First trip to NYC
 

Hi - please ignore my screen name - this isn't a question about a honeymoon in NY. I was a bit short-sighted when I set up this account several years ago.

I'm hoping to get some advice on where to stay in NYC - not specific hotels (although I'm happy to hear about those too). But which areas... My husband and I are planning our first trip to New York over Memorial Day (Thur - Mon) and I'm finding hotels all over the map - quite literally.

Any suggestions for areas to be in for our first trip? For instance, I've heard Times Square can be loud and tacky (I can handle loud if there's enough to walk to but tacky I think I'd prefer to avoid), upper West side may be nice but not sure how central it is to things we might want to see, etc.

We'd like to do some exploring by foot, have some great meals and select two or three tourist must-sees (Met, a show, etc). I haven't mapped out an itinerary yet as I was thinking it may help narrow our choices if I start with best area to stay in first.

Any advice or sample itineraries would be most appreciated!

The UWS is an excellent neighborhood in which to stay. It's a 15 minute walk across Central Park to get to the Met, you're close to the Museum of Natural History. It's easy to get around Manhattan by walking, cab, or public transportation. The UWS is convenient to the theater district as well.

The neighborhood is residential, but chock full of cute moderatley priced restaurants and nice boutiques. Access to the park is easy. The Lucerne, Excelsior, and I think the Beacon are all hotels on the UWS that get good reviews.

UWS = Upper West Side (sorry!)

Unless you're doing a ton of theater I wold avoid Times Square. It's loud, garish and mobbed at all hours - often with packs of teens - either local or on school groups - and the sidewalk is often so crowded you have to walk in the sttreet. Also - it;s filled with a lot of poor and expensive restaurants- among some good choices.

I would definitely reco the upper west side for access to Central Park (cool, pretty and you can boat and bike a well as stroll), may museums nearby (Natrual History and NY Historical Society on the west side; the Met, Guggenheim and lot of others on Museum Mile on the east side).

The west side has 2 subway lines and you can be in Times Square and midtown in 10 minutes and South Ferry (for SOL and Ellis Island ferry) in 25 or less.

And since it's a mid/upscale residential area there are tons of great inexpensive and moderate restaurants of every possible ethicity (many New Yorkers work so late they routinely eat out or order in during the week). Street life is busy - with lots of shops and sidewalk cafes - but not frenetic like Times Square - or quiet at night like the more business districts in midtown.

Thanks! I'll start checking out the UWS hotels (now that i know what that means ;)

I'd also like to endorse midtown east - we stsyed at the Doubletree on Lexington last year and found it convenient to everything. We walked to Central Park and the Met, Bloomingdales, Rockefeller Center, Times Square in the evenings for shows, UN Building, Grand Central Terminal, Chrysler Building etc. etc. There is a subway station (#6) a few yards from the hotel entrance. There are several other hotels in the neighborhood - the Affinia 50, for instance, if the Doubletree is not to your liking.

For UWS you could try the Lucerne, On the Ave, Belleclaire for better prices or even the Beacon.

Midtown East has more hotel options, but I would still do UWS. Midtown East has a dearth of moderate good restaurants, and the neighborhood isn't very charming.

As someone who grew up on the UWS, DON'T STAY THERE. You are too far out of the action if you are taking a short trip and seeing the sights. Above 60th street, Central Park divides the city in half into two residential districts. The expensive convenience of staying in a Manhattan hotel is negated by having to cab or subway it up to change clothes, retrieve something, take a nap, etc.. When you are walking all day in the rain/heat/cold you will want easy access to your stuff/bed/bathroom. That is why the hotles are so expensive. Stay in Midtown West, in the 50's on 7th avenue, just North of Times Square. All the subways have stops there, it's safe at night and you are just a few blocks away from the noise of Times Square. Try the Park Central, or the Edison, they are not too expensive.

I live on the UWS. It is convenient to everything: 15 minutes to the Met (by bus), Greenwich Village (by train), two large parks (Riverside and Central), Lincoln Center is on the UWS and Carnegie Hall or Times Square are 10 minutes subway ride away. Also, the area is not as built up as other areas, and retains many pre-war buildings and some residential character. I can't imagine why anyone would want to stay near Times Square, its ugly and crowded.

