A local family's guide to New York City

Map of Chinatown for Foodies

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CHINATOWN FOR FOODIES OF ALL AGES

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Visit Pearl Paint – buy discount designer bags , watch Chinese opera on Sundays, buy 5 dumplings for $1, sample Dim Sum and red bean ice cream, chew on Chinese beef jerky, sip Chinese teas, visit a Buddhist temple, buy 2 for $10 I love NY t-shirts, explore a Chinese food market sells everything thing from noodles to live frogs, browse a hip shopping street, and finish with a well loved New York independent book store

Best time: All year.

Length of trip: Keep you busy for hours. Satisfies everyone’s interests

Distance: Can be as long as you like - with lots of browsing

Suitable for: All age groups

Other Comment: Great for cheap gift buying

Further reading or movies www.chinatown-online.com, www.explorechinatown.com

Pearl Paint

Take the R train to Canal Street, exit and look out for a red and white Pearl Paint. It's the largest art supply store in the city at 308 Canal Street – between Broadway and Church Streets. Once you're finished there, exit and walk East on Canal. You’ll pass stalls offering reproduction designer bags, cheap watches and jewelry. Along the route you’ll find food markets selling all varieties fish and vegetables.

Follow Canal all the way to Mulberry Street and make a right (going South). Step down into Tokyo Food Market at 91 Mulberry Street. Continue on down Mulberry to Columbus Park where on Sundays you can watch Chinese opera, the practice of Tai Chi, people playing board games or enjoying their caged birds. Continue along the East side of Columbus Park until you reach Mosco Street and make a left. Your first stop will be the Bangkok Center Grocery at 104 Mosco– which has incredible Jasmine rice and imports frozen coconut milk and fresh curry pastes from Thailand. Next door at Fried Dumbpling at 106 Mosco you can purchase 5 fried dumplings for $1. Continue on to Mott Street make a left and walk north to Bayard where you

will turn right and note Chinatown Ice-Cream Factory (chinatownicecreamfactory.com) at 65 Bayard Street (good dessert stop – has some exotic flavors, such as red bean, black bean, or sesame ice cream) then make your way to Elizabeth Street where you will find Jing Fong Dim Sum Restaurant at 20 Elizabeth Street – home of some of the best dumplings in the city (serves from 9amto 3pm). Go early - it's very popular.

Dim Sum

How it works: Dumpling carts circulate the tables. Stop the cart server when you see something you like - point to it. The server stamps your card as they give you dishes – best are steamed shrimp dumplings, shrimp rice noodles, fried meat dumplings or fried pork and shrimp dumplings - try the chicken feet! The greens are also good and are served buffet style, bring your card with you to be stamped. When finished - take your card to the cash desk near the exit. Don’t worry it is fairly cheap.

Now make your way back to Chinatown Icecream Factory for dessert. Walk back onto Mott Street which is great for browsing.

Fun stops are:

For a completely different gift - stop at 19 Bayard Street at The New Beef King (www.newbeefking.com ) selling 9 flavors of Chinese beef and pork jerky to choose. It travels well and is a well appreciated gift. See review http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2007/04/22/nyc-dining-new-beef-king/

Very good beef jerky

Aji Ichiban , 37 Mott Street - a Hong Kong candy franchise that sells everything from chocolate, traditional sweets to salted plumbs. http://www.candyblog.net/blog/item/candy_source_aji_ichiban/

Yung Hog Chopsticks 50 Mott - As reviewed by New York Magazine

Yunhong Chopsticks

Critics' Pick

50 Mott St., New York, NY 10013
nr. Bayard St. See Map | Subway Directions
212-566-8828 Send to Phone

Reader Rating: Write a Review
Price Range: ($$) Mid-Range
Type: Specialty Shop
Products & Services: Gifts/Novelty Shops, Tableware

Map Rate & Review

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

yunhongchopsticks.com

HOURS

Daily, 10:30am-8:30pm

NEARBY SUBWAY STOPS

6, J, M, N, Q, R, W, Z at Canal St.

PAYMENT METHODS

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

PRODUCT GUIDE

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At this colorful Chinatown chopsticks shop, each pair has a story. The company is based in Beijing—it manufactured the official chopsticks set for the 2008 summer Olympics—and expanded into the U.S. in November 2008. Around 200 different styles line the walls, ranging from a single plastic pair for $1.99 to an ebony mahogany set with German silver tips for $600. (The collection is based on Dream of the Red Chamber, a controversial book banned during the Revolution, and the inscription on each stick signifies one of the twelve main female characters.) The chopsticks are crafted from a range of materials, from bamboo to sandalwood to ox bone, and high-end versions incorporate minute details like seashell inlays or silver accents. The imagery behind each style is significant: The “4 Flowers” set symbolizes the four different temperaments of men; pairs decked with a crane and turtle represent longevity; and those bearing a fish bring luck. There are chopsticks printed with Chairman Mao’s famous quotes, those illustrated with the faces of the Beijing Opera, and others depicting best-selling Chinese books or famous paintings. Sets come in elaborate illustrated boxes and are popular wedding, birthday, or housewarming gifts—the word for chopsticks also sounds like “happiness” in Chinese. — Lauren Murrow

Eastern States Budhist Temple 64 Mott – peek in the window

Hog Fa Corp 64 Mott Street (next door to the Temple great selection of cheap I love NUY and some with eastern motifs selling at low, low prices

Ten Ren Tea and Ginseng Co. at 75 Mott where you can buy and sample plum tea. (great gift to take home) and learn about Ginseng and other healing teas.

Ten Ren Team Time 79 Mott to sample the recent phenomenon of bubble tea (mangos is a good choice).

