A Trip to NYC

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 3:03pm

Hello. I am excited because after so many years I finally have the opportunity to visit New York City! I live on the west coast (San Diego) and have never been to NYC. However, I will be going alone in April from Sunday to Sunday and will be staying in Manhattan.

I want to experience as much of the island as I can but I have some apprehension. Are there certain places too dangerous to visit alone? I often heard that there are certain places one should stay away from. I know this might seem like a dumb question, but I really have no one to talk to about this. Most people I know who visited the city were just there 2 or 3 days and were with a group of friends.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

While I am there I will be taking in as many shows as I can afford. (Hopefully, Evita.) I already saw JCS at the La Jolla Playhouse, which was awesome and I highly recommend it.


Are there any locations or shows you would recommend for someone who has never been? I am very open minded.

Updated On: 2/8/12 at 03:03 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 3:09pm

Well I don't know how old you are or what gender, but for the most part the major areas of Manhattan you are likely to be visiting are really quite safe. Obviously use good judgement, particularly late at night, but on the whole the city itself really is for the most part very safe. I've actually had friends who were mugged in San Diego but none mugged in Manhattan.

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 3:12pm

Thanks for responding. By the way I am 36 year old guy.

Updated On: 2/8/12 at 03:12 PM

[Marianne2]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 3:14pm

I agree with Michael Bennett. I'm a female in my 20's, and I usually go to the city by myself. I have never felt unsafe anywhere I've been. Just use your best judgement and you should be fine.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 3:30pm

If you really unsure about certain areas, let me suggest that you take one of those hop on/hop off bus tours. You can get off at certain locations, stay as long as you like and then catch the next bus and go to the upcoming location. You'd be with other people and you might feel a bit more secure.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 3:32pm

I am a 37 year old female and have been going to the City by myself twice/three times a year for the last decade. I have never had an issue or felt unsafe in Manhattan

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 3:37pm

NY is a lot lower on the "Cities with the most crime" list than it used to be, Adam. Have a lot of fun!

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 3:51pm

Updated On: 2/20/12 at 03:51 PM

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 3:54pm

Be careful of the pushers that loiter around TKT's kiosk, you could do something real dumb and end up in 'The Road To Mecca'.

[SFFrontRow]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 5:11pm

I know my response is long, but filled with some good stuff...

I have been going to NYC 2 to 3 times a year since 1987 (OMG is that 25 years already??!!??) and always go by myself (no asking my partner are you enjoying the show? what do YOU want to do today?).

My primary advice  do tourist stuff if you want/need to, but also do stuff you would do if you lived there (easy for me since I am now there every Nov, Jan and Jun for 6-8 days each time).
Here are some of my favorite things to do:

(1) For hotel, I stay at the Best Western President Hotel in Times Square but closer to Hells Kitchen  one block from a Food Emporium grocery store and 12 blocks from Whole Foods. I get my dinner at Whole Foods most evenings and take it back to my room. Believe it or not, one block either way makes a difference. I get a fridge for my insulin (diabetic here) and use it to stock breakfast stuff (cereal with milk, fruit, yogurt) and cut down on the food costs.

(2) If you really LOVE theater (and if you are on this site you probably do), get theater tickets for most every possible time  Tu-Sun evening at Wed/Sat/Sun matinees (some Bway shows and a most off-Broadway shows have Sun eve performances).

(3) If you cannot afford to get tickets in advance, use the TKTS line. If paying full price for a show, try getting those for higher demand days/nights like weekend evening and matinees and then TKTS for off times like weekday evenings and matinee. If using TKTS, I have started going to the booth a little before curtain time, the lines are shorter and you might actually score a better seat at the last minute rather than hours in advance (I dont do TKTS that often anymore).

(4) Utilize the discounts on this site, Playbill site or BroadwayBox.com (my personal favorite). You can get up to 45% off a ticket with advance purchase and still select the seat you want (depending on the theater).

(5) Try some off-Broadway theater, and if you can, go early and experience the neighborhoods around the theater (Union Square has a lot of little theaters and the area is close to NYU and a lot of fun to hang out in).

(6) Before you get to NYC, check the percent attendance and average ticket price on this site or Playbill site (hint: Just because it is higher occupancy does not mean they bypass TKTS). Plan accordingly, more popular shows may be available at TKTS early in the week or weekday matinee. As noted above, if using TKTS, I tend to go later before showtime when there are no lines and have scored some pretty awesome seats for decent shows (but be realistic about what you may get  it could be aisle seats in orchestra or off to the side with obstructed views  that is part of the fun).

