Today’s Featured Comment
I just spent a weekend in New York City – found a hotel right outside in NJ for a great price, right on the bus route in to the city – $4.25 and 10 minutes to Times Square. From there, went to Museum of Modern Art – free on Fridays from 4till 8! Saw Van Goghs, Picassos, Monets. All free.
Ate at little ethnic places off the main drag, prices were very reasonable for GREAT food. No national chains. Tried food from vending carts – “The Halal Guys” were my favorite. Muslims do know how to cook amazing meat! Falafel is very tasty, too. Mostly, we just walked and walked – saw all kinds of landmarks, but most liked the little things we found “off the beaten path”. New York has parks, musicians, mimes, you name it. You just have to wander. The people are friendly, and from all over the world. There are surprises around every corner.
I didn’t expect to love it so much – hope to go back to go do the Statue of Liberty tour – or at least ride the Staten Island Ferry out to see her. Also would like to walk or bicycle across the Brooklyn Bridge, and try more of their amazing pizza and pasta (you can eat hearty if you walk a lot!). There’s a CityPass you can buy to see sights at a reduced price, and avoid lines.
For a bit more, you can see a Broadway play, or do a boat tour around the whole city (it would be lovely at night!). There’s some of the best museums in the world, for whatever you are into. We saw a soccer match between the national teams of Argentina and Brazil – a packed stadium of futbol fanatics. Indescribable! And then walked back to our hotel, an easy 25 minute stroll. If you want action, culture, great food, and almost limitless options, NYC is a great place to visit!
[This comment was originally posted in this conversation. ~ Eds.]
Anyone else love NYC?
What would you recommend to a first time visitor?
I had a good relationship with two sets of parents who guided who guided with love, not opinions. Love is never having to say you are sorry. This comes with letting the youth be youth and learn from trial and error.
I now am the parent who guides wi
I love NYC too. I love the fashion, the windows of the stores, the food, the museums, the energy and the theater!
For a first time visitor, 1 museum in a day is all you can absorb. Just walking 9th ave in mid town for something to eat that is yummy and inexpensive. Menus are up front to compare. Pack Good walking shoes!
I think NYC gets a bad rap sometimes. Yes, you can definitely spend a lot of money, but if you look around for things off the beaten path as the writer suggests, you can enjoy for a lot less.
I (heart) NY, too!
And I agree that there is much to do at fairly affordable prices. It’s the price of an even modest hotel in the city that’s the killer. You beat that by staying in Jersey, although then you do need to deal with commuting time. But if you are on a budget, I would recommend starting with looking for digs outside of Manhattan.
A couple other quick observations:
Museum of Modern Art is indeed free on Friday afternoons, which is great. But be prepared for a very long line. AND (most important): Do not have anything with you that remotely resembles a backpack. Otherwise, you will need to stand in yet another long line inside MOMA to check it. Security is very serious about this.
Technically, you don’t have to pay for to go into the Metropoliton Museum, from what I understand. You can offer to give a “donation.”
Concentrate on small museums, which tend to be less expensive. There are many in NYC and they are fascinating: Museo de Barrio, Tenament Museum on the Lower East Side, etc.
If you want to go to a concert in a cool jazz club, like the Blue Note: Ask if you can sit at the bar. It’s often cheaper. Just plan to get there early.
Definitely worth seeing if you can get discounted tickets at the TKTS booths if you want to see some plays. But go to the booth at the South Street Southport, not Times Square. Much shorter lines, better selection. Again, get there at least a half hour prior to the booth’s opening time. And be aware that many tickets will not be a full 50 percent off, so you’ll still be paying some serious cash.
Another great resource for inexpensive housing right in Manhatten is renting an apt./condo, short term!! Try VRBO.com or airbnb.com, both sites I’ve used which are reputable and good.