Advice on NYC

[xospec1alk]

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: Snatchface
My advise - don't go. I lived in NYC for 25 years. It is a noisy, filthy, aggressive, hostile, overcrowded seething cesspool of humanity. Nothing romantic about it. Now-a-days I avoid it at all costs, even though my family lives there. My last experience was getting stuck in gridlock in downtown at one intersection for one and a half hours on the day of my wedding (on my way to it) and having a biker throw a half eaten big mac on my windshield - at which point I just wanted to nuke the whole city.

I concur. Lived there my whole life, nyc is a sh*thole. Its alright to visit, but its just another city like the rest. At least make sure to see times square at night, but for the love of god, dont eat there, unless youre alright with paying 15 dollar for a hamburger at applebees.

seriuosly, why would anyone eat at an applebees if you're visiting nyc? you can goto applebees ANYWHERE...go visit blue fin, or one of the many steakhouses, the restaurants on restuarant row, lower east side, katz deli...

and for snatchface....NYC has changed ALOT...give it another shot.

 

[gigapet]

make sure you check out the south bronx and co-op city

 

[frankie38]

There is a Holiday Inn near Chinatown and SOHO that is in a great and safe location. Near shopping, restaurants, and the Subway.

check out http://www.hidowntown-nyc.com/

The rate is a little above what you want. There are some small hotels in that same area too.

Semi-romantic? Are you looking for a restaurant, a NYC location. A little more info would be great.

There is always the top of the Empire State Building. Staten Island Ferry ride.

 

[xospec1alk]

Originally posted by: effee
Hi all, I am headed to NYC in the middle of July, this will be my first time there and I am going alone so I'm feeling pretty lost. Can anyone in NYC or has been to NYC recommend a reasonably priced hotel? My budget for a room will be about 120-140USD. Will be meeting a friend there and staying for at least 6-7 days, so the room will have to be for 2 people. Any recommendations?

Will be probably eating out most of the time, how is the cost of dining out there? Nothing fancy, just normal dinner stuff.

Last of all, where would you suggest I go for a semi-romantic spot?

Thanks in advance!

you're not going with your cousin are you?

 

[LASTGUY2GETPS2]

Originally posted by: chambersc
DEFINITLY go see "spamalot"

tickets are impossible to get. Your better off seeing Phantom of the Opera, Lion King, or Hairspray....

Edit: But you should see a broadway show. That's a big part of NY. There is a place called TKTS where you can buy cheap tickets. Google them for details.

 

[Balthazar]

I spent 10 days in NYC over christmas/new years last year and had a really good time, as for hotels, orbitz or its ilk will serve you well, as for location, figure out where you guys plan on going and use that to determine which hotel interests you.

As for "romantic" places, uh, dunno, I went by myself, but I imagine Battery Park (Is it open after dark? I bet thats a fun sunset), obviously Central Park.

If you want "memorable" I'd say the cruise boat that goes around the island (circle line or something like that, cant remember) or obviously Empire State Building.

There are a couple good places in central park to eat too if memory serves, again I went alone so I wasn't judging the romantic vibe lol.

If you guys plan on doing alot of touristy stuff (museums, ESB, that cruise, etc. etc.) I would HIGHLY recommend a City Pass (use the google luke, I'm lazy). The places it doesnt get you a free bypass of the ticket line alltogether it still shortens your wait time and is mucho cheaper if you hit the majority of the places.

Guggenheim was awesome, and right next to Central Park, very cool indeed.

ESB at night is in-FREAKIN-credible, if you've never been to NYC before that is, lol.

But yes, orbitz, parks, city pass if you are going to be a tourist, thats all I gots.

 

[Cal166]

Don't Forget to hit Canal street and pick up some bootleg DVDs, Folex/Fovada Watches, and some Fouis Vuitton Bags.

 

[shilala]

I've managed to avoid NYC my entire life. I hope to die happy, knowing that I've never been there (I've seen enough of New York, New Jersey and Philly to fill my scumbag quota for a lifetime).
I would like to see the Smithsonian somewhere along the wqay, but I'm hoping that they'll move it out of DC so it can be a pleasant experience.
Can you tell that I have no love for city livin'?

 

[blackdogdeek]

just some of the many tourist attractions:

empire state building
times square
ground zero
statue of liberty
central park
metropolitan museum of art
museum of modern art
guggenheim museum
ny public library
south street seaport
chinatown
little italy
broadway
united nations
museum of natural history
lincoln center
rockefeller center
st. patrick's cathedral
grand central station

 

[xospec1alk]

Originally posted by: shilala
I've managed to avoid NYC my entire life. I hope to die happy, knowing that I've never been there (I've seen enough of New York, New Jersey and Philly to fill my scumbag quota for a lifetime).
I would like to see the Smithsonian somewhere along the wqay, but I'm hoping that they'll move it out of DC so it can be a pleasant experience.
Can you tell that I have no love for city livin'?

can't knock it till you've tried it.

