Im fairly tired, so as the report has gone on, the details have got less :( Many thanks to all of you on this amazing website, without whom our trip and engagement would not have turned out the way it did. Thank YOU!!!

Monday

We flew in to JFK 30 minutes earlier than planned with Aer Lingus. Fantastic flight, personal TVs, half decent food and all this just in economy. Loving the new Airbus. Went through customs like a laxitive and within 40 minutes we were landed outside our hotel (The Night Hotel)in midtown Manhattan. Stunning hotel and a savage room, complete with plasma TV, Bose Wave Radio / CD and a minibar with a canister of oxygen for $35. Bags dropped and out the door. 45 seconds later, we're into Times Square. Ger wanted to stop off in Toys R Us and to be honest its a mad place altogether. Granted we didnt bother getting into the full size ferris wheel. Not long after this we got our metro cards for the subway and took a quick trip to Macys. Ive been on the subway before but Ger hadnt so it was just breaking her into it easily. From there we decided to grab something to eat and ever since I spotted Jamie Oliver munching away on a giant sandwich in the Carnegie Deli, that was the first port of call. Found it without much trouble and got seated straight away. As Mr.Oliver before me, I order the Woddy Allen, which basically is 2 slices of bread and about 9 inches of Pastrami and Corned beef in between. I managed to struggle through most of it as if truth be told, I wasnt too impressed. It was just a big arse sandwich. Granted the Pastrami was good, but that was it really. Headed back around broadway and got a few photos and done some more wandering and the like. Around 11pm that night we headed for the Empire State Building, thinking it might be quiet. After all, I had purchased my tickets online, months in advance. Well that made little difference. We stood in a queue for the elevators for nearly an hour and a half. At this stage my feet were in pieces, but once we got to the top, the view was breathtaking and soothing to say the least. We got back to the hotel sometime after 12 and hit that hay.

Tuesday

This day had been in my head for along, long time. This was engagement day. Months of thought had gone into this and truck loads of hours reading tripadvisor.com had helped seal the deal. We headed to the Cranberry Deli for breakfast on 45th and I got some grub to came the nerves. I talk to thousands and thousands of people every night when Im on air with little or no nerves. I never thought I would be asking the love of my life to marry me. Anyways, we made for Central Park and I had my destination planned out, thanks to google earth. The Bow Bridge, what some call the most romantic bridge in the world, which was to be original proposal spot ended up being my backdrop. We took a few photos on the bridge and I told Ger I was running up ahead for some photos. I was checking ahead to see were people coming, but as I was I spotted a beautiful boat shelter. Unfortunately it was occupied but some lady with a cat. I thought about asking her to move, but decided it wouldnt be fair. Anyway, the cat looked like it could tear my kneecaps off. So I headed back onto the bridge and as I did, I looked back and a little further down from the boat shed and there was little inlet with a big rock. I pointed it out to Ger and said, cmon lets get into the shade and relax for 10 minutes. As soon as we sat down on the rock, I took a few pics of her (last one just before I done the deed). I adapted a piece of poetry from one of her favourite poems, spieled it out and asked "Will you marry me?". She said YES and we hugged and kissed with tears in our eyes as the Bow Bridge lingered (well what else was it gonna do?) in the background. After 20 minutes we decided to get out of Central Park and purchase a ring. We ended up by The Natural History Museum. We got a pretzel and some drinks and chilled out for a while on the steps of TNHM, still taking things in. A long trudge up and down Fifth Avenue we finally got a ring and between sizing and everything, it was due to be collected on Thursday evening. We done some more shopping around Fifth Avenue before heading back to the hotel and ringing friends and family with the good news. Ger needed to lie down and get over the shock for a while. 2 months previous I had booked Gordon Ramsay at the London for our engagement dinner. So we strolled uptown, enjoying the sunshine, dressed up to the nines (gentlemen had to have jackets etc.etc.) and arrived on time (for a change) at Gordon Ramsay at the London. Jean Baptist was swaning around, but alas no Gordon. We were promptly seated and after exceptional service and food which I still cant describe, it was that good, the staff in the restaurant outdid themselves. On the way into the restaurant the host asked me what we were in town for. I told her to get engaged and she said congrats and that was it. After out final course, she arrived out with a little dish and a tiny sorbet with a candle on it and congratulations spelt out. Wonderful touch. The food, the food, what can I say. We opted for the 3 course meal, but they kept bringing out samples and palate cleansers and the likes. All in all we had around 6 courses. The food itself was tender and delicate and my suckling pig dissolved in the mouth. After nearly 3 hours we headed out and started a nice romantic stroll down through the lights of broadway, before hitting the hotel.

