Transportation (and more) between Metropolitan Museum and Lincoln Center
 

Next Saturday, 3 women, arriving in NYC by train at Penn Station.

We'll be going to the museum first, then we'll need to grab some lunch, and get to Lincoln Center for a show at 2:00.

I'm not a NYC novice, but I haven't quite figured out the best way to do this. If it's a nice day, maybe grabbing lunch at the museum, then walking through Central Park to Lincoln Center? What's the alternative if it's rainy, or we don't want to take the time to walk? It doesn't look like public transit will be convenient between the 2, so taxi?

Also, I recall seeing a list of interesting places to eat near Lincoln Center, but wasn't able to find it, so if anybody has ideas for an early dinner after the show, I'd appreciate it. I think the other 2 are not really adventorious food-wise, and don't think they want to spend too much, so simple and budget.

~Liz

Walking.
Taxi.
Public transit is also fine--we have buses, too. I assume most people just look at the subway maps and you're right that makes no sense for your locations. Crosstown Bus at 79th and 5th Avenue to Broadway, then transfer to the 104 bus down to Lincoln Center

I would do lunch near Lincoln Center where you have more choices, rather than eat at the museum. That way, you can eat more leisurely rather than guess or worry about how long it will take you to get cross town.

Cross-town bus to Central Park West and then the subway to Lincoln Center would also work.

Michael, the subway lines on Central Park West (B & C) do not have a stop at Lincoln Center (nearest are 72nd and 59th). There is a subway at 79th and Broadway but it will take about the same time to just hop a bus or to walk the 14 blocks. Yes, you could also get off the crosstown bus at Columbus Ave (instead of Broadway) and take the 7 or 11 buses downtown. Lots of choices, all easy.

The ride just isn't very long and for 3 women I would just hop in a cab - that will go down 5th, through the park at 79th and then down broadway. In the middle of the day the buses don't run that often and having to wait for 2 (across 70th and down broadway) could eat up a substantial amount of time - leaving you not much for the museum.

For a quick lunch you could go to Shun Lee on 55th - upscale Chinese but you can order a light meal.

Sorry - 65th.

I would also take a taxi.

It's kind of a long walk (probably over 40 minutes) from the Metropolitan Museum to Lincoln Center. Plus, the taxi fare of around $10 unless there's a huge amount of traffic is not much more than subway/bus fare fro 3. If you can't find a taxi near the museum, then walk down to 86th Street.

And if the weather is really nice, walk across the park (about 20 minutes) and then get a taxi.

A: 79 bus to Broadway on 79th - 1,2,3 train to 68th

B: 2,3,4 bus to 67th - 66 crosstown bus to Bdwy.

C: Pedicab

The 1, 2, 3 subway downtown will be faster than the bus in general, especially in traffic.

Weekends - parades, events, etc... can make a taxi as slow as public transportation.

I beg to differ about Shun Lee. It's pretty expensive and not really "Asian" in its tastes.

You'd get better-tasting Chinese food at Wok City on Amsterdam about a block from Lincoln Center:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/wok-city-new-york

This is a hole-in-the-wall takeout place which can barely seat one (I know! I tried! It was cold outside!). If the weather is good and you don't want to spend a lot, you could order takeout and then eat your food in the open courtyard at Lincoln Center where tables and chairs are provided.

Remember, this is a hole-in-the-wall, not fine dining. (People who complain about the food being greasy is because they order the greasy dishes. Stay away from those)

If you don't want Chinese, there are any number of places around Lincoln Center where you can grab a bite to eat. Except that the prices are usually, well let's just say, pretty high.

Our favorite Italian place is Fiorello's. Lunch will probably set you back at least $30 per person. Their prices are like this "$$$$" or this "$$$$$" - need I say more?

If you don't have much time and don't mind spending a bit more than usual, there's a beautiful cafe right there in Lincoln Center at the Alice Tully Hall.

http://www.nyc.com/restaurants/at65_...al_review.aspx

http://www.yelp.com/biz/at65-cafe-new-york

This is where we usually meet up, grab a drink or grab a bite before opera.

These are all lunch suggestions. For dinner, I'd just go away from Lincoln Center and get to somewhere (maybe near your hotel) where you can get a nice meal at budget prices.

Have a great trip!

Thanks! It sounds like it'll probably be a taxi.

I don't think we're likely to do Chinese for lunch, and we're heading back to Penn Station and home after dinner, so if there are more recommendations from this new info, that would be great!

I'd eat after the show at Boulud Sud or Bar Boulud, which are near Lincoln Center.

Boulud Sud or Bar Boulud are great but definitely not "budget" (apps 15+. entrees 30-40 are typical) Boulud Sud's terrific Mediterranean cuisine also might not fit the "simple" part of the request.

So are you looking for both a quick lunch and a dinner? And what price ranges do you have in mind?

A simple lunch favorite is Le Pain Quotidien, better than what you'd get at the museum for about the same price. Also, the revamped cafe at Alice Tully Hall looks pleasant for a sandwich or salad and coffee http://americantablecafeandbar.com/

Thanks for the suggestions.

I'm trying to gather some options because I'm not sure my friends care as much about food as I do, and perhaps wouldn't be willing to pay as much as I might. Trying to keep us all happy!

