Questions re NYC museum-heavy itinerary
May 24th, 2011, 09:01 AM
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Questions re NYC museum-heavy itinerary
We're (me, DH and DS) making a short trip to NYC next month. The main focus of the trip is museums (the Met, Frick, MOMA, Guggenheim, Museum of Comics and Cartoon Art and the Tenement Museum). We're also planning a campus visit to NYU (college possibility for DS) and time in that environs and time in the Lower East Side when we visit the Tenement Museum.
We'll have 3 full days plus our arrival day (a Sat), arriving in the late afternoon, and most of the day on our departure day (Wed).
Any suggestions on which are the best days to visit the museums, primarily the Met (I know the closed days of each museum)? We're planning on an entire day at the Met. As the Guggenheim is open late on Saturday, I'm thinking of visiting the Guggenheim then.
FYI, we're also big foodies, not necessarily high-end on this trip, but any good food. Dinners are all already planned and reserved, and I have ideas for lunch (including some of the food carts/trucks), but welcome any suggestions.
We've visited NYC before, and don't feel that we need to visit other of the usual must-see sights, though of course we may if we have time.
Thanks in advance!
We'll have 3 full days plus our arrival day (a Sat), arriving in the late afternoon, and most of the day on our departure day (Wed).
Any suggestions on which are the best days to visit the museums, primarily the Met (I know the closed days of each museum)? We're planning on an entire day at the Met. As the Guggenheim is open late on Saturday, I'm thinking of visiting the Guggenheim then.
FYI, we're also big foodies, not necessarily high-end on this trip, but any good food. Dinners are all already planned and reserved, and I have ideas for lunch (including some of the food carts/trucks), but welcome any suggestions.
We've visited NYC before, and don't feel that we need to visit other of the usual must-see sights, though of course we may if we have time.
Thanks in advance!
May 24th, 2011, 09:19 AM
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Tuesday are very busy at the Met becuase it is closed on Mondays. If it raining, that will also add some visitors.
The Tenement Museum only has scheduled tours.
You have an impossible schedule for the time allotted, especially if you are going to tour NYU and spend at a day at the Met.
If I may ask, what which school does your son intend to seubmit an application?
The Tenement Museum only has scheduled tours.
You have an impossible schedule for the time allotted, especially if you are going to tour NYU and spend at a day at the Met.
If I may ask, what which school does your son intend to seubmit an application?
May 24th, 2011, 09:39 AM
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Having just returned (today) from a museum-heavy trip with 4 full days, I can tell you that you may burn out on visiting museums. We did. I had 8 planned and we did 5.
On our first full day we took public transportation to our northernmost point (the Guggenheim) and worked our way down Fifth Ave. That's what I'd recommend.
Unless you're extremely efficient and/or energetic, I don't think you can do all of that in 3.5 days. You COULD do it, but I doubt you'll WANT to, in the end. You might consider whittling down the list a bit.
Good luck and have a great time!
Re. breakfast and lunch, I recommend Norma's at Le Parker Meridien for fabulous brunch, served all day. Really delicious! http://www.parkermeridien.com/eat1.php
On our first full day we took public transportation to our northernmost point (the Guggenheim) and worked our way down Fifth Ave. That's what I'd recommend.
Unless you're extremely efficient and/or energetic, I don't think you can do all of that in 3.5 days. You COULD do it, but I doubt you'll WANT to, in the end. You might consider whittling down the list a bit.
Good luck and have a great time!
Re. breakfast and lunch, I recommend Norma's at Le Parker Meridien for fabulous brunch, served all day. Really delicious! http://www.parkermeridien.com/eat1.php
May 24th, 2011, 09:42 AM
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Are you doing an actual NYU tour, or just wandering around the area. NYU doesn't have a campus in the traditional sense, it's spread out in the general area around Washington Square Park.
Of the museum you mention, only the Tenement is downtown (although I don't know where the animation museum is). You can try to do both that and NYU on the same day. The Met and Guggenheim are near each other, so maybe those 2 could be done together as well, although keep in mind the the Met is huge, so you may have to pick a handful of exhibits to see. It would take days to see everything.
