Naperville, Illinois: My son recently relocated to Manhattan. In researching hotels for our upcoming visit , I came across several hotel consolidators , whose raates were very much lower than the typical Manhattan hotel prices. My question, are these legitimate companies? Thanks!

Charlie Suisman: There's nothing inherently fishy about these companies -- they buy in bulk and then sell at a discount. But you still want to go with a reputable firm. One I like is Quikbook.com.

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Modesto, Ca: We will be viiting New York for 2 nights in Nov. as a stopover on to Europe. We have been several times and have done all the tourist stuff. Can you suggest something new to do and maybe a cool neighborhood we can stay in instead of the usual Time Square?

Thanks

Charlie Suisman: Definitely! Whenever my friends and family come to visit, I suggest they stay anywhere but Times Square and midtown. Nothing wrong with it, but you'll get a visitor's view of the city, rather than an insider's. And so many great chefs, and shops, and nightlife is now below 34th Street. So, I'd suggest staying in the West or East Village. If you want to get a *really* different angle on the city, try the Lower East Side. It's far from bucolic, but there's so much history there, not to mention a definite hipster scene. The Hotel on Rivington caters to the neighborhood's new-found vibe.

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Grand Rapids, MI: We're going to NYC next week; have been there several times and would like to explore Brooklyn. Ideas? Also, now that the Second Ave. Deli has closed (!), any other really authentic kosher delis that aren't Katz or Carnegie? Jane

Charlie Suisman: The good news is that Second Avenue Deli has plans to re-open, though not on Second Avenue. It was by far my favorite. You're right to mention Katz's and Carnegie. There aren't that many any more, alas. But there's Ben's to add to your list until 2nd Ave comes back to us.

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Paw Paw, Mich.: A group of 40+ female teachers travel to NYC every November (usually the second weekend) for a three day weekend. We have seen the usual tourist attractions plus numerous plays. What would you say are the best "under-advertised" NYC attractions that we should put on our list for this year or even coming years?

Charlie Suisman: Somehow visitors miss the Frick Collection and it's an amazing small museum. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden sounds like it's hard to get to, but it's not --- and well worth the subway ride. The Morgan Library had been closed for a renovation but it reopened last year and it's now even more interesting than before. If you've never walked along the string of connecting parks along the Hudson, beginning at the southern tip of the island and extending northward -- it's a fantastic walk. If you like classical music, you can't do better than the chamber concerts of Bargemusic, held indoors on an old barge in Brooklyn. World-class musicians and views of Manhattan. Speaking of Brooklyn, if you haven't been to the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) -- they have amazing theater, dance, opera -- all kind of great events. If you want a place that even most New Yorkers don't know, the Fisher Landau Center in Long Island City was formerly a private collection of art, now open to the public, in what was an old parachute manufacturing facility! And one more about art: the galleries that used to make up Soho are now in west Chelsea -- you can see many galleries in one swoop because they're grouped within a few blocks.

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Bethesda, Md.: I'm traveling to Manhattan for business early next month and for the first time will fly rather than taking the train from D.C. Which airport is most accessible to downtown--I'll be staying near Rockefeller Center--and how much time should I allot for travel to and from the airport? Thanks!

Charlie Suisman: LaGuardia is the closest of the three airports. If you're not arriving at rush hour, the ride can be as little as 25 minutes to midtown. But don't count on it. You should figure 45 minutes -- maybe you'll get lucky!

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Santa Barbara, Calif.: What is considered appropriate "city clothing" for day and night?

Charlie Suisman: That depends so much on what you're going to be doing, time of year etc. But it may help to know that New York has become much less formal over the past 10-15 years. Few restaurants require a coat and tie for men any more. 'Upscale casual' is how restaurants sometimes describe the code of how they think you should dress. But if I had to describe a general rule -- go for stylish, understated clothing - basic black always works. The nice thing about the city is, though, you'll fit in if you're wearing old jeans and sneakers, or if you're in designer clothing.

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Salem, Ore.: My husband and I will be in New York Oct. 13-16. We are interested in going to a comedy club. Any recommendations? Also, we're staying in a hotel on the upper west side (74th and Broadway). Any recommendations for dinner? Thank you!

Charlie Suisman: The biggest names tend to go to Caroline's but you can also try the Comedy Cellar and one right near where you'll be staying, StandUp NY. As for dinner, one of the neighborhood's classics is Cafe Luxembourg. A favorite of mine (but fair warning: noisy, tight quarters, cash only) is called Celeste on Amsterdam Ave. -- delicious Italian food at very modest prices.

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Las Vegas, Nev.: I will arrive at JFK in the early afternoon after an international flight from Istanbul,and will need to spend the night around the vicinity of the airport for an early morning flight to Las Vegas. Any suggestions for economic accommodations?

