Visiting New York City

[nissangirl74]

It's not something I'll be doing in the near-near future but something that has always been on my bucket list. I was wondering if I could get some ideas from the locals, or people who have visited, on the best things to see and do, places to sleep and eat, as well as the things to avoid. Also, I have no desire to visit in the dead heat of the Summer or bitter cold of the Winter. To me, the ideal time would be Autumn or mid-Spring before the humidity set in.

Thanks!

[Jesda]

It's far more pleasant on Google Maps than it is in person.

[Razi]

[nissangirl74]

Great.

[Jesda]

I think Bubba is this forum's authority on visiting NYC.

[alms24sebring]

I went last Summer for the day. Summers arent very hot up there but I def wouldnt go during winter. I can say have plenty of cash on you for cabs (which are f***ing crazy drivers) and the subway. I think the Sunway is $1 for any destination. I thought the subway was a great experience. It really looked and smelled like an old 1920s piece of american history. It was hot as hell underground but the train was nice n cool. Visit the top of the Empire state building for like $22 or $16 I think if you have a school ID. Its waaaaaay taller than you might think and at the base looking up made me want to throw up everywhere. I couldnt believe people could build something so big. Central Park is awesome, get genuine NY pizza, see Ground Zero (the new building and memorial should be finished or close to it I think) and the Statue of liberty from the shore a few blocks away, and visit Grand Central Station. Plenty of stores and vendors around. It was fun and I hope to go back someday for longer.

[Jesda]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaKuT3dIwfc[/youtube]

[DJ_B_Easy]

It really depends on what you are into.

If you are into sight seeing and history, pair Central Park with one of many museums along its East side. Travel down to Ground Zero for the memorial, Battery Park, and then hop over to Wall Street. Go see the Intrepid on the West side (is it still there? I think it has to be?) and maybe you will be lucky enough to have the NY Auto Show in town at the Jacob Javits Center at the same time (just passed BTW). One thing you MUST do is experience Times Square at night. I dont know why, but every time I travel through there at night its just as amazing as the first time. Maybe Im easily amused.

Bronx Zoo, Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, Madison Square Garden, shows on (or off) Broadway, China Town, The Piers. Heck, you could spend an entire day in the village shopping clothing on Broadway, vintage vinyl and antiques/collectibles off of 6th Avenue, and fine food anywhere and everywhere in between. Im sure you can find plenty of things that suit you.

And yes, Spring or Fall would be the best time to visit. Although as mentioned, summer isnt terrible. Winter is BRUTAL. If you are walking on East/West cross streets the wind funneling through the buildings tears right through you.

[frapjap]

Visit the Altima Coupe guys (and gals)

[DJ_B_Easy]

Visit the Altima Coupe guys (and gals)

HAI!

Id just be careful hanging with the Matts in a city as enabling as New York. You can always hop the river and come visit me in the Armpit of America!

[Bubba1]

It really depends on what you are into.

.

That pretty much sums it up. New Yawk pretty much has everything.
From shows, concerts, sporting events, famous museums, skyscrapers, world famous landmarks, stores/hotels, great eateries of every type, on and on. The one thing you don't want to do there is drive a car. While I'm sure you can hold your own with the infamous cab drivers (who are switching over to Nissans FYI) and aggressive broken field driving, parking is insanely expensive.
If you can provide some idea what you want to see/do, I'd be happy to offer some ideas.

DJB, I think the Intrepid is open again. It was closed for awhile for renovations. For those unfamiliar, The Intrepid museum is an old aircraft carrier converted into a floating museum. It's a fun place, has about 30 or so restored aircraft, including one of the British Airways Concordes. It also has an old Navy diesel sub.
If you like boats, there is also the ol' Circle Line tour, which I rode often as a kid. It's a 3 hr boat ride around the island of Manhattan. they used to include a lap around the Statue of Liberty and got close to Ellis Island (now a museum for immigration). I don't know if they still do that. The skyline views are simply spectacular, especially at sunset, you also go under a lotta famous bridges like the Brooklyn Bridge. No you won't normally see dead bodies floating around.

[Heavy]

^ LOL@NewJersey

Touristy stuff: Most people i know that have never been here want to immediatley go to times square, its not a bad place just dont buy anything there since its waaaaay overpriced. Just take in the sights and some pictures and move along. You can go to the empire state building and ride the elevator up to the observation deck, its pretty cool to see people moving below you like ants. Then theres the usuall double decker bus rides around the city that your usually holding onto your seat for dear life because the cabbies keep cutting off the driver. After that take a ferry over to liberty island and check out lady liberty herself, thats the one thing ive wanted to do myself and never had the time. Im not sure if you still can but you used to be able to take the stairs up into the arm and see the torch from the inside.

Museums: NYC has a ton of museums and even have a stretch of 5th ave called "museum mile" which is home to about 10 different museums each specializing in various fields such as the Guggenheim and the MET. The only major musuem not located on museum mile is the American Museum of Natural History. There are two that I"ve really wanted to check out and thats the mafia museum in little italy and the subway museum in brooklyn.

