New York (and being 50)
- Quaco
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Re: New York (and being 50)
Although of course getting recommendations is a great thing, I have also found you can just sort of "aim yourself" towards the main areas (Greenwich Village, Little Italy or whatever) and things sort of happen to you.
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- Oscar
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Re: New York (and being 50)
Great stuff, lots to absorb - particular interest in the grub (Eng slang: food). Maybe an important consideration to make is that we (me 'n' the missus) will be bringing an 11/12 yr old nipper.
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Re: New York (and being 50)
never/ever wrote:Question- I'll be in NY in the beginning of April- probably want to catch a NBA-game while I'm at it. Is there a good way to get tickets to major sports/music events in the city?
That would be a tough decision for me whether to go to the mecca which is Madison Square Garden or the beautiful Barclay's Arena for the Nets. I'd have to do both.
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- Qube
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Re: New York (and being 50)
Oscar49 wrote:Great stuff, lots to absorb - particular interest in the grub (Eng slang: food). Maybe an important consideration to make is that we (me 'n' the missus) will be bringing an 11/12 yr old nipper.
The Bronx Zoo may well be worth a visit in that case, though it does take pretty much all day (but you'd still have the evening back in the city...).
The Staten Island Ferry will give you some great views of lower Manhattan, particularly on the return journey as the city gets closer (head out to the back), and it's free, bonus!
Others will know the record stores better than I do, but Other Music (http://www.othermusic.com/) is the one I tend to gravitate towards. From there you can head towards Kim's (http://www.mondokims.com/) record store and also pick up a coffee at Abraco (http://abraconyc.com/#home) along the way. And if you're a fan, just around the corner from Kim's is the building used on Led Zeppelin's "Physically Graffiti" album cover on 96 and 98 St. Mark's Place (my pic).
Oh, and just north of little Italy, if any of you have a sweet tooth, this place is great: http://www.littlecupcakebakeshop.com/ try the pistachio cake!
Take a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at night (my pic)
You really should take a stroll around Central Park. On either side of the park, The Met and the Natural History Museum are both probably full-day activities as well, although you can get a feel for both in a few hours (plus, they're donation-based if you just want to pay a little and pop in briefly, although all the signs make it sound like there is a full charge).
Oh, and if you like pancakes - Clinton Street Bakery on the lower east side: http://clintonstreetbaking.com/
Last edited by Qube on 11 Dec 2012, 19:33, edited 1 time in total.
- Witchypoo
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Re: New York (and being 50)
Get to the Tenament (sp) Museum. Well worth the detour.
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- souphound
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Re: New York (and being 50)
What's that place near Madison on the Upper West side with the famous black & white cookies again?
Are they still doing the Seinfeld tour?
Are they still doing the Seinfeld tour?
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- Livet
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Re: New York (and being 50)
Witchypoo wrote:Get to the Tenament (sp) Museum. Well worth the detour.
Agreed; it's really great. I think the Museum of Natural History is really good for someone your kid's age and maybe the Intrepid as well (I haven't been).
One of my favorite casual places to eat in the East Village is the Caracas Arepas Bar, 93½ 7th Street (1st & A).
In Chinatown, Prosperity Dumplings is really good for a quick snack (not a sit down)- five dumplings for $1 and the scallion pancake is delicious (46 Eldridge Street atCanal/Hester). Xi’an Foods, 67 Bayard (Mott) has very interesting cuisine, including hand pulled noodles, cumin lamb burgers and a great spicy dish called liang pi. Old Shanghai Deluxe, 50 Mott (at Bayard) has great soup dumplings and a nice pork belly dish and crispy whole fish dishes.
If you tell me which cuisines you're interested in, I could come up with some more suggestions.
I'll pm you about hotels. The good, reasonable ones book early, so you should try to take care of that sooner than later.
I hope to see you guys when you're here!
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- Guy E
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Re: New York (and being 50)
sloopjohnc wrote:never/ever wrote:Question- I'll be in NY in the beginning of April- probably want to catch a NBA-game while I'm at it. Is there a good way to get tickets to major sports/music events in the city?
