NYC Suggestions - Six Week Trip…?

Old Aug 27th, 2015, 03:49 PM
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NYC Suggestions - Six Week Trip…?

We are thrilled to be spending six weeks in NY in Nov and Dec and I wanted to get some tips from you all. My husband has family in Manhattan and we normally visit once a year so I’m familiar with the major cultural institutions/museums (Met, Moma, Frick, Nat. History, Morgan, NY Historical Society, Asia Society, Neue Museum, Guggenheim, Cooper Hewitt etc). However, I’ve never spent more than 10 days in the city, frankly it’s just too expensive. So we’re excited to be sorting out a sublet - entirely legal so no need to start the Air BnB debate . We will be in Chelsea on 24th around the corner from the Flat Iron building and it will be lovely to have Thanksgiving with the family. I’m looking forward to getting to know this area, so I’m happy for any neighborhood suggestions too.

We spent three months in London over the spring and it was incredible to have the time to finally search out smaller museums and regional collections I’d never seen. There were a lot of them and there’s a thread over on the Europe forum. Anyway, the time in New York is shorter but the aim is similar, and I’ll be blogging about what I see as I go along. Here’s the current list of places I’d like to visit; Tenement Museum, Whitney, Noguchi Museum, Brooklyn Museum, MOMA PS1, Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum and the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space which I’m been meaning to visit for a few years.

There are also places I will be revisiting including places mentioned above, the Cloisters and the Museum of the City of New York. Over the years I got to know the Met quite well but this time (as I did in Paris for the Louvre) I’m going to take the Great Courses’ "Introduction the the Metropolitan Museum” lectures and then visit the things I’ve been hearing about. So, I guess what I’m asking is were would you go? I’m sure I’m overlooking things in Queens and the Bronx though it’s not such a great time for outdoor attractions like the Botanical Gardens. I’m interested in street art so that's something I’d like to follow up on, food, cultural history, interiors, historic homes etc. We did a food tour of Arthur Avenue on a recent trip which I loved. We are big theatre goers but I have to say we aren’t fond of musicals and I’m always shocked by the cost of tickets in NY in comparison with London. We will probably focus on off-Broadway and off-off Broadway if anyone has any recommendations or pointers.

Thanks very much for any time you take in answering. Though I’m rarely on the US board I have posted a bit on the Europe, Asia and even Africa boards over the years.
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Old Aug 27th, 2015, 04:25 PM
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What would I do? I'd pick up copies of the NY Times, New York magazine, Time Out, etc. and plan my day accordingly. I wouldn't plan anything in advance...just plan when here.

And, hopefully, your rental, even though it is over 30 days, is legal...many coops, condos, and rental buildings prohibit short term rentals.
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Old Aug 27th, 2015, 04:53 PM
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I subscribe to the NYT and the New Yorker but I will certainly check out Time Out and New York Magazine, thanks for the suggestion.

I'm not looking to plan out specific days out in advance, rather I'm looking to start with a list of potential places or neighborhoods to check out. It's less about seeing everything than having options or ideas about what might be interesting. I've found this sort of general idea very helpful on longer trips, it gives you a possible destination on a Tuesday morning when you think, "where shall I go today?"

As mentioned the rental is legal- it follows the coop rules.
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Old Aug 27th, 2015, 04:59 PM
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The Botanical Garden in the Bronx has a special indoor exhibition for the holidays that is incredible. Check the dates and definitely go.

Have you been to Ellis Island? Or the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria?

And what about the Museum of Natural History? The evolution exhibit is incredible.

Plus you should have time to explore a ton of galleries.
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Old Aug 27th, 2015, 06:56 PM
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The Met has the most elegant Christmas tree.
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Old Aug 27th, 2015, 07:18 PM
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Just adding that I'm envious. We go fairly often but never get to stay long. I do hope you will report back here.

November and December are among my favorite times in New York. Lucky you!
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Old Aug 27th, 2015, 08:14 PM
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Go to the zoo and have lunch or dinner at Arthur's Ave
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Old Aug 27th, 2015, 10:48 PM
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Thanks so much for the suggestions everyone, we've never been to Ellis Island (I had almost forgotten about it) and the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria would certainly be new. I didn't know the NY The Botanical Garden had an indoor exhibit for Christmas (so that's a good pick) and I could possibly combine it with lunch on Arthur Avenue.

I'm very fond of the Christmas tree at the Met and looking forward to seeing it again, who could resist the camels?!!

I plan to let you know how it goes. When we've done these longer stays in Europe I've done a kind of ongoing trip report, maybe I'll do the same for NY.

tuscanlifeedit we are certainly happy and grateful to have this much time in NY. WE normally stay for no more than five days though some friends lent us their apartment last year when we stayed for more like ten. I've written about it elsewhere, but if you live near a university its possibly to rent to (or from) academics on their sabbaticals. It's a great way to help jumpstart longer-term travel. We had been hoping to make an exchange,but it didn't work out - maybe next time!
http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/2014/...cal-homes.html

I certainly hope we have time for some of the smaller galleries near where we are staying. I really don't know the downtown gallery scene.

If anyone has any more ideas or neighborhoods to suggest exploring I'd appreciate any advice.

We were in NY for a family event a few weeks ago and we made it to MOMA to see the Migration Series by Jacob Lawrence. I've wanted to see the complete series for years and it was very special. It's an amazing artistic interpretation of the movement of African American in search of both work, education and opportunities from the rural south to the industrial north. His use of color to invoke both movement and stillness is quite moving. While we were at MOMA I saw a sign saying they have put together an audio walking tour of Lawrence's Harlem which sounded fascinating.

