New York ... any quick recommendations?

The open top bus tours and the Circle Ferry round the island are pretty good especially if you get a good guide. First time we went on the ferry we got a brilliant guide, funny as hell. Never stopped laughing.

Other than that, just get walking and you'll find no end of places to eat, see and do. You don't have to spend a fortune either. One tip, from my experience of two trips to New York, dont eat in the hotel, just go to the local deli and save a fortune.

Finally dont forget to get a pass for the subway.


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if you want to do all the major tourist sites then invest in a new york city pass, you will save loads of money (and a few long lines).

url here:
http://www.citypass.com/city/ny

If you share my fascination for unusual pubs, the Bleecker Street Bar is delightful. Pool tables in a back room too.

Just google the name to find out directions, etc.

The Staten Island Ferry is a commuter service, so costs next to nothing, and you'll get a pretty good view of the Statue of Liberty, and the great spectacle of Lower Manhattan from the water.

All - thanks so much, great suggestions. Keep them coming.

I got tickets for the Empire State - would you say daytime or evening is best?

Graham - that sounds just like my kind of thing! Will definitely check it out.

Thanks

Ian

quote:

I got tickets for the Empire State - would you say daytime or evening is best?

When I/We went briefly in'80 we were told when going to the WTC to go just before dusk then you can see the views day and night. Spectacular city when lit up.

I absolutely agree with that - I've been up there a few times and aim to get there an hour or so before sunset. That way, having got through the queues (and they can be long) you'll get to see the city by day and by night on one visit.

Some other thoughts:

Wrap up very warm!! NY is pretty chilly this time of year.

Also consider the 'top of the rock' viewing deck, which unlike the ES building, it actually has the ES building in it's view!

Try and walk between places of interest - you'll get a much better sense of the city than merely visiting tourist hotspots.

Follow your nose - again, there's a lot you'll see by ambling around, for example wander across the Brooklyn Bridge, there's a nice park at the other end (on the left) in which you can sit and have a sandwich/coffee and take in the view of downtown manhattan.

Google before you go to see which bands are on at madison sq gdns - touts in Times Sq will have tickets. Be careful, and haggle well!

For a huge breakfast or sandwich that'll set you up for the day (and evening!) try Ritzy deli on Times Sq. Not so cheap, but good value.

Have NY cheesecake at least once.

I love 'The Garage' Restaurant in Greenwich village'. Live (15 piece) Jazz big band on Mondays. Not cheap, but a good time - spend NYE there after proposing to my Fiancee a couple of years back.

Have fun!

Phil

Ya just gotta see Greenwich Village after it being so famous decades past.

oh and MOMA should be incredible, I've not been in 20 years so this new version has been completely reworked.

Go to Ellis Island and go round the Immigration Museum also a great view up the Hudson River and the southern tip of Manhattan.

If you are into museums and galleries check out the Metropolitan Museum tucked into Central Park, the Frick Collection E 70th and 5th Avenue area - apart from the art the building which was a very upmarket private house is very fine.

The Whitney can have some really extreme modern art as well as a great collection of Hoppers.

Also at least walk into the foyer of the Guggenheim Museum to see the inside of the building. If the art appeals then go in.

Most of all - enjoy

Ian-

If you enjoy live music it is usually possible to get into one of the city's many great jazz clubs at the last minute. This week is typical of most in the New York clubs; there are two standouts performing at the two top clubs; Joe Lovano is helping the historic Village Vanguard club celebrate their 75th anniversary this week, and over at the Blue Note, Ron Carter, Paul Motion and Bill Frissell are playing. You might find other great programming at the Jazz Standard, Birdland, or Iridium which are all further uptown, where the Blue Note and the Vanguard are in Greenwich Village. When you get to NY, pick up a free copy of the Village Voice for more music listings, show times and address info, etc.

Have a nice stay.

Bruce

Wow thanks guys - such a great suggestions - really appreciated. Some I had heard of but others not so really appreciate the 'knowledge'. The jazz clubs sound great - we will definitely check that out, plus certainly boat trips, galleries, bars and food recommendations ...

I go on Thursday morning - meeting
an American there who also appreciates a good pub!