Bubble Tea

Explore the gift stores to find $1 billion bills

Walk north on Mott, cross Canal and continue north to Deluxe Food Market at 122 Mott Street - a Chinese grocery store – walk through to the exit on the other side – you’ll see frogs, turtles, eels (only your left before the stairs that exit to Elizabeth) and a wide range of dumplings and selection of foods. The store exits onto Elizabeth Street.

Frogs at Deluxe Food Market - and they are not shopping!

Grown-ups can extend the walk by following Elizabeth Street (one of the prettiest New York) north where you will find a wide selection of very hip boutiques and stores – make a left on Prince Street and walk two and half blocks over to 52 Prince (between Lafayetter and Mulberry)– the home of McNally Jackson bookshop – a real find (http://mcnallyjackson.com)

Banh Mi from Saigon Vietnamese Sandwich 369 Broome Street - vey delicious and cheap

View Chinatown food 1 in a larger map

CENTRAL PARK

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Best time to visit: All year. Spring, Summer & Autumn

Length of trip: Put aside 3-5 hours

Distance: The loop is 6 ½ miles you will probably cover 3.

Suitable for: All age groups

Other Comment: Print out a map of the park from www.centralpark.com

http://gonyc.about.com/od/maps/l/blcentralpark.html

Nearby eating: The Boathouse in Central Park or any hotdog stand

Further reading or movies For movies shot in the Park see Centralpark.com

Events: Look at the websites listed for calendars of events. Opera, music, Shakespeare, movies

Enter Central Park West at 72^nd Street. The a shop called Blades on 72^nd at 156 West 72^nd Street between Columbus and Broadway rents out roller blades to whoever wants (www.Blades.com 212-787-3911 ). Also stocks skate boarder t-shirts and gear. You can rent bikes (including tandems) at the Central Park Boat House www.thecentralparkboathouse.com. or from Central Park Bike Tours (also offer cycling tours) at http://www.centralparkbiketour.com / or from http://www.metrobicycles.com The road around the entire Park covers 6.1 miles if you are looking to walk the distance.

The yellow gothic building on the North West corner of 72^nd and Central Park West is the Dakota where John Lennon lived. Enter the park at 72^nd through Strawberry Fields – walk down the hill and continue across 72^nd Street to mid park, to an area South of Bethesda Fountain for the week end Roller Disco that runs from 2.30 to 5.30. At Bethesda Fountain near the lake you will find performers of all kinds – great for relaxing and people watching and also a good set of clean toilets in the vicinity.

If you exit the park, The Frick Museum is nearby at 70^th and 5^thwww.frick.org - Incredible collection and recorded tour. A relaxed hour will be plenty to cover everything at the museum.

Remaining in the park, there is remote control boat racing at the Model Boat Pond on Saturdays at 10am (near the Alice in Wonderland Statue) in Central Park at 73^rd Street in the Park on the East Side. You can also rent boats. Call Central Park Sailboats 917-795-1382 for rental hours. There’s even a model boat yacht club that was established in 1916 http://www.cpmyc.org

Across from the boat rental area there’s a man with a telescope – look for Pale Male and Lola the red-tailed hawks that made newspaper headlines by nesting at 927 Fifth Avenue (at East 74th Street) and were evicted in 2004. http://urbanhawks.blogs.com/ or http://www.palemale.com/ . Despite the co-op best efforts to make them unwelcome, the birds returned this year. The board claimed the nest was a hazard because of falling debris such as squirrel, pigeon or rat carcass flung out by the hawks after feeding. Eventually it seems the force of public opinion persuaded building residents to pay for a structure that would make the next less legally hazardous. Members of the New York City department of Environmental Protection frequently stop by to visit the nest and see how life is for these popular birds.

Other park activities include: Brunch, lunch or early dinner at the Boat House (famous from When Harry Met Sally). Reserve in advance and ask for a table overlooking the water to get a good view of the row- boats. Phone 212.517.2233 or www.thecentralparkboathouse.com . To get there enter at 72^nd Street and follow the Park drive north for the equivalent of a few blocks. Or trolley service is available from the corner of 72^nd street and 80^th Street near the Met garage Monday through Fridays in the evening or for brunch and dinner at the weekends.

You can rent row boats, bicycles or reserve a Gondola rider from here from March through October. Call 212-517-2233 for hours, prices, and all other details. Details are also listed on the website listed above. The bicycles selection is wide and includes tandems.

Further North you will find the Metropolitan Museum of Art at 84^th and 5^th.

For a very good map and program listings go to http://www.centralpark.com click on activities for schedules for outdoor movies, rock climbing (summer stage -famous musicians – no admission fee charged) http://www.summerstage.org/index.aspx?page=2 ; Shakespeare in the Park http://www.publictheater.org/content/view/126/219 , Opera in the Park, Philharmonic in the park http://www.centralpark.com/pages/activities/concerts.html

Otherwise a morning run in the park is a New York City resident ritual http://www.centralpark.com/pages/sports/running.html . The reservoir is one of the less challenging but prettier and more famous running routes in the park – the loop covers 1.6 miles and starts around 85^th Street in the park. There are always runners on the track.

Famous movies shot in Central Park the list is endless and can be found at: www.centralpark.com/pages/history/central-park-in-the-cinema/movies-shot-in-central-park.html

THE QUEENS MUSEUMS

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Experience incredible views of Manhattan and Industrial New York City, see a giant warehouse dedicated to graffiti, explore the world’s largest architectural model of a city – New York at the Queens Museum of Art, ride a surfboard and sit in on the dissection of a cow’s eye at the nearby Queens Hall of Science, and if you are lucky pick up some of the best Indian food in the city on the way home

Best time to visit: All year.
Length of trip: Put aside 3-5 hours. Satisfies everyone’s interests
Distance: Not too much walking
Suitable for: All age groups
Other Comment: Print out event calendars from listed websites
Nearby eating: Jackson Heights (see below) for foods from all over
Miscellaneous:
Events: Look at the websites listed for calendars of events.