That would be a tough decision for me whether to go to the mecca which is Madison Square Garden or the beautiful Barclay's Arena for the Nets. I'd have to do both.
Jump on it a.s.a.p. For years on end Knicks games were Sold Out before the season even started (mostly season ticket holders). That dialed-back a bit when the team was on the rocks in recent years, but don't expect an easy time getting tickets... they're doing very well this year and I wouldn't doubt if all games are now Sold Out. The Nets at Barclays is more promising.
I had a quarter-share of 3 season tickets for the Knicks for many years. It was a lot of fun - going out drinking with a friend and bringing along a guest - but the games themselves are extremely hit or miss. Out of the ten games we'd attend each year, I felt lucky if we saw three good, competitive ones.
When you guys know your travel dates you should look to see if there's any music you're interested in. Ohmyrockness.com is a good all-purpose website for venue listings. Off B'way theater may appeal... I'm not sure where to go for those listings.
I think Quaco's advice is good - let your walking travels take you... wherever. You don't want to be escorted around. That's dull. A 12 year old kid will want to do some different things and a lot of visitors seem to shop a great deal; I assume that material goods are relatively affordable for European visitors.
There are a lot of good, affordable restaurants in NY, but I'm not a good source for recommendations. Sorry.
Do some research and make a list of things you want to do; museums and sights. But don't let your visit turn into a checklist of tourist attractions: Times Square (check), Rockefeller Center (check), Central Park (check), Ground Zero (check), Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island (check). Some of that stuff is fine, but it's the unexpected experiences that make NYC a fun place. It's also good to get a flavor for the day-to-day... the M, W, F, S market in Union Square and such. Make sure you earmark some time to sit in a cafe and watch the street parade pass by... it's usually pretty entertaining.
Comfortable, broken-in shoes are a must. The subway will take you everywhere you want to go, but stations are about 1/2-mile apart and the trains mainly run N/S through Manhattan so there's a lot of walking. It's not as dense a system as the Paris Metro. Subway maps are free at the (manned) booths and they make a great souvenir for friends with kids (a real authentic NYC Subway Map for your bedroom wall!) so stop and ask for those on occasion.
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Re: New York (and being 50)
If you are low on funds and just like people watching, hanging out the Port Authority bus station is a fine NYC thing to do. Friendly folks abound. Enter, take a whiff, smell the urine then look a stranger straight in the eye and heartily say, "Hi, asshole!" It's a NYC tradition.
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- Oscar
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Re: New York (and being 50)
Good, good, good, keep it coming...
I think, no museums, zoos, shows, gigs or record shops. I’d like to get all the “sightseeing” stuff done on the first day. With a 12 yr old I think it essential we go up the Empire State Building and that we see the Statue of Liberty but I’d like plenty of time to absorb the essence of the city and to feel like we’re in New York (can’t do that watching lion king!). I’d like to use the subway, get a cab, eat pizza etc etc.
I’ve done a bit of research on flights and hotels and it does seem really expensive – so I need to make it work as well as possible... Oh and Brooklyn Bridge, gotta see that.
I think, no museums, zoos, shows, gigs or record shops. I’d like to get all the “sightseeing” stuff done on the first day. With a 12 yr old I think it essential we go up the Empire State Building and that we see the Statue of Liberty but I’d like plenty of time to absorb the essence of the city and to feel like we’re in New York (can’t do that watching lion king!). I’d like to use the subway, get a cab, eat pizza etc etc.
I’ve done a bit of research on flights and hotels and it does seem really expensive – so I need to make it work as well as possible... Oh and Brooklyn Bridge, gotta see that.
- Guy E
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Re: New York (and being 50)
Oscar49 wrote:Good, good, good, keep it coming...
I think, no museums, zoos, shows, gigs or record shops. I’d like to get all the “sightseeing” stuff done on the first day. With a 12 yr old I think it essential we go up the Empire State Building and that we see the Statue of Liberty but I’d like plenty of time to absorb the essence of the city and to feel like we’re in New York (can’t do that watching lion king!). I’d like to use the subway, get a cab, eat pizza etc etc.
