Visiting NYC this summer--activity suggestions?

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Leigh-Anne and I are going to be visiting NYC this summer, June 19-21. She has never been there, and I was last there when I was 10 years old, in 1979. We don’t really have any plans yet, except we are going to Shea Stadium to see the Mets and Phillies on 6/20. So, my questions are:

  1. Does anyone have any suggestions for off-the-beaten-path, non-touristy things to do? We want to see a few of the sites, like MOMA, and the Statue of Liberty, and of course (being a Beatles fan) the Dakota, but need some more ideas.

  2. Anyone from NYC know of any good vegetarian restaurants?

Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks!

2

If you have nice weather, an early-morning stroll through the West Village is a must—a lot of the neighborhoods still look pretty much like they did in the mid-19th century.

Of course, I’m a big fan of tea or drinks at the Algonquin—but NEVER eat the food there. For book-lovers, there’s Gotham Book Mart nearby. I’d say, pick a neighborhood and just stroll; that’s what I do in a new city, and you find fascinating little spots that aren’t “on the map.”

Let us New Yorkers know when you’ll be in town!

3

There’s a tour that does the gargoyles of New York. If you’re into that sort of thing.

4

Visit the different ethnic neighborhoods. Little India in Queens is cool. Chinatown, Little Italy, etc. I would advise against taking the bus tours, New York is a city best discovered on foot. The thing I have always loved about it is the fact that one block is the difference in neighborhoods. If you’re a fan of people watching, plant yourself on a bench in Central Park and just observe the oddity that is humanity.

Plan at least a whole day at MOMA. At the minimum. You will not see everything you want to in less than that.

Have tea at the Plaza. (if at all possible, read my favorite “children’s” book of all time, ELOISE, by Kay Thompson before you go, for Lord’s Sake.)

Do not plan on driving in the city. The traffic is not for the untrained, and parking is confusing. If you are driving into the city, consider garaging your car for the weekend. It’s increadibly expensive, but we had our radio stolen on the upper west side, so it may be worth it for peace of mind. If at all possible, drive to a suburb, park your car at the train station, and take the train in.

The rules I learned when I was 5:
New York Rules[ul][li]Always keep 5 dollars in your pocket for Mugger Money. (might not be nessisary since the Nazi became mayor, but I digress.)[/li][li]People leave toys on the street. They call these toys “garbage.” I once aquired a toddler skooter this way. That is why New York is the best place in the world.[/li][li]Don’t look anyone in the eye.[/li][li]Cross the street with the rest of the herd. If the herd moves, move with them, regardless of what the traffic light says. The herd rules.[/li][li]The pretzel vendors with the dirtiest fingernails have the best pretzels.[/ul][/li]
That last one was my own logic, and I was 5, so I wouldn’t really go with that one.

As for the vegetarian thing, I don’t know, but I’d be interested. I’ve heard that there is a rockin’ Ethopian resturant somewhere in the city.

Have fun!

A little persistance goes a long way. Announcing:

“I go on guilt trips a couple of time a year. Mom books them for me.” A custom made Wally .sig!

5

Number one suggestion: Don’t sleep in the subway.

A few somewhat touristy but too cliched places to visit:
BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music)
Prospect Park
The Brooklyn Museum (If you go to Prospect Park and use the Grand Army entrance, the museum is a few blocks away.)
Museum of the Moving Image (In Astoria, Queens)
The Bronx Zoo (this is not the real name, it’s something like The Bronx Conservation and Preservation Zoological Garden Society. If you say The Bronx Zoo everyone will know what you mean.)
The Big Apple Circus
I’m sure I’ll think of a dozen more the second I hit the submit button.

6

My NY friends gave me the best advice:

New Yorkers will leave you alone as long as you don’t get in their way. If you walk too slow, talk too slow, order too slow, or can’t figure out how to put your MTA card through the slot, they’ll tear you up. But let them get past you and don’t slow them down, you’re golden.

I personally recommend the Cloisters, a MMoA satellite at the very northern tip of Manhattan, like 108th street. If you like Medievalism, it’s an absolute must. I nearly wept.

Esprix

Ask the Gay Guy! (or, if you prefer the Jesusfied version, Asketh the damn Priest Guy!)

“Never assume a malicious intent when stupidity will explain just as well.”

{This space reserved for a Genuine WallyM7 Sig™}

7

Once again, Exprix is right, hit the Cloisters.