To get to the Queens Museum of Art you will take the number 7 train, the Flushing Line from either Grand Central or Times Square. Your subway stop will be 111th Street in Queens.

Before the Court Square stop in Queens keep an eye out for a 200,000 square foot warehouse covered with graffiti. Aerosol artists come from all over to legally express themselves. If you plan to get off here, descend the stairs, and exit onto Jackson Avenue and walk right one block to 46th Avenue. The building is managed by the nonprofit organization 5 Pointz☹ ( http://5ptz.com ) -the Institute of Higher Burnin’ . To paint your own graffiti you’ll have to show a sample of your work or idea - see the website. PS 1 is across the street – see http://ps1.org/ Opening hours are 12:00 - 7:00 p.m., Thursday through Monday. If not stay on board for 111th Street.

After you get off the train at 111th Street your first stop will be the New York Hall of Science http://www.nyscience.org/ for hours and exhibits. Walk down 3 blocks on 111t1th for the entrance. The museum has been listed as the best field trip by New York Magazine. The exhibits are hands on and fun –ride a very wobbly surfboard, pitch base balls, race stationary cars and hit tennis balls and learn - the science behind the actions. Most popular and most gross are the demonstrations of cow eye dissections. There’s also a 30,000 square foot science playground stocked with pullies, levers a giant seesaw and other contraptions to illustrate motion, gravity, sight, sound, balance and structure. As you exit the museum ask for directions to the Queens Museum of Art http://www.queensmuseum.org . its very close by.

Here you will find the Panorama of New York City which is the worlds largest architectural model of a city. Its accurate and has roughly 893,000 buildings.

Out back is the Unisphere and fountain built for the World’s Fair in 1964. When you have finished exit by the main entrance, (ask directions on your way just to make sure ) and walk back to the 111th Street for the number 7 subway home.

If you still have energy and time - treat yourself to dinner or take-out from the Jackson Diner in Queens - get off at the 74 St-Broadway stop, as anyone for directions to the diner. Or get off the subway before then to explore the diversity of the neighborhoods. Nationalities from all over the world live here. There are also great stores to explore.

JONES BEACH

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This trip for a hot summer day - you will take a break from the New York City and spend time at the beach

Best time to visit: Summer

Length of trip: It will take up at least 5 hours of the day

Difficulty level: Very little walking and stroller friendly

Suitable for: All age groups young and old

You can purchase a LIRR Jones Beach Package from Long Island Railroad at Pennsylvania Station on 7th Avenue and 34th Street. This package includes round-trip rail fare from Manhattan to Freeport, plus round-trip Long Island Bus connections to the beach.

For schedules and details go to www.mta.info/lirr/getaways/BeachPackages/ or call516.822.LIRR or 718.217.LIRR.

Jones Beach is described on web sites as being 1 hour away (feels a bit longer) or 33 miles from Manhattan and consisting 6.5 miles of ocean beach It’s not too far, the sea is clean, the waves are exciting and transport involves taking a train and a 15 minute bus ride. The bus makes several stops - fewer crowds at the West Bathhouse and the East Bathhouse house has a pool and rentable lockers. Jones Beach is also a concert venue in the summer - see http://www.jonesbeach.com for the calendar. In any event give yourself a generous amount of time for your beach day.

A few tips before you go – go early to avoid crowds, bring sunscreen and carry a bus and train timetable with you. Travel light and bring a blanket (Duane Reade sells disposable picnic blankets) and 2 towels. You can also carry a picnic – a less arduous and perhaps less healthy option is to use the pricey concession stands that sell hotdogs, hamburgers and ice-cream, also vendors walk the beach offering the same fare. We rented umbrellas and chairs. There are very vigilant lifeguards but you should keep a sharp eye on the kids in the waves. Its a good idea to leave early to insure seats all the way home. They will be much appreciated by tired well beached children.

MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, ROCKEFELLER CENTER, NBC STUDIOS

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Visit MoMa, sketch, eat lunch at a museum restaurant, step into Saint Patrick Cathedral, cross the Street and look up at the Rockefeller Centre return to play kid computer games at the IMac Store and finish off with some fun in Central Park.

Best time to visit: All year.

Length of trip:

Distance:

Suitable for: All age groups

Other Comment: Keep the museum visit short

Nearby eating:

Miscellaneous:

Events: Look at the websites listed for calendars of events.

Central Park shows outdoor movies, host concerts,

Provides stages for opera and Shakespeare.

Advance Planning: Book NBC tour tickets in advance. www.nbcuniversalstore.com

Book Rockefeller Center tour in advance –you will receive tickets by e- mail - web site at www.topoftherocknyc.com ; Sony Wonderlab admission is free of charge – but you must call a week in advance see www.sonywondertechlab.com/visit_swtl.html

Tips : MoMa is open Mondays when most museums are closed

The Museum of Modern Art at 11 west 53rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, for hours check www.moma.org . Not only is the building beautiful – but so are the street views framed by the windows. To avoid crowds go early. With kids keep visits short, avoid the recorded tour and take a good look at the shiny green helicopter suspended from the ceiling. It can be seen from every floor. The third floor is home to architecture & design department and displays everything from a flight arrival and departure board to sports cars, a motor cycle, cool chairs and appliances. MoMa also has a great store.

