Filed under: There and Back Again
I have a little present for myself, it’s been a rough couple of months and I think I deserve a little out-of-town party. Specifically, a week-long party in the Big Apple. (Squee! So! Excited!) Next week I am going to be spending my days wandering around Central Park, people watching in Times Square, seeing a couple-or-six shows on Broadway, and meeting some fantastic bloggers.
Upper? I think so! Super-fantastic? I think so! Exactly what my “doctor” ordered? I think so! (Ok, my doctors didn’t actually order this, but they tell me that I’ll be ok…and besides, vacation is good for the heart, right? It’s like taking anti-cholesterol pills or something.)
This has been kind of a spontaneous trip, and while I have tickets to several shows and plans to meet up with a few bloggers, I have never been to New York before and I would love some advice on things to see and do, and what I could skip over. So, dear Internet, give me your best shot.
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Oh am I ever jealous. I doubt I’ll ever make it to New York..if it doesn’t involve surfing then it’s not a vacation my husband is interested in. *sigh*
Live it up while you’re there and think of us poor shmucks who will never see the Statue of Liberty in person.
Comment by Kayla 2008 June 4 @ 8:59 amI heart NYC.
What’s funny is that I love to go to NYC to hang out in Central Park. But dude, the park is AWESOME. So yeah, take a blanket and a book and just sit in the park all day.
Have fun.
Comment by Isabel 2008 June 4 @ 9:02 amHmmm, what to do:
I prefer Top of The Rock over Empire State for seeing the whole city at a glance. You also kill 2 birds with one stone since Top of the Rock is in Rockefeller Center.
If you have the time, I like taking the ferry over to Ellis Island and going to the immigration museum. You really get a feel of the history of the city as the gateway to the New World.
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum is also quite interesting – shows what it was like living in one of NYC’S slums during the turn of the century.
Times Square and Central Park are a given
I particularly like the pond and the reservoir in Central Park. There are gorgeous trees around the perimeter.
Browse the shops in Soho and eating at an outdoor cafe in the West Village? You can also catch a live music show in the West Village.
Chinatown for fake bags? Although I always get claustrophobic when I’m down there, so many people!
Nolita for authentic Italian?
Best pizza ever? Vezzo on 31st and Lexington . . . in my humble opinion
South Street Seaport? Eh, it’s skippable.
Wall Street? Only if you want to see the gold bull, although the World Trade Center ruins are nearby – that IS worth checking out.
East Village near NYU – fabulous people watching!
I’ve racked my brain. Those are my top things to do
So excited! You’re going to have a blast.
Comment by Margarita 2008 June 4 @ 9:26 amI’ve been three times, so here it is:
Expect everything to take longer than you think it will, so don’t unrealistically schedule things into your day.
Central Park is really quite large, so if you decide to go for a stroll, pay attention to where you’re going, or you might get lost. If that happens, though, you’ll probably eventually come out somewhere.
Go to Little Italy (Litaly, as I say) and look for a shop that sells little Italian cakes the size of ho-hos. Buy a box of them, take them to the park, and enjoy. They are the best cakes I’ve ever had.
If you are into museums, the Met is always a pleaser, and it’s free, even though they suggest a donation admission price. The MoMa is also cool if you are into modern art.
There is a restaurant in The Village called The Garage that I found quite enjoyable. There’s plenty of good food around. Even hot dog vendors are good.
It costs about $15 to go to the top of the Empire State. I’m not saying it’s not worth it, but I understand there’s also an observation deck in the Chrysler building that is cheaper and you don’t have to wait in a long Disneyland-esque line.
Have fun, you can’t go wrong in the city. But, do keep tabs on your wallet, ok? Maybe stash some cash in your bra.
Comment by Sra 2008 June 4 @ 9:50 amWe were there over Memorial Day!
I found out something very cool. You know how everyone wants to go to the top of the Empire State Building? Don’t do it! I went to the ESP over my High School trip, many moons ago, and I remember it was cool, but you only see buildings, and you can’t get close to the edge. The view from the Rockefeller building, or “The Rock” as it is called, is much better. You have a killer view of Central Park, and you can wave to the Empire SB people who cannot see anything but buildings! (right now I just noticed the comment above me mentions the Chrysler Building. The “Rock” is closer to Central Park than the Chrysler Building too! And bring your camera! It’s so beautiful at the top! Also, you are closer to the edge of the building, if you will, at “The Rock”, and it’s pretty–the building, that is. It’s a Gothic style and it’s design is beautiful. Just go Rockefeller Plaza to get in, for $20 or $30?
While you’re there, if you’re it’s the morning, you may be able to get on TV because of the Today show tapings on the first floor of this building, and often they have concerts outside during the show!
Steve and Marnie also said they enjoyed watching a taping of David Letterman at the CBS building (west side, closer to Grenich Village?) when they went to NYC.
The Statue of Liberty is awesome to go to, but you have to make a reservation 3 days in advance to go inside and climb to the top since 9/11. But even without going to the top, there is a picnic area around it and the walk around it is beautiful, not to mention the boat ride over.
Also, Ground Zero is sometimes hard to find. It’s off Broadway and close to Canal street and Murray street, close to Tribecca and Grenich Village. But you can walk around the whole thing. Also, once you get to the west side of it, if it’s a good day and you want to chill, there’s a Yacht harbor and park that parallels the Hudson River that is so beautiful! You can see the Statue of Liberty from there and some really cool boats!
