There are three eateries I always visit - there's Blue Smoke, a cracking BBQ joint, The Lexington Candy Burger bar is fantastic, as is the burger bar hidden behind a curtain at the Parker Meridian Hotel. I'd also recommend Buddakan as a nice posh dinner with the lady friend.

It's worth heading up to Harlem on a Sunday morning to hear the Abyssianian gospel choir but you have to arrive very early or you'll have no chance of getting in.

It's difficult to se e everything, but the best way is to wander round and just chance upon things. the first time I went, my wife and I decided to plot a route of Ghostbusters locations around the city. We walked between them and chanced upon loads of other cool stuff while we did it.

is that still there? Seems their web-site is down so I hope it hasn't closed.

Across the river in New Jersey is Vintage Vinyl which is fantastic http://www.vvinyl.com/

CBGB's has long gone and St. Mark's Place has lost it's mojo too, but there might still be some rock related stores there. You've got Joey Ramone Place and the Joe Strummer mural nearby too.

Chelsea Market http://www.chelseamarket.com/ is good for deli stores and of course the infamous Chelsea Hotel http://www.hotelchelsea.com/ is worth a pop into the lobby to see the weird decorations and imagine all the famous visitors Bob Dylan, Dylan Thomas, Patti Smith, Ginsberg, Burroughs and Sid & Nancy of course.

For shopping SoHo is cool, some fantastic buildings and trendy stores http://www.sohonyc.com/

There are some great venues like The Bowery Ballroom, Mercury Lounge and Williamsburg Music Hall. Williamsburg in Brooklyn seems to be the trendy indie-kid/muso/Camden of the moment.

They are popular for a reason. I'd recommend a trip on the Staten Island Ferry, a trip to the top of the Empire State Building or The Rockerfeller Centre; Grand Central Terminus - the architecture is awesome; walk across Brooklyn Bridge. Most of all, just take to the streets - walk around, take in the atmosphere - you can almost touch the buzz on the streets of New York.

Central. Park.

Probably my favourite place on earth and you can play 'guess the movie' as you walk around.

Although you can play that game ANYWHERE in New York!

go to Mary's Fish Camp in Greenwich Village. It's a tiny, local fish restaurant, the food is superb and the music is brilliant (you might need to wait for a table). When we were there last year it couldn't have been more perfect.

The Blue Note is great. Food OK too. Worth going for dinner and feeling the history around you. It's in the Village too so you can go for an atmospheric late wander about too.

what I tell anyone who goes to New York. Visit Rebel Rebel Records in Greenwich Village. It's an absolute treasure trove and I picked up about 15 records for $40 when I went there. It's the only place I've ever gone to, bought a load of stuff, walked out the front door, turned round and gone straight back in again.

excitement at your visit, 'twas the same for me the first time and the best advice I can give is to walk the city. Though it is a city, it is an easy to walk about in (the grid helps !) and the best way to appreciate some of the awesome buildings which are so familiar - Chrysler, Empire State, the interior of Grand Central and do not miss out on the main public library which is a fabulous place. Do the tourist places - ferry around the island, Guggenheim, Cenral Park and the met museum and the food in Little Italy is excellent. If you want some advice on reading, Imperial City by Geoffrey Moorhouse (though it was published in the mid '80's) and The Mambo Kings play songs of love by Oscar Hijuelos, a very sexy read about Cubans in NY.
Enjoy the trip.

And more.

I went in April and we did everything. I've been many times, but not for such a long stint, so we really packed it all in.

Stayed in Soho, did something different every day. Harlem, Upper East and West sides, Central Park, Chelsea, Broadway show, lots of cinema, LOTS of shopping, great bars and restaurants wherever you look.

Go to Grand Central Station oyster bar.

Read my full report here: http://bar-six.blogspot.com/2011/05/kajagoogoo-were-right.html

How on earth did you manage to get those? I thought they were like gold dust!

Sits back in envy.....

An old first floor level railway line that has been converted for public use: http://www.thehighline.org/

I visited it last April and its since expanded - you get wonderful views of the city - I could spend hours there everyday if I happened to live in NYC.

