New York Q&A For Visitors ~ Ask Here!

[peeph0le]

Hi guys, I'm gonna be visiting NYC for the first time next week, and I'm gonna be staying there for about 6 days. I'm just curious if anyone has any suggestions for things I should go do or see. I have ideas, but I'm just curious. Any good vegetarian restaurants?

If this is posted in the wrong place, sorry!

Thanks

*Edit*

For all suggestions and feedback please refer to this thread.

[nygirl]

Just walk outside your hotel room and let the city do the rest.

[Seattlelife]

Be sure to walk the Brooklyn Bridge!

[koolkid]

Take a stroll through the financial district at night. Im sure it'll blow you away. Take a stroll through stone street and ryders alley both in the financial district. Go over to battery park and check out the water front. I've done all this at night and it was magic, it doesn't feel the same at day though. As Seattlelife mentioned, take a walk over the Brooklyn bridge and go over to Grimaldi' (for pizza)while you're at it. This ofcourse you won't do at night as Grimaldi's will be closed... haha

Oh and take pics...cheers

[brianmoon85]

Koreatown!!! The location is perfect for all your wantings
Jewelry Gold District nearby, 5th Avenue Shopping, Macy's, Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, Penn Station, and TONS OF SHOPPING~!!

[Seattlelife]

The other thing I have really enjoyed doing is riding trains that travel above ground. I don't know if you'll have time for it in 6 days but it really gives you an idea of the whole city, not just the touristy Manhattan areas. The views are amazing imo!!!

[nygirl]

Forgive me I usually come up w/ good ideas but I've always felt the best suggestion is accidental discoveries. Good ideas for a visitor to do in 6 days in early April I would give to you are

- Head up to the Bronx and check out the Botanical Gardens and take an evening on Arthur Avenue, check out Pasquale's Rigoletto the Pesto is amazing. If there is a home game check out the Court Deli over by the Stadium. Its a great experience even if you are not a Yankee fan. The place is (usually) packed but now that there is a short distance from the new stadium maybe not so much... eh that might make it better.

- Take in a day at Central Park. There are lots to do all around the park's perimeter and within the park itself. Its better later in the season but you could make an entire day of it April.

- I really like Koolkid's suggestion about strolling the old streets of Lower Manhattan at night. What a way to romanticize the city. Then you can grab a beer at the White Horse or head up to St. Marks to catch some of that authentic NY Lower East Side culture. My top suggestion for you in this case is to catch a show @ Nuyorican on East 3rd in the alphabets, float around Religious Sex.

A couple more good ones for Manhattan would be

- Canal Street in the morning and Broome Street in the afternoon. Lots of beautiful cast iron buildings down there and great shops. Canal is true grit but very "alive"--you'll love it.

- Take in an afternoon at Fort Tryon Park and check out the cloisters. Its got great vistas of the GWB as well.

Outter borough goodies:

- Grimaldi's sounds like a plan and it could be warm enough to check out D.U.M.B.O and Brooklyn Bridge park. Check out the Watchtower and maybe cruise around Brooklyn Heights and walk the promenade. 1.) Brooklyn Heights would impress any first time visitor I guarantee you will love the neighborhood. 2.) Incredible views of the skyline , bridges, the river and Lady Liberty.

Take the Staten Island Ferry trip and maybe depart in Staten Island. You could take a 10 minute bus ride up to Fort Wadsworth which is right down the road from the terminal. There are promenades all along the area in St. George where the terminal is that run continuously west-southwest.

Maybe not so much vegetarian but Astoria will have the best Tzaziki, Tiropita and Spanikopita.


and always on the table are

- Broadway shows.
- Off Broadway shows.
- Museums along 5th up on the Upper East Side may suit you
- Rockefeller Center, Promethius and the skating rink, St. Patrick's right across the street, rainbow room, Top of the Rock...
- Chelsea night life, Meat packing night life, Village night life. Washington Sq. Park, Hookah bars, Christopher St. Piers. There is the Village Underground, Groove, Fat Black Pussy Cat and the Blue Note all on West 3rd. Blue note and Village underground are legendary in the neighborhood just south of Washington Square.

and that list is pretty good. I hope you take me up on some of those and enjoy your trip to NYC.

