New York in September
Jan 25th, 2003, 08:12 AM
#1
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New York in September
I am planning on taking my mum to NYC for a birthday surprise in September. What is the temp like in Sept?? Are there little cafes we can sit outside (weather permitting) and have a glass of wine and watch the world go by??
Is it better to stay midtown or soho
Is it better to stay midtown or soho
Jan 25th, 2003, 08:19 AM
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Sept. is a great time to come. Usually not too hot or cold. Of course, weather is unpredictable.
Midtown is where the tourist action is. The theater, Empire State Building, and Rockefeller Center are all close by. The area is crowded, but vibrant.
However, Soho may be more something you and your mother may enjoy. There will be plenty of cafes open with outside seating. The shopping is better. The environment is quieter and more civilized. Plus, you will get a sense of the "real" NY.
Midtown is where the tourist action is. The theater, Empire State Building, and Rockefeller Center are all close by. The area is crowded, but vibrant.
However, Soho may be more something you and your mother may enjoy. There will be plenty of cafes open with outside seating. The shopping is better. The environment is quieter and more civilized. Plus, you will get a sense of the "real" NY.
Jan 25th, 2003, 12:04 PM
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Kez,
Can't tell you much about outdoor seating at cafes, though I know there are many. Just would reiterate what "a" said about it being quieter and more pleasant outside of Midtown, which can be hectic and crowded with tourists. If you're looking for places to relax at outdoor cafes, soak up the neighborhood atmosphere, etc, you might be better having your base in Soho or someplace similar downtown, and hop on the subway, or walk, when you want to go to Midtown for shows, attractions, etc.
As "a" said, Sept. is a great time. Bearing in mind that weather can be unpredictable, Sept. is usually still pretty summer-like. There's always the possibility of a heat wave of upper-80's to 90 degree weather, or a cool spell in the 60's. But Sept. weather in NY is usually in the 70s; warm, pleasant and clear blue skies.
(If I'm wrong and it rains nonstop during your trip...sorry!)
Can't tell you much about outdoor seating at cafes, though I know there are many. Just would reiterate what "a" said about it being quieter and more pleasant outside of Midtown, which can be hectic and crowded with tourists. If you're looking for places to relax at outdoor cafes, soak up the neighborhood atmosphere, etc, you might be better having your base in Soho or someplace similar downtown, and hop on the subway, or walk, when you want to go to Midtown for shows, attractions, etc.
As "a" said, Sept. is a great time. Bearing in mind that weather can be unpredictable, Sept. is usually still pretty summer-like. There's always the possibility of a heat wave of upper-80's to 90 degree weather, or a cool spell in the 60's. But Sept. weather in NY is usually in the 70s; warm, pleasant and clear blue skies.
(If I'm wrong and it rains nonstop during your trip...sorry!)
Jan 27th, 2003, 10:14 AM
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Kez, if you're visiting in the early part of September, it may be hot. We've even had hot weather in October but September generally is a good time to be in New York because the energy picks up after a hot summer.
There are many outdoor cafes/restaurants and also gardens in some places - many of them are downtown in SoHo, Greenwich Village, the East Village and Chelsea. These neighborhoods are walkable and near to each other.
Midtown is busier so it depends what your primary interests are. Theater, museums, shopping.
There are some museums and many art galleries downtown too but not like uptown with Museum Mile.
If you could provide more information, we could better suggest that you and your mum (are you from England or Australia?)
stay midtown or SoHo.
There are many outdoor cafes/restaurants and also gardens in some places - many of them are downtown in SoHo, Greenwich Village, the East Village and Chelsea. These neighborhoods are walkable and near to each other.
Midtown is busier so it depends what your primary interests are. Theater, museums, shopping.
There are some museums and many art galleries downtown too but not like uptown with Museum Mile.
If you could provide more information, we could better suggest that you and your mum (are you from England or Australia?)
stay midtown or SoHo.
Jan 27th, 2003, 11:33 AM
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The city is full of places to sit outside, though many of the ones where you can watch the world go by are not actually that nice. I think many of the nicest outdoor spaces are in back of restaurants, not in front; in front of resturants in New York can be a crummy place to be. There are not so many wide terraces as there are in European cities.
The cafe in front of the Stanhope, across from the Metropolitan Museum, is super expensive but worth it I think, have coffee and piece of cake.
I also like the outside tables at Blue Water Grill on Union Square, because they are raised up off the sidewalk on a demi-balcony.
Also there are places along Madison Avenue uptown that look nice.
Also -- the cafe at St Bart's church on Park Avenue would be a nice place to sit.
Oh! Also the Boathouse in Central Park -- I would put a star on that one!!
It's a not-great but okay restaurant in a fantastically wonderful setting, wiht lots of places outside.
And there is a place at the Boat Basin on the West Side by the Hudson River, in Riverside Park.
AND -- in Battery Park City (if you go down near the WTC site, or to Centuray 21 for shopping) -- a place called Steamers has many outdoor tables offering a view of the promenade there, with plenty of people, and the water.
Other people will have other ideas I am sure.
As to where to stay -- though the downtown neighborhoods (Soho, Greenwich Village, East Village, Tribeca, maybe Gramery Park) are best for ambling around and cafe-sitting, if you want to go to the theatre at night I'd vote for staying in midtown, so you can walk home at the end of an evening.
If however you just want to go to restaurants, music performances, movies, bars, clubs, or cafes at night (or stay in for that matter!), then Soho would be better.
The cafe in front of the Stanhope, across from the Metropolitan Museum, is super expensive but worth it I think, have coffee and piece of cake.
I also like the outside tables at Blue Water Grill on Union Square, because they are raised up off the sidewalk on a demi-balcony.
Also there are places along Madison Avenue uptown that look nice.
Also -- the cafe at St Bart's church on Park Avenue would be a nice place to sit.
Oh! Also the Boathouse in Central Park -- I would put a star on that one!!
It's a not-great but okay restaurant in a fantastically wonderful setting, wiht lots of places outside.
And there is a place at the Boat Basin on the West Side by the Hudson River, in Riverside Park.
AND -- in Battery Park City (if you go down near the WTC site, or to Centuray 21 for shopping) -- a place called Steamers has many outdoor tables offering a view of the promenade there, with plenty of people, and the water.
Other people will have other ideas I am sure.
As to where to stay -- though the downtown neighborhoods (Soho, Greenwich Village, East Village, Tribeca, maybe Gramery Park) are best for ambling around and cafe-sitting, if you want to go to the theatre at night I'd vote for staying in midtown, so you can walk home at the end of an evening.
If however you just want to go to restaurants, music performances, movies, bars, clubs, or cafes at night (or stay in for that matter!), then Soho would be better.
Jan 28th, 2003, 06:54 AM
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September should be a good time to visit. I think the Central Park West Area is the best location for visiting. Generally safe, in a great area and convenient to all. Can be expensive (try Priceline). Midtown is hectic and packed with office towers, but tourists seem to like it there. See Times Square towards evening for the lights - maybe before or after a show. Otherwise head north to Upper West/East Side or South to Village, Soho area. Your Mom might like tea at a big, posh hotel like the Pierre, Plaza or Plaza Athenee. Get a Zagat's (or go online to Zagat's) and scope some places out. If your Mom is into gardens, get to the New York Botanic Gardens in the Bronx or the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens is right next to the Brooklyn Museum of Art, which has a nice cafe and is worth a visit. Go on a weekday. The Bronx Zoo is a great day out also. Not far from the NY Botanic Gardens, but would probably be too much to do in one day. If you go down to the Seaport/Chinatown area, take a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for a view of NYC you'll never forget.
