NYC for a history geek
 

I am traveling to NYC for a conference that begins Monday, May 7 and ends the next day.

My flight arrives in NYC on Saturday, May 5 around 10:45am at LGA. I basically have the rest of Saturday and all of Sunday (I have only been to NYC once before and saw little while there). My wife will be traveling with me so she will get an extra couple days while I am at the conference on Monday and Tuesday.

I enjoy history and plan on going to Federal Hall, Cooper Union (Lincoln's speech) and the Statue of Liberty. We will be staying at the Park Central New York Hotel at 870 7th Ave.

I really want to see the Statue, but many think it is not worth the time. Thoughts? What is the best way of going about making it worthwhile?

Anything about Federall Hall or Cooper Union I should know?

What other great historical sites, etc. would be worth a look.

My wife wants to see a show. Is there any way to get less expensive tickets for her to a show. Any must-see shows?

What restuarants are good to try when near our hotel or near historic sites. We would like inexpensive (less than $20-25 for an entree), small and ones that locals patronize.

Any general must-sees?

Thank you.

Nagel

Grant's tomb?

I was going to suggest Grant's Tomb, as well. It's a bit of a haul from Midtown, but the Cloisters is nearby, so you could do both while you're there.

Frankly, I can't think of anything that makes going into the Statue of Libery worthwhile anymore. It's just too much hassle, and you can see it as the ferry passes by. What is very much worthwhile and so often neglected is the Ellis Island museum, which is a treasure trove of immigration history. Just stay on the ferry, check out the view of the statue, and spend several hours at the museum. If you can get one of the new tours of the old ferry building that were just announced, that would be great too.

There are also interesting walking tours of Governor's Island, but I think they are offered only on weekdays.

You can get half-price tickets at the TKTS booth if you don't want to buy tickets in advance; if you want to know what you're seeing, register at Playbill.com and buy discount tickets. Drowsy Chaperone is good.

For a very different dinner, check out the Bar Room at The Modern in MOMA (make reservations now if you want to do that) or try the cafe at Aquavit, an excellent Swedish restaurant in Midtown (again, reserve). The prix-fixe at the cafe is an excellent value at $35 for 3 courses, or they have even cheaper Swedish "home cooking" entrees during the week. Both of these restaurants are within walking distance of your hotel.

If you have time before May 7, be sure to watch Ric Burns' documentary on New York. I believe it's now in 8 parts, chronological, so you might want to watch just the 1st few for the early history.

Netflix has it.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/newyork/

I think the most historical part is downtown.

www.DowntownNY.com

Visit the Federal Building where George Washington was sworn in as the very first President of the United States and then walked up the street to pray at Trinity Church.

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge built in 1883.

Visit Fraunces Tavern and the Maritime Musuem.

I think the best architecture is downtown.

Call ahead to Cooper Union and ask to see the Great Hall where Abraham Lincoln spoke in 1860. The podium used by Lincoln is still right there, and you can stand behind it as Lincoln did. Pretty cool.

Outside the Great Hall is a small exhibit about the time & Abe's visit.

Enjoy!

Definitely check out

The New York Historical Society - always has interesting exhbiits

The Ellis Island Immigration Museum - a brilliant exhbiit of all the various people who entered the US through Ellis Island and how they afected the growth and development o f both NYC and the coountry

Tenement Museusm

Museum of the City of New York

Fraunce's Tavern - where Washington bade farewell to his roups at the end of the Revolutionary War (food is just OK)

And - if you have any time outside of the city take a day trip up the Hudson to see some of the houses of the Dutch padroons near Tarrytown

I would not spend the time necesary to see the inside of the statue - since it takes so long - and there's so much more valuable/interesting you can do with the time

Since you can't actual go into the statue anymore (just the base), I probably wouldn't bother with the statue. Either view it from the ferry to Ellis Island (if you do that), or take a (free) ride on the Staten Island ferry and see it from there.

