First time in NYC
 

Hi there,
I'm coming to new york with my boyfriend on the 17th November...neither of us have been before and to say that we are excited is an understatement...I've been reading that tour buses are not the best way to go so I'm going to make a schedule and tour about on our own....I was just wondering if anyone knew of any good restaurants and little hidden gems that only the locals know about :) I'm a real tourist person and I love seeing all the hidden places not just the obvious ones...this is my dream trip and I want to pack as much in as I can..also I'm not sure what the best way to get from the airport to the hotel is (Newark to Berkeley continental) taxi,bus,train?? I'm not used to massive city's as I'm from a
Very small town in Ireland!! :)
Any help you can give would be amazing!!

Thanks so much
Gabbie!

Regarding transportation from airport to hotel - you have to define what you mean by "best" - quickest, easiest, cheapest???

BEST is hiring a private limousine but that's also the most expensive. Car service is next best if it fits your budget followed by taxi. Next best is taking combination of bus and trains - the trade off is that takes more time. Go to Newark Airport website (http://www.panynj.gov/airports/newark-liberty.html) all the transportation options are spelled out in details. Choose the one that's BEST FOR YOU>

Regarding restaurants, there are literally 1,000's of restaurants in NYC. Where you might eat depends on budget, type of cuisine and where you are staying or where you happen to be when it's meal time. Go to chowhound.com and start your research there.

Thank you for getting back to me...ill have
A look at the website!

Thanks again

Truth be told - we took a bus tour years ago on our first trip to the Apple (1977 was it?) - and loved it. I think if you can find a good one for about 2 or 3 hours - with a good narrator - it's not a bad intro at all.

And then - become familiar with the subway - as that's the easiest way to get around - but it also works in conjunction with the above ground buses - so they can be useful too. The subways are safe during the day - and generally in the early evening - but wouldn't use them too late - although they are still pretty good even then.

And my favorite place to stay is down in Greenwich Village - with college students (NYU) walking around at all hours - and also with tree lined streets and mainly low-mid rise buildings and you can catch a subway to anywhere. A lot of international visitors stay at "my" inexpensive haunt - The Larchmont. http://www.larchmonthotel.com/

Rooms are small - and the bathrooms/showers are down the hall - but it's cheap, clean and has a sink in the room as well as a nice continental breakfast, and a helpful/friendly staff.

Last but not least - if you need to get from point A to point B - you can hail a taxi and see how the real traffic "flows" in NYC. :)

Berkley Continental..do you mean Intercontinental Barclay ? From Newark, take AirTrain(within airport) to NJ Transit train into Penn Station in NYC. Then taxi to hotel, inexpensive, fast.
Put the elevated Highline Park on your list of things to see and do in the city.

For getting around the city use feet as much as possible (get a really good street map and subway map). Use subway for longer distances. Cabs (when you can get them - not in the rain or at rush hour tend to get hung up in traffic and since the new increase are no longer a bargain).

For dining - if you tell us what cuisines you like/dislike and budget (for entree) people can make specific recos.

Definitely have some street food. Try a giant pretzel (you put mustard on it) and a dog at Gray's Papaya.

Also note - you tip cabbies 20% of the meter fare - but not on bridge or tunnel tolls. In restauarants 20% tip is average (but don;t tip n the tax (added after the total of food and beverages.

I am not afraid of the subway at all at any time of the night, especially in areas where tourists would be, meaning south of 125th on the west side and about 96th St on the east. (I'm comfortable north of there, but others may not be.) I take the train alone all the time at all times of the night and have never had a problem. If you're feeling nervous, go to the middle car where the conductor is. It's not any more dangerous than the street.

The city bus is a nice way to both get around and see some sights if it happens to be cold. I really like taking it south from the Met along 5th ave.

Walk around the East Village and Lower East Side for a slightly less touristy vibe -- or at least more independent restaurants and shopping. If you're inclined, get your nails done at one the of the places on 1st Ave between 14th and about 8th St or so. The cheapest mani/pedi basically anywhere (about $20-25 for both, plus a good tip.) There's some good resale/consignment/etc. shops in that area. Some have amazing stuff -- really high end designers with clothing in great shape. Marc Jacobs, Armani, etc.

Eat a bagel with lox or lox spread, a cupcake (I actually think Magnolia is too dry), a hotdog from a place with "papaya" in the name, a massive pastrami sandwich, and some matzo ball soup. (I like Russ and Daughters, Baked by Melissa, Katz's, and Zabars.)

Just walk and walk and walk. Look at the neighborhoods and notice how they change within just a few blocks -- the neighborhoods in Manhattan all have a distinct "personality" despite the preponderance of Starbucks and Duane Reades everywhere.

Gabbie, a New York resident named Aduchamp made a great list of "local" places that should really help you.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...first-time.cfm

Aduchamp's isn't just a NY resident, he lives in the East Village!

Well, I meant New York as in the City:)

I was only pointing that out because many people have said a lot of the less expensive restaurants in town are in that area.

NYC has over 20,000 restaurants, righto? Plenty of choices, from bargain to gourmet - and if you like Pizza - there are a number in or near Greenwich Village. Check out Motorino's for one of the best, and there are others.

You did not state how long you will stay in NYC. days or weeks?
Mostly it's just Manhattan and Brooklyn. I dont find Staten Island nor Queens too fun nor worthy of your time. Da Bronx, maybe has sites of interest such as Yankees stadium, Bronx Zoo and the Botanical Garden.
Brooklyn has Coney Island, and I suggest lunch at any sea food place on Emmons ave.