 

[Pathogen03]

uh, I live right outside DC.. its really not bad at all.. Nothing like New York or a massive city


Its basically a big commercial/residential area surrounded by suburbs of all socioeconomic levels.


Speaking of the Smithsonian itself, its in the Mall in Downtown DC, a big open area suspiciously devoid of grass, very big open spaces punctuated with a few buildings.

 

[imported_blip]

Don't be afraid of the subways, especially if you're travelling around manhattan (at least the lower hundred or so blocks). Get yourself a Metrocard Weekly pass, which gives you unlimited rides for 7 days. Then, you can hop on any subway or bus when you don't feel like walking. But get yourself in shape, so you can walk a lot. It's part of the NYC culture
There are more sites than can be seen in a week, but google all the touristy stuff (ESB, statue o' liberty, museums). The new MoMA kinda sucks, and they charge you $20, but still has some masterpieces. The natural history, metropolitan, and guggenheim are great.
Hotels are tricky, and deals are tough to come by. Use the travel deal sites. Just ask if you're not sure of an area.
And try not to look too much like a tourist. Even if you are one. And try and act a little bit crazy. That way, no one will mess with you, and you'll fit right in.
And if the hooker you're chatting up has 5 O'Clock shadow, run.
If you have any specific Q's, feel free to PM me. Or just post 'em here

 

[EKKC]

Originally posted by: shilala
I've managed to avoid NYC my entire life. I hope to die happy, knowing that I've never been there (I've seen enough of New York, New Jersey and Philly to fill my scumbag quota for a lifetime).
I would like to see the Smithsonian somewhere along the wqay, but I'm hoping that they'll move it out of DC so it can be a pleasant experience.
Can you tell that I have no love for city livin'?

so for spending 95% of my life in New York New Jersey and the metro area means im going to die sad and going to hell, right?

 

[GasX]

Key Places to visit: (not for the typical tourist)

Eats:
Papaya King
Any Midtown Jewish Deli
Carmine's
Yakiniku West

People Watching:
Central Park
Walk through midtown / diamond district at lunch time
Washington Square Park
Bryant Park for cocktails and the afterwork crowd
Yankee Stadium (be sure to drink at Stan's before and after game)
Ride the subway

Spend a night partying in each of these locations:
East Village
West Village
Upper Westside
Upper Eastside
Hell's Kitchen (Rudy's is my particular favorite)

 

[Medea]

A good site that I recommend for you (or for anyone else who visits NYC) is
New York City Attractions.

Edit: Fixed link.

 

[xospec1alk]

Originally posted by: blip
Don't be afraid of the subways, especially if you're travelling around manhattan (at least the lower hundred or so blocks). Get yourself a Metrocard Weekly pass, which gives you unlimited rides for 7 days. Then, you can hop on any subway or bus when you don't feel like walking. But get yourself in shape, so you can walk a lot. It's part of the NYC culture
There are more sites than can be seen in a week, but google all the touristy stuff (ESB, statue o' liberty, museums). The new MoMA kinda sucks, and they charge you $20, but still has some masterpieces. The natural history, metropolitan, and guggenheim are great.
Hotels are tricky, and deals are tough to come by. Use the travel deal sites. Just ask if you're not sure of an area.
And try not to look too much like a tourist. Even if you are one. And try and act a little bit crazy. That way, no one will mess with you, and you'll fit right in.
And if the hooker you're chatting up has 5 O'Clock shadow, run.
If you have any specific Q's, feel free to PM me. Or just post 'em here

MOMA is free on fridays after 5pm iirc

 

[PatboyX]

Originally posted by: xospec1alk

Originally posted by: blip
Don't be afraid of the subways, especially if you're travelling around manhattan (at least the lower hundred or so blocks). Get yourself a Metrocard Weekly pass, which gives you unlimited rides for 7 days. Then, you can hop on any subway or bus when you don't feel like walking. But get yourself in shape, so you can walk a lot. It's part of the NYC culture
There are more sites than can be seen in a week, but google all the touristy stuff (ESB, statue o' liberty, museums). The new MoMA kinda sucks, and they charge you $20, but still has some masterpieces. The natural history, metropolitan, and guggenheim are great.
Hotels are tricky, and deals are tough to come by. Use the travel deal sites. Just ask if you're not sure of an area.
And try not to look too much like a tourist. Even if you are one. And try and act a little bit crazy. That way, no one will mess with you, and you'll fit right in.
And if the hooker you're chatting up has 5 O'Clock shadow, run.
If you have any specific Q's, feel free to PM me. Or just post 'em here

MOMA is free on fridays after 5pm iirc

im not sure that is true since they moved. i was there about a month ago and i didnt see that mentioned. however, i did have a card through my job that got me in free and put me in a different line than other customers, so im not sure.
friday is a good night, though, its their late night i think.

moma is great, though.
expensive if you dont have an in.

