New York
 

FOr those of you that I haven't already told, I'm going to New York for spring break in mid March with my college's choir. We are performing at Carnegie, and I'm super excited! :)

We will be up there for 5 days and have LOTS of free time. I've never been there...and I'm not sure how much my budget will allow to do. So for those of you who live there, or have been there, I'd like some suggestions on stuff to see and do, all different price ranges from free to $$$. Me and my SAI sisters who are going are trying to come up with a plan of what we want to do...so I need lots of ideas! :)

Thanks so much!

Congrats
 

Congratulations. Getting to perform in Carnegie Hall is a really big honor. Let me know when you're in the city and maybe we could meet up. What kind of stuff are you interested in doing? Touristy type stuff or what?

Congratulations on Carnegie Hall! That is great.

Here is the New York City tourism website. It will give you some good ideas of things to do.

Congratulations on Carnegie Hall! You must be so excited! :) If you're interested in seeing a Bway show, and are looking for discount tickets, don't forget to go to TKTS booth in Times Square.

http://www.tdf.org/programs/tkts/

If you like books, you have got to go to the Strand, on 12th St. and Broadway in the East Village. It is the best used bookstore on earth! (I have spent way too much money there!)

Ya gotta do the Subway! And chow down on a slice of REAL Noo Yawk pizza and 'cawfee reg'lar' (coffee with cream & two sugars). Don't forget the Sabrett and/or Hebrew National pushcarts, too!

And the gyro pushcarts too. Mmmmmm!

You may want to double check this one, but the Forbes Museum at 5th & 12th is free, and has an amazing amount of Tsarist Russian artifacts and antique toys!

Look up some of your favorite movies, and note where they take place in New York. Take your picture at those places (another freebie!). Some include Grand Central Station, the Empire State Building, the Arch in Greenwich Village (darn! can't think of its name!), Times Square, Nathan's in the Lower East Side, etc.

Take the Circle Line Tour - it's a boat trip around the island of Manhatten. It takes about 3 hours, but you'll see a lot of sights and get a better idea of where you'd like to go.

Ellis Island is pretty interesting, I hear. I haven't been.

I always eat in Chinatown or Little Italy, just for the flavor of the area, and try something new every time. Most post their menus outside, so you can decide how much or little you'd like to spend. If it's still there, Quon Luck is deliciously tacky! On that line, most restaurants tend to come & go with amazing speed - keep that in mind. I also love La Cirque, but only if someone else is buying!

You must go to Bloomingdale's (yes, there are others, but this is the Mother Lode!), and also the boutiques around it. One friend of mine always has her hair & makeup done in NYC, and always looks like the cutting edge. I'm not that brave! But do buy yourself a nice piece of clothing or purse as your New York purchase - not some tacky t-shirt that you'll toss in a month or so!

If any of y'all are Beatles fans, going to the Dakota Building (72nd & Central Park West) and Strawberry Fields (in Central Park just across from the Dakota) are musts!!

AND WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES!!!! No one takes a cab for under 10 blocks in New York! If none of y'all are subway-savvy, I would avoid it, but that's me - I can be a real princess, and I've heard too many horror stories. Lived there for half a year & never once took the subway!!

Add to the list Katz (sp?) Deli.

Staten Island Ferry - FREE way to see the Statue of Liberty and the dowtown skyline.

Board it at the very southern tip of Manahttan (South Ferry stop on the 1/9 subway line). It will take you to Staten Island and back in about 30 minutes. Just remember - don't get off until it's back in the Manahttan port! :)

Gross.

-Rudey

Definitely go to TKTS in Times Square for half price Broadway tickets. I love theater, and always see shows when I go. In fact, I was just there to see Hairspray - which was great! Harvey Fierstein is in it right now and he is a hysterical. But really, any show you see will be great - I've seen about a dozen and could give you some recommendations if you want.

Also, I heard that the Producers (with Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane) actually have standing room available for like $35 a ticket. You'd have to loook into that and possibly get the tickets before you go, but it is apparently an awesome show. I haven't been privileged enough to see it yet.

Are you of legal drinking age? If so, the Marriott Marquis in Times Square has a rotating restaurant on the top floor that lets you look out over the city. It is a beautiful.

