* The Hungarian Pastry Shop

1030 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025

A student favorite--you'll really get the flavor of Columbia.

* Shakespeare in the Park

https://publictheater.org/en/programs--events/shakespeare-in-the-park/?SiteTheme=Shakespeare

This is a summer NYC institution. Looks like you may be in time for "Twelfth Night."

A free open-air performance in Central Park, usually with a VERY well-known actor or two in the cast. Here's what to do:

Show up at around 7-8 am the free lines at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park and camp out for tickets. For full NYC flavor, bring a picnic blanket and the Sunday NY Times. Once one person is sitting on your blanket, send the other person out for bagels, cream cheese, and coffee at one of the delis on Columbus Ave (I think there is one at 82nd and Columbus)

Free tickets are distributed on each performance day via the free lines at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. People waiting for free tickets must line up along the path designated by The Public Theater staff and The Parks Department.

Free tickets are distributed at 12PM (noon) every day that there is a public performance. Performance days will vary from week to week, so be sure to check the performance calendar. Please remember that Central Park does not officially open until 6AM. Seat locations are distributed randomly, not based on a person's position in the line.

Each person (age 5+) may receive up to two (2) tickets, while supplies last.

* Staten Island Ferry sunset cruise

The ferry is free. Find out what time sunset is, and be in the Staten Island ferry terminal at the bottom of Manhattan 15 minutes before sunset. Board the next ferry. You will see the sun set behind the Statue of Liberty--gorgeous! When the ferry reaches Staten Island, turn around and get on the next ferry back to Manhattan. Stand on the deck of the ferry facing Manhattan. You will approach the financial district all lit up against the night--postcard view! Pack a light sweater because it's always a bit breezy on the water.

Summer in NYC is a time when you can see world-class entertainment for free against the backdrop of the city. The shows on Broadway are fantastic, but you may be able to have even more memorable experiences by looking into the free stuff. Get ahold of the listings for the River to River festival and look in Time Out NY for when you're visiting. Also, be open to serendipity--I walked into the premiere of performance artist Leigh Bowery's birth piece completely by accident.

Thanks Renovator Girl - great suggestions!!

DD graduated from Columbia. She loved it and I loved catching a NJ Transit train a couple of times a year and spending the day with her - shopping, seeing a show or taking her and her friends out to dinner.

It's been more than 10 years since she graduated and I haven't been on campus for at least 5 years so I'm not even going to try to recommend places to eat in the area.

Renovator Girl is right about the Hungarian Pastry Shop - and it's close to The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, a beautiful (and huge) Gothic Cathedral.

There's Tom's Diner on Broadway - if you watched Seinfield you might remember the neon 'Restaurant' sign . We did try Sylvia's in Harlem for her famous fried chicken and were invited to Rao's by the father of a friend of DD's but I wasn't able to make it (and only found out afterwards how difficult it is to get a table there). We did eat at a lot of little places around campus - and the best part is getting a table outside and watching the people pass by on the sidewalk.

There is a Bed, Bath and Beyond at 2431 Broadway so you can always pick up dorm supplies there. Not sure if it's still there but there was a small grocery store within walking distance of the dorms and a larger supermarket a short cab drive away. But if you're willing to take a cab then there are scores of food places you can visit.

As for show's - I saw The Band's Visit a few months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. It had 11 Tony nominations and won 10. I'm seeing My Fair Lady next week, and I bought tickets for Pretty Woman, Once on This Island, and the Cher Show.

I'll have to ask DD if there's anything she can recommend - but as I said it's been a while.

I like Timeout NY as a source of things to do in NY. It's arranged by today - this week - next week - next month. It's very handy.

https://www.timeout.com/newyork

Maire

I'll be following along. My daughter is also attending Columbia as a grad student this fall. She'll be in the School of Architecture. I'm excited to have her be closer to home (Philly), but since she has been living in Boston for the past 6 years, I will really miss visiting Boston. I'm looking forward to visiting NY more often; I grew up in the area. My suggestion if you're looking to see a show is Come From Away, one of the best I've seen.