 

[xospec1alk]

Originally posted by: PatboyX

im not sure that is true since they moved. i was there about a month ago and i didnt see that mentioned. however, i did have a card through my job that got me in free and put me in a different line than other customers, so im not sure.
friday is a good night, though, its their late night i think.

moma is great, though.
expensive if you dont have an in.

it definetely is true, i got on the free line on a friday a while back, i just forgot what time the freebie started. the line does get extraordinarily huge though. had i know there was a separate line for company people, i would have gotten on that line. DOH!

 

[KarenMarie]

Originally posted by: Snatchface
My advise - don't go. I lived in NYC for 25 years. It is a noisy, filthy, aggressive, hostile, overcrowded seething cesspool of humanity. Nothing romantic about it. Now-a-days I avoid it at all costs, even though my family lives there. My last experience was getting stuck in gridlock in downtown at one intersection for one and a half hours on the day of my wedding (on my way to it) and having a biker throw a half eaten big mac on my windshield - at which point I just wanted to nuke the whole city.

Funny you should say that. I am a New Yorker... moved away long ago... and feel the same way. I live 20 minutes from Manhattan now and the I have been there twice in 10yrs. Once to show some southern friends around... take the kids to the tourist spots. And once, recently to spend the day there with VeggieFrog and my father. If I only go twice in the next 10 years... I cannot say I would be broken hearted. It is nothting like it was when i was young.

BUT.... I can understand why ppl from other places in the world would want to go, and can also understand why they would love it as a vacation.

 

[tlam617]

go butt wild. thats what I would do.

 

[yoda291]

serendipity for lunch is not exceptionally crowded so I recommend that. Little pricey tho.
Sts Alps Tea house is great for a nice quiet place that doesn't cost much at night .... good tea too.
Little Pie Company in the 40s by port authority has awesome pie.
Fat Witch bakery down in chelsea market = teh rich brownies.
bluesmoke on 27th and lex(?) usually has good jazzy music, good food, and incredible pie.
Junior's cheesecake.

take in a broadway show during the day to get the cheaper price, better seats
go shopping. Women love to shop.
take a walk in a non-central park.

if you find yourself alone, web2zone is a place you can geek out for not too much $$.

or you could solicit a prostitute.
6th ave around west 4th should still have a few adult-oriented places....the blocks surrounding Port Authority Bus Terminal are RIFE with them.

 

[DBL]

It's funny how NYC threads always bring the hermit, T. Kaczynski types out into the open.

I've got cousins like this who live in Rockland County (about an hour north of NYC). For them, the prospect of visiting NYC evokes an irrational feeling of sheer terror. They ask "Is it safe?" or ?Aren't you nervous?" or "Is that near Harlem?". It's actually kind of sad, to be living so close to such a great city with so much to offer but yet be overcome with irrational fear.

 

[maziwanka]

nyc is an amazing city. i've been here for 6 years and you're picking an excellent time to go.

i dont understand the haters and i would definitely advocate the use of subways to get around (especially during the day). if you are with some one else and go out during the night/party at a bar/club and want to go home, dont be afraid to take a cab. they really aren't that expensive (especially if you have 2 people). obviously you dont want to take a cab everywhere as that can get really expensive, but your typical cab ride will probably be around 8-10 bucks.

 

[Legendary]

Originally posted by: DBL
It's funny how NYC threads always bring the hermit, T. Kaczynski types out into the open.

I've got cousins like this who live in Rockland County (about an hour north of NYC). For them, the prospect of visiting NYC evokes an irrational feeling of sheer terror. They ask "Is it safe?" or ?Aren't you nervous?" or "Is that near Harlem?". It's actually kind of sad, to be living so close to such a great city with so much to offer but yet be overcome with irrational fear.

I live in Rockland too, near the Palisades Center, and I know a few people just like that. I laugh at them - I go to NYU and I live in the city 9 months of the year and the other 3 months (summer months, aka now) I miss it every single day.
NYC is a love/hate thing with a lot of people, I've noticed.

 

[The Sauce]

Ok, well I hate NYC but I do have to admit you can get the best eats there. If you like Indian there is only one place to go - probably somer of the best Indian food in the world - Jackson Diner in Jackson Heights Queens. And if you want your face to explode, go to the best Peruvian restaurant - Pio Pio, which is not far away.