Hi Anne - I have a couple of suggestions re your itinerary.

Day 2 Friday - "Ground Zero" There is really nothing here but a construction site and a very large vacant space. If you've never seen it, well that's one thing, but if you have seen it, don't expect any development. This is a continuing political embarassment.

But do go to St Paul's Chapel directly across from "ground zero." It was a refuge immediately following the attacks of 9-11 and then for 8 months was home to all the volunteers who helped with the clean-up effort. St Paul's has very moving photographic and interactive exhibits of that tragic event.St Paul's was miraculously spared damage.

http://www.saintpaulschapel.org/

After you are finished at Grimald's, close by is one of the great chocolatiers - Jacques Torres - just a short stroll from where you will be ...

http://www.mrchocolate.com/default.aspx

Re subway from Brooklyn to Chinatown, see this link ...

http://www.hopstop.com/

Day 3 Saturday - I think you can do this - although you may find the Soho/Little Italy followed by Greenwich Village/Chelsea is plenty for one day. You can spend hours jus walking around Soho and Greenwich village, which are by far the best of the areas.

Day 4 Sunday - this may be a little ambitious. MOMA opens at 10:00AM - I went a couple of weeks ago for the Munch exhibit on a Sunday morning, arrived at 9:00AM and had to wait in lines outside for an hour until it opened. You could easily spend 4 hours here - it has one of the world's great 20th century collections. So take that into consideration.

THE place to get picnic food is Zabars at 80th & Broadway - it's a short walk to the Park from there - see this site...

broadway.zabars.com/live/default.asp…

For dinner that evening back in Brooklyn at the River Cafe - treat yourself and take either a taxi or a car service back and forth.

Hope you have a wonderful trip - let me know if you need more info.

Best,

Roger

>>>Shopping Madison Avenue, 5th avenue and 57 th street.My husband, believe it or not, is the most interested in shopping.<<<

I once chatted with a very smartly dressed saleman at a men's clothing shop in Paris...and asked him where he bought his clothes. His response was "..London...and do you know Barney's in New York?.."

If you find yourself near a SYM'S store (there's one downtown in the Financial District, on Trinity Place--the southern extention of Church St-- a few blocks from the WTC observation platform--and another up on Park Ave. at 54th St.) stop in and check to see if they have any bargains that interest you.

Two(2) hours for the MoMA on a Sunday isn't going to be nearly enough time.

I LOVE Syms. My husband and I discovered it a couple of years ago, and we've managed to get quite a few bargains there. They sell discounted designer clothes. It's not a beautiful place to shop in, but if you find something you want, it's definitely worth it.

My husband has bought a few very beautiful suits there, and I've bought some very lovely things as well. Incidentally, if you go into their website, you can probably print out a 10% coupon.

Talk to tstern@aol.com who lives in Manhattanan and also Kdksail.

One of my favorite thing in NYC is walking across the Brooklyn bridge.

An other one is going to the Gugghenheim museum or the MOMA.

Have a great time!

Christiane

>>>I LOVE Syms. My husband and I discovered it a couple of years ago, and we've managed to get quite a few bargains there. They sell discounted designer clothes. It's not a beautiful place to shop in, but if you find something you want, it's definitely worth it<<<

I've been a loyal SYM'S customer since longer than I'd care to admit...at least since the time when US banks had 'substantive' names, like 'First National City Bank' and 'Morgan Guaranty Trust Co', 'New York Bank & Trust'...rather than today's 'Warm & Fuzzy Bank', 'Smiley Face Bank' or 'Com'on In, Take Your Shoes Off & Put Your Feet Up Bank'. I rather enjoyed doing business with Mr. Someone' in a grey chalk stiped suit...rather than 'Hi !! I'm Debbie' in capris and a tank top.

But like most 'job lot' and 'manufacturer's close-out' stores, SYM'S tends to be hit or miss'...you either wind up spending your entire annual clothing budget in an hour or so....or you come away empty.

I agree with you, KDKSAIL.

Regarding shopping on Madison Avenue on Memorial Day, you should check with some of the shops your husband plans to visit to make sure they will be open that day. While the big department stores will be open, I imagine some of the more exclusive boutiques on Madison Avenue above 57th Street may be closed.

Great sales on Memorial Day !!!

Most of your time will be spent on the East Side. The West Side, particularly from Columbus Circle up to Columbia University (roughly 59th Street to 120th)is a great neighborhood, especially because tourists get more of a feel for NYC as a place where people actually live instead of just working and clubbing. If you are having a picnic, check out Zabars on Broadway and 81st. They have extensive prepared foods and a good kitchen department on the second floor. H&H Bagles is a couple blocks south on the same side (west) of the street on Broadway. Follow your nose or watch for the line out the door, and pick up a couple bagels to eat immediately! From Zabar's it's less than a ten minute walk east back to Central Park. You could also check out Riverside Park two blocks further west. At 92nd Street there is an entrance down into the park that will lead you to a community garden that is quite beautiful that time of year. At Broadway and 74th there is another store, (the) Fairway (again, west side of the street) that sells everything you could want in food. Check out the subway entrance at 72nd Street and Broadway. It's one of a kind from the outside.

Thanks everyone !

Any other suggestion ?