new york favorites written by M2 relief society

our ward's relief society fall social was all about how to live, love and enjoy living in new york city.  one of the things we opted to do was ask all of our relief society members to send in their opinion on the best places to see, do, eat, be pampered, people watch, etc. as well as advice for living in the city.  we had a great response so i thought i'd let you know what made the list...(see if you can pick out the items that i submitted as my faves).  Please feel free to share with any friends who are planning a visit to the greatest city.  This list was compiled by real life New York women.

ADVICE FOR LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY:
 Follow the advice of John Lennon to WALK everywhere! It's the best way to get a feel for the city and you can find amazing architecture, people, food, shopping, and helps you feel a part of a larger New York City community.
 Embrace it! There are many things that may seem inconvenient and hard; however, if you focus on the positives they will always outshine the negatives. You will learn & grown here more than any other place. Choose to enjoy every moment!
 Be involved in the ward! Go to any and all activities to make your presence known and develop your New York family.
 Learn the MTA Bus System – it takes you almost anywhere you want to go and is amazing to see the many people, places and architecture pass by your window
 Get a safe pesticide for your apartment like EcoSmart. They’re made with natural ingredients that don’t irritate senses when using them.
 Use your computer – you can order groceries (www.freshdirect.com), diapers (www.diapers.com) and almost anything from www.amazon.com and www.ebay.com. Most online retailers have excellent shipping prices that make online ordering more convenient.

TO GO, SEE & DO:

 MUSEUMS:
o Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) – free on Fridays from 4:00pm – 8:00pm
o Metropolitan Museum of Art – pay what you want
o The Paley Center for Media (previously the Museum of Television & Radio)
o Museum of the City of New York
o Fort Tryon Park and The Cloisters
o Museum Mile Festival in early June shuts down Fifth Avenue and numerous museums are free including the Met & Guggenheim

 PERFORMANCES:
o $6 ticket to movies playing before noon on Friday, Saturday & Holidays at AMC Theaters
o Metropolitan Opera in Lincoln Square – tickets as low as $15
o $20 tickets for select Broadway shows through Hiptix – free registration for those between the ages of 18-35 http://www.hiptix.com/about.htm
o Student Rush tickets to Broadway shows
o TKTS booths in Times Square & South Street Seaport
o Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater
o New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center – tickets as low as $25
o NYU & Fordham showcase fantastic & cheap arts programs & film festivals
o Alliance Francaise (FIAF) for culture events and viewing foreign films on Tuesday nights
o Plays at BAM Harvey Theater in Brooklyn
o Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater offers numerous classes and amazing performances
o US Open Tennis Championships – cheap ticket for a Grounds Pass early in the tournament

 TO SEE/DO:
o Conservatory Garden at Fifth Avenue & 105th Street – gorgeous in Spring & Fall
o The Highline and Chelsea Market
o Green markets for fresh produce, flowers, etc.
o Bike riding and rowing boats in Central Park
o Walking the Brooklyn Bridge and stopping at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
o Ice Skating at Wollman Rink or Rockefeller Center
o Free walking tours throughout the city http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/nyc/lowermanhattan.asp
o Long Island City's waterfront park
o Double Decker bus tours with visiting friends – 2 for 1 tickets available for local residents of tri-state area with web registration and proof of residence https://www.newyorksightseeing.com/local_advantage.php
o Karaoke in Korea Town at Duet 35 – private rooms to sing and dance to your heart’s content http://karaokeduet.com/eng/top.html
o Top of the Rock Observation Deck at dusk
o Concerts at smaller venues - Bowery Ballroom, Terminal 5, Irving Plaza, Roseland Ballroom, Brooklyn Waterfront, Mercury Lounge and Beacon Theater
o Park Avenue Tree Lighting & Singing – first Sunday of December gather outside Brick Church @ 91st & Park Avenue to sing Christmas carols

TO EAT:

