New Year's Eve in NYC?

ROWDYsister · #1 12-26-2002, 08:36 PM

Hi, everyone. Hope you all had nice holidays so far!

On Saturday morning a few of my sisters and I are leaving for NYC and will be celebrating New Year's Eve there.

Any helpful advice on fun things to do, New Year's-related things, or ways for four sorority girls to stay safe?

Thanks!

Winterbloom · #2 12-26-2002, 10:18 PM

I'm going to be in the city for part of the day on New Year's Eve, and in north Jersey for the actual festivities.

I heartily reccomend the Lower East Side for food--authentic kosher delis and Yonah Shimmel's knishes are not to be missed.

I like the Met and the Cloisters, being arty. The Cloisters is a fun day excursion--it's a reconstructed pseudo-medieval castle out of bits of other castles and monastaries, and it houses one of the largest collections of medieval art.

There's the usual 5th Avenue stuff to explore--Rockafeller Center, Tiffany's, Macy's, etc...

Central Park is not as seedy as people make it out to be, and it's a nice place to be when it's daylight.

I love the Village, personally. It's very ecclectic, and is one of my summer haunts when up to the city with my young man.

As for ways to stay safe, my advice is simple--stay in a group, don't drink, and keep a clear head on your shoulders. The city will be jammed packed. Don't leave your belongings unattended, and I wouldn't reccomend wearing a purse--keep your id and money in an inside coat pocket. Don't drink--it impairs your judgement, and that's the last thing you want in a cruch. Stay together, and don't wander off. It sounds like grade school, but women tend to fare better in a group. And lastly, don't go home with anyone. Common sense.

NYC is not as bad as they make it out to be. Avoid the less savoury parts of town--Alphabet City and Spanish Harlem spring to mind. Just use your brain, and you four will have a blast.

~Emma

alphaiota · #3 12-27-2002, 12:27 AM

i was really hoping to go to nyc myself for new year's, but i don't have any way of getting there. i was told that you need to get there at least by 9 am just to get somewhere within time square. i was also told that drinking was a bad idea. just for future reference, is it okay to go on the train after the celebrations are over? or can you even get to a train afterwards. cuz i'd be staying in jersey with my friend. just some thoughts. thanks!

shelley j
sigma k

AlphaSigOU · #4 12-27-2002, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by alphaiota
...just for future reference, is it okay to go on the train after the celebrations are over? or can you even get to a train afterwards. cuz i'd be staying in jersey with my friend. just some thoughts. thanks!

There is a subway station under Times Square (42nd Street) which has a 'shuttle' that goes between Times Square and Grand Central Station; if you're heading towards Jersey, you'll probably need to catch the subway to 34th Street/Penn Station/Madison Square Garden to catch the PATH trains. (The only other place you could catch the PATH was at the World Trade Center, but the station was heavily damaged and closed after 9/11.)

The subway system should be relatively safe to ride on, considering the crowds. There are designated off-hours waiting areas that are patrolled by the Transit Police and in direct view of the station's ticket office. By now all the cars should have been replaced with more modern versions which have stainless steel skins that are 'graffiti proof'. Suggest you go to the following website which has a clickable subway map and more information on New York's preferred mode of transport: http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/submap.htm.

Hope this helps.

moe.ron · #5 12-27-2002, 04:25 AM

stay away from time square. highly overated and you'll freeze your ass off watching a stupid ball drop down. Most new yorker know better then actually doing the time square thing. It's a tourist trap where you will be over charged for a hot dog and you won't be able to leave so you are stuck there.

Tini · #6 12-27-2002, 10:50 AM

You guys crack me up!

Don't visit Alphabet City and Spanish Harlem? LMAO.... I won't even comment on that.

The trains run about every 10 minutes and will be PACKED all day and all night. No they don't look like the trains at the King Kong ride in Universal Studios. They're clean and most are state of the art. Just be weary of your surroundings and don't leave your wallet hanging out... isn't that the same in other cities?

Not bringing a purse is a good idea. You'll feel more comfortable. Wear sneakers and layer up!

Getting a good spot in Times Square for midnight will be hard. If that's what you want, you will definitely have to "secure" your spot well in advance of the ball-drop. It is a wonderful experience but the reality is that, yes, you will freeze your ass off and it will be packed. lol... But you'll never forget it. Don't drink too much. Cops will be everywhere and a summons is their favorite holiday gift.

Tourists will be everywhere. You can spot them easily -- they always look up when walking and have a camera hanging from their neck. lolol...

I live and breathe Manhattan... PM me if you need help.

Have a great time and don't forget the camera!!!

alphaiota · #7 12-27-2002, 09:48 PM

thanks. i've been to nyc many times and have no problem taking the train, but i just didn't know which ones to take since last time i was there i came into the station under the world trade center. i just didn't know if the trains had different running times or whatever. i feel that i've been there enough to know the basics, but new year's is a little different so i wasn't sure. common sense goes a long way. hopefully i'll be able to also say that i live and breath manhattan soon. i'm hoping to move there in the coming year.

shelley j
sigma k

cash78mere · #8 12-27-2002, 11:56 PM

the trains will be packed. expect to freeze...and be urinated on. no joke. people drink all day and then have to stand with no way of getting to a bathroom. it happens.

by the way, to anyone going to times square, do NOT bring any type of alcohol or anything illegal because they WILL catch you. last year there were major security checkpoints and they will search your bag and/or person.

i personally think it's overrated and a damn tourist trap. you can get stuck there for hours!

also, don't expect to just find a hotel. if you don't have reservations, make them quick although most likely everything in town will be booked.

have fun everyone!

PM_Mama00 · #9 12-28-2002, 10:55 AM

Brooklyn used to be my 2nd home, and I spent many New Year's there, but never once would even have thought of goin to Times Square. It's way packed during the day, and I can't imagine it at night.

BTW, what is Alphabet City?

alphaiota · #10 12-28-2002, 02:01 PM

again more for future reference, what do you think of the youth hostel on the north side of central park? do any of you even know about it? i was told it was a semi descent place to stay.

shelley j
sigma k

Peaches-n-Cream · #11 12-28-2002, 05:03 PM

I don't know about any youth hostels. I have never been to Times Square on New Year's Eve, but some pople I know have been. It is usually freezing cold and you are surrounded by throngs of people. Personally, I don't see the appeal. If you are still determined to go to Times Square, heed cash78mere's advice. Don't bring or drink liquor outdoors because you can get ticketed or confiscated or worse. I will be warm indoors having a Rocking Eve with Dick Clark.