Things to Do in NYC Before You Die

This is a nice hotel situated in Midtown. The lobby is cavernous, if a little dark. At one time they had furniture that reminded me of Dr. Seuss books, but now their furniture is a little less kooky. On the second floor of the lobby area is a nice little bar serving drinks, and there's also a large bar just next door.

The rooms themselves can be on the small side, but the beds are extremely comfortable, even if you CAN touch both walls on either side. I'd recommend this hotel for any single traveler who wants a cozy but comfortable room. For a room share, I'd only recommend it to a couple who REALLY like each other and don't mind feeling a bit cramped.

The prices might scare some people once they see the size of the rooms, but the hotel is in a perfect location (Midtown, close to Times Square and the theater district) and that's really what you are paying for here.

It's a Marriott, sure, but it's also in the heart of Times Square. Your view can be anything from the ticker to a billboard, and if you are on a lower floor, you'll hear the cabs racing and honking at each other. But when you are in NYC, do you really do more in a hotel room than just park your stuff?

The rooms are typical hotel rooms - nothing to write home about. All Marriott’s are the same. But as I said, for the price (which is decently considering the location), you have access to the heart of the city.

The hotel staff is very friendly and helpful, which is good for tourists who might be nervous stepping out into Times Square, which even at night is lit up and packed with people.

If you like barbeque, you won't be disappointed with this NYC version. Virgil's has dry barbeque in large portions that are positively mouthwatering. And the best drink to wash it all down with is the June Bug, a green concoction that I imbibe every time I visit the joint (and I frequent Virgil's often). The salads are huge, the sandwiches perfect, and the drinks heavenly.

It's a family place - very loud, always busy, and in a well-traveled location in midtown NYC. It's a big pre-theater place to go to since they get you in and out of there fast so you can make your show on time.

They do not take reservations, so be prepared to wait a bit in the small bar before getting seated. But it's worth it - you won't be disappointed!

The most hyped ice-cream shoppe in Manhattan, this place is still visited by celebrities on occasion. Tourists flock to S3 for the ice cream and star-watching. This can make it hard to get a table for a sundae, but if you DO manage to get a seat, take advantage and get the signature frozen hot chocolate or a large sundae built for two (or three!) people.

S3 has been featured in movies and is a quirky must-see for any movie fan, even if you can't actually get in.

This museum is a lot of fun to visit. At any given time they have amazing screenings available, covering such topics as television shows, actor tributes, news analysis, politics and TV, old radio series, or even cartoons!

They also periodically offer seminars (one offered in March 2005 will be related to the Food Network and will feature a few chefs that have shows on that channel). Tickets are necessary for the seminars but are decently priced and worth it. Getting the tickets in advance is recommended. A couple of times I've gone in person on the day of the seminar only to find it sold out. Seating is VERY limited (maybe 100 people tops), so tickets can go quickly if it's a popular topic they are covering.

Their website has a lot of up-to-date information on screenings and seminars: http://www.mtr.org

For any vintage Fiestaware collector, there's nothing quite like walking into Mood Indigo and seeing an entire wall of vibrant colors. Diane and Bob have a spectular array of Fiestaware (albeit at exorbitant prices). When I pop in there, it's all I can do not to slobber all over the shelves just STACKED with dishes.

But that's not all they have - she also has a lot of kitschy bar accessories, plenty of Bakelite, and lots of fun Art Deco or 1950s-era items. Even if you don't collect, it's still a fun store to visit.

What a fun show this is! Based on the book by Gregory Maguire, it tells the tale of the Wicked Witch of the West made famous in The Wizard of Oz. Following her exploits while in school, this musical supposes that Elphaba (the Wicked Witch) and Galinda (the eventual Good Witch) were roommates at a private school. Thoroughly engaging, this one is a must-see for anyone coming to NYC for a show. I defy you not to enjoy such songs as Popular and Defying Gravity. Gravity is considered the showstopper number and is absolutely fabulous!

What's at Rockefeller Center? A lot! The ice-skating rink (turned into a restaurant in summer), St. Patrick's Cathedral, NBC Studios (where the Today Show and Saturday Night Live are filmed), Radio City Music Hall (complete with tours), and shopping are just a few of the things you can find at Rock Center. If you are lucky, you may see a celebrity or two walking the streets (I've seen Christopher Walken, Kevin Costner, the late Chris Farley, and Dennis Quaid just to name a few).

Rock Center is found at Fifth Avenue between 49th and 51st Sts. There are lots of shops, both at street level and basement level. Restaurants galore are available, and if you cruise up and down a few blocks, you'll find such stores as Sax Fifth Avenue and the newly reopened FAO Schwartz..

And, of course, from Thanksgiving until the second week of January, you can see the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree.

Tours of Rockefeller Center are available. A guide can lead you around the area and point out specific items of interest concerning the architecture and history of the area.