Yankees Stadium is grand, although I prefer CitiField to watch a game - well done on getting tickets against the Red Sox (that's who I'd be cheering, though not very loudly, Yankees fans are merciless with outsiders).

Have fun, I've been three times now and it's still my favourite city in the world and never wonder of exploring it.

My first time I went I went to Times Square and then walked down Broadway to the Twin Towers. Obviously this was a while back. That walk takes you through a huge chunk of Manhattan, and really gets you into the swing of things.

It's free, and you get a cracking view of Manhattan as you come back across the river.

Also, and it is a bit touristy, but I enjoyed it anyway, is Katz's Deli on the Lower East Side. It's the one that's in "When Harry Met Sally" so it's far from unknown, but their pastrami sandwiches are smashing (if a little over-filled).

Can only echo most of the comments, especially Staten Island Ferry trip (free!).

The thing that struck me most about the city was that, contrary to expectation and cliché, New Yorkers are amongst the friendliest people on earth.

...for the views & of course you can see the Empire State Building from there which you can't from the Empire State Building itself...

I'm going in October and am beyond beside myself about it already.

Not sure if it coincides with your schedule (possibly the last show of the season?) but there's both Shakespeare and live music in the open air theatre in Central Park - I saw Suzanne Vega play there some years back, and it was a lovely experience and a great end to an afternoon in Central Park.

http://tickets.publictheater.org

to Peter Luger's steak house. It may well be mob connected - I couldnt possibly speculate (its mentioned in the Sopranos a couple of times). It is basic, simple, the waiters are surly and there is one dish - steak. With fries. Thats it. And it is without doubt the best steak on earth.

Google it.

And enjoy!

Walk, you'll see loads, especially the Brownstone buildings with the zig zag fire escapes I grew up seeing on Starsky and Hutch. When we go back, top of the list is the Museum of Modern Art. I haven't been since it was refurbished and last time I was there it was temporarily in The Bronx so didn't make it but they can only have improved it and it was fabulous before.
The Flat Iron Building, Chrysler Building (you get a great view looking down 5th Avenue)

On the Guggenheim: lovely building but we were disappointed by the exhibits

I see I've covered a lot of the same stuff as other posters but its just my favourite place, you'll have a great time

on Broadway has a revolving restaurant, so you can sit, eat and drink and watch the cityscape slowly change if you can afford it ($50+ / head).

When I first went to NYC it was a bar, so it only took the price of a drink. If your wallet can stretch to it, I think it would still be well worth it (as long as it's not raining).

The Guggenheim - it has constantly changing exhibitions so it's pot luck if you like it or not.

I went for the first time last year and totally loved the place, though I did wreck my feet with all the walking in the June heat.

Can I add to the list of great suggestions already made the New York City Tenement Museum which is a brilliant evocation of what immigration did for the city. You can choose from a range of themed guided visits, we did the Jewish rag trade one and it was fascinating. I'd highly recommend the place.

Call them and book a tour. They don't run all the time but they are great. You get back stage and on stage. You also get to touch the lucky log of wood that every performer touches before they walk out on stage... It's wonderful. I haven't been since they have done it up a bit but the old guide was great fun. It's a must see for any music fan. But be on time... they don't wait and once the tour starts there is no joining it later.

To add to suggestions already made:
1. Strand Book Store - takes up a whole block just down from Union Square. Floor to ceiling packed with 2nd hand books at good prices. A sure way to blow the airline baggage limits.

also:
2. New Yorks only cable car - from 60th Street and 2nd Avenue to Roosevelt Island, on the East River - a short but breathtaking ride.

but I agree, walk the city, it is the only way to see it. But please take decent shoes and socks. I walked everywhere for four days and ended up with blisters the size of saucers!! Photos are available.
The Reade Street Pub at corner with Houston Street has it's own brewery on site. Great beer and wings.
Arturo's at 106 West Houston has fabulous open mike nights and the best pizzas in town. I don't know if Toni is still behind the bar but he was the best barman I've ever seen, never wrote anything down even when the place was jammed, everyone got the correct drinks and remembered your order for the next round.
The New York City Fire Museum is very moving especially after 9/11, it's on Spring Street between Hudson and Varick Streets. Worth it to give them your support.
I agree with Central Park, on Sundays it's the only place to go.
Definitely don't miss Grand Central Station, the roof is wonderful especially when you think it was almost pulled down like Penn St but for Jackie Kennedy stepping in to save it.
Most of all enjoy it, soak up the atmosphere and take lots of photos.

