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Somone familiar with NYC help me out...

I'm heading there on a business trip in 2 weeks (11/10-11/13). I'll be staying at the Embassy Suites in Manhattan which is across from the World Financial Center.

I've never been to NYC before and need to know what to do since I'd rather not just sit in the hotel room every night. I'll have Wed & Thurs nights after work but I will need to be fresh the following morning so only about 3-4 hours to do whatever. I'll also have Friday night and I'm flying out Saturday at noon so I can do whatever on Friday night. Most likely I will be solo after work as the people I have worked with so far at the company I am visiting have been a bit annoying. The trip itself is kind of a babysit the contractor type thing so they may be less than enthused with my being there. That typically doesn't lend itself to good afterwork company...

I will have a moderate expense account for meals. No $80 dinners but they won't bat an eye at a $30-$40 meal.

So, are there are places I should check out, restraunts I should eat at, or things I should definately do while I'm there?

Eat a whole pizza from Original Famous Rays, if that's the only thing you do while you are there.

Scores.

The Bronx.  Wearing a Red Sox hat.

No need to rub it in...:D

Do they make Red Sox sweatshirts in Kevlar(tm)?

The only thing being "rubbed in" would be his face... into the pavement. ;)

Hmmm... Ya know I was more looking for fun things to do than dangerous things to do...

I'm not really into the whole "extreme" sports types of things... :)

I've only been once, for 4 days back in '97 on a high school choir trip.  Some of the highlights for me were:

Times Square at night, Empire State Building, Ellis Island, Liberty Island, The Phantom of the Opera, Central Park, 5th Avenue, St. Patrick's Cathedral.... those are fun touristy things mostly.

Having fun in NYC is like getting a handjob in a massage parlor.....not only is it common, it's expected. And you'll probably get charged way too much for it.

Hit the tourist spots, check out some bars and restaurants along the way, yadda yadda yadda.

Bring the noise.
Cheers...............

Do Ellis island if you enjoy history, the immigration museum is fantastic (I enjoyed it more than the statue in fact). Even better if your family immigrated to the US and came through Ellis all the immigrants name are listed on the walls outside of the musuem..

Isn't that from a Seinfeld skit?  "Is it Original Ray's or Famous Ray's?"

Bruce

Aye. (http://www.stanthecaddy.com/the-maid.html)

Sometimes I wonder if I might have too much time on my hands.

McSorleys for beer.  Go early to avoid the NYU rush.  Patsy's or Grimaldi's for pizza.  Feel free to take in the view of the pit, you're right next door.  Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty are right there, dress warm though.  Don't bother going to the NYSE and asking for a tour, they stopped that about three years ago.  Scores, Tens or Flashdancers for the boobies.  For food, I suggest stopping by a Barnes and Noble and reading a Zagat guide.  There's plenty around in the $40 range.  If you want to go crazy, hit Peter Luger's for some steak ($70+).  Key thing to remember, Barnes and Noble and Starbucks are what pass for public toilets in the city.  If you need a pit stop, find one.  For museums, I'd say the Metropolitan.  It's cheap ('suggested' donation) and you can spend days there.  Cabs have gone up in price so it's about $35 or so to get to LGA (and that's from Chelsea).  You will probably be able to expense the ride, but just remember to bring a pile of cash.

If your a beer drinker check out this link http://www.cask-ale.co.uk/us/index.html. Recomendations could be narrowed down if you  tell a little more about your entertainment preferences and the age of the crowd you want to mingle with.
St. Marks  if you like nose rings and tattoos. Wall street area  or Mid town if your a young professional type.
 Union square is a good place to start your night out from. There's a Barnes and Noble and a Heartland Brewery there. The brewery 's kinda touristy and has branches all over the city but you could grab a zagats, have an ale and plan  your route.
Like others have mentioned deep pockets are a must.

Check out some shows at the UCB Theatre (http://www.ucbtheatre.com/). Underground NY comedy and Longform Improv at its finest; regular performers from The Daily Show and SNL; cheap tickets ($5-$8). The 11 pm Cagematch show on Thursday or The Swarm on Friday might be your best choice.

We now have a Museum of Sex (http://www.museumofsex.org/).

Do some shopping on Canal Street during the day.

There's a rotating restaraunt on the top floor of the Marriot Marquis in Times Square, coctails or dinner.

Try the Rainbow Room if it's open.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

For all you n00blers lurking out there- THIS is how to make a first post. Not an introduction, not filled with drooling 1337-speak; on topic, useful, and concise.

Welcome aboard. Now don't make me regret being civil to you! =P

Thanks for the advice all.

Especially the beer drinking guides. I may have to make Friday night a bit of a pub crawl as I just stumble bar to bar trying to have one drink in as many places as possible.

How late do bars serve in NYC? I'm guessing at least 4 AM or so if they stop at all.

Wed. & Thurs I'll probably just wander... Can you buy a one or two-day subway pass or is it a pay for each ride kind of thing? Assuming they're available would it be worth buying an extended pass for 5-6 subway trips?

NYC Subway rides are $2.00 each, or $7 for a 1-Day Unlimited Ride, or $21 for a 7-day Unlimited Ride.

http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/submap.htm

If you are going to ride the subway dont be afraid to look like a tourist and spend some time looking at the map. I lived in Westchester and worked in the city four years and besides the four or so trains I took fairly regularly I always had to look for where I was going. Pick one of those Zagat restaurants or a club suggested and take a cab just for the hell of it. Kind of like the Subway you can then say you have. Half the fun is just saying you have done it when you get back home.

Garranteed. If you are just walking around, another tourist type will come up to and ask you directions. The First month I lived there I was approached by at least a dozen people. The reason is you won't be rushing to get somewhere like the locals who know where they are and thus you look approachable. I never laughed so hard when asked where Lexington was and I was looking for the same thing. Maybe just my experience.

Nothing else to add. The subway link was the only real reason for my post.

btw. Tourists call it New York City.

Yes the locals call it "Fuckin New Yooork"