Thanks marie_cate, very helpful! The Band's Visit is now on our show list. And good to know about BB&B. I'm sure thre will be a supply run.

jshore - I'm sure it will be nice to have your daughter closer. We live in Florida and this will be the farthest my DD has lived from me. I'm mildly anxious. We have Come From Away on our short list so good to know you liked it so much!

Thanks all - still looking for hotel recommendations if anyone has any!

Do a search on gardenweb for New York City. There have been quite a few recommendations for places to stay in the past.

Thanks chickadee - I did a search and looked at Tripadvisor but I am looking specifically for Upper West Side,and really didn't see a whole lot. I am much more familiar with midtown so I'm hoping someone knows of a hidden gem in the UWS.

“One of our favorites was the Essex House on Central Park. I haven't been there recently...”

On recommendation from my dad, who stayed there frequently in the 80s while on business, my mom and I decided to stay at The Essex House (it was The Jumeirah Essex House at the time) once because the hotel where we usually stayed was undergoing renovations or something. To make a short story even shorter (we took one look at our rooms and left), The Essex House is now referred to in my family as The Itsucks House.

We stayed at the Hampton Inn Times Square North on Eighth and 57th(?) on our first visit a few years ago. The location is good for getting on the subway - not far from Columbus Circle for heading to the UWS and a stop across the street for heading anywhere else. It’s a standard Hampton, friendly staff and the rooms are comfortable.

To stay near Columbia, try Aloft. It is quite close and simple but new. A lot of bedraggled hotels in the area. Also check out AirBnB.

As far as shows, I would read the reviews carefully, as it is such a personal thing. My favorite recent one was Three Tall Women, but I think that is gone.

Come From Away was just a little too saccharine for me but it may be because I was in NYC for 9/11 and I just can't see it in song, even from the uplifting Gander vantage point.

If you have not seen them, I'd consider Hamilton (because it is kind of a must-see to me), Beautiful (because the Carole King music is super and I the true life story is interesting), Kinky Boots (i loved the movie, too, but the music is totally different for the show... I thought the show was fun and funny), Wicked (great music, some humor), and Dear Evan Hansen (modern, touching, great perf by the lead, but more for teens perhaps).

I am a huge Downton Abbey fan but have not done this yet https://www.downtonexhibition.com/

Also, I prefer the MOMA somewhat to the Met, and I think they have better dining too. : )

Damn. I was coming here to recommend the Milburn Hotel, which we last stayed in about five years ago and liked very much for the location (near Zabars, Fairway, and the late H&H) and the kitchenettes, but I see now it's closed to make room for "an all-new hotel experience on the Upper West Side", argh.

The Hotel Belleclaire, near the Beacon, ex-Milburn, and Zabars, https://www.hotelbelleclaire.com

I grew up on the UWS and while my parents were alive we'd visit often. We started off staying at the Beacon, but ended up preferring the Milburn. One of the last times we stayed there, we ran into Temple Grandin in the elevator.

Not sure how booked up they are, but try here too,

https://www.innnewyorkcity.com

If your daughter's schedule is free the first Sunday in October, head over to St. John the Divine for the annual blessing of the animals, in honor of the feast of St Francis of Assisi.

Stop in at Mondel Chocolates -- you could order chocolates for your daughter to pick up for holidays away from home and various stressful times : ) .

If I'm remembering correctly, there's a Westside Market on Broadway and 110th street. What street is her residence on?

University Housewares on 113th & Bway is independent, and also less of a schlep than Bed, Bath & Beyond : ) .

http://www.universityhousewares.com/about-university-housewares

Thanks mtn & becky - good suggestions. We have Hamilton & Dear Evan Hansen on the list. A friend just saw Beautiful and loved it. I saw Kinky Boots in a preview performance several years ago and loved it!

Bedraggled hotels - very descriptive and not what we are seeking lol. Didn't see a lot on Airbnb but will continue to look and will check out Aloft. Columbia's website has a number of area hotels with special rates so I'm sure we will find something suitable.

Love the suggestion for University Housewares and Mondel Chocolates!

Oh, Symposium, a Greek restaurant on 113th Street, which has been in the neighborhood forever. Nice for lunch.