Question for the NYC experts

Hello to all New York-dwelling experts! I was last in New York City last October, and already I’m getting withdrawal symptoms, so have started thinking about my next visit. Each time I visit your wonderful city I like to explore a bit more. Over my last seven stays there I think I’ve more or less covered the whole of Manhattan from Cloisters to the Financial District. I really think I’ve seen just about every skyscraper (Chrysler and Woolworth still my favourites), interesting building (the Ford Foundation with its 12-story atrium is special), shop, attraction, area, museum, church (St John the Divine is the best!) and place of interest in every guidebook. I’ve done the “You’ve got Mail” tour of the Upper Westside, visited Roosevelt Island (just love that place), walked over Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, been numerous times on the Staten Island Ferry, visited the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, done the Circle Line trip and a helicopter trip. I’ve been to the Bronx Zoo and Coney Island, paid a visit to Jackson Heights and DUMBO (the latter was somewhat of a let-down). Now my question is – is there anything special/different/quirky that I’ve missed?? Any little corner not mentioned in any guidebook that’s worth visiting? I did have one thought for my next visit – City Island. I think I’ll do a day-trip there. But I’d really love any other suggestions anyone might have.

Hoping you don’t think I’m a nutcase! Cheers, Cindy

Question for the NYC experts

There are many other parts of Brooklyn besides DUMBO %26amp; Coney Island that might be interesting for you. Propect Park, the Brooklyn Museum, BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music).

Astoria in Queens, just over the 59th st. bridge is another up and coming area with some museums and ethnic restaurants as well as a design center. The Noguchi museum there is supposed to be great and there%26#39;s a shuttle bus on weekends from the Asia Society.

Since you seem to be interested in buildings and neighborhoods, you might have a look at the website for the Municpal Arts Society which gives excellent tours and might spark some more ideas

http://www.mas.org/Events/tours.cfm

Question for the NYC experts

Wow! anyone who included Jackson Hts on their NYC to do list is alright in my book. Have you gone to Forrest Hills yet? A woman I work with just made the big move from Manhattan out to Queens and is raving about how cute the area is. Even though I live next door and have driven through it, I have been yet to plan an afternoon of checking out the area, but have been meaning to.

Have you considered moving here?

www.villagevoice.com/realestate/index.php

Check out Smth Street and Court Street, in Carroll Gardens and Boeurum Hill. Also, Park Slope - 5th and 7th Ave. for shopping and eating, 6th, 8th and Prospect Park West for beautiful brownstones and mansions.

http://www.smalltownbrooklyn.com/index.html

http://www.brooklynnow.com/

http://www.montaukclub.com/home.cfm

www.bigapplegreeter.org/ images/BK_Park%20Slope_Sept04.pdf

Read Jonathan Lethem%26#39;s ';Fortress of Sollitude'; and then visit these neighborhoods.

Consider a jaunt to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx for a taste of a terrific Little Italy-type area.

While you%26#39;re at Arthur Ave stop in at the NY Botanical Garden%26#39;s the Bronx%26#39;s great horticultural attraction.

Park slope/Prospect Park/ Brooklyn Museuma and the hipster neighborhood of williamsburg come to mind immediately.

Thank you SO much, everyone! That%26#39;s exactly the kind of info I was after. To ';Queensboulevard'; - funny you should ask that! Yes, I would actually love to spend a year in New York - it%26#39;s my dream to do this at some stage in the future. I don%26#39;t know why I love NY so much - to me, Manhattan is actually a living, breathing entity - I can hear its heartbeat and feel its pulse when I%26#39;m there. I always feel like throwing my arms round the whole city and giving it a big hug! Okay, so I am a bit of a nutcase where this city is concerned!

But thanks again - I%26#39;ve now got lots more to look forward to on my next visit. and as several of you suggest, I will venture more into the other boroughs as there%26#39;s plenty to see there if one just knows where to look! Cheers, Cindy

P.S. What do you think of the City Island idea?