There's lots of good (and reasonable) food in the E. Village (which is more or less between NYU and Tenement). Some good places are Lavagna, I Coppi, 26 Seats, Tree, and many more but this is what comes to mind. Check menupages.com for more info on restaurants. Also in the area, for fast eats, there's Caracas (for Arepas) in the E. Village and Mamoun's (falafel's) in Greenwich Village (near NYU).
Of the museum you mention, only the Tenement is downtown (although I don't know where the animation museum is). You can try to do both that and NYU on the same day. The Met and Guggenheim are near each other, so maybe those 2 could be done together as well, although keep in mind the the Met is huge, so you may have to pick a handful of exhibits to see. It would take days to see everything.
There's lots of good (and reasonable) food in the E. Village (which is more or less between NYU and Tenement). Some good places are Lavagna, I Coppi, 26 Seats, Tree, and many more but this is what comes to mind. Check menupages.com for more info on restaurants. Also in the area, for fast eats, there's Caracas (for Arepas) in the E. Village and Mamoun's (falafel's) in Greenwich Village (near NYU).
May 24th, 2011, 09:55 AM
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Sounds like Sunday is our best day for the Met, then.
Yes, I know, the Tenement Museum only has scheduled tours. We haven't decided yet which we'll take; they all look good, and it depends on our time frame.
Impossible? I didn't think it was that bad. Generally speaking, I was thinking the Guggenheim on the first evening; 1 day for the Met; 1 day for MOMA and the Frick; 1/2 day-ish for NYU and that area (and I suppose the Cartoon Museum); 1/2 day for the Tenement Museum and that area. That still gives us some leeway - what part of this do you think wouldn't work? I'd love guidance from a New Yorker.
On the school question. He's just finishing up his sophomore year, so this is a very preliminary visit, and being made because we'll be in New York - it's not a trip specifically for him to scout out NYU. He has stars in his eyes about NYU and living in NYC. His dream life would be to be a film director (directing commercials is ok with him, too), but he recognizes the difficulty of that. He's definitely looking at a liberal arts degree (sigh), possibly a double major, film and something like history. He's young enough that he really could end up with any sort of degree, other than one in the sciences. Our goal is for him to be employable, and employed, after graduation (though grad school, the kind that leads to employment, is fine too). I'd welcome any suggestions on this front, too!
Yes, I know, the Tenement Museum only has scheduled tours. We haven't decided yet which we'll take; they all look good, and it depends on our time frame.
Impossible? I didn't think it was that bad. Generally speaking, I was thinking the Guggenheim on the first evening; 1 day for the Met; 1 day for MOMA and the Frick; 1/2 day-ish for NYU and that area (and I suppose the Cartoon Museum); 1/2 day for the Tenement Museum and that area. That still gives us some leeway - what part of this do you think wouldn't work? I'd love guidance from a New Yorker.
On the school question. He's just finishing up his sophomore year, so this is a very preliminary visit, and being made because we'll be in New York - it's not a trip specifically for him to scout out NYU. He has stars in his eyes about NYU and living in NYC. His dream life would be to be a film director (directing commercials is ok with him, too), but he recognizes the difficulty of that. He's definitely looking at a liberal arts degree (sigh), possibly a double major, film and something like history. He's young enough that he really could end up with any sort of degree, other than one in the sciences. Our goal is for him to be employable, and employed, after graduation (though grad school, the kind that leads to employment, is fine too). I'd welcome any suggestions on this front, too!
May 24th, 2011, 10:05 AM
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And on the other NYU question, we'll be signing up for an information session and campus tour, which begins at the Welcome Center (at 50 W. 4th St.). Obviously, no visits to classes, as they won't be in session. I don't know what's included on the campus tour.
On the museums, my heart's desire is the Met and the Frick, they'll have to drag me out (I have a list of the pieces I most want to see); it's DS who has the MOMA and the Guggenheim on his list (and I've been to the MOMA before). I expect that at some point, DH and I will be sitting in a corner of the MOMA making comments about the art, while DS continues to be entranced...that's the way it was at the Pompidou and at the Miro Museum in Barcelona on previous trips...