MoMa has two great restaurants. You can finish off with lunch at the extremely cool, kid friendly, gourmet café. Or in summer sample what has been voted the best ice cream in New York City from Il Laboratorio del Gelato in Sculpture Garden. Or try a quick lunch sitting at the bar at the Modern – pricey, well rated for its food, a little bit more up-market but kid friendly. Or exit by 54th Street and sample the Bratwurst of the award wining food vendor near 5th Avenue called Hallo Berlin and swing by Rockefeller Center.

The entrance to the Rockefeller Center is on west 50th between 5th and 6th at 30 Rockefeller Center. The elevator ride – its brilliant. Views from on top are spectacular especially the ones of Central Park. Pick up a leaflet at the shop that indicates all the buildings within the view and names them. The NBC studio tour is a hit with kids – it starts and ends in a fairly large sweet shop. To burn off energy try the playground in Central Park at 59th and 6th

For nearby shopping - the MoMa store, or walking up 6th to the Time Warner Building at Columbus Circle at 59th and Broadway– for J. Crew good clothes, Williams Sunomo (great kitchen stuff) and various bag, leather and shoe shops).

Otherwise walk east towards 5th Avenue. On 60th and 5th is the Pierre Hotel – great for afternoon tea (something like 3pm to 5.30pm). On 6th and Madison is Crate & Barrel (house stuff). Further down on 58th across from the Plaza Hotel (being made into apartments with some hotel rooms) is the Apple Store and Fao Schwartz. Across and a little further down 5th are Bergdorf Goodman and Bendels - 2 expensive but interesting department stores. A very cool place for a drink is The Four Seasons designed by I.M. Pei on 57th between Park and Madison. Tiffany’s is on the corner of 57th and 5th. Along 57th Street going east you will find Hammacher Schlemmer (between Lexington & 3rd – cool gadget shop) and Daffy’s (between Park and Lexington ( for bargain designer clothing –especially for kids and babies). Sony Wonderlab is at 56th between Madison & 5th (a free technology museum – opens 10am – 5pm Tuesday to Friday. Sunday noon- 5pm – watch out for summer camps. So make an appointment for 10am or after 3pm or on weekend ‘cos otherwise a summercamp crowds nightmare) (call for appt. 212-833-8100 at least a week in advance)

Or continue on down 5th to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Sacks 5th Avenue, and to Rockefeller Center where you can go up to the viewing deck (spectacular). The entrance for this is on west 50th between 5th and 6th at 30 Rockefeller Center. Incredible elevator ride. Pick up a leaflet at the shop that indicates all the buildings within the view.

CHINATOWN & LOWER BROADWAY

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Visit Pearl Paint – buy cheap designer bags, sample Chinese tea, visit a Buddhist temple, buy 2 for $10 I love NY t-shirts, explore a Chinese food market that sells everything from noodles to live frogs, sample Dim Sum, eat red bean ice-cream and Chinese beef jerky. Older visitors with energy – Jean and shoe shop till you drop as you walk up Broadway and visit a Chinese department store

Best time to visit: All year.

Length of trip: Keep you busy for hours. Satisfies everyone’s interests

Distance: Sometimes a tiring walk but lots of browsing

Suitable for: All age groups

Other Comments: Great for cheap gift buying, jeans and sneakers on lower Broadway. The NYC Chinese population is approx 300,000

Further reading or movies www.chinatown-online.com, www.explorechinatown.com

Take the R train to Canal Street, exit and walk to your left to visit Pearl Paint the largest art supply store in the city at 308 Canal Street – between Broadway and Church Streets. When you leave Pearl Paint - walk East on Canal. You’ll pass a multitude of small stores that sell reproduction designer bags, cheap watches and jewelry and food markets selling fish of all kinds and fruit and veg.

Follow Canal all the way to Mott Street and make a right. Mott Street is short but bursting with many the little stores that guarantee good browsing. Stop at Ten Ren Team Time 79 Mott to sample bubble tea which can be an incredibly refreshing if you are a little bit hot. And there’s an additional surprise of the marble sized tapioca balls. Further down you can find the Ten Ren Tea and Ginseng Co. at 75 Mott where you can buy and sample plum tea. (great gift to take home) and you can also learn about Ginseng and other healing teas. Cross the street and look for the $1 billion bills on sale in one of the stalls, peek in the window of the Eastern States Buddhist temple. Next door you’ll find t-shirts at low prices.

As you continue on Mott Street you will come across an unusual candy store called Aji Ichiban. Follow Mott Street all the way to Chatham Square make a left and watch out for Chatham Restaurant with a red awning - sells the best and cheapest roast pork buns in Chinatown for 50 cents each or hold off for lunch about 20 minutes later – read on.

Turn left when you come out of the bakery and make another left onto Doyers Street – watch out for Nom Wah Tea Parlor - the oldest tea parlor in Chinatown (featured in Spiderman). The street curves - story has it that it was built that way - so the straight-line flying spirits would be unable to pass through. The street has been known as “bloody angle” because of the many gang wars that have taken place here.

Follow Doyers back onto Pell Street and go right onto Mott. Walk up Mott cross Canal and continue on Mott until you reach Deluxe Food Market at 122 Mott Street - a Chinese grocery store – walk through to the exit on the other side – you’ll see frogs, turtles, eels (only your left before the stairs that exit to Elizabeth) and a wide range of dumplings and foods eaten by the Chinese community. Step out onto Elizabeth and walk south, cross Canal you reach 20 Elizabeth Street and Jin Fong Restaurant – home of some of the best dumplings in the city (serve from 9am to 3pm). Dumpling carts will come to the table and the servers will stamp your card as they give you dishes – best are steamed shrimp dumplings, shrimp rice noodles, fried meat dumplings or fried pork and shrimp dumplings - for the brave try the chicken feet! The greens are also good and are served buffet style, bring your card with you to be stamped. When finished - take your card to the cash desk near the exit.

