Citizens of New York City Beware!

[Mark S]

So it looks like I'll be visiting some in-laws in the Big Apple this fall. I just wanted to ask the opinion of the people who actually live there, what's worth seeing? From those who should know the ins and outs of the city, what is a must see/do and what is just boring crap?

[Soontir C'boath]

Go to a Conan Show. ~Jason

[Shinova]

So it looks like I'll be visiting some in-laws in the Big Apple this fall. I just wanted to ask the opinion of the people who actually live there, what's worth seeing? From those who should know the ins and outs of the city, what is a must see/do and what is just boring crap?

I've been to New York briefly last week.

First off, Manhattan: to the casual tourist, it is confusing as HELL. Don't get lost. Ever.

As for New York as a whole: the first feeling you'd probably get is age. Everything looks old, and there's the sense that this truly is an ancient city (well it IS at least 150 years old).

Oh and if you want to go see the Empire State Building, beware: the line to get to the observatory is pretty long so be prepared for a long wait.

[Anarchist Bunny]

Go to a Conan Show. ~Jason

Second that. I've always wanted to go to a Conan Show.

[Sektor31]

As for New York as a whole: the first feeling you'd probably get is age. Everything looks old, and there's the sense that this truly is an ancient city (well it IS at least 150 years old).

That's only if you go beyond 54th St.

Anyway, the WTC site is still pretty junked up if you want to see how it's going. Also, beware for the trains 'cause they've been delaying quite a bit recently.

[Dalton]

Wander around Times Square a bit.

[Axis Kast]

Times Square. If you can, have lunch on the street from one or two of the vendors. There's nothing like a New York pretzel or hot dog.

If you've got the time, a cruise around the island of Manhattan is also nice. I think the Circle (?) Line does that.

The subway is fine if you keep your wits about you. New York is no different than any other city in the world in that respect.

Watch out for cross-traffic. If the above is true of crime and safety, it's also true of driving.

What else? You might stop by Broadway, the Avenue of the Americas, or Rockafeller Center. If you can find them, comdey clubs are great. So are theme restaruants like Planet Hollywood and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (assuming you've got small children). If not, go find another eatery; most of the local stuff is good, assuming there's a line outside. Trump Towers is kind of neat for first-timers. Central Park is great, too. The restaurant there (Tavern on the Green) is expensive but excellent.

[Straha]

Uhm, er, ah, umm...., stuff... touristy stuff, and lot's of it so we natives can laugh at you like this and like this behind your back...


No really Times Square is an ABSOLUTE must, Battery Park is cool, Empire State Building is good, but I don't know if they re-opened the top yet, Union Square and Greenich Village is nice, but I don't know if there is much touristy stuff around there. And just wander around, it's all good.


Two quick Tips:

1. Don't talk to strangers on the subway, on the street it's fine, subway is not okay, I've seen fights over this happen down there.

2. Don't Ever EVER EV4R Announce your presence near me, or else... well lets just leave it to the imagination.

[Sea Skimmer]

Be sure to visit the Intrepid

[Stravo]

Well, Mark, welcome to my domain.

You should most definately visit times Square like every other tourist just to see what Disney did with the place. Any New Yorker that waxes meloncholy about the old Times Square and how they ruined it was either a Pimp or a crack head, old Times Sqaure was a fuckjing nightmare. There was a period of time that I never went there for over 6 years.

Central Park is also beautiful and in the Fall it should be very nice with the changing of the colors. Maybe even take a carriage ride (though I find them obscenely over priced) nothing says romance to the wifey than a carriage ride through Central Park.

Ground Zero, take the 1/9 train to Rector Street and you will see it right there, you will also see just how vast a tract of land was affected. A sight I think everyone should see.

Statue of Liberty, like all good New Yorkers I have never gone but how could you come to NY and not have gone? While down there you can check out Wall Street and Battery Park.

Feeling adventurous, take the A train or the #4 bus to the Cloisters at the very northern tip of Manhattan. Up there you will see an honest to god medieval monastery and some nice artifacts as well as a beautiful park and view of the Hudson river.

Greenwhich Village is a beautiful place to walk around, many street side vendors that won't rip you off like the Times Square vendors will. Washington Square Park is near the heart of the village and you can see the brownstones that have been there since the Civil War era surrounding the park. If you have seen Age of Innocence it looks exactly the same.
I recommend dedicating nearly a full day to walk all around the village to truly enjoy it. AT night the place really comes alive.

In terms of food and restaurants, I always tell people to try little out of the way places as opposed to the big name restaurants, one because the big name restaurants are expensive and not worth the small servings you get two its a stuffy atmosphere generally. When the date gets closer I'll email you a list of a few choice places to visit, some literal holes in the wall but so damned good.

And if you truly wish to make it a time to remember maybe you can talk me and Dalton into meeting you for dinner or drinks and just to shoot the shit.

Anyway, enjoy your stay in the greatest city in the world.

[Dalton]

And if you truly wish to make it a time to remember maybe you can talk me and Dalton into meeting you for dinner or drinks and just to shoot the shit.

Actually, I'm coming in on Saturday to have lunch with Aron Kerkhof at the Hard Rock Cafe.