On the museums, my heart's desire is the Met and the Frick, they'll have to drag me out (I have a list of the pieces I most want to see); it's DS who has the MOMA and the Guggenheim on his list (and I've been to the MOMA before). I expect that at some point, DH and I will be sitting in a corner of the MOMA making comments about the art, while DS continues to be entranced...that's the way it was at the Pompidou and at the Miro Museum in Barcelona on previous trips...
May 24th, 2011, 10:13 AM
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I am a huge museum lover - but don;t see how you can begin to do this. The Frick is small and can be done in a few hours - but the Met is huge and would take days to cover. Really suggest you go to the website and pick no more than 5 departments to see - or you will become so exhausted you will forget what you're seeing.
May 24th, 2011, 10:17 AM
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This may help you plan. MOMA is closed on Tuesday. The Frick, MoCCA, and the Met are all closed on Monday.
The Met is open late on Friday and Saturday; MOMA is also open late on Friday but it's free then (and mobbed). Tenement Museum, Frick, and MoCCA are never open late.
If you limit yourself to 2 hours per museum and no more than 2 museums per day, I think you can accomplish almost all you want to see without burning out too quickly. It's a matter of triage. You just can't see everything, but if you have made a list, then you can see highlights in each place. And the Frick can be done comfortably in 2 hours.
I'd say go to the Lower East Side on Sunday afternoon, when the area will be most lively (but definitely not Saturday, when all the Jewish businesses are closed). Save something close to your hotel for Wednesday.
The Met is open late on Friday and Saturday; MOMA is also open late on Friday but it's free then (and mobbed). Tenement Museum, Frick, and MoCCA are never open late.
If you limit yourself to 2 hours per museum and no more than 2 museums per day, I think you can accomplish almost all you want to see without burning out too quickly. It's a matter of triage. You just can't see everything, but if you have made a list, then you can see highlights in each place. And the Frick can be done comfortably in 2 hours.
I'd say go to the Lower East Side on Sunday afternoon, when the area will be most lively (but definitely not Saturday, when all the Jewish businesses are closed). Save something close to your hotel for Wednesday.
May 24th, 2011, 11:23 AM
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There are two summer sessions at NYU
Session 1: May 23-July 1
Session 2: July 5-Aug. 12
The Tisch School is one of the most competeitve programs at NYU. I have helped a niece and nephew gain admittance to NYU. I went to graduate school there and live in the area. One nephew just finished his first year at The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at Tisch.
Here is what your son must do:
He must do commumity service and lots of it.
He must obviously do exceptionally well in school and SAT's.
He must start working on film projects now, so he can hone his skills for a project for submission with the application.
He should request an application to see what they require. Although things change, they usually do not vary that much.
For perspective students they want students who are only talented and skilled but also disciplined. They also want someone who well represent the school well after graduation and possibly donate money.
I have helped many neices and nephews with their apps and their personal statements. The personal statement, should set the student apart but not in a weird way. He is creative, talented but also a good citizen.
_________
We are inveterate museum goers but find museum viewing tiring. Day after day would wear us down to very little.
Session 1: May 23-July 1
Session 2: July 5-Aug. 12
The Tisch School is one of the most competeitve programs at NYU. I have helped a niece and nephew gain admittance to NYU. I went to graduate school there and live in the area. One nephew just finished his first year at The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at Tisch.
Here is what your son must do:
He must do commumity service and lots of it.
He must obviously do exceptionally well in school and SAT's.
He must start working on film projects now, so he can hone his skills for a project for submission with the application.
He should request an application to see what they require. Although things change, they usually do not vary that much.
For perspective students they want students who are only talented and skilled but also disciplined. They also want someone who well represent the school well after graduation and possibly donate money.
I have helped many neices and nephews with their apps and their personal statements. The personal statement, should set the student apart but not in a weird way. He is creative, talented but also a good citizen.
_________
We are inveterate museum goers but find museum viewing tiring. Day after day would wear us down to very little.
May 24th, 2011, 12:53 PM
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The Guggenheim is indeed open late on Saturdays and it is also "pay as you wish" for the last 2 hours. Good news is you can save $18 per person, but especially in the summer, every visitor to NYC seems to know that. The line to get in can go around the block and the galleries are very crowded then.
The Frick is pay as you wish Sunday 11am -1pm but even then it isn't too crowded.