Not sure if you'd consider them historic, but I've always thought Grand Central Terminal was amazing, and the Library is pretty cool. You can also check out the Brooklyn Bridge, and from the outside, City Hall and at least 2 buildings on City Hall Park that were once the world's tallest (the Woolworth & some little building on Park Row). Speaking of biggest, if you take the ferry ride, you can also see the Bayonne Bridge, which for decades was the longest arch span in the world, a few feet longer than the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

If you take the subway between City Hall and Grand Central, you'll be riding on the original section of the subway, and can see the remnants of some of the original stations from 1907.

Thank you everyone for your input.
How do I go about setting up a trip to Ellis Island?
Does anyone know dinner spots in the area where we are staying (Park Central New York Hotel at 870 7th Ave)--$25 and under for an entree?
Is the Met The museum to see?
What neighborhoods have the most history? Is downtown the best place to go for this?
How about must see areas of town? Is, for example, Greenwich Village, TriBeca, Little Italy , etc. must go places?

Thanks.

Nagel

Park Slope Historic District. One of the best preserved architecture sites from the late 1800's.

bookmarking

Today's Manhattan User's Guide has an article on Stuyvesant Street you would find interesting.
http://manhattanusersguide.com/todays.php

They mention McSorley's Ale House in the article which I would highly recommend to a history buff (and a short walk from Cooper Union - legend has it that Lincoln stopped in for a post-speech beer). Go during the day, the frat boys overrun the place at night.

There is a former park ranger, Tom Bernardin, who does tours of Ellis Island. He has a 3 hr. tour that also includes a few stops in lower Manhattan. Info at http://ellisislandtours.com/

You can also just go on your own. Entrance to the museum is free. You pay for the ferry ride from downtown Manhattan. You can pre purchase your ferry ticket online or just show up and buy one.
http://gonyc.about.com/cs/attractions/p/ellisisland.htm

Menupages.com is a great resource for restaurants in Manhattan. You can do some researching on your own by looking in the west 50's. Some places I like nearish your hotel include Trattoria Dell 'Arte (Italian), Redeye Grill (seafood), Whym (American/Asian), Kennedy's (Irish pub/rest.), Angelo's (pizza), ViceVersa and Maria Pia both have good prix fixe dinners (Italian).

The Met is world class and is huge. Good history on the building too. Go to history here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art

The downtown financial/govt. building area is the oldest area of the city where development started. North of that, I'd say Greenwich Village has the most interesting history, but the lower east side was where many immigrants originally settled and is in the midst of gentrification. The Tenement Museum (requires a reservation) on the lower east side is a popular place to visit and augment the Ellis Island trip. There are some free walking tours that might interest you.
http://nymag.com/guides/cheap/walkingtours/

Bigonion.com is a co. that does some good historical walking tours that might interest you or at least give you some ideas. The Municipal Arts Society the same mas.org

For restaurants, try the Brooklyn Diner, which is not really a diner at all on 57th between Broadway and 7th I think. There's also Molyvos if you like greek, which is on 7th btwn 55th/56th, Matt's grill on 8th between 55th/56th is also in your range.


For the most history, visit Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn. They offer a plethora of walking tours. Click http://tinyurl.com/yuhrjm to see a tour schedule.

Big Onion walking tours are well done and are often conducted by a grad student in history or architecture. You might check out what offerings they have.

The Tenement Museum, and my favorite one hour tour is the Confino Living History Tour
www.tenement.org

there is a short film about history of immigration (in the building where you buy your tickets) as well as bookstore, film is about 20 minutes - good info on the route from Ellis Island to the LES/ Tenement life and then the one hour tour/ - fabulous tour guide who stays in character - amazing information -

and since you are in the Lower East Side / Delancey St ( see movie: Crossing Delancey)
you could do a walk around Orchard St, etc - we have walked to McSorleys from here, or you can walk towards Soho if you'd like to see some stores/have a bite - many restaurants to choose from in Soho

There are also 2 historic homes in upper Manhattan one called the Jenrette HOuse, ( I think, on 160th and Edgecome) and one further up on Broadway and 180th. You might want to see both if you are coming up to the Cloisters. Both homes date back to the 1700's.