Get into the swing of things beforehand using this:
http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/

But have this ready for words and phrases you mightn't know yet:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/local.show.php?area_code=212&city=New+Yor...

Have lots of fun!

Cocktails at the Blue Bar at the Algonquin.
Brunch at the Bridge Street Cafe followed (or preceded) by that walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and a wander around Battery Park and the South Street Seaport. The latter is a little touristy, but there's plenty of history there too).
Lunch at Balthazar (best to book).
Plenty of time at the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim. But also check out the Neue-Gallerie, which has excellent German and Austrian art as well as a splendid Viennese cafe.

Wolf And Lamb. A terrific Jewish restaurant in midtown. We went there on Thanksgiving and were the only gentiles in there I think. It isn't too far from Grand Central Station.

I would also recommending going somewhere downtown like Battery or City Hall and then walking leisurely all the way up Broadway as far as you like. We made it as far as Herald Square which is a hike but you get to savour so much of the atmosphere of the city.

Duplicate Post, sorry...

We first went to New York in June 2007 for a long weekend (Television's last gig at Summerstage - which is referenced above but runs out at the end of August - next time!). We stayed in a fine hotel (The Affinia Manhattan, 7th Ave @ 30th St., near Penn Station), and got up on the Saturday morning and started walking...and carried on. We found a market on Greenwich Avenue, between 7th and 6th Avenues just south of 11th Street, with a stall that sold me about 15 CDs that I was after for about $50. No guarantee it's still there, but surely worth a look? That apart, there are still plenty of record shops all over town.

The walking thing, alluded to all over this thread, is absolutely right. Take a camera with a good zoom, because there are details on the tops of skyscrapers that you wouldn't believe! We bought a New York City Landmarks guidebook on our last visit (in the Tenement Museum bookshop - as above the Tenement Museum will explain so much of the context of the city in just an hour or so - do it!) and did a few of the skyscraper walks, and learned so much.

For tracking down gigs, buy a copy of Time Out - the New York edition is available at Heathrow, so you can get a good idea before you get there, as well as killing an hour or two of flight time.

Don't ignore the "tourist" things entirely - this is a world class city. If you went to London and missed out on the Tower or Greenwich or St. Paul's then that would be a mistake - fit in Central Park, anyway.

I'm a bird watcher, which may not apply to you - but if it does, take a small pair of binoculars and go to "The Ramble" in Central Park for a few hours of Blue Jays, Woodpeckers and Cardinals - you may never get to the Met...

Various postings above have deprecated the Empire State Building in favour of the Top of The Rock - and they are right. However, we went to the Empire State building at about 10:30 p.m. - there are no queues, and plenty of room on the viewing platforms, both the lower (86th floor) and upper (102nd). The latter is about $15 each more, but only about 2% of visitors go the extra 200' up. Do it if you have $30 spare - you will feel incredibly higher up! The night views are amazing, because everything is lit up and the smog reduces as the temperature drops. The upside of Top of the Rock is that you can see the Empire State Building; the downside is that you can't see the Chrysler Building. Incidentally, the lobby of the Chrysler building is worth a visit, particularly if you tie it into a trip to Grand Central Terminal (it's about a block away).

Food: our favourite is Korean Barbecue at Won Jo, West 32nd Street just south of the Empire State building in Koreatown. Korean Barbecue is a whole genre of cookery well worth exploring! See Yelp for further recommendations. New York pizza is also well worth trying - I see John's got a recommendation above - we've been to the branch near Times Square (44th Street between 7th & 8th Avenue).

If you're into theatre and don't want to go for Broadway prices, "Public Theater" (publictheater.org) on Lafayette is a good place to go, in the Royal Court/Edinburgh Traverse vein of new writing.

For places to stay, try "HomeAway" and "VRBO" websites - you can rent an apartment and live in the city rather than staying in a hotel. You will save money both on hotel rates and the ability to cook meals - and after you've been to the Farmer's Market at Union Square, or indeed any supermarket, you will want to cook!

