New York City

[bubblybrenda]

I am planning to fly into Pittsburgh around July 1, 2011 (to attend Kenny Chesney's concert at Heinz Field & partake in a US July 4 celebration) and want to take the train to NYC for the remainder of the week (probably fly back to Vancouver from NYC).

I'm looking for advice on NYC hotels (not outrageously priced (around $225/night)). I really like the SoHo and Greenwich Village areas but anywhere in the Manhattan area is fine. Did an apt swap in LoHo a few years back and I quite liked that area too.

I've done all the "touristy" things in NYC (Statue of Liberty; Empire State Bldg; MOMA; Museum of Natural History; and Circle Tours harbour narrated cruise). What are some other things that a tourist should do?

I'm excited to read what all of you who live closer to NYC suggest (well closer than me anyways).

Thank you.
~Brenda~

[JJShaw]

I have visited a few times my son lives there...One thing that stands as memorable, was the helicopter ride. We flew from Yankee Stadium all the way to the Statue of Liberty and over ground Zero. It was definelty worth every penny. The other thing was to see a show..We have seen the Rockettes, and throughly enjoyed them and another one we really enjoyed was Wicked. www.wickedthemusical.com Its a great show and I wouldnt hesitate to see it again at all. One last thing was Madame Tussauds wax Museum. www.madametussauds.com/newyork/ The figures are made to scale for each person...(well the persons that are alive). Ive been in wax museums before but this one was unreal..well maybe I should say...very real. I had watched something on Discovery about how they made the figures how the people are measured and even each eyebrow and lash is counted...well worth the time to go see and it wasnt expensive...Id definelty do that if I went back just to see who all they have added..Hope this helps...and enjoy your trip...

[loria]

depending on your dates and when you buy your tickets it may be easier to fly from Phg than take the train--jet blue flys from pgh to JFK and they often run specials--as for what to see and do==how much time will you have?and what do you like? during summer there are often lots of free concerts you can take a walk across the brooklyn bridge and go havepizza at grimaldi's -- check out one of the fantastic botanical gardens (closest are probably brooklyn and bronx--which is th ebiggest i think) if you like egyptian artifacts--brooklyn museum has a terrific colection-- check out the cloisters (up by fort tryon)-- check out the Ziegfeld (if a good movie is playing--largest screen around and a great theater)--while broadway is all that--check out some things further afield off or off off or off off off broadway(get a copy of timeout NY) get free tickets to shakespeare in the park--have you tried the tenement museum? Walked around chinatown? if you have a nice saturday or sunday grab some snacks at Zabars or fairway then wlak over to the park and hang out watch the people check out the polar bears in teh zoo......more to come...

[sailorgirl]

Ioria's suggestions are spot on!

If you plan to be in NYC for the 4th, consider booking the fireworks sail on Schooner Pioneer at the SouthStreet Seaport. I believe they serve food and adult beverages, but if not you can bring a cooler on board. You get a harbor sail and view the fireworks up close and personal.

[sailorgirl]

PS... consider taking in a baseball game. Mets tickets are usually easier to come by then Yankees and both stadiums are new and fabulous.

[toes in the sand]

We found a good price at the Empire Hotel during our St Patricks Day visit. They are located just north of Columbus Circle across from the Lincoln Center.

[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

We were in NYC recently. One of the cooler things we did was to take the subway to the first stop in Brooklyn and then walk the George Washington bridge back to Manhattan. The bridge has an elevated pedestrian walkway. Great views and the bridge itself is steeped in history.

[loria]

We were in NYC recently. One of the cooler things we did was to take the subway to the first stop in Brooklyn and then walk the George Washington bridge back to Manhattan. The bridge has an elevated pedestrian walkway. Great views and the bridge itself is steeped in history.

think you mean the brooklyn Bridge, Pete! if you walked the GWB you'd be walking from New Jersey!
Also, have you looked at the chelsea pines hotel? it might fit your budget (i have never stayed there though--but it gets good reviews)

[pipanale]

We were in NYC recently. One of the cooler things we did was to take the subway to the first stop in Brooklyn and then walk the George Washington bridge back to Manhattan. The bridge has an elevated pedestrian walkway. Great views and the bridge itself is steeped in history.

think you mean the brooklyn Bridge, Pete! if you walked the GWB you'd be walking from New Jersey!

I had to play a little in-head geography there myself.

so...they get to Brooklyn and walk to Queens, take the Deegan across the Triboro and then walk way the hell up to the TZ, they could come back down and cross the GWB into Mahnattan.

Hell of a walk though. I'd suggest, as you did, the Brooklyn Bridge. Far easier on the feet.

Midwesterners...yeegads!

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

We were in NYC recently. One of the cooler things we did was to take the subway to the first stop in Brooklyn and then walk the George Washington bridge back to Manhattan. The bridge has an elevated pedestrian walkway. Great views and the bridge itself is steeped in history.

think you mean the brooklyn Bridge, Pete! if you walked the GWB you'd be walking from New Jersey!
Also, have you looked at the chelsea pines hotel? it might fit your budget (i have never stayed there though--but it gets good reviews)

Oops, yes, he did mean the Brooklyn Bridge. And, I concur, it was a lovely walk across. Another fine experience was taking in the Frick Collection. The exhibit fabulous, but the mansion is well worth the visit alone.

[jimg20]

Another stop is the Financial District in Lower Manattan. You can go to the visitors' gallery and watch the activities. You can walk the strees and visit Trinity Church and its gave yard. Tehre are some famous names there. There are also numerous colonial landmarks to see there. I am sure that the AAA guide book would lay out a good walking tour for you.

JIM

[loria]

http://www.bigonion.com/description/index.html

good walking tours....

[Pete (Mr. Marcia)]

All I know is that it was some sort of bridge...and that we walked over it.

[loria]

All I know is that it was some sort of bridge...and that we walked over it.

and it's a lovely bridge!

[lark22]

Hi Brenda,

If you're not dead-set on an area, I recommend using Priceline for a hotel -- you'll still pay more than other cities, but in my opinion you can end up getting more for your money. I try to stay above a 3.5 star when bidding. There's a site called biddingfortravel (.com, I think) that gives advice on successful Priceline bidding -- I have found it really helpful!

Dinner in Chinatown is a must, I think -- Joe's Shanghai on Pell is one of my favorites (I'm getting hungry just thinking about the scallion pancakes & soup buns).