Why Go:

Why not...New York is an endless city with so many things to do.  Each neighborhood is unique but they have one thing in common, lots of high quality restaurants & bars.

Accommodations:

*Lex Hotel NYC (25th & Lex):  Boutique hotel with a roof top area.  Nice continental breakfast and wine in the evening.  

*Marcel @ Gramercy (24th & 3rd):  Small boutique hotel on the east side.  

*Sanctuary Hotel (47th & 7th):  Very close to Times Square which means there are people everywhere.  Has a roof top bar that is happening in the evening.  Rooms are sleek and trendy.  

*Hampton Inn Times Square North (51st & 8th):  Nothing fancy here but it has a great location and is reasonably priced most of the time.  

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Restaurants/Bars:

*Abbey Tavern: nice selection of craft beers with 70’s/80’s rock

*Jimmy’s Corner Bar: shotgun dive bar, great prices, hope Jimmy is there

*Carmine’s: one of the biggest revenue restaurants in the USA. Family italian

*Bluebell Cafe: nothing fancy but the food is exceptional

*Ampersand: mixologist bar with a cool vibe, end of the evening night cap

*Bronx Drafthouse: craft beer bar with great service, block from Yankee stadium

*Rocco Steak House: traditional steak house that didn’t disappoint 

*Gallaghers Steak House: high end with top notch service & steaks

*Boilermaker Bar: craft beers with a retro scene and 70’s R&B

*Lil Frankie’s: old school Italian, cash only, worth it

*Blue Smoke Flatiron: BBQ, makes you feel like you’re in Texas, very good

*Upland: trendy with a great atmosphere 

*Sardi’s: theatre area Italian, check out the caricatures on the walls

*The Rum House: cocktails and live music, classy place

*McSorley’s Ale House: NYC’s oldest bar, sawdust, two beer options: light or dark

*Grand Banks: docked historic fishing boat with oysters, drinks & spectacular views

*Rolf’s: German, visit for a drink near Christmas time to see the decorations...Wow

*Fraunces Tavern: landmark where George Washington has visited, great food/beer

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Things to Do:

*U.S. Open Tennis Championship: great venue, spend the whole day if you can

*New York Yankees: nothing better than a ballgame & a NY cheesesteak sandwich

*Madison Square Garden: iconic, check out their event calendar 

*Central Park: get a map, it's easy to get lost

*The High Line: scenic view above the Hudson River

*The Vessel: as they say "stairway to nowhere", great view up on top

*The Metropolitan Museum of Art: so big it could take several days to see it all

*Eataly: huge store/market focusing on fresh Italian foods

*Battery Park/Wall Street: fun to be on the bottom of Manhattan

*St Patrick's Cathedral: historic catholic church

*Radio City Music Hall: check out the Rockettes at Christmas time

*Broadway Show: so many to pick from

*Empire State Building:  the view, right??

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Craft Beer Scene:

Limited number of breweries in Manhattan. I have made it to Fifth Hammer Brewing in Long Island City (great NE IPA's). NYC over the last few years have seen a big increase in craft offerings at bars/restaurants instead of the old days of Heineken & Budweiser.

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TripTimmy Travel Tips:

Fly into LaGuardia with its new terminal & closer proximity to Manhattan than JFK. If you get nervous around lots of people, avoid Times Square & Midtown.  Whatever neighborhood you're in, there are always going to be bars/restaurants to explore.

Beware of "resort" fees on some of the hotels.  

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