 BAKERIES:
o Epicerie Boulud @ Broadway & 65th Street - amazing French pastries like macaroons
o Tonnie's Minis @ Lenox b/w 123rd & 124th - mini cupcakes
o Francois Payard Bakery @ Plaza Hotel & Houston b/w Thompson & Sullivan
o Bouchon Bakery @ Rockefeller Plaza & Columbus Circle
o Almondine Bakery @ Water Street & Main Street (Brooklyn) or @ 9th Street & 7th Avenue
o City Bakery @ 18th Street b/w 5th & 6th – hot chocolate & cookies
o Levains Bakery @ 74th Street b/w Columbus & Amsterdam – 6 oz Chocolate Chip Cookies
o Donut Plant @ 23rd Street b/w 7th & 8th & @ Grand Street b/w Essex & Norfolk – Crème Brulee doughnut
o Magnolia Bakery @ Bleeker & 11th Street or @ 49th & 6th or @ Columbus & 69th – Bread Pudding
o Amy’s Bread @ Bleeker & Leroy or @ Ninth b/w 46th & 47th Street –Chocolate Cake
o Baby Cakes Bakery @ Broome b/w Ludlow & Orchard

 RESTAURANTS:
o Eataly @ 23rd Street & 5th Avenue
o Pio Pio @ First b/w 90th & 91st – Peruvian Combo
o Baoguette @ Lexington b/w 25th & 26th or @ Maiden Lane & Broadway – Classic Sandwich
o Patsy's Pizza @ 69th Street & 2nd Ave or @ 23rd Street b/w 8th & 9th
o Halal Cart @ 53rd & 6th – best after 7:30pm
o Cascabel Taqueria @ Second b/w 80th & 81st
o EJ’s Luncheonette @ 73rd Street & Third – great French Toast
o Dim Sum Go Go @ Broadway b/w Catherine & Chatham Square
o Joy Burger @ Lexington & 100th or @ Washington Place & 6th
o Alta Restaurant @ 10th Street b/w 5th & 6th
o Caracas Restaurant @ 7th Street & 1st Avenue
o Lula's Ice Cream @ 6th Street b/w Avenue A & Avenue B
o Cafe El Portal Restaurant @ Elizabeth Street b/w Spring & Kenmare
o Le Maison Du Chocolat @ Madison b/w 78th & 79th or @ Rockefeller Plaza
o Yorkville Creperie @ York Avenue b/w 83rd & 84th
o Mandoo Bar @ 32nd Street b/w Broadway & 5th - dumplings
o Dos Caminos @ 50th Street & 3rd or @ Park Avenue South b/w 26th & 27th – excellent Brunch menu

TO SHOP:

 SPECIFIC STORES:
o Bloomingdales on 59th & Lexington
o J. Crew on 17th & 5th has the best sale section
o Barney's Warehouse Sale is worth the madness
o Forever 21 in Times Square
o DSW in Union Square
o Polarn O. Pyret for kids clothes on sale - opening a shop on 79th & Columbus soon
o Fishes Eddy for kitchen items - 889 Broadway
o ABC Carpet & Home Outlet Store in the Bronx (not on Broadway) has great deals on carpets, rugs, and modern furniture.
o Tag sale at the Brick Church (91st/Park) every October and April to stock up on used children's clothes, shoes, coats and toys.
o Fairway at 125th has a free parking lot

 NEIGHBORHOODS with GREAT SHOPPING:
o Sample Sales throughout the Fashion District
o Herald Square – 34th Street between 5th & 9th including Macy’s Department Store
o Union Square
o Broadway between Houston and Canal Street
o Chelsea, on 5th and 6th between 14th and 18th featuring Anthropologie, H&M, TJ Maxx, Zara, J. Crew, Urban Outfitters, etc
o Flea Markets in numerous neighborhoods like Hell’s Kitchen and Brooklyn as well as the Garage near Madison Square Park

TO PAMPER:

 MANICURE/PEDICURE:
o Blooming Nails on 90th and Lexington
o Mimi’s Nails on 80th and 2nd – avoid Saturdays
o Make sure your chosen nail salon has massage chairs to allow your pedicure to do double duty. Get a full-body spa treatment for the price of a pedicure
o Many nail salon offer manicure/pedicure combo deals during Monday - Thursday

 HAIR:
o Arrojo Studio @ 180 Varick Street – try to book appointment with Katie
o Cutler Salon in Soho – try to book appointment with Hannah
o Whitmore Hair Salon @ 45 Grove Street
o Hair Farfalla @ Third b/w 88th & 89th Street – great for a quick shampoo and decent cuts