![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Hi Meri! I thought this would be an easier way to make recommendations, since I don't have to worry about a character limit and can embed links and do a little formatting.
First things first. Let's get you oriented. This map of Manhattan neighborhoods is a good start. (Although the area just west of Times Square is more properly Hell's Kitchen than "Midtown West.")
The Financial District is where you'll find Wall Street, City Hall, etc. It's interesting to walk around, but other than gaping at all the tall expensive buildings, probably not too much for you.
Chinatown has gotten much bigger and pretty much swallowed Little Italy. You'll find some good restaurants here and a lot of stuff that's actually in Chinese. Patrick might be interested in walking around what's left of Little Italy, but I suspect he's already been there.
The other neighborhoods in downtown each have their own feel, but are mostly residential. Although you will find Forbidden Planet (a famous comic book shop) over near Union Square.
Times Square is filled with tourists 24/7. It's the part of the city you see in all the movies, and there are some cool stores with novelty items to explore. Midtown Comics (the city's other major comic book store) is in the area. You'll find all sorts of people from everywhere bustling through. City law states that every storefront in the area has to have a significant lighted sign (neon now giving way to LED displays), so even the police station, Army recruiting office, and McDonald's all look glitzy. It's worth visiting at night just for the experience. Be on the lookout for people dressed as popular characters. They're there to take pictures with tourists, but they expect tips in return and can get angry if you don't. (The people standing on the corner shouting about Jesus and the End of Days are best ignored.) Besides Broadway shows, you'll find comedy clubs, a video arcade, movie theater, and other entertainment. Do not look for restaurants here. You'll only find big chains selling mediocre junk food. There are also hop on/hop off bus tours available, and people on the street trying to sell you tickets. Don't do it.
Hell's Kitchen is just west of Times Square. (If you watch Daredevil, that's where it takes place.) The area used to be a hotbed of gang violence to the point that the police were afraid to set foot there. The story goes that a rookie cop being shown around said "This is Hell," and his partner said "No, it's worse. This is Hell's Kitchen" (as in the one place even more fiery than Hell) and the name stuck. That was a century ago, though. Now it's a nice neighborhood with pretty brownstone apartments and some really good restaurants.
Midtown East is the fancy shopping district. 5th Avenue in particular is just a row of high end stores. You'll also find Rockefeller Center, which has an underground shopping mall, outdoor ice skating rink, and more. I'll get back to that shortly, as it's my first recommended stop.
Central Park is huge and should definitely be explored. There's a lot to it. I think you'll like the Alice in Wonderland statues in their little playground. And it's just nice to step away from the bustle of the city into something more natural. At the southeast corner of the park, you'll find horse and buggies ready to take you for a romantic ride. Those are fun, but surprisingly expensive.
The Upper West Side is where my sisters live. It's mostly residential, although Broadway continues up this way with shops and restaurants. It's also where you'll find the Museum of Natural History.
The Upper East Side is also mostly residential, although you'll find the Met Museum here.
North of Central Park is Harlem and Spanish Harlem (labeled East Harlem on the map). You may know the area from watching Luke Cage. It's mostly a poorer neighborhood, although people like my evil uncle are trying to change that (in not very ethical ways).
Of course, there's more to NYC than Manhattan. I don't think you'll have much reason to explore the Bronx, but Brooklyn is where a lot of the artists, hipsters, and geeks who couldn't afford to live in Manhattan anymore moved. There are also enclaves of Eastern European (Georgia, Ukraine, etc) immigrants with their own neighborhoods. Astoria in Queens has a large Greek population.
Nerd York City is a good place to look for geeky events and happenings.
The Not For Tourists guide comes in print or app form and has handy information about how to get around the city and what's where.
NYC GO has good general information. NYC.com is another good one to browse.
NYC.gov has the city events calendar.
Time Out New York has tourist information and events listings.
The subway is usually the best way to get around. The MyTransit app on Android is my favorite, as it has offline maps, a trip planner, and up to date information on delays and closures. The official city website is MTA.info.
