Going in April, just would like any must do's that are not the obvious ones and the best places to eat and also the place to head for great clothes shopping where you won't pay way over the odds
One unusual thing that you used to be able to see in NY that was kind of off the beaten path was a tour of the New York Stock Exchange. When the exchange is open (between 9:30 AM and 4 PM), you could not only see their regular exhibits, but you could also go up on a glass-enclosed balcony on the second floor and see the exchange in operation. Now it is closed for security reasons--however, the entire Wall Street area is still interesting to visit--and there are some interesting statues in the Wall Street area. This area is not far from where the ferry leaves to go see the statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and also next to where the former World Trade Towers were located.
The stock exchange is located at 11 Wall Street. You can still see the brokers all hanging around outside taking smoking breaks or grabing sandwiches during the lunch period. (Most of the action takes place at the beginning or ending of trading hours.)
Probably the best "off-the-track" tour nowadays is to walk through Little Italy and Chinatown down near Spring Street and Canal Street subway stops. The streets to go down are Mulberry and Grand. The top pastry place is called Ferrara's and see if you can get a slice of one of Junior's cheesecakes (made over in Brooklyn) if you go to one of the regular restaurants. Some shops that won't break the bank are in the Soho area, which is near the Spring Street metro stop (the same one you use to walk over to Little Italy and Chinatown). Also, the Guggenheim Museum is interesting if you have the time, but it is kind of a standard "tourist spot" along with Central Park--which is directly across the street.
Oh, forgot to mention some other places to eat--go to Peter Lugar's Steakhouse just across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan. It has won awards as the best steakhouse in New York for about 35 years in a row.
Top flight restaurants are all over town--but it depends upon how much you want to spend. On the top end are Per Se, Jean Georges (at the Trump Tower), and Momo's. Bobby Flay (one of the Food Channel's "iron chefs") owns the Mesa Grille in town.
Another former Iron Chef, Mario Battali owns a few restaurants in town--including Babbo and Lupa and is considered the best American chef specializing in Italian food. Batalli has won three James Beard awards as best New York chef/restauranteur--and received his training in British, French, Italian, and American restaurants--including Six Bells in Chelsea (London), La Tour d'Argent (Paris), Moulin de Mougins (Provence), Waterhouse Inn (London), La Volta (Borgo Capanne), Four Seasons Cliff House (San Francisco), and Four Seasons Biltmore (Santa Barbara). What is not so well known is that Mario is married to Susi Cahn, who is the daughter of the CEO of the multi-billion dollar Coach handbag company. Also, Mario and Gordon Ramsey hate each other--so don't go making comments when you are in one of Mario's restaurants or you are likely to get booted out. (Gordon is actually banned from all of Mario's restaurants).
For just a regular restaurant, I'd go to John's Pizzaria at 260 West 44th street (near Times Square). It's in an old church, but is always packed because the pizza is excellent.
Enjoy
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