Going to New York

self | 2-16-08 | normy

[normy]

I will be going to New York City in March and would like some help from some New Yorkers or those who have been on things not to miss. My wife is going for business (training the guy taking her job) and I am tagging along since the hotel and her plane ticket is free. My days will be mostly to myself so let me know some things to do.

Thanks

[normy]

Good stuff. I love the food recommendations.

[normy]

Do you know where the Carlton Hotel is in relation to some sites? Thanks for the links

[normy]

Thanks for the tip.

[normy]

Gotta go play some basketball but keep em coming, I will be referencing this thread for my list.

[MotleyGirl70]

If I ever go to New York I'd love to go to the Guggenheim.

And go to Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral ( the largest gothic-style Catholic Cathedral in the United States).

[JRios1968]

Take the laptop...make sure you don’t waste valuable FR time by going outside in the 3D world.

[Gay State Conservative]

And go to Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral...

I've been inside Saint Patrick's although I've never been to Mass there."Awe inspiring" is a weak description of the interior (and exterior).

[martin_fierro]

Take the laptop...make sure you don’t waste valuable FR time by going outside in the 3D world.

Finally.

Someone who understands.

[MinorityRepublican]

Long lines yes but definitely worth it. First time, I went there during the day. Second time it was during night. It was a breathtaking view.

[Daffynition]

Bring lots of George Washingtons ... handy for the many tipping situations you'll be in. ;)

[JRios1968]

No kidding. I went on a trip once, and couldn’t get a signal to teh interwebz, so I couldn’t check FR...

Longest 10 minutes of my life, I tell you

[oh8eleven]

If you Google Carlton Hotel (nice place!), and open the map, you can zoom in and out and it will show you buildings, attractions, subway stops, etc. If you click on the "Street View" option within the "ballon" pop-up, you'll be able to see as if you were standing right on the street. You can move the icon anywhere too.

The Carlton Hotel is on Madison Ave between 28th and 29th Streets. You're only a block away from 5th Ave. Probably the closest attraction is the Empire State building about 5/6 blocks away.
From the ESB, Macy's is only another couple of blocks west. From there, you can walk right up Broadway to Times Square, about 8 blocks north.
As I recall, it was 20 blocks to the mile so from your hotel to Times Square is less than a mile.

[lowbridge]

You will need to try our food. And I'm not talking about the fancy restaurant kind. You need to eat a slice of pizza at a pizzeria (not a dominos, or a pizza hut). A hot dog from a hot dog vendors cart (I have them with mustard, sauerkraut, and onions), a large pretzel (with mustard) also from a hot dog vendors cart. And you must have deli food (a jewish delicatessen is best). Like one already suggested: a pastrami sandwich. Just make sure it is on rye bread with mustard. You ask for mayo on your pastrami sandwich, any New Yorkers within listening distance will beat you up. ;-) Kidding, but mayo just doesnt go right with pastrami. It has to be pastrami on rye with mustard. Oh, and a kinish. With or without mustard is up to you. (I personally prefer with)

Yes, we New Yorkers eat ketchup....with our french fries and on our hamburgers or cheeseburgers.

You must have our italian food and chinese food. :-)

[Hyzenthlay]

OK. Good stuff to do in NYC:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a must. Don’t feel like you have to pay full price for admission - they have to ask for ‘donations’ instead of making a set ticket price, so I usually pay about $5. There’s a section called ‘The Cloisters’ that’s really neat, and the Egyptian Art section is also especially impressive. The Africa/Oceania/Americas art exhibit has more gold and other valuable stuff than the average person has probably ever seen in one place.

The Guggenheim is alright, it’s more of an ‘alternative’ art museum in that it doesn’t really have much in the way of paintings hanging on the walls, but it’s a lot of fun.

The MOMA is also pretty cool. Heck, the original ‘Starry Night’ by Van Gogh alone makes it worth the admission price, and it’s got an impressive collection of impressionist paintings and lots of other famous 20th century works of art. The Architecture and Design section is fun - it contains everything from ballpoint pens to stuff by Frank Lloyd Wright to vehicles to weird furniture to an iPod and a couple iMacs (no kidding). The garden off to one side is a great place to rest for a little bit.

Central Park is a must-see, and I believe admission to the zoo is free. If you’ve got kids they’ll especially enjoy this, cause it’s the setting for a lot of zoo animal stories/movies/etc.

Times Square is a lot of fun (especially the Toys-R-Us, you’re never too old to look around in there), Rockefeller Center is also a neat place to stop to take a look at the NBC studios and there’s an impressive cathedral nearby.

I haven’t been to the Museum of Natural History yet, but it’s supposed to be really impressive and it’s on my list for next time I’m going to the city.

And of course, you should catch a Broadway show. I’ve only ever seen Rent (which is sadly ending soon) and it was great, but I have friends who highly recommend Phantom of the Opera, Lion King, and Spamalot.

Wow, and that’s just midtown....

[normy]

Sounds like I am going to be busy. It also sounds like I am going to be staying in a pretty centralized area. Thanks for the tips on getting around, food to eat and general customs (lol), sounds like I am going to be set. Thanks alot

[EDINVA]

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is across the stret from Rockefeller Center, so stop and watch the skaters ... Radio City is around the corner from ROckefeller Center (walking away from St. Pat’s)

[EDINVA]

Is there a Carlton that was on 76th at Madison ? Years ago I stayed there with some frequency - had Bobby Short on piano in restaurant ? Or has my memory really gone ?

[Exit148]

And don’t forget to give us a report when you are ‘done’!!

[ladyjane]

Bobby Short? You’re thinking of the Carlysle. Wonderful hotel.

[happydogx2]

Thanks for all the tips.

My wife and I will be going to New York in September. We are flying out from Oregon to see the Sylvania 300 in New Hampshire then flying down to New York after the race.

Is the “W” at Times Square OK? Anyone??

Thanks