Yellow taxis are heavily regulated. They all offer the same prices and services and can be readily found on major avenues. A lit sign on top means it's available. If the sign is not lit, that means the cab is either occupied or off duty. Hold your hand out, and they'll pull over for you. The drivers are notoriously aggressive, but they will get you directly where you're going.
Green cabs are a recent introduction. They're not allowed to pick anyone up in Midtown so they probably won't want to take you there (even though they are legally required to take you wherever you want to go in the city). They're meant to help make cabs more available uptown and in the outer boroughs. Prices are the same as the yellow ones.
Uber and Lyft both operate in the city under the supervision of the same Taxi & Limousine Commission as the yellow and green taxis. So, unlike other cities, drivers are somewhat regulated and given background checks. Lyft drivers are supposedly friendlier and chattier. I haven't tried them yet.
Buses will take the same Metrocard as the subway. They're cheap and readily available. But they stop often and, because they run along the busiest streets, are prone to getting caught in traffic.
If you're looking for a little more exercise, City Bike is run by the city government. Rent a bike from stands scattered across the city and return it to a different stand when you're done. It's scary biking through traffic, but it does get you where you're going.
Otherwise, walking will get you around. People on the streets will generally ignore you. This is a form of politeness. The city is so packed that personal space is at a premium. So you just sort of pretend that no one else exists and give everyone else the illusion of privacy. However, if you need help or directions, you can usually just stop anyone and they'll be friendly and helpful.
Tipping: 15-20 is the norm for restaurants and such. It's good for cabs, too, although you can also just do a few dollars. (Cabs, like most restaurants, let you pay by credit card and include the tip that way.) If someone is helping with your luggage (airport, hotel, taxi, etc.), $1/bag is the norm. A few dollars if someone brings something to your hotel room would not be amiss. Tipping is much more common and expected in the US.
I always start my out of town friends at Top of the Rock. That's the observation deck at the top of Rockefeller Center. There are also observations decks at The Empire State Building and The World Trade Center. Tickets to each will be about $50/person (give or take depending on the options you select). Top of the Rock is the 66th floor, whereas the ESB has decks on the 86th and 102nd floors and the WTC has a deck on the 102nd floor, as well. The view from higher up is a lot different, but I find that 66th floor is more than enough to get a good look around without everything becoming too small to see. Rockefeller Center has a great view of the Empire State Building (which you obviously can't see if you're at the ESB looking out) and the best view of Central Park. It's a great way to get a good look around and an understanding of what's where. The line at Top of the Rock is usually shorter, too. Make sure to look up when the elevator starts moving. (Note that there is a security check before you go up, so make sure you don't have a pocketknife or anything like that on you.)
Alternatively, there's The Rainbow Room. My sister got married in a previous iteration of the restaurant and bar. It's on the 65th floor of Rockefeller Center, so just below the observation deck. And you don't have to buy tickets to go there. However, you probably need reservations and dinner is pricey. (I don't think you're much for cocktails at the bar.) It does have big plate glass windows to make the most of the city views, and you're indoors so you don't have to worry about the cold wind.
The Statue of Liberty is a NYC icon. It's relatively easy to get ferry tickets there. The ferry also takes you to Ellis Island, which is where many immigrants first arrived and is now a museum of immigration history. However, if you actually want to go inside the statue museum or climb up to the crown, you'll need reservations well in advance. You do get a nice view of the city from the top of the pedestal museum. Alternatively, the Staten Island Ferry is free and takes you closer to the statue than any of the paid tour boats. You can also get a good view of it from Battery Park at the southwestern edge of the financial district.
You may have seen the Roosevelt Island Tram in the first Spider-Man movie. It's run by the city and costs the same as a subway ride. Even uses the same Metrocard. There isn't much to see on Roosevelt Island itself, but the tram gives you a beautiful and unique view of Manhattan for a very low price. The island is nice for a bit of a walk, and it gives you the best view of the United Nations building.
The Metropolitan Museum Of Art (AKA The Met) is a beautiful museum filled with all sorts of neat stuff. Ancient Greek artifacts, medieval armor from Europe and Asia, an actual Egyptian temple (gifted to the museum in thanks for American help in saving the area from a flood), and more. They've also got a roof garden with a snack bar and a nice view of Central Park. The front of the building is gorgeous, especially at night.