Saks Fifth Avenue, Fendi, Gucci, and all the designer stores are all along 5th - while you maybe can't buy, it is still fun to look.

Ice skating in Rockfeller Square, going to see the taping of the Today show (get up real early), etc. are all fun NY things to do. If you have lots of time you can also go to the Statue of LIberty, the Empire State Building, and other touristy events.

Have a great time but be sure to plan your activities somewhat before you go. Nothing like getting there and having a million options but not being about to figure out what to do.

Go to Central Park and if you want, ice skate there.
The Whitney.
Some studios and galleries in SoHo area.
See a movie at the Angelika or near Lincoln.

Get a slice, a bagel, deli food - oh and hey none of the real stuff comes from that tourist area you call Manhattan.

-Rudey

I was born and raised in Brooklyn, and live in Manhattan. The best bagels are from H&H, which is in Manhattan. The best Pastrami sandwich (I grew up in the deli business) is from Katz's. Every 10th Katz's sandwich is off, but for those 9 other times, its the best on the planet.

Stromboli, in the Village, has great pizza the by the slice. If you want great pizza that's different, try Two Boots (maps of Italy and Louisiana look like boots) for pizza with a cajun twist.

It is awesome (I saw them 2 weeks ago. Nathan sounded a little horse, can't blame him though) but good luck with getting the standing room tickets. People were lined up about 5 hours before the performance, and it was snowing that day. And you're never gonna get tickets before you go. They are sold out for awhile.

I would see Wicked. It is an AWESOME show, and while the tickets are a little hard to get, they are not impossible (but I think after the Tonys, they will be impossible to get).

You're gonna have to check on the circle lines and crusise and what not. Most of the ferrys have been running only a few times a day since the river has a lot of ice in it. Although, after the rain today, it might be better. Subways are the best way to go, but I can see how they could be intimidating, espeically cause the colder it gets the more homeless people end up down there.

Just don't take your wallet out for anything. I've seen so many poor tourists who take out their wallet to give a guy some money, and then another guy comes running by and snatches the whole thing

That is wrong. You basically named a bunch of tourist spots that you think are great. Brooklyn and Queens have the best spots unless you totally didn't go out looking for them. Katz is not great - 2nd avenue deli which is another tourist spot is even better. Next you'll say Carnegie deli is great.

And a slice should cost no more than $1.50 and 1.25 is more reasonable.

-Rudey

You can't find a slice of pizza for that price anymore, anywhere in NYC. Name a spot better than Strombolis.

The pastrami at Katz's is better than the 2nd Avenue Deli's. The Carnegie used to have the best corned beef, until the guy who ran it died.

My father and grandfather used to cure there own pastarmi and corned beef in the family deli in Brighton Beach. We once had our corned beef voted the best in all of Brooklyn. I know my deli.

The best delis and bagel spots are in Queens. I would put the best pizza in Brooklyn or Queens...probably Brooklyn. And that price is the going price in Queens - not in tourist Manhattan. I love Rosas in Queens and for a bit more than a slice, Grimaldis in Brooklyn.

-Rudey

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the ideas! It certainly helps. Only thing is it seems as if there are too many things to do, and not nearly enough time. *sigh* :)

What about Broadway shows? I LOVE musical theater. I'm not familiar with any of the more recent shows but I'm open for recommendations!

My vote for the best pizza in New York has to be without a doubt Famous Famiglias. They have a couple of them in the city. They are so good.

Well I guess it depends on what sairose wants to do. Does she want to do touristy things or do the things native New Yorkers do?

Carnegie Hall is a good location, 57th Street and Seventh Avenue. A few blocks away from Lincoln Center, Central Park, and the 'new' Columbus Circle. I haven't been there yet since they just had their grand opening. Rockefeller Center isn't too far. St. Patrick's Cathedral shouldn't be missed.

For shopping 57th Street is great. Bergdorf Goodman, Chanel, and Tiffany & Co. Hard Rock Cafe is there, if that's something you want to experience. Bloomingdale's is few blocks away at 59th and Lexington. I think that FAO Schwarz is closed.