The Met is open late 2 nights, Fri & Sat, so consider going there twice, once in the evening and again maybe Wednesday morning. I don't know where you're staying, but the Met is fairly easy to get to and it will be less overwhelming if you don't stay in the building for the whole day.
I'm sure the Met picks up some extra people since it's closed most Mondays, but I'd bet that even a busy Tuesday is not as crowded as an average Sunday. A lot of the traffic in the Met is from locals, and since most of us work Mon-Friday, Sat and Sun is when we storm the museums.
The Frick is pay as you wish Sunday 11am -1pm but even then it isn't too crowded.
The Met is open late 2 nights, Fri & Sat, so consider going there twice, once in the evening and again maybe Wednesday morning. I don't know where you're staying, but the Met is fairly easy to get to and it will be less overwhelming if you don't stay in the building for the whole day.
I'm sure the Met picks up some extra people since it's closed most Mondays, but I'd bet that even a busy Tuesday is not as crowded as an average Sunday. A lot of the traffic in the Met is from locals, and since most of us work Mon-Friday, Sat and Sun is when we storm the museums.
May 24th, 2011, 03:49 PM
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Thanks for the info, especially about NYU and the summer session (if DS continues to seriously consider the school, we'll come back for a "real" visit). He's made a number of films already, so that's not an issue!
And thanks for the pointer on the Guggenheim. Looks like from their website that we can purchase tickets in advance; I'm happy to support the arts by paying full price and buying in advance to avoid lines. And we'll arrive on Sat (see my second post above), so Sat is the only late day for us to take advantage of.
We're staying in Murray Hill, so it should be fairly easy to get to all of the museums on museum row. Actually, seems like it will be pretty easy to get everywhere we want to go.
So it sounds like the Met should be on Tuesday. All day, except for leaving for lunch. That worked for us the last time we visited the Louvre, so I'm guessing it will work for us here, too. And as I said before, I have a list going of what I want to see the most on this trip (Bosch, Vermeer, Artemisia Gentileschi and Caravaggio lead the way, followed by all the Dutch masters and the Italian Renaissance. And the Impressionists if we have time. That's all. If I knew how to add a wink, I would.)
So based on what's open on which days, I think it will be (I don't usually plan everything quite so precisely as this):
Sat evening: Guggenheim
Sun: Frick and MoMa
Mon: Tenement Museum and Lower East Side and whatever
Tues: the Met
Wed: NYU and Comic and Cartoon Museum.
I must be missing something big for you all to think this is impossible; seems like a reasonable goal to me. Worst case scenario is we don't make it to everything. I'll consider it a successful visit if I get to (i) visit the Met and see at least the Bosches and Vermeers (my current favorites); and (ii) eat quite a bit of south Indian food.
And thanks for the pointer on the Guggenheim. Looks like from their website that we can purchase tickets in advance; I'm happy to support the arts by paying full price and buying in advance to avoid lines. And we'll arrive on Sat (see my second post above), so Sat is the only late day for us to take advantage of.
We're staying in Murray Hill, so it should be fairly easy to get to all of the museums on museum row. Actually, seems like it will be pretty easy to get everywhere we want to go.
So it sounds like the Met should be on Tuesday. All day, except for leaving for lunch. That worked for us the last time we visited the Louvre, so I'm guessing it will work for us here, too. And as I said before, I have a list going of what I want to see the most on this trip (Bosch, Vermeer, Artemisia Gentileschi and Caravaggio lead the way, followed by all the Dutch masters and the Italian Renaissance. And the Impressionists if we have time. That's all. If I knew how to add a wink, I would.)
So based on what's open on which days, I think it will be (I don't usually plan everything quite so precisely as this):
Sat evening: Guggenheim
Sun: Frick and MoMa
Mon: Tenement Museum and Lower East Side and whatever
Tues: the Met
Wed: NYU and Comic and Cartoon Museum.
I must be missing something big for you all to think this is impossible; seems like a reasonable goal to me. Worst case scenario is we don't make it to everything. I'll consider it a successful visit if I get to (i) visit the Met and see at least the Bosches and Vermeers (my current favorites); and (ii) eat quite a bit of south Indian food.
