New York city

Going for a 3 day break in late January next year. Any tips for a first timer in NYC greatly appreciated.

I'm jealous - was there earlier this year and it's an amazing place.  You can't go far wrong whatever you do, but here's some recommendations anyway:

The Comedy Cellar (there's more than one but we went to the one on MacDougall Street in Greenwich Village).  They do multiple shows in a night each of which last 2 hours so you just choose your preferred time and book tickets.  You can have a drink in the bar upstairs and then you get table service drinks in the comedy club itself.  They don't announce who's on in advance but the standard is pretty high and on the night we went there were 6 comedians and three of those were Jim Norton, Michelle Wolff and Aziz Ansari, all of whom are pretty big names.  Afterwards you can also use your ticket to get discounted drinks in a bar just around the corner from the club.    https://www.comedycellar.com/

The Frauncis Tavern - really old pub that was very laid back and had an incredible selection of beer and a live jazz band when we went on a Saturday afternoon.  Also does food which we didn't have but which looked very decent.  It's near the Statten Island Ferry Terminal so could be combined with a trip on the Ferry (which is another recommendation as provides views of the Statue of Liberty and unique views back to Manhattan itself.https://www.frauncestavern.com/.    

https://www.momsmidtown.com/ - very good diner and great food for a hangover.  There's loads of diners but this one wasn't too far from the High Line which is another recommendation https://www.nynjtc.org/park/high-line?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1Y_FtL_G5QIVB9TeCh3SnwWBEAAYASAAEgLQLPD_BwE  

My final recommendation would be just to do as much walking as you can.  It's the best way to see Manhattan and it seems like every few minutes you come across something that you've seen in a film or on a TV show.  

Also, buy a warm bloody coat.  It can be bitter (-20 when we arrived last year around the same time that you're going).

Juniors for huge portions of delicious cheesecake.
All the usual tourists spots are good. I'd go up the Empire State rather than Freedom Tower - there's no open air observation deck in the latter.
The Strand bookstore is really good if you're into that sort of thing.

We walked everywhere, but we went when it was warmer.

I've been in Spring and Winter (went during that snowy Christmas where loads of flights got cancelled).

The tourist stuff was a must, for me. I'm not a particularly cool tourist, whereas my sister was adamant you can't miss pizza in Brooklyn and a mate talked about this secret burger restaurant that needs a password. Not my scene.

Walking from Brooklyn to Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge was something I did second time and that was the best thing I've done. I would suggest Top of the Rock and going up the Empire State. Do one at night and one in the day. Top of the Rock was a must for me as I like the area, there's the ice skating in winter and I love NBC comedies.

There's The High Line, which I haven't done but sounds wonderful. Statue of Liberty is great, and I'd imagine the hospital bit is interesting if you're in the mood for history.

I found the ground zero stuff a bit depressing, not because of what it was/is, but because it's full of people taking selfies on a place you feel they shouldn't.

We walked everywhere both times, I'd agree it's the best way to do anything. Central Park is lovely to walk through. There's also a little lake in there you can paddle boats on, although it was frozen over completely when I went in the winter.

Natural History Museum was cool, not too far from the cafe from Seinfeld. You can get to the apartment from Friends down the other side, if that's you're kind of thing.

Times Sq is obvious, and a great place to get the subway into when you arrive, though if you're coming from JFK (I think that's the one I came into first time) then a taxi is amazing because you get to start by driving towards Manhattan. Great view.

Went to Chicago (the musical) second trip. I enjoyed that a lot and I hate musicals, generally.

Trains to the airport are really easy, so consider that option.

The advantage of going to the top of the Rockefeller is that you get a great view and photographs of the Empire State, which you obviously don't get from the Empire State.

Exactly! Also views over Central Park, if memory serves me correctly. I think we chose to go in the day so we’d have Empire State in view, but equally the second time I swapped it and then you get views of it at night

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Exactly! Also views over Central Park, if memory serves me correctly. I think we chose to go in the day so we’d have Empire State in view, but equally the second time I swapped it and then you get views of it at night

Or you can just go up Monarch Rooftop bar for views of the Empire state at night. Top of the Rock is amazing though. I did Empire State at night because queues were ridiculous during the day.

High Line is okay, the general area is worth it, Chelsea market etc.

I was there for about a week earlier this year and loved it.

I too would recommend going up to the top of the Rockefeller Centre. You get a breathtaking view of New York. Also take in Central Park and Strawberry Fields and visit The Dakota Buildings outside which John Lennon was assassinated. Well worth taking in Manhattan too and Times Square.