HELP!!! NEW TO NEW YORK
Jan 8th, 2001, 05:10 PM
#21
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Kathy,
I was one of the most overly paranoid overplanners for a trip to New York. I can honestly tell you from that stand point, that we walked from the theaters at night to our hotel. And, I even got the courage to take a ride on the subway system down to the Staten Island Ferry. Again, I can't emphasize how overly paranoid I was, and I felt just fine walking at night and riding the subways.
I was one of the most overly paranoid overplanners for a trip to New York. I can honestly tell you from that stand point, that we walked from the theaters at night to our hotel. And, I even got the courage to take a ride on the subway system down to the Staten Island Ferry. Again, I can't emphasize how overly paranoid I was, and I felt just fine walking at night and riding the subways.
Jan 9th, 2001, 10:41 AM
#24
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Hi,
We're wondering how much of my hard earned cash NYC is going to swallow. I got hotel rates (higher then I expected) from web sites. I also got admission prices to some attractions (about what I expected). How about restaurant prices. For breakfast I don't plan on having a $50 per person burnch. We will probably go to the average bacon and eggs restuarant or grab a bagel sandwich from a street vendor. Most of our lunches will be lighter fare, probable deli type places. For dinner we want to have a nicer meal in a decent but inexpenseive plae (if they exist). we might want to have two or three really nice dinners if a place is highly recommended. Can anyone give some suggestions on all types of restaurants.
We're wondering how much of my hard earned cash NYC is going to swallow. I got hotel rates (higher then I expected) from web sites. I also got admission prices to some attractions (about what I expected). How about restaurant prices. For breakfast I don't plan on having a $50 per person burnch. We will probably go to the average bacon and eggs restuarant or grab a bagel sandwich from a street vendor. Most of our lunches will be lighter fare, probable deli type places. For dinner we want to have a nicer meal in a decent but inexpenseive plae (if they exist). we might want to have two or three really nice dinners if a place is highly recommended. Can anyone give some suggestions on all types of restaurants.
Jan 9th, 2001, 10:58 AM
#26
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just a quick post on a few good web sites
http/newyork.citysearch.com is great for nightlife, attraction, shows, hotels etc..check out 'the best of'
also what i love to do is walking tours
www.bigonion.com offers educational tours throughout the city--if you are around during the muli-ethnic eating tour I would definately suggest that
http/newyork.citysearch.com is great for nightlife, attraction, shows, hotels etc..check out 'the best of'
also what i love to do is walking tours
www.bigonion.com offers educational tours throughout the city--if you are around during the muli-ethnic eating tour I would definately suggest that
Jan 9th, 2001, 11:54 AM
#27
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It will help if you can tell us kinds of food you like and what budget you are thinking of for thoses dinners (both inexpensive and "really nice"--these are highly subjective and mean different things to different people). Also, lcation? Are you wanting to stick to midtown or are you willing to branch out a bit? If the latter, there are more inexpensive-but-very-good options.
A bagel or donut and coffee from a street stand is $1-1.50. Egg-on-a-roll plus coffe type breakfast from a bodega (corner store/deli) is around $2-3. Coffee-shop breakfast in midtown, $6+. If you stay in a suite hotel with kitchenette, you can buy provisions and eat breakfast there. Corner-deli style sandwiches run $4-5. Hot dogs, kebabs, etc. from street carts, $2-3.
A bagel or donut and coffee from a street stand is $1-1.50. Egg-on-a-roll plus coffe type breakfast from a bodega (corner store/deli) is around $2-3. Coffee-shop breakfast in midtown, $6+. If you stay in a suite hotel with kitchenette, you can buy provisions and eat breakfast there. Corner-deli style sandwiches run $4-5. Hot dogs, kebabs, etc. from street carts, $2-3.
Jan 9th, 2001, 07:50 PM
#28
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Look for an Irish Pub for a good meal at a good price. We found a great one in the East Village but I can't remember the name. There were 4 of us in NY for 4 days and the cost of food was not a big investment, however, we skipped the fancy restaurants. Had a blast by the way and never felt unsafe-we mostly took the subways. Do the Empire State at night and see a show-the kids ( and you) might really enjoy "STOMP"-off broadway, high energy and not too expensive. Maybe stop in at the FAO Schwartz toy store. Lots to see and experience-an exciting city!
Jan 10th, 2001, 09:06 AM
#29
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Thanks Loni, I've added America to my list. It sounds great.