May 24th, 2011, 04:39 PM
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I'm glad you've really focused your Met visit - since to see everything does take days. We go at least once a month - to see new exhibit and revisit favorites. (I've found about 2 or 2.5 hours is my limit - and that includes the gift shop where I buy a lot of presents for family/friends).
Although you haven;t listed some of my favorites - the Costume Institute, The Egyptian Department and the Temple of Dendur (I was lucky enough to go to the 2nd class gala when it was opened since the company I worked for was partly owned by the Sacklers - movers behind acquiring the temple). And IMHO even the Met has some less intersteting areas (I admit to being bored to tears by the ancient eastern pots).
If you get a chance sign up for one of the gallery talks - they're always fascinating.
Although you haven;t listed some of my favorites - the Costume Institute, The Egyptian Department and the Temple of Dendur (I was lucky enough to go to the 2nd class gala when it was opened since the company I worked for was partly owned by the Sacklers - movers behind acquiring the temple). And IMHO even the Met has some less intersteting areas (I admit to being bored to tears by the ancient eastern pots).
If you get a chance sign up for one of the gallery talks - they're always fascinating.
May 24th, 2011, 04:49 PM
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No matter which day you decide to go to the Met, make sure you get there in the morning to avoid the usual afternoon mob of arrivals! Since you may do an all-day experience there, be prepared for afternoon crowds. Further, if there are any special exhibits that you want to see, do them in the morning before the crowd arrives and then view your choice of permanent collections, which probably won't be as crowded, in the afternoon.
May 25th, 2011, 05:06 AM
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Lexma90, I'll buck what's being said here and give out the opinion that the itinerary up on your last post is fine. You might end up with museum burnout, but I've strung together itineraries like this before and enjoyed them fully. Different folks have different tolerance levels here.
You of course won't be able to see the whole Met in one day (that's not possible), but if you choose wisely you'll see a lot of great stuff.
You of course won't be able to see the whole Met in one day (that's not possible), but if you choose wisely you'll see a lot of great stuff.
May 25th, 2011, 02:50 PM
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Jan 4th, 2012, 12:05 PM
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It's been a long time since our trip, but I was thinking about it today, and wanted to provide an update, and a sort of trip report.
Yes, we did end up visiting all of the museums that I listed above. We all enjoyed it immensely, though I will say that by the end of our time at the Met I was being a bit cursory about the art (Oh, another Van Gogh.) I did get to spend lots of time in front of the pieces that I was really interested in (i.e., the Vermeers), at both the Met and the Frick. I loved the Frick - I really enjoy, as I call them, "house" museums. But we LOVE art and art museums, and as pointed out previously, this kind of trip is something that most people would prefer.
Most of the Guggenheim was closed for a new exhibit, so we definitely had time Saturday evening to see what was open. Our primary focus of the museum was its architecture, and of course we saw that! We elected to pay for tickets rather than stand in the very long line for the free entrance.
MoMa was mostly for DS, who loves modern art; DH and I, not so much. At some point in modern art museums, DH and I degenerate into giggles and promises to produce a piece "just like that" using yarn and the kitchen chairs, or the like. I think that was the museum where one installation was a spot of light on the floor. A guard was employed to make sure people didn't walk on the light. I had fun talking to the guard.
I loved the Tenement Museum, and would have taken more than one tour, but DH and DS had had enough of that sort of history lesson.
DS enjoyed the Cartoon museum; DH and I wandered around the neigborhood while he was at that museum.
We did make an information visit and campus tour of NYU, and DS still wants to go there. That's an adventure for the future, and it's still a reach school for him.
In addition to the museums, we had plenty of time to enjoy New York, lots of time to walk and walk (and take the subway). We stayed in Murray Hill, which worked out well for us. I went running most mornings from there; Times Square before 7 am is a delightful place to be. We had one New York deli breakfast, at Sarge's Deli, I think, which DS and I loved and DH tolerated (he's not a big breakfast person, and I'm not usually, but I love latkes and blintzes).
We discovered the Kati Roll Company, perfect for a quick ethnic lunch. Very nice lunch at Ino; I would have loved to have time to return. Also very good lunch at Risotteria, on Bleecker. One night I insisted on a Curry Hill indian place, Pongal. I love pongal, so that made sense; otherwise, it was only average. Lunch at some other Indian place that was only average, but reasonably convenient to the museums.
