Elisabeth54

Friends of mine are planning a father (63)/son(26) trip to NYC around mid October. Any suggestions with regard to affordable restaurants (any type), (rock/jazz) concerts, shows and other off-the-beaten path tourist attractions are most welcome.

mztery

ARRRGGGG

what does AFFORDABLE mean????????

if the son is 26 he will know how to use the internet to find jazz clubs etc.

And what part)s) of town for meals?

azzure

I suggest going to theater box offices in the early morning for rush tickets to Broadway shows (generally $25).

Some museums, such as the Met, are "pay what you can" venues and you don't have to pay the full admission price.

ellenem

Check broadwaybox.com for discount codes to buy tickets ahead of time rather than wait until they arrive.

nytraveler

New York has dozens of great restaurants, hundreds of goo dones - at all price points and of all types. If you can provide a $ amount and what that includes- wine? beer? tax and tip? - and what cuisine they like/dislike itwould help.

(I once answered a questions about all types of restauants only to dicvoer that the OP of course meant they liked only American and Italian - period.)

nytraveler

Oh - and do they have a hotel yet??? That is likely to be by far their biggest expense.

Aduchamp1

What sights have they seen or do not want to see on the beaten path?

How to eat cheaply in NYC

Breakfast

Every, and I do mean every, neighborhood in Manhattan has what are euphemistically called delis. Almost all have some sort of breakfast specials that usually includes eggs, potatoes, toast and coffee. If you are not hungry or are cholesterol adverse, they also usually sell sliced fruit and yogurt. Of course there are bagels and pastries. NEVER EVER order room service.

There are many places that make their bagels. NOT DUNKIN DONUS. Some of the better one’s include Ess-a-Bagel, H&H. Murray’s Tal’s, and David’s.

Lunch

Part of the NY experience is to avoid chain restaurants. There is an incredible variety of inexpensive foods, among them Chinese and Indian. Quality varies substantially. If you are in or near Chinatown, there are many places including Big Wong’s. If you are near the East Village East 6th Street has literally 14 Indian restaurants to choose from. There are also excellent Indian restaurants on Lexington Avenue in the 20’s. The East Village also offers inexpensive Eastern European cooking at Veselka comfort food at Mama’s.

No NY’er cannot resist a frank at Gray’s Papaya who also sells fruit drinks including papaya, hence the name. There are now many variations on papaya and dogs all are inexpensive. Nathan’s are also very good but they are more expensive.

Pizza is a long lunch standby-do not go to ANY chain, the cheese is older than the kids who make it. Look for by the slice places and try a calzone as well, you will not eat for two days.

Sidewalk hot dog venders are always cheap, avoid the guys around Rock Center, you pay a premium. There are those who wonder about the hygiene, the dogs are boiled and the knishes grilled for forever. It must kill anything that lurks

Free samples are available at Dean & Deluca, Sarabeth’s, and Gourmet Garage.

It is the rare independent bakery in NYC that does not have at least one bread or pastry that is enticing.

With the economy is bad many restaurants are offering Recession specials, so keep your eye out., especially pizza places and the Indian places on 6th Street.

MikeT

mztery, why so hostile?

Aduchamp1

New York has dozens of great restaurants, hundreds of goo dones
_______________
NYTraveler, I think I have goo dones before, steamed I think. (I am the worst proofreader but I could not resist.)

mztery

re
mztery, why so hostile?

____________

I just find it weird that people put "affordable" with no other criterion.

I also find it strange when someone posts for a young person who likely has their own knowledge of the internet, especially when the OP is not going on the trip.

Aduchamp1

As far as jazz/rock clubs are concerned look at Time Out NY there are scores of places. Jazz and rock vary so dramatically that it is impossible to know what type you like or who will be in town that week.

Elisabeth54

First of all thank you for your replies all of you. I am a great fan of the Fodor's Forum and in the past have benefited from the advice I received.