Jason, thanks for the web site addresses. A walking tour sounds like a good idea.
Caitlin, you are absolutely right-expensive means different things to different people. I was looking for a nice dinner that is not much more then $30 per person. As far as the dinds of food we like goes I am looking for steak places. Also is there a good seafood restaurant in NYC We would also love a good italian restuarant. Are ther any chinese restaurants that also serve steaks and burgers (the kids don't like Chinese food, but my husband and I love it.) As far as location goes we are willing to branch out for a really great place.
Ginger, your not the first one to recommend Stome, so it's at the top of our list. Hopefully tickets will be available through half-price tickets for this show. As far as shopping goes FAO Schwartz is on my list of musts.
Kathy
Jason, thanks for the web site addresses. A walking tour sounds like a good idea.
Caitlin, you are absolutely right-expensive means different things to different people. I was looking for a nice dinner that is not much more then $30 per person. As far as the dinds of food we like goes I am looking for steak places. Also is there a good seafood restaurant in NYC We would also love a good italian restuarant. Are ther any chinese restaurants that also serve steaks and burgers (the kids don't like Chinese food, but my husband and I love it.) As far as location goes we are willing to branch out for a really great place.
Ginger, your not the first one to recommend Stome, so it's at the top of our list. Hopefully tickets will be available through half-price tickets for this show. As far as shopping goes FAO Schwartz is on my list of musts.
Kathy
Jan 10th, 2001, 12:22 PM
#31
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Generally speaking, traditional steak houses here are expensive--the steak itself around $30, and side dishes are extra. However, you can definitely get a French-style Steak frites (steak, perhaps with sauce, and thin-cut fries) in your budget range. For that, I'd recommend Steak Frites on 16th St. btn. 5th Ave and Union Square West or Les Halles on Park Ave. So. around 26th St. or thereabouts (use Yahoo yellow pages or wait and use the one in your hotel room). For seafood in your budget and a nice atmosphere, try Blue Water Grill, corner of Union Square West and 16th St. (same block as Steak Frites). For Italian in midtown and in your budget, you might consider the oft-recommended (on this forum) Becco, which has a $22 pasta tasting menu--as much as you want of salad and three daily-changing pasta specials. All these places need reservations.
I doubt you could find a Chinese place here that serves steaks and burgers, but if you did, I doubt you'd want to try the Chinese food...
Midtown doesn't have a lot of inexpensive restaurants that are very good, except on 9th Ave. in the 50s. There are many ethic restaurants there, and also Island Burgers and Shakes, which serves burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches with your choice of about a million toppings and is inexpensive. A similar place is Jackson Hole, a local chain with several locations around town that specializes in big burgers in many varieties.
I get that you're an overplanner, but I suggest that you file this away and then come back here in May to ask about restaurant suggestions. The responses you'll get will be more up-to-date and germane to your June trip.
I doubt you could find a Chinese place here that serves steaks and burgers, but if you did, I doubt you'd want to try the Chinese food...
Midtown doesn't have a lot of inexpensive restaurants that are very good, except on 9th Ave. in the 50s. There are many ethic restaurants there, and also Island Burgers and Shakes, which serves burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches with your choice of about a million toppings and is inexpensive. A similar place is Jackson Hole, a local chain with several locations around town that specializes in big burgers in many varieties.
I get that you're an overplanner, but I suggest that you file this away and then come back here in May to ask about restaurant suggestions. The responses you'll get will be more up-to-date and germane to your June trip.
Jan 10th, 2001, 01:42 PM
#32
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Tickets may or may not be available for Stomp at 1/2 price but FYI , they "only" cost about $50.00 a seat full price-not too bad compared to Broadway. When we went in Oct. there were seats available (1/2 price) for Chicago and for Cabaret-good shows!
Jan 10th, 2001, 02:21 PM
#33
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You got some good suggestions. You might also want to look into Blue Man Tubes. Teenagers seem to love that show. They might also actually enjoy Jeykl & Hyde even though it is a musical. Chinatown is a great evening trip for cheap eats, as is little Italy. One of my favorites in Little Italy is Luna. John's Pizza on Bleeker is in the heart of the Village & is considered a landmark. Good window shopping before & after. Don't forget the sports bars, the boys will love it (you may need a beer or two though)-ESPN ZONE, WWF, Allstar Cafe. Not so expensive, huge shareable sp? portions, great things to look out while waiting for the food.
