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Student-budget trip to NewYorkCity HELP please

Student-budget trip to NewYorkCity HELP please

Old Feb 26th, 2015, 09:04 AM
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Student-budget trip to NewYorkCity HELP please

Hey everyone, my friends and I are planning our spring break trip to New York City (around March 16-March 20, dates are not set in stone at all). Because there are 4 of us and we live so far away we plan on driving there. There are a couple things I could really use some advice/help/suggestions on!!

We want to keep the trip around $300 ($400 max).

Lodging: we plan on staying in a hostel, but where we don't know. I have looked into Chelsea International, or that area; but does it really matter if you are in the middle of the city versus farther out? Is there hostels/hotels you would recommend (around or under $45 per person), in any area? We are definitely okay with taking the metro and bus to locations, so just needs to be near a stop. Unfortunately, any sort of dorm room is not an option, so cheapest private rooms for 4 people (would rather all stay in same room, either 2 double or 4 single beds, private bath not necessary). Advice on finding a hostel, on how much location really matters, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Parking: since we are driving in, I need to put my car somewhere. I really don't want to pay $200+ dollars to park my car for a couple days, so any suggestions would be great. I know some hostels have parking, but what other suggestions do you have? And flying or taking the bus to New York is not an option. I very much doubt I will need my car for the actually in New York part, we are fine with metro or bus. I have looked at the bestparking.com site, but so far cheapest I am finding is $200 but I think I was also looking in the city, so are there places more outskirted areas or tricks to parking... (just in case hostel with parking doesn't work out)

Things to do: So far, we want to spend day at Central Park, Statue of Liberty (ferry? What is the best way to visit this?); Bronx Zoo on Wednesday (free), MET, Brooklyn Bridge, Governors Island, Upright Citizens Brigade ($5 tickets right?), Brewery tours (saw it on a list of things for free, we are all 21), look for any free concerts, sightseeing (some of us love architecture, history), I would love to visit a flee market (any suggestions on best ones?). We plan on just going with a list of what we want to do, and deciding as the day comes (weather dependent, mood, how are feet are, etc.), we don't want a strict plan, just planning the must see things or time dependent and everything else deciding as we go.

Other things: metro/bus pass, best options for 4-5 day trip, get as we go, get a pass, etc.
Weather: 30-40s, for mid-March, but is that a frigid freezing cold or a sweatshirt/light jacket cold? Do we need to prepare for rain?

Please please give suggestions on what you love or hated, would do again, wish you did, etc.

We are all sitting down Sunday to hash everything out, make our reservations for lodging, and everything else

I have been doing a lot of research, so some of the things I have asked I have answers to, but I like hearing from different people their opinions, so please share advice on a trip to New York City.

Thank you in advance for any help!!
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Old Feb 26th, 2015, 09:06 AM
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Scratch Governors Island, didn't do my research about that before posted this.
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Old Feb 26th, 2015, 09:30 AM
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Go to the Statue of Liberty's website and book the ferry time you want or is available as soon as you know your exact dates. It is part of the National Parks. This is one thing you need to plan in advance. Or if you don't care about being on the island with the Statue, you get a view of it and Gov.Is from the free Staten Island Ferry, R/T. If you are interested in visiting the 9/11 Memorial and/or museum, get those tickets ahead too.
The Bronx Zoo is relatively far out and takes a lot of your short time.. There is a small zoo in Central Park, pretty setting.
Walk The Highline Park, elevated RR tracks turned into a wonderful park, gives you a different perspective on the city. Roughly 14-34th Street, 1.75 miles long. You'll be Chelsea, Meatpacking plus.
Go to the Txkts Booth in Times Square to get discounted tickets to Broadway shows for that day or night.
You'll need more than a sweatshirt. Bring a winter jacket. I have frozen at St. Patrick's Day parades.
You list the MET but not MoMA; I recommend both but choose the collections carefully at the MET as it is so large, i.e., concentrate on a few areas. See Temple of Dendur.
Walk around Greenwich Village.
You'll be in Manhattan for St. Patrick's Day! Go to the parade!
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Old Feb 26th, 2015, 10:08 AM
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From where will you be driving? We can suggest options for parking based on your route, but do keep in mind that while the parking cost may be cheaper, you will probably have to pay train or bus fare for the four of you each way to get to Manahattan and then return to the parking.
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Old Feb 26th, 2015, 10:48 AM
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There's a Howard Johnson in Long Island City that comes in within your budget, but the beds are double not queens. Light breakfast included, the main complaint about the hotel seems to be the small parking lot, so if you're arriving late in the evening all the spaces will probably be gone and you'll have to find street parking. Parking at the hotel is $20.
It's a few minutes walk to the F train and then 8 minute ride into Manhattan.
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 04:56 AM
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Their is a well-regarded Hosteling International property on 103 or 104th St - not far from Columbia in a great area with a lot of inexpensive places to eat. Practically on top of a subway station to get places. Don't know the prices but I think abut $50 per person for a bed in a dorm room. (I doubt there are any in NYC at your price for a private room. You might find a super budget hotel - look at Hotel Newton on the upper west side - they are a well-regarded budget property and often have deal in the off season. And neither hostels nor hotel in NYC have free parking. Hostels usually require you to use a local garage ($40 or so per night) - hotels might have a garage but won't be nay cheaper.