The American Museum of Natural History is fascinating. (You may have seen it in Night At The Museum, which is a fun movie.) Dinosaurs. A life-sized blue whale hanging from the ceiling. The solar system. Gems and minerals. A room full of gold. An actual meteor. And the planetarium overseen by Neil DeGrasse Tyson.
Grand Central Station is ostensibly just a train station and subway hub, but it's beautiful. And bustling. And it has some neat shops and stuff. Worth exploring if you're in the area.
The Spy Museum is a museum about actual spies. I've been to a similar one in Washington DC and it was pretty cool. I haven't been to this one, but I hear good things. I think you'll like it.
The Intrepid Museum is an actual aircraft carrier parked near Midtown. They've got fighter planes from around the world, a submarine, a space shuttle, and more.
You should probably try to see a show while you're in town. Broadway.com is a good place to see what's playing and learn more about the shows. There is another way, though. TKTS sells off last-minute tickets. They're a lot cheaper than buying tickets in advance. But there's no guarantee they'll have anything for a show that you want, the lines can be long, and you'll have to be prepared to be spontaneous with your plans.
You might be interested in Geocaching. If you're not familiar... regular people leave hidden canisters in various places and fill them with small cheap trinkets. You might have to solve some puzzles to find one. Or the location might be listed directly. When you do find it, you sign the little visitor sheet tucked inside, take a souvenir, and leave a replacement trinket behind. There are caches tucked everywhere around the city.
Busking in the city: It's not allowed in the streets. Rules are more relaxed in Central Park. Wander around long enough and you'll probably find some performer or other. Many of them just doing it for the fun of it. Busking in the subway, however, requires a license. To get one, you have to audition, and there's a lot of competition. So the musicians you'll find in the major subway stations are usually pretty good.
Oh, and since you're staying in Weehawken, their public libary is beautiful.
For restaurant reviews, you'll want to look at Zagats guide and Yelp.
Restaurant reservations can often be booked through Open Table.
Diners: There are many of them scattered around the city. Most of the better ones are run by Greek immigrants and offer things like gyros and greek salads alongside the usual diner fare of burgers and pasta. Stardust diner is more classic, gets good reviews, and has singing waitstaff. There's a list of some other possibilibies from Timeout NYC. There's a fair amount of overlap between that list and Eater's list. You can also just ask Google Maps for diners near you and see what you stumble upon.
Junior's is a local diner chain you might like. I didn't find the food to be anything special, but... they do pride themselves on their cheesecake.
Five Guys burgers & fries is a popular local chain. It's what it says on the label: Burgers and fries. They're good. And about the only place in Times Square I'd recommend.
Shake Shack is another local chain. Burgers, hot dogs, and milk shakes in a somewhat diner-like setting.
The thing about NYC is that it doesn't really have its own cuisine. (Other than maybe delis and proper pizza.) It's more that it's a city of immigrants, each bringing their own flavors and carving out their own small slice of home. Pick a country and you can probably find something from there. For example, you might be interested in the Hungarian Pastry Shop on the Upper West Side.
If you're on the go, don't be afraid to try something from a food truck parked next to the sidewalk. It's pretty impressive what they can do from inside a little truck.
Meske Ethiopian restaurant is always a treat for me. One of several good Ethiopian restaurants in the city. Order a couple of combination platters to share between the two of you. Food is served on top of basically a giant thick crepe. You get a big glop of each dish and a side of more crepes. Rip off some bread, scoop up what you want, and stuff it in your face. Really flavorful dishes with a range of vegetarian, chicken, beef, and lamb available. The nearby Queen of Sheba is also good and has fun native wicker tables available.
Gyu-Kaku has an interesting take on Japanese food. Order small amounts of meat and veggies and then cook them yourself using a fire pit in the middle of the table. They have three locations scattered around the city. It's not my favorite thing, personally, but it is good and an unusual experience.
Ninja restaurant looks interesting, though I haven't been there. I mean, come on. You can get fed by ninjas.
Kashkaval Garden is where I had my birthday dinner this year. They have fondue and Greek food in a beautiful setting.