Wednesday

Another bright and early start and a trip to The Empire Diner. After some seriously good French Toast with Bacon it was time to head back to the hotel and head for Yankee Stadium, for the Yankee / Twins game. 50,000+ fans and an amazing atmosphere. To be honest, we didnt have much of a clue of what was going on but we figured it out eventually, I think. It didnt matter though, the Yankees lost, but we did manage to see a few home runs hit! We headed back for the subway with plenty of disgusted Yankee fans and made for the hotel. We decided to head for the Macys 4th of July fireworks and after walking in the total wrong direction for 30 minutes, we got on the right track and made it pretty close to the fence on the edge of the FDR. The fireworks kicked off around 9.30 and it was belting down with rain, thankfully a nice Scottish couple pulled us under their umbrellas and kept us dry for a while. After an hour, things were wrapping up and along with 3 million other people, we headed back for the hotel. It took ages to get back, due to the volume of people, but it was well worth it.

Thursday

This was the day we had planned for Woodbury common, but so many people had said we were mad to head out there and stay in Manhattan where there are plenty of bargains. So we scrapped the trip to WC and stayed in the city. Another wonderful breakfast at the Cheyenne Diner (yes, the one from the Tropicana ad) was had, while sitting side by side with the NYPD. After this we made our way down to the WTC site. Very sad and very emotional being there. I felt the eyes well up for a while, but afterwards we made our way to Century 21. Plenty of bargains to be had. A gruelling trip back to the hotel was had with tonnes of bags and we dropped em off and made back out for Macys and everywhere else in between. More bags, more sweat and extremely sore feet. At this stage, the hotel room looked like it needed an extension with all the stuff we had bought. Then it was off to collect the engagement ring, which fitted perfectly. That night, we made for the Gotham Comedy club to see Tony Rock. After 5 too many drinks and a great show, we staggered into a cab and made back for the hotel.

Friday

Back to the Cranberry Deli for breakfast again and headed for the SATC tour. A great tour and some amazing cup cakes. Friday night we headed back down to the West Village for more drinks and ended up in Cielo. More drinks again and another drunken trip back to the hotel at 4am.

Saturday

Time was nearly up, so we made for the Top of The Rock in the morning, which has amazing views, better than the ESB I thought. A trip to the NBC store and a quick stop off back at the hotel and then we made our way to Pier 84 for the NYC water taxi. After some great views of Manhattan we finally ended up in Brooklyn. A stop off at the Brooklyn Ice cream factory proved uneventful. Not a patch on Hagen Daz, according to her good self. There was too much of a queue for Grimaldis so after that we made our way to the Brooklyn Bridge and walked across. From there we made our way back uptown and down some more shopping. That night we headed for the Cutting Room, got some decent dinner and kept the jukebox going.

Sunday

Last full day in the big apple and most of it was taken up with the Sopranos tour. Great tour, really loved it. The highlight had to be getting some cannoli's and getting into the Bing. The icing on the cake was hearing Journey - Dont Stop Believing in Satin Dolls (The Bada Bing) while sitting at Tonys spot at the counter before we left and picked up some t-shirts. Sunday night we headed back downtown and made for Lombardi's for some perfect Pizza and stopped off at Rice to Riches for desert. Hesitantly, we made our way back to the hotel as our last night in New York came to an end.

Monday

Last minute run arounds and we headed for JFK at around 2.30. After a very uncomfortable, stuffy flight we made it back into shannon and another 2 hours later we were back in Cork, battered and bruised.

