Cool website and love shirt giveaway scoop. I just entered. Here's another one if you haven't heard of it. Ecko is giving away free t-shirts for a year at: http://www.marcecko.com/hiphopwired keep it real

Thank you to all of you who shared their best N.Y. tips with us!! We will be selecting 5 ppl and posting it on our facebook page for you to vote on!! It will only be up for a few days so make sure to vote for your favorite suggestion! Hope to see you all in N.Y.!

Groovy shirt! Looking forward to meeting during TBEX '10. I've only visited NYC a few times but I'd recommend: Wander through the New York City Flower Market, especially in the morning after flowers have arrived. Incredibly stunning! (28th St. from 7th Ave. to Broadway and 6th Ave. from 27th to 29th Streets) Visit Jackson Heights in Queens, great international community which can be experienced and enjoyed with the restaurants and shops. Peanut Butter & Co. sandwich shop (240 Sullivan Street) – perhaps a little over priced but variety of peanut butter-based sandwiches and they sell it there, too. Walk through Chinatown for knock-off purses and other "discounted" items, listen carefully – the guys aren't whispering sweet nothings in your ear, they’re whispering "Gucci," "Kate Spade" and "Louis". You may be invited for a private viewing but exercise common sense when invited to what looks like shady situation. Take a rickshaw ride through the city, especially fun in the evening. Make it an Asian-fusion night with sushi and sake or enjoy the City view in the bar of the New York Marriott Marquis. Off course, walk the Brooklyn Bridge, buy a hotdog and/or pretzel from a street vendor (and eat it!), wander through Greenwich Village and take a trip to Ellis Island. See ya soon!

Just 5??? Okay, while I agree with many of the suggestions others have made, I'll try not to repeat them. 1. Take the historical walking tour of Grand Central Station. 2. Buy 1/2 price, same-day tickets at the TKTS booth on 47th and Broadway, and see a Broadway show. 3. Visit the Immigration Museum at Ellis Island. Chances are, your ancestors passed through there. 4. Since you've got a whole week, why not head out to the playground of New Yorkers, Coney Island? 5. Eat as much NY street food as possible, but at the very least, try an authentic New York egg cream. As I understand it, they don't have stickball games in the streets much any more, or I'd suggest looking for one. 'Cause that's a real slice of New York life.

Eat tamales and arroz con leche from the lady on the corner of 137th & Broadway in Spanish Harlem. Grab an excellent cup of café con leche while in S.H. too. Check out the street art in the Meat Packing District. Stroll along the High Line park in the lower west side. While at the High Line, try to catch a peep show from guests at The Standard Hotel. Meet Gary, Mayor of Strawberry Fields, and his dog at the 'Imagine' mosaic in Central Park.

This will be our first visit to NYC, but I'll be cheeky enough to post the Indie Travel Podcast NYC city guide for your listening pleasure. Great stuff on the t-shirt design; look forward to meeting you soon.

The Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock might offer some spectacular panoramic views of New York City, but do they offer a delicious brunch, a year-round heated outdoor bar, and a rooftop garden? Head to 230 Fifth, which is a great time with a great view of NYC from high above. Travel underneath NYC by taking a tour of an old abandoned train station. The Atlantic Avenue Tunnel tour is a once monthly 90-minute trek through the 166-year-old half-mile long abandoned tunnel. It is narrated by guide Bob Diamond. Take a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry for sick views of the NYC skyline. Check out a Speakeasy in the East Village called PDT(short for Please Don’t Tell). In order to actually get into the bar are you must enter Crif Dogs, which is a hot dog shop. Good dogs by the way. But go over to the telephone booth and when someone picks up, they will come out and bring you in. Head to Rockaway Beach, New York (quite a hike via train, but worth it if you like old beach towns). This is where the Ramones were discovered as they would often play free shows on the boardwalk. But head to 96th street for Rockaway Taco, which is run by some surfer hippie dude and enjoy a Jarrito and chorizo or fish taco by the beach. See ya at TBEX!

Hi John and Alyson, It as been ten years ago since I visited the Big Apple. The places I would suggest are: - Little China - You can get great bargins on jewerly there. - Time Square at night- such a big crowd and lots of exictement The Statue of Liberty- clmb up the many steps and enjoy the site from her crown. Ellis Island- enjoy the history of your ansectors landed there. - Go to Rockfeller Plaza and NBC Today Show - the thrill of waiting two hours to be seen on TV for two seconds!! Have a great time in New York!!

