Things to do in New York

finnith

I'm going to be going to New York on Saturday to see my cousins. It's going to be this two week trip where I'm going to see the National History Museum, go to some comedy clubs etc.

However, I don't know what else there is in New York, never having been there before. It being New York, I'm sure there's a lot of stuff to do. Can you guys suggest any other museums or attractions I might be interested in.

I don't really want to see too many tourist attractions, though I'll certainly go to some of them (like the Empire State Building). I'd like to see more aquariums, museums, etc.

Herkimer

what kind of museums? Art (modern, classic)? History? Natural History?

And where are you staying?

As far as aquariums, the Brooklyn Aquarium's pretty much the only show in town, and the last time I was there it was only OK. On the plus side, it does get you out to Coney Island, which is worth checking out.

Also, go walk around Central Park (not at night, please), and get yourself a hot dog by the Bethesda Fountain. It's lovely.

DirtyDirtyVagrant

Take the time to enjoy some pizza. If you see a yellow waffle truck with the word "waffel" on the side, eat there too.

finnith

History and Natural History would be great. I'm not one for Art museums so unless there's something really interesting there I wouldn't want to go there.

I'm going to be living in New Jersey near Howell.

SToomers

I don't know how hot the temperature will be, but I found the Bronx Zoo to be a delightful attraction. In addition, as cheesy as it sounds, if you haven't seen the great statue, it's definitely worth it. The trip over is amazing!

PS--get some dirty water hot dogs. Sounds gross, but they're delicious!

tapeslinger

DirtyDirtyVagrant wrote: »

If you see a yellow waffle truck with the word "waffel" on the side, eat there too.

limed for so much truth it hurts
the Wafels and Dinges (literally, waffles and things) truck is the best truck

Coney Island might be fun if you are going to the aquarium anyway
They just put in the new Luna Park (named after the old chain of parks that started there, but appears to be unrelated to the original turn of the century park, apart from the name and the front entrance)

but then I'm kind of into the freaks and geeks aspect of the ole Coney Isle myself

Herkimer

finnith wrote: »

History and Natural History would be great. I'm not one for Art museums so unless there's something really interesting there I wouldn't want to go there.

I'm going to be living in New Jersey near Howell.

Natural History

Also go to The Met (yeah I know it's technically an art museum, but they have a bunch of historical type stuff as well).

Brooklyn Museum: Also technically an art museum, but they usually have a natural history exhibition on, and at the very least, their ancient Egypt exhibition is the shit.

As far as straight history, I mean, you can get everything from the Harlem Renaissance Museum to the Tenement Museum to the Native American Museum. Anything particularly of interest?

Cognisseur

Walk around Times Square at night. It's a pretty cool phenomena that the ads make it as bright as daytime, and there's as many people constantly moving around as you would expect to see at rush hour. It's a bizarre experience.

AlyceInWonderland

For some EXCELENT burgers and shakes/food in general, go to the Shake Shack on on 23rd and madison (It's literally in the Madison Square Park). It's fantastic. Get there early though because it's so god damn good, the line usually wraps around the park.

Hypatia

If you find yourself in Flushing or in Chinatown, stop at Joe's Shanghai and get the soup dumplings. Mmm...*drool* so good!

BEAST!

AlyceInWonderland wrote: »

For some EXCELENT burgers and shakes/food in general, go to the Shake Shack on on 23rd and madison (It's literally in the Madison Square Park). It's fantastic. Get there early though because it's so god damn good, the line usually wraps around the park.

Go to the one on 77th and Columbus, it's right next to the Natural History Museum since it sounds like you'll already be there. Much shorter line at that one, they get you through really fast, and you can go eat outside the museum around the fountain halfway down 77th. Sometimes I miss living right around the corner from there...

And Hypatia, there's also a Joe's Shanghai off 56th between 5th and 6th ave. Just....in case he wants MORE options of where to get the best soup dumplings ever.

Also, I would suggest you cat sit for me in Bushwick. Thanks.

Malkor

AlyceInWonderland wrote: »

For some EXCELENT burgers and shakes/food in general, go to the Shake Shack on on 23rd and madison (It's literally in the Madison Square Park). It's fantastic. Get there early though because it's so god damn good, the line usually wraps around the park.

Use the handy-dandy webcam so you know if you're wasting your time.

For example right now there are people milling around waiting for the shit to open in 10 mins.

bastards

Deebaser

Malkor wrote: »

AlyceInWonderland wrote: »

For some EXCELENT burgers and shakes/food in general, go to the Shake Shack on on 23rd and madison (It's literally in the Madison Square Park). It's fantastic. Get there early though because it's so god damn good, the line usually wraps around the park.

Use the handy-dandy webcam so you know if you're wasting your time.

For example right now there are people milling around waiting for the shit to open in 10 mins.

bastards

I am also stalking via shack cam. Fun fact: early winter shake shack was still open and actually took orders over the phone.

Casual Eddy

for comedy clubs, hit up the upright citizens brigade theater

http://newyork.ucbtheatre.com/schedule/06/01/2010

Asssssscat on sundays is free at 9:30 (get there early!) and usually features some semi-famous people.

