November 14, 2004

Knowing when to go: the best of times

There is indeed a best time to do everything, and Time Out magazine has a great story in this week's issue with a rundown on the best times to visit some of the city's key attractions. Some of the highlights:

Rockefeller Center ice skating -- "morning is the quietest part of every day," "weekdays between 2 and 4," "or any afternoon when it's lightly raining, snowing or bitterly cold."

Macy's Santaland -- "first thing in the morning, or early afternoon, about 1 to 3."

Empire State Building -- "the first viewing at 8:30 a.m.," or "lunch and dinner hours on Monday through Wednesday," and be sure to "buy your tickets online and print them at home," to avoid the long downstairs line.

American Museum of Natural History -- "Start at 10 o'clock on any day and you'll be fine. Weekdays after 2 are good, too. And stick to the 81st Street entrance."

Metropolitan Museum of Art -- "either early mornings or from 3 to 4 pm" and "never go on Sunday."

Whitney Museum of American Art -- "opening time on Sunday mornings."

Caroline's on Broadway -- "'The New Class Clowns,' a Tuesday-night showcase that draws established comics from Chris Rock to Jay Mohr, who like to pop in and work on new material."

TKTS booth -- "Jewish holidays" and "after 6 pm.; shows often release more tickets late in the day."

Television tapings -- line up for SNL standby tickets start at 7 a.m. Saturdays at the 49th Street entrance of 30 Rockefeller Plaza; Conan O'Brien standbys available Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m.; and your best chance to get Letterman tickets are Monday, "when two tapings in the afternoon improve your chances. Plenty of seats are saved for last-minute tourists who've made long hauls to get in."

November 14, 2004 11:52 AM in Sightsology

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