What NOT to do in NY...
 

I'm a New Yorker, but my friend asked me to post this up, she's from out of town, so she wants more objective feedback....what's the cheesiest tourist trap in NY?

Tavern on the Green-beautiful to look at, overpriced, unimpressive food ($17 for a club sandwich). Go to the Park, see the building go inside, look around, leave.

I think Little Italy is a waste of time. Just Italian restaurants on a two block stretch. Not much to do there.

I sort of think Chinatown is cheesy. All those gift shops selling the same crapola.

The majority of South Street Seaport is a waste. Looks like Any Mall, USA.

I personally think that touring the site of the world trade center, with the booths selling replicas of the buildings and various tshirts and other junk is not only cheesy, but disrespectful.
Just so I don't get flamed too badly here, I recognize that it's different for out of towners than for residents--my family came to visit last summer and it was a must-see for them. I simply chose not to join them. Just my two cents.

Carriage rides in the park, Times Square, LIBERTY ISLAND!

Do NOT...I repeat...DO NOT go for dinner at Rocco's new restaurant.
ECHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheesiest tourist trap in NYC? TIMES SQUARE, hands down. Doesn't mean one shouldn't visit it, of course, but beware of the Velveeta. Coney Island is a close second.

Little Italy and Chinatown (one in the same, really) are great. All my visitor friends from all age groups, areas of the country and walks of life enjoy walking on Mulberry & Canal.

Liberty Island certainly is worth a visit, if you have any appreciation whatsoever for our country's history.

I'd agree South Street Seaport isn't some great panacea, but the view of the Brooklyn Bridge is worth it and children love the tall ships, particularly the view west from the end of the pier with the skyscrapers behind them.

Tavern on the Green? It is what it is, an overpriced mediocre tourist restaurant. No surprises.

Of course I agree with sls15 about the former WTC construction site. Have some respect people! Taking photographs?!? Jeez, get a clue.

"I personally think that touring the site of the world trade center, with the booths selling replicas of the buildings and various tshirts and other junk is not only cheesy, but disrespectful."

I COMPLETELY agree. As someone who works down there, was there on 9/11, and knew many of the victims, it literally makes me sick to see the tour buses pulling up with countless thousands of gawkers, not to mention the disgusting street vendors making a profit on the worst tragedy in our nation's history. I apologize if I appear overly sensitive to some, but I know that the majority of my fellow New Yorkers share my sentiments.

Y'all are just nuts!! This thread has now listed some of the top tourist destinations in NYC as too cheesy to bother with! Now, I'm not saying I'd gladly march around Chinatown (or Little Italy, or anyplace) every day of my life, but one visit is a must, isn't it? (Don't answer that!)Times Square, Liberty Island, WTC--I sincerely hope misguided readers of this thread don't avoid them just because jaded NY residents are "over" them.

luv2fly-

Agreed most entirely, NEVER EVER eat at Rocco's! Terrible service, terrible food. Went there for lunch one afternoon, waiters acted like prima donnas. They know they're on camera and they're overly dramatic. Came for lunch, not a show!

I agree that the seaport is a waste of time. Similar to a mall, but just on the water. Nothing special.

I have to agree with the suggestions about the site at Ground Zero (former World Center site). I visited the area shortly after the collapse of the buildings and was almost brought to tears upon seeing the tacky vendors hawking pictures & replicas of the buildings. Also there were tons of people taking photos & videos of themselves with the rubble in the background. That really unnerved me!

I was a little sensitive since I used to work there a few years past and used to shop, take the trains there, etc. My eyes still get a bit misty just thinking about the whole thing.

I agree with E. Putting aside the World Trade Center area, the other spots listed so far, I think, are must sees for anyone who has never been to NY. They are (in limited ways) what people think of when they think of NYC. Once you've been to those spots, then you can say, "Never again."
Just my opinion.

Oh, get lost! We travelled to WTC and paid our respects. We mananged not to be, buy or act cheesey. We did it by taxi, not on a tour bus. You've no voice in people's decisions about WTC, so pipe down. Last year, people got on here and ragged anyone who went to nyc to see the site and remember. We don't need you to advise us on WTC - being in nyc makes you no closer to it than I am. Find another issue to try to assume ownership of, and leave those of us who remember 9-11 as a special time in peace. Thank you.

. . . okay, back to Tavern on the Green . . .

Had to jump in about WTC. I think we all agree that trinkets & t-shirts are lame.

I think most people visit the site and perhaps take pictures (not smiling I hope) to document for themselves and future generations of their families that this awful event occured in their lifetime.

I'll admit that I did visit on my last trip East (though I didn't take pictures). On the trip before that I had stayed at that Hotel that was across the street and had all the windows blown out - and had waited inside the WTC for half-price Broadway show tickets.

That nearby park (name is escaping me) is also an excellent place to visit as it gives great views of the Statue of Liberty and is a close walk to the Brooklyn Bridge.