I'm sorry, Jerry, I loved living on the UWS, but if you're doing a NY trip of only a few days, it pays to stay in Midtown, just North of Times Square in the 50's along 7th is a good base to see theater, 5th avenue and a jumping off place to go downown as all the subway lines cross in the West 50's. If you're walking all day its worth it to pop up to the room and take a break, much more convenient when you're below 60th street.

I used to live in the UWS, and I think it's one of the prettiest neighborhoods in the city. GIven that the OP wants moderately priced restaurants and access to the Met, midtown would not be a good idea. It's also very convenient to the theater district.

If they wanted to stay in the financial district, THAT would be inconvenient, but I really don't understand your reasoning.

LOL: Nytraveler, to those of us that live in small towns and take a first trip to NYC sometimes Times Square is what we want!

Seriously, your suggestion is good but I LOVE staying close to Times Square. I try to stay at the Hilton or a little place called Hotel 41.

Most tourists stay in midtown (34-59 st.) east (of Fifth ave.) or west (of Fifth Ave) on a first visit. Midtown west encompasses the Times Square area (west 42-52 st.) as well as just south of it (west 30's)and just north of it (west 50's). I don't think there's one "right" location for everyone. I think the upper west side is very nice and gives you easy access to midtown but also a flavor of a more residential area. I think midtown east does the same thing. For a short weekend visit, I also think staying in the west 50's would be very convenient so you could walk to the theaters and other tourist venues (like tour bus offices). The Blakely is a lovely smaller hotel. blakelyhotelny.com
The Michelangelo is also in the same general area and often available on quikbook.com at good prices.

In midtown east, the San Carlos is another good smaller hotel.

There are a few hotels that offer both very near Times Square locations but quieter streets. The Casablanca, the Muse and the Sofitel are a few examples.

There are often very good discounted prices for Memorial Weekend, so try not to get booked into something uncancellable. Check specials on travelzoo.com

One of the best ways to spend an afternoon is at the South Street Seaport...

http://www.southstreetseaport.com/html/

There are a number of shops around the seaport itself and a huge food court where you can sample a number of NYC foodstuffs. And have a drink.

I've walked there from 30th Street station but it's a hike from midtown.

Pjk

The UWS is very convenient to lots of major attractions (including Cenral Park and most of the major museums). If you're staying in midtown you will have to cab or subway to get to them.

Attractions in NYC are so spread out that no one place is near all or even most of them

So - people can pick an area based on what they want to spend most time doing, or where they can get the best deal.

But saying that the UWS is very inconvenient is simply incorrect.

It seems we have opened up a can of worms here, but, for the record, I love the UWS, grew up there in the 1960's and go back often. However, for a short trip like the original poster described (Thur-Mon) staying on the UWS is NOT convenient. Close to Midtown, either East or West is the ticket. If u are roaming around NYC, a handy place to change clothing, shower or nap is a godsend. Having to travel back and forth to the UWS is a time-killer when time is in short supply. the ONLY reason to stay on the UWS if it was substanitally cheaper than Midtown!

agreed. Also love the UWC, but wouldn't (and haven't ever) recommend that to first-time visitors. Staying in midtown gets you closer to the action, especially since the subway can be initimidating for many during the first few days.

It's a matter of taste, but I would recommend not staying in midtown, especially over a weekend, when almost everybody around you is a tourist or restless kids from the suburbs.

I'd rather stay in a neighborhood where actual New Yorkers live. The Upper West Side is a good choice. You can walk across Central Park to the Metropolitan Museum, or take the bus across 79th Street. In fact, riding the buses is a good way to get a feel for the city, if you can deal with the slow pace of the trip(s).

Chelsea is another very interesting neighborhood to stay in.

Times Square is definitely worth a visit, but unless you want to be in a tourist ghetto, I wouldn't stay there.

Two afterthoughts:

1. You don't need to be afraid of the subway. just consult a subway map, and know before you go downstairs which train you need and what stop you'll be getting off at. The subway is a vital part of the NY experience.

2. With a city as big as New York (or London or Los Angeles), I think it takes a week or so to really learn your way around. You don't have a week, so I would spend lots of time with a good guidebook beforehand.

Enjoy your visit. It's a wonderful city.

Good info, thanks to all!

