Posted on 06/14/2010 12:31:35 PM PDT by WOBBLY BOB
I did some searches on tours, so far Onboardnewyorktours.com looks to be a possible choice with their "See the Best" tour... I like Revolutionary War history and American history in general. (I also like pubs.)
(Excerpt) Read more at freerepublic.com ...
We like the street fairs. Every weekend an avenue is closed for blocks in mid-town and you can have a relaxerd stroll. It's great people watching too. The site at the link has various ethnic fairs in different neighborhoods this summer.
Start at the Battery (SI Ferry - # 1 or 9 on the IRT subway line). It's the best view of the Statue of Liberty w/o wasting half the day.
Head due north through the park, leaning toward the river. Five blocks out of the park you'll hit GZ.
After the right amount of time there (you'll know how long) head east to Broadway (one block), stroll a bit to get the down town feel of Trinity Church, the Bull and Wall Street.
Back to Broadway and north for a few blocks for a look at City Hall and the world's first skyscraper (Woolworth Bldg) and the Manhattan end of the Brooklyn Bridge (a walk across and back kills 40 minutes but you might like the views).
Directly NE of City Hall are the Courts and One Police Plaza - where they shoot Law and Order. Walk on the north side of the courts to behind them which is Chinatown.
Meander through there a bit working north to Canal Street. Stop in Little Italy (surrounded by Chinatown a bit north of Canal) and eat.
Head north again, keeping toward the east through a cool little nabe called NoLiTa (North of Little Italy). It's quiet, a bit classier than the surroundings and has the original St. Patrick's Cathedral.
About three block up from the Cathedral cut west toward SOHO (South of Houston Street - pronounced How-sten). Meander. Here's a good place to look for celebs.
After ten minutes or so cross north over Houston toward the west and you're in The Village. Cruise around there heading north toward NYU and Washington Square.
Head east again into the East Village, up to 14th street, then along 14th back west to Fifth Ave, passing Union Square.
From there it is a 2.25 mile straight shot up Fifth to Central Park passing the Empire State Building, the new St. Patrick's, Trump Tower and Tiffany's on the way.
You will now be at the SE corner of Central Park, across from the Plaza Hotel.
Enter the park, staying on the wide footpath. It will take you through the zoo. Keep heading north toward the bandshell and the Central Park lake where you will find the oft-photographed Bethesda Fountain (note all the Chinese wedding parties).
If you've got anything left over head over to the west-side and find a spot along Columbus Ave to eat.
There is no place on this route where you will be in the slightest danger (that's a different tour). You don't need a tour bus or guide, just water, good shoes and for God's sake no effin fanny pack.
Follow this route and you will see more of real Manhattan than most folks who live here have.
If you want a broadway play, you can order tix now on the net or you can take your chances at same day tickets. There’s a place in the middle of Times Square where you can buy day of tickets. Beware, people line up early to buy. Usually would have a choice ofrom various shows.
Nice. I am saving your post and a few others for my next trip. Thanx.
Give me a shout via this forum when you’re ready to head our way...I can even tell you where my grandfather drank during prohibition.
Just take a tour bus that takes you to China Town. Remember, virtually all the Chinese immigrants to New York have come from Shanghai.
We ate at the Stage Door Deli (yes pricy and way too much food) and strolled out through Times Square. My wife and daughter went into the MTV store. I stayed out on the sidewalk holding my left-overs in a Stage Door Deli yellow bag.
A guy (bum-homeless whatever)comes up and asks me for $5. I said I was tapped out, but offered him food. He said what did you have. I said brisket sandwich. He said, that's ok, I'm a vegetarian. I love New York!
PS: my grandfather drank at the Sons of Italy hall in the 20s, Logan County, WVA. See the Battle of Blair Mountain or the movie Matewan.
I would also stoll around Grants’ Tomb, Park Ave, Grand Central Station, etc.
No!
Sounds good.
Any idea what the total mileage is for that?
I may do that, weather permitting.
Try to avoid the typical touristy areas.
If you like history, though, take a trip down to lower Manhattan, in the Wall Street area. Federal Hall, Fraunces Tavern and on the other side of Broadway is a very old church, where George Washington went to pray when he was first inaugurated.
I can relate to that being from MN.
I’m going with 2 buddies. One is a jazz afficianado(I am not) and the other a baseball nut.
They have been there dozens of times, I have not- just once many years ago.
(this will likely be my last trip for a while as I will probably be losing my job in the next year)
The average walker can do this all between ten and four. The beauty is that you can stop anywhere you want and head for the shed.
thank-you
I am going to try to figure out how to print this out on
a google map somehow and plot my route in advance.
Yankee stadium is a much better experience than citi field for baseball.
btw...tell your jazz friend that I used to tend bar and run the door at an after-hours joint in the early seventies. Everybody from Myles Davis to Benny Goodman stopped in at one time or another.
he would kill to hear those stories!
anyone know how to print this to fill a landscape page on 8-1/2 x 11 ? (so I can actually read the small print?)
http://www.newyorksightseeing.com/img/17081343194bc357d2eb51c.JPG
One of the highlights of my last trip to NYC in 2004 was seeing a band I like at a small rock and roll venue down in Alphabet City.
