So on Thursday morning I am flying into New York City for a short vacation and I’ll be leaving Sunday evening. It’s going to be the first time I’ve been to New York City and I wanted to get some advice on what I should do and see as well as any advice that could be helpful for a first time visitor to the city. What tourist spots are close enough to see in one day? Is there anything I should avoid despite being a popular location for tourists? Anything that would be good to visit in winter? Anything that would be a good place to visit except that it is winter? Any and all advice will be appreciated.
You should see something on Broadway. Go to the TKTS booth in the heart of Times Square for cheap seats. It is outside and it is winter and the lines are long, but they move fast and it’s fun talking to other people. The Times Square area (Broadway from 42 to 50th Streets) has most of the theatres, restaraunts and shops of NYC. Great, safe area.
The Strand Bookstore at 12th and Broadway–just hit Broadway and walk on down. HUGE bookstore with 1/2 price new books and cheap used books. They have almost everything.
If you’re into show music, a plug for Footlight Records on 12th between 5th & 4th. If you’re into classical, a plug for Academy Records on 18th between 5th & 6th. They also have other genres, and very cheap.
We’re having winter weather–30-40 degrees and very, very windy. Also lots of rain!
Whaddaya like ta do? Art, jazz, ballet, baseball, tall buildings, sex, opera, large scary statues?
We got everything here.
See Central Park.
There is a Cristo exhibit there right now that people from all over the world are coming to see.
If you like art.
The Met (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)
The Guge (The Guggenhiem You know that swirly one)
The Cloisters (that is its real name , it is a medevial art place and it is a cheap trip to Europe)
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Lady Liberty
Fron Central Park walk down 5th Ave to the Empire State Building to see what NY upscale shopping is like.
Soho (that’s a neighborhood downtown, Really nice on a Sunday)
Uke What statues are scary?
I’m only going to SORT OF helpful, because it’s been almost 20 years since I’ve been there and my brain isn’t all that great to start with. But - there’s some good historical stuff, like the spot where George Washington was given the oath of office. I was also fascinated by St. Paul’s Cathedral - NEAT building. I was a nervous wreck going through Central Park, because I was completely convinced I was going to be mugged at any second, but it is a lovely park and it seems my fears were totally unfounded. My big thrill of the trip was having my picture taken in front of the Dakota, but most people do have a higher threshold of excitement. King’s Highway in Brooklyn was kind of fun in a flea-markety way. I also discovered that Broadway is (or at least was, when I was there) a DIVE. Prostitutes right out in the open and pretty obvious about their business :eek:
I’ll take some art, tall builderings, opera, and large scary statues. A museum or two would be nice and any of the experiences that one simply must have because you happened to have gone to New York. 
I know it’s impossible to even hit all of the high points which is why I was asking for some tips on this.
I did look up the Met and they’ve got Madam Butterfly. Love the opera, but I saw it performed by my area’s opera company about a month ago. I’m sure the Met is going to be many times better than Florida Grand Opera’s production, but I did just see it.
Guiliani cleaned up Times Square (and by extension, the theater district). It’s now a “family-friendly” sort of place with several large hotels popular with business travelers. Hardly a titty bar to be seen. But the Naked Cowboy is still going strong (he’s not totally naked). FYI.
As for what you should do… well, anything you want. it IS the capitol of Everything. Depends on what you’re into.
Tall buildings: Empire State and Chrysler are the big guns nowadays (the latter has a super groovy lobby even if there is no observation deck). The lobby of the Woolworth building is something to see, a nice cheap thrill if you’re in the Wall Street/former WTC neighborhood. Also in that area, The New York Stock Exchange has a coolio free tour (mind, they are very strict on security. If you are going there, leave the swiss army knives, etc. home)
Scary Statues… well, its more like a boring sculpture, but The Alamo, a large black cube poised on end, is located in Astor Place. It can swivel on its base. If you drum up the right degree of enthusiasm, you can get the slackers/druggies/wannabes who hang out around it to help you spin the thing. It’s heavy, takes about 4-6 people. I can’t explain why, but there’s sonething fun about it. (Its quite near the Strand, in the New York sense of things).
