Going to New York for 3 days in early June with my wife, its her driving things along I am a bit meh about it. Much to prefer to  go places with mountains, interesting food, bike stuff and no tourists. I think I might be a bit selfish…… Is there anything to do thats intresting and off the beaten track ?

its a great city , u feel ur in a movie when u walk around , id say do , one world , 9/11 museum , brooklyn bridge , bit of shopping , aircraft carrier , book online as its cheaper and some things u don’t have to q then . Check weather before u go if its cold take really warm clothes as wind rips down the streets off the hudson like a freezer wind tunnel !

ooh don’t bother with liberty island just get the free ferry to stanton island and back goes pretty much past it

The United Nations worth a visit! There’s also the High Line!
And I second the Staton Island Ferry!

High line.

Google this topic, its the what tyre of travel on singletrack.

sorry

But while I’m on the subject, cycle over Brooklyn bridge, visit some eateries over there.

South street sea port, Staten Island ferry terminal.

Stay entirely down town.

LE BAIN, roof top bar/club at the top of the Standard hotel.

Top of the rock (viewing platform on top of the Rockefeller centre) is good but pricey – great view.

East village – still scuzzy, west village has lots of street entertainments, the high line – all of these can be linked in an urban hike. Central park for an early morning jog followed by a big breakfast.

Just walking around the place is fascinating, spotting landmarks that are familiar from film/tv.

Broadway and times square – i’d give them a miss.

It’s a nice city to wander around. Quite easy to get away from tourists, especially on foot. Highline is nice as is walking around the bridges. Plenty of good food around too.

If you’re heading to Staten island ferry terminal, take her for a drink at The Dead Rabbit

“Is there anything to do that’s interesting and off the beaten track”

Loads! There’s a museum of locks and a room half filled with dirt, a museum of reclaimed urban space (squats) and a ton of neighbourhoods where you won’t see another tourist.

But if she’s driving it, and doing loads of research, just go along with her. I’m with you, I much prefer that other stuff, but it’s 3 days in a big city, with a shit ton of cool stuff in it. The popular things are usually popular for a reason.

And if you drag her off and spend half the time doing things that aren’t on her list, you’ll only have to go back!

“interesting food” – loads of that! Pick your cuisines and go nuts. You could spend your entire trip walking between eateries. If you walk everywhere, you can afford probably 4 meals a day? plus snacks/ cakes/coffees? Magnolia Bakery for cakes if you’re round that way. Ton of good beers too – a lot of “enthusiasts” beer bars in Williamsburg.

Music? Smalls if you like jazz, and even if you’re not 100% about it. Lots of history.

“I think I might be a bit selfish” – I sort of said it before, but give her this one! Let her lead and let yourself enjoy it.

There used to be a bit of friction between the wife and me, because I always organised the winter holiday, and summer often came and went without us having a proper summer holiday, which she always enjoys more. When it came to a head, I told her that I organise the winter holiday because I’m passionate about the mountains, I’ve got about 10 ideas for trips at any one time, and there’s always one or two top of the list for next year. I said I just don’t care in the same way about summer holidays. It’s not that I don’t enjoy them, I definitely do. If it’s important to you – you organise the summer holiday.

So she does summer, I do winter and everyone’s happy!

Come on man, it’s New York City!

I’ll go in your place if you like. You can stay here, borrow my bike and pootle around the peak district.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/4-days-in-new-york/

Loads of helpful tips in the one I ran. You will love it.

i forgot to add , the grand central station was my highlight , have some cheesecake downstairs , amazing !

Bookmarked for our trip family in June

As other have said, just go and enjoy it. I’ve just got back from NY on tuesday for the second time. It really is an amazing city and if you haven’t been before just doing all the touristy type stuff is good fun 🙂

It may be controversial but I’d give the Highline a miss, I found it pretty underwhelming to be honest………  way way over hyped 😉

Would kinda agree with typer, Highline was good and gives another perspective on the city, but i wasn’t blown away by it. Handy if you need to go in the same direction as it though.

Similarly, if you’re nearby you might as well spent 10mins in Times Square. Even if not your thing, it’s still something to behold (day and night visits recommended)

I’ve been up the Empire State a couple of times. First time was daytime and the queue was also NY sized. Second time was late at night, no queue whatsoever and obviously a great view.

Wondering around Central Park is always nice. Grab some food and have a picnic outside (but inside) of the city.

Unfortunately at night I had a local taking me about the place – apparently we were in the Lower East Side…… the (very early) morning pizza was cracking

I’m not a huge fan of the Highline either, would far rather spend more time in Central Park.
It’s a great city, you cannot fail to have a great time.

im going on Saturday, Rockerfella center, one world, liberty island, grand central station Fraunces tavern (oldest pub in ny) just because 🙂 Brooklyn bridge Hotel is in times square too.

Initially wasn’t that fussed but really looking forward to it now.

There used to be a bit of friction between the wife and me, because I always organised the winter holiday, and summer often came and went without us having a proper summer holiday, which she always enjoys more. When it came to a head, I told her that I organise the winter holiday because I’m passionate about the mountains, I’ve got about 10 ideas for trips at any one time, and there’s always one or two top of the list for next year. I said I just don’t care in the same way about summer holidays. It’s not that I don’t enjoy them, I definitely do. If it’s important to you – you organise the summer holiday.

Same here. Last year I agreed to go to a French ski resort for a week in summer prior to watching the TDF coming through and it was fantastic; the French don’t really go to ski resorts in summer.

In April we are going to NY to celebrate her birthday, it’s been a nightmare organising the flights, using my air miles to upgrade to C class and then finding an hotel that wasn’t a poxy old 1960s building in Manhattan with single-glazed windows and reports of constant noise, roaches and rats. Now the US embassy has refused to give me visa waiver because I visit Sudan so I’ve got to go down to that London for a visa interview and fingerprinting. I’m guessing it’s going to be pretty cold and windy in April.