Shop for high fashion bargains for men, women and children at Century 21. New Yorkers dress well, but a little known secret is that they rarely pay retail. Because the store is in a business district, it keeps long hours; it is open on weekdays at 7:45 a.m.--perfect for someone who snags her pantyhose on the way to work--and it closes at 9 or 9:30 p.m. If you are not familiar with Jewish holidays, check the store's website (see Resources); Century 21 is closed on Jewish holidays.
Visit Battery Park City, which has some of the city's most innovative playgrounds and lends equipment such as balls and hula hoops to anyone with photo ID. Even if you are downtown without children, the lush grass here is perfect for sunbathing, enjoying a picnic or reading The New York Times. There are frequent free concerts.
Check out the South Street Seaport, a pedestrian area with shops, restaurants, the South Street Seaport Museum and the discount Broadway and off-Broadway ticket outlet, TKTS. You can rent bicycles from Bike & Roll, take a water taxi tour or ride The Beast
Nearby, visit the New York City Police Museum or take a free ferry ride to and from Staten Island. There are also free ferries to and from Governors Island, seasonally.
See some of the museums downtown. The Museum of Jewish Heritage and The National Museum of the American Indian are two recommended sites. You may also want to visit Ground Zero, the World Financial Center, Wall Street and Museum of American Finance.