Turkuaz is one of my favorites on the Upper West Side. It's Turkish food at reasonable prices in a relaxing atmosphere with good food and friendly service.
Zengo is one of several places in the city that offers all you can eat Sunday brunch. It's a little pricey, but you get a good variety of quality small plates. (You'll find a lot more brunch options in Brooklyn. It's the in thing there now.)
Speaking of all you can eat, there's Churrascaria Plataforma, a Brazilian steakhouse. For one flat fee, they'll keep bringing all sorts of roasted meats to your table and carve off as much or as little as you want. Serve yourself salad, potatoes, and other sides from the central buffet. I suspect this will be a little heavy for you, but it is nice to have that variety and freedom.
The Cheesecake Factory doesn't have any locations in Manhattan, but there are a few in the area. There's usually a long wait for a table and service is slow. But the food is really good. And their dessert menu is an entire page of cheesecake flavors. (There's one in San Jose, too. I'm planning to go there with Andvari at some point during TwitchCon.)
There's plenty more, of course. But much of the fun is exploring around and seeing what you find. This should be a good start for you, I think. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Have a great trip! Looking forward to meeting you when I get home from Colorado.
Erd can tell you more about Philly, but I've been there a few times. You'll mostly want to stick near the touristy stuff.
City Tavern is my favorite restaurant in the city. It's where the founders used to hang out after a long day of trying to write the Constitution. They use recipes from Martha Washington and Thomas Jefferson and others of their day. It's cozy, interesting, historic, and very good.
That is, of course, just down the street from Independence Hall, which was the original capital of the US and the location where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were written. You can tour it.
The Franklin Institute is one of the cooler science museums I've found. Among other things, there's a giant replica of a human heart you can walk through.
Philly also has a charming Chinatown by the waterfront.
To get to Philadelphia from Weehawken, go to the Secaucus Junction train station. Take the Northeast Corridor train to Trenton. Northeast Corridor trains go from Penn Station in NYC (stopping at Weehawken along the way) down to Trenton, NJ. Transfer at Trenton to the SEPTA train, which will take you to Philly.
Orientation
First things first. Let's get you oriented. This map of Manhattan neighborhoods is a good start. (Although the area just west of Times Square is more properly Hell's Kitchen than "Midtown West.")
The Financial District is where you'll find Wall Street, City Hall, etc. It's interesting to walk around, but other than gaping at all the tall expensive buildings, probably not too much for you.
Chinatown has gotten much bigger and pretty much swallowed Little Italy. You'll find some good restaurants here and a lot of stuff that's actually in Chinese. Patrick might be interested in walking around what's left of Little Italy, but I suspect he's already been there.
The other neighborhoods in downtown each have their own feel, but are mostly residential. Although you will find Forbidden Planet (a famous comic book shop) over near Union Square.
Times Square is filled with tourists 24/7. It's the part of the city you see in all the movies, and there are some cool stores with novelty items to explore. Midtown Comics (the city's other major comic book store) is in the area. You'll find all sorts of people from everywhere bustling through. City law states that every storefront in the area has to have a significant lighted sign (neon now giving way to LED displays), so even the police station, Army recruiting office, and McDonald's all look glitzy. It's worth visiting at night just for the experience. Be on the lookout for people dressed as popular characters. They're there to take pictures with tourists, but they expect tips in return and can get angry if you don't. (The people standing on the corner shouting about Jesus and the End of Days are best ignored.) Besides Broadway shows, you'll find comedy clubs, a video arcade, movie theater, and other entertainment. Do not look for restaurants here. You'll only find big chains selling mediocre junk food. There are also hop on/hop off bus tours available, and people on the street trying to sell you tickets. Don't do it.
Hell's Kitchen is just west of Times Square. (If you watch Daredevil, that's where it takes place.) The area used to be a hotbed of gang violence to the point that the police were afraid to set foot there. The story goes that a rookie cop being shown around said "This is Hell," and his partner said "No, it's worse. This is Hell's Kitchen" (as in the one place even more fiery than Hell) and the name stuck. That was a century ago, though. Now it's a nice neighborhood with pretty brownstone apartments and some really good restaurants.
