Going to Manhattan with two teenagers. Advice needed.

[Gypsy]

Tomorrow. Our plans changed for today, FI had to schedule a meeting with new clients... so we didn't go. And he's booked solid tomorrow. So I'm taking the nieces into Manhattan. I want to go to H&M-- actually I want to hit 3 H&M stores-- I'm addicted to that place for casual fun summer clothing... and then just walk up 6th to the 40s go by Bryant Park... then over to fifth and the serious shopping district.

Already told the teens to wear comfy shoes. And to dress with all their parts covered.

. We're driving up to either Newark/ Pen or Secacus then taking the train into Pen Station.

Anyplace that's teen friendly to stop in and look around? The girls will be bringing some of their birthday and holiday money and want to buy fabulous (but cheap...lol) shoes and stuff with it. I'll probably pick up some things for them while I'm there. They are older teens. 16 and 17.5. The sixteen year old is sane... the seventeen year old is into long claw nails and big flashy gold jewelery (makes my head ache) and thinks being and airhead is a good thing.

Don't want to spend too much money or time on food and stuff since the primary reason for the trip is shopping... but good recommendations for Greek food: Gyros, Soulvakis (authentic, the girls are half greek), good delis for huge sandwiches, or anything ethnic and fabulous would be appreciated. I prefer a hole in the wall to a tourist trap... better food, better prices, and a feeilng of satisfaction that you've found something special.

THANKS ALL FOR YOUR HELP!

 

[Gypsy]

Please??

 

[AGBF]

I am afraid I do not shop in Manhattan, but I can recommend a Brazilian smorgasbord in the theater district. (Don''t worry; it''s definitely a hole in the wall!) If I were going to go in, I''d take my daughter to "Chicago" on broadway and to lunch at that buffet. (Actually, I did do that a couple of years ago!)

I hope some people who know the current scene in Manhattan chime in with what you want to know!

Good luck!

Deb

 

[AGBF]

PS-I never try to tell my teenage daughter where to shop. The stores change, but there is always a short list of the ones one can buy from and the ones no one would ever buy from. She looks down her nose at a store she once liked, Limited, Too, and will only go to Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, and (bringing up the rear) American Eagle and Aéropostale. Find out if your nieces want to enter the portals of any store other than the ones on their short lists!!

 

[monarch64]

If it''s not too late I will chime in! I went to NYC for the first time in my 28 years last fall with my best friend, who now lives in Jersey. I wore flip flops (comfy, but dang my feet were soooo dirty by the end of the day), and spent a whopping $3 on an I heart NYC t-shirt...my total spending for the day was less than $100. I paid my train fare to get into the city, paid for lunch, (dragged my best friend into a couple stores in the diamond district to try on emerald rings which I got ridiculous quotes for, lol) bought lunch at a pub somewhere between 47th and 42nd, took a private cab (just happenstance) to see the WTC, Chinatown, and Soho, and ended up in Little Italy where we ate dinner. Oh, and I think we were in Battery Park to look for fake Luis V handbags at one point. Didn''t buy one, TG. As a tourist, I felt like I saw a ton of things for only being there for about 8 hours and only spending a little less than $100!

 

[Kaleigh]

Gypsy,
My daughter loves Soho. She goes with friends there a lot for day trips and always comes back with the coolest stuff and doesn''t spend a bundle. She''s out with friends tonght but when she gets home I''ll ask her exactly which shops she loves in Soho. She''s 17 and the friends she goes with have grown up going to the city and live just outside in Northern NJ. I''ll ask her when she gets home which part of Soho is her fave. She''s a great bargain hunter.

 

[Gypsy]

It''s 2 am... not leaving till 11 am... so Kaleigh if you remember to ask... and get on here in time... your daughter''s input would be much apprecatied. Now i just have to figure out where soho is (been there, don''t know how to get there though).

THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTIONS ALL!!! Will post and tell you all what happens.

 

[atroop711]

Hi..I live in Manhattan (East Village)...

Soho is the area (South of Houston Street). If you are going to HM on 34 st the girls will have Gap, Old Navy (huge one), other shoe stores along that 34st strip. Upper 5th avenue is $$$ to shop. If you head to 14st and Union Sq you will see a DSW Shoe warehouse, Forever 21 (clothing store with very good prices and very "IN" things), Filene''s Basment is there too....these are all in the same building. You can take almost any train on 34st to Union Sq (2-3 stops). Buy an ALL DAY Metro Card (I think $7) and you can get on the train and bus as much as you want.

The Village also has funky shoe stores and boutiques (8st btwn Braodway and 6th ave) but the whole area is a shopping area.

If you go downtown near World Trade Center there is CENTURY 21 now that store has bargains. All designer stuff at cheap prices (including shoes)...it is all hit and miss.

Lower 5th Ave has a lot of stores...from 14st-23st along 5th ave. They have Gap, Banana Rep., Express, Zara and so many others that I can''t remember but it is a huge shopping area.

I hope this helped.

Annette
(if you need to email me you can... [email protected])

 

[atroop711]

Hi again

Forgot to add, while on 34st go to MACY''S. Their Cellar Cafe has the BEST FOOD and is inexpensive. They have anything and everything you can think of there (Hot and Cold meals)

Annette

 

[atroop711]

As for getting to SOHO you can take the bus on Broadway straight too it or you can take the F train on 6th Ave to Houston st

Annette

 

[Zooey Z]

Gypsy,
If you do go to Soho, which is great on weekends for shopping the sidewalk vendors - lots of unique, handmade pieces by designers who aren''t in stores -there is a tiny little Greek place called Snack on Thompson between Prince and Spring. They have very fresh, delicious mezze, sandwiches, etc. If it''s too crowded to sit, there are tables at a "park" on the corner. Have a ball!

Z.Z.

 

[atroop711]

Sorry PS for posting my email address. I didn''t know it wasn''t allowed.

 

[Gypsy]

WOW this was great! Had a much stranger morning than I thought I''d have so I''m running late so I''ll just have to print it out and figure things out with a good map. On the list to buy first thing: good map. LOL. ATROOP THAT WAS FABULOUS!!! THANK YOU!

 

[atroop711]

You are very welcome Gypsy! Enjoy yourself in my fair city!

 

[Gypsy]

My FSIL is an idiot. Not exactly news since she's the one I can't stand anyway. Will be voyaging into the city alone today. Still I've never been to the village or Soho... so maybe I'll give them a try.. hope it doesn't rain.

Crap... broke a nail... have to go get it fixed before starting a my new job tomorrow. Manhattan will have to wait for another week. Feel a bit sad about that though... maybe the neices (if their mother pulls her head out of her ....) can come then. THANKS ALL!

 

[klavigne]

If you stay south of SoHo around Chinatown and the Village there are tons of things to do and see and the food is awesome. Lower Man is the place to be. I forget the name of the place, but it''s on the south side of Roosevelt park on Delancey St, there is an excellent Greek dive dinner. Total hole in the wall but great food. Every time I''m over on the east side I go there to eat and visit the fish market for some fresh orange roughy, mmmmmm now I''m hungry!