Aduchamp1

Why is "Ground Zero" an awful term to use, ellenem? I really am curious about that.
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Obviously I am not Ellebem, but I also hate the term but never bring it up any more.

As someone who saw the second plane hit the Trade Center, whose office building was engulfed in debris and humans remains twice, and had to leave the office as late as November because of the toxins in the air, I have an emotional reaction to it.

Ground Zero originally meant the bombing of Nagasaki. Now Ground Zero is used for all sorts of catastrophes it is akin to adding "gate" to every scandal.

It has detached from the World Trade Center and it does not accord the respect for the people who died and the destuction of the building. It was not a generic event, it was a specific event.

traveler2005

Thank you for explaining that Ground Zero is not an appropriate term to use. I'm not sure that it is appropriate to even put the site on a list of tourist attractions. I apologize for doing it.

We haven't picked a hotel yet. I have another subject line discussing that. We started working seriously on that task this past weekend. I got some serious sticker shock when we started pricing them. We may go with a VRBO. Unfortunately, the one that was recommended on the other thread was already taken, but we are looking at others.

ellenem

It's not unusual or unfeeling to want to visit the WTC site. I find it difficult to understand since there's nothing really there but a construction site--if you hadn't seen it before it would be difficult to imagine it after. (NYers still see the hole in the sky every day.) I suppose it's like visiting a battlefield or historic location famous for something that happened many years ago.

I encourage you to make this visit if you feel the desire to do so. I think the best view of the site is from the top of the steps in the Winter Garden in the World Financial Center across West Street. Be sure to visit St Paul's Chapel to get a better idea of September 2001 in NYC.

Yes, fall is an expensive time to visit New York City. Good luck finding a place for your large group.

nytraveler

If you check out some of the threads about subletting and apt in NY you will see why many say it's not a good idea - many are scams (Craig's list etc) and they are illegal under NYC law.

Not sure of your price range - but the Newton on the upper west side recently had some budget rooms available.

SueNYC

You are getting great advice here. Hopefully, you got ideas for shows from the Tonys and not the Emmys.

Why I don't like the term (actually why I hate the term) Ground Zero.

In all fairness, it was a good term on Sept 12th. We felt as if we were hit by a bomb. It is an engineering term. A building is built up and down from Ground Zero. Most important, it was only 3 syllables and we didn't have time for more than 3 syllables in the media.

The problem? It memorializes the event without acknowledging the history or future of the site or all the support we received from the world after the event.

thestarryeye.typepad.com/explorenyc

traveler2005

>Hopefully, you got ideas for shows from the Tonys and not the Emmys.

LOL - when I typed Emmys, it didn't sound quite right. I almost erased it, but then I went with it rather than checking. I need to learn not to do that.

POMAH

Am. Museum of Nat'l History
--been there a few times. last time saw the space show. got bored. not the best one. actually, the whole place just bored me. ho hum. DO NOT see the butterflys, it's a rip off.

Brooklyn Bridge
--how about a view of it from the Manhattan Bridge instead? then walk into China Town&Little Italy.

Central Park
--a must see. say hi to Gary the mayor of Strawberry Fields.
ask him when Yoko Ono comes out for a visit.

Ground Zero
--small museum just opened.

6th Ave. Flea Market (Saturdays)
--how about Union Sqr.Farmer's Market on Fridays?

Union Station
--the one in L.A. is a classic.

TC

Get a copy of ACCESS NY guide book. They are the best for figuring out what is near what. The book is laid out in "areas" -street by street. So instead of all the restaurants in one chapter for instance, they are placed in walking order in their respective geographic areas. The same with sights, hotels, shopping, etc, etc. This way its quite easy to plan a day on the UWS or in SOHO or the Village -- or anywhere.

I suggest you begin by taking your list and attaching a time frame to each activity. Even if its just a guess. How many hours for a particular museum, etc. Factor in travel time from place to place, dining, changing clothes, etc. You will then begin to build a workable schedule and quickly see if you have too many things on the list. Good luck and enjoy.

bachslunch

I'll put in a good word for the American Museum of Natural History. The place is huge, and I was really impressed with both the size and depth of its collection -- especially with the fossils. The only other museum of its type that rivals it, to my way of thinking, is the one at the Smithsonian, with the Field Museum in Chicago respectably in 3rd place and Harvard's Museum of Natural History worth a visit as well.

