New York travel advice

[Claeren]

^You can take the train direct from the airport to the WTC site I believe? For just a few bucks.


I am going again in May but our accommodation (an awesome loft for 7 of us in Tribeca) fell through. Anyone else have any good suggestions for a large group in NYC? Maybe Friends who need to rent out their 3-bedroom Manhattan apartments for $400/night? lol

[the crispy badger]

Originally Posted by Cactus Jack

Yes, you must be right, what was I thinking? Do you mind holding this camera for me while I post? Thanks.

I'm not a bumbling fool, it's just they are rude in general. If you want to call them direct, to me it is just a matter of semantics. Maybe they are misunderstood but how often do you meet a stranger that is very direct and say "well, he must be a nice guy deep down. I'll cut him some slack." Unless you're the kind of guy (assuming you are a guy) that looks at a girl for the time and thinks "wow, she must have a great personality," I think you must be a little confused. New Yorkers have the same rep Parisians do.



I've had a few nice people ask if they can be of service if I'm starting at a map or something like that during my first trips, and met some cool locals in line at Grimaldi's that gave me good restaurant tips too. The funny thing is that those guys joined the conversation only after this couple (that ended up being Canadian) chatted me up in line first. Those stories are all I can think of, I have a ton of rude ones.

I've been to NYC 2xs and the second time we went we were trying to find Macys, going up and down streets and could just not find it, a random lady stops us on the sidewalk and says 'you look like your trying to find something, can i help at all?" so she draws us a map of the area on a piece of paper on a -12 day, this lady was an exceptional person.

[Antithesis]

It's not much more expensive to take a town car into the city from EWR than a taxi, if I remember right. I suppose you could take PATH or NJ Transit (not sure which it is) but that would take you to Penn Station or Grand Central, so you'd have to get off and transfer to a subway as both are a long way from WTC. Train may be cheapest but in your case, it would be a huge pain in the butt.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

It's not much more expensive to take a town car into the city from EWR than a taxi, if I remember right. I suppose you could take PATH or NJ Transit (not sure which it is) but that would take you to Penn Station or Grand Central, so you'd have to get off and transfer to a subway as both are a long way from WTC. Train may be cheapest but in your case, it would be a huge pain in the butt.

The PATH goes right from Newark's Penn Station to the WTC site. I stayed at the Hilton in Newark, which is connected to the train station, and I took the train into Manhattan from there and it ends at the WTC site.

It looks like there's a train from the airport to Penn Station: http://www.panynj.gov/airports/pdf/ewr-airtrain-map.pdf

[Antithesis]

Ah, wow, there you have it. That's what you get for assuming!

[VladtheImpaler]

I'm going to bump this old thread for my questions. The Impaler family will be in NY (and Chicago) in late May/early June, and am wondering what some recommendations are for tourists from Hicksville with an 18-month old in tow? Sadly, that rules out Broadway and fine dining (I assume)... As far as housing, thoughts on the Salisbury, or would we be better off renting an apartment for a week? Would be pleased to meet up with any NY CP'ers.

[MoneyGuy]

New York is expensive. Great city. I have no idea how to do the city with a child.

This advice applies to any city. A B&B beats a hotel.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

New York is expensive. Great city. I have no idea how to do the city with a child.

This advice applies to any city. A B&B beats a hotel.

Hmmm. I like B&B's - thanks for reminding me.

[Super_Jason]

Renting a week long apartment in NYC is illegal, just a heads up

[valo403]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I'm going to bump this old thread for my questions. The Impaler family will be in NY (and Chicago) in late May/early June, and am wondering what some recommendations are for tourists from Hicksville with an 18-month old in tow? Sadly, that rules out Broadway and fine dining (I assume)... As far as housing, thoughts on the Salisbury, or would we be better off renting an apartment for a week? Would be pleased to meet up with any NY CP'ers.