Thanks,

Ian

quote:

Originally posted by bdnyc:
Ian-

If you enjoy live music it is usually possible to get into one of the city's many great jazz clubs at the last minute. This week is typical of most in the New York clubs; there are two standouts performing at the two top clubs; Joe Lovano is helping the historic Village Vanguard club celebrate their 75th anniversary this week, and over at the Blue Note, Ron Carter, Paul Motion and Bill Frissell are playing. You might find other great programming at the Jazz Standard, Birdland, or Iridium which are all further uptown, where the Blue Note and the Vanguard are in Greenwich Village. When you get to NY, pick up a free copy of the Village Voice for more music listings, show times and address info, etc.

Have a nice stay.

Bruce

Bruce said what I was about to. Village Vanguard is a great - old, tatty and authentic - centre of world jazz - real history. I always love my visits there.

Hi Ian
I've been to NY a number of times, and done most of what is listed above, and it's great fun.
A couple of things to watch out for though.
If you arrive via JFK airport, you are likely to be totally dispirited by your first hour or so in the country. The customs and immagration men and women are trained to make you feel like a criminal. They have no sense of humour - don't try to make them laugh. I have and nearly got banged up. They all have no social skills. But don't worry, everyone else is lovely.
Except, keep a city map with you at all times. A lot of the tax drivers speak no English, and an Englishman's English is even wierder to them (I try to put on an American accent, it helps). I was once driven by an East Asian taxi driver with whom I was totally unable to communicate who had me speak to a friend on his mobile phone. Another once said "I am lost, you had better get out here." The last time my daughter was there she got a driver who did not know the way to JFK airport, and phoned me in the UK for directions!
Don't be concerned if your taxi driver has a domestic row on his mobile phone in a language you do not recognise as you are driving past skyscrapers at speed. It is usual.
Be prepared to haggle in camera shops and the like. They often don't price goods "How much would you like to pay, Sir?" is a usual starting point.
But it is a great place... Have fun,
Don

everything that has been said + if you can afford it a chopper ride over manhattan is pretty special.

quote:

Originally posted by scottyhammer:
everything that has been said + if you can afford it a chopper ride over manhattan is pretty special.

My ladies did a simulator ride of the helicopter trip,when they went to NYC.

I lived on Bleecker St for a year and never ran out of new things to see or do in the city. I took my girlfriend to visit the city a couple of years back. Much had changed within 10 years. Restaurants tend to change pretty fast so it's hard to make any definitive recommendations. There are the institutions like Joe's Pizza and Katz's deli (the place with that famous scene in When Harry Met Sally), however for anything more upmarket it's best to get an idea of what's hot that week or month. Next month it may be gone... One of my favourite places on my last visit was the Little Owl. It's pretty low key but with excellent food and just happens to be located under the "Friends" building, which got my gf very excited indeed. Other places I liked have gone by the look of it.

For the best view of NYC don't go up the ESB. Instead go to the Rock in the Rockefeller Centre. For one thing, it's much cheaper and the queues much smaller. For two, you get to see NYC with the ESB in it!

The best view of the city is unfortunately gone now - my old office on the top floor of WTC2. Well worth going down there to pay respects to those who perished.

Do take a walk across Brooklyn Bridge. On the Brooklyn side you can look back at an iconic skyline. If it's chilly outside this is best done while sipping an Irish Coffee at the River Cafe just under the bridge.

Do go and spend time in Central Park. Go to the Central Park zoo.

Have a Bloody Mary at the King Cole Bar in the Regis Hotel. It was invented there.

Go to see a show.

Don't ever accept any unsolicited offers of taxis/rides from the airport to the city. You will be fleeced like a lamb straight off the plane...

Do have a really great time!

For restaurants the Zagat guide is invaluable.

As you are staying downtown a visit to JR World for music (big selection) and electronics is well worth it - near the former World Trade Centre.

23 Park Row
New York, NY 10038
(across from City Hall Park)

Unlike anyplace else I've ever been, New York is incessant. Expect to be overwhelmed for a few hours. It's great after that!

