I agree Margie - and bugswire1, I also love menupages.com. (And I have never paid $3 for a coke in New York.)

It's never too hard to ask someone to be more specific or do a search and then ask the questions.

But this is an interesting post. Really enjoyed reading your comments QC.

Suzanne--RE: Olive Garden at 23rd and 6th...

Yeah, but who wants to eat in an empty restaurant?

love
roxy

Thanks Peteralan, glad to know someone read my post.

I think it is just weird for tourists to understand that people actually live and work in NYC, same as they do anywhere, even though it is also a vacation destination. It is far different then when you are going on vacation to Disney or a resort somewhere. Everyone around you is on vacation too. You are all roped into paying the same high prices for whatever facilities are available.

But for NY, you needn't ask if you can use a stroller. What do you think we do here? Carry the kids under our arms like footballs? And yes, you can eat cheaply, there are grocery stores, delis, pharmacies, just like in your neighborhood. If you can buy it at home, you can usually buy it here, and then some. (Except for Chick Fil A, but don't get me started). We all ride the subway and the buses and do not live in fear. We also pretty much ignore tourists. We are busy working and taking care of our families. If you stop and ask a question, or even if you just look lost, we will be happy to sling the dry cleaning over the mailbox and take a look at your map. Other than that, you are just a routine part of life.

Add ... Buy Tickets before you go.

Statue of liberty/Ellis Island. Reserve ferry ticket ahead. Can also book a tour inside. Call at 1-866-STATUE4(1-866-782-8834). Saves a lot time standing in line! Although some tour tickets are held until day of, they are gome pretty early. They Avg 10,000 visitors a day, but only 3,000 tour tickets are avilable. http://www.nps.gov/stli/

Empire state bldg ... Ditto, online at https://www.esbnyc.com/tickets/

Also for Broadway shows, always TKTS, best go to South Seaside outlet, open in AM and has shorter lines. Can buy for Weds Matinee on Tues. You can walk the Brooklyn bridge, not too far from here.

Buy the Metro Pass for subway travel.

Letterman. If taping, go to theater between 9 and 12 as earlier in your trip as possible. They have a "lottery" for 1/3 of the tickets (300?). You fill out a form and then talk to an attendent. Be prepared to talk about the show, Know the show to let them no you are a fan. I believe they are really interviewing for true letterman fans to sit up front! The more days you are in town, the more chances to get tickets! Thursday they tape 2 shows, one for Friday.

Book a tour with the AppleGreeters (free!) at http://www.bigapplegreeter.org/. Let them pick the tour.

QC, couldn't agree with you more!!

The point is not about NYC or anyplace really, it's about trying to find the answer yourself first. 75% of the questions asked on this board wouldn't need to be asked if the poster did a search (whether on the board or on the internet) first. Most of the info is already here on previous threads. Read that stuff, and then come back with intelligent, researched questions.

We'll all be glad to help if we can!

I find it hard to believe that I am really that much more resourceful than other posters at looking up the website of some well known tourist site and finding the info they seek in less than 30 seconds.

Sometimes I feel like some people expect Fodorites to plan their trips for them.

Good job QC! Good job!

Re: Chelsea Olive Garden, it's empty because of two reasons:

1. They don't have enough waiters and customers won't wait in line for Olive Garden food when they can ride two more subway stops and be at one of Mario Batali's restaurants.

2. They add a gratuity to the bill for every table. Since the waiters know they are getting a flat 15% on every table, they don't make any extra effort.

Excellent!

Don't know about that $3 Coke, but I sure choked (and balked) at an $8 bottle of water at a lobby kiosk at the Bellagio (LV).

You don't have to reply to all of the NYC posts. You can ignore the pesky question-askers and maybe they will go away.

Thank you mrwnrfl, finally a *NICE* post and also a voice of reason. This is such a harsh thread. Sad.

Of course it would be nice if people did their homework, including a search on Fodors. But live in a perfect world!

However, YOU HAVE A CHOICE! If giving info and advice is so beneath you, an annoyance, then *WHY* are you even here??????

There is absolutely NO REASON to be rude or harsh on a CYBER FORUM! Is your real life that unhappy that you must *bully* people here? If you have too much free time, volunteer!

As my grandmother would say, some people are more to be pitied than despised!

Cleverly written. I'll save this post to refer to when you NYers (and wannabe NYers) ask about what to see, eat, do, sleep, etc. in our neighborhoods. :-)

I don't see where this should be considered rude or harsh. Cleverly told, it is advice for all of those who miss out on good advice because they don't ask questions correctly, on a forum that is full of questions..you have to ask a good question if you expect a good answer.
This is informative while being humorous, which is always welcome to me.
How many people have asked Where to eat? and never gotten one reply? Think about it and see if it is more harsh to be reminded to do some homework and have a good question or to be ignored.
I think this post should stay in the top 50 all the time.

I agree with Scarlett. I just reread the original post to be sure, and I find it humorous in a slightly sarcastic way, but not rude or mean-spirited. Again, the point is that we can help people much more if they have put a little thought and research into their trip and if they give us more information in their post.

QCs post is dripping with smug sarcasm. Artificial Limb District. Ha Ha.

And what exactly is wrong wsith sarcasm? It's very popular in NY - get usd to it.

It's belittling and condescending. Gratefully, the Parisian counterpart went away.

Yes, belittling and condescending and also totally predictable.

And in fact, quite humorous; you and your groupies get your panties in a bunch over nameless, faceless posters in cyberspace! That is pathetic! This is a *TRAVEL BOARD*. Oh wait, perhaps you're just using another screen name from the *sewing circle* that has developed here.

Regardless, way to roll out the welcome mat to your fair city!

Interesting a similar thread hasn't appeared regarding other popular *neighborhoods* such as Las Vegas, Sedona, LA, The Grand Canyon, ect.

Sincerely,
Audra who will now change his screen name like the rest of you.

;)

audra is a guy ??! I always thought that was a girls name..

About time someone mentioned it!!! QC ..you got my vote!

The original post makes some good points but I don't think it was necessary to do so in such an insulting and sniffy way.

LOL, mrwunrfl, sniffy way ?
Sorry, that just sounds funny to me, especially since allergies have me sitting here sniffing :D