I can't help you with hotels as I never had to stay in one since I live so close and work there. Here are some suggestions for things to do, especially if you have kids 1) Serendipity - it may be overrated but definitely something to enjoy http://www.serendipity3.com/ 2) The Met http://www.ny.com/cgibin/frame.cgi?url=http://www.metmuseum.org/&frame=/frame/museums.html 3) Central Park (If its not too cold) you can go ice skating there, go to a zoo and eat at the Boathouse http://www.ny.com/sights/neighborhoods/central_park.html 4) Shopping at SOHO/Village (not really a kid thing to do but definitely something to do when you are in Manhattan) 5) Broadway play would be great (eat at at the stardust diner - we had a lot of fun there) 6) Burgers at the Parker Meridian hotel 7) Brunch at Sarabeth's or Jane 8) Empire State is a must only because that is a very NYC though I ewnt once with someone from out of town and thought it was boring. 9) Museum of Natural History on the West side is nice - great for kids though I like the one in Washington better Union Square is fun and a great shopping mecca as well If the weather is bad, go to chelsea piers for some indoor sports fun The intrepid or the Childrens Museum of Manhattan If you want to venture out to Brooklyn, there is an aquarium, puppetworks and the brooklyn children's museum Rockefeller is nice. within that area, there is the Ninetendo Store and the American Girl Doll store, St. Patrick's cathedral and Saks (the window display is cute but not as elaborate as the other stores) Check out the ABC Home Store for you and FAO Schwartz for the kids (there is also a GIANT TRU in Times Square Check out cupcakes from Crumbs and Magnolia Bakery Hope this helps.

Funny I just saw this thread...I took the train down to NYC Friday and met a bunch of my old college roomates in mid-town. We had a GREAT dinner at Landmarc (the one at the Time Warner Center @ Columbus Circle...although I thought the one in Tribeca was had a cooler atmosphere). Not only was the food great, but I was tickled pink that ANDERSON COOPER was two booths away eating. I never thought I would be a celebrity stalker, but I have to admit, I think I walked past his booth to the bathroom three times ;) (oh, and Kevin Spacey was filming a movie right when I got off Amtrak...again, star-struck!) Anyway, Landmarc was good--and we got a bottle of wine to split and steaks/seafood and we each paid $44 with tip included. :) Sarah (Oh...and a cool place for drinks is this little chi-chi place called the Hudson Hotel only a block away from the Time Warner Center--it's unmarked, and BEAUTIFUL inside...but I think the drink prices are a little steep...a plain Coke--maybe six ounces?--and a glass of the house Pinot was $19!!) :) Sarah

1. If you were given a $100 bill to spend on yourself-what would you do with it? Probably buy Lego set for my grandson 2. What is your favorite brand of dish soap? Palmolive 3. What is your favorite brand of laundry detergent? BioKleen Free and Clear 4. Favorite candle scent? Don't use anything scented and don't burn candles since a friend's house burned down because of one. Also don't think they are safe in earthquake country. 5. Have you ever met a celebrity? If so, who? I'm the worst celebrity conscious person ever - I just don't know who anyone is. I can't recall meeting anyone, but on my frequent trips to Santa Barbara and Montecito, I've had some crossed paths over the years. I wouldn't have known, but for the awareness of my friends there: Ate sushi next to Rob Lowe (many years ago, my first sushi experience). I didn't realize who he was (West Wing years) but when my friend quietly made me aware, I realized he was just as beautiful as on TV. Had breakfast next to Harrison Ford (who I did recognize). Stood in line at a store behind Kenny Loggins (had no idea, but my friend again filled me in). Sat on a plane next to a young man the flight attendants were going gaga over, getting autographs, etc. I had no idea who he was, but his name was Shaun or Sean and was in a famous boy band (this was probably 20 years ago). My son figured it out, now I can't recall. (I just looked it up...Boyz to Men). Maybe not a big celebrity, but I did meet Roy Yamaguchi once at Pebble Beach and was treated to dinner at his restaurant there. 6. Can you touch your nose with your tongue? Close but no cigar. 7. Have you ever ridden a)horse b)motorcycle c)helicopter? Yes, yes, no. 8. What is your favorite 'odd' food combination? Peanut butter and dill pickle sandwiches. 9. What is the last movie you watched? The Book Club - I am not a fan of movies at all, so seldom see them. 10. If you could go on Antiques Roadshow, what would you bring? Nothing I can think of. 11. Do you like Pina Coladas? No, I hate coconut. 12. Getting caught in the rain? No, no, no. 13. Or the smell of the ocean? Yes, yes, yes. 14. Or the taste of champagne? Yum, yum, yum! (and now you have that song as an earworm!) And I guess I don't know the song, lol.

Yaya, that sounds lovely! I live in a city that's demographic is about 70% Asian population. So while we have most of the larger chain restaurants, the majority of our smaller restaurants are Asian cuisine. People here regularly frequent restaurants for Dim Sum. (A casual meal, usually enjoyed anytime from morning until midday, with a huge variety of items to select from, via serving carts that are wheeled amongst the tables. Choices are typically presented in small serving sizes, to afford tabletop space for sampling many items.) Restaurants that serve Dim Sum are very popular places to meet, so no prior plans are usually made by locals, as one just knows their chances of bumping into friends, is quite high. Traditionally, Dim Sum is the one meal that Asian restaurants usually NEVER have any qualms about allowing customers to sit there drinkng tea, after they've finished eating, despite new arrivals lined up to wait for a table. Not growing up in that culture, I feel uncomfortable if there is a lineup of people waiting, and tend to urge my family to not 'dawdle.' But if DH's father is with us, he will take his time drinking as many after meal cups of tea as he wants, as Dim Sum customers traditionally know that no one is expected to hurry, line ups or not. I can't say if this is typical in all cities, but in mine, the restaurants are very traditional.