New York City Travel Forum

Hi- i have a layover in NYC and I will have about 7 hours of free time to get out and see NYC- I've been there before, so I've seen the tourist sites-but what would anyone suggest for fun. We are taking the LIRR into Penn stationa and will start our day at 7am--good breakfast spots??? Fun things to do-good shopping near there--there will be 3 women-so shopping is always great! But we like to do other things as well. thanks so much.

Take the C or E to Spring Street, it's about 10 minute subway ride maybe shorter..there, you will be in SoHo. If it's a weekday, it will be quiet and stores open around 10 AM..so it's nice and relaxing. What do to do before then..go to menupages.com and see if there is a good breakfast place near Penn Station..I am sure just walking around 8th and 7th Avenue and Broadway btw 34th and 42nd Street, there's plenty of places to grab something to eat.

SoHo lies between Canal north to Houston / West Broadway to Broadway.

I agree, SoHo would be great. Start the morning with breakfast at Balthazar.

But, are you the only one who's been here before? If you've got a newbie with you, I would first head to the Top of the Rock, then head down to SoHo. The shops don't open until 10:00 or 11:00, so you'll still get downtown in time to spend money.

Not too many nice places for sit down breakfast near Penn Station.. It IS "hustle and bustle"..
However there's the Starlight Diner on 34th and 9th.. as well as the legendary and iconic greasy spoon "Cayenne Diner" on 33rd and 9th which like everything else "NY" in NY, is slated for demolition.. The Stage Deli in 5PennPlaza (33rd & 8th) is a good spot if you're hungry, but not such a memorable place.. I guess that could be said about the Starlight too..


If you head down to SOuthofHOuston, you can find some decent spots to eat after 11,, but it's not the breakfast/brunch scene of the Upper West Side..
in fact, other than "Le Pain Quotidien" (on Grand & Mercer, a nice walk in itself) there is'nt much...
there is however, BALTHAZAR's on Spring and Crosby, but that too is quite a walk from the E train.. it's a scenic walk and only about a third mile but.. you could get out of Penn Station and walk one street east to Herald Sq. and take the N,R,W trains to Prince St, and it's just one block away..
Balthazar's is one of those "IT" places.. I like the food,breakfast lunch and dinner, but sometimes the "scene to be seen" scene is'nt my..well, scene. None-the-less, you won't likely regret going here if you do decide on it..

In the west village, off of the W4 st station (one stop north of Spring)(alternatively you can take the 1 train from Penn Station to Christopher St.. it will save you a block of walking), there is SANT AMBROEUS... (W 4th street and Perry St.).. It's an "Italian" place, serving european style breakfasts.. They open at 9am..but they're good~


With those said, I go back to the Upper West Side.. The Breakfast and Brunch capital of NY ahaha (housewives with nannys and homekeepers to take care of their troubles have plenty of time to sip and munch away mornings!)

If you'd like a more "authentic" NY experience, I would really recommend heading a bit uptown.. A,C,1,2,3 (not the E!).. The further north you go, the less tourists, transplants and temporary "NYers" you will find~


SARABETHs is a solid and popular choice.. they have two locations uptown, even have one across from Central Park.. google it~

NORMA's in the Parker Meridien hotel down the block from Central Park at 57th street is an amazingly great place for breakfast..

Further up, there's GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT on 83rd and Amsterdam.. indeed true to their name!! really great place I can recommend strongly.. there's also POPOVER on 86th(?) and Amsterdam..an UWS staple..

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I mentioned "Le Pain Quotidien" before, it should be said that there are locations spotted allover the city.. they are one my favorites.. the place that's "ahh let's just go there again" when you can't decide where to get breakfast~ one of those "if it's not broken don't fix it" places in my heart hahah~ casual and relaxed yet "refined"~ google them too~ They might not be the most memorable places in the world, but they're damn good~

Now... my personal all time favorite place for breakfast on Manhattan Island.. is hands down CLINTON STREET BAKERY..
The wait has detered me from going lately (it became too popular, and working m-f 9-5 like everyone else means I have to wait for an hour to eat, like everyone else)...It's far off from Penn Station, still further east than Balthazars, on the border of the lower east side and alphabet city (Clinton st. and Houston).. It will require a taxi.. but if you're up for it, it's definately worth it.. and definately not unbearably crowded on a weekday!

As for shopping, the area around Balthazar's is great.. capital G.. but it does'nt get going until 10 or 11.. and that may be cutting it close.. that goes for every other shop in the city too.. (other than department stores.. macys across the st. from penn for example)

anyway,
Good luck and Good visit!

10028 beat me to it ahaha make mine a co-sign!

If you need a tea or coffee with unbelievable deserts, stop at Bruno Bakery, located btw Houston and Bleeker on La Guardia..it's awesome there.

I can't figure out where to reply- but those are great answers- thanks so much!!!