(7) Pick 2 or 3 things you want to do on the visit (Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, etc). Try something not totally touristy if you want the more offbeat. I like to go to the Metropolitan Museum  they have a GREAT cafeteria in the basement and I go for lunch and then browse some of the art (I go every visit so I pretty much concentrate on a temporary exhibit when I go) and I also shop in their store (scarves for the women in my life, bargains for me). I also like to peruse the MOMA Design Store (across the street from MOMA) and the MOMO bookstore.

( Get the Chronicle Books  Walking Tours of NYC  there are about 32 cards with different interesting walking tours of various areas in the city  each card has a map of the tour route and highlights not to be missed. My favorite walk is from the Metropolitan Museum down along the park (and weaving in and out of it) down and over to Columbus Circle to Whole Foods.

(9) Go to a flea market or a street fair  they are easy to find online and check out the bigger more established flea markets. I know you are on vacation and cannot haul stuff home, but it is interesting and fun and not expensive. Street fairs are fun and give you a sense of the corresponding neighborhood  you can also find some really cool stuff for Christmas presents (I do a lot of my shopping in NYC at things like street fairs for the harder to buy individuals.

(10) Treat yourself to something fun, I get a massage from a massage therapist who works out of his apartment in the West Village. The space he works in is dedicated to his massage clients so it is a very comfortable and relaxing environment.

(11) Use the subway if you have time, a taxi if you are a little rushed for time. Taxis are not terribly expensive but can add up. Know that it is hard to get a taxi at around 430PM in some areas as they are changing shift (found this out the hard way one day while in a hurry to get back to the hotel in the rain).

(12) I have never done the tour bus thing, but other posters are correct. You can pay one price and stop and go as much as you want from one site to another.

One of the best pieces of advice I can give you, start early but end early if you are seeing theater that evening. There is nothing worse than an overactive day that causes you to run out of steam half way through a show. As noted previously, I have diabetes and that combined with touring fatigue has caused me to drop off during a show and miss the most exciting part of my vacation  THEATER!!

Let me know if this helps or if you need more info.

ENJOY the trip - NYC is one of the greatest cities to vacation (and I live in SF). I only go there - I have family in Buffalo and Syracuse so I wrap a family visit with my NYC fix. I wish I could live there and since I don't going 3 times a year allows me to "pretend" that I do and I LOVE IT!

Lastly, you need to be wary of your surroundings, but New Yorkers are really great, fun, helpful people who appreciate someone who is polite and respects their city. I never feel uncomfortable or unsafe when I am out and about. There was a time that Times Square touching on 8th Avenue was sketchy, but those days are over. Hells's Kitchen (neighborhood to the west of Times Square) is just a name of a neighborhood and it is a really cool funky area just over from Times Square and I LOVE IT. Try yhe Galaxy Diner on 9th Avenue at 45th (I think) for breakfast. Cheap and fun atmosphere.


Updated On: 2/8/12 at 05:11 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 5:29pm

"Are there certain places too dangerous to visit alone?"

Times Square. You're likely to get trampled by tourists trying to get into Junior's Cheesecake.

I would like to suggest that you go over to 9th Avenue (West 40s and 50s) for a pre-theater meal. Most tourists don't venture over that far and it has any number of wonderful restaurants.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 5:32pm

You can buy bottled water in New York City. You don't have to bring your own.

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 7:02pm

^That is a bit random, where did that come from about water?

Good point made above, always a must when I go to New York and that is to buy cheesecake from Juniors, I do every day, 'cough', 'cough'............ did I really say that!!

Don't beat yourself up and try to do too much, if you are there for a week, you can take in 10 shows, which you are doing, more than most tourists.

Try and do the Statue of Liberty, Financial District i.e. Wall Street and Brooklyn Bridge in one day, there is a TKT's in the financial district which has no queues, like the Times Square one, go downtown on a Tuesday or Friday, you can buy in advance a ticket for that evening and the next day matinee from the booth.

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 7:11pm

Thanks to EVERYONE for taking time to share your thoughts and advise. I'm thrilled to get the opportunity to go. Don't be surprised if I message you privately for more information!
And of course, thanks to FindingNamo for answering the question I was too embarrassed to ask. :)


Updated On: 2/8/12 at 07:11 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 7:59pm

You may find this Gothamist post from today relevant to your interests.
Tourist Gets Terrible Advice After Seeking Suggestions On What To Do In NYC

[RUkiddingme]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 9:29pm

First and foremost, are you good looking? Cause if so you can get some folks here to escort you around!

Kinda joking!

First and foremost, don't feel apprehensive. You're gonna spend most of your time in crowded areas full of tourists. And don't forget, most people in NYC are not from NYC so you're gonna be around lots of people just like you. My only advice in feeling secure is don't look like a fish out of water. Make eye contact with everyone. Act like you belong and you will.

Other posts here are full of good ideas ... here's some more.

