Visiting NYC - Stuff to see

[Angel!]

I'm visiting my BFF & Brother in NYC soon. So what should I make sure to see while I'm out there??

[t-dog]

Depends on your interests as there is a ton of stuff to see and do.

[midjd]

Governor's Island (free ferry takes you out there - walking paths and beautiful views!)

[t-dog]

There is obviously theatre, loads of restaurants, and exhibits of every sort (not to mention my alma mater in Queens). I personally love the Mus. of Natural History and the Planaterium. But again, there is so much to see and do that you will have to limit yourself. Go to the library and pull a tour book or 12 on the City and you will find lots to keep you busy.

[Angel!]

Sept 17, 2012 18:08:01 GMT -5 t-dog said:

Depends on your interests as there is a ton of stuff to see and do.

This is the only time I've visited & probably the only time I will be there for another decade or two. So I'm really looking for the big things, touristy stuff.

So far on my list is:
- Freedom towers
- Central Park
- Some show (we've been debating what to see)
- Some boat tour my brother knows about - maybe it is the Governer's Island thing, not sure

Natural History Museum & Planetarium sound awesome. Is that the planetarium where Neil deGrasse Tyson is located (love him!)?

[swamp]

There's sooooo much too see. St Patrick's cathedral, Rockefeller center, the original macys, grand central, empire state building, the main library, times square are all within a day walking tour n

[Angel!]

Oh, and possibly a Mets game. I really don't care about baseball, so debating on this is worth my time.

[Angel!]

Sept 17, 2012 18:19:52 GMT -5 swamp said:

There's sooooo much too see. St Patrick's cathedral, Rockefeller center, the original macys, grand central, empire state building, the main library, times square are all within a day walking tour n

That all sounds fun! Walking tour - adding to my list.

Would going upstate & going apple picking be worth my time? BFF already has plans for this & I am invited to come.

[swamp]

How far upstate?

Apple picking doesn't exactly thrill me, but I pick stuff out of our garden daily.

[t-dog]

For the big touristy stuff then I repeat my go to the library and check out a city guide advice - its all in there and you can pick and choose what you want to do.

[Angel!]

Sept 17, 2012 18:23:58 GMT -5 swamp said:

How far upstate?

Apple picking doesn't exactly thrill me, but I pick stuff out of our garden daily.

I have no idea, she kind of made it sound like it would be an all day thing. Which doesn't sound thrilling unless there is a lot of other stuff to see. I really only have 4 full days, so a bunch of time driving to pick some apples seems not really worth it.

[midjd]

Don't bother with Times Square, though - it is always packed, annoying, and not much fun with kids.

If you want to go to the outer boroughs, the Prospect Park Zoo (Brooklyn) is wonderful for kids. Smaller than the Central Park Zoo and much less crowded, but some awesome exhibits.

I'm so jealous! I miss living in NYC so much

[swamp]

You can't beat the people watching at times square, though.

[Angel!]

Sept 17, 2012 18:27:31 GMT -5 midjd said:

Don't bother with Times Square, though - it is always packed, annoying, and not much fun with kids.

If you want to go to the outer boroughs, the Prospect Park Zoo (Brooklyn) is wonderful for kids. Smaller than the Central Park Zoo and much less crowded, but some awesome exhibits.

I'm so jealous! I miss living in NYC so much

No kiddos on the trip. Just me, I figure NYC with a 2 yr old & 4 yr old wouldn't be too fun. They get a few days with grandma & grandpa.

Is your advice still the same though without kids?

[midjd]

Yes

I am just not a fan of Times Square, even without kids. But the PP Zoo is awesome! (Full disclosure, we used to live across the street). And Governor's Island is definitely worth a look. Bonus, the Governor's Island ferry leaves about 2 blocks away from Ground Zero so you can see the Freedom Towers at the same time.

I also love the atmosphere of Chinatown. Take a walk down Canal Street for some cheap souvenirs and some of the weirdest "food" you've ever seen...

What we usually did when family came to visit was figure out all the things they wanted to do in the south part of Manhattan, then central, then upper... and spend a day on each. Easy to walk or hop on the subway for a few stops than trek all over the city.