5. Jackyl & Hyde Club. Real fun classic horror movie themed restaurant. Food is affordable (for New York) and the atmosphere can't be beat. 4. See Avenue Q on Broadway. Tony award winning musical is Sesame Street for a VERY mature audience. Includes classic songs like "Everyone's Racist" and "The Internet is for Porn" 3. Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum...duh ;) 2. Green-Wood Cemetery is an “outdoor museum” filled with extraordinary works of sculpture and architecture. Lots of cool shit! And year round tours are just $10 1. Ground Zero. I can't ever think about it without getting chills. A must experience. P.S. These are in no particular order ;)

Recently visited (and blogged) about visiting NYC with my teen daughter. We loved walking through (1) Central Park - it is really beautiful. Do your research ahead of time so you can appreciate the history and the art the abounds throughout the Park. The (2) Metropolitan Museum of Art is truly amazing - just the Egyptian exhibit alone could take hours to appreciate but don't miss the European masters. Shopping in Soho is great fun - we liked (3) Uniqlo, it is their only store in the US. We also love the (4) art deco architecture which you can see at Rockerfeller Center. Take the time to really inspect the murals on the ceilings and sculptures over entrances around Rockerfeller Center - some of them are stunning. Finally, I have to agree with the above comments that you really need to visit (5) Times Square at night to see all the lights. I'll give you one extra idea - (6) the historic ships and maritime museum at South Street Seaport. Enjoy your visit!

I am so excited for you (and anyone) visiting NY for the first time! It is an amazing city and with all of my travels--it is still my favorite city. Lots of tourist things for sure you can do... but here I highlight the 5 I take MY visitors on when showing them the city. ENJOY!!!! And let me know if you need anything while you are in town!! #1 Top of the Rock(efeller Center). Forget the Empire State Building. Not only does Top of the Rock block much of Central Park while in the Empire SB, you cannot SEE the Empire SB while in it-- and the wait times for Top of the Rock are MUCH shorter. The view here gives you an idea of just how large Manhattan is--as well as a peek at the surrounding areas and Jersey. #2 Greenwich Village Head to the intersection of Bleecker & MacDougal and you will find yourself in the center of the Village. Head to the left and wander up to Christopher St. for boutiques and alternative stores. See Cafe Wha? where Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan used to play on a regular basis and stop by my fave bar, the Fat Black Pussy Cat (130 W 3rd St) for a afternoon beverage. Be sure to also hit the NYU area and Washington Square Park. Dip your toes or your entire body in the fountain and listen to the street musicians make a soundtrack for your time there. #3 Altho this is in the village too, it gets its own # since it's so cool and gives you a taste of old NY. The Mews (between 5th Ave and University) are expensive homes on this private street (that allows pedestrians during day light hours) that at one time were the stables for the still existing brownstones facing Washington Square Park. Its neat to walk the cobble stone streets and to imagine life in those "stables" then, and now. #4 See a Broadway show. This may be a given, but you'd be surprised at how many tourists skip this. My best "save money" tip is to go to the box office the day of or even shortly before the show and take a gamble. The ticket clerk often has discounted prices--even for near front row. A great score I had once was getting "standing" tickets for $20 that were just behind the seats that cost $140 dollars. On the way to the show--and after-- take a few minutes (or more) to walk the new pedestrian only street and gaze up at the famous Times Square. Locals usually avoid this area, but even I now and then wander through. You really feel alive when walking around there-- and when you leave the area you appreciate even more the little neighborhoods within the city. #5 The High line Park in the Meatpacking District The Meatpacking District is the "in" place to be right now. Enjoy the neighborhood within the city and see the fancy shops and tons of restaurants all around. While the shops are expensive, the restaurants have deals. Best Cobb salad I have ever had is at 5 Ninth (on 9th) and the Spice Market has a great lunch menu (if you go there, ask for Hayden behind the bar. An aspiring writer from Georgia). The High line though is the draw here. An elevated existing (but not used) railway/pathway that was used back in the day to hold train cars needing service or not needed on the streets. Its been remodeled in sections to act as a walkway/park that gives the pedestrian sweeping views of the city and the Hudson River. Plenty of seating and areas to feel like you are in nature--even though you are in the middle of the city. personal plug-- I did a post on this at http://www.dianaellefson.com/articles/209 Honorable mention: Central Park. Enough said there. :)

Mama Mexico! It's a fabulous Mexican restaurant on the Upper West Side, on Broadway near Amsterdam. They have live Mariachi music and make the best Guacamole (it's made to order, at your table). Very busy place though so call ahead.

