BTW - here is what I think is the best Pizza in NYC - Motorino's - but you will get a lot of contenders, including Joe's, Keste - and others in the Village http://motorinopizza.com/

And Lombardi's claims to have invented Pizza in the US: http://www.firstpizza.com/

And I couldn't forget John's - on the very cute Bleeker Street - and he even emailed me back when I was trying to arrange for a group pizza pie fest. Very nice gentleman.

Also stop by Murray's Cheeses on Bleeker - to see how it's really done:

http://www.johnsbrickovenpizza.com/ http://www.murrayscheese.com/stores.asp

October fun, regular season games will start around the second week of October, but there are pre-season games (no cost savings if you have to buy them from the official source, but you might be able to get some off someone who just wants to ditch theirs for a few bucks) on Craigslist) as early as late September.

As for seats, I don't know specifically about MSG (I've been but we had great seats), but generally for hockey, any seats are fine because the action is so constant. We have season tickets to our local NHL team, but we've sat in seats all over the arena and never had a bad one (admittedly a newer arena). Hockey is my favorite sport (baseball is very close) and a live game is incredible!

As a life long Ranger and former season's ticket holder, I suggest you attend a game. It is an experience that is not for the dainty. If you decide to go please post again and I will happy to explain the rituals including the GOAAAALLLLL chant (hey, hey, hey), Crazy Larry, cheering before the anthem is over, what to scream when you hear a rhythmic, and Sweet Caroline.
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Tomsd writes:
if you get down Greenwich Village way - my favorite quick snack is Guava Dog -

I never heard of Guava Dog and nothing appeared when I googled it. Could your favorite place be Gray's Papaya? Gray's Papaya just sells hot dogs and fruit drinks that the next time they see a fruit will be the first time. And that is it's charm. There are no seats and you stand at dented stainless steel counters where the hot dogs have a juicy snap and the drinks are cold and sweet. A NY instiution.

Yes, thank you - as it is in fact Gray's Papaya - and I thought I said they served fruit juice - which they claim is fresh?

The one I frequent is in Greenwich Villge - 6th Ave - open all hours? - but there are a couple other locations? - although one closed in Hell's Kitchen?

http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/grays-papaya01/

BTW - the aging "Damn Yankees" got clobbered today by the LA Angels: 7 - 1. Hey - how about another LA "freeway series" - the Angels v. the Dodgers - instead of another boring NY Subway series, which in current times means the Damn Yankees v. the underdog Mets

Back when it was the Yankees v. the Giant - at the old Polo Grounds - or v. the Dodgers at cozy Ebbets field - dems were da days my friend..........................

God how I hated the Pinstripe Yankees (except of course for their stars such as Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Moose Skowrn, Elston Howard, "Jolting" Joe Dimaggio - aka the Yankee Clipper and the young phenom - "The Mick" - Mickey Mantle) - who just seemed to always have the Dodgers' number.

That is - until rookie lefty Johnny Podres led the way in the '55 Series, and Jackie Robinson DRAMATICALLY stole home on Whitey Ford and Yogi Berra, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XY-XshGhMU who jumped up and down in front of the umpire in protest as Jackie casually strolled to the Dodger dugout. A couple years later - the Dodgers moved west - breaking Brooklyn's heart - but with super pitchers - Sandy Koulfax and Don Drysdale - they again ruled.

There is a Gray's on Broadway and 72nd Street and plenty of copy cats rip offs.

At those prices I have always doubted how much fruit was actually in the drinks. But then again you do not go there for a healthy meal.

Adu, what does Crazy Larry yell? At the Sharks games, an entire group yells "You Suck". During a lull in the anthem. It's really quite dramatic

Well Crazy Larry used to do a dance when certain music was played. Larry has a simian quality about him. For many years people just laughed, but when the crowd started chanting "Homo Larry, homo Larry" the Rangers stopped playing the song and Larry stopped dancing.
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When the Islanders come into the Garden the crowd still chants, "Beat your wife Potvin, beat your wife." Denis Potvin retired in 1988 and during every game when there is a lull, someone will whistle and at the end people scream, "Potvin sucks." It could happen 6, 8 times a game. In 1979 Potvin checkd Ulfie Nilsson and broke his ankle.

I am enjoying this thread. Not only for the information I am getting but I love sporting rivalry between you all!