[Straha]

Washington Square Park is near the heart of the village and you can see the brownstones that have been there since the Civil War era surrounding the park. If you have seen Age of Innocence it looks exactly the same.

You forgot about the chess hustlers, and the chess period.

Anyway back to Mark's question...

Also there are a few great eatieries in the neighberhood, including an Indian place which has DAMN good curry for about 8 dollars at lunch time.


Also China Town is a nice place for food, tourism, and illicit materiel. (Then again it might have changed, I haven't been there in about a year now, I should probably go back down.)

I think there are a couple more places, but I can't remember them at the current time Brain not working well.

[Mark S]

Thanks for all the suggestions everybody. And thanks for the offer Stravo, I'll probably take you up on it.

[Faram]

As for New York as a whole: the first feeling you'd probably get is age. Everything looks old, and there's the sense that this truly is an ancient city (well it IS at least 150 years old).

150? You are still in diapers baby!

Stockholm is ~800 give or take.

Yesterday I visisted a local stronghold and placed a Geocache. The stronghold is 1800-2000 years old and pretty much only a pile of rocks.

[PrinceofLowLight]

Well, if you count New Amsterdam, the city's about 340 years old.

Also, the best pizza is at Joe's, in Father Demo Square in the Greenwich Village.

[Darth Fanboy]

-Conan Rocks, Conan Rules

-I would recommend Coney Island, look for a girl named "Alisha" with short blonde hair and a pink purse, ask no questions...

-Go Yankees! Shea however, is a dump.

-Central Park, Late At Night, Bring plenty of $20's and flaunt them around.

-Little Italy's restauraunts, oh so delicious.

-Be sure to bring a flashlight

[Drewcifer]

I visit NYC almost every year to see my sister. NYC rocks!

OK, first, order one of these pocket maps. It's a map that accordian folds down to fit in your pocket, so as to be viewable without drawing attention to yourself. In addition to having a full street map of Manhattan south of Central Park, there's another map with most major tourist attractions listed, and also a well detailed subway map, with station and train listings. This map seriously rocks. I thought Manhattan was pretty easy to navigate around, but this map saved my butt several times nonetheless, and helped me find lots of little stores and things I wanted to see. Best. Map. Ever.

I'd also suggest getting a travel guide, like Fodor's, before you go. With a good travel guide, you can plan out the sights you want to see before hand, and plan some daytrips to hit as many things in one area as possible. It's much easier to plan some of that before hand; once you're there, it's really hard to narrow it all down, it's quite overwhelming.

I second not talking to people on the subway, but I find that most New Yorkers were quite friendly otherwise. Curt, and no time for BS, but very friendly.

I walked Broadway from Times Square to Union Square, a nice slice of street life in New York, a taste of the street, if you will.

Eat a hot dog with a Snapple, one quintessential NY experience

The ferry out to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty is nice; a great view of lower Manhattan and Ellis island is where something like half the people in America have family that came through, very very cool.

If you plan on taking the subway a lot, go ahead and get one of those prepaid Metro cards. It's a lot easier than paying a fare for everyride or messing with tokens. And they're good for the buses as well. I preferred walking most everywhere, but the subway made a for a good rest for tired feet.

Keep your wallet in your front pocket.

Oh, and probably most importantly, ALWAYS LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE CROSSING THE STREET. I don't care if your light is green, the crosswalk sign says WALK, and people are doing cartwheels across the street en mass. Always look for yourself!

and heh, if you don't already have tickets to Conan or Letterman, forget it if you don't know someone. Those shows usually have a waiting list for tickets as much as a year in advance...

[ArmorPierce]

Walk along flatbush alone with a big bulge on your pocket . Seriously though, I don't think that it is really worth visiting NYC if you're from a big city. It is pretty much all the same. If not go to one of the regular tourist attractions in New York. I'd give you a couple places in Brooklyn but I think that that's a little out of your way.

[Soontir C'boath]

Just to note. We don't have those tokens anymore so don't reach into the token return slot. .~Jason

[Mark S]

Walk along flatbush alone with a big bulge on your pocket . Seriously though, I don't think that it is really worth visiting NYC if you're from a big city. It is pretty much all the same. If not go to one of the regular tourist attractions in New York. I'd give you a couple places in Brooklyn but I think that that's a little out of your way.

Actually, I we'll be staying in Brooklyn when we go. That's where the wife's cousin lives.

[RogueIce]

If you visit a power plant, for the love of God...DON'T TOUCH THE RED BUTTON!

[ArmorPierce]

Oh then I would sugggest the botanic gardens and the brooklyn museum and perhaps the zoo at prospect park (I've never actually been to that so I don't know how good it actually is). Which part of Brooklyn btw?

[Mark S]

Which part of Brooklyn btw?

That, I'll have to ask about.

[Stravo]

Which part of Brooklyn btw?

That, I'll have to ask about.

If it's Brownsville, buy a flak jacket and see if Skimmer or Shep will lend you some ordinance.

Otherwise the rest of Brooklyn is excellent to fairly decent.

[HemlockGrey]

Is the Jekyll and Hyde place still open?