[Tennesseer]

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Cloisters Museum and Gardens (a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art)

MOMA

Some of the smaller museums such as the Morgan Library & Museum

Greenwich Village

What's left of Little Italy (for dinner)

Greenwich Village again

Fulton Street Market/South Street Seaport


Also check out New York Magazine and The Village Voice to see what's happening when you plan to go to NYC.

New York Magazine
nymag.com/

Village Voice
www.villagevoice.com/

[skubikky]

Sept 17, 2012 18:19:48 GMT -5 Angel! said:

Sept 17, 2012 18:08:01 GMT -5 t-dog said:

Depends on your interests as there is a ton of stuff to see and do.

This is the only time I've visited & probably the only time I will be there for another decade or two. So I'm really looking for the big things, touristy stuff.

So far on my list is:
- Freedom towers
- Central Park
- Some show (we've been debating what to see)
- Some boat tour my brother knows about - maybe it is the Governer's Island thing, not sure

Natural History Museum & Planetarium sound awesome. Is that the planetarium where Neil deGrasse Tyson is located (love him!)?

One of my immediate family members is in management at the 9/11 memorial. It is truly amazing. I would suggest going after dark. Goto this link to get tickets.
gonyc.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=gonyc&cdn=travel&tm=8&f=00&su=p284.13.342.ip_p531.60.342.ip_&tt=3&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//visit.911memorial.org/WebStore/shop/ViewItems.aspx%3FCG%3DWSCG%26C%3DTKTCAT

-go walk the Highline on the lower west side, suite101.com/article/the-high-line-debuts-in-new-york-city-a125090

-Walk up 5th Avenue to Central Park.
-Go through the park to the Bethesda fountain
-I wouldn't spend any time going to a show. It can be expensive and you'd get a better NY feel by going to a club or restaurant. Depends on what you like

seafood: www.themermaidnyc.com/
pizza: www.pulinosny.com

If you're young and would like to hit spots that are hot, just ask, there'll be lots of suggestions.

[skubikky]

Sept 17, 2012 18:22:43 GMT -5 Angel! said:

Sept 17, 2012 18:19:52 GMT -5 swamp said:

There's sooooo much too see. St Patrick's cathedral, Rockefeller center, the original macys, grand central, empire state building, the main library, times square are all within a day walking tour n

That all sounds fun! Walking tour - adding to my list.

Would going upstate & going apple picking be worth my time? BFF already has plans for this & I am invited to come.

No, no and no. If you're only going to be in the city for a few days, don't squander your time like that. There's just so much to see in the city.

[Peace77]

Take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. If you have time add the ferry leg to Ellis Island.

If you're bringing kids, visit the F.A.O. Schwartz Toy store and the M & M store.

Ride the subway.

Broadway shows are expensive but if you have a favorite TV show, you could request audience tickets. (have never done this)

Eat something new such as a bagel or something from an ethnic street vender's cart.

[Deleted]

Sept 18, 2012 9:09:22 GMT -5 Peace77 said:

Eat something new such as a bagel or something from an ethnic street vender's cart.

ROFL!!! This reminds me, my dad grew up in Northern NY and had never seen a bagel until he went to college. He thought it was a doughnut, took a giant bite and said he almost dislocated his jaw on the firm bagel.

Also, I recommend Wicked.

And I don't think Apple picking is a good use of time.

[Angel!]

Thanks all! Lots of fantastic ideas. I gave BFF a whole list of things I wanted to do based on this ...she tried to nicely say she didn't think we could do all of this in 4 days, LOL.

I am going to see if I can nicely decline apple picking without hurting her feelings. It turns out the trip is really to see wedding venues since they just got engaged & being her BFF I kind of feel bad if I don't go. On the plus side, it looks like I will be back to NY far sooner than I imagined. I thought this was my one shot since both BFF & DB are leaving the city probably in the next 6 months to move very far away.

BFF is a foodie, so I am sure we will be seeing lots of different cuisines. Turns out she is also just a few blocks from the museum, so that is definitely on the list. She also added wanting to take me to the East Village & Trader Joes Is Trader Joes in NYC really cool or something? We don't have them here, but I thought it was basically like a whole foods.

DB is near ground zero, so maybe that will be something to see my first night. I kind of didn't think I would do anything the first night, but if it is cool to see at night we could head over.

My brother was also talking about all the food carts, I kind of went , but he assured me it is good stuff. We don't really have food carts here, so it seems bizarre to me.

I am so excited!!

