questions about visiting NYC

[DavidMn]

So anyway I'm going to be in New York in March for Fleetwood Mac, and I wanted to ask some of the NYC residents for some advice on visiting and how to go about it. First of all, I want to visit the Statue of Liberty and Elllis Island. I will probably be doing this on March 18th, the day off between the Albany show and MSG. I'll be staying in Albany and taking the bus down into NYC for the day and back to Albany in the evening. The main question I have regarding this is, is it better to buy a group package for both places, and if so should I do it in advance online or when I get there. Also being a food afficionado I will be visiting little Italy for a dinner. Can anyone reccomend their favorite or best Italian resturant there? Thanks everyone. Advice is greatly appreciated!:)

[HejiraNYC]

So anyway I'm going to be in New York in March for Fleetwood Mac, and I wanted to ask some of the NYC residents for some advice on visiting and how to go about it. First of all, I want to visit the Statue of Liberty and Elllis Island. I will probably be doing this on March 18th, the day off between the Albany show and MSG. I'll be staying in Albany and taking the bus down into NYC for the day and back to Albany in the evening. The main question I have regarding this is, is it better to buy a group package for both places, and if so should I do it in advance online or when I get there. Also being a food afficionado I will be visiting little Italy for a dinner. Can anyone reccomend their favorite or best Italian resturant there? Thanks everyone. Advice is greatly appreciated!:)

I admire your ambition, but your day off sounds like torture- Albany is at least 2.5 hours each way from NYC (without traffic, that is), which means you will be spending most of the day on the road. If I were you, I would spend the extra money and stay in NYC rather than Albany.

I know there is a one-day pass you can buy for $69 that gets you into pretty much all of the major attractions in the city, but since you are only hitting a couple of places, it's probably not worth going the package deal route. Also, I wouldn't bother with the Statue of Liberty- all you can do is stand outside at the base and look up at it. It's pretty and everything, but probably not the best place to be on a raw March Day. If you want a nice view of the city, Statue of Liberty and the NY Harbor, take the Staten Island Ferry, which is 100% free. And for 25 minutes you can tease up your hair and pretend like you're Carly Simon and sing "Let the River Run."

As for Italian food... definitely avoid Little Italy. It's strictly overpriced, low-quality fare for tourists. For recommendations I would go to yelp.com or do a search on eater.com.

[TrueFaith77]

I've lived here 5 years and I've never even seen the Statue of Liberty! :sorry:

As for Italian food... definitely avoid Little Italy. It's strictly overpriced, low-quality fare for tourists. For recommendations I would go to yelp.com or do a search on eater.com.

I second that. Little Italy is the pits.

[HejiraNYC]

I've lived here 5 years and I've never even seen the Statue of Liberty! :sorry:



I second that. Little Italy is the pits.

I went to the Statue of Liberty back in 1986, when you could actually climb the stairs to the observation "room" and peer out of the tiny openings in her crown. Haven't been back since! That same day I also visited the top of the World Trade Center for the last time as well...

[jbrownsjr]

I've lived here 5 years and I've never even seen the Statue of Liberty! :sorry:


Go to Battery Park and look South.. .you'll see it... ;)

[DavidMn]

I admire your ambition, but your day off sounds like torture- Albany is at least 2.5 hours each way from NYC (without traffic, that is), which means you will be spending most of the day on the road. If I were you, I would spend the extra money and stay in NYC rather than Albany.

I know there is a one-day pass you can buy for $69 that gets you into pretty much all of the major attractions in the city, but since you are only hitting a couple of places, it's probably not worth going the package deal route. Also, I wouldn't bother with the Statue of Liberty- all you can do is stand outside at the base and look up at it. It's pretty and everything, but probably not the best place to be on a raw March Day. If you want a nice view of the city, Statue of Liberty and the NY Harbor, take the Staten Island Ferry, which is 100% free. And for 25 minutes you can tease up your hair and pretend like you're Carly Simon and sing "Let the River Run."

As for Italian food... definitely avoid Little Italy. It's strictly overpriced, low-quality fare for tourists. For recommendations I would go to yelp.com or do a search on eater.com.That's interesting that you mention that about little Italy. I read a review online by someone who said the resturants are not very good there for the most part. That surprises me.

[Ghost_Tracker]

I'm from Long Island and so I'm reasonably familiar with the city, but not really well enough to be giving suggestions for Italian restaurants, etc. But I'd like to recommend taking a Circle Line cruise, if you have the time for it. It's fun, you can sit down the entire time and still have a great view, and you get to see and hear about a great deal of the city. (It also passes near to the Statue of Liberty, although it doesn't stop there.) Empire State Building is ALWAYS great; but there's a long, long line. Rockefeller Center ("30 Rock") is a much shorter wait, and there's a great view of the city from "The Top of the Rock." If you're a fan of either show, Conan O'Brian or Letterman might be fun. I think you probably have to get tix fairly well in advance, though. (I don't remember at the moment how much longer Conan is continuing before he takes over for Jay Leno.)

