2 days in New York

[JkGrocerz]

Ok, I know this might not be the most correct place to post this thread but this is the only forum I like to post on and the only forum where I know the people.


That said, I'm might be in New York for a couple of days this summer before residency starts and was wondering what should be some must see/do things I try to cram in those 2 days. I don't wanna rent a car b/c of hellish NY traffic, so is it plausable to get around just by using the subway?

Thanks!

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[EctopicFetus]

Yes the subway is amazing. Renting a car is insane.

Statue of liberty, ground zero, see a play on broadway, eat some good food.. 2nd ave deli if you like delis.. very upscale food if you can afford it. Go to central park esp on the weekend, stroll 5th ave.. this is off the top of my head..

 

[wook]

Ok, I know this might not be the most correct place to post this thread but this is the only forum I like to post on and the only forum where I know the people.


That said, I'm might be in New York for a couple of days this summer before residency starts and was wondering what should be some must see/do things I try to cram in those 2 days. I don't wanna rent a car b/c of hellish NY traffic, so is it plausable to get around just by using the subway?

Thanks!

I would add th Bronx zoo and Museum of Natural History to EF's suggestions.


Wook

 

[EctopicFetus]

Also Museum of Modern Art MoMa which is quite famous... The zoo is pretty sweet and if you are a baseball fan try to catch a yankee or met game.. This assumes they have a home game while you are there and you are interested.

 

[DrQuinn]

By the way, this is the EXACT place you would want to answer this question. I would almost prefer another EM SDNers' opinion rather than some joe schmoe website.

I asked the same question a year ago when I went up to NYC for vacation... the best place for sushi was SUSHI SAMBA (or is it SAMBA SUSHI). Definately have to go there if you like sushi. Even if you don't, their drinks are great and the people are cool.

Try to go see a Broadway show. I'm nto sure of the best way to get tickets (I ordered mine online), but you should definately do that. I saw the Lion King which was cool (honestly, I had never seen the movie).

Q

 

[EctopicFetus]

You can get tix on the cheap by going to the tickets booth in the middle of broadway. Very cheap and last minute you can get some good shows..

 

[JackBauERfan]

By the way, this is the EXACT place you would want to answer this question. I would almost prefer another EM SDNers' opinion rather than some joe schmoe website.

I asked the same question a year ago when I went up to NYC for vacation... the best place for sushi was SUSHI SAMBA (or is it SAMBA SUSHI). Definately have to go there if you like sushi. Even if you don't, their drinks are great and the people are cool.

Try to go see a Broadway show. I'm nto sure of the best way to get tickets (I ordered mine online), but you should definately do that. I saw the Lion King which was cool (honestly, I had never seen the movie).

Q

I agree SDN EM forum has been good, two months ago when I asked about vegas, I got some cool replies, and did a few of them. Turned out fun! So listen to these guys haha.

I've only been to NY twice so not really sure of places to recommend, but I thought the Empire state building was pretty cool since you get to see most of NY and then pick which places interested you.

 

[DrMom]

so...what would you recommend if one were in NYC for about 5 hrs? (seriously, I have an 8 hr flight layover)

 

[SoCuteMD]

I vote for nightlife - West Village or Union Square. Had dinner at a great restaurant in SoHo a year or so ago - it's called Lucky Strike and the desserts were homemade. The meal was pretty good, but dessert was incredible!

Oh, and "Chip's" (Cipriani) Downtown is just down the street. They will tell you it's "Members Only" unless the bouncer likes the way you look. It was pretty cool once inside.

Daytime activity: the Intrepid and Chelsea Piers.

 

[SoCuteMD]

so...what would you recommend if one were in NYC for about 5 hrs? (seriously, I have an 8 hr flight layover)

Hmmm...focus on the Grand Central area as it's easiest to get to and from there (buses to the major airports from right in front of Grand Central). Ground Zero isn't terribly far if I'm thinking correctly (haven't spent much time in NYC). Or you could just go straight to Central Park and spend some time there.

Will it be you+hubby+kiddo or just you?

If kiddo is included - maybe the intrepid or chelsea piers would be fun!

 

[JkGrocerz]

wow, thanks for all the replies!!

 

[DrMom]

Hmmm...focus on the Grand Central area as it's easiest to get to and from there (buses to the major airports from right in front of Grand Central). Ground Zero isn't terribly far if I'm thinking correctly (haven't spent much time in NYC). Or you could just go straight to Central Park and spend some time there.

Will it be you+hubby+kiddo or just you?

If kiddo is included - maybe the intrepid or chelsea piers would be fun!

It will be the entire family. Mr. & Little Miss haven't been to NYC before.