If you like meat, you should go here and eat http://churrascariaplataforma.com/
If it’s your first trip I’d say take the Staten Island Ferry.Not because Staten Island is a must see...but because it passes right by the Statue of Liberty and the view is breathtaking.Also,you’ve gotta do the Empire State Building but expect a long line on a summer weekend..
The Circle line Cruise around Nanahattan is fun.
http://www.circleline42.com/new-york-cruises.aspx?gclid=CLyq177hoKICFQuB5QodEjPDzA
Arte you staying a full three days or two and a half.
Just pm me if you have questions. Nyc is so big its easy waste time if you don’t know where to go.
I would also try to go city island if you have time.
Also go walk around wall street and lower manhattan some of the cobble stone streets and narrow blocks are very cool to be around.
Another idea is to see a broadway show or concert there is really a ton to do if you plan it right.
after TSA check-in rules, more like 2 -1/2.
Some other suggested Fraunces Tavern, too. Looks like we’ll be fairly close from our hotel.
How about this. Give me the things you want to see and what time you have for running around. If you do it right and have the stamina for it we can cobble together everything you want. I’m just worried about the mets game. Not because the muts suck, cuz they do, but because that is at least 5 to 6 hours of time away.
Do you want to do museums?
What about dinners?
Me- I would get up crazy early and do the city hall brooklyn bridge intrepeid circle line at the break of dawn and go from there. Once the crowds start later in the day everything gets crazy.
thanks.
Let me run this buy my fellow travelers.
Since they’ve seen most everything, they will want to see things I have not.
Find out because the last thing you want to do is miss things because your friends would rather do something else cuz they already saw these things.
I have lived here my whole life and know how things go. NYC is HHHUUUGGGEEE and if you dont plan it right, you will miss a lot and waste a lot of time.
good idea. NYC has more people than our state...
I guess the only thing I could compare it to that I’ve been to is Tokyo ( a few years back for the opening game of MLB, A’s vs Bosox.)
And guess what? They are all crammed in a small area bound by water.
Myself and other posters gave a few good ideas. I would get a map and map it out and plan the walking toour and you wsill save TONS of time. With only 2 days time if of a huge premium
But Tokyo also had Mothra and Godzilla to worry about.
I will start looking for a good map.
Which hotel?
The Fraunces is in my general neighborhood.
Club Quarters, Wall Street-52 William St.
I know exactly where that is. Very nice!
Let me know if you have any specific questions, etc, about the neighborhood.
It’s looking like Santana will probably pitch against Pavano.(Saturday at 1)
that should be fun.
Sunday the 27th looks like the most open day as far as plans. Are most attractions open on Sundays?
thanks, I’m getting a lot of great suggestions from wtc911 and GlockTheVote.
I need to buy a good map this week and start my recon.
There is also a TKTS near the South Street Seaport, which is pretty close to where WB is staying — and usually less crowded than the one in Times Square.
You can get same-day evening tix, and matinee tix for the next day at the Seaport location.
So I see, now that I’m actually *reading* the thread. :-D
I’m a longtimer in the neighborhood (lower Manhattan), so I can give you specifics on some things that people who haven’t spent many years living here can’t. For example, I can tell you a nice place to get some breakfast. Not only is the food and coffee pretty good, but if the weather is nice, you can sit out back with some nice scenery, including the Fed. :-) Or where to get cheap but decent Chinese and Indian food, etc.
Cheap is good :)
where’s a good place near our hotel for breakfast?
the most important meal of the day!
it’s been suggested...sounds like a good opening day(Friday) deal.
thanx for the info
Glad to help!
I usually get tickets in advance and go to the box office so that I can pick the exact seats that I want.
Contrary to what some have suggested, I would skip the Circle Line. Parts of it are boring, it takes a big chunk out of your short visit, and it isn’t really seeing New York.
Sunday, June 27, is the gay pride parade. You may want to go and be outraged, go and enjoy it, or avoid Fifth Avenue while it is going on if you have to get anywhere.
Dusk is the best time to see Times Square. Or if you get there slightly before theater time, you will see NYC energy at its craziest. Also Grand Central at rush hour: stand on one of the staircases and watch, and then attempt to walk through it.
I would skip the Cloisters also. It’s a long trip up there from where you’re staying and it’s more suited to a long day with lots of time.
Other thoughts: The Harlem tour bus if you want to take one of those tours. The Madison Avenue shops from the fifties up through the seventies. You’re going to be staying near the SoHo shops too—good shopping and celebrity watching.
Have a wonderful time in New York, where every day is Christmas and every night is New Year’s Eve.
I'm headed to Yankee Stadium on Friday for the game. Breakin out the ol Mets jersey. Should be a great night.
Depending on what airport you're leaving from, your trip may be affected but most likely not. Take it from me (NYC cop) stay away from the west side on Sunday.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
