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New York City - First Time Visit Advice

Posted by WokeupToday • 6/08/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic

Never been to NYC. Traveling closer to home this year and now planning on a trip this July to NYC.

Do you have tips on what I should see, where to eat and stay, music clubs, theater,etc...how to get from the airport to Manhattan, which airport? How to get about Manhattan... Thanks!

User Comments

6/08/08

Manictastic

Never been to NY, but would love to go there once. I'd say you certainly need to see the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, spend a day in Central Park, visit Moma and the Guggenheim and go shopping(certainly if you're a eurozone European, then spend,spend, spend, it's so cheap).

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1. 6/08/08
  
  WokeupToday
  
  Yes, I've been reading how much of a bargain it is for everyone but Americans! Better than going to Europe this year for us.
  
  I'll get out of storage my video of Home Alone (II?)
6/08/08

Closeoutindustry

Watch "Home Alone" before you go. Be careful as it is easy to get lost

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6/08/08

mikeny07

Sorry I didn't post soon enough. Connection issues as always. Go here.

travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-191501980-new_york_city_vacations-i;_ylt=Apu...

and here

wikitravel.org/en/New_York_%28city%29

[reply]
1. 6/08/08
  
  WokeupToday
  
  thank you.
6/08/08

thewriterspulse

Watch out for giant gorillas, monster parasites, tidal waves, aliens, asteroids, killer robots, and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

[reply]
1. 6/08/08
  
  WokeupToday
  
  how about ghosts
6/08/08

richrf

Native New Yorker here. From Brooklyn. It's changed a lot since I left, but I visit there now and then. Tell me what you like to do. How you plan to travel. I'll try to help out.

Rich

[reply]
1. 6/08/08
  
  WokeupToday
  
  thanks rich - flying in - have choice of airports - wonder about best way to & from airport. since our first visit - should we stay in Manhattan or go to other boroughs and subway or taxi in to Manhattan - We like Museums delis & other cheaper joints blues clubs walking the streets exploring & hanging out
2. 6/08/08
  
  richrf
  
  I would recommend flying into Newark and take either the bus or taxi into the city. Word of warning, there are lots of illegal limos that will solicit you, and people who will offer you all sorts of services. Don't take any of them. They are going to scam you. Stay on the official lines, and you will get the correct prices.
  
  As for touring, you should walk or take the subway as much as you can. You can plan to visit the popular museums in Manhattan. No reason to venture to the boroughs. You might also want to visit the main library and of course Central Park. I hope the weather is good for you.
  
  You can walk up and down the main avenues, and just enjoy yourself. I use to love eating Sabrett franks (not hotdogs ) and Gabilla knishes while walking. Make sure you get the real thing. There are lots of fakes out there.
  
  I'd stay away from the big Broadway shows. The good seats are long gone. But go down to the East and West village. There are probably lots of good shows to go to, or go to the Hot Tix to get some discount seats.
  
  Of course, go to Chinatown. It is huge. You can walk around there forever, and get lots of great meals. Check into the ones that are crowded with locals. They will have the best foods. Stay away from the touristy places, and be adventurous.
  
  You can take the Staten Island ferry. Particularly nice in the evening. And go to the Statue of Liberty. Check out the Financial District, particularly the trading floors. I haven't been there since 9/11 so it may be OK to visit. For me, it would be too sad.
  
  I am not sure which neighborhoods are still bad. The place has changed a lot. So talk to the hotel concierge for advice. Also, Lincoln Center, Empire State Building, and all of those things. Give it a whirl, if you like architecture (though no city beats Chicago for architecture).
  
  Hope this gives you some ideas. If you have any questions - shoot away.
  Rich
3. 6/08/08
  
  WokeupToday
  
  Rich - thank you so much!...good ideas...true about Chicago - my original home town. I'll enjoy doing a thorough comparison between NYC franks & Chicago dogs...bus - (New York Airport Service)? or NYC public transit bus...
6/08/08

jaffermaniar

Never been to NYC. But if there was one thing I'd like to visit is Radio City Music Hall. And may be the Ed Sullivan Theatre as well if I can get tickets to the Late Show with David Letterman

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6/08/08

MadameX

I'd suggest staying in midtown, unless you're concerned about money. That will put you close to the theater district, Times Square, Central Park, etc. "Downtown" Manhattan is not what you probably think of as downtown if you're thinking about any other U.S. city--"downtown" is the financial district and interesting to wander through but far from the real action and quiet as a tomb at night.

I've flown in to all three airports, and which is best depends upon what you want to do when you hit the ground. DO NOT use the airport shuttle you'll undoubtedly be offered as part of your airport booking--you'll be waiting at the airport for a long time and then driving around Manhattan indefinitely. If you're going to get a car (which I recommend), all of the airports are reasonably close to Manhattan and a reasonably easy trip. If you're planning to take public transportation, I found Newark to be a bit of a hassle.

[reply]
1. 6/08/08
  
  WokeupToday
  
  thank you..there is a bus (New York Airport Service) between the airports and grandcentral & port authority - is that the shuttle?
2. 6/08/08
  
  MadameX
  
  No, the shuttle is a private service. I haven't taken the bus but I'm sure that it's fine. One word of warning--I'm not sure where you're from, but for me, Grand Central with luggage while trying to make a flight was a nightmare--the locals presented public transportation to Newark as easy, but they're used to it...I'm from Chicago and commuted into Union Station downtown Chicago every day, so it isn't as if I'm not used to busy and fast-paced, but Grand Central's system of not telling you in advance what track your train is going to be on and then having hundreds of people rush to try to get to the right track as the trains arrived was a major challenge for me in an unfamiliar place and dragging luggage. The next time, I had my hotel arrange a car, which cost about $45 (as oppposed to a total of about $15 for the public transportation route) but was well worth it to me not to have to play that game.
3. 6/08/08
  
  WokeupToday
  
  yeah i understand comfort level worth paying extra for...remember Paris train station and the employees refusing to speak ANY English and no signs where the train would be...
6/08/08

clioandme

I was gonna say go for an old speakeasy, since you do eats and stuff, but it looks like the one I had in mind is now closed. That'll teach me not to visit a place for a couple decades: nymag.com/listings/bar/chumleys/

Edited to add: Forget a car; arrive by train, if you can, and just use public transport and taxis. Have exact change, cause taxi drivers will act like they don't have any. (Maybe they don't carry a lot.)