For dessert make a right as you come out of Jin Fong and walk to the end of Elizabeth -make a right onto Bayard, pass Chinatown Ice-Cream Factory chinatownicecreamfactory.com at 65 Bayard Street for traditional flavors and more exotic, such as red bean, black bean, or sesame ice cream.

For a completely different gift - stop at 19 Bayard Street at The New Beef King (www.newbeefking.com ) selling 9 flavors of Chinese beef and pork jerky to choose. It travels well.

For older kids and those who are not too exhausted:

Cross back over and walk North on Canal and walk back to make a right on Broadway. At Grand Street keep an eye out for Pearl River Mart ( 477 Broadway Grand and Broome) - a wonderful Chinese department store. Continue up Broadway to find a large variety of stores that sell: jeans, shoes, brands (such as Puma store) and clothing stores (such old Navy and Banana Republic). Make a left off of Broadway for Abercrombie & Fitch is at 110 Greene Street (between Spring and Prince Streets). Apple Store at 103 Prince Street (between Mercer and Greene Streets)

DOWN UNDERNEATH MANHATTAN BRIDGE OVERPASS & THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE

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Ride a water taxi to Brooklyn visit a Chocolate shop and factory, taste the “best” pizza in New York,. sit on a beach with a view of Manhattan. Walk through 2 sculptor parks and walk back to Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge.

Best time to visit: All year, though more water taxis in the summer

Length of trip: 3 to 4 hours

Distance: Approx 3 miles (the walk across the bridge –approx 20 mins)

Suitable for: All ages

Other Comment: Spectacular views

Nearby eating: Grimaldi’s Pizza (voted best NYC pizza), Brooklyn

Tips: Bring a water taxi schedule with you. If you have small kids pick up an umbrella stroller for $20 at Toys R Us

Events: Look at the websites listed for calendars of events. Outdoor classic movies are shown free , in Brooklyn Bridge Park on Thursdays in July and August. http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org , also for events at the beach facing Manhattan see http://www.watertaxibeach.com

Take a taxi to 34th Street and the East River where you catch the black and yellow ferry called the New York Water Taxi (http://www.nywatertaxi.com/commuters/east-river-line/ ) to the Fulton Ferry Landing in Brooklyn. Study the website for timetables and tours and carry a schedule with you. After September there are fewer taxis on the water. The ferry drops you in a neighborhood called DUMBO (Down Underneath Manhattan Bridge Overpass) in Brooklyn. Climb up to the upper deck for a more exciting ride. The ferry heads down the east river under the Williamsburg Bridge and passes close to the busy Manhattan Bridge. Also check the Water Taxi website for galleries etc. http://www.nywatertaxi.com/Fulton/

If you travel between September and April (its amazing at any time of year) the ferry is scheduled for a single early stop at Fulton Ferry Landing so be prepared. In summer you’ll have a great deal more flexibility in planning your exploration of Dumbo.

Your first stop in D.U.M.B.O will be the factory/retail outlet for Jacque Torres Chocolate is 66 Water Street. Hours are from 9am Monday to Saturday and at 10am on Sundays . The Jacque Torres website is (http://www.mrchocolate.com/). There’s now an Jacque Torres Ice-cream store. His Wicked Hot Chocolate contains chilli pepper! Great for gifts. The hot chocolate is powerful -WATCH OUT for sugar highs and try the very yummy and inexpensive chocolate coffee spoons.

Make a left as you leave the shop and walk back towards the water. You’ll find two parks that overlook Manhattan - nicely situated between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. In summer months these are stocked with pieces of sculpture and there’s a small man-made beach neatly placed between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. There’s also pirate ship theme playground nearby.

Next is lunch at Grimaldis Brooklyn Bridge Pizzeria at 19 Fulton Street to sample what has been voted the “best” brick oven pizza in New York. Grimaldis opens Sunday to Friday at 11.30am and on Saturdays at noon.

Options for return home: (map marks subways, bridge entrance etc)

Ferry: in summer New York Water Taxi at Fulton Ferry Landing.

Subway: Closest subway stop - A & C to High Street

To continue exploring Brooklyn: – walk south of Brooklyn Bridge - follow Furman Street to Joralemon Street walking along the front in Brooklyn Heights. The views of NYC are spectacular. Make a left onto Joralemon and another left from Joralemon onto Henry Street. Continue along Henry to Clarke Street where you will find the 2 and 3 subway station – that will bring you back to the Upper West Side.

Walk back over the Brooklyn Bridge: For more about the bridge look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Bridge

If you are coming from Grimaldi's or Brooklyn Heigths - head for Cadman Plaza and look for the staircase under the bridge on Prospect Street between Cadman Plaza East and West. There’s a stairway that leads up to the bridge walkway.

View Brooklyn & the Brooklyn Bridge in a larger map

JACKSON HEIGHTS

2010-04-14T13:44:00.000-07:00

Take a subway ride to Queens – see Manhattan from the window-paint graffiti -visit MoMa PS1. Contemporary Art Center-continue to Jackson Heights little India, breath in the spicey aromas, buy bangles, explore an Indian supermarket, sample Indian food or follow Roosevelt to explore the other ethnic neighborhoods.

Best time to visit: All year. Stores usually open 10.30 am. PS 1 open: 12-6pm Thurs-Mon.