Tom thanks for the food advice. I think your hotdogs differ from ours. Hubby prefers tomato sauce to mustard so as long as he can get ketchup he will be ok. He likes them with onion, bacon and cheese. We arent huge pizza lovers ... he only eats ham and pineapple ones. (boring boring boring) but we will be checking out all the quick food as we explore the city. We are staying at The Beacon so will have to check a map to see if any of your suggestions are nearby. Now Tom, any suggestions for Washington and San Francisco? haha

Sf keep your fingers crossed for me that there is a game at one of the cities we are visiting. After reading all the posts I want to go for my enjoyment rather than a something for hubby to enjoy. Sounds like no matter where we could get a seat it will be a fun night. (I assume all games are at night?)

Aduchamp if I start singing I might clear the building but hey.... I will give it a whirl. Rest assured, if I get my hands on tickets I will let you know.

If any of you are there at the game we will buy you a beer. (they sell beer in thimbles dont they?)

Tom,
I have already stumbled across the Big Apple Greeters and am going to put my name down on the list and hope that we can be alloted someone to show and tell us all about the area we are staying in Manhattan. Its a wonderful idea isnt it.

Actually - I think they offer a tomatoe type sauce at Gray's Papaya - and check out the pics - and you might see it in front of the server. And as for having onion, bacon and cheese - that's more of a Chicago dog style.

Hey - there are lots of other treats to eat in NYC.

As for San Francisco - used to live there and still know it pretty well - and there are also other posts in here from a lot of knowledgable people. Anything in particular you are wondering about.

And you sould be able to get a Big Apple Greeter host/hostess worked out ahead of time.

And if your hotel - The Beacon - is the one on the upper west side - you are fairly close to the Natural History Museum - which has a lot of interesting exhibits, an IMAX, etc. If it's open - the coffee stand on the 5th floor has a great view of Manhattan - and their cafe - toward the back - 1st floor - has some tasty offerings.

Your hubby may also appreciate the hall with the midages suits of armor/swords, including a great collection from Japan as well as Europe.

Oops. My bad: The 5th floor coffee stand and the suits of armor/swords are over at the Met Museum of Art - across Central Park from where you will be.

Tom when I was visiting London many years ago I loved looking at that sort of stuff(bad choice of word for treasures i know) at the Victoria and Albert Museum. I know history things would appeal more to hubby than "arty" things. I will check all that out beforehand so I know which museums to forgo and which are musts. We will be doing a few in Washington, mostly highlights though as we dont have the time to spend a whole day in one museum. Again, its a case of working out the must see museums from the would like to see ones. I thought the sports game would be a chance to really soak up atmosphere and a diversion from all the touristy things. Its New York, what better place to soak up atmosphere and people watch!
I am not planning too much in San Francisco. Getting over the long flight from Oz, a bit of sightseeing, getting used to tipping and using money that is all the same size and colour. I will have to have my reading glasses handy at all times before I hand over a note or else I will be eating hot dogs all trip as well!
With all this food you keep telling me about I will end up as cargo on the flight home.

Actually - I think they offer a tomatoe type sauce at Gray's Papaya
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Well one is ketchup and the other is carmelized onions that simmers for 30 or 40 years in many ingredients including tomato paste and red pepper flakes. It was made famous by Sabrett's who sell franks at the dirt water dog stands and can be purchased by the bottle in supermarkets. But it is 99% onions.

I have, in fact, attended a hockey game in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Wranglers is a minor league professional team with home ice in the Orleans Arena, which is adjacent to the Orleans Hotel and Casino.

It was a hoot. I think the fans numbered 2 thousand or so, and they were way into the silly kind of cheering and chanting that you find at college games (yelling ``Thank You'' after the 1-minute announcement, and ``Sieve Sieve Sieve" when the visiting goalie lets in a goal.) They loved their Wranglers!

You might find it an interesting sociological contrast between major league hockey at MSG and waaaaay-minor league hockey in LV.

One of the best things about watching hockey in MSG is that the snack bar sells sushi and edamame.

(Since we're declaring affiliations here, go Bruins! I try to see Rangers vs Penguins once a year, since I am fond of the Pittsburgh Penguins. My bucket list includes a visit to every NHL arena; so far I have 6 of 30 checked-off.)

October fun, I have been in San Francisco for nearly 40 years (grew up in NY), so ask away!

(oh, and the numbers on our paper money are quite large - some are huge) no need for reading glasses!)

@ Audchamp . wow my mouth is watering for that onion sauce. None for hubby though if I have to live in cramped quarters with him. Why do they call it "dirt water"?

@capxxx What is edamame? Sounds like something you rub on a rash.

@sf now the sf makes sense. Im still working out where to stay in SF. How far in advance do you need to buy the Alcatraz tour tickets. Knowing my luck it will be a windy foggy or raining but I dont want to chance not getting a ticket.