I think many people go there to see it for themselves. Especially after seeing it again and again on TV. People are just drawn to the site to see that it really did happen.

It's kind of like going to a funeral. Sometimes it helps bring closure and confirm that reality is reality.

Visiting the WTC site you are struck by the magnitude of the destruction. Seeing it on television makes it seem surreal. I really am amazed that there are street vendors hawking tacky sovenirs that close to the site. Why can't NYC regulate these people?

"It's kind of like going to a funeral...it helps bring closure and confirm that reality is reality."

i think this says it best. and don't many of us continue to visit gravesites of those special to us.

what, we don't call these the united states?

Not to get too involved in what has become quite an ugly debate here, there are people that live in Wash DC posting here..in addition to people, that as uuhhhh says, live in the US and feel just as bad as we do in NYC.
Maybe they weren't covered in ash and didn't lose someone they knew, but it is no less a terrible thing that happened and no one should feel like it is "their" tragedy except as Americans.
Perhaps this whole thread, if not deleted, should return to the original question ?

I'm not questioning any super-American's inalienable "right" to do anything. In these United States, we all have the right to do any number of stupid, tasteless, boorish, moronic things, so by all means have at it. Those of you who put on the fannypacks and head down to "experience Ground Zero," I hope that makes you feel better.

A the time of the quadruple tragedies I wanted to take an ad out somewhere that told the people of New York that first of all you are not the only people who felt the pain. Certainly those of us who had ever been there felt it and even those that had never been there.

I also knew that NYorkers would be sensitve to tourists who came to 'gawk'. So my second comment in my 'ad' is that many (I wish I could say all) people who come to 'gawk' are there to share and to grieve and please don't get upset at those people. You live with daily reminder(s), we don't so please allow us to come and share the grief and understand that is what we are doing and not just being jerks. I haven't been back to the east coast since the tragedies but when I do I hope there is a place as respectful as the Vietnam Memorial for all those who died in NY as well as the others.

As for those people selling junk and behaving go ahead and be nasty to them, but also know that some of the people there are truly saddened and need a place to be grieve.

So there is my 'ad'!

I am so confused by all the venom in these postings...
It would seem if someone feels they should visit the WTC site for closure and/or to pay their respects they should be able to without being called "tacky."
If it bothers the native New Yorkers they (NYers) should probably not visit the site, buy trinkets or take picture there.
The AM of 9/11 not one person in this country felt safe. We all waited for the next plane to drop out of the sky, for the next target to be hit. We became acutely aware of our own vulnerability, as individuals and as a country. I wept as I watched the images coming from NY and DC and certainly felt a deep connection to all the victims. No, I may not have worked with them or known them. But I mourned for them and their families.
My sister-in-law perhaps best expressed her inability to "get over" 9/11 best. Her husband is a banker in Bethesda MD - no where near any of the 3 sites. But, she says, "They killed Nick. They might not have taken HIS life but they took so many lives, of people like him. People at work, with families and stories to tell, people who should have been around for another 40 years."
That is what I think about when I think about visiting the WTC site. That I'd like to bow my head and pray for all the people like my brother-in-law, like my friends, like my family.
It isn't an attempt to harrass you or take advantage of you. It is an attemp to take a moment to remember the event, its victims and its impact.

We went to NY for the first time ever (other than to change planes) 7-24 thru 7-29 this year. We walked about 10 miles each day that we were there, and ended up at the WTC site, without that being a specific "place we have to see whiole in NY." I cannot explain the emotions that I felt when I realized just where we were. I was so choked with emotion, and cryed like I did that fateful day. I don't think that it is in any way tacky to memorilize the people that lost their live that day. Some people may need to purposely set out to find that spot to set their soles free. Just reading this has made me teary eyed.

What a coincidence, you posted this at exactly 9:11. how eerie and spooky.

Something weird happening -- a bunch of posts are missing and while some were very nasty, there was a nice one from Cassandra about the fact that Ground Zero belongs to all Americans (or the world for that matter since people from many countries died there) but reminding us that people died elsewhere too. Don't know why that should have been cut but PCHsmiles's nasty "you can't tell me what to do" comments can stay.

cfc, remember that this forum managed in New York. Did she tread on some toes?

Cassandra's post was very important I thought.. Why some of you pretend you live in Ny and give false names bewilders me. See what you want don't rely on other posters. Better still get a guide book and you will have more of an idea that is too your tastes. Some of us will disagree on so many great restaurants, so it's foolish to argue. I was at tavern on the green years ago and it was a great time dancing under the stars and the waiter took us to the Cafe Madrid when he got off work. True the food was not great but back ten the ambiance was lovely, Death is never cheesy so visit any monument or cemetary. I hear that stay away from"
ön the Europe forum. Don't buy it. Even times square it worth going to for the first time.
I hope you two have a great time.

