best in one day?????

taking my inlaws for a full day in the city. they are from san diego. one of them has never been to nyc. we have tix to a show at night.

they are an older middle aged couple. i don%26#39;t think they will be able to walk a ton. but I just want to show them a few key things. although I%26#39;m from the area. just looking for opinions and highlights.

best in one day?????

I do Central Park, perhaps lunch at the Boathouse, maybe an hour or so in the Met Museum, and a bus down 5th Avenue to see a few midtown sights -- St. Patrick%26#39;s, Rock Center. then a light pre-theater supper. And apres-theater nightcap at the Rainbow Grill.

best in one day?????

some great ideas bettina. you are so helpful.

good news is I will have my car so I plan on driving a bit ';off rush hour to to some of the drive-by highlights.

I want them to see times square at night.

what do you think about dinner? carmines always an option as is virgils. and nothing like a good steakhouse. what do you think of dinner?

does the rainbow grill have a good view? I%26#39;ve been to beekman tower for drinks at night. that is pretty neat.

If you%26#39;ve got your car and it%26#39;s on a weekend, I%26#39;d drive them through all the major neighborhoods and let them decide when they%26#39;d like to get out and explore.

A theoretical plan starting on the upper eastside, start at 105th %26amp; Fifth Ave. and let me get out and see the Conservatory Garden in Central Park. Then continue downtown on Fifth passing the Guggenheim. If you can park near 86th st., get out and have coffee and a pastry at Cafe Sabarsky in the Neue Museum and a look around the Musuem (Viennese art). Then walk down to the Met. Let them go in if they want and just see a few highlights like the sculpture garden and stop at the roof terrace. Continue heading downtown and pass the old Plaza, Bergdorf etc., Rock Ctr. Then head down toward the Union Square market. and on into the village. Head for the Staten Island ferry and let them take the roundtrip ride. Then start heading back uptown. If you have time before dinner, drive them through the upper westside and let them see the Dakota, Mus. of Nat. History.

For dinner it depends on what sort of food they like. If they%26#39;re adventurous, I%26#39;d take them some place ethnic for food they can%26#39;t get at home. Via Brasil has been highly praised on this board for Brazilian on west 46th st. Seems to me you can get Italian anywhere and San Diego has pretty decent dining. The other thought is some place with a view. Foley Fish House in the Renaissance hotel might appeal to them with a view of TS.

The Rainbow Grill does have a good view. It%26#39;s much higher than the Beekman Tower. Another place in the TS area with a view is Above in the Hilton TS hotel.

I love Carmine%26#39;s, but it wouldn%26#39;t be my choice for pre-theater. Too much heavy food -- I%26#39;d probably nod off midway into the first act. My preference would be some place like Orso, or Le Madeleine, where I could have either a couple of appetizers or a light meal before a show.

The Rainbow Grill offers the ultimate romantic New York view! The cocktails are expensive, but I think it%26#39;s oh-so-worth-it!

www.cipriani.com

If you%26#39;re seeing a show, that%26#39;s the best time to see Times Square. I think it%26#39;s thrilling to watch everyone race to their theaters. And then afterward to walk the few blocks over to the GE Building for cocktails, you%26#39;ll see Times Square at its liveliest.