there?

Debbie
https://www.broadway.com/

I wanted my tickets for a specific date and time so I booked ahead

We love doing the Tkts thing. It’s part of the NYC experience and we’ve scored great seats to shows.

Debbie my mom and I went and waited the night of the performance in line to see if they released any tickets that night. We went right to the theatre, maybe someone here can say if they still do that? I remember it was super expensive to buy in advance but reasonable the night of.

Kalinda thanks. Likely it will be just me so hoping night of single seats would be reasonable

Debbie I think they were called standby tickets. There was a separate line and we got there at 5:30 or 5 the night of the show. We told the usher that’s what we wanted (we were first in line) and we got in to the sold out show! Good luck! It was awesome, I’m sure you won’t have a problem. As I recall tickets were $300 in advance and we paid $100

Depending how long you are there… we picked a different borough each day to wander around and explore. There is a Hop on Hop off bus/tour that can get you between key tourist stops, then explore from there too. Staten Island ferry was great for views of Lady Liberty. We found a little Sopranos like pizzeria walking from ferry on the island that was great.

We recommend taking the walking pizza tour with Scott’s Pizza Tours, it was fabulous!!

I just went to Kubeh in the West Village this past weekend and it was delicious!

Depending on your physical condition, I highly recommend walking over Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan and explore the DUMBO neighborhood on the other side.

Get away from Times Square as much as possible, that is not NYC. Wander Central Park, the Highline, walk over The Brooklyn Bridge. See one of the great Museums, each very different depending on your taste. Wander around Soho, the West Village, and the Lower East Side. Google around for great restaurants… enjoy!

Karen yeah I just booked at that hotel cause a friend stayed there and recommended it and I figured central so I can get around. I’ve heard the highline is lovely

Karen all that was mentioned is great! The Highline has been extended, what a treat. There are so many places, whole in the walls, places hidden that you come across by just walking. Don’t forget to look up and view the architecture! Have fun. Ps if you like jazz clubs, they are fantastic offering dinner (was impressed) and performance after..usually two seatings per evening (reservations and tickets) prior to performance. Summer performances everywhere, many outdoor freebies. There’s lots of info online about what’s on in NYC.

Eataly for amazing food

Try Becco if you like Italian. All you can eat menu and it was amazing!

High line for sure..
Rent bikes and ride through Central Park - best way to see it.
NYC has a ton of speakeasy’s, google them to find one that suites you.
The MET has a rooftop garden bar that has beautiful views of the city.
Enjoy your trip!

Some not so commercial..... Union & Washington Square Parks, Estela Restaurant, The Frying Pan ( great bar on an old navy ship) the Frick Museum, New Museum, Stumptown Coffee, Katz's Deli, Mr. Purple (roof top hotel bar), Hotel Chantel for Brunch, Head over to Brooklyn for sure. Take the Subway, dont bother with uber, waste of time and money traffic is heavy! Have fun!!!! Walk everywhere!

Take the tram to Roosevelt Island...nice little oasis in a busy city.
Battery Park...loads of history!
Take the Harbour Cruise...nice to see the Island from the water.
Walk thru Chelsea, Tribeca, Soho.
Walk the Highline...lots of very cool architecture and flowers.
We were there for 2 weeks recently.
Check out Columbia Uni...beautiful grounds and loads of parks nearby that you can bbq in.
Go to Queens for great restaurants and cool bars.
Go to a Mets game!! Fantastic food and they have a bourbon bar!!
Have fun.
We saw Wicked when we were there...it was fantastic!!
Times Square is crazy busy and very touristy....
Macy's is gigantic and there's no sales tax on clothes!!

https://www.valerienewyorkcity.com

Definitely walk along Hell's Kitchen for small street side cafe's! Also very close to Broadway

Audio tour in Grand Central station.