A little persistance goes a long way. Announcing:

“I go on guilt trips a couple of time a year. Mom books them for me.” A custom made Wally .sig!

8

Ahh, The Cloisters. Before we got married, my husband and I used to drive up there to. . um, park.

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In addition to the above, I recommend the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Park (Some park…it’s a two-story walk-up on, if I recall, 22nd St.). Cool mementoes of one of our most fascinating presidents.

Chaim Mattis Keller
ckeller@kozmo.com

“Sherlock Holmes once said that once you have eliminated the
impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be
the answer. I, however, do not like to eliminate the impossible.
The impossible often has a kind of integrity to it that the merely improbable lacks.”
– Douglas Adams’s Dirk Gently, Holistic Detective

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  1. The Met
  2. Central Park-go rowboating on the lake (Cheap Hr. long rentals), see the zoo, see the Delacorte clock (just outside the zoo) too!
    go to the sheepsmeadow and look at the natives.
    3.Use the subways, but also use some surface transport in order to get a sense of scale and how one neighborhood becomes the next.
    4 go to Balduccis at (I think) 10th st.@ 6th Ave. the MOST amazing and breathtaking food store in the known world.
  3. take one of the circle line ferries around the island,at sunset to dark if you can,nothing like it to see an overall of the skyline(s)
  4. The Strand bookstore @ Broadway and 12th…for the serious book lover also the big Barnes and Noble @ 18th and 5th Ave. (both sides of the street,as I recall) I have scored some UNBELIVABLE deals here (Like an autographed copy of Avedon’s WEST for 1/2 the cover price)
  5. this should be first…but, EATandEATandEAT!
    as though you might never again, eat Ukranian, Jamaican, Italian, Greek, Thai, Japanese, Indian,…and my favorite the ubiquitous Cuban-Chinese!
    …I am sure that I will think of more…GAWD am I jealous…(can ya’ tell?)
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Writefetus, I hate to be the one to break the news, but the Barnes & Noble Book Annex is no longer with us. One of the many bookstores put out of business (mainly by B&N itself, as was discussed in a BBQ Pit thread some time ago). There are NO Doubledays left, Scribner’s has become a Benetton (!) and Book Friend’s Café is gone, too.

But I agree about the Strand—and Gotham Book Mart, too. Great stores. Ike has more suggestions, I’m sure—where are you?

PL, what kind of things do you and the Mrs. enjoy? We’re probably overloading you here with suggestions.

12

Just a few blocks from the Dakota is the Museum of Natural History. The dinosaur exhibit is terrific, having been redone in 1991 (IIIRC). Also, they’ve pretty much completed work on the Rose Center for Earth and Space, definitely worth a look. I know a couple of people who work there, so if you want a private tour and/or planetarium tickets, let me know. (If your interests run to herpetology, I think I can get you a really good tour. Inside the Rose center is tougher; my friends work on the museum side.)

And of course we’d want you to get together with a few fellow dopers for dinner.

Are you sure you want to go to Shea? It’s fine if you’re a Mets or Phillies fan, but the ballpark itself is among the worst in the majors, and between the commute and the game itself you’ll kill most of one of your days (it’s about 45 minutes each way from midtown on the 7 train).

13

Phil, you will be there suspiciously close to Gay Pride. :wink: Perhaps I will see you there. :slight_smile: If you can stay over through that Sunday (I believe) then you will be able to see the Gay Pride parade. It is well worth the time and money to be there.

HUGS!
Sqrl

SqrlCub’s Arizona Adventure

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Thanks for all the suggestions so far–keep 'em coming!

The bookstores are always a good idea. I have fond memories of Buck a Book in Providence, R.I., and find it hard to pass by a good bookstore.
We both love museums, so of course the Natural History museum is a terrific suggestion, and I had nearly forgotten about the Museum of the Moving Image. (My communications degree was concentrated in radio/TV arts, so this is a must-see.) I also love the rowboating idea.

Manny, Shea is unfortunately the only place to catch a ballgame while we’re there–the Yankees (boo!) are in Boston most of that week. And I simply do not visit a major city in the summer without catching a game. <g> As I mentioned, I have some family in the area, including a cousin who lives in Manhattan (E. 26), so I’m going to see if they’re interested in attending as well. (N.B.–Comic book fans may know my two cousins who work in NY, Alan and Paul Kupperberg.)

