Post | 04/29/2008 4:37 pm

Liz Warms Up to Summer Hot Spots!

By Liz Smith
Liz Smith

One of our wowOwow fans, Jai Carney, asked me to suggest “hot spots" in Manhattan for the coming summer. Here’s what I recommend. Get on Ticketron.com — do it now — and order tickets to the two greatest musicals in NYC: “South Pacific” and “Gypsy.” Go in hock if you have to. If you have the time and money, I’d say “do” theater every night. You can also buy last-minute seats in Times Square at the discount center.

Once you get to NYC, buy New York and Time Out magazines; just look on the newsstands. They’ll tell you about more things “happening” than you’ll have time or money to attack.

When you go to Lincoln Center for “S.P.," you can eat at Daniel’s Bar Boulud or the famous P. J. Clarke’s nearby or in O’Neal’s. Or you can go exotic and sit under a big paper dragon at Shun Lee West. When you hit the Broadway district, I’d recommend Sardi’s and its cannelloni on West 44th Street. It’s classic. Be sure to check out the famous caricatures on the walls. Or go to Joe Allen’s informal theater café on West 46th Street before and after and see the posters of flops past. If you are feeling a little grand, you can go to Barbetta right across the street from Joe’s and eat in the most beautiful garden in NYC. Try the champagne risotto.

Go down to Soho and Tribeca and even Greenwich Village and walk. That will be plenty hot and what you’ll find, nobody knows. The young and the trendy dominate the scene here. Want some late night fun after theater? Go to Caroline’s comedy club on Broadway and 50th.

Be sure to hit the two “hearts” of Manhattan — Rockefeller Center, the shops down under for walking when it rains and Saks Fifth Avenue.

The other “center” is 57th Street and 5th Avenue where Bergdorf Goodman mounts the most beautiful windows in the world. Tiffany & Co. will let you browse though they won’t give you breakfast.

And for true fun, walk east on 57th Street to Hammacher Schlemmer for amazing toys, games and gadgets. You could hire a horse and carriage to show you Central Park or just drive through in a taxi.

Walking is best.

I think the Circle Line Cruise is a perfect way to orient yourself to New York and that way you’ll get the Statue of Liberty, all the bridges, the Palisade Cliffs of New Jersey, the skyscrapers, the spire of Riverside Church and the Harlem/Hudson and East Rivers.

New Yorkers are friendly; you can ask them anything. Bring money and credit cards; you’ll never regret it.

Note: Click on this text to read my nationally syndicated daily column!


Read more about: Arts, Culture, New York City, Shopping, Theater, Travel
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13 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Shooz

When I was 23 or so I was in NYC for a few days visiting friends there, went to Sardi’s (as you suggest.) Felt totally outclassed at a table right next to Judi Holiday and friends; was in a $20 dress. Have never forgotten the experience. No one was the wiser; but my humiliation was total.

By Shooz on 04/29/2008 6:54 pm
Lana Light

I never been in New York,but I will keep this suggestions in my file for the future trip.I should go to NYC,NYC.For some reason i am sing the song.NYC ,NYC na,na,na na na.Sorry for my English,but i hope with you, great teachers ,i will be better day by day .I LOVE WOWOWOW!

By Lana Light on 04/29/2008 7:24 pm
Charles Dance

People from all over the world come to experience NYC.You have to make it your BUSINESS to do it,really!

By Charles Dance on 04/29/2008 8:55 pm
Ms. Dee

Oh, I know. I just need a sponsor. I have every reason to believe I would be the most appreciative guest to anyone who would put me up and show me around NYC. I wouldn’t whine, I promise. And I might even take a shot at some real work while I was there.

I should have a place there, I know. But I’m not sure I have the energy to tackle it alone. And without a sponsor, I’d be in over my head from the day arrived. So…

“Maintenance is the key to respectable poverty.” —Mark Irwin

When I can I will.