I also agree that Fraunces Tavern is a must see. I think it is the oldest restaurant in the US.

There's also Teddy Roosevelt's home/birthplace in the 20's on the east side and of course a walk around Gramercy Park is close by as well as several historic buildings around the park and down Irving Place.

Have a great time while you are here.

Brooklyn Heights would be a nice stop if you have time. It's a beautiful residential neighborhood that was actually designated as NYC's first historic district.

The views from the Promenade are gorgeous, and May would be perfect for a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Thank you all for your help.

How long will an Ellis Island trip?

www.restaurant.com has gift certificates of $25 for $10 and frequently has discount codes for 40%-60% off. Today they have a code hop that if you add you'll get the certificates for $6. Last we we used one at a French restaurant Seppis and the restaurant was very good and is only a block from your hotel on 56th St just past Carneige Hall. It definitely had a lot of locals having cocktails.

The Frick musuem is a good museum to spend a couple of hours at if you like art.

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge - leads to Brooklyn Heights and wonderful 19th century Brownstone neighborhood. Also can, from there, walk towards the river on the Brooklyn side and be in an old warehouse section that is now getting turned into a real neighborhood (factories into apartments, restaurants, etc.) and has one of the best chocolatiers in the world - Jaques Torres's chocolate shop. To die for hot chocolate and goodies. Also a lovely park that is like a rock beach right on the East River with incredible Manhattan views.

The Met - They have a "suggested" price to get in. However, you may pay what you want. (Yes, even a quarter).

The Lower East Side Tenement museum is fascinating
http://www.tenement.org/ and a trip to the lower east side on Sunday is also very interesting.

I agree with Ellis Island over the Statue of Liberty for a history geek.

The Brooklyn Heights area of Brooklyn right across the bridge is very interesting and provides great views of Manhattan. So if you do walk across the bridge, consider spending a little time there. The Fulton Ferry Landing is a good historic spot complete with Walt whitman quotes. Henry Ward Beecher preached at Pilgrim Church of the Pilgrims. Etc., etc.
http://www.southbrooklyn.net/b_heights.html

I would suggest having different itineraries in mind so you can adjust depending on the weather. All the walking suggestions will be less than charming if it is raining -- but you can always do the museums.

Just wanted to second the "downtown--Fraunces Tavern--Trinity Church" (Alexander Hamilton is buried there)advice, for anyone interested in history. Plus, there's the nearby "history to be" at Ground Zero. I also got a thrill out of the Gutenberg Bible display at the Fifth Ave Public Library (& the reading room is quite the sight on its own).

While visiting Park Slope, take a ramble through Prospect Park. Designed by Frederick Olmstead (same lanscape artist who designed Central Park). It's been awhile since I've been out there, but it was the site of a battle in the revolutionary war. Better info than I can give you at the link below...

http://www.prospectpark.org/hist/mai...target=history

Thanks again.

Anything else that has not been mentioned.

I'm sure there's loads that hasn't been mentioned but I think you've already got your hands full here. ;)

I don't know if anyone ever answered your question about how long for Ellis Island. If you plan on going yourself (w/o the Tom Bernardin tour) I think you need to allow a total of 3-4 hrs. including security and waiting times. Forgive me if I'm repeating info already here (didn't reread everything) but the ferry from Manhattan stops first at Liberty Island for the statue and then goes on to Ellis Island. You can chose not to get off. From the NJ side, the ferry stops at Ellis Island first. I've heard Mr. Bernardin takes his tour group over to NJ and starts from there.

I don't think anyone answered your question about the theater for your wife. Broadwaybox.com is a website that provides discount codes for some shows. If you buy them online or over the phone (better since you can talk to a live person) you pay some transaction fees. If you print the discounts from your computer and wait til you arrive to go to the box office, you save those fees (but maybe don't get the show you want). You could also try using one of the TKTS booths which are a bit cheaper but require cash and usually standing in line. Info on locations, hours etc. at tdf.org/tkts

As to which shows, there are lots of good ones right now. Journey's End has gotten excellent reviews (a drama). Drowsy Chaperone and the just opened Curtains are fun musicals about Broadway. You can read about them on playbill.com, theatermania.com and there are NY TImes reviews on their website.