I live on the UWS and I find it very convenient to get anywhere (I am very close to the Beacon Hotel). And since Sept_honeymoon will be here over the Memorial Day weekend, personally, I think it would be nice to have easy access to Central Park and Riverside Park and be away from the tourist throngs.

Times Square is only 5 minutes (3 minutes and 30 seconds according to my husband) on the 2/3 from 72nd street. I can get to Wall Street in 20 minutes from the same stop on the express train.

However, if someone wanted to be a little closer to the hustle and bustle of Times Square and still have some sense of neighborhood, I always recommend the Belvedere on W 48th Street.

I live on the UWS and have to agree with others who wouldn't recommend it for a first time visit.

If it turns out that the UWS has the best hotel prices for what you are looking for, you won't be miserable there, but it isn't exactly walking distance to most places. I also would highly recommend trying to stay in the 70s or south.

I live across the street from the Belleclaire, and wouldn't really recommend it for first timers unless you are on a very tight budget. I love where I live, but it isn't exactly the most attractive spot.

If you can find a hotel you can afford closer to the village or soho, I think you would like that much better. Those would be ideal neighborhoods, but I'm sure they are also quite a bit more expensive.

Staying in midtown isn't the most romantic or attractive, but it is centrally located, and sometimes convenience is best.

Just don't stay in Times Square! I hate hate hate it. It will be insanely crowded the weekend you visit. Stay just north of it.

Maybe staying closer to Bryant Park would be better - not sure about prices.

Hi -- saw this thread from a couple of months ago and it made me question just a little bit my decision to stay on the upper west side on my trip May 24-29. We are basically first time visitors, but are OK with walking and subways. I know we will be close to Central Park and the Museum of Natural History and of course we want to see Times Square, but also Coney Island, Greenwich Village, and at least take the ferry to Staten Island.

Just looking for a little reassurance...

staying on the UWS is great. don't question it. You will be all over the place anyway, so I doubt you would be just popping in and out of your hotel as someone suggested. You will feel less like a tourist and more like a New Yorker than just staying in Times Square!

Agree staying on the UWS is a better idea.

You're also near all the Museums on the east side of the park from 100th south (Museum Mile - the Met, Guggenheim, City of New York etc).

And on the subway (2 separate lines) you will be in Times Square in 10 minutes - and at South Ferry in 25.

I LOVE Times Square - I stay at the W right in the middle of everything - I'm not young (40) but I love the noise and bustle - I don't find it tacky, just crowded. As far as being central, nothing in Manahattan is very far away from anything else BUT Times Square is exactly the centre of UWS, UES and Lower Manhattan. If you do it right, you should be so tired by the time you go to bed that you needn't worry about noise keeping you awake!

Exactly. We just got back from NYC a couple of weeks ago. Stayed at the Super 8, on 46th, between 5th and 6th. We walked A LOT, and when we went to bed at night, I slept like a rock in spite of the street noise. We were exhausted! Loved being walking distance from Times Square. As a midwesterner, I enjoyed just walking up Broadway and people-watching.

Thanks everyone. I do feel better. I think I'll stick with UWS because I have a good feeling about it, but I imagine that anywhere in New York would be great. Counting the days!!!!

I appreciate's everyones passion for their neighborhoods that's great!

I'm also visiting NY for the first time May 21-23, and I took several weeks researching which hotel to stay at - I wanted clean but cheap, and I wanted my own bathroom, and I wanted to be IN manhatten, but I didn't have a preference as to where exactly in Manhatten because I was willing to walk/train/taxi anywhere I needed to go. The best place that I found was The Pod hotel, for $189/night I get a full size bed and my own bath. The revues it gets from other customer's is great, the main complaint being that the walls are super thin but I can just put ear plugs in. It's at 230 E 51st St. which is the mid-east side... like I said I wasn't too worried about location when I chose it, I work out regularly so I'm ready to hoof it all over town, I might take a train down to battery park the morning I go to see Ellis island, other then that I don't really have any set plans yet, I just want to walk everywhere and gawk up at the buildings like a typical NY tourist, and buy cheesy I heart NY tshirts, and eat NY pizza and hotdogs and kniches, and just soak it all in... this has been a dream of mine for years I can't wait!!!!!!! You'll see me again 'cause I have lots of questions (luckily I work with a gal who used to live in NY she is helping me out a lot too!)