One final little hint: I haven't been checked in the UK for my age in a pub since 1983. We nearly failed to get into a gig in the East Village earlier this year because we didn't have our passports to prove our age - and we're both 45. If you're going to a gig or bar, be prepared to be age checked. To be fair, we eventually blagged our way in and were OK - but it would have been a lot easier. I suspect a photo drivers licence would suffice.

Sorry about the lengthy ramble, but this is a truly great city. Someone above mentioned the friendliness of the people - absolutely true. The cliches about abruptness are still there (and as ever, they contain a grain of truth), but New Yorkers are quite rightly proud of their city and are generally a very friendly bunch.

http://www.rockjunket.com/

A wonderful way to spend a couple of hours and the source of ALL your most memorable photographs.
Who could turn down the opportunity to visit here?

I don't think it's been mentioned, but I enjoyed our trip out to Coney Island - one subway ride from Union Square (if I remember right) - looked around the boardwalk and amusements, and walked on the Brighton beach (it was Christmas when we were there so it was all pretty deserted apart from some very hardy Russians taking a dip in the Atlantic). We had some warming Russian soup at Brighton, bought some samosa type pasties from the street seller - a Russian speaking Mexican guy, no less. The Russian pick n mix sweets on sale in some stores there were fantastic in terms of wrappers and contents.
I'd love to go back.
We also had a day trip to Washington DC which was grand. Brooklyn's nice for a wander. Bronx zoo and the Museum of Film in Queens were ok - but probably not worth bothering with if you're only there for a short while.
The bacon and peanut butter toasted sandwich at Eisenburg's on 5th sounds better than it tastes.

is most illuminating, as I am currently planning a long weekend (4/5 days I hope) next year with the GLW to celebrate two significant milestones (her 50th and my, er, 60th).
Neither of us have been there before.
Am yet to book any flights and, possibly more importantly, accommodation - budget-wise, we don't want to break the bank, but would be prepared to crack it a little for somewhere a bit special.
I'd welcome all/any advice and suggestions.

We got a lovely apartment in Park Slope, Brooklyn through this site: http://www.nyhabitat.com/new-york-apartment/vacation

Not much to add to any of the above. Do the Metropolitan Museum and the Guggenheim. They're across the avenue from each other (sort of)

Pop into Manny's Music Store on West 48th. I bought 5 dollars worth of picks, and still have most of them.

Do Macy's and Bloomingdales.

FAO Schwarz, which is over the way from The Plaza Hotel at the bottom of Central Park.

Read some Damon Runyan on the flight over.

It's undeniably wanky but on your return make sure you've got a couple of dollar bills left over and use them as very very cool bookmarks. I do. But then I'm an undeniable wanker.

Breakfast at Tiffanys - movie and book - to put you in the mood before you head off.

'Through The Children's Gate' by Adam Gopnik.

I'm reading it at the moment. It's a collection of pieces by the New Yorker contributor on his family's life in New York before and after 9/11. Despite the time it was written it's not a moody linger on that awful event. Quite the contrary; vivid essays on New Yorkers and why they are the way they are.

Often brilliant.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Through-Childrens-Gate-Home-York/dp/184724324X/r...

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go.
Thank you all for your suggestions and playlist ideas.
New York awaits, I'll be sure to let you know what I got up to.
Until next week, so long!

A short train ride and you're in Williamsburg - the hipster hotspot in Brooklyn. I admit I wasn't keen but my daughters were set on visiting the vintage clothes shops - and lo and behold we had a splended Saturday there. It's all a bit "edgy" and "authentic" - sure the burnt out cars are put there deliberately - but there's lots of funny little shops (and the main outpost for Academy Records I believe and a couple more record shops) and the main street has a couple of nice restaurants. Also you can wander down to the river for great views of Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan.

Like other I'd recommend the Staten Island Ferry - and also for getting a sense of the place the uptown and downtown bus tours. Not cheap but you can hop on and off and you quickly get a sense of where everything is. Also - if you have time - the round Manhattan cruise is great - it takes a few hours but you get a great sense of the place. And should you like jazz - and let's face it who doesn't! - try the Village Vanguard.