Lincoln From United States of America, joined Nov 2004, 3887 posts, RR: 8 Posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days ago) and read 1906 times:
Hi All,
A business function will have me in the New York area (Rockleigh, NJ) right after Thanksgiving. Since I'll be within spitting distance of what has been referred to as the "Center of the Universe" I'm planning on taking a few days of vacation after the engagement and exploring the city. (Right now the trip is Nov 28-Dec 5, and my "free time" is December 2-5...but that's somewhat flexable).
I'm completelty overwhelmed just by the number of "touristy" things to do. I know a lot of A.netters are from the NY-area, and was wondering if anyone has suggestions for places a little bit further off the (tourist) beaten path...things to do, places to eat etc., etc.
I'm a big art+culture fan, so I'm certainly planning on Broadway and a musuem or two, but beyond that I have no idea what I'm going to do (not that that's a bad thing )
I'd also appreciate any general advice on getting around, do's and don'ts, etc.
I'm also curious if anyone has any thoughts about Affinia Hotels in NYC.
Thanks!
Lincoln
CO Is My Airline of Choice || Baggage Claim is an airline's last chance to disappoint a customer || Next flts in profile
FutureSDPDcop From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 1291 posts, RR: 5 Reply 2, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days ago) and read 1890 times:
LOL. Golden Gate Bridge. You could always go search the trip report section for my first time to NYC. I posted it back on October 18th or 19th of this year. Titled WN SAN-LAS-ISP-BWI-SAN. I may be able to help more if you got questions.
RwSEA From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 3024 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days ago) and read 1883 times:
I'd definitely hit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I also liked the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The NBC tour was a rip-off. The Rockefeller Center observation deck was just as good as Empire State Building, without the lines. For food, my favorite was Katz's Deli in the East Village, or anywhere around Little Italy. Both were definitely touristy, but that's what you are! Coming from Seattle where it seems that just about every restaurant seems to be some sort of a yuppie-Asian restaurant these days, it was refreshing to have good old American style comfort food at all the Diners and Deli's in New York.
Honestly, I didn't care much for NYC the one time I visited. I will say that once you get out of Midtown, some of the neighborhoods are pretty cool. I absolutely hated Times Square and most of midtown, so I'd suggest going to this area only for a limited amount of time, and try to spend more of your time in the neighborhoods.
The subway was fast and easy; I'd recommend using it as your transportation mode unless you're going somewhere that it doesn't.
ArmitageShanks From UK - England, joined Dec 2003, 3366 posts, RR: 16 Reply 4, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 1880 times:
If you want to get a good tour of the city take one of those double-decker busses that goes all over the place. They have indoor seats so it will be comfortable and you can get off whenever you see something you like, check it out, and then hop back on.
I did that this summer and for less than 40 bucks I toured all of Manhattan, got the Circle Line ferry around Manhattan, and had free entry into a few museums.
The NBC studio tour is pretty cool if you're into that. You can see where they film the Today Show, Letterman, Conan, and SNL.
Oh, and don't bother going to the international center of photography... its totally not worth it.
Aa757first From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 3338 posts, RR: 8 Reply 5, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 1876 times:
I'd say leave your first day open and just wonder around the city. Then, maybe you should invest in a Frommer's guide and just look through that to decide what to do the next two days.
J_Hallgren From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 1507 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 1870 times:
Last year, just prior to Christmas, I was driving thru NYC on a Sunday night while heading to FL for winter...since traffic was so light, I went downtown for the first time...normally just take I-95 right thru GW Bridge so never see much...parked near the Museum of Modern Arts and walked down to Rockefeller Center to see the tree...and then down to Times Square...that was the extent of my travels, but I was happy to see just these two areas as people were in a festive holiday mood...given that both are known for lights, seeing them after dark was more fun!
Levg79 From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 989 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 1866 times:
I'd definitely visit the Met then. (Metropolitan Museum of Art)
If you're into Broadway shows, you can buy tickets at about 50% discount by going to a ticket counter on Broadway and around 40th street on the day of the show.
Most people do not know this, but many museums in NYC eventhough show admission prices by ticket counters, take donations instead. In otehr words, you pay what you want to pay. You just need to ask the cashier if they have that policy in place to make sure.