Salisbury is a good location, especially with a young child. You're just a couple of blocks from the foot of Central Park, which is where the small carnival is located, as well as the FAO Schwarz. Both places seem like good stops to tire out a child. It's also a relatively convenient location to public transit, there are a few subway lines within a short walk. You're also not that far from Rick's Cabaret, for when you need to go 'stretch your legs'

There are dozens of great museums (I put the Met and the MoMa at the top of the list, but it really depends on your interests), you could easily spend a week just hitting those, and lots of neighborhoods that you can wander around in for hours (Chinatown, SoHo, East Village etc.). Central Park is obviously a great place to spend a day, but the parks in the outer boroughs are pretty cool too, particularly Prospect Park (if you are going to go to Brooklyn I hear the botanical garden is great). Keep an eye out for festivals too, you never know what might pop up around here.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Super_Jason

Renting a week long apartment in NYC is illegal, just a heads up

Why?

[me_dennis]

you must check out lombardi's pizza, near soho. seriously the best pizza ever!

there was also a little street market in little italy when i went in september, i'm not sure if
they have that year round or not.

and as for street food vendors, check out the halal guys on 53rd and 6th and get the chicken on rice. huge portions for a good price and it's damn tasty. I'm not sure what time they're usually open, but we went on a friday night at around 11pm and the lineup was 2 blocks long.

[Super_Jason]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Why?

Something about how citizens are unable to afford New York's pricey rentals due to tourists willing to pay more for an apartment on a nightly basis than what a landlord would get from a renter on a monthly basis.

What's your budget per night and dates? Maybe I can try to look for you.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Super_Jason

Something about how citizens are unable to afford New York's pricey rentals due to tourists willing to pay more for an apartment on a nightly basis than what a landlord would get from a renter on a monthly basis.

What's your budget per night and dates? Maybe I can try to look for you.

June 1-8 or 9 (wife has conference June 2-3). No budget, but I am prudently frugal.
Yeah, makes sense with your rent socialism.

[me_dennis]

oh i forgot to mention. I'm not sure if an 18 month old baby is allowed, but if you're able to, check out babbo. it's mario batalli's restaurant and it's absolutely amazing. i highly recommend the pork chop. seriously the most succulent pork chop i have ever tasted!

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by me_dennis

oh i forgot to mention. I'm not sure if an 18 month old baby is allowed, but if you're able to, check out babbo. it's mario batalli's restaurant and it's absolutely amazing. i highly recommend the pork chop. seriously the most succulent pork chop i have ever tasted!

I think the locals eat dinner at 8 or later, so perhaps we can sneak in the infant into some restaurants at senior citizen hour (5)...

[me_dennis]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I think the locals eat dinner at 8 or later, so perhaps we can sneak in the infant into some restaurants at senior citizen hour (5)...

you should try to make a reservation. I think they're usually booked up a month in advance. We were able to get a table a week before but it was an early dinner on a sunday at 5pm.

i've heard that the tasting menu with wine pairings is very good as well.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by me_dennis

you must check out lombardi's pizza, near soho. seriously the best pizza ever!

there was also a little street market in little italy when i went in september, i'm not sure if
they have that year round or not.

and as for street food vendors, check out the halal guys on 53rd and 6th and get the chicken on rice. huge portions for a good price and it's damn tasty. I'm not sure what time they're usually open, but we went on a friday night at around 11pm and the lineup was 2 blocks long.

That's the San Gennaro festival, and unfortunately it's not year round. There are other pop up street fairs, but they're more of the $10 sunglasses and meat on a stick variety (not that that's not great too).

If you like Italian, especially old school style (think meatball and chicken parm sandwiches, baked ziti etc.) check out a new place in SoHo called (fittingly) Parm. The chefs/owners are nationally known for taking old school italian and making it gourmet and also own one of the best restaurants in the city (Torrisi Italian Specialties).

[Old Yeller]

The Sunday afternoon Broadway shows are usually kid/family friendly.

[Canada 02]

if you like Chinese food or Dim Sum, NYC has Chinese restaurants that rival those I've been to in Hong Kong, San Fran or Vancouver. Most, if not all are family friendly.

Chinatown Brasserie and Pacificana are two that I remember off the top of my head