;D

[midjd]

Is Trader Joes in NYC really cool or something? We don't have them here, but I thought it was basically like a whole foods.

They have a great wine shop... But yeah, nothing too special, no different from the TJs in the Midwest. (And there is a Whole Foods about 2 blocks away, on 14th and Broadway - awesome salad bar.)

[Deleted]

Sept 18, 2012 9:40:39 GMT -5 midjd said:

Is Trader Joes in NYC really cool or something? We don't have them here, but I thought it was basically like a whole foods.

They have a great wine shop... But yeah, nothing too special, no different from the TJs in the Midwest. (And there is a Whole Foods about 2 blocks away, on 14th and Broadway - awesome salad bar.)

ROFL. That is too much. Like visiting NYC and eating dinner at Olive Garden.

[Deleted]

Statue of Liberty but don't waste your time actually getting the tickets that let you go up in it.

A show.

Intrepid.

FAO Schwartz.

Macy's.

Chinatown.

South Street seaport.

5th avenue.

Times Square.

[Cookies Galore]

Sept 18, 2012 9:35:27 GMT -5 Angel! said:

Thanks all! Lots of fantastic ideas. I gave BFF a whole list of things I wanted to do based on this ...she tried to nicely say she didn't think we could do all of this in 4 days, LOL.

I am going to see if I can nicely decline apple picking without hurting her feelings. It turns out the trip is really to see wedding venues since they just got engaged & being her BFF I kind of feel bad if I don't go. On the plus side, it looks like I will be back to NY far sooner than I imagined. I thought this was my one shot since both BFF & DB are leaving the city probably in the next 6 months to move very far away.

BFF is a foodie, so I am sure we will be seeing lots of different cuisines. Turns out she is also just a few blocks from the museum, so that is definitely on the list. She also added wanting to take me to the East Village & Trader Joes Is Trader Joes in NYC really cool or something? We don't have them here, but I thought it was basically like a whole foods.

DB is near ground zero, so maybe that will be something to see my first night. I kind of didn't think I would do anything the first night, but if it is cool to see at night we could head over.

My brother was also talking about all the food carts, I kind of went , but he assured me it is good stuff. We don't really have food carts here, so it seems bizarre to me.

I am so excited!!

;D

Have no fear, food trucks are awesome! I'm lucky to work by some of the finest trucks in Philly. You can find a lot of great food for less money. There is less overhead involved with a truck, so you have a lot of young and exciting chefs/entrepreneurs who use a truck to get their feet wet in the industry.

[Cookies Galore]

Now i kind of need a lower east side trip. I used to do breakfast at Clinton Street Bakery.

[weltschmerz]

The Museum of Natural History is a must-see! Awesome place.

[swamp]

My brother was also talking about all the food carts, I kind of went , but he assured me it is good stuff. We don't really have food carts here, so it seems bizarre to me.

Stay away from the dirty water dogs. Have the falafel instead.

[Tennesseer]

Angel D-if you're at all interested in Edvard Munch's "The Scream", it will be on display at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC beginning October 24.

Munch 'Scream' painting to go on display in New York

By Laura Bly, USA TODAY

Updated: 9/18/2012 1:24 PM

One of the world's most famous and expensive artworks -- Edvard Munch's portrait of existential angst, "The Scream" -- will be on display at New York's Musuem of Modern Art for six months starting Oct. 24.

The 1895 pastel, purchased by an anonymous bidder for nearly $120 million at an auction in May, is one of four versions created by the Norwegian expressionist. The other three are displayed in Oslo museums.

The painting will be at MoMA through April 29, hanging in the first gallery on the museum's fifth floor under "extremely strict" security, The New York Times reports. Two other versions of The Scream were stolen, in 1994 and 2004, but were later recovered.

"It is our hope to maintain a normal flow of visitors and show it in a way so the public can best see it. But if the situation warrants, we might have to issue timed tickets," MoMA director Glenn D. Lowry told the Times.

travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2012/09/munch-scream-painting-to-go-on-display-in-new-york/70000578/1

[Deleted]

About the Broadway tickets. We were in NY this summer. There is now a TKTS (half-price tickets) booth at the South Street Seaport. While the one in Times Square always has HUGE lines, we just walked straight into the one at South Street Seaport.

We saw War Horse. It was phenomenal!!!