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New York City, 14th-18th
Nogs
Crap, crap, mega crap.Crap, crap, mega crap.Registered User regular
Crap, crap, mega crap.Crap, crap, mega crap.Registered User regular
So I am going to the Big Apple for Spring break with my girlfriend. Her brother is NYPD and we are gonna be staying at his apartment while we are there. But I need to think of some fun and inexpensive things to do. I've never been to New York, so I'm not sure what there is to do.
Or rather, I feel kinda overwhelmed at all the possibilities and only have a few days. Right now I just know that I want to go to Times Square, Central park, China Town, and Little Italy. But exactly WHAT to do once we get to those places, I have no idea.
Anyone here been to New York that might know some good little gems in NYC?
Or rather, I feel kinda overwhelmed at all the possibilities and only have a few days. Right now I just know that I want to go to Times Square, Central park, China Town, and Little Italy. But exactly WHAT to do once we get to those places, I have no idea.
Anyone here been to New York that might know some good little gems in NYC?
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I know, that is the problem! I need to come up with some good specific things to do, but I'm just not sure what. We are college students, so we don't have much money, so no living the high life or anything like that. I think it would be cool to find some neat little hole-in-the-wall food places or whatever, that are actually really awesome, or staples of certain parts of NYC.
PARKER, YOU'RE FIRED! <-- My comic book podcast! Satan look here!
Don't be afraid of food carts, especially the ones that serve exotic food.
I used to know some cool bars that weren't trendy and more importantly inexpensive. I think they're all gone now
I think the best thing you can do is just walk around and go into places that look interesting. Ask people walking in the street and pick up flyers and such to see what's up. Ask her brother which places are the rowdiest or safest, I'm sure he knows some good spots.
Museums. The Met, the American Museum of Natural History, and The Cloisters (the last being my personal favorite) all have intimidating admission prices, but all are "Recommended Donation’s. You can pay a buck, or a nickel, and they have to let you in. You might get glared at, but if you can live with that some of the best and most varied art, culture, and knowledge are yours for the admiring. The Met and Natural History are also in or near Central Park, so you could split time there, but really you could spend days in either. The Cloisters is a bit further out (the northern tip of Manhattan), but I've always felt it was worth the trip. It's rebuilt from assorted monastery gardens and chapels, and has the best medieval art collection in the city, including the Unicorn Tapestries. It's actually an extension of The Met, so it's one glare to get both of them in one day. The Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, MoMA, hosts another impressive collection, however they DO make you pay, and quite a hefty tariff as well - $20 a head since the recent renovation was completed. But if you're willing to hit it up on the day you get into town, it's free after 4pm on Fridays. I'm sure there is a student discount as well, but I've no clue what it is.
Shows. If you're willing to let your evening entertainment up to chance, risk a few hours in Times Square and try to get rush tickets. A tradition started by Rent (which is sadly closing in a few months), rush tickets are "obstructed view" seats that are sold on the cheap an hour or so before the show. Some have a lottery, some are first come first served, so check out ahead of time if they're available for the show you're interested in and what the rules are. I've seen Rent, Avenue Q, and The Wedding Singer (on it's closing night!) for about $20 a seat. Mind you, in most cases, "Obstructed View" in this case means "Front Row" - seriously - so the people one or two rows behind you are paying $150 or more in some cases and all it means is you might be seeing the back of someone's head if they're far stage right. If you want a bit more stability in your evenings, check out the TKTS booth - that's pronounced as the letters, not "tickets" - can get you seats to most of the longer running shows for up to 50% off - depending on the show and selection of seats they have, this could be around $20 as well, but in this case you'd be looking at balcony or back orchestra.
Music. Get a copy of the Village Voice - it's free, and a good read - and flip to the middle or so - ignore the call girl ads in the back. There are pages of venues with concerts listed, often in the $10 - $20 range. As the choices here obviously change week to week I can't give any specific selections, but I'd look at the Knitting Factory, I've been to a few good shows there.
Pizza. My favorite in Manhattan is in a place on 8th street just west of Broadway, right next to the Games Workshop store, and as such frequented by geeks. It's out of the way unless you want to just wander the Village, which used to be a favorite hobby of mine. Pretty much any place you find will have the best pizza you've ever had, if you're a non New Yorker, and feed you and girlfriend both for 6 bucks or so.
Hope this helps, and no matter what you do, enjoy the city.
Here's my 2 cents from an older NYC thread with regards to food and such:
-Pizza: Lombardi's and Grimaldi's are good but in my opinion they are gourmet pizza from restaurants. Growing up in Brooklyn, NYC pizza is from a pizzeria that you can just order a slice and eat it while watching the Yankee game. If you see any small divey pizzeria places, go in, get a slice, put some garlic and red pepper flakes and your golden. My personal favs are J&V Pizza in Brooklyn on 18th avenue and 64th street. Take the N to Brooklyn, get off at 18th avenue...its right there.
-General Italian food: I'm not big on Italian food but i've never gone wrong by going to Little Italy and just picking a spot.
-Bagels/Pastrys: Go to Ess-a-Bagels on 51st and 3rd.
-Coffee: Best coffee is from the venders on the street in the morning rush. $1.35 you get a large coffee and a donut.
-Japanese: I really love Jeollado on 4th street between 1st and 2nd avenue. Cheap, fresh, nice atmosphere.
-Greek: Only place I know of is in Brooklyn on 4th avenue & 86th. Great small greek place...best gyros.
-Chinese: Ruby Foo's in Times Square isn't bad but insanely touristy. Tao is, in my opinion, overrated and overpriced...you're paying for the atmosphere rather than the food. Just go to Chinatown and go to a place with a duck in the window. You'll be happy.
-Street vendors: There are hot dog carts which are good but they can charge you whatever they want. Plus there's a reason why they're called dirty water dogs
All in all for things to do...grab your coat and go walking around. I live here and I still find new things about this city I never knew before. Upper West Side is fun to walk around and check out the stores. Definitely pick up the Village Voice and see what's going on in the city for that week. You can't go wrong.
I actually worked at work on Saturday. Also I went out on a date with a real life girl.
Can you like, permanently break the forums?
I somehow forgot about the most important day of the year. Yes. By all means, Parade it up. Unless you hate pipes and drums, in which case lock your self in a room and don't come out. It's hard NOT to celebrate St Paddy's day in New York. He's the patron saint of the city, you know. See, for reference, the eponymous cathedral.
One of the things I miss the most about living in NYC is people painting shamrocks on the road in intersections. They'd be there for weeks, too.
Best Traditional Pizza: Someone else probably got this
Best Nontraditional Pizza: Pie By the Pound. Don't let the awful interior/gimmick fool you, this place has, hands down, some of the best pizza I've ever had. Everything is ultra-fresh; you can taste the cilantro, goddammit.
Fish & Chips: Definitely not a New York staple, however, Assault & Battery in Greenwich Village is absolutely spectacular, if not a bit expensive.
Beer: Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg. Don't ask, just go.
I live in Brooklyn, but my favorite hangout spots are Union Square and Washington Square Park. Times Square gets really abrasive after a while, as does Broadway. As Slick said, pick up the Voice or The Onion (for AV Club) to find out what shows are playing where.
If you're into that whole hipster schtick, Williamsburg is where you want to be. You're sure to find something of interest just strolling along Bedford Ave.
Non traditional, indeed. Cilantro? I expect that out here on the west coast, but I wouldn't stand for it back home.
Word. They're well known all over New York state at the very least. I've never been to the brewery though, I'll check it out when I visit home this summer.
PARKER, YOU'RE FIRED! <-- My comic book podcast! Satan look here!