leaving for NYC on Wednesday!
 

My daughter and I will be taking the Amtrak from Baltimore Wednesday a.m. to NYC for our two-day trip! We're so excited.

We have decided that we DO want to see a play while we are there. I spent several hours online today at various discount ticket sites (theatermania.com; playbill.com) and of course, the shows we would LOVE to see (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Wicked, Doubt) are sold out. I can't even find tickets for shows such as "Beauty and the Beast" or "Rent." I did find tickets for Jersey Boys, but they are still approximately $75, and I'm not sure if this is a good use of my money since reviews don't seem exceptional. I'm wondering if perhaps I should consider "Trip to Bountiful" which is off-Broadway. Reviews are good for this show.

Do I understand correctly that all shows (even the sold-out shows) will have SOME tickets that become available each day? And that these tickets are available either at the theater box office OR at the TKTS booths each day?

So, if I do not buy tickets on-line before going to New York, do I still have a chance of purchasing tickets to some show after I get there? I am unsure about what to do if I cannot get tickets for a "good" show. I don't want to throw money away on a mediocre show. Or is it worthwhile to do so just to have the theater experience?

We will arrive in the city just before lunch, and I'm looking forward to our first meal there. But, it has occurred to me that our hotel probably won't let us check in until 2:00, so we have the problem of what to do about our luggage. I do hope the hotel will let us leave the luggage there so we can go out and find a great place to eat lunch. Is that a pretty common practice? Actually, we will each have only a small rolling bag, so that won't be too bad if we have to keep our luggage with us.

I would appreciate any suggestions for lunch. We will be walking from Penn Station to Times Square.

Vicki

tickets sold on TKTS are for shows that have not sold out - that means the newer, or very popular shows, are not available. For example, Wicked tickets would not be available. You also have to get on line very early in the day (which entails waiting on line in the cold for a few hours).
However, at up to 50% off if a not as popular or an older show is new to you, it is a very good deal.
other ways to get discounts:
www.theatermania.com
or www.playbill.com

As a last resort just buy the ticket online from ticketmaster and save yourself some aggrevation and running around during your vacation.

As for not checking in until 2 - hotels allow you to check your baggage with the bellhop if there is a time lag and you have a room reservation. Just dont leave your valuables in that luggage - pack your jewlery, etc in your purse and make sure you get a claim ticket.

I agree that you should probably try ticket master before you leave home for tickets and if there is nothing you want to pay full price for, try TKTS, but NOT in Times Square, you will be waiting for HOURS in line, and that is the line for tourists. There is a booth at the South Street Seaport that opens at 10am and you can get in and out with your tickets before the booth in Times Square opens, so you will have your pick of LOTS more shows and have better seats.

The booth is at the back of the Prudential Building on the corner of Fulton and Water St. (facing the South St. Seaport it will be on your right), then you can have lunch in the area or walk a bit uptown (again go right up Water St, to Confucious Square), under the Brooklyn Bridge to Chinatown for Dim Sum, and then Canal St for a little shopping.

Have a great time while you are here, and bring your umbrellas, the weather forcasters are calling for rain on Thursday and again on New Year's Eve.

The South Street Seaport TKTS line does NOT sell tickets for a same day matinee. You can only get tickets for that evening or the next day. Same day matinee tickets are only available at the Times Sq booth.

Some general advice: You will be in New York during the busiest time of the year for Broadway shows. You are not going have that much of a choice on the day of the performance. I suggest you check out the discount offers on line (playbill.com and broadwaybox.com) and get your tickets NOW! At this late date, you're not going to have that much of a choice for this week's performances.

One of the reviews for Jersey Boys said it was this year's guilty pleasure.

Yes, pickings will be slim for shows this week.

Have you tried to find singles for the shows you want to see? You have a really good chance of getting two singles rather than two seats together.

We went to my in-laws, definitely not theater types, for Christmas, and they were jamming out to the Jersey Boys soundtrack.

My 60 year old in-laws were singing "Sherry" and doing 50's style dances in the kitchen. The stress of Katrina is definitely making them crack up! LOL!

The soundtrack sounded pretty good and they are hoping that it comes to the Saenger Theater here in NOLA next year on tour.

