NYC Trip suggestions

[BrandNewAdvisor]

Rush or lottery tickets are way cheaper than TKTS if you have the time and inclination to plan ahead. If one of you has a student id, you'll have more options. TKTS might still do $20 tickets 20minutes before the show for off broadway shows.

There's also Shakespeare in the park, which is free but you either have to line up super early or do the online lottery for tickets. The shows this summer are All's Well That Ends Well or Measure for Measure depending on the day.

For food, Eataly. The building is kind of like an Italian market with a couple different restaurants in it and some walk up stations. The gelato is to die for. It's around 23rd and 5th I believe.

Shopping, a large concentration of wealthy people make for good second hand stores. Not everyone's cup of tea but I got a Lily dress for under a hundred with the tags still on. If daughter is into fashion the Met has an exhibit on Alexander McQueen and the Cooper Hewitt has a awesome jewelry exhibit.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by BrandNewAdvisor

Rush or lottery tickets are way cheaper than TKTS if you have the time and inclination to plan ahead. If one of you has a student id, you'll have more options. TKTS might still do $20 tickets 20minutes before the show for off broadway shows.



For food, Eataly. The building is kind of like an Italian market with a couple different restaurants in it and some walk up stations. The gelato is to die for. It's around 23rd and 5th I believe.


Shopping, a large concentration of wealthy people make for good second hand stores. Not everyone's cup of tea but I got a Lily dress for under a hundred with the tags still on. If daughter is into fashion the Met has an exhibit on Alexander McQueen and the Cooper Hewitt has a awesome jewelry exhibit.

Definitely Eataly! Great food and interesting culinary shopping. When we were there over Easter, we almost got run over by Mario Batali walking in.

[ellebud]

Debit card is like cash. I'm talking credit cards.

[33girl]

Carmine's was the ONLY place my friend and I could get fed after a concert (that wasn't McDonald's) when we were starving. It was indeed yummy.

I would also check out the TopShop store. It's not as cheap as H & M on the whole but they do have some bargains.

[tootiepie2]

We are already planning to go to the Alexander McQueen exhibit, that was one of her musts. Topshop was one we planned to visit also.
Does anyone have any idea about dates for Shakespeare in the park, I couldn't find them anywhere.
I would love to check out the resale shops, that might be fun.
When I say cheap, I don't really mean Walmart cheap, just that although we love all the designer shops we just can't do all our shopping there. In the past we have spent most of our time there but as my daughter has gotten older and her lifestyle has changed ( going out with friends) her wrdrobe needs have changed. When she was younger and wore a uniform to school and lived in a small town she really didn't need a lot of clothes so she liked to splurge on a few real nice things. Now she likes to have more options as she goes out and does a lot more in college so we wnat to find some places that are a little less expensive. And since so much of it is the same as we have here, that is why I asked for any suggestions.
I am really getting alot of ideas and I appreciate all of them. Keep them coming !!!

[tootiepie2]

well as you say google is your friend!!! Just goolged Shakespere in the park and got the dates, might try that. Also Eatly looks wonderful.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by ellebud

Debit card is like cash. I'm talking credit cards.

This makes no sense at all. The stores don't care if it's a debit or credit card--if it's got the MasterCard or Visa logo then it's all the same to them.

Eataly is awesome--it gets super crowded. Some people really like Magnolia Bakery, but it's up to you if you think standing in line for an hour (it's gotten better lately since they opened more locations) for cupcakes is worth it. Sprinkles just opened not too far from Bloomingdales and Barneys.

Mango and Zara are very similar to H&M, TopShop, and Uniqlo in that they have moderate priced, well-designed clothing from Europe.

[PeppyGPhiB]

I echo PPs suggestions of Uniqlo, TopShop and Eataly.

I prefer Sprinkles and Crumbs cupcakes to Magnolia bakery. But I don't think any cupcake is worth standing in line more than 10 minutes for.

For fun looking at crazy diamonds, check out the boutiques on Park Ave.
For candy, go to Dylan's Candy Bar (across the street from Bloomingdales).
For good, quck eats, go to one of the many Europa Cafes or Cafe Metro.
For (IMO) the best cheesecake, go to Junior's (Times Square location is prob. the most convenient).
For one of my favorite restaurants in the Meat Packing District: Pastis.
For an iconic sandwich: Carnegie Deli.

Regarding credit cards at Neimans/Bergdorf: they just started taking other credit cards, which means you can finally use your debit card. I found this out when I went to our local Neiman's a few weeks ago. It's about time!