On Broadway, look for the miniature Statue of Liberty on the top of a tall building! Oh! and take the West Side Highway up to I-90 to Albany it’s only a two hour drive and you can eat some fresh Indian food!
Comment by Jen 2008 June 4 @ 10:18 amHave fun and Love ya!
Oh goodie! I hope on behalf of all NYC that you have a wonderful trip. Here are my picks:
- Boating in Central Park
Comment by Ellen 2008 June 4 @ 10:37 am- Happy hour at my favorite pizza place, L’asso ($1 slices, hooray!)
- If you do just one museum, go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You won’t be able to do it all but
A. its admission price is “suggested” (so you can give a dollar or $20 as you wish),
B. it has freaking everything, and
C. right now there’s an exhibit of Jeff Koons sculptures on the roof that is so fun.
- Rummaging through the stacks at The Strand of course
Yay! I love NYC. I would say just go with the flow and don’t be afraid to navigate that subway and explore all parts of the city. Have a great trip!
Comment by Emily 2008 June 4 @ 10:58 amOh you’re going to have such a great time!
Comment by Nic 2008 June 4 @ 11:02 amoh man that is awesome. sounds like a kick ass trip ahead of you, have an amazing time!
and i hope you’re seeing wicked, i would so see it again, and again, and again, haha. and check out times square of course. and have some pizza and cheesecake for me okay?
Comment by katelin 2008 June 4 @ 11:25 amI cannot wait.
I cannot wait.
I also second Jen’s recommendation of Top of the Rock. It, uh, rocks!
Also, Ground Zero / WTC is now just a construction site for the Freedom Tower, so I wouldn’t make time to go down there, unless you’re already in the ‘hood to go to the Statue of Liberty or something.
And, by the way, we sell a lot of shoes here.
Comment by Laurel 2008 June 4 @ 11:46 amI’ve never been, but I hope you have a REALLY fun time! Haven’t heard from you in a while. Hope you are okay. I’m having the baby in 5 weeks! Crazy…um..call me or something after you get back. HAVE A BLAST!
Comment by Lisa 2008 June 4 @ 11:54 amtotally jelous! Have a great time!
Comment by Sarah 2008 June 4 @ 12:30 pmOh and please – don’t do what my group (that I was not allowed to seperate from, and that I could no sway) did – shop at Macy’s, famous footwear, and other stores that exsist in UTAH! Hello!?! dumb. I would recommend (because i am obsessed with food) eating NY pizza (no not sabarro like my group – I am telling you!), and maybe even a vendor hot dog!
Comment by Sarah 2008 June 4 @ 12:32 pmAhh New York. I’ve been several times, and I always enjoy it. Granted, I could never live there, but visiting is awesome.
Do the ferry ride out to Ellis Island. See the Statue too, it’s pretty cool. Hit Times Square, because that’s where the real sort of New York “spirit” is. Eat at the Hard Rock. Go to 30-Rock and Central Park. Avoid the Empire State Building, because it’s boring. Pizza? There’s a place right adjacent to Ground Zero that’s pretty damn good. Ride the subway. You won’t regret it. (Unless you get mugged or something)
Comment by Sov 2008 June 4 @ 12:54 pmOh wow, I so want to go to NY too – and not only for shopping, actually, really – so I’m turning a slight bit of green on this side of the puddle:) You’re going to have a great time, what a super treat for yourself!!
Comment by Pia 2008 June 4 @ 1:15 pmOoooo I am so jealous. And I don’t have specific advice but I will give you the link to the post I wrote back in October asking for advice. Readers had some great suggestions. It’s at http://duwaxloolu.blogspot.com/2007/10/tourists-head-to-new-york.html.
Have a GREAT trip!
Comment by Jess 2008 June 4 @ 2:17 pmHave a super fantastic time. I am going in 2 1/2 weeks and I can’t wait!!!! Have a ball!
Comment by Tiburon 2008 June 4 @ 4:28 pmYay, my home state! Da Nico in Little Italy is my FAVORITE Italian restaurant…it’s on Mulberry St. Definitely meander around and through Central Park to get the museums, it’s the best and prettiest route. Love the MoMA and the Metropolitan. If you want to go shopping I would hit up the SoHo area, it has a great mix of eclectic boutiques and high end stores you might not find in a normal mall. Whatever you end up doing, I hope you have a great time!
Comment by Jackie 2008 June 4 @ 6:04 pmpeople watching in times square?? go to the upper west side or the village for real people watching. otherwise, you’ll just be seeing tourists in times square.
Comment by Mr. Cheeseburger 9000 2008 June 5 @ 12:34 amYAY!!! So excited to meet you!!!
Comment by Z 2008 June 5 @ 6:41 amSO, so, so jealous!!! I wish I could go too! I’ve never been either. I hope you have the best time ever! Love ya,
Comment by Vanessa Christensen 2008 June 5 @ 12:35 pmVanessa
Jealous!!! Hope you have a wonderful time
Anyway, I’m going to Auckland in a few weeks. SO much better. [Tries to convince herself of it]
Comment by Allie 2008 June 6 @ 9:45 pmNote to self: next time try the Russian Tea Room and also Serendipity.
xox
Comment by heidikins 2008 June 19 @ 10:21 amhi lol i hav been 2 nyc 1 time but it was soo fun i saw the rockets,statue of liberty,and renaissance it was kool n yes that how u spell cool n it realy meaning kool
Comment by gianna :) 2008 October 30 @ 5:51 am