Oh my god, what a stupendous idea! Love it. And NY will be nothing short of amazing. So jealous. :)

Will you spending any time in Brooklyn? Urban City Walking Tours explore specific neighborhoods in detail. Every weekend, the Brewed in Brooklyn walking tour starts at the Brooklyn Brewery for a sampling of their craft beers, and continues on to the remaining 19th century brewery buildings that were once part of the old Brewers Row. www.urbanoyster.com

Are you heading to Brooklyn? Urban City Walking Tours explore specific neighborhoods in detail. Every weekend, the Brewed in Brooklyn walking tour of Williamsburg starts at the Brooklyn Brewery for a sampling of their craft beers, and continues on to the remaining 19th century brewery buildings that were once part of the old Brewers Row. www.urbanoyster.com

As born (at least for 1/2 of the team) and bred NYC'ers who've been away from the city traveling for almost 4 years, a few tips off the top of our head. Cloisters Museum, Staten Island Ferry, for Alyson (& John if you like) - the cheapest & best (for the price) mani/pedi @ Soho Nails. Music is a major passion & there is always lots of that in NY. Not sure if you'll be there week befoer or after the TBEX, but here is the list so far for that range from other music obsessed friends who track such things: 6/20 Band of Horses @ Williamsburg Waterfront (Brooklyn) 6/21 Medeski, Martin & Wood @ The Stone 6/24 Budos Band @ Rocks Off Cruise aboard the Temptress 6/24 The New Deal @ Brooklyn Bowl 6/25 The Fiery Furnaces @ Brooklyn Bowl 6/26-27 Furthur @ MCU Park (Brooklyn) 6/26 The Fiery Furnaces @ Mercury Lounge 6/26 The Black Hollies @ Spike Hill (Brooklyn) 6/29 Robert Randolph & The Family Band @ Bowery Ballroom 6/30 FREE Marc Ribot & Los Cubanos Postizos @ Stuyvesant Oval 7/4 FREE The Old 97's @ South Street Seaport If you want an updated music listing closer to the event remind me and I'lll send you the more updated list then.

Lots of good tips! I'm getting excited!

I've only been there once for a few days so I just don't know :( Can I say a few things I am looking forward to that are totally not unique?! Walking the Brooklyn Bridge, seeing the Statue of Liberty, wandering the halls of the NY Public Library (again, did this already and LOVE it...seeing an off-Broadway production and...at a loss but looking forward to some of the suggestions!

1. This may not be UNIQUE or out of the beaten path but it seems to be always missed by people who would rather see Empire State Building. Well skip that and go to Top of the Rock. The absolute BEST BEST view of NYC. What's the point in going to the top of Empire State Building if you can't even see the building itself? 2. Get out of New York all together for a afternoon in Hoboken, New Jersey. (Home of Frank Sinatra) with cobblestone streets. Get there on the PATH subway train. And you get an incredible view of NYC across the Hudson River. Take a scroll along the boardwalk near the river. 3. There are some absolutely AMAZING restaurants on the main strip in Hoboken. Eat at the best Cuban (and budget) food outside of Cuba itself called La Isla Restaurant. 4. Off Broadway show called La Forza Bruta from Buenos Aires. A cheap, interactive, and very unique show. You'll be all hyped up after this show. 5. Thursdays at Cielo Nightclub. Usually free or discounted before 12 and sometimes even has open bar. This has been ranked one of the best clubs/lounge in the world. The sound system and the music will keep you going till the early hours of the morning. Party NYC style.

My absolute most unique thing to do in NYC is the following. But you have to keep it secret. 1. Go to St. Mark's Place in the Lower East Side. It's a cool street with a lot of bars and restaurants. Hipsters, but not the Brooklyn kind. 2. Go to Crif's Dogs on the above street. 3. Once inside, do NOT get in the line. Instead, go into the red telephone booth in the back-left corner. 4. Look behind the curtain in said telephone booth. 5. Order a bacon-wrapped hot dog and a beer. Or two.

5 Unique Things to See and Do in NY Go horseback riding in Central Park. Unfortunately, you'll need to have your own horse as Clairmont Riding Academy closed in 2007. Afraid of horses? Take a carriage ride in Central Park. Take a chocolate tour: http://www.sweetwalks.com/ Visit the NY Transit Museum: http://mta.info/mta/museum/index.html Take the Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour at Night http://www.citysightsny.com/

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