Recommend to me things to do in NYC
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In the last week of June, I'm going on holiday to New York City for a week. A week is surely too short to see all of a city that would probably take at least a year to get vaguely familiar with, but it's what I got.
So I'm asking you guys to give me some recommendations on things you think are a must see / must do, and any other helpful advice what to look out for you can give. I'm sure we have some locals here ( @Karla, I think?) and at least some former tourists, too.There are some obvious, mandatory things that I've already got on my list, like the Statue of Liberty / Staten Island Ferry, Empire State Building, WTC memorial, Museum of Modern Arts, Times Square, Central Park, etc.
But what about evening / night life? Concerts? Checking out a musical on Broadway seems like a nice idea. But can I even get tickets at the box-office or should I have booked something like that months in advance? I also checked some time ago what's in Madison Square Garden at the time I'm there, but didn't find anything particularly interesting. What www.nyc.com lists for concerts is all unknown to me.My hotel is located in Midtown / Theater district Manhattan. I guess at least some of Manhattan is accessible by foot, but I figure I'll get a one week subway ticket. (I have no intentions of getting any Lyft or Murder-Inc. cabs or something like that.
).
Can you get free wifi everywhere? And what are some of the highlights outside Manhattan?Also, I have looked up a thing or two already, but feel free to assume I'm a total dummy who doesn't know anything.
The news have been spread, now I just need to make it there.
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@topspin There's an aircraft carrier that's been turned into a museum (fake edit: it's the Intrepid) which is quite interesting, especially if you like things like naval history, military technology and aerospace.
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You may not have much time for much else. The lines for the standard touristy stuff is usually very long.
I've actually never been to the Status of Liberty or the top of the Empire State Building.
This may help with tix:
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There are a lot of tours, and hop on/hop off bus tours.
https://www.citysightseeingnewyork.com/nyc-bus-tours.html
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Things outside Manhattan: the Bronx Zoo and Botanical Gardens, NY Aquarium in Brooklyn, Met's (Queens) or Yankee game (the Bronx).
42nd has a lot of touristy stuff, Madam Tousauds, Ripley's Believe it or Not, Discover Zone, The Hershey Store, ESPN Zone, Hard Rock, etc.
As for Central Park, it is 5 miles by 1/4 mile. So you may want to get more specific. They have the handsome cabs at 59th St. That will go around the southern part (59th to 72nd). There is a small zoo (which has a petting zoo) and even a small amusement park (it was perfect last summer as my 5 yo's first park-especially since she was tall enough to go on the bigger rides).
Chelsea Piers is a huge sports complex with all kind's of activities.
I'll probably add more as I think of them.
As for nightlife, I wouldn't know.
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@topspin Buy a hotdog from a hotdog cart vendor.
Get two slices of cheese pizza from a pizza shop.
Pretty much sums up NYC for me.
Well, that and yelling some shit at a random stranger on the street. Pretty sure that's a NYC requirement when you visit.
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@Karla said in Recommend to me things to do in NYC:
I've actually never been to the Status of Liberty or the top of the Empire State Building.
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@Karla said in Recommend to me things to do in NYC:
I've actually never been to the Status of Liberty
Status topic is
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@Karla said in Recommend to me things to do in NYC:
As for Central Park, it is 5 miles by 1/4 mile. So you may want to get more specific.
I hear getting mugged is quite popular. Also, if TV shows like Castle are to be believed, it's a popular location for finding dead bodies.
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Former tourist here. If you want to see the Statue of Liberty, get up early. Really early. Look up when they open during the week (don't even think of doing this on the weekend) and be there half an hour before that. It's the only way not to wait forever.*
Same for the Empire State Building. Everyone wants to see the sunset from there, so you'll have to be there at least 90 minutes before sunset. I cannot stress this enough - no matter how long you think the lines will be, they're longer if you arrive at the wrong time.