[AGDee]

I'm getting very nervous about sending my 17 year old to NYC all by herself for this program at Barnard. I'll be glad when this trip is done. Is this how I'm going to feel if she gets into Columbia?

[aephi alum]

Originally Posted by AGDee

I'm getting very nervous about sending my 17 year old to NYC all by herself for this program at Barnard. I'll be glad when this trip is done. Is this how I'm going to feel if she gets into Columbia?

The area around Columbia/Barnard used to be - well, not the safest area around. I participated in the Columbia Science Honors Program as a teenager in the early 1990s, and my father drove me into the city every Saturday and walked me onto campus and into whatever building I was supposed to be in. Then he sat in his car for 3 hours, went over and waited outside the building until I emerged, and walked me back to his car and drove me home. I told him I was perfectly capable of navigating the LIRR and subway, but he wouldn't allow it. (Then again, he was overly paranoid.)

I don't know how much the neighborhood has changed since then. However, I can say that the Columbia campus has limited entrances and security guards. (At least, it did back then, and I assume that is still the case.)

If she goes to Columbia, she'll get street-smart in no time. You just have to stay sober, stay alert, and always look like you know exactly where you're going, even if you're totally lost. Most Manhattan streets are a grid, so it's hard to get totally lost.

[tootiepie2]

Juniors is yummy, and it is close to our hotel.
Will be going to all the shops mentioned, thanks a bunch.

AGDee Know how you feel about sending your child up there alone, mine is a little older but she hopes to do an internship there next summer and plans to move to NYC when she graduates. I will be very worried at first.

[AGDee]

Yes, we've already decided the best bet is to get a taxi from the airport that will take her directly to Barnard. I believe that for all the excursions they take off campus, they are in groups and it is pretty structured. It is a pre-college program after all. I want her to have a good feeling for the campus and surrounding area before deciding whether she really wants to go to Columbia or not, which is why she and I decided that the Barnard program was her best option this summer.

It's totally not fair that my daughter has been to/will have been to all these places that I've never been...lol.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by aephi alum

The area around Columbia/Barnard used to be - well, not the safest area around. I participated in the Columbia Science Honors Program as a teenager in the early 1990s, and my father drove me into the city every Saturday and walked me onto campus and into whatever building I was supposed to be in. Then he sat in his car for 3 hours, went over and waited outside the building until I emerged, and walked me back to his car and drove me home. I told him I was perfectly capable of navigating the LIRR and subway, but he wouldn't allow it. (Then again, he was overly paranoid.)

I don't know how much the neighborhood has changed since then. However, I can say that the Columbia campus has limited entrances and security guards. (At least, it did back then, and I assume that is still the case.)

If she goes to Columbia, she'll get street-smart in no time. You just have to stay sober, stay alert, and always look like you know exactly where you're going, even if you're totally lost. Most Manhattan streets are a grid, so it's hard to get totally lost.

I live about 10 minutes from Columbia. The area is NOT what it used to be (Well, Morningside Heights/Harlem isn't what it used to be). It's way safer, cleaner and well-lit. Great security as well (I mean, I've never been able to just walk on campus when visiting people).The surrounding area near campus is very clear that its Columbia territory. When your daughter ventures outside of that... she'll know. It'll be really obvious. I imagine you've raised a very morally sound daughter so she's not gonna go off the deep end and will use her better judgement when travelling (ie, travel in groups, not so late, etc).

I'm so excited for her!

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by tld221

I live about 10 minutes from Columbia. The area is NOT what it used to be (Well, Morningside Heights/Harlem isn't what it used to be). It's way safer, cleaner and well-lit. Great security as well (I mean, I've never been able to just walk on campus when visiting people).The surrounding area near campus is very clear that its Columbia territory. When your daughter ventures outside of that... she'll know. It'll be really obvious. I imagine you've raised a very morally sound daughter so she's not gonna go off the deep end and will use her better judgement when travelling (ie, travel in groups, not so late, etc).

I'm so excited for her!

Agree. Harlem is going through gentrification. I know several young ladies who live in the neighborhood, as it's one of the only affordable places in Manhattan for young professionals. It's home to several popular bars/restaurants.

[AGDee]

Thanks! My ex expressed concerns and I said to him "If it were up to you, she'd go to Wayne State so how is that any different?" The area around Wayne State is NOT good, but the campus security keep the campus pretty safe.

I'll still be nervous while she's gone. But that's a mom thing. I have not let on her how nervous I am. It is a great opportunity for her.

Sorry for hijacking, tootiepie2. If she ends up at Columbia, I'll be referencing back to this thread for when I visit her