I can perhaps understand not liking this kind of museum, but of its type, it's arguably the best there is.

KenF

For walking tours, try Big Onion tours. http://www.bigonion.com/

Before you schedule one of the art museums, check the schedules for special exhibitions. Don't overlook the Brooklyn Art Museum and the Brooklyn Botanical Garden.

I advise people to skip the Statue of Liberty and go to Ellis Island instead. The boat stops both places so you can get a close-up view of the SoL.

For Sunday lunch, go to the Red Hook ballfields and sample the ethnic food from the vendors there. Alternatively, take one of the gospel brunch tours in Harlem.

Walk Broadway from the bull sculpture up to Lincoln Center.

As far as a hotel, if you are not going to spend much time in your rooms, amenities don't matter much. Pick one that is close to a major subway station and be sure to get an unlimited ride pass for the week.

While you are on the subway, stop at the 14th St station on the 8th Ave subway and see the permanent sculpture installation by Tom Otterness. http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/artwork_show?21

michelleNYC

Wholeheartedly agree with my fellow New Yorkers with respect to the term "Ground Zero". Please (please, please) use WTC Site. If you ask a NYer how to get to "Ground Zero", he or she will obviously know but may not respond to you very warmly and will likely correct in a less than amiable way.

Tallblondchick1

I went for the first time Memorial Day w/e which was fleet week so that was cool. We got the NYC Pass (http://www.newyorkpass.com/) 3 days for $135. It’s a long list of things included. Whether of not it was worth it is a tossup. You try to cram so much in to make it worth it, it ends up very rushed but as a first time intro to the city it was cool did things I wouldn't usually do if I was faced with the admission price (e.g. Madame Toussauds $30). We stayed Upper West Side hostel (http://nychostels.com/) not sure what kind of classy you're going for but the beds and rooms were clean, you share a bathroom, but they do have small private rooms, full sized bed, even a TV, for $50 a night with TravelZoo discount. started writing more and got to be long so check out my blog... http://rebeccacalkins.tumblr.com/

Galebb

Good list. Also consider the following:
- Staten Island Ferry (Free ride); opportunity to see the skyline of NYC and NJ. Lower Manhattan.
- Visit Little Italy, Chinatown, and Battery Park. All are pretty much in the same vicinity. Lower Manhattan.
- While crossing the Brooklyn Bridge; stop in DUMBO area for ice cream or pizza.
- Dining: Try Katz Deli, Junior's (in Grand Central Station), and an authentic meal in Chinatown or Little Italy.
- Consider using the subway system although,this will require reviewing activities to group within the same location.
-Consider ordering maps and literature from your local automobile clubs like AAA. You can also google for this type of information which is sent from NYC vendors usually for free. These maps are helps to show you street name, special interest locations, and coupons/specials.

Ronda

I'm bookmarking this thread! Wonderful ideas. I will be there in August and found this planning info very helpful. Thanks all.

Elizabeth

I'd give a lot of time to the Metropolitan Museum and remember it has a cafeteria and some small cafes, so you can have a break. I highly recommend the exhibition on the roof called Big Bamboo. It is an amazing experience.

If you want to see it, you get a ticket beforehand for a scheduled tour. Go get your ticket FIRST as soon as you get to museum. Ideally, go to the museum at opening time and get the tickets, which may be for a later time than morning or afternoon. YOU MUST HAVE CLOSED SHOES to go to it. But the climbing isn't scary or dangerous.

Museum of Modern Art is free starting at 4 on Fridays. Worth going to for the building alone, and the cafe.

traveler2005

Wonderful ideas. Thanks for everyone's help. I'll post up when we start planning out our days.

chadnycity

Don't know if this has been suggested but Watson Adventures does scavenger hunts, where teams are given a list of questions and clues to where the answers are found. There are hunts at the Met, the Museum of Natural History and "Gangs of New York" in Chinatown and Little Italy. It's a fun way to explore the museums or the City with your friends. My team happened to win (t-shirts and bragging rights). www.watsonadventures.com.

Enjoy your weekend.

traveler2005

What a great idea, chad. I get emails about the scavenger hunts as I'd like to do one in Chicago someday. I wouldn't have thought about doing one on this trip if you hadn't mentioned it. It would be a great thing to do on my birthday.