Try the Italian area during lunch. Slightly smaller portions but still same amazing service and food! Better pricing all around at lunch time. Also the delis all over NYC make amazing sandwiches

Yes, get away from Times Square! I agree with those who suggested walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, taking the tramway to Roosevelt Island and just wandering through Central Park, SoHo, Greenwich Village and the Lower East Side. The Lower East Side Tenement Museum is wonderful, as is the Frick. The Highline is also a great place to get away from the crowded streets. Hell's Kitchen has tons of good restaurants.

Take the ferry to Staten Island and go to Besos for tapas/lunch.

You folks are great! I’m so excited !

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Not sure if it has been mentioned, I am not going to read all the comments. But my sister and I did a great walking tour of Soho, it was really fun and interesting, great history. Booked through viator I believe.

Ole & Steen US in Bryant Park for the most amazing pastries, Bryant park is great for a wander!

If you’re looking for a little hole in the wall check out Hold Fast on 46th between 8th and 9th. They have great food and drinks.
Also buy the metro card for the subway snd bus if you’re there for more than a couple of days

Cooth Bryan

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Ess-a-Bagel if no one has recommended it yet
Always a line up but it moves quick and it’s totally worth the wait
https://www.ess-a-bagel.com

Also if you’re a ghostbusters fan - the library!!

If you are into piano bars Don’t Tell Mama is very cool. As others have suggested the highline park is fantastic and there are free walking tours in Central Park

Off broadway

Johns Pizza. Best pizza in NYC.

Definitely walk the Brooklyn Bridge!

Also check out Grand Central Station

If you check out Soho, go to Dominique Ansel Bakery. The original cronut, you will not regret it.

Delicious dinner
https://www.donttellmamanyc.com/

Download the open table app. It'll give you tons of choice, depending on what neighborhood you happen to be in. You can reserve easily.

Oh enjoy the show!!! I absolutely loved Wicked! I think it’s the best show I’ve ever seen

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Dindo Diaz
@ellad

Just got back a month ago. Great food at the markets- Chelsea, Essex street market and time out market.

Really enjoyed the ferry to Staten Island (free )...and had a great lunch then a visit to the local Brewery that the restaurant had served ys...all easy walking!!

Harlem

https://tartine.nyc

It will be hot as Hades in August so make sure to bring water & good walking shoes.
I was just there in June & it was 32 degrees muggy af.
Lots of cool spots in LES-ChinaTown. Walking the river walk is awesome if You have time walk there - also Ground Zero - there’s a bar that’s across the Street from the fire hall. Wow.
We went to Queens watched a baseball game - all around Brooklyn
Staten Island - meh.
We went to SlipperRoom - watched burlesque
So. Much. To.
Do.

Try the Comedy Club!

Super specific places I love:
Taqueria Diana at W 39th & 9th
Lavo near Central Park (they have a prix fixe menu in the afternoons when many other places shut down for dinner prep)
Mama Mia in Hell’s Kitchen
Dafni I think on W 42 and 10th ish
Smalls jazz club in Greenwich
Just wander around Greenwich Village, lower East Side, Brooklyn
The boat tour at pier 39 that goes all around Manhattan is a great way to see the city and the Statue of Liberty
Just take the time to walk around and stop into places. If it’s within your comfort zone chat with the folks you meet (New Yorkers are so friendly!). Times Square is iconic but you don’t need to stick around there. Try for rush seats to more shows if you have time!
Have an amazing time!!

then explore… simple

Go get whipped with soapy oak leaves. https://www.russianturkishbaths.com/

https://www.donttellmamanyc.com/

Great hole in the wall place off of Broadway

Contact big apple greeters. They give free walking tours

Brittney Witiuk

Go to le mela in little Italy for dinner. The best

There is a cool restaurant that has live entertainment with up and cooking broadway singers. Sorry, I can’t remember the name but it was fun!! Have a battery pac for your phone if your using it for pics and maps, I learnt the hard way

Diane Vass thought you might be interested