I can absolutely not recommend going for a morning run in Central Park, like in the movies. I mean, it's going to be fun for everyone else when you realize how huge it is and start dying, but not so much for yourself.
*Just to give you an idea: It took me 15 minutes to get on the ferry. When I came back, I counted 5 different hot dog stands next to the line. The wait time was probably around 2 hours at that point.
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When I was there I really liked cycling around Manhattan (as in along the waterfront). From Central Park to WTC, over Brooklyn Bridge, a bit of Brooklyn, back to Manhattan, half day activity tops.
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@TimeBandit said in Recommend to me things to do in NYC:
@Karla said in Recommend to me things to do in NYC:
I've actually never been to the Status of Liberty or the top of the Empire State Building.
I don't like crowds.
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@HardwareGeek said in Recommend to me things to do in NYC:
@Karla said in Recommend to me things to do in NYC:
As for Central Park, it is 5 miles by 1/4 mile. So you may want to get more specific.
I hear getting mugged is quite popular.
Not below 86th or so,
I'd only be concerned above 96th after dark.
Also, if TV shows like Castle are to be believed, it's a popular location for finding dead bodies.
Also every Law & Order series and CSI NYC.
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@dfdub said in Recommend to me things to do in NYC:
Former tourist here. If you want to see the Statue of Liberty, get up early. Really early. Look up when they open during the week (don't even think of doing this on the weekend) and be there half an hour before that. It's the only way not to wait forever.*
Same for the Empire State Building. Everyone wants to see the sunset from there, so you'll have to be there at least 90 minutes before sunset. I cannot stress this enough - no matter how long you think the lines will be, they're longer if you arrive at the wrong time.
I am not a morning person, hence I've never been.
I can absolutely not recommend going for a morning run in Central Park, like in the movies. I mean, it's going to be fun for everyone else when you realize how huge it is and start dying, but not so much for yourself.
The whole loop of the park drives is about 6 miles:
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Must go clockwise by bike or skates.
The Northeastern corner has this really sweet downhill that curves around like an S (we creatively call it the S curve). Exhilarating by bike, both exhilarating and terrifying on skates.
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@robo2 said in Recommend to me things to do in NYC:
When I was there I really liked cycling around Manhattan (as in along the waterfront). From Central Park to WTC, over Brooklyn Bridge, a bit of Brooklyn, back to Manhattan, half day activity tops.
I perfectly timed a bike ride on Veteran's day and was able to bike down 5th Ave without any traffic. It was awesome.
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@topspin said in Recommend to me things to do in NYC:
I'm asking you guys to give me some recommendations on things you think are a must see / must do, and any other helpful advice what to look out for you can give.
Is trolleybussing allowed?
Head to the airport; go home.
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@kazitor said in Recommend to me things to do in NYC:
Is trolleybussing allowed?
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You want lots of pictures? Sure, can do.
Wait, what do you mean nobody asked for this? Oh well.Times Square
Also has a good high-up spot for selfies:
Sunset over Midtown
This one turned out really nice.
At the pier
1 World Trade Center
From below:
View of the Hudson:
Downtown:
Wall Street
The street name is kind of famous:
Federal Hall monument:
Central Park
Downtown as seen from the Park:
There's many smaller areas like "Strawberry Fields" dedicated to the Beatles, or this for Alice in Wonderland.
And more nice places to take selfies.
Also a lot of other things to ... oh look, a squirrel
Empire State Building, again at sunset
Skyline of Manhattan
This one is pretty good again:
The Statue of Liberty
As mentioned up-thread, going there would take forever (going up is booked for the next 5 months), so the boat is much easier.
Washington Square Park
Stonewall park
Highline Park
The Intrepid, this time during the day
Didn't find the time to go on board though:
American Museum of Natural History
This thing isn't exactly small. You can spend quite some time there.
and his buddy Roosevelt.
Neanderthal:
Aztecs (iirc)
Assorted Dinosaurs:
USA! USA!!
Down at Battery Park:
I have a few more, but no time right now.