As for clothing, not sure where you are coming from, but
you will definitely need winter coats - here it is still winter and cold and snow are still possible. We are now in the coldest Feb on record with an average temp of about 21 degrees.

Also note that 3/17 is St Pat's day parade - which will tie up much of midtown Manhattan - there are usually several hundred thousand marchers and more than a million viewers on the streets - so take this into account.

Sorry Central Park will still be brown and crunchy - we don't get leaves on trees until end April or early May - and you MAY have a few early flowers but likely not.

Based on current weather you will need to investigate some indoor things to do if the weather follows the current pattern.
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 05:18 AM
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We stay at a reasonably priced hotel near Times Square with on site parking and easy access to the Lincoln Tunnel. Right now they have a winter special - if you book a double/double room for 4 starting March 15 for 4 nights it's less than $800 for 4 nights. Parking is $20/night (when we were there in October at least) - I don't think you could go wrong! I'd book it today as it's cancellable and discuss with your friends on Sunday

https://www.reservations-page.com/C0...a&vl=undefined
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 05:23 AM
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You asked for feedback on staying in the city vs further out. Yes, it's always better to stay in Manahattan if at all possible. However, with your budget I'm not sure it will be possible. Your budget is $60 a day for lodging, food, transportation and entertainment. In short, I'm not sure this is realistic. Most people spend more than that on food alone in NYC. If you stay outside the city, be sure to factor in the cost of your train fare to get in and out of the city each day. And also consider how much time you are willing to spend on this journey each day.

From where are you driving? Depending on which direction you are coming from, there are places you could park the car cheaply or even for free in NJ or CT and then take a train or bus the rest of the way.
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 05:26 AM
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I should have also added that you may want to visit the Lonely Planet Thorntree forum, as they tend to get more students and backpackers over there. You'll probably get better info on hostels and such on that forum. Good luck!
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 06:31 AM
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Here is a list of many cheap ways to eat that I have posted before.

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, Murray’s Tal’s, 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.

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. I do not think the fruit drinks have ever come in contact with real fruit, but that also is part of the charm. 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

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

so keep your eye out., especially pizza places and the Indian places on 6th Street

The following are inexpensive meals and desserts:

Inexpensive Italian- La Marca (3rd Ave. and 22 Street, only opened noon-10 PM, Mon-Fri), Excellent Food Value

Inexpensive Eastern European- Veselka,

Indian Food- East 6th Stret between 1st and 2nd Avenue and Lexington Avenue in the mid to high 20's.

Dessert-Veniero's, DeRobertis for the frozen lemon thing and cannoli, Fat Witch Bakery (brownies only) Chelsea Market

Brunches-, Turkish Kitchen, Cafecito (Ave C), Clinton Street Bakery, City Bakery,

Pizza-Motorino, they luncheon special with individual pizza is a great great buy, also Lombardi’s

Hole in the wall-Stage (next to Stomp) great cheap homemade soups

French fires-Pomme Frites

Ice Cream-Cones on Bleecker, Il Laboratorio de Gelato, Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, Cones and Sundae (East 10th off Third) Ronnybrook at the Chelsea market, Davey’s on First Ave

Chinatown-Big Wong. Joe’s Ginger, NY Noodletown

Dim Sum-Jing Fung, Golden Unicorn, Nom Wah on Doyers Street

Tapas-Despana on Broome Street, Nai, La Boqueria

Dinner

When we travel we often buy different foods as we walk around the city and put them in our backpacks and have dinner in the hotel room. In NYC you will probably see foods that are unfamiliar. Bring a knife, forks, and a corkscrew. If you are using a carryon bring plastic utensils with you.

