New York Q&A For Visitors ~ Ask Here!

[GrandFromage]

Just back from a job interview that seemed to go well. Now in 8-10 weeks I find out if I finally get to move out.

City's still as lovely as ever, though I'm sad that Bluetooth headsets have made it so hard to spot the crazies. Used to be that anyone having a loud, animated conversation with the air was fun, now they're all Wall Street jackasses. Sigh.

[tpe]

Originally Posted by GrandFromage

Just back from a job interview that seemed to go well. Now in 8-10 weeks I find out if I finally get to move out.

City's still as lovely as ever, though I'm sad that Bluetooth headsets have made it so hard to spot the crazies. Used to be that anyone having a loud, animated conversation with the air was fun, now they're all Wall Street jackasses. Sigh.

I'm a Wall St "jackass" -- and believe me, I never use a headset,

[southtowngirl]

Hi - I'm from Alabama (yep, long way from NYC). My son is at Ft Dix NJ for pre-deployment training. He will get four days leave March 1-4, 2010. With travel time, he would really only have two full days to try to see everyone; so we (my and his g/f) are planning to go visit him during those four days.

He would like to see a few sights in NYC during that time. What would be the simplest (and hopefully most economical) way for us to do this. Ft Dix is about an hour and a half from NYC.

Somehow I dont think driving into the city is a great idea (or is it?) Are there areas outside the city where we could (safely) park and ride into the city on a train or other means of tranportation?

Which area of the city would be best for us to visit on a "day trip" into the city? We're hoping the weather will be ok for walking and being outdoors at least one of the days during his leave.

He is also wanting to "see the sights" of Atlantic City one day too, but that could be done on a less than desireable weather day.

Although I know this is a NYC board/thread, any other ideas offered for sights/adventures between Ft Dix NJ, and NYC would be much appreciated.

[Rahmani]

Originally Posted by Rahmani

I am visiting NYC this year and the options are the last week of may or the week after.

I read the the 31st of may is Memorial Day. Here in Europe we have a similar day to show respect to the solders who fought in the second world war.

This is a sad day, shops are closed and the military marches threw the streets.


I read on wikipedia that the shops are open in NYC. Is it smart to visit NYC on Memorial Day? What can I expect?

Does anyone know this?

[3tmk]

Originally Posted by Rahmani

I am visiting NYC this year and the options are the last week of may or the week after.

I read the the 31st of may is Memorial Day.

I read on wikipedia that the shops are open in NYC. Is it smart to visit NYC on Memorial Day? What can I expect?

lol wikipedia has shops schedules?
Anyway, I don't see why not come to visit on memorial day, there's always some military related activities to be done, in particular, I think they do free admissions for the Intrepid, or at least used to in the past, they had some extra active vessels docked and available for a limited visit, so on. Memorial day is much more important in DC at the monument where the president speaks, while in New York they have parades for veterans day, which is armistice day 11/11.
I honestly can't remember anything about shops closing, so I guess it's because I've never noticed anything drastic, you can go down the grocery shop if you're out of milk and eggs.
Besides, May is a great time to visit.

Originally Posted by southtowngirl

He would like to see a few sights in NYC during that time. What would be the simplest (and hopefully most economical) way for us to do this. Ft Dix is about an hour and a half from NYC.

Which area of the city would be best for us to visit on a "day trip" into the city? We're hoping the weather will be ok for walking and being outdoors at least one of the days during his leave.

He is also wanting to "see the sights" of Atlantic City one day too, but that could be done on a less than desireable weather day.

From what I understand it seems like you'll have a car at your disposal (don't tell me you'll be driving all the way from Alabama). Yes, it is possible to leave the car and cross the river, but I would rather pay the toll and parking.
Worse, if you plan only a day's outing, you'll have the drive here, the drive there at night, might not be comfortable.
Ft Dix is kinda in the middle of nowhere in NJ, but if bus service exists, I suggest you check them out, especially if you don't plan on carrying any luggage, you won't worry about driving (NJ drivers don't have the best of reputation).

Oh yeah and Atlantic City isn't that worthy in the off-season when the boardwalk is basically dead.

[Nexis]

Originally Posted by 3tmk

lol wikipedia has shops schedules?

From what I understand it seems like you'll have a car at your disposal (don't tell me you'll be driving all the way from Alabama). Yes, it is possible to leave the car and cross the river, but I would rather pay the toll and parking.
Worse, if you plan only a day's outing, you'll have the drive here, the drive there at night, might not be comfortable.
Ft Dix is kinda in the middle of nowhere in NJ, but if bus service exists, I suggest you check them out, especially if you don't plan on carrying any luggage, you won't worry about driving (NJ drivers don't have the best of reputation).

Oh yeah and Atlantic City isn't that worthy in the off-season when the boardwalk is basically dead.

you New Yorkers don't drive any better , but the worst are the keystones , who don't use the keep right , pass left rule........New Jerseyites are a mix of good and bad.

[nygirl]

Everyone is different, everywhere.

[cardiff]

Can anyone recomend a good hotel? I would like good views of something famous, mid town prefferably 4 star. Anyone know of anything good please?