Personally, I like the Circle Line tour and have taken a few visitors on it. I think that the Statue of Liberty is closed. Ellis Island is historically relevant. I also suggest you go to the top of the Empire State Building. On a clear day, you can see forever. :)

Some of the best restaurants in the world are in New York City. The Russian Tea Room has been closed for a while now, but there a dozens of great places.

My favorite is Fifth Avenue. From 59th Street, it lines Central Park. There are museums galore: the Metropolitan, the Guggenheim, Cooper-Hewitt National Museum of Design, The Frick Collection, etc. If you are interested in that, here is a list of the museums in NYC.

I like John's Pizza which is were I met lifesaver when he visited from Texas. Ray's is good too.

There are tons of thngs to do in NYC. It depends on your personal preferences as well as your budget. :)

Grimaldis is a great spot. :) :)

I'll say it again...

WICKED

GO SEE WICKED!!!!! I don't know if your familiar with Broadway people, but KRISTIN CHENOWETH(Glinda) and IDINA MENZEL(Elphaba, aka Wicked Witch of the West) are still in it, who are both great performers. Joel Gray is in it too, but I was not impressed with him as the Wizard. I saw Tye Diggs as Fiyero, and he was wonderful. I didn't know he could sing. I think he is eventually taking over the role.
But I would really really really try to get tickets to Wicked, I think it is going to be up for quite a few Tonys.

Thank you P-n-C! Please, please, please do NOT go to TGI Fridays or Olive Garden when you are here!!!! I hear of so many tourists who say "Wow, the Chicken Ceasar at the NYC TGI Fridays was so expensive!" You should NOT come to NYC and eat at the same places you can eat at in your own town!

In fact, that website that was posted earlier - the NYC visitor's guide - has a list of restaurants participating in 'Restaurant Week' which is when restaurants offer a prix fixe meal (an apprtizer, entree and dessert for a set amount). The official week is over today, but many of the restaurants are continuing to offer their lunch prix fixe for only $20.04. That's a great deal for lunch in one of these "fancy" places. Make sure to take advantage of those deals or the places that have 'pre-theatre' menus!

Typically any show is going to be great, but there are some classics that I can recommend to you. Also, stay away from Taboo - that is Rosie O'Donnell's show starring Boy George and it has been plagued with bad reviews. I have seen (and recommend) the following shows:

Hairspray - awesome!
Aida - currently starring Michelle Williams (of Destiny's Child)
Wicked - per the other poster, it is suppose to be great!
Les Miserables - don't know if this is still on Broadway but it is great
Saturday Night Fever - wonderful music!
Beauty and the Beast - typical Disney, but very good

Les Miz closed a while back, but yeah, Aida's great! Go to TKTS for discounts!

If you like toys go to the Toys R Us in Times Square. It has a ferris wheel in the store, it's amazing.

Regarding Broadway shows, Producers is amazing but tickets are impossibl. Wicked, yes, definitely, same with Hairspray and MamaMia. Taboo wasn't that bad, I didn't think but it closes this Sunday.

Avenue Q is HYSTRICAL but not for prudes.

The Disney shows are, well, too Disney for me but sweet. Lion King is amazing and Rent is good too if you haven't already seen it.

Chicago now that Melanie Griffith is gone is back to it's perfection state.

I'm still a sucker for 42nd Street -- it's so visual and you can get second row seats at TKTS.

You can also see Hugh Jackman in the Boy From Oz and YOU CANNOT take your eyes off him. He has such charisma on stage. It's unbelievable.

Movin Out is so so.

If you want to see a play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is so so too, read the play which is fantastic but the actors are so so. Which is too bad since I am a fan of all of them.

Thouroughly Modern Millie is cute and lead, who won a Tony is leaving soon so you may want to check her out before she moves on.

I could go on and on and on since I see everything there, good or bad because I love the theater.

the one in Hoboken, NJ is good too :)

Over in Elmhurst, Queens, by the LIRR station... Singa's Pizza! Best pizza in all o' Queens! :)

This advice is so good, I'm going to repeat it!! You're in New York - don't do the chains while you're there!! Explore, enjoy! There are so many little quirks (like the doggie basin on one of the Avenues Third? I forget!), and I only wish you were going when the weather was a bit better.