Length of trip: 20 min. train ride but put aside 3-5 hours for good visit

Difficulty level: Lots of walking and stroller friendly

Suitable for: All age groups

Other Comment: Great for gifts, great for an evening trip too

Views: From train leaving Manhattan – spectacular

Further reading: http://queens.about.com/od/thingtodo/ss/7-subway-tour.htm

Take the 7 train to Queens from the following stops in Manhattan: Times Square or 5th Avenue and Bryant Park or Grand Central. If you plan to visit PS 1 and 5 pointz look for the Court House Square stop. Otherwise head for the 74th St. Broadway/Roosevelt Avenue in Queens. (www.mta.info/nyct/service/sevenlin.htm)

The number 7 (The Flushing) line has been nicknamed the International Line because of the diverse communities it serves and you’ll get a real sense of this on your ride. The train rattles over the bridge and along an elevated metal track. Look back for the skyline. This subway runs 8 miles ending in Flushing and serves Shea Stadium and the US Open.

Close to the Court House Square stop, look to your left for a 200,000 square foot warehouse covered with graffiti. If you plan to get off here, descend the stairs, and exit onto Jackson Avenue and walk right one block to 46th Avenue.

A detail of a small section of 5pointz

The exterior of this colorful warehouse is managed by a nonprofit organization 5 Pointz☹ ( http://5ptz.com) -the Institute of Higher Burnin’ www.5cense..Aerosol artists come from all over the world to legally paint graffiti on its walls - to obtain permission to paint - see the website. PS 1 Contemporary Art Center is across the street http://ps1.org/ Opening hours are 12:00 - 6:00 p.m., Thursday through Monday.

For Little India get off at 74th Street Broadway/Roosevelt Avenue. Walk down the stairs follow 74th Street towards 37th Avenue. This is the heart of Jackson Heights and home to a large Indian population as well as Mexican, Argentinian, Colombian and Tibetan, Peruvian and many other nationalities.

Good shops to explore include Butala Emporium at 37-46 74th St. (1st shop on your right) –great browsing: inexpensive glass bangles, friendship bracelets, copper pots, incense, dictionaries, cups, lunch containers. Further along is Patel Brothers at 37-27 74th Street. This giant warehouse selling spices, sacks of rice and all sorts of exotic vegetables and fruits as well as frozen and freshly made Indian foods. The sari stores are well stocked with beautiful fabrics

and Sari’s for women and children.

If you are looking for lunch or dinner, the Jackson Diner (37-47 74th Street 718-672-1232) opens at 11:45am. It a great place for a break and to sample Indian food (with helpful staff for kiddie selections) if its all too much - get a take-out feast for later -have a delicious Mango Lhassi while you wait. Then climb aboard the nearby 7 train home.

Or if you want to sample very good baked empanadas walk to La Nueva Bakery marked on the map at 37th Avenue & 85th.

And if you are still as fascinated as we were, follow Roosevelt Avenue underneath the elevated subway line: you’ll encounter the cultures of Mexico, Columbia, Uruguay, Honduras and many more – great for shopping and food sampling: http://onsitereview.blogspot.com/2008/10/world-on-roosevelt-avenue-ringing.html or nearby is the Colombian section see http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/06/15/travel/15weekend.html?scp=1&sq=colombian%20section%20jackson%20heights&st=tcse or http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/travel/09weekend.html?scp=3&sq=jackson%20heights&st=tcse .

Keep and eye out for Maria Piedad Cano, a.k.a. "The Arepa Lady" of 79th St. and Roosevelt - a runner up in the street food vendor awards. (http://streetvendor.org

or for 2008 winners http://streetvendor.org/vendys/finalists

Since the subway line is overhead you can choose to return home when you run out of steam – there are stops every 10 or so blocks. (see subway map link in first paragraph).

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM AND MORE

2010-04-13T17:25:00.000-07:00

Stop at the Guggenheim, visit Egyptian Mummies or a room filled with Knights and Armor, try an New York City playground, sail a remote control boat in the 72nd Street boat pond in Central Park or visit Central Park Zoo

Best time to visit: All year. Especially Spring, Summer & Autumn

Length of trip: Put aside 3-5 hours. Satisfies everyone’s interests

Distance: Walking from 89th to 65th & 5th . Museums are stroller and scooter friendly. Lots of stops along the way

Suitable for: All age groups

Other Comment: Print out event calendars from listed websites

Nearby eating: Hot dogs central park, Met Museum Café or Serafina

Excellent pizza on 79th and Madison

Further reading or movies For movies shot in the Park see Centralpark.com

Events: Look at the websites listed for calendars of events.

Central Park shows outdoor movies, host concerts,

Provides stages for opera and Shakespeare.

Look at a few websites before you go : http://www.guggenheim.org/ for the Guggenheim (exhibit about Frank Lloyd Wright until August 2009)

www.metmuseum.org/explore/museumkids.htm for children’s and other

programs at the Met and also www.newyorkcentralpark.com for a map of the park and program listings (summer stage -famous musicians play for free http://www.summerstage.org/index.aspx?page=2 ; Shakespeare in the Park http://www.publictheater.org/content/view/126/219 , Opera in the Park, Philharmonic in the park http://www.centralpark.com/pages/activities/concerts.html

Start at 89th and 5th Avenue at the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum - designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1940s when he was in his 80s. There are many stories about him. The Guggenheim is also a building that they will not easily forget. Some of his ideas were highly practical, for example he developed the concept of open plan when servants became less of a household feature in the early 20th century – open plan he believed, would allow a mother be in the kitchen while being able to keep an eye on the activities her family. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/The-Triumph-of-Frank-Lloyd-Wright.html His forms were inspired by nature – the shape of the museum is based on the interior of a shell. His pet peave was to walk into museums and have to retrace his steps in order to exit – hence the elevator and the ramp. You ride to the top and walk down to the exit.

Glamorous shopping -one block over on Madison Avenue for women who want a break and can leave someone in charge or for a shopping incentive for reluctant museum goers – try E.A.T. gifts at 1062 Madison Avenue at 80th Street – its jammed with cheap made in China goods.

