NY Visit Help

[sondheim94]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 11:45am

Hi all. Sorry for yet another "help me in NYC" post. Ill be in the city this spring. I'm not looking for shows to see, however, I think I've got that covered.

I've been to the city three times before but I've never had as much free time as this time. Ill be there a little over a week. Any ideas of things to do? I've already done all of the WTC Tours. Any must-eat restaurants? Any help would be super appreciated. :)

[dreaming]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 11:52am

Have you walked across the Brooklyn Bridge??? There are some fine restaurants to be tried in Brooklyn! The neighborhoods once you enter Brooklyn (the Brooklyn Heights/Cobble Hill area) have lovely restaurants.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 12:05pm

What museums have you gone to? The Met is a must (The Cloisters if you're feeling ambitious), the Tenement Museum is great (but a little more expensive), and I've seen some really interesting exhibits at The Morgan Library and The Museum of the City of New York. I also would recommend either the New York or Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, but that might depend on when in the spring you're coming.

For restaurants, if you like seafood, I would recommend Fish on Bleecker Street and Flex Mussels (there's one on west 13th and one on east 82nd). If you're not so much into seafood, I really like Cafe Mogador on St. Mark's and have had good brunches at Esperanto and Virage (both in the East Village/LES area). For theater district eating, Zigolinis on 9th between 46th and 47th has delicious meatballs. (Their pizza is good but not outstanding, but the meatballs are really amazing.)

Updated On: 8/14/13 at 12:05 PM

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 3:53pm

I think your best bet is to pick up a copy of TimeOut New York, go through it and just see what appeals to you in terms of things to do and restaurants to eat. It will be more effective that trying to assimilate all the assorted comments you'll receive on here. If you do want help, I'd recommend being a lot more specific about what you've already seen, what you enjoy doing, what kind of food you like and how much you want to spend. New York is too large to just ask what should I do and where should I eat? You need to provide a bit more info to help people here offer meaningful advice.

[DeeKDee]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 4:29pm

FishermanBob's answer is a good one and he brings up a good point. "Must eat" restaurants really depend on your budget. For instance, I could suggest Per Se, but that may be way above what you can afford.

You also didn't mention "time of year". Things to do in December are very different from February.

New York is one of those places where you will never run out of things to do unless your interests are very limited.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 4:34pm

The OP said they'd be here in the spring.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 4:53pm

Where are you coming from? What are your other non-theater interests?

Perhaps, you'd enjoy a subway out to Coney Island for a Nathan's hotdog fries and a ride on the Cyclone? Please provide more information.

[sondheim94]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 11:47pm

Ok let's see...as far as price of eating goes, I'm spending a lot of money on shows so food would be fairly cheap. I'm thinking $0 (ha ha) - $30. I went to a restaurant on restaurant row (I believe it's called...). Does anyone know where that area is? I don't recall...

Also as far as things I enjoy. I enjoy markets. I went to one little outdoor stuff at Battery Park in the past I believe... Farmers markets, flea markets, etc are interesting to me. I enjoy Union Square area... Museums are good too! In the past I haven't done much other than eat and go to shows so I am pretty open to any and all suggestions. Thanks for all your help so far!! It's great help.

[sondheim94]

Posted: 8/14/13 at 11:55pm

Also, does anyone know anything about off off broadway?

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 12:23am

Sondheim, I don't mean to be unkind but you are still far too vague in what you are looking for. I think the best way to use this board is to first do some research on your own. There are a bazillion websites out there with info on New York. Start with TimeOut, New York Magazine, Lonely Planet and Frommers. TripAdvisor also has ratings for New York sights and restaurants. Google things like best New York farmers markets and see what you get. Then come back here and ask specific questions like "I want to eat at a classic New York Deli. Would you go to Carnegie, 2nd Avenue, Katz's or someplace else?" I think that's your best bet. Unless you can be a lot more specific about what type of food you like, where in the city you are willing to travel for a meal, what type of museums you most enjoy (art, history, theme, esoteric etc. and big museums like the Met or smaller ones you can do in a few hours like the Frick) etc., I think people making suggestions here are just shooting in the dark about what your tastes are.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 8:54am

If money is an issue: Friday after 4:00, you can go to the MOMA for free or the Whitney for pay what you want, Saturday after 5:00, you can go to Guggenheim for pay what you want, and Sunday after 11:00 to the Frick for pay what you want. I second, the rec on taking the subway to Coney Island. If its a nice day, fun way to spend a few hours walking around, seeing the ocean, riding cyclone. On the way back, stop at the Brooklyn promenade for great views of the city then walk over the Brooklyn Bridge back over to Manhattan.

