New York City in March
Dec 12th, 2009, 02:46 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
New York City in March
Taking my twenty something niece up to New York for an interview the week of the 8th of March. May be cold weather? Will be staying in Times Square. Can anyone recommend tours and restaurants that a twenty something would enjoy? Thanks!
Dec 12th, 2009, 02:57 PM
#2
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 26,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Does she have a particular interest?
Does she have an idea what profession she would like to pursue?
Does she like art, architecture, thatre?
What types of food does she like?
IS there something she would like to try?
IS she a shopper. if yes what does she like?
Does she have an idea what profession she would like to pursue?
Does she like art, architecture, thatre?
What types of food does she like?
IS there something she would like to try?
IS she a shopper. if yes what does she like?
Dec 12th, 2009, 03:42 PM
#3
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That weather is still winter and is much more likely to be cold than springish - but you won't know for sure until about a week in advance. (We've had major blizzards - up to 2 feet - in late March).
Not sure why you're staying in Times Square (quite unpleasant) unless you're doing a lot of theater or the interview is near there. And not sure what this is an interview for if the niece is twenty-something. She would probably prefer to be downtown which is much more trendy in terms of shops, restaurants and clubs etc.
If she is looking to live in NYC I would definitely stay in one of the residential areas so she gets more of a view of the real city (Times Square is a major business district and theaters - that's about it).
And without knowing her, her interests, and the purpose/circumstances of the interview it's difficult to give truly useful advice.
And I can;t think of any tour that a 20-something would enjoy - IMHO they're just a very expensive waste of time.
Not sure why you're staying in Times Square (quite unpleasant) unless you're doing a lot of theater or the interview is near there. And not sure what this is an interview for if the niece is twenty-something. She would probably prefer to be downtown which is much more trendy in terms of shops, restaurants and clubs etc.
If she is looking to live in NYC I would definitely stay in one of the residential areas so she gets more of a view of the real city (Times Square is a major business district and theaters - that's about it).
And without knowing her, her interests, and the purpose/circumstances of the interview it's difficult to give truly useful advice.
And I can;t think of any tour that a 20-something would enjoy - IMHO they're just a very expensive waste of time.
Dec 12th, 2009, 04:50 PM
#4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 981
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Perhaps you might both enjoy one of the Food Tours? http://www.foodsofny.com we have done the Greenwich Village Tour - highly recommended! Friends of ours went on the Chelsea Market/Meatpacking tour which they really enjoyed. Knowledgeable local guides, good food, a bit of history, and a lot of fun! People of all ages were on tours and all enjoyed it.
Dec 13th, 2009, 05:48 PM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Niece is heading up for an interview with a fashion magazine. Yes, the interview is near times square. She loves fashion and looks like a model herself. Likes to shop in trendy high fashion places. When you say stay in downtown not times square, please tell me what is in downtown as I'm just not that familiar with NYC. Been three times but with people with a differet focus. I'm thinking she would enjoy soho as well. Open for any recommendations.
Dec 13th, 2009, 06:14 PM
#6
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 26,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are many small owner/boutiques in the East Village between 9 and 12 Streets between A and 2nd Ave.
See if the Met Museum has a costume exhibit.
Soho has Prada and some other high end stores while lower Braodway has many discount jeans places.
She will also be interested in the Museum at FIT.
See if the Met Museum has a costume exhibit.
Soho has Prada and some other high end stores while lower Braodway has many discount jeans places.
She will also be interested in the Museum at FIT.
Dec 14th, 2009, 11:55 AM
#7
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Times Square is the lest trendy place in NYC - mostly tourists except for people going to work or the theater.
If she gets the job she won;t be living anywhere near there - nor is this a place for fashion or trendy shopping - mostly souvenirs. Top designer shopping is largely up Madison avenue from 57th St. Downtown is trendier designers, lost of cute shops (some funky, some antique) and a much younger atmosphere in terms of shops, restaurants, clubs etc.
