post-game wrap up

so here's my recommendations and "do's and dont's" for new york-life is about learning, and what better time than on vacation. soooo i recommend:
go, go at least once to nyc-what is there NOT to do?
DO rent an apartment, the VRBO website recommended by mary was a great idea-it was exactly what the website showed, and the price was excellent for the area and the amount of space.
DO visit the local deli's, i was surprised at the prices and selection-you can get everything imaginable there- we were able to get breakfast sandwiches and deli sandwiches at very good prices-and feeding hungry boys-that was a plus-and they were never disappointed; the guys at 5 brothers got to know us real well and were always friendly; however DON'T use this as your only source of nourishment! you are on vacation so eating like a native is great for most of the time.
DO go to the statue of liberty, but DON'T spend the 1+ hour in line for the second security check to go inside the statue-you only get up as far as the pedestal, and the view of the statue is better around the perimeter. of course if you like standing in long lines go for it.
DON'T go to the empire state building unless you want to stand in a very long line (again) more security check points, and 2 elevators to get to the top. if you can manage to find out when the "best" time to avoid the lines-then by all means go-the view is spectacular.
DO go on the river cruise-a great way to see the island.
DO go see something on broadway-we saw impressionism-it was a last minute decision, and i was thrilled to see jeromy irons on stage- we also saw joan allen and andre de shields exit the stage door afterwards.
DO take the subway, bus, taxi and use your feet! nyc is so easy to get around
DO go the the met (i could never get enough of this museum), but have had ENOUGH of the guggenheim and moma, and was NOT impressed with the american museum of natural history-way to many "habitat" displays for my tastes, nothing seemed very "real", i like paintings, textile arts, and sculptures much better.
DO walk down 5th avenue-love the people watching here
DO take time to visit the parks: we didn't do enough of this, and would have liked to explore the neighborhoods more
DO have a cannoli-yummmm
DO visit lou lous button shop on west 38th street
DO visit m&j trims: but only if you have an idea of what you are looking for-its huge!
DO visit tender buttons-if for no other reason, but to see the clientele and shop in a teeny store
DO visit brooklyn general-very very friendly and lots of great yarn and fabric
DO visit city quilter-great selection of fabric
DO visit purl and purl patchwork-more for the novelty and "cuteness" of the shop rather than ability to move around!
DON'T waste time in a comedy club unless you are lucky enough to see a taping of saturday night live.
DON'T visit petite buttons or great buttons: they are closed
DO visit ground zero, as well as, st. pauls chapel (which is nearby)
DO spend hours at central park-we didn't this time, but will on the next visit which will be during a warmer month!
DO visit bis.co latte-i didn't know there were that many varieties of biscotti!
DO take something to read and knit and find a cozy place to relax
finally DO make a general itinerary of where and what you want to do, mark it on a map, so you don't "miss" anything 'cause you didn't know it was sooo close!
i'm really looking forward to another visit next year.