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ElisabethWhispers · 08-13-2010, 09:54 PM

I'm kindof bored tonight and was trying to think of something special to do for my birthday. All of the flights west are fairly expensive. Just been to Vegas and I'm NOT interested in going back anytime soon.

The flights to New York City are VERY reasonable for the fall.

I've never been there.

Any ideas on things to do if I went there for a long weekend? Or a five day trip? No working, though. Just fun and sightseeing stuff, please.

Thanks!
Elisabeth

TexTushHog · 08-14-2010, 12:38 AM

Enough to do to fill a month of vacation.

Museums. Met, MOMA, Guggenheim, Frick, Museum of Natural History, etc.

See a play.

Walk Central Park.

Shop.

Eat. Great restaurants, many relatively inexpensive, especially if you like ethnic food.

Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty.

U.N.

NY Philharmonic or Met Opera. Concerts at Lincoln Center.

Sasquatch · 08-14-2010, 01:32 AM

Spent many years in NYC/Long Island area.

You can walk around midtown for a few days and hit Broadway shows, museums, awesome shopping (bring lots of $$$$), top notch restaurants. No car needed for this.

If you have the time, take a day or two and visit eastern LI for a totally different side of New York. I enjoyed many day & nights partying in the Hamptons & Fire Island.

ElisabethWhispers · 08-14-2010, 07:31 AM

Oh wow. Great start!!! I tend to NOT be one of those tourist that have nonstop day in and day out activities. I like to take things slow.

But would it be terribly old fashioned to maybe take one of those bus or water tours for a few hours on the first day? Sounds like a horrible idea to someone like me, who used to backpack in different countries with just a ragged copy of "Europe on a Shoestring" in her hands.

Now, I'm not so willing to walk 10-15 miles everyday and so the idea of having some advance planning for a limited time frame appeals to me.

Any suggestions for Broadway plays? I could probably only swing one. Oh, has anyone had any experience in Harlem? I would like to visit that just for the experience and the food!

Also, and gladly I cannot stand shopping, is it expensive to see things like the Statue of Liberty?

Thanks!
Elisabeth

sky_wire · 08-14-2010, 08:30 AM

The most memorable NYC plays I’ve seen have all been off Broadway. They often don’t get much advertising so you may have to look.

Take the buses instead of the subway. It’s a great way to see the sights on the cheap.

b2flyer51 · 08-14-2010, 08:34 AM

Stay near Carnegie Hall and you can get to everything you'll want to see (plus there is a great smaller hotel right next door). Subway works great.

Figure 3 days and you'll get a good taste and knowledge for next time.

Flyer

Judge Smails · 08-14-2010, 09:13 AM

Ah Elisabeth, one of the great cities in the world to visit for a couple of days.

All the advice works

My favorite is too stay around times square and just hang out. Check out the discount show play tickets for same day performances at the Tkts booth and for sure see a play.

Central Park, Soho, the 9-11 site, great shopping and sightseeing.

For sure consider it.

ElisabethWhispers · 08-14-2010, 10:00 AM

Off Broadway, of course! I hadn't thought of that. I just wanted to see at least one show because I've always heard that the theaters are REALLY small ahd have an intimate feel. Also, thanks for the hint about same day tickets. Might save some money!!

And Soho! Oh yes.

You know, I bet that I really could enjoy a 3-5 day trip there!!!

Thanks for the suggestions! What is the name of that small hotel by Carnegie Hall?

Thanks again!
Elisabeth

slowmover · 08-14-2010, 09:26 PM

Try this on day one: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/15/ny...1&ref=nyregion

Circle line is also a nice boat ride around Manhattan

TexTushHog · 08-15-2010, 12:53 AM

If you've never been to the City before, the double-decker bus tour is not a bad idea for general orientation. One of the companies has a couple of different routes and you can get on and off and then catch the next bus. But it gives you a decent idea of what's where and what looks interesting to you.

I would also get the latest version of the green Micheline Guide for New York City. I think these are some of the best travel guides around. Very information dense.

http://www.amazon.com/Michelin-Green...8&sr=8-1-spell

sixxbach · 08-15-2010, 01:14 AM

I went to NYC a few years ago and LOVED the comedy cellar....

http://www.comedycellar.com/

I love comedy and my dream job would be to be a comedian for a living. It is located in the NY University area. I am very risque in my comedy and it is offensive the times I do open mic in Austin but in NYC it is kosher. Check it out....

sixx

Whirlaway · 08-15-2010, 07:04 AM

If you have good weather, get on the Circleline; it makes a complete circle around the island you get to see it from the Hudson River, East River, etc.

Think Billy Joel "on the Hudson River Line I'am in a NY state of mind.."

http://www.circleline42.com/new-york-cruises.aspx

pmdelites · 08-15-2010, 11:51 AM

ditto to all the above.

3 days would NOT, imo, give you enough time to really enjoy nyc. i would suggest 5-7 days.

tho' buses are great to be able to see the city, subways are great for getting you there QUICK. think traffic is bad on LBJ, 183 or I-30?? you aint seen nothing yet. manhattan has 3 million people.10% have cars. then add in all the taxis, buses, limos, delivery trucks, non-manhattan-ites and you can have major grid lock, esp in mid-town or on the west side near the Holland and Lincoln tunnel entrances/exits.

also, remember that if you chop off the top little part of manhattan, it will just about fit INSIDE dfw airport!! talk about crowded.

read up on the place more than you might normally do. when searching for hotels, see where they are located wrt subways, how many flites, if they have elevators, what neighborhoods, etc. the last time i was there [2005], a decent but small converted brownstone hotel 1 blk w. of central park was running 185/nite + taxes/fees. most were in the 225-300/nite range. get out the defibrallators :^)

have a great time. it is one of the most interesting cities i have ever been in, and i've been in over 45 US and intl large cities.

TexTushHog · 08-15-2010, 06:37 PM

And don't literally "chop off the top part of Manhattan." Harlem has lots to offer. Many things to see there and some great places to eat, some on a budget.

cptjohnstone · 08-15-2010, 09:40 PM

Harlem? I took at tour of NYC years conducted by a former NYC PO. He took us through Harlem but he said only during the day time

he also said when walking the streets "do not watch the people's EYES of that are coming towards you, watch their HANDS, they are coming at you first"