New York on the cheap
noir_blood
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So I just realized I'm turning 30 soon and there's still tons of stuff I want to do. So with that in mind, I would really like to try to go to New York, as that's one of the things I have always wanted to do.
I don't necessarily want to use up all my savings on this trip, so I come to you guys here in PA to give me some advice.
First question is of course where to stay- Right now I'm looking at either Hostels or places a bit father from Times Square but near metro lines. Do any of you guys have any experience with hostels? My main concerns would be security and cleanliness. I can make due with having to share a bathroom.
What about things to do that would been relatively inexpensive?
By the same token, is there anything that a nerd/geek should absolutely do? My GF might come, so I'm not opposed to spending good money on a worthwhile experience/restaurant.
I don't necessarily want to use up all my savings on this trip, so I come to you guys here in PA to give me some advice.
First question is of course where to stay- Right now I'm looking at either Hostels or places a bit father from Times Square but near metro lines. Do any of you guys have any experience with hostels? My main concerns would be security and cleanliness. I can make due with having to share a bathroom.
What about things to do that would been relatively inexpensive?
By the same token, is there anything that a nerd/geek should absolutely do? My GF might come, so I'm not opposed to spending good money on a worthwhile experience/restaurant.
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For goodness sake, go with someone and have a plan on what you're going to do! I didn't have either of those things, and I didn't have a very good time.
this. I had both and had a blast. Familiorize yourself with the subway a bit, and plan your visits
It has every hostel in the world, kind of like Expedia for hostels.
As for geeky things, I was going to suggest going to Chinatown Fair, but they CLOSED IT!
http://chinatownfair.net/
More than half a century and it's gone...
Oh my god, no! I was just going to suggest this. I lived/went to school in Manhattan from '96-2001, and I had many a fond memory of the fair. So many loaded nights stumbling through Chinatown, hitting up 69 Bayard Street for recovery food, then saluting the caged rooster as we entered the fair for some late night fighting games and nostalgia favorites.
I am saddened.
Edit: Oh yeah, actual advice for the OP, how forgetful of me:
The museums are a must whether you're a savvy urbanite or a flyover hayseed: Natural History, the Earth and Science center, the Met, and The Guggenheim are all necessary. Also, hop over to 5th and 42nd (I think) to go to the public library if for no other reason than running down the stairs screaming (this is akin to running up the stairs at the museum of art in Philly).
Central Park is always a nice, free thing. It's hard to make a list, really. Just put on your walking shoes and go.
That being said, you'll notice on the website that you need to call or email to set up a reservation. The hostel is very private and doesn't advertise much. Rooms are cheap because they can allegedly get around the New York hotel tax (20% - I'm assuming because they're denominational and/or they're a sea port hostel), and so they really don't like to give out reservations unless you're someone who actually needs to save money.
To give you an idea, our group of 20 or so stayed there for ~3 weeks and they gave us rates of around 60 or 70 dollars a night.
You're correct, but your failure to include MOMA is nothing short of abject treason.
Or eat pizza. Pizza is really cheap in NYC. And also delicious in NYC.
Pizza exists in its own economic universe, there; it's really weird.
Also, I don't have any way of knowing if this is something you would be at all interested in, of course, but I would recommend Desert Island Comics in Brooklyn. It's an indie shop that showcases a lot of local work and I haven't really been anywhere like it. Then you can walk over to Williamsburg and enjoy a nice day in hipster paradise. For other geeky stuff, people are going to tell you to go to Forbidden Planet, but if you're with the girlfriend, forget that and go to Manhattan Comics in Gramercy for a nice view of Madison Square Park while you peruse the goods - the park where you will then go for a delicious outside meal at Shake Shack, of course, followed by a walk over to the historic Flatiron building and Eataly, depending on how much of a foodie you are.
I couldn't believe how cheap street food is there. And by street food I mean bagels.
Across from the hotel I was at, there was this guy selling bagels and donuts and coffee. At least half of the time I was there, every morning I would get up, go downstairs, cross the street and for $1.50 get an AMAZING bagel with cream cheese and some black coffee. Mhmmmmmmmm.
Also, be sure to check out @nerdyorkcity for random geeky stuff going on around the time of your visit.
On the note of amazing street food: best halal ever at 53rd and 6th. Someone was once stabbed for cutting in line here - it's that good!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/53rd_and_6th
That's pretty much the best wikipedia article ever.
Yes, the Halal street found union square was pretty tasty but I was just more inclined to get take out from a fast food place/Whole Foods (as much as I hate to say it).
But yeah.
@OP: I learned a whole bunch about New York while I was there. Cheap food and cheap activities can be had, and quite honestly, New Yorkers are nicer than stereotypes make them out to be! They're just in a hurry.
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If you're a drinker that likes old school video games and you want a place to go out with the lady if you bring her, though, check out Barcade in Brooklyn.
I plan on going back when I travel there to see LCD Soundsystem at the end of the month.
Huh, I guess they reopened it as Next Level Arcade 20 blocks from my house.
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Coming to NYC from the UK I was astonished at how cheap it is to eat in a restaurant compared to London. Just avoid the tourist traps near Times Square or fancy restaurants. Yesterday I ate at an all-you-can eat Indian buffet - lovely food, and plenty of it for $10 in Manhattan.
As for cheap things to do, most of the big museums are "suggested donation" so they ask for $20 but really you can pay what you like. (not all of them are suggested donation, so ask)
For geeky things, I second Barcade - old school arcade machines in a bar with a really great selection of beer. http://barcadebrooklyn.com/
Yesss... I love the east village, you can just walk around and choose a restaurant at random. Odds are very good you will be extremely satisfied.