Parks/Bridges: Central park is a very relaxing place most of the time, good for a stroll after you just ate your bodyweight in hamburgers and french fries. A word of advice is have a stick handy so you can throw it at the jerkoff in spandex that almost hit you on his bike. I recently walked over the brooklyn bridge, and the sights up there were amazing. I recommend going at night for two reasons. One is that the whole city is lit up, and you can see most of lower manhattan, brooklyn, a small part of staten island and the statue of liberty. two is that its less populated so the crowds are gone and its alot easier to get better shots wih your camera. Another great park is the Highline which used to be a railroad line that freight trains used to bring goods into NYC and it was fully shutdown in 1980 due to the trucking industry becoming increasingly large. It runs from Ganesevoort St up to West 30th.

Markets: NYC has a ton of large and small markets, all with something to offer. The small ones are scattered all over the buroughs but most of the major ones are right in manhattan. Generally these markets are only held on weekends, I know that Union Square, and Bryant park markets are open saturday and sunday. New amsterdam which is a 5 minute walk from the South St seaport is open only on sundays and the Chelsea market is open 7 days a week. Go to all of them and I bet you'll find something to take home with you, it sure beats the hell out of some cheesy souvenier you would get in times square.

Food: The list is endless..... If your hankering for a burger and fries look no further than shake shack in madison square park. Shake shack is a small chain that has random locations on the east coast but its a new york original. I have never had a bad burger there ever and theres only one shake you should get and thats a "black & white". For steaks I've always heard good things about Del Friscos except that its a tad pricey. Just make sure you have reservations, otherwise good luck getting a seat. Tehn theres some good ole BBQ and the only place for that is Dinosaur BBQ in harlem on 125th st "I know your thinking our going to get stabbed, highly doubtful that would happen" I love going here, the food and the atmosphere is great. I recommened getting the Big a** pork plate and drowning it in sauce. For italian go down to mulberry street in little italy and take a seat at Il Cortile. Their chciken francese is awesome, but dont get dessert there. Thats what Ferraras around the corner is for, you will prob have to stand in line for a bit but the cannolis are worth it. As for pizza... its going to take you a train ride to bay ridge brooklyn to go to Roccos, best NY pizza I have ever had.

Other places I suggest checking out is SoHo, Tribeca, and the lower east side. They all have some cool little shops and eaterys, and you might even catch a few movie stars wandering around.

If you ever come give me a notice ill be more than happy to show you and greg around

[DJ_B_Easy]

If you like boats, there is also the ol' Circle Line tour, which I rode often as a kid. It's a 3 hr boat ride around the island of Manhattan. they used to include a lap around the Statue of Liberty and got close to Ellis Island (now a museum for immigration). I don't know if they still do that. The skyline views are simply spectacular, especially at sunset, you also go under a lotta famous bridges like the Brooklyn Bridge. No you won't normally see dead bodies floating around.

Im pretty sure this still runs, and in recent times it also has its "adult" counterpart, The Rocks Off Boat Tour. You basically see a concert on the boat while circling Manhattan, imbibing the night away. I saw a Pink Floyd cover band called "The Machine" and it was pretty amazing.

Like Bubba and Heavy said, there is much to do. Guaranteed to find things that interest you and the family.

^ LOL@NewJersey

As terrible a rep as it gets, I happen to love it here. Its certainly not for everyone, but its all I know and I dont think that is going to change.

[seyath]

Bex, if you and Greg are making your way to NYC, you better call me so I can provide you guys with a ride for your stay and so I can take you out to dinner.

[Bubba1]

As terrible a rep as it gets, I happen to love it here. Its certainly not for everyone, but its all I know and I dont think that is going to change.

Where in Jersey do you live?

[DJ_B_Easy]

^Rockaway. Im 10 minutes North of Morristown, 10 minutes South of Sussex, and 30 minutes from NYC and PA smack dab in the middle of the state along Route 80. I grew up a town over in Denville.

[Bubba1]

^Rockaway. Im 10 minutes North of Morristown, 10 minutes South of Sussex, and 30 minutes from NYC and PA smack dab in the middle of the state along Route 80. I grew up a town over in Denville.

Cool. I have a good friend near Morristown. I grew up in Teaneck (about 15 minutes from the GWB- non rush hour), and I ended up across the river from Trenton.

[RCA]

I was wondering if I could get some ideas from the locals, or people who have visited, on the best things to see and do, places to sleep and eat, as well as the things to avoid.

Go eat at Platters.

Get the tray with rice and pita bread. As for the meat, make it a combo of lamb and beef or chicken; just make sure you get the lamb. The "white" sauce is amazing and the red sauce is freaking HOT

[Jesda]

I like New Jersey. I don't think its an accident that the state gets prettier as you drive further away from NYC metro (or further away from Philly). Lots of great scenery in The Garden State.

[alms24sebring]

If you go to Jersey, go to Grotto's Pizza

[DJ_B_Easy]

I like New Jersey. I don't think its an accident that the state gets prettier as you drive further away from NYC metro (or further away from Philly). Lots of great scenery in The Garden State.

