HELP!!! NEW TO NEW YORK
 

Hi, <BR>My husband and I and our 2 children (aged 12 and 16) will be visiting NYC in June. I am thoroughly confused and have several questions. The attractions we want to see are Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, a Broadway Play, the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, Time Square, and Central Park. Anything else you reccommend? <BR>My main question is where should we stay. I am looking for a moderately priced decent hotel in a convenient area. Based on the sites we want to visit, should we stay midtown, downtown, uptown, upper east side, upper west side, Soho, or somewhere else? <BR> <BR>Are there any really good websites? Is there a website that lists what is going on in the various theaters? <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Kathy <BR>

I'd recommend somewhere in the mid-town area would be a good location. Try the Marriott or Doubletree as they would be in that very area. The Parker Meridian is a nice choice to as it has an indoor pool on the 42nd floor and an easy walk to Central Park or Broadway and easy access to Subways or bus lines. While your down near Battery Park (ferry to Ellis Island & Lady Liberty) I'd highly recommend going to the top of the World Trade Center. While not as historic, it actually has a much more spectacular view (my opinion). I'd also recommend going up the Empire at night (quite spectacular at night). The Modern Museum of Modern Art might be of more interest to your kids and you can see a lot in few hours (you could literally spend days at the Met and not see everything). Last but not least, there's really not a lot to see at Radio or Carnegie unless you are seeing a performance. Have fun it's a great city and do not be afraid to use the subways or ask people for directions/assistance.

Adding to David's comments. Most of what you want to see is in the midtown area. You might try one of the two Courtyards by Marriott (one on West 40th St., the other on Lexington Ave. in the east 50s). <BR>As for seeing a cultural institution, there is a tour of Lincoln Center that is quite interesting. And, as for the Radio City Music Hall, I believe there are tours and it worth seeing this magnificent Art Deco structure. <BR>I would add the show at the new planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History to your museum list. At the Metropolitan Museum, make sure you include the Egyptian section. And pute the Temple of Dendur on your must-see list. <BR>The sites on your list that are not in the midtown area (i.e., Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Metropolitan Museum) can be reached by public transportation. (Actually in the case of the Statue and Ellis Island, it'll take you to the boat departure site.)

Thank you David and Howard for all of your input. I will check on your hotel recommendations. Also thanks for the tip on seeing the Egyptian collection. I wouldn't miss it, Egyptian art is my favorite. <BR> <BR>Anyone else who has anything to add pelase do so. I'm really excited about seeing NY. <BR> <BR>Kathy <BR>

Kathy, there are two museums in New York City with superb Egyptian collections: the Metropolitan Museum of Art (82nd at Fifth Avenue) and The Brooklyn Museum of Art (Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn). <BR> <BR>The Metropolitan's collection, easily the best in the country, has been re-designed in the last two years and is outstanding. Seeing it properly is an all-day affair, as it covers roughly 25 separate galleries. There's no "approach" per se, just turn right from the main museum entrance. <BR> <BR>The Brooklyn Museum's collection is nearly as extensive as that of the Metropolitan though not nearly as well displayed. Still, it is well worth visiting, even though it is out of the way. The Nos. 3 (West Side IRT) and 4 (Lexington Avenue line) stop right outside of the museum and are quite safe.

Neal, <BR>Thanks for the museum information, it is greatly apprceiated. Possibly the Brooklyn Museum is something to do when I go to Coney Island. Are they near each other? <BR>

Hi Kathy: <BR>Why do you want to go to Coney Island? <BR>Not much to see really. It is not close to the Brooklyn Museum (which is wonderful) and a long subway ride back to Manhattan. You can see Lady Liberty on the Staten Island Ferry (it's free) just do the round trip from Staten Island. <BR>Don't forget to visit the renovated Grand Central Terminal. You can get your Metro Cards for the bus and subway at the Transit Gallery located by the Station Master's booth. There is a Visitor's center right in Times Square 46 & Broadway where you can get free subway and bus maps and Metro Cards. If you take the bus remember exact change in coins only(1.50) <BR>Welcome to NYC.

AC, <BR>Your not the first person to ask my why I want to go to Coney Island. Maybe I should cross this off my list. There are way too many things I want to see, and I only have a week. <BR> <BR>Kathy <BR>

Just a thought -- since you mentioned you want to go to the third tallest building in New York (Empire State), may I suggest you also visit the tallest (World Trade Towers). The viewing area is more open, the wait is shorter, and you can look down at the Empire State Bldg. Also, there's a TKTS booth (half price Broadway tickets)there, with lines one tenth as long as the comparable TKTS booth at Times Square. <BR> <BR>I also recommend taking the Staten Island Ferry to SEE the Statue of Liberty, but recommend against actually visiting the Island. The lines just to get on the boat are long, and, when you get there, all you can do is look up at the statue. That is, UNLESS you want to wait three hours in line to get to the top for a mediocre, crowded, 30 second view of the Manhattan skyline. <BR> <BR>I do recommend walking along Fifth Avenue, the New York Stock Exchange tour, Federal Hall, and Saint Patrick's Cathedral.