Jan 11th, 2001, 06:20 AM
#35
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AC, Thanks for the info on Gallagher's. Maybe we'll try it.
Caitlin, I will definitely check out Blue Water Griss and Becco. Island Burgers sounds like a good lunch idea.
Ginger, We will probably wait until we get there to buy Broadway tickets. It looks like half-proce tickets always has quite a variety of shows available. Hopefully that won't change between now and the time I get there.
Thanks everyone,
Kathy
Caitlin, I will definitely check out Blue Water Griss and Becco. Island Burgers sounds like a good lunch idea.
Ginger, We will probably wait until we get there to buy Broadway tickets. It looks like half-proce tickets always has quite a variety of shows available. Hopefully that won't change between now and the time I get there.
Thanks everyone,
Kathy
Jan 11th, 2001, 06:58 AM
#36
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OK, Kathy, you can take rest from your planning. Except perhaps for booking the hotel, there is little else to do now for you Junue trip! It's certainly too early to make restaurant reservations; and since you've decided to get discount theater tickets, there's nothing else to do on that front either.
A couple observations:
1. You may not have a huge choice of shows at discount prices in June, since that is a fairly busy theater season. If you have not gone to too many shows, however, you'll probably be able to find something for your family to see. You might consider joining the Playbill club on its website (www. playbill.com). It's free and it's not a gimmick. Once you join, you are "eligible" for discount tickets to some shows. The advantage over the TKTS booth is that you wouldn't have to wait in line and you can get tickets in advance (by phone or at the box office). Be aware, however, that offers for June probably would not be posted until sometime in May.
2. As for restaurants, you should make reservations at the popular ones (like Becco) 2-3 weeks before.
Now, relax!
A couple observations:
1. You may not have a huge choice of shows at discount prices in June, since that is a fairly busy theater season. If you have not gone to too many shows, however, you'll probably be able to find something for your family to see. You might consider joining the Playbill club on its website (www. playbill.com). It's free and it's not a gimmick. Once you join, you are "eligible" for discount tickets to some shows. The advantage over the TKTS booth is that you wouldn't have to wait in line and you can get tickets in advance (by phone or at the box office). Be aware, however, that offers for June probably would not be posted until sometime in May.
2. As for restaurants, you should make reservations at the popular ones (like Becco) 2-3 weeks before.
Now, relax!
Jan 11th, 2001, 12:37 PM
#37
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Howard,
We are going to look at all of our hotel options this weekend and pick one.
I'm sure I'll find a show at half price tickets that we will all want to see. There aren't that many that we have seen as there aren't a lot of choices here in Wisconsin. I will also check into joining playbill.
I want to thank all of you for your help. And a special thank you to Caitlin, Howard, and AC
Now I'll leave you guys alone until my trip gets closer.
Kathy
We are going to look at all of our hotel options this weekend and pick one.
I'm sure I'll find a show at half price tickets that we will all want to see. There aren't that many that we have seen as there aren't a lot of choices here in Wisconsin. I will also check into joining playbill.
I want to thank all of you for your help. And a special thank you to Caitlin, Howard, and AC
Now I'll leave you guys alone until my trip gets closer.
Kathy
Jan 11th, 2001, 01:27 PM
#38
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Yes, Howard, you are correct. I was under the impression that All Star was just closed temporarily for renovation. And, I see those David Hasselhof posters all over the place so I assumed Jekyl & Hyde was still kicking. Oh well... Anyway, WWF & ESPN Zone are still around. OH WAIT! What about Mars 2112? My friend's kids loved that place! Howard, do you have kids (I don't)? Is Mars still happening?
Jan 12th, 2001, 05:48 AM
#40
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Ellen, I have grandkids. (Does that count?) They're still a little young for the places we've discussed. Their favorite right now is the American Museum of Natural History. However, since our 7-year-old grandson is learning about Monet in school (!), we plan to take him to the Metropolitan Museum soon.
For Kathy and other NYC visitors, check out The Big Apple Greeter Program in which volunteers share their knowledge of the city with you, and it's free.
Website: www.bigapplegreeter.org
Phone: 2312-669-8159
For Kathy and other NYC visitors, check out The Big Apple Greeter Program in which volunteers share their knowledge of the city with you, and it's free.
Website: www.bigapplegreeter.org
Phone: 2312-669-8159
