Hey folks, the wife and I are planning a trip the second week of December to NY city. This will be our first time in the Big Apple. ;D
We are planning well in advance so we can ask other more knowledgeable people what to do and where to go while there. We are planning on being there a full week, 7 days.
Looking for tips on any shows, sites, food, night life, museums, parks, etc., etc., we can do while there.
Thanks in advance. :)
That's holiday time, a lot of the Rockefeller Center stuff will be up if you like that sort of thing.
The best place to find restaurants is Zagats and pick up a copy of Time Out New York to see what is very hot.. where are you staying, that's kind of relative too. if you're at one of the Times Sq hotels, there is a huge concentration of restaurants aroudn there. Restaurant row is there too, off the Square, most of it is very threatre related though, i.e. serving hours and menu styles. nyc has some of the freshest fish, so you get really good sushi almost everywhere...
if you like music, see what is showing.. some of the NY venues are classic.. plus you have the worlds premiere opera and symphony, right next to each other.
Brooklyn has some classic old restaurants too, not as many, and in Dumbo you have an arts community building up...
lots of stuff... plus all the urine, filth and disease you can inhale!
What he said ^ ;D
also if you have the time there are helicopter tours around Manhattan which are a lot of fun.
Personally I think everyone should experience the speakeasy life of NYC. PM me and I'll hit you up with some pretty awesome hidden gems.
Circle line - ferry around the island. [thumbsup]
Peter Luger's ... unless you're a vegetarian. Bring cash!
Adam
Luger's is nice but, I prefer Wolfgang's
http://wolfgangssteakhouse.com/ (http://wolfgangssteakhouse.com/)
or Grimaldi's Pizza under the Brooklyn Bridge, http://www.grimaldis.com/2/Index.htm (http://www.grimaldis.com/2/Index.htm)
Quote from: Pakhan on June 19, 2009, 09:33:05 AM
Luger's is nice but, I prefer Wolfgang's
http://wolfgangssteakhouse.com/ (http://wolfgangssteakhouse.com/)
I am a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge fan of Del Frisco's ... mmm
Adam
Quote from: DrDesmosedici on June 19, 2009, 09:08:08 AM
Peter Luger's ... unless you're a vegetarian. Bring cash!
Adam
Gallaghers.. Luger's is ok, I like watching my meat age (no stupid jokes pls)
Quote from: Fat Freddy's Cat on June 19, 2009, 11:22:53 AM
Gallaghers.. Luger's is ok, I like watching my meat age (no stupid jokes pls)
Ruh roh, is this turning into a steakhouse thread? ;D
I recommended it because it's a unique experience, not necessarily the quality of the steaks (I've had better.)
Adam
A few others:
Intrepid sea, air, & space museum
Wall Street area, rub the bull statue's balls for luck (everyone else has)
Empire State Building observation deck
Brooklyn aquarium
Cupcake Cafe for the most decadent buttery frosted cupcakes anywhere
If I think of more I'll post again ;D
Quote from: DrDesmosedici on June 19, 2009, 11:33:11 AM
Ruh roh, is this turning into a steakhouse thread? ;D
I recommended it because it's a unique experience, not necessarily the quality of the steaks (I've had better.)
Adam
if you want a unique experience, go to Alphabet City with a "HOMOSEXUALITY IS AN ABOMINATION" t shirt on. If you want good food and a great steak, go to Gallaghers.
Quote from: Fat Freddy's Cat on June 19, 2009, 01:23:43 PM
if you want a unique experience, go to Alphabet City with a "HOMOSEXUALITY IS AN ABOMINATION" t shirt on. If you want good food and a great steak, go to Gallaghers.
Oh boy, here we go.
It's not like I recommended Tavern on the Green :P
Adam
Independent Reviews:Luger's: http://tinyurl.com/ldqzsw (http://tinyurl.com/ldqzsw)
Gallagher's: http://tinyurl.com/mk6r6p (http://tinyurl.com/mk6r6p)
Bronx Zoo
Statue of LIberty
Coney Island
Ranger Game
just a few I can think of
THere is also the open top Bus tour but in December that might be a little cold
Quote from: DrDesmosedici on June 19, 2009, 01:27:44 PM
Oh boy, here we go.
It's not like I recommended Tavern on the Green :P
I know.. I just like being the irate Supreme Leader around here.. :D
Quote
Luger's: http://tinyurl.com/ldqzsw (http://tinyurl.com/ldqzsw)
Gallagher's: http://tinyurl.com/mk6r6p (http://tinyurl.com/mk6r6p)
meh.. i am not impressed by reviews by the hoi polloi. zagat's reviewers are far more reliable and gallaghers gets better reviews there. EXCEPT for the service, but I don't care about that.
