NY CITY!!! never been...looking 4 NON-TOURIST places to go!

i assume that you guys will be in manhattan, but not sure which neighborhoods. taim is one of my favorite places to eat, if not *the* favorite. it's a little hole in the wall falafel shop run by a married couple- both are gourmet chefs. it's awesome, awesome, awesome.

http://taimfalafel.com/

If you want to do brunch, I really suggest Bone Lick Park. You can get unlimited mimosas (for an hour) and order anything off their brunch menu for $15. That is crazy cheap for the city and the food is excellent.

Island Burgers has an entire menu of just burgers and is one of my favorite places to eat. Also not too expensive. If you like dumplings, you should check out Momofuku. Really good food, pretty decent price.

If you're going to be here during a Sunday night and like improv, there's a weekly show done by the Upright Citizens Brigade called ASSSSCat 3000. It's long form improv and has been excellent every time I've seen it.

I'd say try the Fat Black *****cat -- go to their website for what's going on because I haven't been there in a while. It's in the Village. Awesome place and never had a bad time. I know they do Karaoke on Monday nights and on Thursdays they have a house band which is just great. The Blue Note (famous Jazz Club) is across the street. And there's a comedy club around the corner called the Comedy Cellar. I've seen Chris Rock and Robin WIlliams just show up unannounced and it's very affordable.

Also, if you go downtown by Wall St. there is a street called Stone Street (made of cobblestone) that is lined with bars and restaurants--Adrienne's is my favorite (fancy pizza bar lol). A lot of young professionals hang out down there, myself included. It's always a great time

If you are there on a Monday night, check out Jim Campilongo at The Living Room. Amongst the best Telecaster players ever.
-wtk

My idea of being a tourist is walking around everywhere and just being in the environment, not going to a bunch of places where all I'd see is more tourists, haha. Anyway, hope this gives you some sort of start. Let me know if you have questions or something

This is what I like to do the most when I go. New York City is my absolute favorite place in the world. My weight ticker picture is from a photo I took there last summer. I'm going back in October so thanks for the info everyone is posting. I am getting some confirmation of some of the ideas I had of things to do this trip. And inexpensive restaurant reccomendations are especially helpful.

As far as hotels go, I never stay in a hotel. I always rent an apartment, but I stay for a week at time. It's much cheaper than a hotel. I usually stay in Greenwich Village. If you're interested I can send you the info for the couple that I rent from. They have a few different places. For hotels, try quikbook.com. They have great deals. Not sure how good for a holiday weekend though.

I second the recommendation for the High Line. Very unique.

And the touristy places aren't necessarily a bad thing. I will never get tired of the Empire State Building at night, looking down at the city lights. I think it is open until midnight, so go late when the long lines are gone. The museum at Ellis Island is also incredible.

My biggest piece of advice would be to stay away from Times Square. Too crowded and I found it disappointing the first time I saw it. I don't think it lives up to it's hype.

If you are a foodie and like cooking and cooking shows, DBGB at Bowery and Houston is a fun restaurant. The outside windows are etched with food quotes and the walls inside are lined with pots from chefs. There are plaques to show which chef donated them. I dream about their blue cheese salad and the sundaes are very unique, but found their sausages to be disappointing. Of course none of those are diet friendly, but I ignore that while on vacation.

(sorry for being so long winded. I could talk about Manhattan all day)

I commute to the city...*sigh* SO not the same thing as being a tourist.

I'm sure there's tons of recommendations on fancy restaurants out there, but try your luck with non-chain cafes and such--I'm rarely disappointed.

I'm not into the nightlife per say, but I love Comic Strip Live on 2nd and 81st. Famous comics sometimes pop in, and if you stay long enough you get to watch newbies bomb (at least during the week).

If you like shopping, there's always the Macy's in Herald Square (34th and 7th). From there, walk to 5th and up into the 40s, and you can window shop at all the things that most people can't afford. It's a long walk, but good exercise. You'd pass St. Patrick's and the famous library as well, and eventually make it to Central Park.

If you are there on a Monday night, check out Jim Campilongo at The Living Room. Amongst the best Telecaster players ever.
-wtk

I'm definitely taking you up on this advice! I have been meaning to check out The Living Room on my past visits, but never made it. Any other music places you would recommend in the Village/Soho/LES area?

Glad to hear! Let me know how it is. You might get lucky and Norah Jones will stop by.
-wtk

don't drive anywhere! last time i went, i got charged $17/half hour of parking! just insane

their subway system is not too bad

I mean its pricy but soooo cool. "Please Don't Tell" in the East Village is a Speak Easy. You enter through a phone booth, inside a hot dog restaurant and their drinks are incredible. If you go make a reservation, and go on the early side.

"Please Don't Tell" in the East Village is a Speak Easy.

PDT was recently voted in the top 50 bars in America by GQ magazine.
-wtk

Bump ... Hey I need NYC info too ... I gotta check this thread when I have time ... thanks for posting