I cant remember which days, but we also ate at BB Kings, The Brooklyn Diner and Katz. Of all the eating experiences, Katz was a disaster. Food was OK. The place itself was a nightmare, looked dirty and pictures actually fell off the wall when we were there. I'm after forgetting the hundreds of shops we went into, but judging by the state of our feet we hit a lot of em. I know theres other stuff Im after forgetting, but thems the breaks :)

Below is some of the stuff Ive compiled, some from here others from my doing, places to go etc, so It might be of help to other folks...

The CARNEGIE DELI

854 Seventh Avenue, at 55th Street, 10019 NYC

Katz's Delicatessen

205 E Houston St, New York 10002

At Ludlow St

SUBWAY – 2nd Avenue, Lower East Side Station V TRAIN Downtown

Right onto 1st Avenue

Left onto E Houston ST

Cheyenne Diner

411 9th Ave, New York 10001

At 33rd St

Gordon Ramsay at the London

The London Hotel NYC

151 W 54th St, New York 10019

Btwn 6th & 7th Ave

Empire Diner

Diners & Coffee Shops

210 10th Ave, New York 10011

At 22nd St

Grimaldi's

19 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn 11201

Btwn Front & Water St

NUMBER 2 SUBWAY FROM TIMES SQUARE STATION, GET OFF AT FULTON STREET

NYCWATERTAXI TO FULTON FERRY LANDING

12.23pm

HOW TO GET TO THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE WALKWAY FROM FULTON LANDING/ OLD FULTON STREET/ GRIMALDI’S/ RIVER CAFÉ:

Do not cross Old Fulton Street yet, but instead stay on the same side of Old Fulton as that where you find Grimaldi’s and the River Café. Turn left, and walk up Old Fulton Street. You will cross Front Street, and will parallel the stone structure of the anchorage of the Brooklyn Bridge. Pass under the elevated highway and continue forward along Old Fulton Street until you come to Prospect Street. Turn left on Prospect Street and pass under the Brooklyn Bridge structure to Washington Street/Cadman Plaza East. Turn right and cross Prospect Street. A little way ahead of you, on the right side, is a stone wall. In that stone wall is the entrance to a staircase. That staircase will take you up to the walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge OR

Start out going East on Old Fulton St towards Front St

Turn left onto Prospect St 0.8 Turn right onto Brooklyn Brg 2.1 Turn right onto Adams St

Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory

2 Old Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn Diner 57th St.

212 West 57th Street

(between Broadway and 7th Ave.)

TEL: 212.977.1957

Brooklyn Diner Times Square

155 W. 43rd Street

(between Broadway and 6th Ave.)

TEL: 212.265.5400

Pommes Frites

123 2nd Ave

Grays Papaya

539 Eighth Avenue at 37th Street

Juniors

West 45th Street between Broadway & 8th Avenue

Crif Dogs

113 Saint Marks Pl, New York 10009

Btwn Ave A & 1st Ave

ASTOR PL STATION – Head East, Between 7 and 9th Street (8th Street)

SHAKE SHACK

Madison Square Park

Madison Ave. and 23rd St

23rd Street Station (R,W, Train)

Virgils BBQ

152 West 44th street

Big Nicks

2175 Broadway

79th Street Station (1 Train) then head south

Brother Jimmys

428 Amsterdam avenue

80th and 81st St

79th Street Station, head East

Pauls Place

131 2nd Ave

Burgers and Cupcakes

265 West 23rd Street

23rd St Station C&E Train

Gigino Wagner Park

20 Battery Place

Bowling Green Station 4,5 Train walk towards river, head west (take a right)

Blue Smoke

116 East 27th Street

28th Street Station, 6 Train

Serpendipity3

225 East 60th Street

59th Street Station

Old Johns Luncheonette

148 W 67th St,

66st Lincoln Center Station

Big Daddys Diner –

Park Avenue South between 19th & 20th Streets.

