New York City

[Masterlu]

Don't forget Nathan's

[howiebrou]

Carnegie's Deli for great sandwiches especially the pastrami

[GaryProtein]

For a superbe dinner, go to Gramercy Tavern. Gramercy Tavern This would be a first choice restaurant.

Make a reservation long in advance, and sit in the BACK DINING ROOM. The food is the same as the front, but the back dining room is absolutely elegant. The food is wonderful.

I'm also a Bobby Flay fan, so I recommend Bar Americain. Bar Americain - New York Restaurant - Mohegan Sun Restaurant - Bobby Flay

The food there is fantastic also. I was there one time with my daughter and while ordering desert, she wanted to try something new, but hesitated because she wasn't sure she would like it. She flatly said to the waiter "what if I don't like it?" and the waiter said if my daughter didn't like it, she would take it back into the kitchen and eat it herself! Suffice it to say, the dessert was a hit! Everything there is great and the waiters are given tastes of everything on the menu so they can describe all the dishes to the guests.

Nathan's has to be the one at Coney Island, not any other location.

Go to the Upper West Side and visit Zabars. It's a food orgy. http://www.zabars.com/

Eataly is a food mega orgy. http://eatalyny.com/

Broadway: Wicked--significant on so many levels of politics and philosophy, it ISN'T the Wizard of Oz. Possibly the best musical of all time.

Lion King is a superb production. Despite the fact that every character on stage is clearly recognizeable as a person wearing a costume, you buy into it anyway.

Book of Mormon. Absolutely hilarious, wonderfully irreverent. (I detest political correctness.)

In addition to the stereo stores Joe mentioned, I would add Sound By Singer to the list.

Museum of Natural History
Lincoln Center/Avery Fisher Hall/NY Philharmonic
Statue of Liberty

[JohnK]

Not sure what your taste is, lodging wise, or how long you'll be in NYC (perhaps I missed that). You might want to plan your hotel based on the places you want to visit, but then again, everything in Manhattan (and I assume that's the focus, rather than the outer boroughs, where there is some excellent food) is a walk or subway ride away (cab if you must).

Not sure if you want to accumulate or use hotel points, if not -
if you want an urban, (large) boutique kind of place, consider Soho Grand, Tribeca Grand (same owners and pet friendly). They are, as the name implies, downtown. They've got an app as well which shows what's going on in the city. Soho is no longer the artist's quarter, but there is a lot of fine
shopping and dining there. Hey, head over to Dean and Deluca and have them assemble of couple of to-go orders and have a picnic in Central Park.

Soho Grand Hotel » New York, NY » The Original SoHo Boutique Hotel.

Check out the schedule at the Blue Note for an intimate setting for music. They have a variety, but the emphasis is jazz and blues. I've seen Manhattan Transfer there, Leo Kottke, and I see Pat Martino is there later this month.
Blue Note Jazz Club New York

I'll give a +5 to Joe's recommendation for Union Square cafe. I call it modern American with a Tuscan soul...but make reservations way in advance.

This thread reminds me I need to update my personal list of places of interest in NY. Stay tuned.

[JohnK]

Back on music - I haven't been to the "new" Iridium since it moved from Lincoln Center area to Time Square, but it might be worth checking the schedule. Same for "Birdland," also in Times Square area. It seems anything there starts to feel a little over produced and too calculated, too "themed" but you might catch a good show at either. I think their
acts are more varied, not just jazz and blues.

Ah for the old days - I saw Les Paul and John Scofield at the old Iridium, even got Les's autograph, talked about guitars and players for few minutes.

[Mac Brown]

JohnK..that a great idea to check out some of the other places to stay, no points being used between Omni or Hilton I haven't stayed long enough this year for a free night.

GaryProtein: yes we are Bobby Flay fans, loved his place n Vegas

Howie : Gotta check out carnegies deli ,pastrami looks awesome

thanks everyone for the ideas this is shaping up to be a awesome time

What about a tour to McIntosh labs ? rent a car drive up

[MC352]

I'll second the suggestion to go see Wicked. It's a great show.

I would also say try to do a tour of Grand Central Station.

For a great view of the city, go to the Top Of The Rock.

Central Park is a great place to wander around. Bring your camera.

And of course, you have to get a pretzel, roasted peanuts, or a Sabrett's hot dog from one of the street vendors.

For food we like to check out places over in Hell's Kitchen.

[-E-]

Best espresso and cannoli still belongs to Ferrera.

Seconded to Eatly - it is the mega orgy of anything Italian.

Sushi still belongs to Yasuda, even though the master himself is no longer there.

Carnegie Deli is definitely epic - but sometimes the line is also epic. If so, try the Stage Deli a block south - same quality/quantity but usually a bit less of a line.

As someone already mentioned - best slice of cheesecake still belongs to Juniors, of which there are (I think) 2 locales in Manhattan now.

I really enjoyed Ben Bensons for a solid steak the last time I was in town - and they have a decent wine list that doesn't overly rape you like most other places in NYC will.

[MC352]

I also forgot Chelsea Market, and High Line Park, which is an old elevated rail line they converted to a park.

Also, get a subway map. It's very easy to use that system, and you'll get from point A to B in quick time. It's a New York experience for sure.

An out of the ordinary thing we did recently was to go to the Tenement Museum. They are located at 103 Orchard Street.

[Toobs]

Surely one cannot go to NYC without visiting Yankee Stadium. If the Yanks are home, go see a baseball game. Also make sure to visit monument park which is just beyond the center field wall.