***Official*** Visit NYC thread

[IHateMyJob2004]

A new concept in Official threads .... popular travel destinations. I'll start with this one (NYC) because I hope to get some good ideas for when I go to NYC in about a month.

The concept.... Talk about places you went (shopping, food, hotel, entertainment, etc). What the prices were like and your general thoughts. please boldface the names of places you went so people can easily find them. Please provide links when possible.

Similar threads could be created for places like Disney World or Las Vegas. Over time, this could become quite a useful resource for people going to NYC (or other places).

So, let the reviews and comments start coming!

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I'll start with Times Square. it's a fun place to go check out at night when not much is going on otherwise. The M&Ms store is fun to go see and maybe get an unhealthy snack. Most stores are open late. I think I was there between 11 and 12 PM and everything was still open.

I spent alot of time researching hotels for my future trip. I think I found a nice one called The Muse located near Times Square (1 minute maybe). I paid $330 per night. That's because the less expensive room was all taken ($310). $330 is not bad at all though. Most "good" hotels were over $250 anyway. The Muse probably 1 minute away from Times Square. One other forum member already stayed there (they can comment on their own) and was quite satisfied. Formal review of The Muse coming in 1 month.

The Muse Hotel

NOTE: I'll update this post in 1 month. I wanted to get hte ball rolling a little bit.

 

[ivan2]

times square is just full of high school kids from the outer borough at night, it's a nice place to stroll by but I won't dedicate too much time outside of window shopping.

Definitely visit the Met. It's gigantic and they frequently rotate the collections of small items like those Da Vinci menuscripts so you might see different things everytime. My favorite room is the armor room.

 

[gimmewhitecastles]

Looks like the Freedom Tower is halfway up. You can go by the financial district to see its progress. Battery Park around there is a very nice walk.

I work a block away from Times Square. I absolutely hate the place. Filled with tourists and kids and overpriced eateries.

 

[Ns1]

Good idea for thread.

 

[Imp]

Went over the summer, got off at Madison Square Garden, then met up with some people. Walked all the way down to the WTC area, can't really see anything anymore since the foundation's laid. Wall Street was ok, Finance Museum is great if you know nothing about markets.

Lot of popular stores on Fifth Ave., think I saw at least 3 H&Ms, a couple Gaps. Times Square was one of those places you just have to stop by, but nothing really to write home about.

Definite highlight was the MET. I literally got lost in there. Free admission. Watch for assholes in Times Square and outside Central Park trying to extort money from you though; don't travel look like a tourist or show your wallet.

 

[nageov3t]

can't recommend Georgia's Eastside BBQ enough. it's a hole in the wall place right around the corner from Katz's Deli. doesn't even have its own bathroom, but the food is amazing.

 

[nageov3t]

Lot of popular stores on Fifth Ave., think I saw at least 3 H&Ms, a couple Gaps. Times Square was one of those places you just have to stop by, but nothing really to write home about.

it's cool to go to some of the flagship stores based in NYC like Macy's, Bloomingdales, Saks, or Century 21, but yeah... I wouldn't go to like The Gap in NYC.

 

[Ns1]

Ns1 is going to NYC this summer. Does cheap decent lodging exist in Manhattan near a subway?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Cheap by what standards? $300/night is normal for a hotel from all the searching I did. That was March though.

My only advice. Go to a restaurant known to be good when you are in a touristy area. We got screwed at some greek restaurant. $30/steak that was dry as hell and tasted like crap. This was near Times Square.

Good food. It seems like if you just walk 10 minutes away from touristy areas you will do well. We had some good tai food but I don't remember the name. If I spent enough time on google maps I could track it down.

 

[Lifted]

Ns1 is going to NYC this summer. Does cheap decent lodging exist in Manhattan near a subway?

Hard to find much below $300 in Manhattan.

The best deal is Long Island City / Astoria as you're just 5 minutes from midtown via subway - 1 or 2 stops - or taxi, and you can get a Ramada or similar for about $100/night.

