I have two NYC questions
 

Is Times Square still pedestrianized? I've read conflicting things as to whether or not it's going to be permanent. I'll be there this weekend and normally wouldn't be in the times square area but I'd like to see it traffic free.

My other question - does anyone have any tips about things to see or do in northern Manhattan - I'll be staying above 181st street, near the Cloisters. And the cloisters is the only place I've been that far north. Obviously I'll take the subway downtown but since I'm already up there I'd like to explore a little. My friends whose apt. I'm staying in just recently moved up there from the upper west side and gave me a few suggestions but hoped someone here might have more. .

Anything else exciting happening this weekend in NY? We'll be there Thursday through Sunday. Thanks

You can venture into the Bronx - Bronx Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

I can tell you that parts of Times Square were pedestrianized this past weekend. My guess is it will stay that way thru Labor Day weekend.

I read yesterday that it will be Times Square will be a ped. zone through labor day at least then "re-examined."

Can't help with your location other than to say your commute downtown will be looong (IMO) and if you are on the A/C lines, there will probably be delays/re-routing on the weekend and later at night. The 1 train is still skipping 181st Street due to the station "collapse" - I would suggest checking out www.mta.info for advisories as you will either break your bank if you get stuck having to take a cab unexpectedly home or bored senseless riding the bus.

<i>Anything else exciting happening this weekend in NY? We'll be there Thursday through Sunday. Thanks </i>

http://www.metoperafamily.org/metope...e.aspx?id=8586

That's pretty exciting for me, and I wish I could be in NYC for this.

isabel - even pedestrianized, it's not traffic free. The west side of Times Square (street sign says 7th Ave, but the addresses are B'way) has cars. Imo, this is one of the dumbest things that the city has come up with.

If you go to the Cloisters, you can picnic in Ft. Tryon Park. I love the Botanic Gardens. If you go, the Heirloom Tomato Photography exhibit is small, but wonderful.

http://www.nybg.org

cherrybomb - Hi! Long time no see!

If you M4 bus down, stop in at the Hispanic Society, MMe Alexanders doll factory, Riverside Church, Grants Tomb and St John the Divine and the Museum of the City of New York.

Farther downtown, the Fringe festival is still going on - look for my thread on this or go to fringenyc.org

Also in The Bronx: Wave Hill, Van Cortlandt Park, and Little Italy (Arthur Avenue).

Thanks for the replies. Especially the info about the 181st ST station closure. Oh well, we can walk a few blocks to another station. Good to know though.

I'll check out some of the other suggestions.

You could have a look at the Morris Jumel Mansion - the oldest house in Manhattan - at w 162 St I think. Don;t know the details but apparently Washington used it as his headquarters for a while (among dozens of other places)

There's a small lighthouse in Ft. Tryon Park. It's closed, but if you walk down to it, there are amazing views from that spot of the George Washington Bridge (you're practically right under the bridge), the Hudson River and New Jersey. If the weather is good, it's worth the walk. Great photo op (and definitely not the typical tourist spot).

I've been to the Jumel Mansion, mentioned above. If you're interested in old historical houses from the Colonial period, it's definitely worth a visit. The house has been restored to its original condition and furnished with furnishings from the period. And the tour is worthwhile, again, if you're interested in the history. The tour guide we had knew everything about the house, but also about the history of the neighborhood.

While I love the Botanical Garden, I prefer the zoo (but that's just me). Especially the older section, which I believe dates from the late 19th Century.

Thanks for the suggestions. The Jumel Mansion was on our list. I think we will probably check it out. As we live in New England (in a colonial era house) it's not as much a draw for us as it might be for some people. But I understand there is a free jazz concert there this weekend so we might try that.

I've often wondered about the little red lighthouse. I've known it was there but I don't know how you get over to it. Is there a pedestrian crossing over the west side highway? I don't recall one but then I've never paid much attention to that part of the city. Our friends just moved there from the upper west side and this is the first time we'll be staying in their new apt.