Tips for A First Trip to NYC

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Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:30pm

I’m going to NYC for the first time this march with my mom for my sixteenth birthday, and seeing as most of you have most likely been there or live there, I was wondering what advice you would give to a first timer?

Thanks
-Katie

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:43pm

See just enough "sights" to make you feel as if you've seen the city. But don't waste all your time walking around and just looking. Go see a show! :)

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:45pm

Get an unlimited subway pass!

BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:47pm

The Radio City Music Hall tour was awesome and really not too expensive. It's fun to see the statue of liberty but don't feel like you have to go up into it. If you want to see a show but you don't know what I would definetly recommend the TKTS booth! Time Square is very touristy but it's fun to explore. Hope this helps!

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:50pm

The Subway isn't too popular with New York City first timers. Stick to cabs and walking unless you're familiar with the subway system.

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:52pm

If you don't want to spend the time and money to see the Statue of Liberty, take the Staten Island Ferry, which is free and provides a great view without getting off.

"It's not always about you!!!" (But if you think I'm referring to you anyway, then I probably am.)

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re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:54pm

Really? I loved zigzagging around NYC via the subway, but I'm a city boy at heart and love public transit in general.

A trip up to the top of the Empire State Building in the evening really is a must, but go on a Monday-to-Thursday night (many of the service lights in the skyscrapers are turned off during the weekend).

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 4:58pm

What about one of those bus tours? You get to sit there and be driven around town, and I believe you can get off the bus at any stop and pick up another bus later on. This might be good for a first time, and then you may want to go back to a place you briefly saw on the bus to spend more time.

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 5:01pm

Do they have hop-on/hop-offs in NY? I don't recall.

I agree with BlueWiz - I used the subway the first time I was in NY and loved it. As long as you're observant enough to make sure you're going uptown or downtown (and follow the appropriate signs), it's really not difficult at all. And it saves a lot of time and money.

#10

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 5:07pm

I love the subway when I visited (before I moved here and would never think of not using it) and found it simple enough to navigate, I agree that it can be a great part of the experience. As long as you go the right direction it is usually just as fast as a cab, and far cheaper.

If you go the wrong way, have an adventure wherever you go, that can be fun as well.

I stand corrected, you are as vapid as they say.

#11

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 5:12pm

Tiff-a friend of mine is one of those bus tour guides and she says you can get off and on. That's as much as I know~

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#12

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 5:13pm

I would say stick to the untrodden path. If you must, see Times Sq. and Herald Sq. etc. But don't do what SO many tourists do and just stick to those areas.

I can't believe the tourists who don't go down to the west village, the new piers on the river, etc.

http://preppylife.tumblr.com/

#13

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 5:13pm

I'll take any ride I can get off on.

#14

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 5:16pm

Now now, don't start!

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#15

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 5:16pm

There's so much to see! Go to Ellen's Stardust Diner. It's tourist-ish, but fun. They have waiters and waitresses that sing and hop on tables. (They are mostly struggling actors and actresses, but they are great to talk to.)

Shopping is really great, too. On the streets and in the stores.

And.....SCENE!

#16

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 5:16pm

Central Park. The Met, and tyhe Museum of Natural History.

"All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen." Conan O'Brien

#17

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 5:36pm

Y'all are such good help, any more advice throw it my way! Tehe..
I'm so excited, I already have my subway card!

#18

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 6:39pm

I second everything Mominator said. Oh, and don't forget to check out the MOMA. It's free on Fridays from 4pm to closing, and simply should not be missed. (If it's too big and overwhelming to do all at once, their guidemap lists the museum's most famous works so you can do your own little highlights tour.)

#19

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 6:57pm

When you go to see a Broadway (or Off-Broadway) show:

1) Turn off your cellphone before the show begins
2) Nobody called you for the 1 hour you watched Act 1, so don't turn it on at intermission.
3) Don't talk to the people next to you while the show is going on.
4) Unwrap candy before the show starts.
5) Don't eat while you are in the theater itself. (Lobby and bathrooms, anything goes).

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

Updated On: 1/9/06 at 06:57 PM

#20

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 7:05pm

What is MOMA?

Remember I'm new to all this? Tehe

#21

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 7:08pm

Museum of Modern Art, a newishly renovated world-class gallery with works from some of the best contemporary artists (Picasso, Dali, Warhol, and I think Kandinsky, etc.). www.moma.org If you're in a rush, you can comfortably do a highlights tour in 2 hours.

And word, Gothampc. And an addenum:

6) Don't sing along to the effing songs. Don't even mouth them.

#22

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 7:10pm

Haha..I mouthed the words when Phantom came to Dallas. I was like 10, but still, looking back I was so annoying.

My sister learned all of wicked from me and then we saw it when it came here and I had to have a talk with her before the show to not mouth the words or sing them..

She still mouthed them..

#23

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 8:05pm

I second the MOMA. You can catch Van Gogh's "Starry Night," Monet's Water Lilies, Andy Warhol's best work, Picasso's "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon," Chagall's "I and the Village"...the list goes on and on. And the renovations are really quite wonderful. Personally, I find it a more satisfying experience than the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Updated On: 1/9/06 at 08:05 PM

#24

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 9:57pm

Here is a link to the Gray Line Bus Tours around New York City. I went on the hop on/hop off Downtown Loop tour a couple of months ago. Well worth it in my opinion.
Gray Line Bus Tours

#25

re: Tips for A First Trip to NYC

Posted: 1/9/06 at 10:08pm

Don't touch any of the handrails in the subways. You'll come down with herpes.

"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)

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