Katz's is in almost every Woody Allen movie, if you're a fan. Stop at the goofier looking places that real New Yorkers go to, and learn what a cheese danish is supposed to taste like!

This might sound hokey, but fully discuss where you'd like to go with the people you're more apt to spend time with NOW! Don't wait until you're in Times Square and say, "well, now what?" At the same time, be ready to try something that wasn't on the list, should the opportunity arise. TCKTS is great for saving money, but it also takes a lot of time (in my experience).

Only one person mentioned Avenue Q!!! That show is amazing and hysterical and you really should see it. It's great. I haven't seen a whole lot of Broadway, but I have seen a lot of theatre and that's on my top five list. :) See it! Rush tickets are $21.25 (I think), and they're the front row - so the actors and puppets are RIGHT there, it's an amazing way to see the show! Wicked is supposed to be amazing too, cool people in that, but I don't know. I would skip anything that's been there for years - that's me being a theatre snob, but hey.

I think ice skating in Rockefeller is over-rated, I like the rink in Central Park more - it's pretty at night. I like Strawberry Fields in Central Park too.

The Met is amazing... you could spend days in there.

Me being a dork - there is a new American Girl store (they make historical fiction dolls - I had one while growing up and she is a prized posession and basically my favorite toy ever, so this was very cool to me) that is like three stories and huge and has everything. I really enjoyed a visit (and talked some woman into buying her daughter a Molly doll - I should get commission!) so I don't know, you might want to check that out.

Oooh, the Soup Nazi! Very pricey but very good soup. Best soup I've ever had. And he's just like on Seinfeld... it was scary. I had to psych myself up to order. He's on... hm. 55th and Broadway? I'm not sure, it's somewhere around there.

I recommend you go have pizza at John's on 44th St. and 8th Ave. Check out Around The Clock diner on 8th St and 3rd Ave. Definitely check out Katz Deli (I don't remember the exact location. For the sweet tooth, check out Veniero's on 11th St. between 1st and 2nd Avenues.

Do visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History!

Bloomingdale's on Lexington Ave between 59th and 60th is one of the best department stores to check out.


http://www.stupid-boy.com/smilies/co...rinbounce2.gif

Here's one of the best deals I've found. There's an Italian restaurant in the West Village called Sapore Due. If you go there between 4-6pm during the week they have a prix fixe dinner which includes an appetizer, entree, coffee or tea, dessert, and soft drink...for $10.95! It's big portions too, and the food is fantastic. Here's the link so you can see where it is and what else is on the menu. http://www.menupages.com/restaurantd...staurantid=715

Another good place to go is Confetti Pasta, at 5 E. 38th St. (between Madison Ave and 5th Ave) It is only open during the week though. But it's great...you pick a pasta, pick a sauce, and whatever else you want mixed in there (veggies, meats, etc...as many as you want) and they cook it right in front of you. Reasonable prices and very, very good. :)

Some friends and I are planning to see Avenue Q. :D

The Shops at Time Warner in Columbus Circle is just a MALL--you can go to JCrew, Whole Foods Market, Sephora, and Williams-Sonoma anywhere. I'd say walk across to 5th Avenue for the department stores and big-name stores.

If you're feeling adventurous, there's another skating rink in Central Park that isn't as crowded as the more famous one.

Actually, there's 2 - Wollman and Lasker and both can get just as crowded. In fact, I'm sure you're thinking of Wollman which is the famous one.

-Rudey

a slight hijack...
 

I know I'll get shot by saying this but...I love the Mall feeling! Something about city shopping gets to me. It's nice now and then to go to the Manhattan Mall or Queens Center and have everything all in one place & not have to walk outside to switch stores. I need to get to Time Warner next week on vacation.

All I'm saying is after all the city walking the mall is nice now and then. Kinda like driving in car after so much walking and mass transit.

Re: a slight hijack...
 

Aren't you from the Island? Why not go to Roosevelt instead of ghetto Queens Center? Although there is a small little pizzeria right next to the Q88 that is pretty awesome.

-Rudey

Um, no. I'm talking about Lasker, near the Harlem Meer.

Either way, there are 2, and we hope tourists like sairose and yourself will find both to be splendid.

-Rudey
--Um, kay.