Hi everyone!

I am visiting in April.

Of course I will be doing my own research for the trip, however, I wanted to ask my fellow Yelpers for initial guidance.
Does anyone have any Yelp lists of "must do" things while in NY? If so, send me your links!

This is not my first time in NY. I was there last in 05 and before that several times as a child. No need to add too many touristy things like Statue of Liberty etc. because I have seen them. We also have 2 Broadway shows booked as well so no need for that either :o)

Looking more for restaurants, wine bars, jazz clubs, etc. I also need lodging suggestions. We are all big foodies and winos!
Also, any thoughts on a road  trip off NY for a day or two? where to? We will be there for 6 days.

A million thanks in advance!

Brenda

Go to The Cloisters (medieval museum run by the Met) and eat lunch or dinner at New Leaf, Bette Midler's restaurant. If it's a nice day the view is gorgeous up there.

And as for road trips, Oheka Castle is really nice too, a day trip or overnight trip on LI.

Thanks Janice + Jen..will look those places up!

You may also want to consider a day trip up to Hyde Park, where the Culinary Institute of America is, and have dinner or lunch there ( make reservations well in advance). While traveling you'll also pass through historic Sleepy Hollow, where you can see touristy things like where the Headless Horseman rode.

Hey Brenda,

I wish I could be more helpful, but I don't have much expertise on the things you mentioned being interested in.

Your post reminded me of when I moved to NY and was all excited (I have been Elite in both Chicago and Columbus, OH) to ask New Yorkers what to do, where to go, etc... but what I got was the shitshow that is NYC Yelp talk threads. While often hilarious and amusing to read while at work, they're rarely serious or seriously helpful. There's just too many people on them, they encompass all of the boroughs, and many people have the sense of humor of a fifteen year old boy. I say this as someone who sometimes writes and reads on NYC Yelp talk - so I'm not bashing it exactly, just warning you that you may not entirely get what you're looking for if you're used to a smaller, helpful Yelp Talk board.

For example, I'm going to Atlanta this weekend, and people couldn't have been nicer or more helpful:
yelp.com/topic/atlanta-v…

Columbus was the same way. Chicago was a little dicey. I wish I could tell you where to go drink wine or listen to Jazz, but I know nothing about those activities :/  I would say that if you make it over to my borough, Brooklyn, check out Prospect Park. It was designed by the same architect as Central Park (Frederick Law Olmstead), but was supposedly the park he was most proud of (suck it Manhattan!... I kid, I kid). Brighton Beach is also beautiful, even in the winter... it is the Russian neighborhood on the ocean side of Brooklyn.

Anyway. Just a warning because I was sad when people just made fun of me and didn't address any of the things I asked about. If you want to know anything about tattoo shops, dirty rock bars, or taquerias, I'd be glad to help. ;)

Jeff- love that idea! Thanks!
Melanie- lol our Yelp Talk gets s little nuts too but it's good overall. I figured I would try regardless. Not like I will lose sleep over it if it doesn't work.

@Melanie - It's funny you say that because every post in this thread has been helpful, not the usual snark

Check out some vineyards in upstate or NJ...Amish country in PA is not to far from Manhatttan.

What would I do in Amish country exactly? And VERY interested in vineyards. Any more specifics?

NY yelpers are helpful most, if not all the time. You have to realize though that threads like this are not unique here. Yelp is also a search engine with many well thought out and written reviews. Do a search of wine bars or jazz clubs. Lots of yelpers have great lists too.
Now, that said...
Wine bars that I like and have had many positive experiences:
Jakewalk and brookvin in Brooklyn.
Gape and grain and in vino in manhattan.

There are wineries out on long island, but I'm not sure if they would be open this time of year(?).

If you want sweets look at Atif I's lists. Tapas and wine? Cara A or Lisa D both have wine lists.

You should come visit New Paltz; Ulster County. It's about a couple of hours away, you can travel by bus or rent a car. It's a nice place to go and relax. Especially if you're looking for some local foods and wineries, it's a really nice place to go to. Also perfect for hiking trails: mohonkpreserve.org

Lisa- I hear ya! I am a Miami Fl Yelper, we get the "what do I do" threads all the time too! Sometimes it's like they haven't even done a single search! I plan on doing lots of it and I figured requesting list links would be extremely helpful in addition to narrowing down my interests(I also find the Yelp search option for lists a little harder than just searching for a specific place.)This will get me started on the right foot I think.

I appreciate every single comment and suggestion so far. You have all been great! Will gladly return the favor if you are ever down here!