Hi all, <BR>I have heard that taking a taxi in NYC is an expensive rip off because a taxi driver will take a visitor on a joy ride of the city to jack up the fare. I know this can happen anywhere, but in NYC is this true in most cases? <BR> <BR>Kathy <BR>

In a word, no. I'm sure it happens sometimes, but generally speaking, you don't nned to worry about being ripped off by cab drivers. One suggestion I'd make is to get and familiarize yourself with a map of Manhattan before you arrtive. That way you can faniliarize yourself with the city's layout (generaly pretty simple, actually), which will make getting around on foot and via public transit easier, and give you a sense of where a cab driver should be going. <BR> <BR>Check www.radiocity.com and www.carnegihall.org for detailed info on tours of the venues. <BR> <BR>I think if you go out to Coney Island, you'll probably be disappointed and feel you could have spent your time better elsewhere. It's not the "classic" place you're imagining, but a rundown shell of its former self. It's a rather long journey from Manhattan even by subway and is indeed rather far from the Brooklyn Museum (Manhattan is quite compact, but Brooklyn is large).

Hi all, <BR> <BR>I will most likely be staying in Midtown. Is this area safe at night? Also are there any areas of the cith that I should stay out of? <BR>

Hi Kathy: <BR>You need to remember this about NY and any other city, town, or village--do not leave your common sense at home! Be mindful of your surroundings, safeguard your personal belongings, don't count your money on a street corner, don't put your purse on the back of your chair you know the drill. NY is the safest it has been in years but that does not mean that things don't happen. NY goes 24/7/365 literally. People come and go and work all different hours so there is always something going on. Midtown is probably THE safest place to be. Besides you will be so tired from all your sightseeing that you'll be in bed by the 11 O'Clock news. Don't worry so much. Relax and anticipate a wonderful week in NYC!!

Let's put it this way: given the orientation of your activities (popular tourist sights), you are unlikely to find yourself in any part of Manhattan where you will feel unsafe. Givem that you plan to come in the summer, expect Midtown to be fairly busy, and therefore safe. As AC says, bring your common sense and avoid making youself a target for pickpockets (the only crime you'd be likely at all to fall victim to as a tourist). So avoid carrying valuables in a backpack, fanny pack, or anywhere else you can't keep an eye or hand on, and be aware of your surroundings. NYC is quite safe, especially in the well-populated areas you're going to be visiting. Relax and enjoy your visit...and don't be afraid to ask for directions or help on the street. With rare exceptions, you're likely to find New Yorkers, contrary to the stereotype, polite, friendly, and helpful. That's been my experience in the years I've lived here!

Do a search on NYC or New York to bring up all the other comments on the city. If you insist on going up to the Statute of Liberty, I remember reading that first thing in the morning is the best time - shortest lines. The next stop on the ferry is Ellis Island. From what I read, you'll spend as much time in line to get off the island as you did looking around. If you're going to be there a week, consider getting the City Pass. If you go to more than 3 of the 6 attractions, it's definitely worth the money. On my trip in October, we got our Broadway tickets at the TKTS booth at the World Trade Center, then later saw the line at the Time Square TKTS booth. DEFINITELY pick up your tickets at WTC. <BR> <BR>After an intensive 3 day, 2 night trip to NYC, one of the things I enjoyed the most was hoofing it around town.

Here's another assurance that you should be safe in New York. It's doubtful that as a tourist you'd be anywhere near the high-crime areas of the city. <BR>One more bit of advice: Relax and don't get paranoid about your safety, about being ripped off, etc. AS other posters have said: Be careful and be aware.

Hi, <BR>You all mentioned that as a tourist I will be seeing tourist attractions that are in safe areas and I won't be in the high crime area of the city. But note of you said where the high crime area is. So where is it? <BR> <BR>Kathy <BR>

Kathy, like any big city (or small city, for that matter), there are areas that have higher crime rates than other areas. And, New York being the largest city in the U.S. and one of the largest the world, certainly has "unsafe" areas. None of us is about to list all the "unsafe" areas. (Unless we're in the crime-prevention business in NYC, none of us could be called authorities on the subject in any sense of the word!) Why don't you tell where you plan to go, and perhaps we can tell you about the safety factor. <BR>Meanwhile, I iterate that you seem to be hung up on this subject. Frankly, if it's going to bother you that much, I think you'll have a lousy time when you come here and ought to think about going someplace else!

Kathy, really, you needn't worry about high-crime areas. First, the higher-crime areas are either essentially residential or are areas without much commercial acticities anyway, and are literally on the fringes of the island relative to where you'll likely be, e.g., the far eastern and western edges above and below (but NOT in) midtown, the easternmost part of the Lower East Side, and some areas above 110th Street. In other words, the places you're likely to be--midtown, lower Manhattan near South Street Seaport, the WTC, Wall Street, or Chinatown, Central Park during the day, and the Village--are quite safe. Since it's five months until your trip, I think/hope you'll have time to let your unnecessary concerns blow off. You'll be totally fine here. If you are from a particularly quiet part of the midwest, you may indeed find NYC to be a bit of a sensory overload, but if you relax you'll find it an exciting one, not a frightening one!

Okay Horard and Caitlin, I'll get off of the NYC is dangerous kick. I lived in Milwaukee, WI for several years and now live in a quiet suburb outside of Milwaukee. But I do go to Chicago often, and love it there. NYC is probably no more dangerous then Chicago as long as I don't do anything stupid. Thanks for your patience. <BR>