It’s 16 years since I was in New York, but what I remember most was the fabric stores and the Metropolitan. Only the museum shop is worth a visit!

The Metropolitan Museum is really a must-visit, it’s huge! Also, walking around in the different neighbourhoods (Soho, Greenwich Village, Downtown Manhattan, Brooklyn,…) is a very good way to get to know the city. For vintage shops I’d recommend Beacon’s Closet in Williamsburg (Brooklyn), it’s a very large shop, a true vintage heaven! :)

When I was in New York we concentrated on the shopping, LOL, but I did enjoy the Heartlands Brewery at the bottom of the Empire State Building, which brews its own flavoured beers, and also particularly the view at night from the top of the Rockefeller Building, all lit up: just fabulous. There’s also a restaurant at the top of a hotel in Times Square that revolves, but I can’t for the life of me remember what it’s called; they have this amazingly huge buffet if you can track it down with google. Also the FAO Schwarz toy store will be unmissable at Christmas, it is beside the Apple Store near Central Park. Have a blast!

Cakes
http://www.cakesandshakes.wordpress.com

You should come shopping at the store I work at [ Buffalo Exchange.com ] The one in Williamsburg is really great!

The Museum of Natural History is a must see! There’s dinosaurs, anthropology, and taxidermy galore! I second the Met museum. Oh yeah- not many tourists know this, but the admission to both of those places is suggested, meaning you can pay as little as $1 (as opposed to the $25 asking price) and still get in. A good vintage store is Housing Works on east 23rd, and there are some good random ones on Thompson St. Don’t leave without going to Otto’s Shrunken Head on 14th- I think it’s the only tiki bar in NYC. Also, if you have any interest in vintage repro, go to Enz’s on 2nd ave. As for Christmas things, maybe this will help: http://www.christmastimeinnewyorkcity.com/ Even though I’ve been living here for 10 years, I usually avoid holiday doings around the city bc the crowds drive me crazy. Have fun!

MOMA is one of the best museums in the world, you have to go there.

Serendipity 3 is a fun restaurant/store, try their frozen hot chocolate.
Near there is Dylan’s Candy Bar, its a multi-level candy store with everything.

If you like hot dogs, go to Grey’s Papaya. There are a bunch of knock-offs like Papaya Dog which aren’t good, but Grey’s Papaya has an excellent 2 hot dog combo with yummy fruit drinks.

The easiest way to catch a show is to go to the tkts booth in Times Square and wait in the line because then you can get really cheap tickets for any show they offer, which are usually all good.

1. fao schwarz toy store is so christmasy and great. all along fifth ave the window displays are quintessential new york, though i always avoid this area because of the tourists.
2. the frick collection is a cozy old home crammed with 15th-19th century art and furnishings. i think you’d like it.
3. metropolitan museum of art - huge! you will want to see the costume collection and the giant christmas tree. then get hot chocolate at cafe sabarsky, which is very expensive but lovely (designed to the last detail as turn-of-the-century viena). you should also wander this side of central park… maybe visit the central park zoo.
4. the natural history museum - dinosaur bones!! (but my fave section is native american art) nearby is maxilla and mandible, shop for natural history lovers.
5. there’s also this: http://www.mcny.org/exhibitions/current/On-the-Mo…

6. you must see a show! my recommendations off-broadway: war horse, sleep no more. broadway: lion king, phantom of the opera (but get discount tickets at tkts. i would not pay full price). lincoln center’s operas and ballets are AMAZING, there’s also the nutcracker at lincoln center and BAM.
7. dimsum in chinatown! (i can recommend a ton of eateries – any kind of food – because all i do in nyc is stuff my face…)
8. don’t waste your time vintage shopping in ny. but you should attend the hell’s kitchen flea market or garage flea market on the weekend… you can find some old treasures.

If I were headed for NYC, I’d make sure to hop a ride on this beauty!
http://www.artknowledgenews.com/18_10_2011_22_32_…

I’d been eyeing this, just for the eye candy.
http://www.artknowledgenews.com/2009-12-20-00-11-…
I thought I’d look a bit, to see what is on exhibit and wasn’t able to find anything on costume exhibition for the Brooklyn Museum and it appears that the costume galleries at the Met are under renovation. They are currently using a different gallery, but, I am not clear on what it is that they are exhibiting.

Check out the rockabilly monthly jive night, Rebel Night, at Otto’s Shrunken Heads (a cool tiki bar). The cool Japanese boys will teach you how to jive if you come early. They have great guest djs and play great boppers and strollers too. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/REBEL-NIGHT-NYC/…

I’ve never been to NYC, but I’ve always wanted to go to the top of the Empire State building(so many old movies have scenes there!), see the glorious art deco of the Chrysler building, try to track down the old Savoy and Roseland ballrooms where the lindy hop was born, go to Carnegie Hall where Benny Goodman blew everyone away with his famous concert in 1938, Tiffany’s where Audrey Hepburn went in the movie…I’ve wanted to catch the Minsky Sisters when in NYC…Coney Island…Harlem…I want to go : )

Oh, and the Apollo theatre where all the jazz legends performed( Ella Fitzgerald got her start there) and the old Paramount theatre where Frank Sinatra made the bobby soxers swoon!

The Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain looks kind of cool: http://thescoutmag.com/dining_bars/american/872/b…
Speaking of travel, have you ever been to New Orleans? I think you would really love it, but I live in Louisiana, so I’m biased: ) People say the best cities in the US are New York and New Orleans, and maybe San Francisco. There is no place like Frenchman Street on a Friday night,and in New Orleans food is a religion, so you would never have to worry about getting a bad meal!

war horse is gorgeous but made me teary.. next my friends and i are planning to see botanica. maybe that interests you, too.
lincoln center showcases the actual performance of the nutcracker, but it’s being recorded live and broadcasted digitally to various theatres for all to see.
post again if you are sure to come! i will then let you know good food to eat near sites you plan on visiting. ^_^

Have dinner at Ippudo.
Buy yarn at PurlSoHo

http://www.ippudony.com/
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl

I used to live with my time split between Boston and Manhattan and those are the two things I recommend to EVERYONE who visits NYC.

You have to, have to, have to go to PainKiller New York. It’s an actual Tiki bar on the Lower East Side. Sometimes just called PKNY. Otto’s (on 14th and Ave B) is a lot of fun, too. But the drinks at Pain Killer are to die for! Also, Crif Dogs, has a really awesome secret bar. I posted info about that place in my blog. And! Gruppo Thin Crust Pizza, I used to work there, best pizza in the City if you ask me. Super thin crust. Last, but not least: B Side, the perfect dive bar. Tell them I sent you! I hope you have so much fun. I miss New York everyday I’m not there.