Midtown East is the fancy shopping district. 5th Avenue in particular is just a row of high end stores. You'll also find Rockefeller Center, which has an underground shopping mall, outdoor ice skating rink, and more. I'll get back to that shortly, as it's my first recommended stop.
Central Park is huge and should definitely be explored. There's a lot to it. I think you'll like the Alice in Wonderland statues in their little playground. And it's just nice to step away from the bustle of the city into something more natural. At the southeast corner of the park, you'll find horse and buggies ready to take you for a romantic ride. Those are fun, but surprisingly expensive.
The Upper West Side is where my sisters live. It's mostly residential, although Broadway continues up this way with shops and restaurants. It's also where you'll find the Museum of Natural History.
The Upper East Side is also mostly residential, although you'll find the Met Museum here.
North of Central Park is Harlem and Spanish Harlem (labeled East Harlem on the map). You may know the area from watching Luke Cage. It's mostly a poorer neighborhood, although people like my evil uncle are trying to change that (in not very ethical ways).
Of course, there's more to NYC than Manhattan. I don't think you'll have much reason to explore the Bronx, but Brooklyn is where a lot of the artists, hipsters, and geeks who couldn't afford to live in Manhattan anymore moved. There are also enclaves of Eastern European (Georgia, Ukraine, etc) immigrants with their own neighborhoods. Astoria in Queens has a large Greek population.
Apps and Information
Nerd York City is a good place to look for geeky events and happenings.
The Not For Tourists guide comes in print or app form and has handy information about how to get around the city and what's where.
NYC GO has good general information. NYC.com is another good one to browse.
NYC.gov has the city events calendar.
Time Out New York has tourist information and events listings.
Getting Around
The subway is usually the best way to get around. The MyTransit app on Android is my favorite, as it has offline maps, a trip planner, and up to date information on delays and closures. The official city website is MTA.info.
Yellow taxis are heavily regulated. They all offer the same prices and services and can be readily found on major avenues. A lit sign on top means it's available. If the sign is not lit, that means the cab is either occupied or off duty. Hold your hand out, and they'll pull over for you. The drivers are notoriously aggressive, but they will get you directly where you're going.
Green cabs are a recent introduction. They're not allowed to pick anyone up in Midtown so they probably won't want to take you there (even though they are legally required to take you wherever you want to go in the city). They're meant to help make cabs more available uptown and in the outer boroughs. Prices are the same as the yellow ones.
Uber and Lyft both operate in the city under the supervision of the same Taxi & Limousine Commission as the yellow and green taxis. So, unlike other cities, drivers are somewhat regulated and given background checks. Lyft drivers are supposedly friendlier and chattier. I haven't tried them yet.
Buses will take the same Metrocard as the subway. They're cheap and readily available. But they stop often and, because they run along the busiest streets, are prone to getting caught in traffic.
If you're looking for a little more exercise, City Bike is run by the city government. Rent a bike from stands scattered across the city and return it to a different stand when you're done. It's scary biking through traffic, but it does get you where you're going.
Otherwise, walking will get you around. People on the streets will generally ignore you. This is a form of politeness. The city is so packed that personal space is at a premium. So you just sort of pretend that no one else exists and give everyone else the illusion of privacy. However, if you need help or directions, you can usually just stop anyone and they'll be friendly and helpful.
Tipping: 15-20 is the norm for restaurants and such. It's good for cabs, too, although you can also just do a few dollars. (Cabs, like most restaurants, let you pay by credit card and include the tip that way.) If someone is helping with your luggage (airport, hotel, taxi, etc.), $1/bag is the norm. A few dollars if someone brings something to your hotel room would not be amiss. Tipping is much more common and expected in the US.