[Barnardgirl]

Don't forget the MOMA if you love modern art.

[peeph0le]

Originally Posted by Barnardgirl

Don't forget the MOMA if you love modern art.

I'm DEFINATELY going there.

[Gianny]

Both of us in our 20's, will stay in Times Square for over a week. I need recommendations on what to do pls. Some lounges with chill out music or hip hop/top 40 or even salsa, maybe even trance. Restaurants, fun places...etc.

Let me know, I will follow this thread for the next week or so. Thanks

[nygirl]

I moved your post to this thread and encourage anyone else who wants ideas to use this thread to get feedback. We only need one thread for these discussions. No more new "I'm visiting in a week" threads.

[peeph0le]

Originally Posted by nygirl

I moved your post to this thread and encourage anyone else who wants ideas to use this thread to get feedback. We only need one thread for these discussions. No more new "I'm visiting in a week" threads.

Haha, thanks.

[xzmattzx]

I'm coming up on Sunday for the Phillies game at Yankee Stadium. It will just be a day trip for me and my friend, unfortunately. Anyway, in order to make sure that we get to the game in time, as want to drive up as far as we can before we take any train. Where is a good palce to park on Sundays and take the train or subway or whatever to Yankee Stadium? Would Jersey City be best? Hoboken? Are we going to have to take a train into Manhattan, then switch over to the subway to get to the Bronx? Is it possible to drive into the Bronx and park there somewhere? How much will that cost?

[nygirl]

Park it in the Bronx. Matt you're driving from Delware you might as well just make the entire trip. As for parking...it wouldn't be too silly of an idea to park a 15-20 minute walk away. Considering the lack of parking spots near the stadium and how jam packed parking facilities will be why not? I can assure you that the area is safe enough to do this. Try any side street off the Grand Concourse. If you can get to the stadium hours early and find a legal spot nearby (10-15 minute walk) why not? Head to the Court Deli near the old stadium for a bite...take a walk around the new park.
It would be really silly to park in Jersey and take the trains. Manhattan is almost out of the question and you should avoid it at all costs.
The stadium traffic, should ypu drive up near the last minute will piss you off enough that you just don't need the added stress of Manhattan FDR or Henry Hudson traffic with their random breakers and high flying teenage drivers.
Take my advice. The walk could be really nice if you park west of the concourse.

[xzmattzx]

Is there a garage or actual lot within a 15 minute walk of Yankee Stadium? Parking in the Bronx is fine, and it may be safe, but I would like my car in a garage or other protected/guarded lot simply because my friend and I have to be back that night, and I don't want to deal with any smashed side mirrors or chance of any break-ins or anything, mainly because those things would tie us up for the rest of the weekend up there. We would be willing to pay for parking in a garage, since we would have to pay to park in a garage in New Jersey for the train anyway.

[UrbanLife]

A second away from starting a new thread with my post, I realized I might stuff it in here instead. I'm sure you are all bored of people asking for travel tips, but I'll give it a shot
__
Hi! Going to NY for a 14 days holiday from June 22th. I've searched a lot on the net, trying to find some cool things to do. But I do have som (maybe) unusual wishes for what I want to see beside the standard tourist sights. This visit is with my girfriend, so take that into concideration before answering Had 10 lovely days in NYC march 2008, so know some things, but up for more tips! No tips is stupid!