Jackson Hole Burgers

521 3rd Avenue / 35th Street

New York, NY 10016

Bubby’s Pie Company

120 Hudson Street in Tribeca, NY

NYC CLUBS and PUBS

Molly's Pub & Restaurant, Shebeen

287 3rd Ave

23rd St Station

McSorleys Pub

15 East 7th Street

Astor PL Station ,6 Train

Tavern on the Green

Central Park at West 67th Street

66th St Station Lincoln Center Station , Walk East towards Park

Rudy's Bar& Grill Old-timers still drink themselves to death around the bar, but local youngsters, businessmen and the ubiquitous hipster element now rule the prime real-estate red-leather booths at this West Side paean to dirt-cheap booze.

Plan B: Make a pitstop at Siberia for a bona fide Hell's Kitchen dive crawl. • 627 Ninth Ave., between 44th and 45th Sts., 212-974-9169,

230 Fifth

230 Fifth Ave., nr. 27th St., twentieth fl.; 212-725-4300

Fresh air meets stale pick-up lines at the city's largest rooftop drinkery. Since it opened last year, a steady stream of finance types have flocked here for the Miami Vice-like decor of palm trees, stuffed safari animals, and an endless expanse of wooden benches.

The View: The Empire State Building to the north, the MetLife building to the east, and Jersey to the west.

The Menu: $15 cocktails incorporate fresh grape and pear juices; bar snacks range from fried shrimp to the Malaysian Romli Burger.

The Hours: ; Daily, 4 p.m.–4 a.m.

Local West

1 Penn Pl., Eighth Ave. at 33rd St.; 212-629-7070

Okay, so not much is exhilarating about the rooftop of a one-story building, but those looking to unwind before their train back to the burbs could do worse than snagging a seat at the smattering of tables or at the elevated patio bar atop this casual beer bar near Penn Station.

The View: Chat up the folks on the upper decks of the tour buses that constantly roll by.

Menu: Sliders, nachos, chicken tenders: You get the idea. Pomegranate martini, $10; beers, $8.

The Hours: Daily, 11 a.m.–2 a.m.

Bar 13

35 E. 13th St., at University Pl.; 212-979-6677

NYU students who couldn't make it to Florida for spring break (and downtowners too lazy to travel for a rooftop) seek solace at this campus clubhouse. Amid the palms and illuminated panels, revelers can pretend they're in South Beach—and of legal drinking age.

The View: Opaque screens surrounding the deck mean the only place to look is up.

The Menu: Well drinks are $6, while the 13-ini, the bar's signature Absolute Mandarin–based beverage, costs $7.

The Hours: Mon., 7 p.m.–midnight; Tues., 6 p.m.–3 a.m.; Wed.–Fri., 5 p.m.–4 a.m.; Sat., 9 p.m.–4 a.m.; Sun., 10 p.m.–4 a.m.

Zanzibar

645 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Cielo

18 Little W 12th St, New York, NY

Off 13th street and 6th Avenue

Directions Time Start out going East on W 45th St towards 6th Ave

Nearby: Arts Bars Beauty & Spas Hotels Restaurants Shopping 0.9 Turn left onto 6th Ave 1.7 Entrance near intersection of W 47th St and 6th Ave 2.0

Ratings

Re-route

Take the F train from 47-50 Streets - Rockefeller Center station heading Downtown / to Coney Island 5.0 Pass 42 Street - Bryant Park 1.4 Pass 34 Street - Herald Sq 1.8 Pass 23 Street/6 avenue 2.1 Get off at 14th Street / 6 Avenue 1.9 Transfer

Ratings

Re-route

Take the L train from 6 Avenue station heading to Manhattan / 8 Av

HopStop has taken into account scheduled service changes for this route

5.0 Get off at 8 Avenue 1.6 Exit near intersection of W 14th St and 8th Ave 2.0

360-view Start out going South on 8th Ave towards Greenwich Ave

Turn right onto W 13th St 0.8 Turn left onto Gansevoort St 1.9 Turn right onto Little West 12th St

