Aside from the normal tourist attractions/traps, have you ever been and ended up in a place that you would highly recommend?

Talking about restaurants, museums, off beat attraction, market, coffee shop - anything that isn't Statue of Liberty, Broadway, Macy's or Empire State Building (think you get the gist!)

I'm seconded out here for work at the moment but with a family so don't get to sample too much of the nightlife. What time of year are you considering? There are quite a few Christmas attractions coming up that look quite good (Rockettes at Radio City Hall being one of them).

Since we have been here we have enjoyed the following:
- Central park is a must. I know that most people say this but it really does need to be seen to be believed. There are so many different parts to the park that need to be explored.
- I would also just go and have a look round the different parts of the City away from midtown. Have a wander round the Upper East and Upper West side as there are so many different bars and restaurants that the locals go to (I'm a big fan of Carmines on the Upper West!)
- I would also suggest seeing what events there are at Lincoln Centre as this is quite a cool venue for the Arts. Not been yet but is on the to-do list.

Having said that I dont get to sample the nightlife I am now heading off to the bar with some work colleagues so will add some more thoughts as I come up with them.

MOMI is worth going to
Take a walk over brooklyn bridge at night to take in the view of Manhattan as its all lit up

MOMI?

(I am also going to be watching this for further ideas )

http://www.movingimage.us/

Museum of the Moving Image
I was in New York in early January a few years back and it's a pleasant place to spend an afternoon or more when it is ice cold and snowing outside.

That's a great shout and I've never heard of it- will look into that as I know my wife will like that. (I initially thought you had spelt MOMA wrong )

The truth is I lived in NY for 2 years and only left in 2009. Whilst I was there, I always find little gems (bars with secret doors; amazing restaurants where tourists never ventured; men's clothing stores that were always quiet on Saturday's; chocolate factory; tea places etc etc. Anyway, before I moved there, I often found that people would come back from New York raving about something that they had done/seen etc and would ask me if I had heard of it. Even when I became a resident of Manhattan, there's often people who experience things you never knew existed.

I'm coming for Thanksgiving Jag - leaving for New York on Monday.

I love the sound of the MOMI Surprised and will definitely give that a go.

I know what you mean regarding being here and not taking advantage. We have been here 6 months and are already getting quite lazy regarding our weekends and what we are doing.

Some restaurants that are worth venturing to (very varied in price and availability to get in to):
- Serendipity 3
- Smith and Wollenskys, Del Frisco or Sparks (great steaks)
- Balthazar
- Brother Jimmys BBQ
- Per Se (if you plan on getting a second mortgage to afford a meal then this is where to go. Is the best restaurant in the world and definitely better by far than anywhere else I have ever been)

As for things to do, the Highline in the Meatpacking district is now open which I'm guessing wasnt when you were here. It's basically a park built into the old railway line that is above ground. I am doing it no justice and can't describe it but it's definitely worth a look.

When I remember other things will let you know.

Not done it myself, but have heard that you can do Kayaking tours on the Hudson. It's something I'll give a go when I go back there - sounds a great thing to do - you always get a different perspective on places from the water. Might be worth looking into, although maybe more for the summer months than Thanksgiving

Agreed. Hire some bikes and go for a cycle, remembering to check out Strawberry Fields if your are a Beatles fan (the Dakota building is nearby)

You could also get the cab to Ellis Island - where all the immigrants checked in in the 18th/19th century.

Bleaker Street is the place to go of a night (well, it was in 97). Nice bars. Can't remember there being too many clubs here.

The Bronx Zoo is good, even if the schoolkids on daytrips are scarier than some of the exhibits, although beware, you cannot get a cab back, as I found out to my cost and had to negotiate a couple of blocks of the bronx before getting the train

There's a place called the River Cafe (just under the Brooklyn Bridge).
A snazzy dining experience http://www.rivercafe.com/

Rainbow Room (top of the Rockefeller)
Somewhere to go for a drink/cocktail. Think it used to be a haunt for ganster types in the old days. Stunning views of the City.

Katz’s Delicatessen
Great for lunch…. very highly regarded (and expect to queue)!
Pastrami, brisket and corned beef are their home made specialities.
http://katzsdelicatessen.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibkthyIoZ1s watch from about 1m 25

When we went (about 9 year ago) we ended up in a 'club' which I think was called Apt. It was in the meat packing district.
It was a very surreal experience and was almost like being in an apartment (hence the name I guess)! But there was a bar and some beds!!!!

NOTE: With the recommendations above - we havent been for a long time - so dont hold it against me if these places have gone down the swanny since we were there!

Bodies!

There are lots of good bars and (err, Irish...) pubs where you can watch Premiership games live on a Saturday. The wife will love it...

Was there this summer with the family and can 2nd the walk across the Brooklyn Bridge (walked back alone at night for the views - no worries - perfectly safe). There's a very famous NY style Pizza joint under the bridge on the Brooklyn side, but I wasn't as taken with it as others seem to be.

My favorite "off the beaten track" idea is to take a walking tour. We took the Greenwich Village Tour Food tour (Foods of New York), and in addition to some decent food, were taken into some of the "old New York" that you'll miss unless you know what you're looking for.

I will also give my absolute highest reccomendation to an off-broadway show called "Avenue Q", and if you can get tickets, should try and see "The Book of Mormon" (we couldn't get in). Ave Q is a riot, but may require at least a passing familiariaty with "Sesame Street" to fully appreciate the humor (and is very non-politically correct).

MSG for a Knicks game, awesome atmosphere and tickets were as cheap as £25 (was 6 years ago mind).