[reply]
1. 6/08/08
  
  WokeupToday
  
  thats an interesting idea - train arrives right downtown right? - would take a while to get there though from Minnesota.
2. 6/08/08
  
  clioandme
  
  Forgot about Minnesota. That's a hike. Well, you can check just for fun at www.amtrak.com.
3. 6/08/08
  
  WokeupToday
  
  used to travel a lot by train.. about $1050 RT about 3 hrs for 3 to fly..$2300 29 hours to train it with going via D.C. (no direct Chgo - NYC- think train has become popular option)
6/08/08

JenWag57

I'm a New Yorker and can answer any questions. You definitely want to stay in midtown manhattan, then you can walk to almost everything. Central Park is amazing and safe as can be at least during daylight hours. Walking through Times Square and seeing a broadway show is a must. You should also go down to Greenwich Village and Soho and walk around. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a must. On the SouthWest edge of Central Park is Columbus Circle which has become a very nice area with the Time Warner building having shops and restaurants and then Lincoln Center only a few blocks away.

New York is very easy to navigate in midtown and uptown. Everything is numbered streets and avenues and all parallel to each other. It only gets tricky once you get south of the village and downtown where the streets all have names and they go in all different directions.

Any questions, let me know

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6/08/08

WokeupToday

thanks Jen! sounds like just stay in midtown Manhattan and explore up to Uptown and down to Greenwich village...Tribeca Hells Kitchen...?

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6/08/08

JenWag57

Tribeca mostly just has a lot of hot restaurants because its become a fairly new cool place to go. But it is walking distance to the part of downtown where the former WTC was. The most touristy part of downtown is the South Street Seaport which is a little further away.

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6/08/08

lulubelleb

I'm a native New Yorker, but now live elsewhere.

I usually fly into LaGuardia airport. From there it's a quck cab ride into Manhattan. Follow the signs to the official taxi queues and take a yellow cab. Remember to tip the driver.

In addition to the excellent suggestions above, you might like the Upper West Side neighborhood. It's great for people watching. This time of year the cafes have tables on the sidewalk. If it's not too hot, you can just grab a beer and watch the show.

Try a bagel from H&H or Zabar's. Try some NY pizza from Rays.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is wonderful. If you like modern art try the Guggenheim or MOMA (Museum of Modern Art).

For an overnight side-trip you can take Amtrak to Philly or Washington DC. In DC most of the museums are free...paid for by your tax dollars.

Have a great time!!

[reply]
1. 6/08/08
  
  lulubelleb
  
  I would also recommend staying away from the chain restaurants that you can find anywhere in the US. NY has great food in all price ranges. Splurge for 1 or 2 nice meals, but also try the small local spots that are actually owned by people, not corporations.
6/08/08

cooper

I lived on union square west for a couple of years ( in a dorm) and in SoHo my last term . There is so much to do it depends on exactly where your interests lean, and how long you are going to be there.

Grand Central itself is kind of gorgeous if you really spend time appreciating it.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art -- and or the Guggenheim. Even if you are not into art both of these places are fascinating. I heart Chinatown, you can also buy some great cheap stuff on the street and I don't mean the illegal stuff - you will have to avoid following people down back alleys for the bootleg stuff - but the legitimate stuff they sell on the street in Chinatown you can actually get some really neat stuff fairly cheap.

I've been to the Blue Note a couple of times, it's not cheap but if you are into blues and jazz or twice you might want to check it out.
www.bluenote.net/newyork/index.shtml

Terra Blues place is also pretty tight so if you lean that way I think either of those would please you. Terra Blues used to be free to get into if you went stay right after an early dinner somewhere, later on in the night there is I think, a cover charge. We used to go early and stay late. They didn't used to serve food and I think it is still the case so eat first.
www.terrablues.com/index2.html

[reply]
1. 6/08/08
  
  WokeupToday
  
  Thank you lulu and cooper! Yes, I do want to immerse myself in what makes NYC New York..prefer mom & pop and their kids running the place if possible...I enjoy looking at zabar's website..terra blues & Bluenote would be great also will try to see Les Paul (at the Irradium is it or ?)...I'm confident we will be at all the museums - wife is an Art museum docent here - so I'll probably not have to bother with the audio guides! (;-D) Remember if there is a group museum pass and weekly subway ticket...
6/08/08

saraho

And you can buy lots of Rolex watches on Canal Street. (not) *grin*

I would take a Hansom cab ride. I'd eat at the Marriott Marquis View Restaurant for a panorama of the City. I'd go to a Broadway show. Maybe also see a television show (tix are free..see main website below). Visit the museums and Central Park. They have concerts in the Park. Ride the ferry to Staten Island. Visit the WTC museum.

www.nytix.com/Broadway/DiscountBroadwayTickets/TKTS/index.html

I'd eat in Chinatown and Little Italy. If you like baseball, go to Coney Island in Brooklyn and watch the Cyclones. Better seats than the Mets or Yankees. Have fun!

[reply]
1. 6/08/08
  
  WokeupToday
  
  Thank you sarah