Visiting New York City

[Andyb23]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Hey,
How old are you guys? What sorta scene do you find yourselves (comedy clubs vs. hipster dance clubs)?

Me 29: her 25. But now you've done it. I cannot legally (ATOT laws) continue without posting this.

We like ballroom dancing (picture that I linked) but not really nightclub dancing, I like comedy shoes, she likes coffee houses. Museums are a definite must. We like nature and walks. Both chemical engineers with a love of science. We both like plays (she likes more of the musical side than I do, but I'd be happy with a musical) but no Shakesphere.

Old > New
Bright, Cheery > Dark, Dingy, Cozy
Atmosphere with good food > hole in the wall with great food

Well given your edits, Penang is still good for Malaysian food, but this place is great as well for Thai and Vietnamese food...

http://seeda2.com/

 

[StevenYoo]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Hey,
How old are you guys? What sorta scene do you find yourselves (comedy clubs vs. hipster dance clubs)?

Me 29: her 25. But now you've done it. I cannot legally (ATOT laws) continue without posting this.

We like ballroom dancing (picture that I linked) but not really nightclub dancing, I like comedy shoes, she likes coffee houses. Museums are a definite must. We like nature and walks. Both chemical engineers with a love of science.

Hah - cute 🙂 Try the blue not, a lovely jazz club. Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater has some great (and affordable) comedy - sometimes famous people perform as extras in the improv shows there as well, which is always exciting. Museums - there's the usual but try to go SoHo gallery hopping as well. Cafes - I like the gret dog and joe's in the west village.. OH, you must try veniero's bakery - so good!

Veniero's is a tad overrated as bakeries go, but their cheesecake is quite good

 

[ThePresence]

Whatever you do, don't suddenly stop in middle of the sidewalk to stare up at all the tall buildings forcing me to make a short stop so that I don't spill my latte all over you and I spill it over myself instead. That's what tourists do in the city. 😛

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: ThePresence
Whatever you do, don't suddenly stop in middle of the sidewalk to stare up at all the tall buildings forcing me to make a short stop so that I don't spill my latte all over you and I spill it over myself instead. That's what tourists do in the city. 😛

At first when I read that, I pictured you driving and spilling the latte. But then I was going to post asking why you were driving on the sidewalk. Finally I realized you are probably just walking quickly and not paying attention to us silly tourists.

Don't worry, we are both fast walkers. We shouldn't get in your way. Unless I recognize you, then I'm going to block the sidewalk and make you late. I'll just look for an elderly pink man with a perfectly oval face.

 

[dullard]

Ok hotels are way too expensive in the area. I looked for a flight+hotel option for 4 nights. Anything in Manhattan area was $400+/night.

So, where are areas I should look that would be closer to $100/night? I saw something in Richmond, NJ for around that price, but is that a horrible trip down to the central park area?

We'd perfer public transportation (bus/subway) if possible just to get the experience. So something with easy access would be nice.

And thanks again to everyone who helped. I'll be back tomorrow.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: ThePresence
Whatever you do, don't suddenly stop in middle of the sidewalk to stare up at all the tall buildings forcing me to make a short stop so that I don't spill my latte all over you and I spill it over myself instead. That's what tourists do in the city. 😛

At first when I read that, I pictured you driving and spilling the latte. But then I was going to post asking why you were driving on the sidewalk. Finally I realized you are probably just walking quickly and not paying attention to us silly tourists.

Don't worry, we are both fast walkers. We shouldn't get in your way. Unless I recognize you, then I'm going to block the sidewalk and make you late. I'll just look for an elderly pink man with a perfectly oval face.

:laugh:

 

[mikelish]

If you're 21 and like white wine and chinese food. Go to Silk Road palace. At dinner they give you unlimited free wine with your meal!

Text

 

[Mill]

I had a reply, but it got eaten by the board.

Yes, Manhattan is expensive, but I think you could find something at 150-175 a night. The time you are going sucks because it is nearing the holiday season, so they are starting to increase rates and occupancy.

However, I think it is worth it to stay in Manhattan because you are so close to the touristy things and good food and views. It is a bit of a hassle to stay across the river or farther away from Manhattan. Yes, there is cheap Mass Transit, but it adds a good bit of a wait and stress to your trip.

Haru Broadway Sushi (of course on Broadway near Time Square) has excellent Sushi.

I recommend doing the Museums and stuff, but purchase a City Pass for the discount. Oh, and use the Subway. Fun and cheap. Taxis are not too expensive, but save them for the rain/snow or if Subway is inconvenient.

People always bash NYC Cabbies, but I had great luck with them.