Anyway here's all the info incase anyone else is interested.

http://www.moma.org/interactives/exh.../walking-tour/
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Old Aug 28th, 2015, 01:20 AM
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The Cloisters.

Go to Flusing, Queens for Chinese, Indian or Korean or to Jackson Heights.

A Lower East Side food tour-Yonah Schimmel, Pickle Guys, Kossar's, Donut Plant, Essex Market, Economy Candy. Do not go late Friday or Saturday some places will be closed.

The residential architecture of the West Village particularly 9, 10, 11, 12 Streets between 5th and 6th Aves. Then into the smaller streets-Hiratio, Perry, Commerce, etc.

The residential architecture of Brooklyn Heights with a mid-eastern meal on Atlantic AVe.

There are many designer/owner young women's clothes stores in the East Village on 9,10, 11, Streets between 2nd Ave and Ave A.

Dim Sum in Manhattan-Jing Fong, Nom Wah, and Golden Unicorn

Strand books and the newly re-opened Rizzoli's.
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Old Aug 28th, 2015, 04:02 AM
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Definitely visit the Christmas Market in Bryant Park and also check out the exhibit at the main branch of the Public Library. And visit the Reading Room if you have never been there - gorgeous.
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Old Aug 28th, 2015, 05:17 AM
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A small museum we have enjoyed is The Rubin Museum of Art on West 17th St.
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Old Aug 28th, 2015, 07:47 AM
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Wow, lucky you!

Could you please post a link to your information about the sabbatical-renting? (or send it to me at sf7307 at gmail). Thanks!
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Old Aug 28th, 2015, 07:49 AM
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Sorry, I just clicked on the link you did include. (In the immortal words of Roseanne Roseannadanna, "never mind")
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Old Aug 28th, 2015, 09:18 AM
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Thanks so much for all the additional suggestions this is exactly what I was hoping for, all are much appreciated.

nytraveler - I've never been into the Public Library which is something I'll hopefully rectify and I'll look up the Rubin Museum too, thanks for the suggestion HappyTrvlr.

Talking of small museums, the Merchant House also looks interesting, has anyone been?
http://merchantshouse.org/visit/

IMDonehere, thanks so much for the neighborhood/food recommendations they are much appreciated, I need to do some more research. I'm checking out the MAS (the Municipal Arts Society) which has some interesting programs/walks.
https://secure3.convio.net/masnyc/si...?store_id=1221

I've been reading about the new Rizzoli in the NYT. We will certainly be at Strand, in fact one of my major problems in NY will be the ENDLESS amount of time my husband will be spending in Strand and how many book we will have to ship home! I still can't believe Scribners is now a Sephora, it says a lot about the changes in the city.

sf7307 glad you found the link. We've had such great luck renting to people on sabbatical and I'm happy to share the info.
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Old Aug 28th, 2015, 11:29 AM
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See if you can borrow the AIA Guide to NYC from the library. The paper version weighs a ton but I have the electronic version for tablet. Not cheap, and that is why I am suggesting the library.
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Old Aug 28th, 2015, 11:50 AM
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Great suggestion, we went on an AIA boat trip around the southern edge of Manhattan a while back. My brother-in-law is an architect in NY and he got some sort of minor professional credit for it, despite the fact that all we seemed to be doing was drinking cheap wine and taking in the view. He may have the guide and if so I'll borrow his copy, if not I'll head to the library.
I must admit I have an addiction to purchasing these sorts of guides and walking tour books that I need to wean myself away from.

Do you like the electronic version? I must admit I haven't warmed to guidebooks on my tablet though I do use it occasionally for the New Yorker.
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Old Aug 28th, 2015, 12:20 PM
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The Holiday Train Show at the Bronx Botanical Garden is wonderful. Current and historic New York buildings all made out of natural materials and with model trains running past them. Here's last year's link is below; current information isn't available yet. Check out the Bar Car Nights--no children/large school groups to contend with. If you decide not to do a bar car night, I would highly recommend to get a ticket with entrance time WHEN THE FACILITY OPENS. Otherwise, it really gets crowded. And yes, for sure get tickets in advance--well in advance. They sell out.

http://www.nybg.org/exhibitions/2014...show/index.php

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/new-y...ain-show-bronx
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Old Aug 28th, 2015, 12:20 PM
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The Holiday Train Show at the Bronx Botanical Garden is wonderful. Current and historic New York buildings all made out of natural materials and with model trains running past them. Here's last year's link is below; current information isn't available yet. Check out the Bar Car Nights--no children/large school groups to contend with. If you decide not to do a bar car night, I would highly recommend to get a ticket with entrance time WHEN THE FACILITY OPENS. Otherwise, it really gets crowded. And yes, for sure get tickets in advance--well in advance. They sell out.

http://www.nybg.org/exhibitions/2014...show/index.php

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/new-y...ain-show-bronx
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Old Aug 28th, 2015, 12:44 PM
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Thanks Maryanntex, I'll check out the links!
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Old Aug 28th, 2015, 03:01 PM
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I know musicals are not at the top of your list but there is a very interesting
production of The King and I at the Vivian Beaumont in Lincoln Center.
Also, the ticket prices are a little bit gentler than Broadway houses.
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