I'm planning my FIRST trip to the Big Apple next month and I'm taking any and all ideas about where to stay in Manhattan, top 5 restaurants and things I absolutely must see while in town.

The Museum of Sex on Fifth Ave, down in the twenties as I recall.   Just the gift shop is worth the price of admission.

 
My favorite regular museum is the American Museum of Natural History, if you like dinosaur skeletons and a fantastic array of fine jewels and gems.

 
Nearby that is Lincoln Center.  Take in an opera or concert, but I'm not sure the season will have started yet.

 
New York has an amazing array of fine restaurants featuring food from every corner of the globe.  You almost can't go wrong if you avoid chains and tourist traps.   Someone just recommended a historic steak house called Keen's on 36th by 6th Ave., and I'm going to check it out next month.    

 
Avoid going to the top of the Empire State Building, but I recall taking a ferry to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and enjoyed the ride as well as the destination.

 
I'd stay away from Times Square also.  Too many hustlers there.

 
The upper portion of Manhattan has plenty of fine older hotels with a lot of charm.    Good bargains can be had on Priceline for those.  Cabs are cheap, so it's no big deal to get around.   Even the subway, if you can figure it out, is a good deal.

 
Have fun there.

Oooh this is all excellent advice! Thank you!

The subway during the summer is brutally hot, I wouldn't  suggest using it. Also the upper east side is to remote to stay,

-- Modified on 8/10/2017 2:21:47 AM

I just spent a week in Manhattan.  The most amazing week I have spent in a very long time.  As a visitor here are the things my daughter and I did.

1.  We took the subway everywhere in July.  It was hot, but you are not going very far so it is tolerable.  I enjoyed the metro and how easy it was to be anywhere in a few minutes.

2.  The Metropolitan Museum is 100% must see

3.  The food was amazing and affordable.  We did the ethnic tour while there and always found something amazing.  Little Italy was fun, and great food and NY cheese cake.  You can always find a slice of pizza for really cheap.

4. We stayed on block from grand central. Amazing and not all the tourist.  Very safe to walk around even at night.  We walked from the Broadway shows back to the hotel at 11 at night.   We saw four shows, three were great!!

5. The opera and Ballet will begin in October .

6.   Nice to walk to the park while heading to Lincoln center, the met, or the museums.

7. You have to go to time square if you are going to a Broadway show.  

8. There were some fun restaurants in Hells kitchen

9. Great Indian in Murry Hill.  If you want the name PM me

I am coming back in November for the Opera and ballet.  
I hope yo enjoy your trip.. Stay safe

Hey, SultryCharlotte!

NYC is my jam! I absolutely love visiting, and frequent once a month at a very minimum. Here are my thoughts:

Hotels:
- The James. It's a little pricey but I absolutely love it. I always get the corner skyline view. Quick tip, continually monitor prices, and if you go through the checkout process but DON'T complete it, they'll send you a 15% off coupon . I love staying here because of the views, the staff and the rooftop is absolutely fantastic (The drinks are amazing). However, true NY'ers will make fun of the view saying it doesn't face NYC - whatever!
- Smyth. I too love this place. It's my budget pick even though it's a five-star hotel. However, lately, it looks like the price has gone up. The staff has been the very best I have ever encountered. Not sure if it's because I tip well when I first arrive, but apples to apples, there is no comparison.  
- Trump SoHo. Not sure if you want to support him or not, or deal with the protests, but I always enjoyed staying here. I would get a high floor so the view was great. However, I have not stayed here since his presidency because I just didn't want to deal with it.
- SIXTY LES. I have stayed in the Loft, so it was fantastic. Great hotel overall. Can't comment on the other rooms, though.

As you can see, I love Tribeca, the Lower East Side and SoHo...I personally HATE staying anywhere near the touristy areas. However, I have stayed at One Hotel Central park, the Mandarin Oriental and The Plaza, all of which were great! It really just depends on what kind of neighborhood you like. Let me know and I can better assist you

Restaurants:
- The Modern. Hands down one of my favorite restaurants. The food is mind-blowing and the service is superb. Not really sure what else to say other than, GO!
- Coarse. I recently went and it was fantastic! It's $90 (I think) for a tasting WITH WINE INCLUDED!!! The food is certainly not mind-blowing but it is done extremely, extremely well. Also, the chef comes out to talk with you. I want to say get an early reservation because he is more hands on with you, but at the same time, the energy is great later in the evening. So, it's up to you.
- Balthazar Restaurant. I LOVE having brunch here. It's a neat french place with excellent food.
- Le French Diner. Ok, so you want a local spot? Go here. It is as local as you can possibly get, and it's fantastic. There is only a counter with maybe ten seats and a high-top or two. Small. You watch and interact with the chef(s) while they cook on a six-burner stove. It's neat! However, it definitely seems a little 'used.' But hey, YOLO!
- Per Se. Ok, not really what else to say. It's expensive, so if you want to give it a go, have at it. However, I probably won't go back. It is great, though. I guess it's on the same price level as the Modern.  

Bars:
- Coup. I love this place. Do the make the best cocktails? No. Do they have the best service? No. Then why do I love it? 100% of the proceeds go to charity, and you get to pick which one by dropping a coin into the appropriate jar. Those coins are then given a value at the end of the month. The drinks are $15 I think (And they don't accept tips), which is expensive, but they're pretty good. I usually go for just one cocktail.
- Jimmy at the James. This is the rooftop bar at the James Hotel. As I stated already, great cocktails. Cool vibe. Hip music. Nice people. The lounge gets reserved but the bar is typically open. However, if you stay at the hotel, you get priority at the lounge.

Things to Do/See:
- World Trade Center Memorial. I usually walk around the fountain at least once every time that I visit. For me, there is just something about it. However, be prepared to get a bit wet if it's windy.
- The Museum of Sex. Need I say more?
- Central Park. I love a nice early-morning stroll through the park with a nice cup of coffee from Zibetto Espresso Bar or Bibble & Sip.

That's all the time I have for right now, but I'll be back to update it

Enjoy!