Have a fab time! I'm going NYC in December for the 4th time possibly, here's my list of places that's worth visiting and a mini review hehe, this is based on my 3 visits so, anyone who knows NYC is welcome to add their bit
Rockefeller Center
In my opinion, RC is better than Empire State in terms of viewing, it's not so cramped, better viewing area as the protector is glass not grids. Best time to go would be around 1-4 on a Monday or mid-week when people are still at work. I went on a Monday around 4ish and it took 5 minutes to pay for ticket to the top of the Rockefeller, stunning views and if you time it right, you can watch the sun set over NYC
It's my fave place to go and def. worth the price
Empire State Building
It's a good place to visit but so busy! If you plan to visit ESB, have a spare day as queues takes 2 hours to ticket office then another 2-3 hours to the observatory. Views are amazing but it is often ruined by other jostling people. It's the place to go where you can say that you've been up the ESB!
Woodsbury Common
WC is a shopping outlet of where you can get designer stuff for a discount (inc an CCO of discount MAC, Estee Lauder, Clinique etc..) it's a pretty place to visit with a nice selection of stores and restaurants as well as the stunning scenery. There's a lot of clothing outlets there such as Calvin Klein, Saks 5th Avenue, Banana Republic etc.. all on discounts. You can purchase tickets from the official tour guides people and board the bus at a coach station (or get the tickets at the ticket office in the station) You can generally find the station near Westin Hotel
Times Square
Everyone knows that this is one of the famous sights of NYC, to get a birds eye view of Times Square, go into the Mariott Hotel where if you pay something like $7, you can go up to the revolving restuarant and see TS at a height (however i went into a normal restuarant in the hotel and still got a great view)
Statue of Liberty
I haven't been on the boat trip to SoL but best time to go is probs early morning to noon during the weekday as it's often quiet. You'd be on the boat ride right to SoL but you won't be going up it though since the 9/11 attacks. Security reasons really. The queues can get long so earlier the better, because there's queues to the ticket office then another one to get on the ferry
Area Around Statue of Liberty
In general, you walk through a park to get to SoL ticket office and you'll see a man feeding squirrels, and for a $1 tip, he'll give you several walnuts to feed the squirrels yourself, it's really good fun and the squirrels are adorable and funny
it's a unique way of remembering NYC
Broadway
the 2nd time i went, i was fortuanate enough to see The Lion King on Broadway. if you have a chance or time to see a Broadway show, do go and see one, there are some awesome selections of shows and a great experience of seeing Broadway at its best.
Central Park
One of the best ways of getting around Central Park is via horse and carraige. Although they don't seem like it, the drivers are quite chatty if you make the effort to chat to them and they'll point out famous places of where Crocodile Dundee & Ghostbusters was filmed and Woody Allen's house and the Central Park in general, horse and carraige rides are pricey so if you're on a budget then it's not for you. Walking around Central Park is fun as well, you can watch people on the ice rink (you could have a go!) admire the beautiful surroundings and lakes and nature in general. CP is absolutely huge so walk as much as you can if you're up to it!
Soho, Greenwich Village, Chinatown, Little Italy
These towns are all in walking distances to each other. Greenwich Village isn't really much to look at tbh, it's an artsy sorta place. Chinatown is hustle bustle of people selling stuff off their stalls and chinese restaurants. Beware of Little Italy as it can get a bit expensive in some cafes if you wish to stop for a hot/cold drink. SoHo is a nice town and if you're into MAC, visit them at Spring Street, there are some of the nicest MAs in there so it's worth a visit
FUN SHOPS
If you're a fan of fun shops visit:
M&Ms world - A new addition to Times Square and it's worth a visit, it's $9 for every pound of M&Ms of your choices, there's two huge wall of M&Ms on two floors from Peanut M&Ms to Chocolate to Crunchies. all in every colour imaginable too.
Yellow Rat Bastard - it's located in SoHo, and it's a shop that sells up to date clothing that's pretty cool and I'd say the clothings and accessories are unique and they're in the catergories of rock, punk, skater sort of styles but nonetheless it's worth checking! The name of the store itself came from Frank Miller's Sin City movie.
Toys R Us - You hear this name and think, oh it's just a store for children. Yes you're right but it is also appealing for older ages too. Inside they have a working full sized Ferris Wheel for people to ride on for coupla dollars i think. Throughout the store there are different displays to look at and brings out the inner kid in you including The Lost World section with a giant mechanical T-Rex. On one of the floors is a gaming/technology floor where all the new technology is seen there. When i went in December, i had a go on a PS3 months before it came to the UK, there are various games that i think you could pick up and work on the UK computers & consoles.
There are tonnes of great stores, i listed a favourite few, and places to eat out such as Hard Rock Cafe is worth visiting. I advise you to carry a bottle of water as you may get thirsty walking around