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 9:00am

For dining, I always recommend Trattoria Trecolori, on West 47th. Outstanding Italian food, and very reasonable prices for the theater district.

As for experiences, look into Accomplice. I can't/won't tell you much more about it, because that would ruin the fun. And though it may sound touristy, taking the ferry to the Statue of Liberty should be on your list.

[artscallion]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 9:14am

"restaurant row" is on West 46th between 8th and 9th.

[DEClarke]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 9:28am

I highly suggest one of the FOOD ON FOOT tours! My wife and I greatly enjoyed the one we did in the East Village!


Food On Foot Tours: Eat Like a New Yorker

[Comden Green]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 9:39am

When I am in the city with free time I love to walk, walk, walk. the neighborhoods are so wonderful, each with its own personality.

Just sitting in Washington Square Park is a great time. Music, people watching, diversity, what a place. As, you have already said, Union Square is great, too.

A leisurely stroll on the High Line is a must. I think it is the epitome of what NYC is all about. They get a crazy idea, get experts, spend the money needed and get a unique wonder that others flock to. Now businesses anywhere near it are adding "Highline" to their name.

Wait in line starting at 6:00 am to get a cronut. It's fun just talking to the others in line. (Although, be prepared. There is virtually no chance that you will get out of the bakery with only a cronut.) Walk down to a nearby park to sit and enjoy the baked items.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 10:48am

I agree with FishermanBob. His suggestions are spot on. Once we know a little more about what you're thinking, we'll be much more able to offer our own experiences and advice.

One piece of advice I always offer visitors is to ignore any rumor or reputation that New Yorkers are unfriendly. We're driven, and as such often seen as unapproachable on the streets. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ask for directions; on a line start a conversation, and I assure you, you'll learn that New Yorkers are very friendly.

Anyway, welcome back to New York. We love visitors. We love showing off our amazing city.

Updated On: 8/15/13 at 10:48 AM

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 11:31am

If it's a rainy day and you want to kill an hour or so, you can just walk around in Grand Central Station (42-44th Streets between Park and Lexington Avenues). It's not that far from the theater district, there is a little museum there, and many shops and restaurants on a number of floors. It's a pretty impressive train station.

I agree with Art - New Yorkers are very friendly - often just rushed and pre-occupied.

[FireFingers]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 12:05pm

Grand Central is a great place. Got a great food market, as well as beautiful architecture. I really enjoyed going to FAO Schwartz, as I am a big kid, and you can build your own Muppet puppet. Coney Island was great, but obviously seasonal.

[DEClarke]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 12:20pm

I also recommend Kodama! My wife and I visit the sushi restaurant EVERY time we go to New York!


Kodama Sushi's Web Page

[DEClarke]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 12:21pm

And the best brioche French toast I've ever had came from Pershing Square! (Located right by Grand Central Station)
Pershing Square's Web Site

[gchris11]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 12:32pm

Do the High Line Park stop at Chelsea Market and hit the Thai place there. Great food.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 2:08pm

I had an excellent savory quinoa/lentil breakfast at Pershing Square. Go go go!

[sondheim94]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 3:44pm

Thank you all for this wonderful advice! I have it all compiled and I think I will have a jampacked couple of weeks!

One last quick question (semi-specifically to madbrian). I looked up Accomplice which looks like a lot of fun!! Which one did you do? Village or Downtown? Which one is more fun?

Thank you all, again!!

[dblue236]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 3:54pm

If you've never seen the Statue of Liberty and you're looking for a cheap (read: free) way to do it, take the Staten Island Ferry. It runs frequently and is free, as opposed to the boat tours that have long waits and charge an arm and a leg.

[jo]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 8:19pm

And while you're in the lower Manhattan area ( Battery Park/Ground Zero), you may also want to check out Wall Street! NYC is known not only for its theatre and cultural districts but also because it is the financial center of America, maybe the world! Check out the NY Stock Exchange - if I recall right, there are viewing decks to see what happens to this, the busiest marketplace in the world!