Let's get back to Rocco's. I only saw one episode of the show, but I was apalled at what a terrible manager Rocco was, how badly and unprofessionally he treated his employees, and OMG that chief manager of his should be working for some oppressive dictatorship somewhere.

I was kinda hoping NYCFoodSnob would review the food.

That you're inquiring for your "friend" is a bit curious.

Your friend probably ought to do her own research and planning on this Forum and with the enormous resources available within this website, not to mention the amazing "www".

One can only wonder whether your "friend" wishes to avoid to know the "cheesiest" tourist trap in NY?

Go figure, the lines are the very longest at the "cheesist" of places everywhere on the planet.

Back to Tavern on the Green, I remember my first trip to New York. It was at Christmas. First row seats to the Rockettes! (I even noticed one of the girls had nail polish on, while all the others didn't!) Ferry to Statue of Liberty in a gale! Top of Empire State Building while snowing! The bustle of Times Square! Ice Skating and big lit up tree at Rockefeller! Walking all through Central Park! Tavern on the Green? Man what a dissapointment! Great layout, fantastic decorations/lights, but the food and wait staff? What was up with that! I didn't know if the food was more stuffed or the waiters! I guess the trap is the decor/history? Did the food USED to be good?

On a recent trip to NYC we viewed the WTC site. My husband lost two friends that were in one of the planes. It is a very sad and solemn experience and he felt it was important to see and never forget what happened on that day.

I took my parents to Tavern on the Green in the early 80's to celebrate their wedding anniversary. The Ohio guests, none of them sophisticated eaters, loved the place and my Dad said it was the best Prime Rib he's ever had. Of course, I bit my tongue through the entire meal and smiled like a good girl should.

In the last 20 years, Tavern has had a tepid run. It's a shame, too. I always thought their special location deserved better.

Touring the Statue of Liberty. Flying over it on the way in was plenty for me.

When we went to TOG, we knew in advance that the food would be only OK (that's too bad, but seems to be the way it's been for some time). Anyway, with our expectations managed, we thought the Crystal Room was lovely, and were very happy to have seen it; we would even go back, perhaps during the holidays. The trick is not to expect TOG to be the crowning dining event of your visit to NYC--treat it as a casual meal in a landmark setting (albeit one for which you will have to make reservations months in advance). (BTW, we found the service to be average, not awful.)But I do agree with FoodSnob--given its location, TOG could be sooo much more.

djkbooks-

i'm inquiring for a "friend" who is flying in from ireland. she lives in the countryside where she still uses an outhouse. needless to say, she doesn't have a computer to do all this research. she's one of those people that "loves to save the world, conserve energy, etc.."

so that's my reason for creating this forum so that I can show it to her once she gets here.

thanks all for putting in your two cents!

To wrap up the WTC issue, I think many poeple totally misunderstand the point that Brookyngal was trying to make.

Also, in my previous post I was not implying that visiting the site was gaudy. In fact, there were many visitors who were humbly paying their respects. Many people bought notes of well-wishes for the victims & families and taped then to boards at the site, which was very nice. Some were offering prayers in their own ways, etc. I think anyone interested should definately make the trip to ground zero!

What I viewed as gaudy were the tourists who were there "striking poses" while smiling no less and taking group pictures. You would think they were photographing the Eifel Tower! It just struck me as very inappropriate behavior since it was only a few weeks after the collapse while extractions of remains were still in progress.

As to the poster who indicated that the events do not affect NYer any differently than others...you are definately wrong! While we are not the only ones who share the pain of 9/11, it does make a BIG difference if you used to work there, shop there, etc. Hadn't my company relocated to mid-town Manhattan, I could have easily been a part of it.
Regards to all.

What Not to do in NYC:

Please do not walk down the sidewalk three people or more abreast.

Please do not stop in the middle of the stairwell of the subway station.

Please do not stop in the middle of the sidewalk.

Please wait for me to exit the subway car before you run me over trying to get on.

Please remove your huge backpack while on a crowded bus or train.

Maybe you should post a new thread that could exclude references to the WTC.

You want to know "what NOT to do in NYC" - cheesiest tourist traps in NYC. Somehow that evolved into a referendum on the tragedy of 9/11.

It's with some justification that New Yorkers consider the WTC disaster as their own personal event. Even while realizing the imput of the rest of the country is heartfelt, it isn't as personal as their own reflections.

And you've got to realize that those who use the loaded phrase "gawking at" (RE the WTC) instead of "looking at" or "viewing" is like the conservatives always using "throwing money at" when they know "spending" would work just as well - when refering to the government's spending money for a project. The word, gawking, just seems to imply that if anyone, other than a true New Yorker with personal involvement in the disaster, is just there for something like a sideshow exibit. - That is sad!

Sorry, here's the link for the 9/11 exhibit in Cleveland:

http://www.cleveland.com/living/plai...3159146930.xml