[Nexis]

Originally Posted by cardiff

Can anyone recomend a good hotel? I would like good views of something famous, mid town prefferably 4 star. Anyone know of anything good please?

Why is it always NYC and Not Jersey City or Hoboken which has a great view of the Manhattan Skyline?

[3tmk]

Originally Posted by Nexis

Why is it always NYC and Not Jersey City or Hoboken which has a great view of the Manhattan Skyline?

Perhaps because they don't have a personal helicopter to drop them off in manhattan in less than 5 minutes.

[cardiff]

actually if you know a good hotel with views in Brooklyn then that would be good for my last night (as am leaving by ship).

[vallacopito-tranolid]

Hi!

I'm visiting NYC on Easter Holidays, 2 April to 9 April... it's my second time in the city, but I'm going with another person who haven't been there before. We'd like to see the typical New York but also something different and more alternative, and who's better than the newyorkers to know it!

I like a lot Vampire Weekend and MGMT, so if there's any place that has anything to do with them i'd like to visit it. I also want to know if there's a good place to buy musical t-shirts and other stuff, specially about alternative and indie groups.

Greetings

[Nexis]

Originally Posted by vallacopito-tranolid

Hi!

I'm visiting NYC on Easter Holidays, 2 April to 9 April... it's my second time in the city, but I'm going with another person who haven't been there before. We'd like to see the typical New York but also something different and more alternative, and who's better than the newyorkers to know it!

I like a lot Vampire Weekend and MGMT, so if there's any place that has anything to do with them i'd like to visit it. I also want to know if there's a good place to buy musical t-shirts and other stuff, specially about alternative and indie groups.

Greetings

Visit Us across the River in Hoboken , Jersey City , you like it , nice small town feel in a big city. Great Restaurants and shopping and diverse people. Aswell as great connections to NYC via PATH Trains & NY waterway.

[Dimethyltryptamine]

Can anyone recommend a nice hotel in the Upper East Side?

Thanks in advance.

[tpe]

Originally Posted by Dimethyltryptamine

Can anyone recommend a nice hotel in the Upper East Side?

Thanks in advance.

What is your price point?

[Dimethyltryptamine]

Was hoping for something reasonably cheap as I do plan on staying a while, and the hotel will only be for sleeping - thus something flashy isn't necessary (Though I'm not sure what the average price is for a hotel in the Upper East Side).

I've stayed in Gramercy many times and am quite familiar with the area, but I guess I'm just looking for somewhere different - somewhere convenient. Would I be better off staying around Times Sq, than the Upper East Side?


Thanks in advance

[tpe]

I must admit that hotels I have used here in the past were not always the cheapest -- I suppose that 150 USD a night would still be expensive, especially if you plan to stay for a while?

If you plan to stay for a month or more, then pehaps you should consider short-term rentals. There are lots of such places in the UES and UWS, of course. They are usually studios or 1 bedrooms (with kitchen). You can rent these out for stays lasting a week or more... I know of (and have used a couple) in the Village and in the UWS, for example.

Another possible option would be hostels. Would you consider such places?

I think you can still find boutique hotels on the UES that would be under 200 USD a night, but those would tend to be farther east.

Midtown is certainly not any cheaper. Personally, I had always preferred those located in more quiet areas/neighborhoods.

Originally Posted by Dimethyltryptamine

Was hoping for something reasonably cheap as I do plan on staying a while, and the hotel will only be for sleeping - thus something flashy isn't necessary (Though I'm not sure what the average price is for a hotel in the Upper East Side).

I've stayed in Gramercy many times and am quite familiar with the area, but I guess I'm just looking for somewhere different - somewhere convenient. Would I be better off staying around Times Sq, than the Upper East Side?


Thanks in advance

[Nexis]

Originally Posted by tpe

I must admit that hotels I have used here in the past were not always the cheapest -- I suppose that 150 USD a night would still be expensive, especially if you plan to stay for a while?

If you plan to stay for a month or more, then pehaps you should consider short-term rentals. There are lots of such places in the UES and UWS, of course. They are usually studios or 1 bedrooms (with kitchen). You can rent these out for stays lasting a week or more... I know of (and have used a couple) in the Village and in the UWS, for example.

Another possible option would be hostels. Would you consider such places?

I think you can still find boutique hotels on the UES that would be under 200 USD a night, but those would tend to be farther east.

Midtown is certainly not any cheaper. Personally, I had always preferred those located in more quiet areas/neighborhoods.

Thats why the NJ Gold Coast isn't a bad place to stay, there are hotels form Jersey City to Fort Lee and its a safe and great place to stay. There are great connections form the Airports and to NYC.

[maartens]

and a map of construction projects in New York:
http://www.urbika.com/cities/view/33-new-york-city

[Nexis]

Originally Posted by maartens

and a map of construction projects in New York:
http://www.urbika.com/cities/view/33-new-york-city

1. What does that have to do with "visiting NYC"

2. Are you the Famous Martin form de Netherlands of Sim City 4 Devotion?