By the way. Staying close to Union square, but I guess the subway can take me around!

a) Urban decay. I don't like the polished new city, I want to se also the "real deal", were not only the upper class lives. I've heard places like Harlem are been transformed and redeveloped. Do any have any sugestions? Also want to take some photos at daytime in theese hoods, but not if im guarantied to beeing robbed But I've also heard all over the city has become safer the last years.

b) Photogenic places. Like Brooklyn Brigde and Greeenwich village I've heard is nice. But maybe some other urban places? (Don't want photos of "just another street")

c) Beaches. I guess the Hudson river ain't the thing for bathing. Were do I go for cooling down?

d) General tips for hollyday with my girlfriend.

e) Shes into fashion, and wonders were the best vintage shops are located? Also maybe a few nice priced shops for me as well? (Not vintage)

f) Cheap eating places.

g) Outdoor activities. As I said, we are staying from June 22th to July 6th, so something between theese dates is good.

h) A couple friends of mine are arriving a week later, and we want to go to a Yankees game. At the official site the ticket system only finds 900$ tickets, but at StubHub I've seen quite a few fair priced tickets. Is this site ok buying from?

Ps! Is drinking is public prohibited? Here in Oslo it's officially against the law, but all the parks are crowded with people barbecuing and having a few beers, and the police are cool with it.

Hope any of you have some tips to share with me! Thanks in advice!

[nygirl]

Hey Urbanlife...allow me to help you out and offer some suggestions.

A.) Gritty hoods? To the east of Manhattan Island I really must suggest Bedford Stuyvesant. It is safe please trust me. There are some great colorful rowhouses and terrific old Brown stones that line the city blocks for miles. You might want to check out Long Island City+ Queensbridge houses+ 5 pointz. Great graffiti theme and how could you go wrong in Mobb Deep's and Nas' old hoods?
To the west of Manhattan Island I would strongly encourage you to check out Jersey City's W.A.L.D.O (Power & Lights) district as well as Journal Square. NJ Transit is very reliable and you can use path trains to get over to Journal Square from around the trade center site.
To the north, forget Harlem--head to the Bronx. Get the area around the ballpark and the Grand Concourse and perhaps go a little further and check out Kingsbridge. It is a really great part of the city. I know these areas very well and I know you'll be alright.

B.) Go to Astoria Park in Queens it has a great vista of the 59th street bridge and Hells Gate bridge with the skyline of Roosevelt Island and Midtown in the background. You can also get some great food nearby (if you like Greek). There are tons of places to nosh. Try out Liberty State Park in Jersey City and walk the esplande along exchange place (where the Goldman Sach's building is at) You will get fantastic head on shots of Manhattan from there.
Another great vista that some may not know of is in Westchester and since you have a lot of time I guarantee you will fall in love with the area and the parks I will mention. New Rochelle really needs to get some props in here as well as the sattelite communites around it. You will love the parks in Larchmont with their little ravines and vistas over looking the Long Island sound. Truly enchanting do check it out. If you do happen to take a day and head up to Westchester maybe you will like the Hudson River nabes. There is the very artsy Hastings-on-Hudson, the old and quaint communities of Dobbs Ferry and Sleepy Hollow as well as bucolic Irvington where there are some great river side parks with views of the river and the Palisades. Great shopping and dining up in Tarrytown. (SO THERE IS REASON TO HEAD UP THERE) If you want to keep it within city boundaries and want somewhere not so touristy I suggest Wave Hill up in the Bronx. It is a beautiful community garden in Riverdale that over looks the Hudson River and the cliffs along the Palisades.

C.) Definetly Long Beach and Jones Beach on Long Island. You can use the LIRR and the very reliable Nassau county bus system if you'd like. If you are keeping it in the city then its got to be Brighton Beach. I strongly suggest you use the former.

D.) Take your girl out and get plastered. There are great locations near Union Square so there wouldn't be any need to even use a taxi to get around. If you'd like there is the West Village and Meat Packing district not too far. Take her to the Brooklyn Promenade for a nice romantic stroll it is adjacent to the neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights. Go to an off-Broadway show. Take the circle line cruise around Manhattan Island. Carl Shurtz park up in the Upper East Side is a treck for you but it is out of the way for everyone else too and may be a nice quiet, picturesque location to spend an afternoon.