I think the Museum of Modern Art just reopened in Manhattan. Its roughly across the street from the 5th Ave stop on the F. There’s some hella famous paintings in there (Starry Night & The Persistence of Memory, for example) and its a lot more “doable” in a short trip than the Metropolitan Museum, which can be overwhelming if your tourist hours are limited. Across the street is the Museum of American Folk Art, which can be quite interesting.
Another thing a lot of people don’t know about is the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Its up near Columbia University between 110th street & 112th (or is it 113th) – sing “Across 110th Street” as you walk by. Still unfinished, it’s the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Sometimes choirs and classical ensembles play in there – a very cool experience.
With the subway system, there’s very little that can’t be reached in under an hour from one end of Manhattan to the other. Nowadays they have day & multiday passes that offer unlimited rides. Or you could cab it, depending on your budget. Either way, wear comfortable shoes and expect to do a lot of walking.
Whatever you do, DON’T GO TO QUEENS!
Nah, I’m kidding. Queens isn’t that bad. I mean… I live there, how bad can it be? 
We’ll be there Thursday night through Sunday morning - maybe we’ll cross your path. We’re going to see the Christo, but plan on cramming in a bunch of touristy stuff as well. Our schedule will include: [ul]
[li]Statue of Liberty. You can now go inside, but you’ll need a timed pass. You can get a good view of the Statue for free by taking a ride on the Staten Island Ferry.[/li][li]Museum of Modern Art (free from 4-8 p.m. on Friday)[/li][li]American Museum of Natural History and the Rose Center (looks incredible!)[/li][li]Metropolitan Museum of Art[/li][li]China Town (at least a walk on Canal Street) [/li][li]Greenwich Village[/li][li]Times Square - esp the Virgin Megastore and the humongous Toys R Us. Also there’s a street screen / web cam at the 47th Street Digital Store whose screen can be seen live at http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/livefridays.html You can call a friend back home when you get there, have them log on, and you can wave to them from NYC.[/li][li]Empire State Building - last elevator to the observatory leaves at 11:15 p.m.[/li][li]a carriage ride through Central Park. Catch at 59th St between 5th & 6th Ave. $34 for a 20-minute ride. May be a good way to see Christo’s Gates.[/li][li]Grand Central Terminal - see the ceiling and try to find the Whispering Corners.[/li][/ul]
You can do a lot in a day in Manhattan. Learn how to use the subways, and you’ll be able to get around quickly. The busses are slow, but can be a good site-seeing experience. For example, the M10 bus that runs down Central Park West to 31st Street and back up 7th Avenue. Or the M1 or M4 that go down 5th Avenue and back up Madison Ave.
I assume it’s not in season, but I liked starting out with a boat tour around the south end of the island. It left W 34th St. Pier, went around the south end of the island and up to nearly the UN on the Queens side. Looping back it swung farther out, closer to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
If it’s running at all this time of year, it would have to be dog cold, though. And it’s the definition of “touristy”.
Another vote for the subway system. Some tourists are afraid of it, but I’ve never had any problem at all, even travelling alone.
Although Times Square is nicely cleaned up, it’s almost driven away the locals in the process (IMHO). But if you get the chance, go there at midnight or later just to see how much energy there is in New York at all hours of the night.
I’m headed to New York too, but at the end of March. So I’m taking notes from this thread, seeing what I should do, what I should avoid.
I’m a student without much cash, so shows are out of the question for this trip, unfortunately. I’ll probably see museums and try to visit some of the famous buildings of New York. I’ve already done the trip to the Statue of Liberty and been inside her big metal head, so I don’t need to fit that in as part if the itinerary, but I’m definitely going up to the top of the Empire State Building this time, because last time was at night and I was disappointed. So what’s the best way for a student to spend three days in the Big Apple? Is there a sort of one-day tourist transit pass I can get? What are some good places to eat, either for a quick lunch stop or maybe a nicer dinner visit?