We had a lot of fun at Artisanal for dinner one night, guess we were in the mood for French bistro food, including a cheese plate; we ended up going back for drinks and another cheese plate another night. Tulsi - pretty good, but DH (Indian) has a hard time with the concept of upscale Indian. Maialino - very good, even for vegetarian DS. We even fit in frozen hot chocolate at Seredinpity, because we used to have it long ago, when we lived in Boston and there was a Serendipity there (after putting in our name at Serendipity, we went and had drinks at Felice). Time at other wine bars, too. And we even managed to fit in fantastic Belgian fries from Ray's Candy Store.
And, as DS is such a big film buff, we also took some time to visit a couple of movie locations: the final scene of Taxi Drive, Serpico's apartment, something associated with the Chelsea Hotel and Leon: The Professional. I told myself that the residents of the area surely knew why I was standing in the street, taking a picture of my son standing in front of an undistinguished rowhouse at 226 E. 13th St.
We'll be back!
Yes, we did end up visiting all of the museums that I listed above. We all enjoyed it immensely, though I will say that by the end of our time at the Met I was being a bit cursory about the art (Oh, another Van Gogh.) I did get to spend lots of time in front of the pieces that I was really interested in (i.e., the Vermeers), at both the Met and the Frick. I loved the Frick - I really enjoy, as I call them, "house" museums. But we LOVE art and art museums, and as pointed out previously, this kind of trip is something that most people would prefer.
Most of the Guggenheim was closed for a new exhibit, so we definitely had time Saturday evening to see what was open. Our primary focus of the museum was its architecture, and of course we saw that! We elected to pay for tickets rather than stand in the very long line for the free entrance.
MoMa was mostly for DS, who loves modern art; DH and I, not so much. At some point in modern art museums, DH and I degenerate into giggles and promises to produce a piece "just like that" using yarn and the kitchen chairs, or the like. I think that was the museum where one installation was a spot of light on the floor. A guard was employed to make sure people didn't walk on the light. I had fun talking to the guard.
I loved the Tenement Museum, and would have taken more than one tour, but DH and DS had had enough of that sort of history lesson.
DS enjoyed the Cartoon museum; DH and I wandered around the neigborhood while he was at that museum.
We did make an information visit and campus tour of NYU, and DS still wants to go there. That's an adventure for the future, and it's still a reach school for him.
In addition to the museums, we had plenty of time to enjoy New York, lots of time to walk and walk (and take the subway). We stayed in Murray Hill, which worked out well for us. I went running most mornings from there; Times Square before 7 am is a delightful place to be. We had one New York deli breakfast, at Sarge's Deli, I think, which DS and I loved and DH tolerated (he's not a big breakfast person, and I'm not usually, but I love latkes and blintzes).
We discovered the Kati Roll Company, perfect for a quick ethnic lunch. Very nice lunch at Ino; I would have loved to have time to return. Also very good lunch at Risotteria, on Bleecker. One night I insisted on a Curry Hill indian place, Pongal. I love pongal, so that made sense; otherwise, it was only average. Lunch at some other Indian place that was only average, but reasonably convenient to the museums.
We had a lot of fun at Artisanal for dinner one night, guess we were in the mood for French bistro food, including a cheese plate; we ended up going back for drinks and another cheese plate another night. Tulsi - pretty good, but DH (Indian) has a hard time with the concept of upscale Indian. Maialino - very good, even for vegetarian DS. We even fit in frozen hot chocolate at Seredinpity, because we used to have it long ago, when we lived in Boston and there was a Serendipity there (after putting in our name at Serendipity, we went and had drinks at Felice). Time at other wine bars, too. And we even managed to fit in fantastic Belgian fries from Ray's Candy Store.
And, as DS is such a big film buff, we also took some time to visit a couple of movie locations: the final scene of Taxi Drive, Serpico's apartment, something associated with the Chelsea Hotel and Leon: The Professional. I told myself that the residents of the area surely knew why I was standing in the street, taking a picture of my son standing in front of an undistinguished rowhouse at 226 E. 13th St.
We'll be back!