Thanks for the suggestions (and thanks to JkGrocerz since I posted in his thread )

 

[ERMudPhud]

It will be the entire family. Mr. & Little Miss haven't been to NYC before.

Thanks for the suggestions (and thanks to JkGrocerz since I posted in his thread )

What time of day is your layover and how old are the kids?

 

[emmd06]

Yes the subway is amazing. Renting a car is insane.

Statue of liberty, ground zero, see a play on broadway, eat some good food.. 2nd ave deli if you like delis.. very upscale food if you can afford it. Go to central park esp on the weekend, stroll 5th ave.. this is off the top of my head..

Unfortunately, 2nd Ave Deli closed a couple of months ago. I was heartbroken. If you are a deli person, I would say that Katz's is the other place to go (site of that fake orgasm scene in "When Harry Met Sally"). Although they are known for their quantity of meat, I would say Carnegie Deli is not quite in the same league and is better off skipped.

With kids, Central Park Zoo is great and easy to get to. Bronx Zoo is better, but quite a bit away from other fun things. I second the above vote for Natural History Museum, also.

If you are on a budget, and Broadway shows are your thing, you can go to the TKTS counter in Times Square. Since I didn't care what I saw (popular shows sell out early), I go to TKTS about an hour before shows start, so there is no line. With kids, you may want to plan ahead and see Lion King or other such popular shows.

This post was fun. I will be very sad to leave New York next month, but I hear Chicago is almost as fun.

 

[EctopicFetus]

2nd ave deli closed? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? *Moment of silence*... why did it close?

That was by far the best deli in NYC I tried the others when i lived in NYC and simply put 2nd ave was the best! There are so many little places in NYC that rock but are hard to find. When I went to visit my cuz in NYC a yr ago we went to this russian diner and the food was ridiculously cheap and awesome. not much in the way of ambiance but god the food was good and it was BYOB..

 

[moranwoods]

If you are on a budget, and Broadway shows are your thing, you can go to the TKTS counter in Times Square. Since I didn't care what I saw (popular shows sell out early), I go to TKTS about an hour before shows start, so there is no line. .

The TKTS booth at the South Street Seaport usually has no line at anytime. It's a lot less hectic than Time Square if you can make it downtown.

 

[DrMom]

What time of day is your layover and how old are the kids?

weekday afternoon & 10 year-old

 

[moranwoods]

Sorry for the double post...

DrMom: I took my visiting family to the Top of the Rock -- the observation deck on the top of Rockefeller Center. Awesome views of the city, sure to please adults and kids. If I had only 5 hours, this would be at the top of my list.

Some great restaurants: Markt in the Meatpacking/W. Village. Awesome selection of Belgian beers . Otto, Lupa & Extra Virgin.

EDIT: I found the Statue of Liberty experience to be a lot of standing in line. Taking the free Staten Island Ferry gives you great views of the Statue and the city. I think it serves beer and wine, too.

 

[lingonberry]

I'd recommend seeing the Brooklyn Bridge, or going on the Circle Line boat trip all the way around Manhattan.

Whenever friends of mine come to town, we often just go for walks around different neighborhoods and people seem to really like that. The East Village, the West Village, Soho, Chinatown, Little Italy... It's great for people watching, and there are endless places to stop for lunch or coffee.

Another good museum (if you like photography) is the International Center for Photography. Oh, and how can I forget to recommend the Frick Collection?!

For restaurants I recommend Ulrika's (how often do you get to go out for Swedish food?!) or Chumley's, a former speakesy, or the Corner Bistro if you like burgers. The Magnolia Bakery is worth a stop at too, for one of their famous cupcakes.

Have fun!

 

[Squad51]

See a show! According to my family and friends you should buy, beg or steal tickets to see "Avenue Q" - it is supposedly completely ED humor (I've never seen it but you can read about it at www.avenueq.com). The description to me was "South Park meets Sesame Street in the crack house"

 

[ER-ER-Oh]

OK, two cents from a native NY'er: Get on the F train if it's a nice day and take it to Brooklyn, all the way to the end to Coney Island. Get on the Cyclone roller coaster and ride it twice, sit at the back because you get shaken more. Take the F back to Manhattan, Broadway Lafayette stop, go to Luna restaurant on Mulberry street just above Canal St. for no frills pasta, then to Fanelli bar on Prince and Mercer for a beer (only if Bob, big bald guy former heavy weight contender is tending bar. Tell him I sent you...e.m. resident from brooklyn who used to be boxer). Hit the 'shark' bar over on Mulberry and Prince, trip around the east village a while, finish it off late night at Wo Hop for chinese food at 4am or so in Chinatown (go below Canal street and ask anybody where it is). If you're really intrepid get a couple of walkers (beers in a brown paper bag) and ride the Staaten Island Ferry until the sun comes up, then go to Vaselka on 2nd ave and 9th street for an eastern european breakfast. Then over to cafe Reggio on McDougal street for a dark corner table and a capacino while the fog clears and you get a second wind. Go to central park, take a nap in the sheep meadow, then go to the Metropolitan Museum and go to the armor room then check out Picasso's work. Down to Times Square, eat some mystery meat on a stick from a street vendor, over to 8th avenue for some skanky porno booths, then go up to 79th street between Broadway and Amsterdam to the Dublin House (big harp neon sign) and start drinking again.