You may also consider NY City Pass to save on admission or take a double decker tour bus. But it will probably be cold at that time so I don't know if that idea is as good in December.
E-mail me if you want more details about NYC and I'll answer your questions.
Leo.
A mile of runway takes you to the world. A mile of highway takes you a mile.
Texan From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 4206 posts, RR: 53 Reply 9, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 1857 times:
I've only been there once as well, but it was a great time. Ended up doing a lot of walking: from the PANY/NJ Bus Terminal up to 76th and then from there down to Canal, with a stop at an amazing steak place just around the corner from Letterman's theater. It's about a half block off Broadway and Spamalot was playing in a theater on the block, Gallagher's Steak House. Damn good food, but it's pretty darn expensive.
Anyway, the Courtyard in Lyndhurst, NJ actually has some pretty good views of the Manhattan skyline. I was in meetings for most of the time I was up there, but waking up with the windows open and the sun rising over lower Manhattan was absolutely amazing! To top it all off, my driver knew where a Dunkin' Donuts was located on the way back to EWR early in the morning
Have a blast! I'll probably be there for a day around the same time.
Texan
"I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library."
Traindriver From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 10, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 1854 times:
A museum that is somewhat off the beaten track is The Cloisters in
uptown Manhattan. It's affiliated with the Metropolitan Museum and
specializes in medieval European art.
It's located in Fort Tryon Park, about 3/4 mile north of the George
Washington Bridge. From midtown, take the number 4 bus which
stops outside the door. You can also take the A train to the 190th
street station. If you take the train, take the elevator up to Fort
Washington Ave and walk a few blocks thru the park.
You can get info about their collection on the metmuseum.org website.
ATLAaron From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 1018 posts, RR: 4 Reply 11, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 1839 times:
Quoting RwSEA (Reply 3): Honestly, I didn't care much for NYC the one time I visited. I will say that once you get out of Midtown, some of the neighborhoods are pretty cool. I absolutely hated Times Square and most of midtown, so I'd suggest going to this area only for a limited amount of time, and try to spend more of your time in the neighborhoods.
Amen. I have been to most of the major cities in the US and was not thrilled with NYC. And yes do not spend much time in TimesSquare.
I would go see the Museum of Natural History and Central Park though.
Cory6188 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2686 posts, RR: 6 Reply 12, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 1836 times:
Rockleigh, huh? That's about 15-20 minutes away from my house. The town is super tiny, and there aren't too many people who live there - it's basically one big, suburban corporate park.
Just out of curiosity, where are you staying in the area?
Pilot3033 From United States of America, joined May 2006, 111 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 1826 times:
Go to Cony Island. On your way, get off (the Q or F train) at an arbitrary stop and get lost. I'm not kidding. I spent 3 hours walking around Brooklyn, and it was one of the greatest things I ever did for myself.
You want to have real fun in NYC? Get on the subway stop paying attention. Get off somewhere and enjoy it
Central Park is a must though.
I also suggest avoiding "sit-down" restaurants. Where ever you eat, it better be family owned, and the owner should be on the premises (sans for times when he/she is not expected).
Lastly, there is this great chicken and rice place near the Hilton in Midtown. At around midnight, go to that Hilton, and look for the corner with the line half a block down. Trust me, best $5-7 you will ever spend. Ever.
Lincoln From United States of America, joined Nov 2004, 3887 posts, RR: 8 Reply 14, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 1825 times:
Wow... Thanks for all of the replies so far; I appreciate the info and insight.
Quoting Cory6188 (Reply 12): Just out of curiosity, where are you staying in the area?
For the business portion of the trip I'll be at the Comfort Inn in Nanuet-- the company I'm visiting has a significant presence on Volvo Drive. (And all this time I thought they were just in a industrial-parkish-part of Rockleigh...I didn't realize that that WAS Rockleigh [Guilty admission: I've been there twice before, but never had time to "explore" anything past hotel room]
For the pleasure portion of the trip, I don't know yet. If things fall into place (crosses fingers) I'll be at one of the Affinia properties in the city...either that or I'll cash in some Hilton HHonors points
Lincoln
CO Is My Airline of Choice || Baggage Claim is an airline's last chance to disappoint a customer || Next flts in profile
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