I’ve done a bit of research on flights and hotels and it does seem really expensive – so I need to make it work as well as possible... Oh and Brooklyn Bridge, gotta see that.
I've never stayed in a hotel in NYC, but I'm sure it's a sobering thing to investigate. The area around Madison Square Garden/Penn Station is pretty dire, no restaurants, and that seems to be a cheap area to stay... I'd try to avoid that and find a more "real" neighb.
The subway is dependable and affordable, but may seem intimidating. It's by far the fastest way to get around. In Manhattan a lot of the lines run on the same tracks and then branch-off when they head to the outer boroughs, so there may be multiple trains you can take going from major Point A to Point B. That's confusing at first. Don't be afraid to ask for directions, but don't assume the person you ask will automatically know the answer. With the subway system people know the lines they use all the time, but may be completely ignorant of others... I'm that way.
Livet knows restaurants. Note her recommendations.
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- Oscar
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Re: New York (and being 50)
Guy E wrote:Livet knows restaurants. Note her recommendations.
Drooling over those Arepas as I type.
- Snarfyguy
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Re: New York (and being 50)
Guy E wrote:I've never stayed in a hotel in NYC, but I'm sure it's a sobering thing to investigate. The area around Madison Square Garden/Penn Station is pretty dire, no restaurants, and that seems to be a cheap area to stay... I'd try to avoid that and find a more "real" neighb.
A lot of reasonable-looking hotels have sprung up in the West 20s in the past few years. Not the most exciting area around, but certainly handy - and who wants to stay somewhere like Times Square anyway?
Last edited by Snarfyguy on 11 Dec 2012, 23:33, edited 1 time in total.
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- yomptepi
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Re: New York (and being 50)
You need to walk. Central Park, Wall street, The Waldorf Astoria, Park Avenue, 5th Avenue.New York is amazing from the street.
I'd stay out of the taxi's if I were you, Look but don't touch.
The statue of liberty is a lot of boat for the buck. A long trip and george will get bored.
Have Coffee and cheesecake in Grenwich Village.
But mainly get a guide.
I'd stay out of the taxi's if I were you, Look but don't touch.
The statue of liberty is a lot of boat for the buck. A long trip and george will get bored.
Have Coffee and cheesecake in Grenwich Village.
But mainly get a guide.
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- Qube
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Re: New York (and being 50)
And you'll be surprised how much ground you can cover on foot, I wouldn't be too worried about staying in an area that isn't exciting, you don't have to walk far in any direction for a point of interest.
You can get a decent view of the statue of liberty from the Staten Island Ferry as well, I think the statue itself is still closed?
You can get a decent view of the statue of liberty from the Staten Island Ferry as well, I think the statue itself is still closed?
- Oscar
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Re: New York (and being 50)
Qube wrote:And you'll be surprised how much ground you can cover on foot, I wouldn't be too worried about staying in an area that isn't exciting, you don't have to walk far in any direction for a point of interest.
You can get a decent view of the statue of liberty from the Staten Island Ferry as well, I think the statue itself is still closed?
Yup, Staten Island Ferry looks good... short trip too.
- Matty Red Sox
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Re: New York (and being 50)
Oscar49 wrote:Good, good, good, keep it coming...
I think, no museums, zoos, shows, gigs or record shops. I’d like to get all the “sightseeing” stuff done on the first day. With a 12 yr old I think it essential we go up the Empire State Building and that we see the Statue of Liberty but I’d like plenty of time to absorb the essence of the city and to feel like we’re in New York (can’t do that watching lion king!). I’d like to use the subway, get a cab, eat pizza etc etc.
I’ve done a bit of research on flights and hotels and it does seem really expensive – so I need to make it work as well as possible... Oh and Brooklyn Bridge, gotta see that.