Y’know. When Chopin arrived in Paris, Liszt and Berlioz sponsored him almost right away. Chopin had become very well connected to the Polish aristocracy as a fabulous musician growing up in Warsaw. And many of these “Poles of Substance”, no doubt, who had emigrated from Warsaw to Paris just before the Revolution were called upon. And he was given a recital at the Conservatoire…while Rossini was still alive and on the Board. Anyway…Chopin came very highly recommended to Liszt and Liszt introduced him to Berlioz, and Chopin made sure neither one of them missed Paganini when he came through Paris…early 1830’s, all that.

Sponsorship’s a fairly aesthic investment. Anybody interested? ‘Cause I’d love to come to New York.

By Ms. Dee on 04/30/2008 1:51 pm
beth willis

Ms. Liz Smith, you offer a wee’s enchantment in one of the grear cities of the day. Texas Monthly has a short column speaking of you,, Bud Strake,and Dan Jenkins rises to be the darlings of “Sports Illustraded” and you, all Paschal grads. Later in a more solemn reminder, is the permanent head stone of Texas’s favorite
Governor Ann Willis Richards………..Beth Willia

By beth willis on 04/29/2008 10:41 pm
Lana Light

I know and I hate that I never been in NYC!!Theatr,,Ballet,Broadway.Art that is all my favorite things.What a great day today !

By Lana Light on 04/29/2008 10:46 pm
Linda Clark

Liz …. or anyone else who has suggestions; I’m going to San Francisco this summer. I’m a simple, easy to please person and often described as “frugal” (resale and junk shoppes). I love architecture (new or old), history and animals.

By Linda Clark on 04/30/2008 10:21 am
Dona Howlett

Linda……I live just a little bit south of San Francisco……You will love it! It’s one of the most beautiful City’s in the World. Just remember bring a sweater……the night’s are always a little chilly from the wind off the Bay. Anything you would want you can find in San Francisco.
Just driving around is a treat to the Soul. Nothing like the view from the Golden Gate Bridge.
Stroll down by the Bay. Fabulous Resturants……wonderful Theaters. Great Musuems.
As I said……anything and everything is available.
I’ve been to NYC and Paris……San Francisco is as fabulous as both those City’s. Enjoy your visit to California. With your love of animals be sure to go to Golden Gate Park and the Zoo.

By Dona Howlett on 04/30/2008 8:03 pm
Linda Clark

Thank you!!!!!

By Linda Clark on 05/01/2008 8:18 am
Jane Richards

I had my first martini in Sardi’s…. and salsa danced with the bartender…. what a night!
All of my trips to NYC have taken on a theme - unplanned. I guess it depends on my mood. I have done a couple “theater” trips, an “art” trip of all galleries and museums, a “park” trip (Brooklyn Botanical is fabulous!), a “bookstore” trip (6 in one day!), “tourist”, “shopping”, and more. My son and daughter-in-law live in NYC so I have a great excuse to visit.
Oh…it makes me wistful today as I sit at my desk and look out at the sunshiny blue sky day…. I wish I were in Union Square reading the paper and people watching…

By Jane Richards on 04/30/2008 2:24 pm
Pamela Munro

Oh, it makes me homesick! We used to have a branch of Joe Allen’s in W.Hollywood, which was great fun, but it folded for some reason. I really like the spring and fall best for NYC, though. The summers can be brutally hot and humid! (& bring your umbrella, because it rains!) You don’t mention the downtown scene, Liz. Last time I visited I went to see a great off-b’way play in SoHo. (Still got tix at the Tkts/Tkts booth in Duffy Pk. in Times Sq. If you like straight plays, as I do - you can always get a deal on something good to see. But I have found that sometimes you can get better deals on tix to musicals by just going to the box office!)

By Pamela Munro on 04/30/2008 5:27 pm
annie f.

Coney Island is so much more fun than any of the more traditional tourist summer spots. Sadly, I’m afraid the boardwalk will soon become a row of new condos, so enjoy it for what it is while you still can.

By annie f. on 04/30/2008 8:07 pm
Debbie B

Could we try this question in some format for other cities WOW readers might be traveling to this summer? I’ll be in Paris (France) at the end of July for the first time since 1972! (single college student in 1972 and this time with my family) I’d love some suggestions on restaurants and some off the beaten track attractions my 19 and 25 y/o “kids” would like. We only have a week.

By Debbie B on 04/30/2008 9:55 pm
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