These are most of my favorite food stores. This is as highly subjective and geographically limited list you will find. The majority of stores are below 14th Street.
Stars indicate they are better than the others on the list. There are scores of excellent places that are not on the list, so exclusion is not necessarily condemnation.
Tourists can use this to put together their own food tour, buy stuff during the day for a feast in your hotel room at night or for gifts. One time we were flying back from Milan and we purchased a cake there and shared it with family when we landed.


Bagels and Bialys
Just because it is round, does not make it a bagel. There is a lot of crap being sold. A bagel must be boiled before it is baked. The ones with pimples on the bottom, like those you get at the sidewalk carts, are steamed. The ones you get at Dunkin Donuts are white bread in a circle, Rachel Ray.

*Ess-A-Bagel
Various Locations
My personal favorite. Ess-a bagels are yeasty while others are sweet because they add sugar. Ess-a Bagel is a bit of a play on words and means eat in Yiddish. The stores are crazy busy and there is a wide variety of spreads.

*Kossar’s Bialys (Established 1935)
367 Grand Street
What is a bialy? Originally from Bailystok, Poland and called Bialystoker Kuchen (cake). And yes, Mel Brooks stole the name for Max Bialystock. It is most and doughy, much like the perfect pizza crust but with an indentation in the middle for either bits of garlic or onion. Try their bulkas which are bialy dough in the shape of a hero or an onion wheel also called a pletzel. An onion wheel is round and thin covered with duh onions, or the other version poppy seeds. Toast it, butter it, and keel over dead.


*Murray’s
Various Locations
Murray’s knows how to make bagels, chewy and large. The lines usually move quickly.

Bakeries
Amy’s Bread
Various Locations
The breads are well prepared and my favorite is the black sesame and the potato. I have never seen the same kid behind the counter twice, thus the staff is not knowledgeable and some seem confused by an order.

*Balthazar
80 Spring Street
I guess they could have made the space smaller, but then only your hand would fit through the door. Unlike the restaurant, the bakery deserves the praise for their baguettes and croissants.

Birdbath
Various locations
Yes, it is a stupid name and the place has all the charm of a company store at a gulag but it is a sister to City Bakery. They make fabulous almost everything including a pretzel croissant. They only offer about 10% of what can be had at the City Bakery and there is no place to sit and eat.The staff here and at City Bakery has not been told that space program was discontinued.

*Blue Ribbon Market
14 Bedford Street
There is not a bad bread in the house. They are made across the street at Blue Ribbon Bakery, where you can see the ovens on the basement. (They also have a interesting bathroom.)
Pick anything.

*Clinton Street Bakery
4 Clinton Street
Not only is this bakery but a great place for brunch which is impossible to enter on weekends. They may make the best biscuits in town followed closely by their scones.

*City Bakery
3 West 18th Street
Try the hot chocolate melted from chocolate bars or the pretzel croissants or the baker’s muffins or anything laid out on the counter. Extremely crowded at breakfast and lunch. Celebrities have been spotted but unless they are disguised as spoon I have not seen any.

*Donut Plant
379 Grand Street and Chelsea Hotel
I do not know what they do but the donuts taste so much better than just about any other place. He also makes excellent churros. The valrhona chocolate is a monument to gluttony. Small storefront with bakery in back.

Eileen’s Cheesecake
17 Cleveland Place
That’s all she makes so she better make them well. Not the best but very good.

* Fat Witch Brownies
Chelsea Market
They make the fudgy type and they have a few variations. Staff is pleasant but sloooow. They have tourist buses that stop at Chelsea Market, so the lines may be long at times.

*Financier
Various locations
In the food wasteland that is Wall Street, Financier knows how to make cakes and croissants. They are often crowded but the staff doesn’t know ganache or panache.

Junior’s
Various locations
Stick to the cheesecake.

*La Bergamonte
177 Ninth Avenue and 515 West 52nd Street,
For many years this was in the middle of food nowhere. Now with the Chelsea Market and the fattening of the Meatpacking district is getting its due. Extremely fine croissants and pastries and a place to sit

Le Pain Quotidien
Various locations
A chain from Belgium which makes it Belch. The baguettes are wonderful as are the brownies and raisin whole grain bread. This is probably the best food of any chain. The staff however, is laconic and unknowledgeable and very often there are out of many of the popular items. Nice brunches.