Monday Night

Gotham Comedy Club

212.367.9000 - 208 W. 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011 (7th / 8th Avenue)

Pacha

618 W. 46th St.

11th / 12th Avenue

HOGPIT After club food

22 9th Ave, New York 10014

At 13th St

NYC SHOPPING

If you start at Canal Street and walk up Broadyway, ending up in Union Square you'll pass loads of good shops and street vendors. My fave shops were Antique Orange and Blues (for Levis), Uniqlo www.uniqlo.com (for cheap but great quality clothes and nice jeans) and Yellow Rat Ba$tard for fab t-shirts. Also Forever 21(cute underwear), DSW (discount shoes) and American Eagle(jeans again) are in Union Square. Try Shoemania in Union Sq for trainers

Century 21 Department Store

22 Cortlandt St. (Church St.-Broadway)

Cortlandt St Station, R,V Train

Bloomingdale's

1000 Third Ave. (59 St.

Lexington Avenue Station – 4, 5 and 6 train

Macys

34th Street / Herald Square

34th Street Station

Midtown Comics

459 Lexington Ave. (45 St.)

burlington coat factory

707 6th ave

Loehmanns

7th Ave. & 16th St.

Adidas Originals Store With an inspired collection, the triple-stripe sportswear company has moved out of the gym and into retro fashion. Young jocks and wannabe D.J.’s come here for anything from key chains, track suits and tees to limited-edition shoes.

Plan B: Opt for streamlined apparel and footwear from the nearby Puma Store, abuzz with young hipsters. • Adidas: 136 Wooster St. near Prince St., 212-777-2001, adidas.com

• Puma: 521 Broadway near Spring St., 212-334-7861, puma.com Make a Playdate American Girl Place The 43,000-square-foot behemoth is home to a full line of eighteen-inch historical dolls (dressed in period clothes), a café, a bookstore, and a theater that brings the dolls’ characters to life. • 609 Fifth Ave. at 49th St., 1-877-AG-PLACE, americangirl.com For Those With an Alternative Computing Style Apple Store SoHo The two-story space boasts a show-stopping glass staircase and a translucent walkway which glimmers in the sunshine flooding in from skylights. Test-drive everything in sight (iPods, digital cameras, software), play stump-the-tech-experts at the Genius Bar upstairs, or sit in on the free daily instructional seminars. • 103 Prince St. at Greene St., 212-226-3126 Because You Can Afford to Look Fabulous Barneys New York Anyone worth her Manolos will tell you that Barneys’ Madison Avenue flagship is the final word in edgy designer fashion. The lower floors house sophisticated, expensive items like Prada suits; in the upstairs Co-op department, you’ll find Habitual jeans, Miu Miu dresses, and clingy Juicy tees. • 660 Madison Ave. at 61st St., 212-826-8900, barneys.com

• Barney's Co-op, 236 W. 18th St. near Seventh Ave., 212-593-7800

• Barney's Co-op, 116 Wooster St., near Prince St., 212-965-9964 Score a Suit. Buy a Shoe. Bergdorf Goodman Ladies who lunch still come here for endless variations on the daytime suit; younger customers flock to the fifth floor for Michael Kors, Theory, and Diane von Furstenberg dresses. The second floor shoe salon is dazzling enough to get any woman in trouble and the massive bag collection is equally dangerous. • 754 Fifth Ave. at 58th St., 212-753-7300, bergdorfgoodman.com Bag Big Name Brands Bloomingdale's Plow through "B-Way," the aptly named, crowded main-floor arcade that feels like Times Square on Saturday, and hit the second floor for trendy, well-priced American brands. Bloomies also carries all the requisite big-name designer labels and houses an extensive selection of lingerie. The SoHo location, opened in spring '04, caters to a younger, hipper crowd. • 1000 Third Ave. at 59th St., 212-705-2000, bloomingdales.com