I went with a friend a couple years ago and definitely enjoyed doing some of the stereotypical touristy things. We went to the Empire State Building, toured the UN, went to the Museum of Sex (interesting exhibits, but sadly, a lousy gift shop), saw a couple of Broadway shows, wandered around Greenwich Village and did Sunday brunch at the Algonquin.
Here’s NYC’s official tourism website. We got a visitor’s guide that was somewhat helpful but there may not be time if you’re going in March.
Here’s another site also claiming to be official.
Are the CHUDS still a problem?
The One-Day Metrocard “fun pass” offers unlimited rides on NYC’s subways and buses for $7. Since the current fare is $2/ride, it’s a darn good deal if you’re going to be out & about all day. Available from any metrocard machine or from station kiosks. BTW, in addition to being posted on the trains and on the platforms, Subway maps are free at station kiosks (and make a fun totally free souveneir for friends back home).
There’s also a 7-day pass that costs $21 – if you’re going to have 4-5 days of concentrated touristing it might be worth it.
Avoid the Statue of Liberty if at all possible – it’ll eat up a whole day, and it comes with lots of frustration for, IMO, minimal payoff.
You really should eat at least one meal in Chinatown. Little Italy (right next door) can be skipped, however – you can find Italian food that’s as good or better elsewhere in the city without a problem, which can’t be said for Chinese food and Chinatown.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is incredible, but huge. Enter at your own risk if you’ve got an itinerary.
Take the subways when possible – much cheaper, and frequently quicker as well. Also, it’s against the odds, but there’s always the chance of seeing a remarkable oddball and/or performer. My favorite has got to be the two Mexican guys I saw on the 6 train: one wore a homemade horse costume and bent over, the other rode on his back and sang “La Bamba” all the way through. For added effect, the guy in the horse costume actually walked around, sometimes shaking his tail in front of peoples’ faces. They earned their $2 from me.
I’d agree with “have one meal in Chinatown”.
Also, avoid Times Square at all costs, unless you’re seeing a show. Then, by all means, use the TKTS discount booth at 47th Street and Broadway.
If you’re into Indian food, the East Village (6th Stree by 1st Avenue) is a venerable haven for fun little restaurants with live “entertainment”.
Explore Central Park. People-watch
Dylan’s Candy Bar (on the Upper East Side) and Serendiptity (right nearby) are very fun and quintessential “New York.”
Wear very comfortable shoes because you are going to walk a thousand miles while you are there, and you won’t be bored for a minute.
Little Italy and Chinatown…just to see is worth the trip, but the food is unbelievable!
See a show…Broadway, Off-Broadway, or Off-Off-Broadway. You have to see something while you are there, and TKTS is a great deal. Also see what is going on at Radio City Musical Hall, or Madison Square Garden…both great places to experience and usually they have something worthwhile to see.
As mentioned, make sure you get to Central Park for the Christo presentation. Be sure to take your camera (although I would suggest getting one of those throw-away cameras. Good pictures and no fear of losing it.)
Subways are fine, but if you are out late at night, splurge for the taxi back to the hotel. Subways get kinda funky late at night, especially if you are a tourist and don’t know the stops by heart.
Do not eat breakfast at a hotel!!! There are thousands of great restaurants that offer fantastic breakfast for little money…you will find them all over NYC and I miss those hole-in-wall places.
And hit a good Jewish deli…get a corned beef on rye with mustard, and have a piece of cheesecake for desert. So good it will make you cry…
I think it is time for me to go back to NYC for a visit.
The TKTS booth in Times Square always has horrendously long lines. The booth at South Street Seaport, on the other hand, never has a line longer than 10 minutes.
You can buy tix for Empire online, valid for a year, and print them up yourself. This could save you an hour in line, easy. I also recommend going on a weekday morning.
You can read my Gates thread in Cafe Society if you want to know what I think of Christo.
Never take a crosstown bus if you can help it; they’re often slower than walking. On the other hand, excellent public transit and cabs mean that literally everything on the island of Manhattan can be reached in 30 minutes.