We got tickets to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at TKTS 1/2 hour before the evening performance on December 19th 2005 for 50%off (about $60each). No waiting, walked right up and bought them. It was very funny, light, frothy entertainment and John Lithgow was outstanding as usual. There were tons of empty seats (rows and rows) and it was a Monday night performance (very little else to choose from on Mondays because most theaters are dark). Balcony seats were v.good.

I've found it's best not to focus on a certain show and to see what is available when we get there. We've seen some gems that way with no stress about advance ticketing. I think it's good that you've educated yourself about plays and musicals that you'd like to see. Hope you get the tickets you really want.

Yes, drop your luggage without major valuables at the hotel baggage storage. No problem.

Very good, inexpensive and very cute cafe for lunch is La Parisienne .8 miles from Times Square on 7th Avenue near Central Park (after you drop off luggage).

Great place for Mom and Daughter.

http://www.nyc.com/restaurants/La_Pa..._location.aspx

Another adorable Mom and Daughter place if you go downtown.

Tea and Sympathy

http://www.teaandsympathynewyork.com/home.php

Have fun!

Is the Seaport ticket booth walkable from Times Square, or would we have to take the subway? I'm actually hoping that we can avoid using the subway (one more thing to figure out!).

Our planned activities at this point are: go to the Top of the Rock, shop, eat, have an NBC tour and see the Today show (guess we'll be up early), shop, go to a play, shop, eat ONE really nice meal, go to MOMA, and did I mention shop? I believe that all these things are within walking distance of Times Square. I always enjoy finding a piece of jewelry unique to the area when I travel. Nothing real expensive (less than $100), but still special. Oh, we'd also like to see Canal Street. And Central Park. And eat at some real New York delis.

Can't believe I'm going to New York City and will soon be walking down Broadway!

Vicki

Wow, Vicki, you're going to be planning a return trip before your first one is over -- there's no way you can do all that in 2 days.

Seaport and Canal Street are way Downtown, not in walking distance to Times Square.

Vicki: IF you do NOTHING else to
make the most efficient use of your
stay, do figure out the subway system.

There are 2 separate booths; the one between Penn & the LIRR to the front
of the enclosed waiting room is
personed and they have MAPS.

Canal Street is way down and
Central Park is way up & not only
are taxis $$-prohibitive but will be
agonizingly slow in holiday traffic.

You can get a Metro card which
can also be used on buses. Do
consider it as you will get to see
more w/your daughter. BTW,
Canal Street also has alot of knock-offs should be be interested.
Cash only (But don't flash it).

Prev. poster advise re purchasing your tickets prior to your arrival is quite wise. Not only will you have the comfort of knowing you have seats (which do NOT have to be together) but it will allow you more fun time.

Hope you both have a great time here.

Rhea, I assume you buy Metro cards for whatever amount you want? How much would you suggest? I wouldn't have any idea..... We'll only be there for 48 hours.

Does it cost one flat amount to board the subway or do you pay according to where you are going?

Just checked weather, and it is supposed to be very rainy on Thursday! BAh! I don't have any waterproof boots -- just some Uggs. Guess I could run out and get some water-proofing spray today. Temps will not be terribly low, however. I have heard so much about how cold it is to walk around the city, so I will pack my wool gloves, wool hat, two wool scarves (one to wrap around neck and chest inside coat and one to wrap around head and throat) and a longish wool coat. I'm wondering if I should carry along a tote bag to stash the scarves and gloves and hat when we stop to shop? I hate to be all bundled up and try to shop.

Vicki

Vicki,
I highly recommend the subway. It is generally the fastest, easiest way to get around. Here is the website for maps for subways and buses: http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/

The subway stations have vending machines for metrocards that take both cash and credit cards. The 1 day unlimited metrocard costs $7; it's good for unlimited subway and local bus rides from first use until 3 a.m. the following day. A regular subway fare is $2, and yes, you can buy a metrocard for as much as you want to put on it - if I recall correctly you get a bonus ride for every 5 you buy: For example you buy a $10 card and actually get $12 on it.

The subway is really not too hard to figure out how to use: just follow the signs and remember uptown is north of wherever you are and downtown is south of wherever you are. If in doubt, ask someone; New Yorkers are generally much more helpful than they're given credit for. :-)

Just some odd thoughts. You might consider spending 1 day midtown (Top of Rock, MOMA, Times Square, maybe Central Park and shopping) and 1 day downtown (Chinatown, Seaport TKTS booth, maybe Soho or Greenwich Village and shopping).