*Little Pie Company
424 West 43 Street
Their sour cream apple walnut pie is akin to crack cocaine but only a little cheaper. The other pies are good but not in the same category. People start lining up for Thanksgiving on 4th of July, so order in advance.

Patisserie Claude
187 West Fourth Street
Patisserie Claude has been selling pastries to Pig Me for a long time. We do not go often by when we do we are rewarded.

*S & S Cheesecake
222 W 238 St, Bronx
Could be the best cheesecake in the city, creamy but not dense, perfect,

Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies
204-207 Van Dyke Street, Red Hook
This is place is hard to find when you are standing in front it. Fortunately the silky pies can be found at Citarella and other self-defined fine stores.

*Sullivan Street Bakery
533 W 47th Street
You have probably eaten there breads many times and didn’t know it. It is offered in scores of restaurants and markets. You can identify many of the breads by sight. They are brown and crusty will the inside is light and airy. A paradigm for carbs.

*Veniero’s
342 East 11th Street
Established in 1894 some of those people are still waiting on line. I love this place, the best inexpensive tiramisu, addictive ricotta cheesecake, moist pignoli cookies, there are scores of offerings and no losers. The take out staff is never the same and the lines are long for the café. For Thanksgiving and Christmas, the café is turned to a waiting room for take out. They use an old fashioned machine to wrap the string around the box, while quaint, adds to the interminable line. You can also call in an order.

N.B. You can take your cupcake fight outside. We have tried many but a winner has yet to be named.

Candy and Chocolates

*Economy Candy (Established 1934)
108 Rivington Street
I am not sure they make anything on premises but they do have every candy still in production at very good prices. If you are a fan of candy stores, you will want to be buried here.

*Jacques Torres Chocolates
Various Locations
For some reason people know the Brooklyn location better than the one on Hudson Street. Their truffles are exquisite as are all the chocolates and the hot chocolate. The lines are extraordinary on Valentine’s Day.

*Kee’s
80 Thompson Street
Kee was a banker or a lawyer before she started making the best truffles in NYC. Some are Asian influenced each variety is better than the next. This is a must stop for chocolate cuckoos.

*Teuscher
Various locations
Truffles are flown in from Switzerland. I once bought some for a chocolate loving friend who about to get married. While eating the truffles, this modest woman was made sounds that are usually reserved for her husband. Although she was completely embarrassed, I knew I bought the right gift.

There are many chocolate stores in midtown that make exceptional products but I have not enough experience to add them to the list. These include Richart, Maison du Chocolat, and Pierre Marcolini and Burdick. Just turn your pockets inside out for a taste.


Cheese
Alleva Diary (Established 1892)
188 Grand Street
Not as good as its neighbor DiPalo but extremely offers a fine selection of Italian cheeses.

*DiPalo Dairy (Established 1925)
200 Grand Street
One of NY’s great stores. Not only are the cheeses spectacular but their prosciutti are perfect. Their selections are impeccable. If at all possible avoid the weekend crowds, even though they have adults behind the counter.

East Village Cheese
140 Third Avenue
His cheese must fall off the truck to charge the lowest prices in the city. There is always some $2.99 per pound special. For that price you will not get the best, but at least you will be filled. The staff has become nicer over the years but not much. Cash only.

*Formaggio Essex
Essex Market on Essex Steet.
That should be enough Essexes. This is a tiny outlet from a Boston company. The cheeses are excellent but they have vats where you take a bottle and fill it with a vinegar sherry or olive oil and both are redolent and extremely flavorful. There is some rules about deposits but I am not good at rules. The Essex market is a poured concrete structure with many stalls selling veggies and Hispanic staples with a barber shop in the back. Do not be deterred that it looks like pig farm from the outside.

*Murray’s Cheeese
254 Bleecker Street and another in Grand Central
Best in show. They carefully choose only the finest quality of every variety. The staff is cheesemongers, one is even a gossip monger. The ricotta cheese cake is worth going to jail. This is a must visit for anyone who has the slightest interest in cheese.

*Russo’s Mozzarella (Established 1908)
344 East 11th Street
Cleverly they make fresh and smoked mozzarella which are excellent but they also make pastas, sauces, and there own olive varieties. Cramped but the guys know what they are doing.

Ice Cream

*Cones
272 Bleecker Street
In 1986 an Israeli newspaper sent a reporter to cover the NY Mets in the World Series because they heard there was a David Cone. He isn’t related to this place either. Sweet creamy, fresh ingredients with many varieties. Many tourists happen upon it when eating at John’s Pizzeria.

*Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
65 Bayard Street
Store made ice cream which for wimps offers vanilla and chocolate since they also serve flavors like green tea, lichee nut, and my favorite almond cookie. The kids behind the counter are always nice. There is no better way to end a meal in Chinatown. Inexpensive but cash only.

*Il Laboratorio de Gelato
95 Orchard Street
Everybody claims their gelati is the same as in Italy, blah, blah, blah. Their gelati is like Italy. It is the type you eat four times a day as you walk around Rome or Florence before you realize you have ruined your appetite for dinner. Expensive and cash only.

Sundaes and Cones
95 East 10th Street
They have nothing to do with just Cones and is a shade below, But if you are in the neighborhood, the store made ice cream is creamy and offer interesting flavors.

Grom
Various locations
An Italian gelati chain. The quality is high but so are the prices.

Knishes

Yonah Schimmel (Established 1890)
137 East Houston Street
Yonah has been dead for a long time and they have not redecorated or cleaned the windows since. If they made great knishes the owners could be considered knish savants but they are not. The knishes you buy at sidewalk carts, however, are shaped like third base, taste worse, are fried and often a green patina inside. Thy make the baked variety and may or may not have the all types on hand.

*Faicco’s (Established 1900)
260 Bleecker Street
They make their flavorful sausage, rice balls, sauces. You get the old schmooze from the guys behind the counter as well. If you like old fashioned Italian butchers who know what they are doing, this is the joint. Great sandwiches

Pickles

*The Pickle Guys
49 Essex Street
Some employee defected from Gus’s, the pickles are perfect as is the spiel. They also offer a free pickle. There are barrels and barrels of sour, new, half sour, pickled peppers just calling your name.

Spanish Provisions

Despana
408 Broome Street (Original at 86-17 Northern Blvd. Queens)
The chorizos and morcilla are incredibly tasy and tangy and are found in many restaurant around town. Their cheeses are also top notch and offer a wide selection. They also offer Serrano ham which is many respects is sweeter and more delicate than porsciutto. They serve tapas as well. There is no table service, the selection is limited as are the hours, but what they serve is excellent.
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 06:37 AM
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Here is the info you need for Hosteling International-worldwide.
https://www.hihostels.com/en?linkid=...FatxQgod9TEA1g
Please look into parking outside the city and taking either Megabus or one of three different rail lines into the city.
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 07:07 AM
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Holy Canoli
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 07:15 AM
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$300 or $400 apiece for 5 days in NYC-- lodging, food, parking, and entertainment?? What about gasoline for your long drive? Is that a reasonable budget?
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 07:25 AM
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Is this trip even possible?

You can probably park at one of the long term lots at one of the airports but then you have to pay for everyone to get into the city.

I'd love to hear more on how you can do it.

I would print out ImDoneHere's amazing list to start.

Lots of neat things in NYC are free but unfortunately the city is very expensive.
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 09:11 PM
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ImDonehere, what a reply! Great job and interesting for sudents or otherwise !
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Old Feb 27th, 2015, 10:00 PM
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Bookmarking
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Old Feb 28th, 2015, 02:17 AM
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Thanks for thr compliments.

I thought I caught the changes but missed a few.

DeRobertis closed after 108 years. The family sold the building.

Donut Plant now has a few locations and they expanded the space at the original location on Grand Street.

The landscape of the Indian restaurants on E 6th Street is changing, although there are still many there. Two of our favorites have closed and Brick Lane has moved.
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Old Feb 28th, 2015, 05:02 AM
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I like the suggestion someone had of MegaBus. If you book early enough, the fare will be $1 each way. Much cheaper than driving and parking.
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Old Feb 28th, 2015, 05:11 AM
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After looking at the details agree that this budget is incredibly tight. Agree not to bring your car into the city - it will be useless and expensive. You will need to park it outside and look for a way to get into the city cheaply - commuter train will be cheapest but only a few lot allow people who are not registered locals to park. Do tell us where you are coming from.

I have very serious reservations abut your overall budget. Even one ride on the subway is $2.50 and as for nightlife - even if you stick to student bars - beer isn't free.

As for sightseeing there are some things that are free and also some that are pay as you wish (some major museum will let you in for $1 versus the usual $2 or $25 entrance fee and as students I think that's fine. But may things are big $ and you will have to plan carefully.
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Old Feb 28th, 2015, 06:34 AM
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To see what is cheap or free, especially at night, take a look at Time Out NY which is on-line an magazine form.
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