Things To See and Do
I always start my out of town friends at Top of the Rock. That's the observation deck at the top of Rockefeller Center. There are also observations decks at The Empire State Building and The World Trade Center. Tickets to each will be about $50/person (give or take depending on the options you select). Top of the Rock is the 66th floor, whereas the ESB has decks on the 86th and 102nd floors and the WTC has a deck on the 102nd floor, as well. The view from higher up is a lot different, but I find that 66th floor is more than enough to get a good look around without everything becoming too small to see. Rockefeller Center has a great view of the Empire State Building (which you obviously can't see if you're at the ESB looking out) and the best view of Central Park. It's a great way to get a good look around and an understanding of what's where. The line at Top of the Rock is usually shorter, too. Make sure to look up when the elevator starts moving. (Note that there is a security check before you go up, so make sure you don't have a pocketknife or anything like that on you.)
Alternatively, there's The Rainbow Room. My sister got married in a previous iteration of the restaurant and bar. It's on the 65th floor of Rockefeller Center, so just below the observation deck. And you don't have to buy tickets to go there. However, you probably need reservations and dinner is pricey. (I don't think you're much for cocktails at the bar.) It does have big plate glass windows to make the most of the city views, and you're indoors so you don't have to worry about the cold wind.
The Statue of Liberty is a NYC icon. It's relatively easy to get ferry tickets there. The ferry also takes you to Ellis Island, which is where many immigrants first arrived and is now a museum of immigration history. However, if you actually want to go inside the statue museum or climb up to the crown, you'll need reservations well in advance. You do get a nice view of the city from the top of the pedestal museum. Alternatively, the Staten Island Ferry is free and takes you closer to the statue than any of the paid tour boats. You can also get a good view of it from Battery Park at the southwestern edge of the financial district.
You may have seen the Roosevelt Island Tram in the first Spider-Man movie. It's run by the city and costs the same as a subway ride. Even uses the same Metrocard. There isn't much to see on Roosevelt Island itself, but the tram gives you a beautiful and unique view of Manhattan for a very low price. The island is nice for a bit of a walk, and it gives you the best view of the United Nations building.
The Metropolitan Museum Of Art (AKA The Met) is a beautiful museum filled with all sorts of neat stuff. Ancient Greek artifacts, medieval armor from Europe and Asia, an actual Egyptian temple (gifted to the museum in thanks for American help in saving the area from a flood), and more. They've also got a roof garden with a snack bar and a nice view of Central Park. The front of the building is gorgeous, especially at night.
The American Museum of Natural History is fascinating. (You may have seen it in Night At The Museum, which is a fun movie.) Dinosaurs. A life-sized blue whale hanging from the ceiling. The solar system. Gems and minerals. A room full of gold. An actual meteor. And the planetarium overseen by Neil DeGrasse Tyson.
Grand Central Station is ostensibly just a train station and subway hub, but it's beautiful. And bustling. And it has some neat shops and stuff. Worth exploring if you're in the area.
The Spy Museum is a museum about actual spies. I've been to a similar one in Washington DC and it was pretty cool. I haven't been to this one, but I hear good things. I think you'll like it.
The Intrepid Museum is an actual aircraft carrier parked near Midtown. They've got fighter planes from around the world, a submarine, a space shuttle, and more.
You should probably try to see a show while you're in town. Broadway.com is a good place to see what's playing and learn more about the shows. There is another way, though. TKTS sells off last-minute tickets. They're a lot cheaper than buying tickets in advance. But there's no guarantee they'll have anything for a show that you want, the lines can be long, and you'll have to be prepared to be spontaneous with your plans.
You might be interested in Geocaching. If you're not familiar... regular people leave hidden canisters in various places and fill them with small cheap trinkets. You might have to solve some puzzles to find one. Or the location might be listed directly. When you do find it, you sign the little visitor sheet tucked inside, take a souvenir, and leave a replacement trinket behind. There are caches tucked everywhere around the city.
Busking in the city: It's not allowed in the streets. Rules are more relaxed in Central Park. Wander around long enough and you'll probably find some performer or other. Many of them just doing it for the fun of it. Busking in the subway, however, requires a license. To get one, you have to audition, and there's a lot of competition. So the musicians you'll find in the major subway stations are usually pretty good.
Oh, and since you're staying in Weehawken, their public libary is beautiful.
Food
For restaurant reviews, you'll want to look at Zagats guide and Yelp.
Restaurant reservations can often be booked through Open Table.