• 504 Broadway, between Spring and Broome Sts., 212-729-5900 Save Big Century 21 The home of department store designer leftovers that are at least—and often far more than—40 percent off. You’ll find everything from Hanes to Helmut Lang for men and women. The linen department deals are even more incredible. • 22 Cortlandt St., near Broadway, 212-227-9092, c21stores.com Return of a Classic FAO Schwarz In 1862, German immigrant Frederick August Otto Schwarz began supplying New York society with Europe’s finest toys. Today, you’ll find a smattering of ultra-high-end goods and an array of stuffed animals, dolls, train sets, blocks, board games, and even candy. • 767 Fifth Ave. at 58th St., 212-644-9400, fao.com While You Wait Grand Central Station Looking for authentic New York cheesecake? You don't need to trek out to Brooklyn. This spectacularly restored landmark boasts a Junior's outpost—along with classy lounge The Campbell Apartment, the famous Oyster Bar & Restaurant, and a slew of shops, including Godiva Chocolatier, Kenneth Cole, L'Occitane, Banana Republic, Papyrus and many more.

• Grand Central Terminal, 42nd St. and Lexington Ave., grandcentralterminal.com Take a Fresh Food Break The Greenmarket at Union Square Farmers from as far away as Vermont arrive at this outdoor market four times weekly, toting the freshest of produce and an ample selection of flowers. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Plan B: Roam the long corridor at Chelsea Market, stopping for lunch, pastries, produce, or unusual blooms at their wholesale flower market. • Greenmarket: Union Square at 17th St., 212-788-7476, cenyc.org

• Chelsea Market: 75 Ninth Ave., between 15th and 16th Sts., 212-243-6005, chelseamarket.com Meet the Mod Squad Henri Bendel In the disco era, Henri Bendel was the epicenter of modish New York. These days, the shop stays cool with favorites like Earl Jeans and Shoshanna dresses, as well as styles from designers like Sophia Kokosalaki. Visit the Tiffany’s Closet boutique for vintage handbags and jewelry. • 712 Fifth Ave. near 56th St., 212-247-1100 Go Euro-Fabulous H&M The throngs of bargain hunters, thumping music, and huge fitting-room lines could fray even a Zen master’s nerves, but you can’t beat this Swedish chain’s ridiculously low prices on must-haves of the moment like club clothes, ethnic-inspired tops, and cargo pants.

Plan B: For years, European have loved the Dutch brand Mexx for many of the same reasons New Yorkers love H&M—accessible prices, amazingly quick trend-spotting. Prices are a step higher at Mexx and outerwear seems to be their strength. • 640 Fifth Ave., near 51st St., 646-473-1164, hm.com

• 1328 Broadway at 34th St., 212-564-9922

• 558 Broadway near Prince St., 212-343-2722

• 435 Seventh Ave. at 34th St., 212-643-6955

• 125 W. 125th St., 212-665-8300

• Mexx: 515 Broadway, between Spring and Broome Sts., 212-965-8975

Shop the Miracle on 34th St.

Macy's

If you're looking for cutting edge fashion, head elsewhere. This is the spot for essentials from all the big brands—everyone from Guess and Esprit to Ralph, Donna and Calvin, and at all prices in between.

• 151 W. 34th St. near Broadway, 212-695-4400, macys.com

Why God Made Window Shopping

Madison Avenue

This haute strip boasts fifteen blocks of celebrity designer shops (Calvin, Jean-Paul, Giorgio) and flagship fashion house boutiques (Prada, Hermès, Chanel). Kick things off at Fratelli Rossetti on 58th Street for fab Italian shoes, and be sure to leave some time for the grand finale at the stately Polo Store on 72nd Street.

Plan B: Need to get it all in a hurry? Fifth Avenue is where you'll find the high-end department stores (Bergdorf's, Bendel's, Saks) carrying all the names you need. Plus a few that you won't find on Madison (Versace, Fendi, Ferragamo).

• Madison Avenue, 57th to 72nd Sts.

Chase Your Hoop Dreams

NBA Store

This bustling basketball temple carries everything from standard posters and authentic jerseys to jewelry, tableware and a new “nba4her” line, worn by Eve and Mariah Carey. Test your skills by shooting balls on the main-floor court or in the pop-a-shot game downstairs.