Luger's : for tourists (or Smith & WOllensky's)
Gallaghers: for people who want a good steak and don't care if their waiter is a slow, old, crotchety man.
I would put Benny Benson's on the same level as Gallaghers too.
FYI I am not saying that Luger's steaks are SHIT, I am saying they generally aren't as consistently good as Gallaghers. They both use the same meat, but they age it differently and obviously have different cooking staff.
Gallaghers is more man-oriented, I think. Too bad they banned smoking in NY. It was a great place to have a cigar after dinner.
Ok ok, I will give it another shot next time I am in town :)
Quote from: Fat Freddy's Cat on June 19, 2009, 11:22:53 AM
Gallaghers.. Luger's is ok, I like watching my meat age (no stupid jokes pls)
Old Homestead is the best.
14th and 9th ave. They have more than one seating time unlike Lugers. Who wants to eat steak at 10:00.
Serendipity for Ice cream afterwards.
http://www.serendipity3.com/ (http://www.serendipity3.com/)
Seriously, is Serendipity that good? Every time I've been past there, there's a crazy long line and I just can't be bothered.
Alice's Tea cup (73rd & Amsterdam) is good too, if you're into tea that is. ;)
Oh, the best thing about Peter Luger's is the triple thick bacon. The schlaag is good too if you're into cream.
if you like the touristy stuff then most of it is above 23rd street. if you're into the more local hangs and "cooler" places to go for dinner and night life then i would stay in the greenwich village area's. east village and lower east side probably have the least amount of typical tourist crowds and these are the area's where i mostly hang.
soho's a great area for shopping and great food. a bit pricey but very good and the typical "sex and the city" restaurants. best thing to do is walk around these area's i just mentioned and you will find the coolest little boutique's and quaint little cafe's and bars. not many cafe's in general in the times square area [roll]
you can spend a whole day just walking within a 3 block radius and have a choice of any ethnic food you could think of, from ethiopian, afghany, japanese to good ol american.
for even more she she nightlife, the meat packing district has now become the big fashion area. good for a night out for sort of vegas type of clubs. the gaansevoort (not sure about the spelling) hotel has a cool rooftop club. like i said, could be good for a night out.
and there's always central park but in december it will be cold to walk around. don't forget all the great museums we have! the MOMA, Guggenhiem, museum of natural history, etc
good luck. PM me if you're going to be in the village/soho/noho area's and want some recommendations for food and places to hang. zagat's a decent gauge but not the "end all" by any means. i've been hanging out and living in those neighborhood's most of my life. we could grab a drink or espresso if i'm in town [thumbsup]
Also don't forget this: http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1328.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1328.0)
Some still happen some are hit or miss. If you want to check one its best to ask if it's still happening.
Serendipity is tourist crap.
Quote from: Fat Freddy's Cat on June 24, 2009, 09:37:30 AM
Serendipity is tourist crap.
That`s why I suggested it. Some people like to do tourist stuff the first time they come to a place.
Zagat's ratings have jumped the shark, thanks to the internet. You are NOT ALLOWED to go to a chain restaurant. No: Hooters, Fridays, Applebee's etc. NYC has some of the very best restaurants in the whole world. I do not exaggerate in the slightest. You can have the nicest meal you've ever eaten for $200/person or the best pizza in the world for $2/slice. You must get a bagel, either from H&H, Pick A Bagel, Ess A Bagel or Tal. The concierge in your hotel (or friend you're staying with) might be able to point you to a superior local bagel joint Do not be afraid of the subways, they are the best, fastest & cheapest way to get around during the daytime. Late at night, taxis are much faster as there's no traffic and the subways can take a while. I don't know what you & yer girl are into or how old you guys are so it's hard to recommend nightlife. Meatpacking is fun for expensive clubbing, and you better arrive early (10-11PM) because unless your last name is Hilton or Timberlake, you'll be waiting on a LONG line. Also down there is Hogs & Heffers if you want a lil' piece o' Texas in NYC. For lounges I always like to walk around the Lower East Side. Start at The Slipper Room (167 Orchard St.). They often have burlesque shows, and from there you can walk in any direction (except south) to find lots of lounges & bars. I strongly recommend you try some cuisine you've never tried before, go to a museum or show you've never thought about before, speak to strangers you'd never speak to. The best NYC has to offer is revealed to those traveling outside of their comfort zone. And don't forget that NY'ers don't have cars: When you see our angry scowls it's our "commuter face". Talk to us and you'll be shocked at how kind and helpful we can be. PM me for more suggestions if you like.
-Dan
Quote from: Razzo Bolognese on September 10, 2009, 01:17:38 PMWhen you see our angry scowls it's our "commuter face".
[laugh] nice one Dan.