 

[moranwoods]

Thanks, ER-ER, you just solidified my weekend plans!!

 

[nuke laloosh]

i took a tour of madison square garden once which was cool if you like sports like me.

 

[ERMudPhud]

OK, two cents from a native NY'er: Get on the F train if it's a nice day and take it to Brooklyn, all the way to the end to Coney Island. Get on the Cyclone roller coaster and ride it twice, sit at the back because you get shaken more. Take the F back to Manhattan, Broadway Lafayette stop, go to Luna restaurant on Mulberry street just above Canal St. for no frills pasta, then to Fanelli bar on Prince and Mercer for a beer (only if Bob, big bald guy former heavy weight contender is tending bar. Tell him I sent you...e.m. resident from brooklyn who used to be boxer). Hit the 'shark' bar over on Mulberry and Prince, trip around the east village a while, finish it off late night at Wo Hop for chinese food at 4am or so in Chinatown (go below Canal street and ask anybody where it is). If you're really intrepid get a couple of walkers (beers in a brown paper bag) and ride the Staaten Island Ferry until the sun comes up, then go to Vaselka on 2nd ave and 9th street for an eastern european breakfast. Then over to cafe Reggio on McDougal street for a dark corner table and a capacino while the fog clears and you get a second wind. Go to central park, take a nap in the sheep meadow, then go to the Metropolitan Museum and go to the armor room then check out Picasso's work. Down to Times Square, eat some mystery meat on a stick from a street vendor, over to 8th avenue for some skanky porno booths, then go up to 79th street between Broadway and Amsterdam to the Dublin House (big harp neon sign) and start drinking again.

That one paragraph brought back more memories than I can count.

Thanks

 

[ERMudPhud]

weekday afternoon & 10 year-old

If I had an afternoon to kill with a 10 year old, I would take a cab straight to city bakery on 18th and 5th for a snack. Then up to the empire state building for the view and from there up to Bloomingdales for some shopping. Finally over to Central Park and the zoo until you have to go back to the airport.

Another itinerary would be to go to the empire state building then to chinatown for lunch at New Green Bo, 66 Bayard. Order the crab soup dumplings (xiao lung bao). Then across the street to Chinatown ice cream factory and finally down to battery park and ground zero

 

[DrMom]

thanks, MudPhud!

 

[saffron]

OK, two cents from a native NY'er: Get on the F train if it's a nice day and take it to Brooklyn, all the way to the end to Coney Island. Get on the Cyclone roller coaster and ride it twice, sit at the back because you get shaken more. Take the F back to Manhattan, Broadway Lafayette stop, go to Luna restaurant on Mulberry street just above Canal St. for no frills pasta, then to Fanelli bar on Prince and Mercer for a beer (only if Bob, big bald guy former heavy weight contender is tending bar. Tell him I sent you...e.m. resident from brooklyn who used to be boxer). Hit the 'shark' bar over on Mulberry and Prince, trip around the east village a while, finish it off late night at Wo Hop for chinese food at 4am or so in Chinatown (go below Canal street and ask anybody where it is). If you're really intrepid get a couple of walkers (beers in a brown paper bag) and ride the Staaten Island Ferry until the sun comes up, then go to Vaselka on 2nd ave and 9th street for an eastern european breakfast. Then over to cafe Reggio on McDougal street for a dark corner table and a capacino while the fog clears and you get a second wind. Go to central park, take a nap in the sheep meadow, then go to the Metropolitan Museum and go to the armor room then check out Picasso's work. Down to Times Square, eat some mystery meat on a stick from a street vendor, over to 8th avenue for some skanky porno booths, then go up to 79th street between Broadway and Amsterdam to the Dublin House (big harp neon sign) and start drinking again.

this is why i love the City.

in addition to all these great suggestions, i have one more: just sit near a window at a cafe in SoHo or the upper west side, have a great cup of coffee, and take in the sheer intensity and diversity of the people you are surrounded by and the experiences you are having. you are, after all, in one of the epicenters of the world. enjoy.