Don't fill up every minute of your trip with theater. It's too overwhelming and the city has more to offer.

Do a touristy walking tour in the neighborhood you're staying as soon as you arrive. Will give you comfort with immediate surroundings and you'll discover staples within walking distance like a food store/drug store/restaurant. If it's not too cold, do a bike tour to get bigger exposure.

Ask people for suggestions more than professionals. For example, the bartender in your hotel will have more interesting recommendations than a concierge.

Do NOT look on YELP! LOL

Try to schedule a day with no plans so that you can have a free day to do things you learn about after you get here.

If your profession allows you to join TDF.org, do it now to save a lot of money on tix.

But if you really want some good advice, tell us more about you so people can target your interests. If you're athletic and want to work out people here can recommend gyms with one day passes. If you like popular music people can recommend venues. If you like food more than architecture more than pop culture more than history for example ... You could always share your facebook page if you want people here to see what you're into.

By the time you get here we're all gonna be so excited we're all gonna want to meet you!

[Xman8]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 10:31pm

(11) Use the subway if you have time, a taxi if you are a little rushed for time. Taxis are not terribly expensive but can add up. Know that it is hard to get a taxi at around 430PM in some areas as they are changing shift (found this out the hard way one day while in a hurry to get back to the hotel in the rain).

While most taxi drivers are going to claim this if the destination is really out of their way, there is a work around however. I remember having to go from midtown to Brooklyn to stay at a friend's loft and I was trying to get a taxi (mind you it was 4 PM) but everyone was giving the whole "I'm changing my shift" excuse but it's the reality that they didn't want to drive to Brooklyn. I got a tip from some friend of mine that also lives in New York that if you are already inside the taxi cab the driver has no choice but to take you to your destination. So about 10 minutes later I hailed a cab, opened the door, got in, and he drove me to Brooklyn. Success! Sometimes you got to be tough with a New York cabbie because they prefer small trips around the city because they get more tips.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 10:47pm

If you have time, take a bus! It's fun to people watch out the window on your way to your destination, but it takes a long time.

Subways are the fastest way to travel-no worries about traffic, and cheap!

[choitoy]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 11:00pm

My sister and I had fun with the Trolly tour in DC, and the CitySightseeing bus tour in San Fran. Just now realized that there must be a NYC equivilant.

Is the Grey Line bus tour the best one for NYC? Or is there any other one that people know of that would be better?

Another nice plus of these tours is that they can be better than getting a taxi everywhere, as long as you study the map and plan trips accordingly, since these pop around every 15-30 minutes.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/9/12 at 12:08pm

One thing about the Statue of Liberty. If you are planning to go inside, you need to order your tickets ASAP online. They sell tickets for going through the entire inside (all the way up to the crown) and they sell tickets for just going to the top of the base. They only allow a certain number of people inside everyday, so get your tickets immediately. But you can just walk around the grounds and go in the gift shop if you are not interested in going inside.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/9/12 at 1:05pm

As silly as this may sound, try to keep in the back of your head places that may have available restroom facilities handy. For such a large and busy city, it's surprising how difficult it is to find a restroom available to the public at all. Many fast food places restrict access to "customers only" and many large stores display No Public Restrooms signs. Since I've been to the city dozens of times, I generally only make short theatre trips and spend the majority of my time in the Times Square Area, so I know the Visitor's Center is available. Also, most of the larger hotels have available restrooms in their lobbies. I just make sure I make a stop before I leave my hotel room and any tourist attraction I visit with facilities just in case.

[lightguy06222]

Posted: 2/9/12 at 3:16pm

do NOT buy bottled water. Get a metal bottle, or a nalgene, or something green...

the tap water in NYC is the best tap water in the country... thats what makes New York Pizza so incredible.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/9/12 at 3:33pm

The best public restroom in Times Square is the Marriott Marquis. If the 8th floor isn't available, there's also the 3rd and 4th!

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 2/17/12 at 2:45pm

I need some hotel advise.
Since I am going alone and probably wont be sending much time in my room, I am looking for a cheap/inexpensive but SAFE place to stay. I was looking at few websites (priceline.com etc) and was floored by the prices. I looked out side of Manhattan and saw some more reasonable prices in Brooklyn. However, I really am not sure the best way around this issue.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Are there places I shouldn't stay? Are there locations/hotels you would recommend?

Updated On: 2/17/12 at 02:45 PM

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 2/17/12 at 3:30pm

Manhattan prices for hotels are crazy a hotel I have used before nearly doubles in May, instead of when I normally go in March.

For a cheap stay in Manhattan, try the Larchmount in Greenwich village or The Chelsea Star, you have to share the bathroom, but that is not too terrible, especially if it gives you more nights in NYC.