We stayed at the Edison Hotel for 150 a night last August. It has seen better days, but it has a good staff and the rooms are clean -- just a bit worn and it needs a remodel. It is right at Times Square and near the Theatre District.

I just checked the Edison's Website, and they have rooms for 160-180 in November.

http://www.edisonhotelnyc.com/index.asp

 

[z0mb13]

I was just there a couple of months ago. Loved it 🙂

Some good eats that are cheap:
-Joe Shanghai in Chinatown. You have to get the dumplings (xiao long bao)
-Yakitori bar at saint marks (forgot the name of the rest). This place is pretty small but they serve GOOD and cheap yakitori

 

[slackerinabox]

Also, tours are tacky for the most part but allow you to get all the touristy stuff done quickly. I really love wlaking tours - google "Big Onion Tours" - they're quirky, cheap, and offer lots of secret info, like we visited a hidden courtyard in the Village frequented by Edgar Allen Poe plus found out some nifty stuff about washington sq. park. I was born here but still took the tour since it was a great way to spend a sunday afternoon (the tour guides are really charming, I think mine was a stand up).

Food:

Indian - Tabla, great fushion cuisine
Chinese - just go to china town (R to Canal St.) and walk around.. Bing Wong (shut up) is a favorite dive of mine - their roast pork is sooo good.


Neighborhoods to visit:
China Town
Greenwhich Village - key historical places include the stonewall bar (starting point of the gay rights struggle), and the whole neighborhood, really.. ACE trains to west 4th.
East Village - former punk rock haven, now a good place to find good dives, I like the thirsty scholar, blue and gold (a historic dive), and punk rockish clubs such as riffiffi and lit that have recently been over run by hipsters. Fun to see the pierced and tatooed set, even if you just want to laugh at them - R train to 8th street, F to 2nd ave.
Murray Hill - lots of good indian food there, including a few indian/chinese hybrids
Central Park should be visited...
SoHo (R to Prince, F to Broadway/Houston) - Chic little boutiques, great shopping.. Some nice lounges. I like the Mercer Bar, on Mercer. Across the street is this lovely tea room - it's very chic and not so pricey.

Brooklyn
Williamsburg. I liked this a lot more when I was 20.. But now I kinda hate the people who live there.. Good place to find live music though and lots of cafes. Sea is a nice, hip, and fun thai place that's CHEAP but seems expensive (they filmed Garden State's "LA restaurant" scenes there)... L train to Bedford Ave.

 

[slackerinabox]

Good burgers for new york - Corner Bistro in the village.. Burger joint is better from what I've heard, but I haven't been there yet

Pizza - Grimaldi's in brooklyn, fornino's in brooklyn (their truffle pizza is amazing), Lombardia's on spring street... My favoritist is nicks in queens but it's probably not worth the trip

thai - I will admit to having a tourist's taste in thai food.. i went to Panang, a really authentic place, and was creeped out when the brought out an entire fish covered in hot sauce.. authentic, i'm sure, but i prefer the most westernized thai food of joints like SEA,
or PEEP in soho (very affordable, fun atmosphere).

Chinese - S. Dynasty was a weird find. Great food, a little pricey but wonderful

Sushi - Tomo is a favorite, there are many rip off, this place is in the lower east side on Tompkins I believe. The decor is basic but the fish very fresh. I have been to far more expensive places but Tomo is very good for the money. Nobu is considered "the best" but you pay for the decor and scene.

Italian - I don't have a favorite place, I just like going to little italy and stumblign into a random place for their sub- $20 full cource meal specials
I'll post more as I think about it.
newyork.citysearch.com is your friend

 

[farfignugen]

Dullard, there's a hotel named The Marcel, it's in Gramercy park area, 24th st east side of manhattan, I stayed there last year, pretty reasonable, they have rooms for $120 ish or so a night if you mention a magic word. PM me and I'll give you the details.

 

[GasX]

There is a Sheraton Suites in Weehawken, NJ. It is right on the Hudson river. There is a ferry stop right there and you are a two minute walk from a bus which will drop you off at the bus terminal in less than 10 minutes.

 

[SuperNaruto]

i like ice skating in central park

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: dullard
GF is going on a business trip and will stay a few extra days, I thought I'd fly up to meet her. Neither of us has been in NY City before. We'll probably do the typical tourist things: MET, natural history museum, show on broadway. We probably won't go very far from that area, and will mostly be walking.

What things are great to do there that are less well known? What restuarants are tasty (lots of herbs, spices, and flavor) but reasonable on the wallet? What hotels are decent in the area (but since we won't spend much time actually in the hotel, money is a determining factor)?

Be sure to checkout Greenwich Village and Chinatown. Try and find the Tai Pan (<?) bakery or St.Alps (<?) bakery for some bubble tea.