It is a learning experience to know what to ask for if you want to keep it "sweet and short". Mztery you are right there, what is "affordable"? Everyone's budget is different.

In comparison with the country my friends come from NYC restaurants -if you don't know your way around that is- can be incredibly expensive. Real tourist traps. I once paid $6 for a simple cup of coffee which would be around $2,50 in my country and of a far better quality too. It's been a while though since I was in NYC myself so maybe things have changed.

The young man in question is not aware of this trip as it is meant as a surprise. I am helping the father, who is not very well at home in the world of international travel, to plan his trip.
I understand the hotel is part of the package tour so thank goodness no worries there. I'll find out the location of their hotel but I assume they will travel the entire island anyway.

There are of course lots of well known "touristy" things e.g. Empire State Bldg., Circle Line, and (sadly) Ground Zero. I was hoping to get some suggestions for less well known things to see and do.

With three meals a day in restaurants I reckon they would find a total of $200 a day on food between the two of them a reasonable amount of money. Would that be realistic?

Elisabeth54

O I forgot to mention the kind of cuisine. I don't think they are too adventurous in that department. I would say Italian, American, maybe some Chinese. A good deli would certainly be a good choice.

mclaurie

He should immediately contact bigapplegreeter.org
and request a greeter (it's free). It's a great way to get your sea legs in NYC.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g6....A.Budget.html

http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/...-new-york-city

http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/...-new-york-city

Find out where they're staying and we'll help with food.

Here's a good site for jazz clubs. http://bigapplejazz.com/nycjazzclubs.html Most charge a cover (music charge) but there are a few places that don't. The Garage is one such. http://www.garagerest.com/ Jazz brunches on Sunday are a good way to hear some jazz and eat a relatively inexpensive meal.

Many of the fancier restaurants do prix fixe bargain lunches. It's a great way to sample some of the best places. Asiate in the Mandarin Oriental hotel has a $24 2 course lunch. The food might be a bit over them but it's a wonderful experience (imo) with great views from the 35th floor of the Time Warner building. You have to book in advance. Opentable.com is a website from which you can book a lot of restaurants. Menupages.com is a good website to use for restaurant research.

barbara_m

Here is my list of web sites for things to do in NYC.

http://www.grandcentralterminal.com/
http://nymag.com/guides/cheap/walkingtours/
http://www.harlemheritage.com/
http://www.sweetwalks.com/
http://www.newroticnewyorkcitytours.com/
http://www.bigonion.com/
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m.../ai_110730193/
http://www.foodsofny.com/

also Lower East Side Tenement Museum

Elisabeth54

Wow you guys are amazing! I am getting more and more enthousiastic about Fodor's by the minute! Thanks a million and I'll be sure to keep this information for my next trip to NYC.

tchoiniere

1 change I would make is to do TOTR over the Empire State Building. Was at TOTR last week and a few people said that they had gone to ESB and gave up because of the lines / crowds. Plus you get a tremendous view of the ESB which is what we wanted anyways.

Baseball season may be over by then (Mets are long done, but the Yankees may still be in season). Could look to do a tour of either of the stadiums. Prices for the Yankees if still playing will be outrageous. Could also go to a NY Ranger game as hockey will be in season.

mlgb

Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge is free.

Self-guided walking tours are free.

The visit to Statue of Liberty/ Ellis Island National Monument is $12 for the ferry, additional fee to enter the crown. If they want to do the crown they need a reservations since the tickets sell out.

Check out the free museum nights and have a list. The Met is good for a full day.

The Grand Central station has a nice little food court on the ground floor.

http://www.statuecruises.com/ferry-service/welcome.aspx

TDudette

If you are near 57th St. and 7th Avenue, La Parisienne is a very inexpensive diner-type place.

In that area and the one I always mention is the Park Savoy (kindly check the site). Lless than $200 a night hotel that is in a great area. It is very very basic and small but rooms are clean.

ita

The Staten Island ferry is free and gives you a good view of the Statue of Liberty.