I also found people to be very helpful and friendly. The thicker the NY accent, the nicer they were. Same for New Jersey.

I think the vast majority of hints have been given now - but I would add just a couple - Take as many photos as you possibly can, thousands! The most un-likely are the ones I look at most now. Street scenes, real folk walking about. Everyone takes the usual snapshots (nowt wrong with that!) but memories for me tend now to be the more off -beat ones. Think about a few spare memory cards?
As has been mentioned here - the place is 'incessant'. Some of my fondest memories and pictures are of walking back to my freinds place on 52nd st from times sq at 3am(Chorus Line - everyone has to do that don't they?) and those utterly amazing jazz clubs already mentioned. We did one which was 'bring your own kit' night. You know your in for a treat when you see a double bass being hauled through the door of the bar..at. The amount of street artist and life that continues is utterly amazing.
Be prepared to have a very sore neck. You simply never stop looking up.
I would sincerely think about Richards suggestion of visiting what was the WTC. My strongest memories from NYC are from around there - battery park and Wall st.
One final memory for me is the noise. It simply never-ever ceases. Think 'Bladerunner'
Have one hell of a good time.

Welcome to New York!

All of the suggestions given have been pretty good. Walking the Brooklyn Bridge, visiting a jazz club, taking the Staten Island Ferry and Circle Line or tour bus are among the best. Oh and definitely do Top of the Rock for the best views of the city. Ground Zero is just a big construction site now so there isn't much meaningful to see there anymore. BTW, there is no such thing as 'off the beaten path' in NYC.

For cheap eats try Ippudo on 4th Avenue between 9th & 10th streets. It's a newish ramen place with a nice decor in the East Village. The East Village is great for people watching and cheap eats (several local colleges), so if Ippudo isn't too your taste just walk east on St. Mark's for more cheap food.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned, since there are so many things to do in the city; DO NOT DO TOO MUCH! You don't have enough time to see even half of the you-must-do-this-when-you-are-in-NYC! list so don't even try. Pick one thing to do in the morning and maybe one to do in the evening then let the day organize itself. People tend stress themselves trying to see everything there is to see but doing that in NY can kill you.

Never been but when I do will head for one of those breakfast diner places with eggs over-easy etc., you can recommend one on your return.

I'd recommend the Tenement Museum www.tenement.org on Orchard Street to get a flavor of the immigrant experience in the Big Apple.

After the Tenement Museum, Katz's on Houston St. - they probably still have signs saying 'Send a salami to your boy in the army.'

I's 2nd the Met Museum, the Guggenheim, and MOMA.

I've never been to Peter Luger's Restaurant, but I want to get there.

If you like classical music, Juilliard and the Mannes School of Music often have great recitals free, open to the public. Also, check out the People's Symphony Concerts (http://pscny.org/) - I was able to get to one of them - same performers, same program Saturday night at the People's Symphony that was scheduled for Lincoln Center Sunday for 1/5th the cost.

Phil Barry

Fuck the tourist crap. Walk around and talk to people. Try things you would never otherwise, like sex with a hooker or a lebonese restaurant.

Go find some live music and take in a film that shows nowhere else in the world.

Take a walk around and thru Central Park.

AVOID TIMES SQUARE at all costs, unless you are an advertising executive, have a spot there and must see where the millions of $ went. (If it looks like its daytime down the street in the middle of the night, go the other way!

DONT STAY ON THE ISLAND. Go check out Queens and Brooklyn.

Walk around, meet new people and have a blast.

Dont set an agenda, dont make a plan, dont keep a schedule (including your return plane trip)

Have a blast and soak it all in.

ALL is essential so nothing is essential.

-patrick

Well done, chaps.
NYC is a lot of fun, have a great time!
David

Bloody hell, Ian, can you extend your four days to a month?

I'd like to second Phil B's suggestion of a visit to Peter Luger's restaurant, reputed to be the best steakhouse in the US of A, although it looks like a Bavarian bierkeller. I once took a vegetarian gf there, and the staff were totally bemused: Rita ended up with a giant baked potato - very amusing! It's probably too late for this trip now, as they tend to get booked up well in advance, but it's well worth a try.

Graham