Do NOT do the statue of liberty, seriously. Fvcking waste of time and weather. You'll see nothing from it and it's always uncomfortable temperature wise. The museum is interesting, but you said no museums (even though you should do the tenement museum that all the locals are recommending for a reason).
Don't bother with shows - you've got them in the UK, and TImes Square is worth missing (it's a big old brightly lit shopping mall), do do the Bronx Zoo, and get a cab over to Arthur Avenue (a better Little Italy - google around for best restaurants...).
Guye's right about the Knicks being a hard ticket - harder now that they are doing well... but try "stubhub.com" for tickets. The Nets are in a new arena - so even though they suck, getting tickets might be tough.
I recommend a trip on the L train from 14th St. to Bedford Ave in Brooklyn, it'll take about 10 minutes, eat pizza at Fornino's (great pizza, one of Guye's favs, btw). Walk around the neighborhood and eventually wander down to the river and go to the pier. There's only one, behind some huge condominiums near North 6th Street, it's a nice place - benches and people watching, and probably your best photo opportunity to get the entire family with the city behind... if you miss this, you'll be sad.
From there you can catch a ferry down to the Brooklyn Bridge for about $2.50 each, and walk the bridge from Brooklyn into Chinatown in Manhattan... (you'll be just South of Chinatown - you can see city hall and the courts as well, fairly stunning architecture and a decent city vibe)... you really only want tho walk the bridge one way, and the subways are a mess on the Brooklyn side of the bridge, and the only real tourist spot (other than the view) is Patsy's Pizza - but their quality has been shit for about 15 years... so walk from Brooklyn to Manhattan... regarding the Empire State Building, it's beautiful and the view is good... however, go to Rockefeller Center - which you've seen before in hundreds of movies - they have the iceskating rink and best art deco monster sized building in NYC, it's also along 5th Ave, and near St. Pats... absolutely go to the "Top of the Roc" while there... you should reserve beforehand, and try to get there an hour or so before sunset... the views are the best in the city (MUCH, MUCH, MUCH better than the Empire State Building - partially because you can see the Empire State Building... this is where postcard photos are taken, NOT from the top of the ESB.
Another thought... to save a bit of money... and make the whole trip nicer... have you considered leaving the boy with relatives at home? ... at twelve he may or may not get the city, but you and the wife can have a more romantic time, and with the airfare and food savings, you can stay in a better hotel... just saying. Also NYC is notoriously "tween" unfriendly... you'll get the worst table in most restaurants with a twelve year old, he's just old enough where you'll be charged adult prices for him on many things... And, it's NYC, he'll get there on his own someday, everybody does.
Also one of the absolute best meals in NYC is at Peter Luger's steakhouse... this IS thee NYC restaurant. The secret is go for lunch (dinner reservations are hard to come by at a decent hour)... and you can save by letting the boy get the burger at lunch (at $9, the best meal deal in NYC, by far) and you and the wife have the steak for two (get it as close to rare as possible... it's such quality meat - the best in the US, easily, that you'd ruin it by getting it over cooked and even if someone thinks they don't like rare, they WILL like this if they like meat at all. - in fact, I'll make the Big Star guarantee that the Baron made to me... he promised to pay for my overpriced vinyl copy of the first Big Star album if I didn't like it... I'll pay for your rare steak, if you don't like it - seriously). Oh and Peter Lugers only does cash, there's a few ATMs nearby, use the bank across the street...
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- Matty Red Sox
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Re: New York (and being 50)
I'd also disregard the notion of avoiding taxis, yellow cabs are trustworthy - they can get you to your destination quickly and cheaply (cheaper than the subway with three folks for a crosstown trip in many areas), and the people watching is great... also for addresses, give the street corner address, e.g. not 350 Fifth Avenue, but the corner of 34th and Fifth (street first, avenue second - and that's the Empire State Building's location)....
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- GoogaMooga
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Re: New York (and being 50)
Overheard in the street where I live, two young girls conversing, "New York is just the dream town"
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Re: New York (and being 50)
go crazy and book a helicopter tour!