Agree she should look at the Met Costume Institute, exhibits at FIT and check out New York Magazine web site Events section to see what is going on in fashion while you are there.
If she gets the job she won;t be living anywhere near there - nor is this a place for fashion or trendy shopping - mostly souvenirs. Top designer shopping is largely up Madison avenue from 57th St. Downtown is trendier designers, lost of cute shops (some funky, some antique) and a much younger atmosphere in terms of shops, restaurants, clubs etc.
Agree she should look at the Met Costume Institute, exhibits at FIT and check out New York Magazine web site Events section to see what is going on in fashion while you are there.
Dec 14th, 2009, 05:38 PM
#9
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No - Midtown is from 34th St up to 57th St. (Some would say the upper 20's is midtown too.) This is primarily a business district, includes Times Square and the theater district, and has traditional shopping and some major museums/sights. Most of the major museums are uptown, which is primarily residential.
Downtown is a very large area south of that made up of a bunch of different areas, the financial district, the city government center area, Chinatown, Little Italy, Greenwich Village, SoHo, Chelsea, East Village, Lower East Side, Battery Park, South Ferry etc.
There are newer hotels opening up in SoHo and Chelsea - some very luxe but sme much more basic - you need to shop for your exact dates - but that is fairly low season - so there should be bargains to be had, Can you share a double room or do you need a double double (2 double or queen beds?). You could check travelzoo.com to see what deal they have for March. Also checl hotel web sites directly.
Downtown is a very large area south of that made up of a bunch of different areas, the financial district, the city government center area, Chinatown, Little Italy, Greenwich Village, SoHo, Chelsea, East Village, Lower East Side, Battery Park, South Ferry etc.
There are newer hotels opening up in SoHo and Chelsea - some very luxe but sme much more basic - you need to shop for your exact dates - but that is fairly low season - so there should be bargains to be had, Can you share a double room or do you need a double double (2 double or queen beds?). You could check travelzoo.com to see what deal they have for March. Also checl hotel web sites directly.
Dec 30th, 2009, 08:31 PM
#10
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you can share a double or queen room rather than having a room with 2 beds you can take a look at Gild Hall, downtown in the Financial District. This area is very quiet at night, not too many restaurants in the neighborhood but the hotel is usually reasonably priced on quikbook.com or orbitz.com and it's a great place.
btw: Did you know that Houston St. is pronounced 'HOWston St.' and SoHo is the abbreviation for 'South of Howston'?
btw: Did you know that Houston St. is pronounced 'HOWston St.' and SoHo is the abbreviation for 'South of Howston'?
Dec 31st, 2009, 04:23 AM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd bet your niece would love The Ace Hotel on 28th and 6th Ave, very trendy and in the "silicon alley" area of New York. Some shopping not far away at Macy's and if she likes labels she would LOVE Daffy's at 6th and 34th. (deeply discounted labels).
The Ace is becoming a celebrity hotel, lots of musicians and the rooms are very cute. I actually toured the hotel not long ago and loved it myself.
If your niece has not been to NYC before, I can understand why you would think of Times Square. Contrary to other posters, Times Square is NOT horrible, crowded and busy and mostly tourists, but there are a few shops and restaurants in the area and most of the theatres, and comedy clubs. I was actually there yesterday walking uptown.
Hope this helps.
The Ace is becoming a celebrity hotel, lots of musicians and the rooms are very cute. I actually toured the hotel not long ago and loved it myself.
If your niece has not been to NYC before, I can understand why you would think of Times Square. Contrary to other posters, Times Square is NOT horrible, crowded and busy and mostly tourists, but there are a few shops and restaurants in the area and most of the theatres, and comedy clubs. I was actually there yesterday walking uptown.
Hope this helps.