People have been raving about Jersey Boys. If the seats you can buy for $75 are good (look at seating chart) Here's one

http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/c...b/plan_vir.htm

go ahead and buy them if you like the Four Seasons music.

Your hotel will store the luggage until you can check in. If you're arriving tomorrow, Wed. I would suggest NOT eating lunch in the Times Square area as it will be mobbed since it's a matinee day. I would walk or taxi from Penn Station to your hotel, drop your luggage and head north to Le Pain Quotidien on 7th ave. & 58th st. It's a nice place for good soup, salad, sandwiches, pastries etc. Not too expensive. You'll then be 1 block from Central Park (at 59 st). If it's not too cold, go into the park. Here's a map

http://www.centralparknyc.org/virtualpark

You will be entering from Central Park South. Head to Bethseda Terrace. If you're cold, stop at the Loeb Boat House for a hot drink then head to the zoo and come out of the park on Fifth ave. heading south to 59 st. There you'll find all the famous stores and decorations. Keep walking south to 51 st where you'll see Rockefeller Center. There's a store H & M that you will both like. Don't miss the decorations on Saks Fifth Ave. which is across the street.

Since this is a busy time, you should probably decide where you want your 1 fancy meal and try to book at reservation. Menupages.com is a good place to look for restaurants by area and by cuisine.

IMHO, you can save the transit lessons for next time. With just two days, and plans for a show, MOMA, Rock/NBC/Today, and shopping, etc., you'll be able to fill your time walking around Midtown.

I agree with anonymous. If you stay midtown, don't worry about the subway. But if you want to go downtown for Chinatown, the TKTS booth, a look see of Greenwich Village or anything else, subway is the way to go. Here's a subway map

http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/submap.htm

A funny thing happened on the way in to the office this morning... A group of three youngish women were standing by the Christmas tree in Rock Center (it was about 8:45am). One of them was holding a piece of paper and the others were reading along. Piece of paper holder said "ok, we have only two hours so this is what I think we should do. Let's go to Rockefeller Center observation deck, then walk up to the Museum of Modern Art and then see the Metropolitan Museum of Art. After that, let's figure out where to have lunch before we head back to the aiport. What time is the flight?" Companions answer, "4:00".

My point is... don't try to cram EVERYTHING into a short period of time. You will end up exhausted and cranky. Take your time! Stroll through the museums, streets, neighborhoods, shops, etc. Then, come back again and explore some more!

Even if you stay midtown and never leave it - please get yourself a decent map. It's really easy to get around - but only if you know where you're going.

And with the weather on Thursday you will want to use the subway (taxis disappear when it rains - even more so when it's cold and rainy) so its feet or subway.

Do not attempt to keep your luggage with you - get rid of it immediately (any hotel will hold it for you until you check in - and if you arrive near 2 you will probably be able to check in at once.)

You have know idea how crowded the city sidewalks will be this week (think a million kids out of school being taken places by their parents) - and trying to walk dragging bags behind you will be extremely difficult - and probably unpleasant (when you start running into people with the bags they WILL NOT be happy.) Just grab a cab from Penn Sta to your hotel - it's only a few $.

Jersey Boys is a blast! OK, it isn't Shakespeare....but it is fabulous fun! The cast is excellent - and you can watch the star really come of age right before your eyes. I think almost anyone under 75 would just love it. Everyone has at least heard the music at some point, because it is in the background of our lives even now. Don't underestimate the show because the Four Seasons don't mean much - if anything at all - to you. It is extremely well done. I bet we see at least a couple of Tony's this year!

I've been studying the subway map (thanks for the link), but can't seem to get much out of it. I understand the concept of COLORS for different lines/routes, but what in the world do all the LETTERS mean? The subways have letters AND colors, or just letters?

I'm trying to figure out what train I would take to get to the South Street Seaport ticket booth, but if it involves a transfer -- forget it. Could we stop on Canal Street on the way back from the ticket booth? It looks like this is served by the same color line. Again, I will be staying on (at) Times Square.

Thanks for your help.
Vicki