Go to the observatory at One World Trade Center. I went on the opening day and it was an unforgettable experience. And If you're already there at WTC ago to the 9/11 museum, the pools in memory of those fallen on 9/11 and you can eat at any of the restaurants at Hudson eats in Brookfield place across the street. They even have a place that's named after gaga, little meunster.

For food I'd just use something like Yelp. Take advantage of the diversity and try all different kinds of cuisines. Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Italian, French, Mexican, Mediterranean, Polish, everything. You can find the nearest restaurants at the best price range and quality. A lot of restaurants that are well known or tourist attractions are usually overpriced and overrated imo. Unless you're looking for those for the experience.

What part are you staying in?

Where are you staying?

Ohhh definitely go see a Broadway show if you like them. Most shows have ways of you getting tickets for cheaper, such as lotteries or Rush tickets where you go really early the morning of for cheaper tickets. It's no guarantee but saves you a lot of money and it's worth the effort.
You can find the schedule for that on here http://www.nytix.com/Links/Broadway/...yschedule.html You'll have to arrive a couple hours before the listed times and hold your spot on line to really have a good chance of getting tickets though, especially on the busier days.

I don't even know where we're staying My best friend is taking me for my birthday. Where are some good places to stay/go though? I feel like i'm gonna ditch him anyways cause he wants to do a whole bunch of **** i don't want to do anyways plus he wants to be a hoe while we're there and i'm not tolerating that on my first NY visit. Save that **** for my 2nd or 3rd visit

Take me with you

visit Highline, milk bar (for the cereal milk soft serve), and bars in east village (especially Amor y Amargo)

Times Square is a must.
Freedom Tower
Maybe visit some of the museums.

It all depends on what you wanna see/do tbh.

We have a thread for this btw

Have fun! I was just there last December for a few days. What part are you staying in? That plays a huge role in where you will/should visit. I stayed in Brooklyn and the subway right was a BIT long and crowded at times to Manhattan, but it was worth it.

The best restaurant I went to there was Momofuku Noodle Bar. The best cafe (and probably my favorite place in NYC) was House Of Small Wonder. Seriously, check it out if you can.

Definitely check out the 9/11 memorial. It's usually busy, but is worth it. There's a lot to do/see nearby, too. Look up free NYC attractions. Different attractions have "free" days.

Chinatown is awesome, too!

Do NOT go here. This place is a tourist trap. Its crowded with tourists taking pictures and walking slow, meaning you will be annoyed quick. New Yorkers avoid this place like the plague.

Time Square has crap food, that for some reason tourists love. Annoying people selling their mixtape,or other things to get money.

Go anywhere but here.

Before I help, I need to know if your American or not.

Mess @ everyone saying not to go to Times Square. I wanted to go there tha most

I mean is it crowded all day and night. I know it's packed at hell at night i'm sure

Times Square has honestly gotten worse every time I've gone there. The last time, a few weeks ago, all of the deformed mascot characters and nude showgirls were EVERYWHERE trying to take pictures with you. Never again. Maybe check it out once to say you've been, but it's not worth lingering.

Sis, i stay in Cali

The Met is fantastic -- go there! Visiting Wall Street to see the NYSE is also a cool idea.

For food, I adore Carmine's restaurant -- they serve family style Italian food, and it's so good. Definitely expensive though.