• 666 Fifth Ave. at 52nd St., 212-515-6221, nbastore.com

Just Buy It

Niketown

The famed Nike swoosh is everywhere you look in this much-ballyhooed store. Stop in for the full line of Nike products—shoes, clothes, gizmos—and the terrific people-watching.

• 6 E. 57th St., between Fifth and Madison Aves., 212-891-6453, niketown.com

Not your Average Drug Store

Ricky's

No one needs 80 kinds of hair brushes, but they look cool all lined up on the shelves. Ditto for wigs in shades of neon and hair bands in every shape. Makeup artists hoard the tiny plastic pots and bottles; club kids come for extensions and body glitter.

• Multiple locations. Flagship Store: 509 Fifth Ave. near 42nd St., 212-949-7230, rickys-nyc.com

Shop a Classic

Saks Fifth Avenue

This top-end department store is filled with major American designers and plenty of Europeans, plus a complete collection of diffusion lines. The eighth-floor swimwear department swells seasonally to accommodate classics and styles with a little more va-va-voom.

• 611 Fifth Ave. at 50th St., 212-753-4000, saksfifthavenue.com

Explore the Downtown Crowd Pleaser

SoHo

This one-time artists' mecca has since morphed into the city's poshest outdoor mall. Cobblestoned streets and loft-like spaces make the neighborhood a prettier spot for shopping than the average galleria, but do expect seemingly impenetrable throngs on your way from Catherine Malandrino to Kate Spade. (Kill two birds and visit Chinatown for knockoff bags just blocks away.)

• W. Houston St. to Canal St.; Broadway to Sixth Ave.

Embrace Your Inner Technophile

Sony Style

It’s big, noisy, and always packed with elbowing tourists, but this shop’s the best place around for sleek gadgets and high-tech equipment.

• 550 Madison Ave. near 55th St., 212-833-5336, sonystyle.com

Browse 16 Miles of Books

Strand Book Store

Established in 1927, the dusty, flea-market-esque Strand is the largest, cheapest secondhand-book store in town. It carries everything from current fiction to old cookbooks, art tomes, and rare reads.

• 828 Broadway at 12th St., 212-473-1452, strandbooks.com

• Annex: 95 Fulton St. near Gold St., 212-732-6070,

• Strand Books Kiosk: Central Park, Fifth Ave. at 60th St., 646-284-5506

Score a Little Blue Box

Tiffany & Co.

The most democratic of the big jewelry houses, Tiffany’s welcomes shoppers who come by Town Cars, taxis, and tour buses. Snap up key rings, money clips and cuff links, or invest in beautifully-made men's watches, kitchenware, or their classic 6-prong diamond engagement ring.

Plan B: Compare styles and prices across the street at Van Cleef & Arpels, a surprisingly intimate, wood-paneled shop packed with the legendary designer's glamorous, classic rings.

• Tiffany & Co.: 727 Fifth Ave. at 57th St., 212-755-8000, tiffany.com

• Van Cleef & Arpels: 744 Fifth Ave. near 57th St., 212-644-9500, vancleef.com

Hitch a Ride Inside

Toys 'R' Us

Why spend your city time in this suburban staple? Smack in the middle of their midtown store sits a giant ferris wheel. Go for a loop, then make a beeline for the exit. You can always stock up on the chain's discounted name-brand toys and games later.

• 1514 Broadway near 44th St., 800-869-7787, toysrus.com

• 24-30 Union Square East near 15th St., 212-674-8697

Tune in to the Music

Virgin Megastore

A sprawling retail palace, Virgin has surprisingly helpful salespeople and a good selection of everything from rock to show tunes.

• 52 E. 14th St. at Broadway, 212-598-4666, virginmega.com

• 1540 Broadway near 45th St., 212-921-1020

Keihls" on 13th street and 3rd ave ( - SOAPS )

Disney Store on Fifth Avenue and 55th Street

B&H Photo - 420 9th Avenue - 33rd and 34th Streets

Again, thank you all. Already planning the return visit.