 

[slayer202]

well, what do you like to do? plenty of museums, too many restaurants, lots of shopping

 

[Imp]

I found one place for $160-$180 south of Central Park (specific...). I still thought it was too expensive and just decided to take the red-eye, then bus back at 9pm the next day. Yes, I'm cheap.

 

[apathy_next2]

Ns1 is going to NYC this summer. Does cheap decent lodging exist in Manhattan near a subway?

You don't have to spend 300+ unless you want to stay at a 4 star or one of those boutique hotels.
You can easily find something under 200 and something that is not shit.
Ofcourse rooms are not very big in Manhattan so don't expect very big rooms. I stayed 2 nights a few months ago and the Hampton Inn near madison square garden was like 179 a night, although I didn't stay there, but shop around the big websites and do it as far out as you can. I am sure that you dont' have to spend 300+ if you do your homework

 

[mAdMaLuDaWg]

Hit up soho and pop into some random bars to listen to music from random indie bands. You just may stumble upon some really awesome bands.

Also try the Apollo Theatre in Harlem.. Amateur nights on Tuesday are really fun! And tickets are pretty affordable too ($25-$30).

Then there is broadway. One way to get cheap broadway tickets is to line up outside a tkts store (www.tdf.org/tkts) on the day of the show. You can score tickets for really cheap if you are lucky.

If you are into clubbing, you can try checking out Pacha. Three floors with extremely deafening music. Not my cup of tea, but if you are into clubbing check it out.

 

[Arcadio]

B.B. King in Times Square is a cool place to see live music.

Top of the Rock Awesome view from the top of the Rockefeller Center.

 

[slayer202]

http://www.ifccenter.com/

 

[ultimatebob]

Don't forget to go to Peter Luger in Brooklyn if you want a really good steak, or B&H Photo if you like looking at fancy cameras!

Trust me... B&H is far more interesting to visit than the Apple Store. They have tons more cool stuff to look at.

 

[Ns1]

Has anyone used OnBoard tours?

http://www.onboardtours.com/

Also:
http://www.circleline42.com/new-york-cruises/browse.aspx?groupid=1&type=

My only advice. Go to a restaurant known to be good when you are in a touristy area. We got screwed at some greek restaurant. $30/steak that was dry as hell and tasted like crap. This was near Times Square.

I'm a major foodie so I'm coming in with a food itinerary mapped out


Additional Resources:

http://wikitravel.org/en/New_York_City
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2159874&highlight=new+york+city

 

[nageov3t]

I've never been on Circle Line except to take the boat to the Statue of Liberty (that have/had an exclusive contract for that I believe) but I used to work for NY Waterway, another ferry company.

I was required to go on all their different cruises for training. the 45 minute one was probably my favorite, but it doesn't look like they offer it anymore. the 90 minute one was pretty good too, though!

http://nywaterway.com/NYHarborMidtownCruises.aspx

also took a harbor cruise when I was in Montreal last summer and it was cool. in general, I think they're a nice way to do some touristy stuff while resting from all the walking around, and you get to take some great pictures.

 

[96Firebird]

Going there in late August for a long weekend, staying the Distrikt Hotel this year. Last two years I stayed at the Holiday Inn on 57th street and The Roosevelt near Grand Central. Can't wait to go, this year I think we are going to check out the Bronx Zoo and maybe the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

 

[JS80]

Going in July. Got Regency Park Ave for $270/night.

 

[Ns1]

Going in July. Got Regency Park Ave for $270/night.

Best deal I found so far is $50 GC for Hertz per $250 in Marriot GC's.


2 nights in NYC @ 250 for Mariott (+Miles) = $100 credit for Hertz rental. I THINK this beats out priceline.

 

[LegendKiller]

Going in July. Got Regency Park Ave for $270/night.

If you're there after the 18th we should meet up...

 

[LegendKiller]

I found one place for $160-$180 south of Central Park (specific...). I still thought it was too expensive and just decided to take the red-eye, then bus back at 9pm the next day. Yes, I'm cheap.

I'd just check everything against the bed bug registry. A lot of NYC hotels have them, especially the lower-end ones.

 

[WT]

Wow, timely thread bump. I am going to NYC via train tomorrow. Surprise trip with the kids, so hoping they will absolutely love the visit.