I particularly like the fact that Im pretty dead center of everything. If I wanted to go ride an ATV or hunt I drive 15 minutes West. Bar/Club night I drive 15 minutes East. A little more secluded, I go camping 45 minutes West to Stokes State Forest under the stars in complete silence, then the next day I might want to go surf fishing so I head East for 45 minutes to Sandy Hook and drop a line in the Atlantic.

That said...Bex maybe you SHOULD come visit NJ. You could stay somewhere centralized, visit NYC a day or two, visit historic Philadelphia a day or two, and fill in the gaps with some R&R on the Delaware River or at the Jersey Shore (nowhere near the idiots from the show, I can give you suggestions where NOT to come in contact with people like that). City trips could be accommodated easily by train, anything within NJ is rental territory.

[Bubba1]

I particularly like the fact that Im pretty dead center of everything. If I wanted to go ride an ATV or hunt I drive 15 minutes West. Bar/Club night I drive 15 minutes East. A little more secluded, I go camping 45 minutes West to Stokes State Forest under the stars in complete silence, then the next day I might want to go surf fishing so I head East for 45 minutes to Sandy Hook and drop a line in the Atlantic.

Gee, I thought you went to Sandy Hook for the nude beach there....
But I do agree with you. It's tough to beat central NJ/southeastern PA's location.

[DJ_B_Easy]

Gee, I thought you went to Sandy Hook for the nude beach there....

Ive actually never been, though I have heard some very interesting stories.

[Ozzie]

Bex, maybe next year after Carlisle..... then Cath and I can tag along too? (hopefully)

[skydragoness]

I recommend finding a nice hotel to stay in North NJ (Edgewater is a nice area, but you have to take NJ bus or the ferry into the city), the ideal spot would be to find a hotel in NJ that's right next to a train station that can take you right into Manhattan's Grand Central station. The hotels are way cheaper and the parking is free (usually). You could also consider staying in Queens or Brooklyn and taking a train in that way, but then that means you have to do more driving into the region. Bleh...don't do it.

I love visiting NYC but as Bubba said.. DO NOT DRIVE A CAR INTO MANHATTAN. It's stressful and absolutely unnecessary given the many public transportation options.
Get full day passes for the subway, you can refill the amount on them too.

I spent a lot of my childhood in Queens and Manhattan as I used to have family there, and there are still tons of things I haven't had a chance to see or do.
I know you'll love the American Museum of Natural History but dedicate a full day to that...I went with friends and showed up at 1:30pm and they closed at 5pm sharp...they seriously ask you to get out. I didn't get to see everything, so I plan to return.

Spring, early summer is fine. It's not that humid and gross there compared to say... Baltimore.
Also I recommend the NFT (Not For Tourists) guide book.. it's discrete looking (think: 'little black book') and has some great subway maps and info.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Ok, I'd like to start off by saying I kinda hate New York. I view it more as an unpleasant obstacle that I need to get over on my way home. That being said, I truly believe every American SHOULD go there at least once in their life. I agree with the thought of not driving around there. Try and get in with a tour group that does the things you want to do.
I definitely agree with Heavy. GO TO LIBERTY ISLAND. It is such a huge, giant, absolutely massive part of US history that it simply can not be ignored. To think that damn near everyone's ancestors saw that upon arrival to this country via boat should weigh heavy on you. Get on the boat and claw/elbow your way to the bow . Climb that copper b**** and then go visit Ellis Island. Go through Battery part on your way in/out, enjoy the steel drumming talent. Going during summer should be nothing for someone from TN/AZ.
I also found Chinatown to be a nice experience. Go figure.
Chances are there will be some celebrities walking around. Try to avoid them and the crowds that gather. They are nothing special and you're better off seeing them on TV. Yankee Stadium doesn't do it for me. Fenway is better (eat it bishez).

...and most important of all, be damn sure you are wearing comfy walking shoes.

[snwbrdr435]

Hayden Planetarium

[nissangirl74]

Bex, maybe next year after Carlisle..... then Cath and I can tag along too? (hopefully)

If you and Cath show up next year, we'll make it happen.

It really depends on what you are into.

That in itself is a long list. I like almost everything. Food, music, history, shows, etc. Not a big shopper but I would have to have a few souvenirs. As long as I don't end up getting shot or getting stuck in a mob crowd, I'm good.

Musts are: the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, Grand Central station. A NICO meet for dinner somewhere would be awesome.

[Otto.]

Summers arent very hot up there

lol. Yes they are. Especially in the city.

NYC is overwhelming. NYIAS is fun to see if whenever you go lines up with it. I've never been near Ground Zero but I want to see it. The subway is probably the cheapest way to get around. See a game at Yankee stadium. There is plenty to see aside from the regular touristy stuff.

As with all big cities, be aware of your surroundings at all times.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Call police dispatch to report a crime. Tell them you don't know what burrough you're in. Enjoy the mass confusion.

*I do not condone the misuse of public safety services.