Please help plan a Day in New York City
Dec 19th, 2009, 05:18 PM
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Please help plan a Day in New York City
I have a friend coming to visit over New Years. We have about a day to explore the city. I was thinking about Empire State Building and Circle Line Cruise to see Statue of Liberty, since he is from France! He also likes music (all kinds, but I'm thinking pop or rock). Music venues in the village or even harlem? Any suggestions are welcome. Maybe we would stay overnight in the city - anyone know where there is a nice, pleasant, down to earth place to stay that won't cause a fortune? thanks all for your help.
Dec 19th, 2009, 06:18 PM
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The Empire State Building typically has very long lines, and that's even true if you buy tickets ahead. The usual advice here is to take in the view from the Top of the Rock in Rockefeller Center -- usually less long lines and a view that's very good.
A free alternative to Circle Line Cruises, especially if your primary aim is to float past the Statue of Liberty, is to take the Staten Ferry round trip -- it goes right past.
Expect to pay plenty if you stay in New York, especially around the holidays. Note that folks who try to find cheaper alternatives outside of Manhattan have reported being disappointed -- you're pretty much best off just biting the proverbial bullet and paying the big bucks to stay in town.
As for anything else, would recommend picking up a guidebook or doing a search on this forum to get ideas of what you want to do. New York is voluminously covered here in many aspects.
A free alternative to Circle Line Cruises, especially if your primary aim is to float past the Statue of Liberty, is to take the Staten Ferry round trip -- it goes right past.
Expect to pay plenty if you stay in New York, especially around the holidays. Note that folks who try to find cheaper alternatives outside of Manhattan have reported being disappointed -- you're pretty much best off just biting the proverbial bullet and paying the big bucks to stay in town.
As for anything else, would recommend picking up a guidebook or doing a search on this forum to get ideas of what you want to do. New York is voluminously covered here in many aspects.
Dec 19th, 2009, 06:37 PM
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You say that your friend is visiting "over New Year's". Does that mean you're planning to spend New Year's Eve in New York, or just some day/night around New Year's Eve? If the former, good luck finding a) a reasonably priced hotel, b) a reasonably priced dinner, c) a reasonably priced music venue, and d) a cab - at all.
Even if it's not New Year's Eve, you'll be hard pressed to find a reasonably priced hotel in this period through a traditional hotel booking. You may, however, be able to get a decent hotel by bidding on Priceline or Hotwire. A few years ago, before we lived in NYC, we got the Westin in Times Square for about $175 night between Christmas and New Year's.
Even if it's not New Year's Eve, you'll be hard pressed to find a reasonably priced hotel in this period through a traditional hotel booking. You may, however, be able to get a decent hotel by bidding on Priceline or Hotwire. A few years ago, before we lived in NYC, we got the Westin in Times Square for about $175 night between Christmas and New Year's.
Dec 19th, 2009, 07:18 PM
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Get copies of Village Voice and Time Out NY they have extensive music listings.
Staten Island Ferry is a great idea.
Eat in residential neighborhoods but check to see if the restaurant has a special rip-off New Year's Eve Sspecial.
Staten Island Ferry is a great idea.
Eat in residential neighborhoods but check to see if the restaurant has a special rip-off New Year's Eve Sspecial.
Dec 20th, 2009, 09:39 AM
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Agree to do Top of the Rock instead of ESB - it will save hours of waiting. Free Staten Island Ferry gives just as good a view of SoL as the Circle line (and being out on the water can be bitterly cold this time of year) - as long as you realize it's a view from a distance, not a visit (for which you need a different ferry, special tickets and ong-gone reservations).
Hotels for the 30th and 31 will be very expensive. After the 1st the prices will go way down.
Which nights will you be here, how much do you want to spend and can you share a bed with your friend - or will you need 2 beds (more expensive).
Hotels for the 30th and 31 will be very expensive. After the 1st the prices will go way down.
Which nights will you be here, how much do you want to spend and can you share a bed with your friend - or will you need 2 beds (more expensive).
Dec 20th, 2009, 01:38 PM
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It depends on your dates re hotels. Assuming you aren't talking about New Years Eve, the Four Points Chelsea has rooms w/2doubles for $195 the 1st, 2nd, 3rd of Jan. Nice hotel, I love the location, lots of neighborhood restaurants, etc., close to subway to go downtown to the sites you want to see, and to take him to Soho, the Village, etc.
For live music, the last 3 times I have been in NYC I have gone to The Groove, on the corner down from the Blue Note in the Village. They have live music every night, mostly R&B, funk, soul, Motown, etc. Cover is $7. Fun, smallish place. There might be a minimum at the tables but we sit at the end of the bar closest to the stage (get there early before music starts) and have a great view. And drinks are not pricey like at so many other live music venues.
http://www.clubgroovenyc.com/
For live music, the last 3 times I have been in NYC I have gone to The Groove, on the corner down from the Blue Note in the Village. They have live music every night, mostly R&B, funk, soul, Motown, etc. Cover is $7. Fun, smallish place. There might be a minimum at the tables but we sit at the end of the bar closest to the stage (get there early before music starts) and have a great view. And drinks are not pricey like at so many other live music venues.
http://www.clubgroovenyc.com/