E.) Broome Street no doubt. Its in SoHo and you will be sure to make her happy if you take her down there. St. Marks and the Bowery have some cool locations on the opposite side of town as well.

F.) Cheap eatting place huh? Plenty but you'll do better just bumping into them then me telling you.

G.) Definetly go to the Gay Pride Parade...you'll love it. Plenty of street festivals are going to be going on during this time but I don't know of many off the top of my head..get back to you later with that.

H) No matter what do not trust a scalper especially with this new stadium and its prices. Do some research on it but stub hub is reliable and you should be alright. Check out the Court Deli near the old stadium it is my favorite Yankee watering hole besides Mickey's place on Central Park South.

Drinking in public is not a good idea but if you want to do it with hard liqour just toss your booze in a snapple bottle (that's what I do) if its just chilling outside of a bar with a steinr in your hand you should be good ( they never bother me when I do it.)

[UrbanLife]

Thank you so much! Very helpfull! Have a few further questions - answer as much as you bother

a)
* Long Island City+ Queensbridge houses (i guess this is the projects north of Long Island City) is a quite large area by walking, do you recommend some particular streets, or the whole area?

* 5 pointz looks great! Found some nice pics( http://www.panoramio.com/photo/2430802 | http://www.panoramio.com/photo/11991702 ), but at http://5ptz.com/graff/about/ it says it's closed to the public at the moment? Know more about this, and does this means that th whole area is closed, or is it still worth a visit? Because the pics I've seen is totaly awsome! I'd love to take the pics with the grafitti in the foreground and the skyline in the background.

I love the grafitti/train/decay-areas. Pleas tell if there are more areas like this to see!

* W.A.L.D.O (Power & Lights) This area I either find on the map or online. What kind of area is this?

* Bedford Stuyvesant. This is also a quite large area. Do you recomend som specific locations, or nearby any of the subway stations?

g) Gay parade sounds great Please let me know when and where! When are the parade with all those big ballons? Thanks giving?

Thanks again

[Marcanadian]

I'm visiting from June 17-20, staying at the Hilton New York on the Avenue of the Americas.

This is what I was thinking:

June 17: Land at LaGuardia, check-in to hotel, go to Central Park, Empire State Building at dusk-evening.
June 18: Buy the 'Grayline' hop-on, hop-off bus tour, start at Times Square, take bus through ESB, UN, Flatiron, Ground Zero. Exit at Battery Park, take ferry to Statue of Liberty. Return to Battery Park, walk to Brooklyn via Brooklyn bridge.
Does anyone know how to get to the little waterfront park east of the Brooklyn bridge where all the skyline shots are taken?
Go see 'God of Carnage' on Broadway for the evening.
June 19: More sightseeing, walk to Chrysler and Rockefeller Center. Check out Grand Central station. Maybe go to the Museum of Natural History or the Guggenheim. Take the night bus tour of New York.
June 20: Back to LaGuardia, fly home.


Does this sound good? Anything to recommend along the way?

[nygirl]

Yea it sounds good. I think it sounds pretty practical as well. All that you mentioned within their timeframes seems plausible but take weather into consideration. I hope it is sunny for you every day.

To get to the Brooklyn Promenade is very easy...

After you walk off the Brooklyn Bridge you will enter Cadman Plaza and Downtown Brooklyn to the south. Take a stroll along Henry Street (not a long walk) and any side street to the west (Pierrepont, Montague, Pinapple, Orange will take you to the park you want. Don't forget D.U.M.B.O which won't be very far north of you and if you can fit it in you should check it out.

skip the Museum of Natural history and the Guggenheim and check out the MoMa...

Too many bus tours but if that is what you want to do you should do it. I would make this trip what ever you want it to be.

"Anything to recommend along the way?" Don't miss the cobble stone streets of Tribeca and SoHo. You'll find plenty more to see and do down there.