Next stop is the Metropolitan Museum at 5th Avenue and 84th Street, Strollers are allowed during regular Museum hours, except Sundays, unless otherwise noted at Museum entrances; because many exhibitions cannot accommodate strollers.

With kids we limit to an hour or less. Though the size can be daunting the Met has some very accessible exhibits. The most popular with are the Arms & Armor, the Egyptian Rooms and the Temple of Dendur. The 2nd floor impressionist gallery houses a selection of famous recognizable artworks. During the holidays the Christmas Tree in Medieval Sculpture Hall should not be missed. The American wing – featuring Frank Lloyd Wrights’ open plan living room has been re-opened should you want to continue the theme. The museum shop is wonderful and has an excellent children’s section. Don’t miss the roof – for good city views, lunch and outdoor sculptures.

The Ancient Playground next door going south has lots of climbing frames and a sprinkler. For any age - take an incredible coffee and cake at Lady M Confectionary on 78th off of Madison, sample the Mille Crepes cake ( as memorable as the Guggenheim) .www.ladymconfections.com/

The Frick Museum Collection (71st & 5th) http://www.frick.org/ contains some very beautiful and famous paintings -it can be easily covered in a short visit, has a good audio tour and is perfect for reticent teenagers. Admits ages 12 and over.

Remote control boats are for rent between May and October, (Central Park Sailboats 917-795-1382 for rental hours and rates) head south for the Model Boat Pond – enter Central Park on the south side of 79th Street and walk downtown to the equivalent of 74th street.

Or make your way Central Park Zoo at 65th & 5th try to reach the entrance in time to hear the mechanical clock play a nursery rhyme when the hour strikes. Another alternative is to sample the expensive but worth it afternoon tea from 3pm-5pm ( child friendly menu and staff) at the Pierre Hotel at 61st and 5th Avenue. http://www.tajhotels.com/FoodandWine/The%20Pierre,NEW%20YORK/The%20Rotunda/default.htm

THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

2010-04-13T16:23:00.000-07:00

Climb to the top of the Empire State Building, explore the bead district, visit a magic shop, eat at one of the oldest steak houses in New York or sample Korean food and see Macy’s, the largest department store in the world. Good trip for gift purchasing.

Best time to visit: All year; view best on a clear day

Length of trip: As long or as short as you like. Plan for at least 2 hour stay at the Empire State Building.

Difficulty level: Very little walking and stroller friendly

Suitable for: All age groups young and old

The Empire State Building is at 34^th and Fifth Avenue (www.esbnyc.com). The trick is to go early or after 3:15pm to avoid lines or you can order tickets in advance. The website states: “the lines at the Empire State Building Observatory are as legendary as the building itself. The line actually consists of 3 different lines. The first one is the security line that everyone must go through. Next comes the ticket line. Visitors with pre-purchased tickets can skip this line which can save a considerable amount of time during our busiest times. The 3rd and last line is for the elevators that take you to the Observatory”. During the summer and the holidays its very busy. The site is open 365 days a year from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. with the last elevators at 1:15 a.m. The recorded tour is excellent – describes the frenzied pace of the push to build the tallest building in New York City and how it was designed as a Zeppelin docking station. There’s an annual running race to the top of the building. And, keep an eye out for men on their knees – it’s a popular marriage proposal venue.

Afterwards, visit the bead district where inexpensive and gorgeous beads of every type abound. The area is between 5^th and 6^th Avenues from 36^th to 39^th Streets. You can buy anything from pearls to elaborately carved wooden beads at:

· Phoenix Jewelry, 64 W 37th St. (bet. 5th & 6th Aves.)

· Genuine Ten Ten, 1010 6th Ave. (bet. 37th & 38^th Sts.) Tel: 212 221-1173

· Toho Shoji Inc., 990 Sixth Ave. (bet. 36th & 37th Sts.) Tel: 212-868-7465

· York Beads, 10 West 37th St. Tel: 1-800-223-6676

· Beads World, Inc., 1384 Broadway (bet. 37th & 38th Sts.) Tel: 212-302-1199

· Fun 2 Bead, 1028 6th Ave. (bet. 38th & 39th Sts.) Tel: 212-302-3488

· New York Beads, 1026 Sixth Ave. (bet. 38th & 39th Sts.) Tel: 212-382-2994

Follow up with Tannens Magic (est. 1925) at 45 W. 34^th St., Suite 608 (www.tannens.com). It is one of the oldest magic stores in New York City and a treat for anyone 4 years of age or older. It is located 45 West 34^th Street, Suite 608. Hours are Monday - Friday: 10am-5pm (Thursdays until 7pm); Saturday & Sunday: 10am - 4pm. They’ll demonstrate tricks. Be sure to ask about D-Lite – a trick that’s fun for 4 year olds up – simple to use – fake thumbs with LED lights that allow you to “Show your hands empty, then pluck bright red lights out of the air, pass them from hand to hand, and make them disappear.”

My family’s favorite place for lunch is the 120-year-old Keens Chop House at 72 West 36th Street, between 5th & 6th Avenues. It is one of the oldest and best steakhouses in New York. Otherwise, sample Korean food. Koreatown runs roughly from 31st to 36th Streets, between 5th and 6th Avenues. Try Mandoo Bar on 32nd Street at 5th Avenue, or Dae Dong at 17 West 32nd Street (between Broadway & 5th Avenue). After lunch you can cross the street to explore Macy’s, the largest department store on the planet.