Tag

If you're into natural stuff, the Highline Park and the New York Botanical Garden (the one in the Bronx) are both phenomenal. Take the train from Grand Central for the NYBG though... the walk from the subway is kinda sketchy. The Highline is in Chealsea with a bunch of great restaurants, and, although you may not be interested, galleries. I'm not much of an art fan and my gf originally had to drag me to see them, but the galleries are actually pretty impressive (and for the most part, free). They are like miniexhibts that you can window shop for.

If you go to the Empire State Building and have a flexible schedule, go late Sunday night; you'll bypass the hours long wait, get most of the observation deck to yourself, and you'll get an impressive view of the night NYC.

If you venture out to Astoria (about a 20 minute subway ride from Midtown, tops), this beergarden is a great place to drink outdoors and chow down some tasty food.

Bogart

Aside from those already mentioned, the Guggenheim museum is well worth a look, as are some of the smaller art collections, like the Frick.

Get tickets for a show! Maybe the Addams Family is still on?

Take the subway out to Brooklyn just before dusk and then walk back over the bridge at night. You get some lovely views of the city.

I wish the Moondance diner was still there. I liked their waffles. And I wish I could remember the name of the damn pizza place we went to about five times last visit. It was fantastic.

finnith

Herkimer wrote: »

finnith wrote: »

History and Natural History would be great. I'm not one for Art museums so unless there's something really interesting there I wouldn't want to go there.

I'm going to be living in New Jersey near Howell.

Natural History

Also go to The Met (yeah I know it's technically an art museum, but they have a bunch of historical type stuff as well).

Brooklyn Museum: Also technically an art museum, but they usually have a natural history exhibition on, and at the very least, their ancient Egypt exhibition is the shit.

As far as straight history, I mean, you can get everything from the Harlem Renaissance Museum to the Tenement Museum to the Native American Museum. Anything particularly of interest?

The Met and the Brooklyn Museum sounds pretty cool and so does the Botanical Gardens, so I think I'll check those out.

Thanks for all those restaurant suggestions. I know I'm going to have some barbecues at my cousin's home but if I can get to places like the Shake Shack I'll be pretty happy. I love myself a good burger.

Is there a place where I can get a good steak that doesn't cost a lot?

EDIT: What's legal drinking age in New York?

BEAST!

finnith wrote: »

Herkimer wrote: »

finnith wrote: »

History and Natural History would be great. I'm not one for Art museums so unless there's something really interesting there I wouldn't want to go there.

I'm going to be living in New Jersey near Howell.

Natural History

Also go to The Met (yeah I know it's technically an art museum, but they have a bunch of historical type stuff as well).

Brooklyn Museum: Also technically an art museum, but they usually have a natural history exhibition on, and at the very least, their ancient Egypt exhibition is the shit.

As far as straight history, I mean, you can get everything from the Harlem Renaissance Museum to the Tenement Museum to the Native American Museum. Anything particularly of interest?

The Met and the Brooklyn Museum sounds pretty cool and so does the Botanical Gardens, so I think I'll check those out.

Thanks for all those restaurant suggestions. I know I'm going to have some barbecues at my cousin's home but if I can get to places like the Shake Shack I'll be pretty happy. I love myself a good burger.

Is there a place where I can get a good steak that doesn't cost a lot?

EDIT: What's legal drinking age in New York?

Uh, are you not from this country? It's 21 everywhere in the US.

As for cheap steak...umm....Tad's Steaks at 34th and 7th? pretty ghetto place and i go there at times, but it's the only place in NYC that i know of that you'd get a steak for a reasonable price (you get what you pay for though)

finnith

BEAST! wrote: »

finnith wrote: »

Herkimer wrote: »

finnith wrote: »

History and Natural History would be great. I'm not one for Art museums so unless there's something really interesting there I wouldn't want to go there.

I'm going to be living in New Jersey near Howell.

Natural History

Also go to The Met (yeah I know it's technically an art museum, but they have a bunch of historical type stuff as well).

Brooklyn Museum: Also technically an art museum, but they usually have a natural history exhibition on, and at the very least, their ancient Egypt exhibition is the shit.

As far as straight history, I mean, you can get everything from the Harlem Renaissance Museum to the Tenement Museum to the Native American Museum. Anything particularly of interest?

The Met and the Brooklyn Museum sounds pretty cool and so does the Botanical Gardens, so I think I'll check those out.

Thanks for all those restaurant suggestions. I know I'm going to have some barbecues at my cousin's home but if I can get to places like the Shake Shack I'll be pretty happy. I love myself a good burger.

Is there a place where I can get a good steak that doesn't cost a lot?

EDIT: What's legal drinking age in New York?

Uh, are you not from this country? It's 21 everywhere in the US.

As for cheap steak...umm....Tad's Steaks at 34th and 7th? pretty ghetto place and i go there at times, but it's the only place in NYC that i know of that you'd get a steak for a reasonable price (you get what you pay for though)

I'm from Canada, where the drinking age is 19. I guess I was thinking of Quebec when I thought I remember the drinking age being lower in the US.

Stormwatcher

I loved the Intrepid. It's a huge ass plane carrier museum from WW2. It has many awesome things, including a SR-71 Blackbird prototype.

I do love combat planes, but even my wife had fun.