JEFF MEUCCI.  THE WORLD THROUGH MY EYES.

Uptown Sights:

• Central Park:  Tons of sites in Central Park - Belvedere Castle,  the Obelisk, Great Lawn, Carrousel and more. Pass on the Central Park zoo…it’s a waste of money/time.  The Central Park website is here and a quick history here.

• Dakota Apartments/Strawberry Fields:  Dakota Apts is where John Lennon was shot and Strawberry Fields across the street in Central Park is the memorial.

• Metropolitan Museum of Art: (Attached to Central Park)  Can take a whole day or more to see it all…just see the really big/important works.  Old European paintings and ancient Egyptian are my two favorite exhibits.  Some other cool things like the first piano etc.

• The Apple Store:  Awesome store, check it out.  It’s on 59th (Central Park South)

• Other Stuff near Central Park:  Columbus Circle, Trump Tower, 5th Avenue stores/shopping, Madison Avenue

• American Museum of Natural History:  Neat museum, even if you just go to see the dinosaur bones, which is on the top floor I believe.  I like Metropolitan and MOMA better…this is my 3rd favorite museum in NYC.

• Metropolitan Opera (at Lincoln Center):  If you like spending $500 on the opera – go for it.  Did it once, and that was enough for me.  You can see 2 Broadway shows for the same price…just my $.02.

• The Apollo Theater in Harlem: Takes awhile to get to, but a lot of history here.

• Yankees Game:  If a game is playing, there is nothing better.  We always take the Subway, but stay close to the stadium - South Bronx is scary.

• Knicks Game:  Nothing like catching the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.  

• 5th Avenue:  From midtown, I’ll just walk up 5th Avenue toward Central Park and check out all of the shopping. 

 

Midtown Sights:

• Times Square: Actually my least favorite place in Manhattan.   Cool to hang out for awhile, but like the Vegas strip (and a zoo).  My tradition when I arrive is to get a hot dog from a street vendor.  Lots of stuff to see/do but be sure to get out of Times Square.  Definitely don't eat at any chain restaurant in Times Square :)

• Museum of Modern Art:  Cool contemporary exhibits – Warhol, Pollack, Picasso.   Some pretty neat stuff at MOMA…worth the $20.

• Radio City Music Hall:  Just cool to walk by and see from the outside.  Don’t take the tour.

• St. Patrick’s Cathedral:  Amazing Cathedral – in fact, every church in NYC is amazing.  Take the time to stop and look inside…most are open during the day.

• Grand Central Station:  Amazing and famous transportation hub.

• Rockefeller Center:  If you want an incredible view, take the elevator to the Top of the Rock.  There are less crowds and as good of a view as the Empire State Building.

• Empire State Building:  Can be busy at times, but a classic. I like Top of the Rock better - usually shorter lines, plus you can see the Empire State Building.

• NBC Studio Tour:  Again at 30 Rock.  You need to sign up for this tour ahead of time, but it’s really cool.  I got to see the studio of SNL, Jimmy Fallon and some other behind the scenes stuff.  I loved this tour!

• Seth Meyers Show.  I've been in the audience twice for SM - fun experience and easier to get on than Fallon and SNL.

• Broadway Shows:  Hamilton, Book of Mormon and Jersey Boys are my favorites.  Other great shows you should consider are:    Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, The Producers, & Lion King.  

Downtown Sights:

• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island:  Get tix ahead of time.  Never get tired of it.  http://www.statuecruises.com/

• Ground Zero:  Be sure to stop by the new memorial and museum, it's incredibly moving.  http://www.911memorial.org/

• One World Trade:  Go up to the top of the Freedom Tower and get the best views in NYC.  https://oneworldobservatory.com   

• Trinity Church:  Amazing church near Ground Zero.

• Federal Reserve Tour:  Really cool tour and free if you book in advance.  Get to see a huge supply of gold and a $7.5 million gold coin. 

• Financial District: NYSE, Wall Street, the Bull etc.

• Little Italy:  My favorite restaurant is La Mela.  Also hit Caffe Pallermo for the best Canolli in NYC.  I also like Ferrara’s for dessert/Canolli.  You can cruise through SoHo as well….it’s next to Little Italy.

• China Town:  A little sketch, but you can buy a Rolex for $20.

• Brooklyn Bridge:  I always take the Subway over to Brooklyn, get off at High St., eat pizza at Grimaldi’s (famous pizza joint), and walk back across the Brooklyn Bridge. 

• Greenwich Village:  Cool to walk around and off-beat shopping.

• Washington Square Park:  Great urban park near NYU

• South Street Seaport:   On the base of the Brooklyn Bridge.  Cool shopping and sightseeing.  Not the coolest thing on the planet, but worth looking at if you’re coming across the bridge anyway.

• Tenement Museum Tours:  See the history of the early 20th NYC century residents.  Awesome tours:  http://www.tenement.org/  We’re history buffs and LOVED this tour.

• The Highline:  Great outdoor walk on once-used subway tracks on the west side through the meatpacking district/Chelsea.  www.thehighline.org.  

• Chelsea Market:  Our favorite food market in Chelsea.  MUST SEE in the winter time.  www.chelseamarket.com.  

Favorite Food Spots:

• Katz Deli - Duh.  205 E. Houston St.  Best Jewish Deli in NYC in my opinion.

• Shake Shack (several locations).  Fast food goodness - better than In N Out.

• Le Bernadin:  Favorite high end restaurant in NYC.  Need to plan weeks/months ahead of time, but worth the money.

• Pizza #1:  John's of Bleecker Street.  278 Bleecker St in the Village.  

• Pizza #2:  Juliana's Pizza.  19 Old Fulton St in Brooklyn.

• Grays Papaya:  Hot Dog place in uptown.  Yum.

• Jimmy's Corner.  Dive bar near Times Square.  Not a ton of seating, but awesome if you can get a barstool.  140. W. 44th St.

• Num Pang Sandwich Shop (several locations - one at Chelsea Market too)

• Fraunces Tavern.  One of our favorite bars in NYC.  Great stop in downtown. Lots of history.  54 Pearl St.  

• La Mela.  Not in LOVE with anything in Little Italy, but this place might be my favorite.  167 Mulberry.

• McSorley's Old Ale House.  Kind of a trap, but NYC's oldest bar, so you have to go at least once.  Order your beer light, dark or light and dark :)  15 E. 7th St in the Village.

• Russ & Daughters.  Best bagel & lox in NYC.  Long lines typically.  179 E. Houston.

• Los Tacos.  If you have to get tacos in NYC, this is the only place you should go.  Inside Chelsea Market.  75 9th Ave.

• Halal Guys (Street vendor).  Best middle eastern food in NYC.  W. 53rd St/6th Avenue.  You'll find 'em on the sidewalk and there will be a long line.  Worth it!  www.thehalalguys.com.  

• Bar:  Tanner Smiths.  204 W. 55th St.  GREAT spot - food & drinks.