I’d definitely be interested in meeting any NY Dopers. As soon as we have more details on accommodations and plans, I can let people know.

15

I’m here, I’m here. But everyone else is doing such a fine job I’m sitting back and watching.

Phil: There are LOTS of vegetarians in NYC, so you won’t have to work too hard at getting something decent to eat…plan to hit the sort of restaurants you like, and be assured they’ll be able to accomodate your preferences. I have dined with many a swooning Vegan who’ve sworn he never had it so good back in Altoona or wherever.

That said, I’ve heard fine reports on Zen Palate in Union Square, a Vegan pan-Asian joint. (I had dinner there once, but I had to smuggle a kielbasa in in my trousers.)

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“I had to smuggle a kielbasa in in my trousers.”

[starts to make wisecrack]

[tries to choose between the many wisecracks that present themselves]

[finally gives it up as just too easy]

17

I was in NYC last summer, and have to recommend one thing… see Ellis Island. It was amazing, overwhelming and I could have spent twice the 4-5 hours we were there! If you are a museum fan, this is one not to miss.

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Hey,
As a former licensed tour guide of the city, I believe I might be able to help. All of the above are cool. The top of the Empire State Building, while touristy I know, is the most incredible thing in the world at night. You must go at night. And late. The observatory closes at 11:30PM, so you’ll avoid all the small kids.

You also might wanna try the Museum of Television and Radio, another former employer of mine. You can watch over 25,000 different shows, from the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, to all the World Series games. That’s at 25 W. 52nd.

Finally, may I suggest lunch at a place called Eisenberg’s. It’s a hole in the wall greasy spoon with wonderful food. 5th between 23rd and 22nd. You will find no tourists there. Have the tuna melt and a lime rickey. I hope this has been helpful.

19

I’ll second (or third or fourth) what everyone else is saying, except for those that are whining about Shea. It’s a damn good thing you’ll be seeing a real baseball team rather than those pretty-boys up in the Bronx. And when you go out to Shea, do take the subway. Besides for all of the reasons that John Rocker hates it (which are the reasons it’s interesting), it is the easiest and quickest way to get there, and a National Heritage Trail to boot.

While you’re seeing the Dakota (from which I live down the block), I’m sure you’ll cross into the park and see Strawberry Fields, but you may want to spend a little more time in the park. The Delacorte Fountain is just a little further into the park along the 72nd street transverse, and the boat house (with the rowboat rentals) is just beyond that.

If you’re going to the Natural History museum (which I recommend) you should walk over to Broadway and stop in Zabars. Along with Balduccis, it’s another culinary treasure of New York. You’ll probably also want to walk down Broadway in this area to get a taste of the Upper West Side. If you’re hungry and veggie, there’s another Zen Palate on Broadway in the 70’s. It’s actually a vegitarian place that even a carnivore like me can enjoy.

I wouldn’t worry too much about vegitarian foods. With the number of vegitiarians in NY (along with the number of kosher folks willing to eat vegitarian dishes out), unless you go to a hard-core steak house, your vegitarian needs will most likely be met anywhere you go. That being said, there are some great Indian and other Asian vegitarian resturants around.

I’d also like to repeat the plug for Ellis Island. If you have any members of your family that went through there (or immigrated within the past few generations) it’s quite moving.

When you get your itineary set, post again, and I’m sure that the dopers will fill in with all of the relevant holes-in-the-wall for any section of the city you’ll be visiting.

Bill

20

I’ll mention the obvious - that is, a Broadway show. Go to 1/2 Price Tix booth first thing in the morning and you should be able to catch a great show: Rent, Miss Saigon, whatever is your pleasure. Don’t forget off-Broadway, too.

Greenwich Village is another obvious choice. We used to eat at a place called “Formerly Joe’s” that was great - wonder if it’s still there. WARNING - they don’t accept plastic.

I was too lazy to see if the dates of your visit were on the weekend, but I’d stay away from the financial district (e.g. Wall Street, World Trade Center) on a non-business day. Ditto for the Empire State Building.

There are beautiful cathedrals if that’s your thing. St. Patrick’s is probably the most famous, but others are just as beautiful.

I enjoyed the U.N. tour and the NBC Tour. Skip FAO Schwartz, Bloomie’s b/c they have them all over now. Nothing special.