Nycvisit.com has a calendar of events. Putting in your dates I notice there are some tours on the day you arrive (that's as far as I got) that might interest you.

bookmarking

I'm with Doug Stallings. If I were a history Geek, probably my #1 spot would be Ellis Island, and you'll get the bonus of a close-up look at the Statue of Liberty.

And I think the tenement museum and tour mentioned above is a great historic thing to do.

Fascinating history of New York exhibits at the Museum of New York City way up Fifth Avenue.

For a historian-

Columbus Park in chinatown-Once the 5 points and one of the most dangerous areas of NY as depicted in Gangs of NY

Lower Broadway-Once the site of scores of ticker tape parades and a tribal war path. Also see Old Customs House now Native American Museum, the famed bull of Wall Street, Wall Street itself and Federal Hall.


World Trade Center

Trinity Church as noted by others

Castle Clinton-once the protector of NY harbor

Brooklyn Bridge-a beautiful and significant structure

IRT line-the first subway in NYC. If you stay on the downtown local train after Brooklyn Brdge you will see the defunct City Hall stop, quite beautiful. (You are supposed to exit the train at BB).

NY County courthouse steps-site of countless TV programs and movies.

Woolworth building-extraordianry art deco lobby

The Old NYC Police Headquarters-in the manner of French Town Hall, where Teddy Roosevelt was commuisioner on Centre Street

Washington Mews-a cobblestone street that once had carriage houses

Flatiron Building-first skyscraper

Borrow or buy a copy of the AIA (American Institute of Architects) Guide to NYC, It will be invaluable.

Also read the Moynihan (yes the senator but written when he taught at Harvard) and Glazer, Beyond the Melting Pot.

I would just pass the Statue of Liberty on the Staten Island, right side out. left side back.

Brooklyn Diner as as much Brooklyn as Dsineyland is to fact.

Places to eat or drink with a historical background.

Yonah Schimmel Knishes-They make them the old fashioned way.

Veniero's-an excellent but low price Italian Pastry shop from 1894 or so

Katz'e Deli- great pastrami and they give you ticket like in the old cafeterias.

White Horse Tavern where Dylan Thomas drank himself to death

Chumley's-an old speakeasy with no sign on the street

Don't eat just visit or pass Fraunces Tavern and One if By Land (Aaron Burr's Carriage House)

It's nice for people to add to a thread about historic sites in NYC, but please note that the original poster's trip was 3 months ago, and this thread was topped by somebody who was 'Bookmarking".

I take it all back.

book mark

<i>I take it all back.</i>

LOL! I'll be in New York in a few months and am saving this thread!

I've been to New York many times, but never really as a tourist, always visiting friends/family. This November I am taking a bona fide tourist trip to the city, and as a big-time history geek, this thread has been invaluable. Thanks to all who have posted. And many thanks to Nagel for asking these questions.

A bit belated, but if you ever return to NYC, the Tenement Museum in the Bowery area is terrific!

A minor correction. The Tenement Museum is located in the Lower East Side. The Lower East Side has long had been associated with immigration in NYC and the United States.

The Bowery evokes images of honky tonks and derelicts. In fact there is a still a flop house on the Bowery along with restaurant supply houses and lighting stores. Only recently has the complexion of the Bowery begun to change. If you move a block west to Elizabeth Street, until five to seven years ago, was either part of Little Italy or Chinatown. Today the Little Italy portion is mostly gone except near Grand Street due to the expansion of Chinatown from the south and the tragically hip from the north.
One street to the west, Chrystie, has very different personality than the Bowery with an pedestrian island, once the turf of drug dealers and wholesale businesses. Chrystie, could be one the last north/south corridors in the Lower East Side to chane for the better.