Southern Fl,DC and NYC recommendations

Posted by: BigH47 on 13 March 2015

We are having a short Caribbean cruise (Belize & Cozumel) and US tour next month.

 

Any recommendations for any "not to miss" or just interesting places in the 3 locations?

 

We have visited all locations previously but only briefly, we have a car for 4 days in S Florida, and "on foot" for 4 days each in DC and NYC.

 

Drive to Key West is on the cards, we have only flown out of Miami so not seen any treats that it may offer.

 

We have had a short stop in DC before but only saw Arlington and Air and Space museum. 

 

In NYC we only visited the WTC.

 

I think we are looking at "touristy" things rather than just tour record shops or Jazz clubs. 

 

VFM eateries would be appreciated. 

 

Thanks in advance

 

Howard

Posted on: 13 March 2015 by Scooot
Hi Howard,
For nyc I would say a visit to the observation tower in the Empire State building.A ferry trip to statan Island.
We went late March and encountered a lot of snow.One thing we done that was not to be forgotten was going ice skating in Central Park.
We also went to see a show on Broadway and visited ground zero.we went not long after 9/11 so it was still very raw but I would like to go back to see the new monument.
one little gem we found was a mall under grand central terminal where you will find the oyster bar.Not my cuppa tea but the wife was in her element.
I can't comment on other locations.
Enjoy.

Scott
Posted on: 13 March 2015 by rodwsmith

Three things, on top of the usual and above, for NYC:

 

Walk the High-Line. One of the newest, and best, parks in the world.

 

Eat/drink at the Red Rooster in Harlem. Southern food experience par excellence. Just something else. Take an apetitie, and go on a Sunday (lunch) if possible (the place always has music, but on a Sunday it's the most amazing blues/gospel). A great plan is to walk the length of Central Park south to north first to develop said apetite. Red Rooster is 123rd (I think), so quite close to the north end of the park. You need to book I reckon, and will share a table nevertheless, it's that kind of place.

 

Raymi (23rd, again please check) is a briliant Peruvian restaurant. Great value, something not usually found in Europe. Pisco Sour and ceviche (not together!), wonderful.

 

Oh and if the weather is not great (or even if it is), then a day at the Met is never, ever a day misspent. And the bar must be one of the best museum bars in the world.

 

And the restored cieling of Grand Central, of course. 

 

Sorry, that's five things.

 

Posted on: 13 March 2015 by BigH47

Thanks guys. Some food for thought!  I think we will see the roof of Grand Central as we are coming in from DC by train.

 

9/11 memorial and High-Line are already on the list. Other suggestions noted.

 

We are hoping spring will be in DC and NYC from about 20th April.

 

In DV a tour of the Capitol building is booked, maybe Pentagon if they clear us, only "on the day" tours of the Washington monument left so we'll try for those.

Posted on: 13 March 2015 by Brian Dodson
If you enjoyed the Air and Space museum then you would probably also enjoy visiting the Udvar-Hazy museum out at Dulles airport. It's also part of the Smithsonian and is an extension on the Air and Space. All of the Smithsonian museums are quite worthwhile.

I think you can view congress in session  at the Capital building if the timing is right. If nothing else the building is impressive.

I think the Washington monument is back open. You can go to the top and get a great view of the city.

Last thing is sometime in late March or early April the cherry blossom trees around the tidal basin bloom. Quite a beautiful sight if the timing is right.

Good luck!
Posted on: 14 March 2015 by Derek Wright

If you are into "art" then in DC the National Gallery of Art is a must see, allow a day.  Then the Hirschorn Gallery on the Mall.

 

Then do a Google on Art Galleries in DC and NY and go to the most interesting both architecturally and content wise.

Posted on: 15 March 2015 by Hal

In NYC, you can try PJ Clarke's for burgers and oysters (on the 3rd at 55th), Peter Luger for those larger than life great steaks (in Brooklyn), Shih Lee for Americanized Chinese during lunch (must be in  45th or 46th between 1st and 2nd Ave), Russ and Daughters for bagels (East Village) and to splash out for the Missus Le Bernardin of course (book a table asap). They are not mostly VFM but worth it. I know some 'on the sea' lobster and crab restaurants Ala New England style in North Fork, Shelter Isl, and Sag Harbor - Long Island but  not sure if they'll be open when you are there.

 

MoMA would be a nice place  to visit after a couple of espressos at Via Quadronno. If weather is nice and permitting you may take a Hudson river tour. Flora and fauna might be blossoming in April. Of course, I take that you will not miss the jazz standard, village vanguard, the iridium, blue note or barbes..

 

For S FL, South Beach, Cuban Quarter (there are tons of good restaurants and bars) and Mr Hemingway's home in Key West.

 

Have a safe and nice trip!

 

 

Posted on: 15 March 2015 by Bananahead

NYC is a great place to be. We like staying in Hoboken because We like the area and you get a view of Manhattan which you don't if you stay there.

 

The Rockerfeller Centre has better views than the Empire State Building if only because you get to see the ESB. The morning (go early) and evening (go at dusk) ticket is great because you get to see the views when the light is best and again with the lights at night.

 

We didn't like DC much although we did have one of the best Indian meals that we have had anywhere.

Posted on: 15 March 2015 by BigH47

Can remember who it was but said "the best part of going to the top of the ESB is that can't see the ESB"!

 

Posted on: 15 March 2015 by Peter Dinh
  1. Broadway for shows, theaters
  2. Lincoln Center (Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts) - Everything about live performance
  3. Metropolitan museum of art - The greatest museum on earth (except maybe the British museum in London), Moma (Museum of modern art)
  4. East/West Villages (the world highest concentrations of all kind of bars, pubs, restaurants) 
  5. Peter Luger (best steak in the world)
  6. Ippudo (best ramen in the world)
  7. The Rock (much better than Empire State Building)
  8. Shopping - Best shopping area runs from Broadway west to Sixth Avenue, and Houston Street south to Canal Street
  9. Bleecker Street if you are looking for Vinyl
  10. China town (general things about the Chinese)
  11. Korea town (32nd street - best Korean food in the world can be found here)
  12. India town (22nd street - Good Indian curry)
Posted on: 15 March 2015 by Peter Dinh

More ...

 

13. Eataly - Gourmet Italian food

14. Brooklyn bridge - Good for a 1-hour walk. Bonus - At the end of the bridge (on the Brooklyn side), there is a nice (well known) pizza restaurant.

Posted on: 16 March 2015 by BigH47

Thanks again, after a couple of weeks in the US I expect we could do with some walks in NYC.

 

I'm pretty sure we won't come close to covering all of either city, but we will give it a go.