~Liz

The Bouchon Bakery cafe is in the Time Warner building at Columbus Circle (59th Street and Central Park West), just a few blocks from Lincoln Center (64th and Broadway). It's open til 8 pm. Good food and great view of the circle, the park, the busy streets...

Here's the menu--
http://bouchonbakery.com/storage/upl...2013-01-23.pdf

Hoping you have a great time in NYC! What are you seeing at Lincoln Center?

Thanks, kmbp, that look promising. We're seeing ANN http://www.theannrichardsplay.com

My main reason for coming up is this exhibit at the Met:
http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions...hion-modernity


~Liz

Sounds like a terrific, full day! The exhibit at the Met should be fascinating.

Holland Taylor's portrayal of Ann Richards is remarkable. How can she maintain that level of performance day after day, week after week? As you probably know, she's received a Tony nomination for best performance by a leading actress..

The Met exhibit is great, but it is more crowded than most, because in addition to the usual paintings on the walls,there are cases with clothing (mostly full length dresses) in the middle of each gallery.

Saturdays are always especially crowded at the museum, so consider entering through the Uris Education Center entrance, just south of the main big steps entrance. No walking up stairs, less busy coat check, restrooms nearby, and much shorter lines to pay admission and enter.

Thanks for the tip, nyer!

I was at the Met Museum last Friday right around noon. While the museum itself was uncrowded, the Impressionism and Fashion exhibit was so unpleasantly crowded that we breezed through without looking at much. I would expect a Saturday to be much worse. go early if possible.

I think your day as planned is overly ambitious and you'll feel rushed the whole time. The Met is open late pn Saturdays. I'd go to the museum after the show. Have a relaxed morning (shop? Go to Top od the Rock? go tothe Museum of Art & Design at Columbi Circle) have a nice lunch near Lincoln Center and go to the Met after the matinee. You can walk,take a crosstown bus or a taxi. Consider Robert staurant atthe top of the Museum of Art & Design.
http://www.arkrestaurants.com/mobile/robert.php

I guess I don't understand how 4.5 hours before the show is less than 4.5 hours after the show? If we get to the museum shortly after it opens at 9:30, it seems like it should work.

You don't? The big difference is time for a meal. Going first, you're expecting travel from east to west, the Met and a meal. Going after, you can grab a sandwich for dinner if necessary and eat on the train.

Yes, but the Met museum is further from Penn Station than the Met Opera, so travel time also has to be part of the equation.

I think people fret too much about what is a "perfect" itinerary and miss the forest for the trees.

The OP's plan makes more sense because it places them on the west side right before they have to get down to Penn Station for their train home.

Get to the museum early, grab something quick for lunch (the food at the Metropolitan Museum is horribly overpriced but generally pretty good). See the play, and then have a more civilized dinner. I like that.

If you do end up eating at the Cafe at Bouchon Bakery, the food isn't cheap, but it's got lovely views out the windows onto Columbus Circle, and the food is good. But make a reservation. They have a nice prix-fixe for $25 for 2 courses (get dessert over an appetizer).

And if you feel you need to escape the museum for an hour, there's a Panera Bread on 86th Street between Lex and Park (or Shake Shack, for that matter between 3rd and Lex). Once you pay your admission, just retain your button, exit the museum, and use it to come back in. As for myself, I need to stick my head up for a breath after 2 hours of museum viewing, so an early lunch might be a nice way to break up the visit as long as you do the more crowded exhibits first.

How did your day go? I actually did the walk in the opposite direction a couple of years ago.
http://thestarryeye.typepad.com/expl...uggenheim.html

We agreed on the train home that it had been an excellent day!

We would have walked more, especially in Central Park, if a shower wasn't imminent, and we had more time, but other then that,it all worked out.

We got to the museum by 10:30, got in quickly (thanks, nyer!), and went directly to the impressionist exhibit. It wasn't horribly crowded, and we had time to appreciate it. Great! We followed that with a quick walk through the punk exhibit, which was fun.

Took a taxi to Lincoln Center, and had a pleasant lunch at:
http://americantablecafeandbar.com

ANN was really enjoyable, really well done. I suspect our late 50s age group was especially appreciative of her story. Loved it!

After the play we walked to Columbus Circle, and had drinks and dinner at:
http://gerberbars.com/stone-rose-ny
OK, I was outvoted, but it served the purpose, and had a great view. I don't think the 3 or so lounge/bars on that floor have been mentioned much...seems like a good place to go for drinks with a view.

By 7:30 we were on a train back home, and planning another visit.

BTW, the thunderstorm struck during the play, and at first we were sure it was sound effects...HT looked up and said something like "good things always happen in the rain..."

~Liz

Liz, thanks for your report on your busy day in NYC. I knew that rain had been predicted so I was wondering how it affected your plans. Happy to learn that everything worked out so well.

We'll have to check out the fourth floor next time we're in the TimeWarner Center and a drink is in order. Looks like a good destination before or after Jazz at Lincoln Center (also in the TW building).
k

Next time for a GREAt view on Central Park, try ROBERT at the top of the Museum of Art and design at Columbus Circle!!!