Diners: There are many of them scattered around the city. Most of the better ones are run by Greek immigrants and offer things like gyros and greek salads alongside the usual diner fare of burgers and pasta. Stardust diner is more classic, gets good reviews, and has singing waitstaff. There's a list of some other possibilibies from Timeout NYC. There's a fair amount of overlap between that list and Eater's list. You can also just ask Google Maps for diners near you and see what you stumble upon.
Junior's is a local diner chain you might like. I didn't find the food to be anything special, but... they do pride themselves on their cheesecake.
Five Guys burgers & fries is a popular local chain. It's what it says on the label: Burgers and fries. They're good. And about the only place in Times Square I'd recommend.
Shake Shack is another local chain. Burgers, hot dogs, and milk shakes in a somewhat diner-like setting.
The thing about NYC is that it doesn't really have its own cuisine. (Other than maybe delis and proper pizza.) It's more that it's a city of immigrants, each bringing their own flavors and carving out their own small slice of home. Pick a country and you can probably find something from there. For example, you might be interested in the Hungarian Pastry Shop on the Upper West Side.
If you're on the go, don't be afraid to try something from a food truck parked next to the sidewalk. It's pretty impressive what they can do from inside a little truck.
Meske Ethiopian restaurant is always a treat for me. One of several good Ethiopian restaurants in the city. Order a couple of combination platters to share between the two of you. Food is served on top of basically a giant thick crepe. You get a big glop of each dish and a side of more crepes. Rip off some bread, scoop up what you want, and stuff it in your face. Really flavorful dishes with a range of vegetarian, chicken, beef, and lamb available. The nearby Queen of Sheba is also good and has fun native wicker tables available.
Gyu-Kaku has an interesting take on Japanese food. Order small amounts of meat and veggies and then cook them yourself using a fire pit in the middle of the table. They have three locations scattered around the city. It's not my favorite thing, personally, but it is good and an unusual experience.
Ninja restaurant looks interesting, though I haven't been there. I mean, come on. You can get fed by ninjas.
Kashkaval Garden is where I had my birthday dinner this year. They have fondue and Greek food in a beautiful setting.
Turkuaz is one of my favorites on the Upper West Side. It's Turkish food at reasonable prices in a relaxing atmosphere with good food and friendly service.
Zengo is one of several places in the city that offers all you can eat Sunday brunch. It's a little pricey, but you get a good variety of quality small plates. (You'll find a lot more brunch options in Brooklyn. It's the in thing there now.)
Speaking of all you can eat, there's Churrascaria Plataforma, a Brazilian steakhouse. For one flat fee, they'll keep bringing all sorts of roasted meats to your table and carve off as much or as little as you want. Serve yourself salad, potatoes, and other sides from the central buffet. I suspect this will be a little heavy for you, but it is nice to have that variety and freedom.
The Cheesecake Factory doesn't have any locations in Manhattan, but there are a few in the area. There's usually a long wait for a table and service is slow. But the food is really good. And their dessert menu is an entire page of cheesecake flavors. (There's one in San Jose, too. I'm planning to go there with Andvari at some point during TwitchCon.)
There's plenty more, of course. But much of the fun is exploring around and seeing what you find. This should be a good start for you, I think. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Have a great trip! Looking forward to meeting you when I get home from Colorado.
Philly
Erd can tell you more about Philly, but I've been there a few times. You'll mostly want to stick near the touristy stuff.
City Tavern is my favorite restaurant in the city. It's where the founders used to hang out after a long day of trying to write the Constitution. They use recipes from Martha Washington and Thomas Jefferson and others of their day. It's cozy, interesting, historic, and very good.
That is, of course, just down the street from Independence Hall, which was the original capital of the US and the location where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were written. You can tour it.
The Franklin Institute is one of the cooler science museums I've found. Among other things, there's a giant replica of a human heart you can walk through.
Philly also has a charming Chinatown by the waterfront.
To get to Philadelphia from Weehawken, go to the Secaucus Junction train station. Take the Northeast Corridor train to Trenton. Northeast Corridor trains go from Penn Station in NYC (stopping at Weehawken along the way) down to Trenton, NJ. Transfer at Trenton to the SEPTA train, which will take you to Philly.