Dec 31st, 2009, 07:42 PM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am a 24-year old and I went to to NYC last March with some friends and the weather was pretty scattered. Our first day was pretty nice; I started out wearing a light jacket and ended up taking it off. As the week went on, it got colder and colder. We also had a day or two of rain. I would suggest bringing a warm coat and things you can layer...also an umbrella. One day was so cold we ended up buying scarves and hats from a street vendor.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Midtown West. The rooms were huge by New York standards (normal-sized anywhere else). We got a great price on Hotwire and it was walking distance to Times Square, but not right in the action. Also close to the subway. It was also walking distance to Hell's Kitchen where you can find plenty of great restaurants. Unfortunately one of our favorite restaurants has closed. My sister and her boyfriend ate at Five Napkin Burger in Hell's Kitchen and they really enjoyed their food there.
One of our favorite things we did was ride the Staten Island Ferry. It's free and it gets close enough to the Statue of Liberty to get some great photos. It was also nice and relaxing to sit for awhile.
As crazy as Times Square can be, I do know people who have stayed there and enjoyed it. If you want to be in the middle of the action, that is definitely the place to stay. Otherwise, I would recommend staying someplace within walking distance but not quite in Times Square.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Midtown West. The rooms were huge by New York standards (normal-sized anywhere else). We got a great price on Hotwire and it was walking distance to Times Square, but not right in the action. Also close to the subway. It was also walking distance to Hell's Kitchen where you can find plenty of great restaurants. Unfortunately one of our favorite restaurants has closed. My sister and her boyfriend ate at Five Napkin Burger in Hell's Kitchen and they really enjoyed their food there.
One of our favorite things we did was ride the Staten Island Ferry. It's free and it gets close enough to the Statue of Liberty to get some great photos. It was also nice and relaxing to sit for awhile.
As crazy as Times Square can be, I do know people who have stayed there and enjoyed it. If you want to be in the middle of the action, that is definitely the place to stay. Otherwise, I would recommend staying someplace within walking distance but not quite in Times Square.
Jan 10th, 2010, 01:04 PM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you so much for the information. I'm sure that we will have fun no matter what. Last time we all three got together at the Belle Chere festival we ended up leading about 200 people in a standing rendition of Don't stop Believing by Journey. Started out singing it at a sidwalk cafe then next table joined us and then people stopped in the street and joined us and then restaurant played it again and people got out their lighters and sang it along with us. We know how to make the most of wherever we are! I do appreciate all the wonderful advice.
Jan 10th, 2010, 06:47 PM
#14
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Conde Nast (Vogue, Glamour, Mademoiselle, Brides) and most other fashion publications are based in or near time square. Conde Nast I believe is on 42nd st. If your niece has an interview there, you were right to choose a hotel near her interview site (reduces the stress no worries about being stuck in traffic or delayed subways getting to her interview).
In terms of fashion there are interesting small designer boutiques in NoLita which is very close to Soho (Prada store and second location of major designer stores, main ones are either around 5th and Maidson aves starting in the 50s). There's also Henri Bendels and Bergdorf on 5th.
There's also the fashion district in the W30s, that's disappearing. Donna Karan has her headquarters in that area.
More information about the district: http://www.fashioncenter.com/neighborhood/visit/
Fashion related tours:
Fashion Walk of Fame
Tightwad tour-a tour to visit some showrooms in the Fashion District http://theeleganttightwad.com/
In terms of fashion there are interesting small designer boutiques in NoLita which is very close to Soho (Prada store and second location of major designer stores, main ones are either around 5th and Maidson aves starting in the 50s). There's also Henri Bendels and Bergdorf on 5th.
There's also the fashion district in the W30s, that's disappearing. Donna Karan has her headquarters in that area.
More information about the district: http://www.fashioncenter.com/neighborhood/visit/
Fashion related tours:
Fashion Walk of Fame
Tightwad tour-a tour to visit some showrooms in the Fashion District http://theeleganttightwad.com/
Jan 10th, 2010, 10:32 PM
#15
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 26,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are many young designer/owners stores on East 8 to East 11th Street From Ave A to 2nd Ave. And it still the best food value/variety neighborhood in Manhattan. (There are also gread food value/variety nerighborhoods in Queens.)