Charlie Suisman: There is a limited choice but The Ramada Plaza should fit the bill. And it's the only hotel actually on JFK property.

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Orinda, CA: Best activities for a 14 year old music (rock and roll, blues) loving boy, and a nature and animal loving 11 year old girl. Both day and evening activity suggestions would be appreciated!

Charlie Suisman: For the nature loving girl, the Museum of Natural History is a must -- I just took my niece and nephew there and it was a big hit -- one of the highlights of their trip to New York. There's the Bronx Zoo, too, an excellent way to spend an afternoon. As for the boy, he's too young for most of the city's music venues I think. But I would check Radio City Music Hall to see who will be performing there when you're in town.

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Exeter, Calif.: Recommended moderately priced restaurants on the Upper West Side? Will be in NYC 10/1-10/5/07.

Charlie Suisman: Sure. I mentioned Celeste and Cafe Luxembourg elsewhere, I also like Indian Oven, Land (Thai food), and Onera (Greek).

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Lake Mary, Fla.: I have visited NYC several times and have loved it! We have always taken bus tours of the city. As a result, we have seen all the normal things (Statue of LIberty, Times Square, etc.) I would like to know if there are personal guides that can be hired to show us NYC through the eyes of a "native". I would like to contact them ahead of time so they could recommend the best place to stay so we would be centrally located to the things we would be seeing.

Thank you,
Anne

Charlie Suisman: There are a lot of options. Myra Alperson does food walking tours, there are companies like Big Onion for history and there are individuals like Justin Ferrate who will do custom tours depending on your interest.

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Upland, CA: We are going to New York/Manhattan the day after Christmas thru the 5 on January. we are 6 adults & 1 toddler - cannot find any info regarding carseats, taxi regulations for my grandson! None of us have been there before and cannot find anything on it. We are staying at the Shelburne/Murray Hill on Lexington. Thank you for your help!

Charlie Suisman: Drivers of yellow medallion taxicabs and for-hire vehicles and their passengers, are exempt from laws regarding car seats and seatbelts. Keep in mind, the TLC encourages everyone in the vehicle to buckle their seatbelts while riding in a cab. There are no Taxi and Limousine Commission rules regarding this, as it is a State exemption. Passengers with children are encouraged to bring their own car seats, which the drivers must allow passengers to install. Children under the age of seven are permitted to sit on an adult's lap.

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San Francisco, CA: Tentatively planning on going to New York City over Christmas with husband and 13 year old daughter. What would you suggest we do on Christmas Day when most stores, museums, and other attractions will be closed?

Charlie Suisman: It's true that New York is at its quietest on Christmas Day. Weather permitting, I would go to Central Park -- it's a lovely, family-oriented feeling on that day in the park. Big Onion Tours does their annual Jewish Lower East Side Tour on Christmas Day. Check the Broadway performance schedule that week. Some shows may be performing. Check Radio City and the Rockettes schedule. And a fair number of restaurants will be open Christmas night.

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Valencia, CA: Dear Mr. Suisman, my husband and I are planning a quick two to three day trip to New York to see Spring Awakening at the end of September (yes, my idea). What is the best airport to fly into when staying in Manhattan? I have been told it is sometimes quicker/easier to fly into one farther afield than battle the traffic around JFK. And, bonus question, what are the best seats in the Eugene O'Neill in your opinion? Many thanks, C. Cameron

Charlie Suisman: Bonus question first: if I could sit exactly anywhere, I'd pick row E on the center aisle, or first row center mezz. About flying into the airports -- the truth is, it's never fun getting into Manhattan from any of the airports. But, even with horrendous traffic, it's never taken me more than 70 minutes to get in from JFK, and that's been the worst-case. The distance from La Guardia is shorter, but there are no non-stops to/from California.

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Lawrence, Kans.: We are going to be in NYC 12/25-12/30. Right now we are booked at the Radio City Apartments, but I am thinking it would really be more fun to find something in Soho, Tribeca, etc. Since it will be winter, we'd like to be somewhere where it is easy to walk to a cafe, shopping, etc. for those times we're just hanging out. Any suggestions? Thanks!

--Karen

Charlie Suisman: Soho and Tribeca don't have a lot of hotel options -- I think you're better off in the Village where you'll never be more than a few feet (!) from cafes, shopping, the subway etc. And from the Village, it's an easy walk to Soho and Tribeca.

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Charlie Suisman: I've really enjoyed this -- thanks for letting me talk about New York -- my favorite subject. Come visit -- I know you'll have a great time no matter what you do. For more info on New York, you can also check out my website, Manhattan User's Guide -- thanks for the great questions! Charlie Suisman