hey I am in nyc too. we just posted the same journal entry. ha. there is lots to do, depends on budget though. I guess I mainly hang with friends, but I can recommend a ton of places to eat or snack for that matter and also some great bars for drinks. Are those the type of things you are looking for?
Hmmm... I think the first thing to do would be to hit up TKTS booth and see if there's an interesting show. You never know, something could click, and tickets could appear out of nowhere...
Then I think I'd drag you down to St. Mark's Place (8th street between 2nd and 3rd avenue). It may look like just a street, but it's essentially the birthplace of punk in America... the neighborhood has some really great vibes, even on the worst of days. If no show came up at TKTS, the bowery (couple blocks south) is home of CBGB, where for a few measly bucks you can see an army of unknown bands playing for their lives. Like them or no, that's another place that's got so much character it just might make you weep.
We'd most definitely stop in at McSorley's Ale House while in the area - a cool little 150 year old pub. Depending on your interests and whims, there are a thousand other little places to go from there... all walking, skipping, jumping, or stumbling distance away.
I'd probably try to talk you into going to the Empire State Building if you've never been. Not to be cheesy, but because the view is really incredible. We'd waste a whole disposable camera taking pictures, at least half of which would probably be ridiculous and silly.
places i would take you if i was in new york right now:
Cafe Habana (best food in the world ever)
(corner of Prince and Elizabeth)
Patricia Fields (best shopping in the world ever)
382 west broadway (in soho)
if it is nice out i would take us to chelsea pier... and bring a picnic. i like being in the city and still feeling some sort of breeze in my hair...
coney island if we had time (you have to take the F train all the way to the end. this takes a while. but it is so worth it. if you end up going, get a hot dog and ride the cyclone roller coaster. and go to the freak show. just ask, they will tell you where it is.)
we would end the evening at the library bar (on Avenue A, between Houston and 2nd I believe) because it is the BEST BAR in new york and has the BEST JUKEBOX in the entire world. we would dance our little hearts out, then maybe get some candy on our walk back to wherever we were staying...
phew. that sure beats studying for my art history exam. hope you find something to do. but you should really do all of those things if you haven't already.
i lived at BK polytech in one of the dorms (metrotech center) last summer... fuck i miss brooklyn. i hope you are enjoying your trip. i need some cuban corn. damnit.
Jase