Other places to check out in the area:

The Morgan Library & Museum at 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, where you will find the original manuscript of "The Little Prince" (or, "Le Petit Prince") and "The Story of Babar the Little Elephant." www.themorgan.org. And, of course, Madison Square Garden (7^th Avenue between 33^rd and 34^th Streets), home of the New York Knicks and venue for traveling shows. For tour and events see www.thegarden.com.

THE LOWER EAST SIDE

2010-04-13T10:27:00.001-07:00

Visit the oldest immigrant neighborhood in New York, eat a hot dog from Katz’s deli, sample Falafel, visit the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, sample award winning gelato, follow up with pickles, hip shop perusing, and step inside the only matzo factory in Manhattan and finish the city’s most amazing sweet shop.

Best time to visit: All year; stores generally open 12 noon

Length of trip: Put aside 3-5 hours. Satisfies everyone’s interests

Difficulty level: Not too much walking and stroller friendly

Suitable for: All age groups

Other Comment: Great for gifts

Views: Old New York City

Miscellaneous: Movies featuring LOES “When Harry met Sally”, “Crossing Delancey”

The main stop on this trip will be the Lower East Side Tenement Museum (www.tenement.org ). Check the web site for hours and tours - advance booking is often required. The museum offers a range of tours including a walking tour. In the summer, avoid visits between 10am and 3pm when it becomes jammed with visiting summer camps.

GETTING THERE FROM PENN STATION:

For printable directions check out: www.hopstop.com Be sure to purchase a Metro card at Penn station. Bus fare is $2.25 per person (using change or a Metrocard).

Subway: Follow 34th Street one block east to 6th Avenue (Herald Square) where you will purchase Metrocards and take the F or V subway lines (keep an eye out for signs marked in orange for the F or V direction: Coney Island/Stillwell Avenue) headed downtown to the 2nd Avenue/Houston stop.

By bus: Take the M34 Bus from W 34 St and 7 Av station heading to Eastside Ferry Terminal. Get off at E 34 St and 2 Avenue. Take the M15 Limited Bus from E 34 St station heading to Lower Manhattan - South Ferry. Get off at Allen Street. Cross Delancey and walk east on East Houston Street towards Ludlow

Katz’s Deli 205 E. Houston Street and Ludlow - made famous by the movie “When Harry Met Sally.” As you pass, look in the windows of Russ & Daughters (sells a great T-Shirt) and B. Burkina. You cannot miss Katz’s – sample a hot dog and pick up the T-shirt – it’s an incredible place.

Walk back to Orchard Street and south until you cross Delancey. There’s always something interesting going on. There are so many stores and eateries. My family’s favorite is Il Laboratorio del Gelato at 95 Orchard Street for incredible ice-cream You’ll find big open barrels of pickles at Guss’s Pickles (in business since 1900s) at 85 Orchard Street. Turn onto Broome from Orchard for Hello Sari at 261 Broome, packed with vibrantly colored, very hip scarves, clothing and jewelry at reasonable prices.

The tenement museum is at 108 Orchard about a half block south of Delancey Street. The museum shop here is also good for gifts.

For lunch or an early dinner– and considered by many the best Chinese food in the city – try Congee Village at 100 Allen (which runs parallel to Orchard) between Broome and Delancey. The restaurant is very kid friendly.

When leaving the restaurant, make a right and walk up to Delancey Street where you make another right, walk east 5 blocks, then walk uptown again on Suffolk Street. This is Streit’s Matzo www.streitsmatzos.com. It is the only remaining Matzo bakery in Manhattan and is now run by the great-grand children of the founder. You will be utterly charmed. Peep into the factory and watch. More than likely you’ll be given a sample of hot Matzo and be drawn into conversation.

Finish at the best candy store in New York - Economy Candy at 108 Rivington Street between Ludlow and Essex (www.economycandy.com). It’s a room lined with candy floor to ceiling. Afterwards, if you’re traveling with young children, dash back up to East Houston for the playground near the subway stop to let off some steam.

Additional places to explore in the area

Eldridge Street Synagogue & Museum at 12 Eldridge Street. This synagogue has been restored and contains the history of the Jews in New York City synagogue in Manhattan.

Essex Street Market at 120 Essex Street. ( www.essexstreetmarket.com. ) a market frequented by many New York chefs. Here you will find gourmet small production artisanal cheeses, premium cuts of meat, fish and a host of other quality food products. Hours are 8am to 6pm. An extra detour but well worth it.

The Main Squeeze at 19 Essex Street. It is a store that specializes in accordions. Cool t-shirts and postcards http://www.mainsqueeze-nyc.com/mainmenu.html

Joe’s Fabric Warehouse at 102 Orchard Street (next to the Tenement Museum) www.joesfabrics.com which stocks a treasure trove of interior design and upholstery fabrics at bargain prices.

Dumpling House at 118 Eldrige. Good dumplings.

Neighburrito on Rivington Street between Essex and Suffolk. Ask for plain chicken in a burrito or taco for less adventurous eaters. http://www.neighburrito.com/

For more information on these Lower East Side sites, visit:

www.tenement.org/

www.streitsmatzos.com .

www.essexstreetmarket.com/

www.mainsqueeze-nyc.com/mainmenu.html

www.katzdeli.com

www.gusspickle.com

www.russanddaughters.com

RETURNING TO PENN STATION:

Subway: Take the F or V train from 2 Avenue station heading Uptown / to Jamaica get off at 34 Street - Herald Square. Start out going west on West 34th St towards Broadway and turn left on 7th Avenue and head to Penn Station.

By bus: Take the M15 Limited Bus from 1 Av stop heading to East Harlem. Get off at E 34 St. Take the M34 Bus from E 34 St and 1 Av stop heading to Javits Convention Center get off at W 34 St and 7 Avenue.

View Lower East Side in a larger map

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