[DavidMn]

I'm from Long Island and so I'm reasonably familiar with the city, but not really well enough to be giving suggestions for Italian restaurants, etc. But I'd like to recommend taking a Circle Line cruise, if you have the time for it. It's fun, you can sit down the entire time and still have a great view, and you get to see and hear about a great deal of the city. (It also passes near to the Statue of Liberty, although it doesn't stop there.) Empire State Building is ALWAYS great; but there's a long, long line. Rockefeller Center ("30 Rock") is a much shorter wait, and there's a great view of the city from "The Top of the Rock." If you're a fan of either show, Conan O'Brian or Letterman might be fun. I think you probably have to get tix fairly well in advance, though. (I don't remember at the moment how much longer Conan is continuing before he takes over for Jay Leno.)Circle line cruise eh? is that something youd reccomend buying ahead of time online, and is that a trip that boards at Battery Park that you know of? Oh and I should mention on this trip I'll be on the bus so I wont be driving, forgot to mention that.

[bucklind17]

Circle Line boards at 42nd St., which should be convenient for you if you're taking the bus from Albany, since I'm assuming you'll be coming into Port Authority. Though count me in as one who thinks it would be easier on you to spend one of your nights in NYC, especially if you'll be traveling here two days in a row. You should be able to find some reasonable rates on a random March weeknight. I am pretty sure Circle Line has a boat every hour or so, and there's various cruises to take, varying in length and price, so you shouldn't have a problem booking the day off though you may want to look online. I also recommend the Staten Island Ferry for Statue of Liberty viewing. It's beautiful and FREE, which is always tops.

[HejiraNYC]

I walked past this hotel over the weekend. I know nothing about it, but it's in a very central location- a few blocks from MSG, Times Square, Macy's and Port Authority. And it's CHEAP (starting from $100 including tax) - probably as cheap as the place in Albany. It's on a fairly nondescript, grimy block in the garment district, but it should be just fine. Still, proceed at your own risk.

http://www.sentonhotel.com/index1.html

[LukeA]

While we're on the subject of hotels, if you know how to use (or, more precisely, exploit) Priceline, its an INCREDIBLE steal. I've only stayed in four star hotels ever since I started to regularly use the site (about six years ago), and I've never had to pay more than $100+tax (average price, around $70 a night for 4 star)- and often MUCH less. The lowest ever was actually for a Fleetwood Mac show I traveled to, in Madison, WI. Stayed at the same hotel as the band in a huge room overlooking the lake for $42+tax.

www.biddingfortravel.com is an excellent resource. If you travel a lot, you MUST educate yourself on this. I wouldn't do 10% of the traveling that I do if I couldn't use Priceline.

[DavidMn]

You guys, seriously, you have no idea HOW MUCH I appreciate this! With greyhound they have these tickets you can get for 7 days for $330, and 15 days for $485. I'm going to the following shows:

3-3, St Paul
3-5, Chicago
3-8, Detroit
3-10, Washington D.C
3-11, Boston
3-13, Uniondale
3-14, Mohegan Sun
3-16, Rochester
3-17, Albany
3-19, MSG


The 15 days pass on the bus will allow me to travel this entire trip on just one ticket. I always stay at Motel 6( I know, laugh:laugh:) and there's one in Albany less than a mile from the bus station in Albany. Its only $35 bucks a night and i checked, and its in a good area. Now, here's a more detailed plan for my NYC activities. On the 13th, I'm coming in from Boston into the Port Authority, and I did some research and it looks like the LIRR from Penn station will take me to Jamaica, where I'll switch to another train that will drop me off at the Hempstead stop, and I can make my way to Nassau Colesium. Now that day my plan before going out to the show is to eat at Carnegie Deli( I know IM a tourist:laugh:) then walk to where Studio 54 was and take a picture, then past the Waldorf, and over to Sparks Steakhouse(my friend is a big mafia buff) before headin out to the venue. Then on the 18th, I'll take the bus down from Albany into the city and arrive at about 10:30 AM to do my sightseeing. Ground Zero, the NYSE and Liberty and Ellis are all on my definite itinerary. I know for dinner that night I'm going to eat at Peter Luger's in Brooklyn before heading back to Albany. Then the day of the NYC show is when I had planned on the Italian meal. Sorry for the long winded response, but I've put a tremendous amount of time into planning this trip already, and I want to be able to get the best advice possible to utilize my time as best I can. THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!:wavey:

[jbrownsjr]

You guys, seriously, you have no idea HOW MUCH I appreciate this! With greyhound they have these tickets you can get for 7 days for $330, and 15 days for $485. I'm going to the following shows:

3-3, St Paul
3-5, Chicago
3-8, Detroit
3-10, Washington D.C
3-11, Boston
3-13, Uniondale
3-14, Mohegan Sun
3-16, Rochester
3-17, Albany
3-19, MSG


The 15 days pass on the bus will allow me to travel this entire trip on just one ticket. I always stay at Motel 6( I know, laugh:laugh:) and there's one in Albany less than a mile from the bus station in Albany. Its only $35 bucks a night and i checked, and its in a good area. Now, here's a more detailed plan for my NYC activities. On the 13th, I'm coming in from Boston into the Port Authority, and I did some research and it looks like the LIRR from Penn station will take me to Jamaica, where I'll switch to another train that will drop me off at the Hempstead stop, and I can make my way to Nassau Colesium. Now that day my plan before going out to the show is to eat at Carnegie Deli( I know IM a tourist:laugh:) then walk to where Studio 54 was and take a picture, then past the Waldorf, and over to Sparks Steakhouse(my friend is a big mafia buff) before headin out to the venue. Then on the 18th, I'll take the bus down from Albany into the city and arrive at about 10:30 AM to do my sightseeing. Ground Zero, the NYSE and Liberty and Ellis are all on my definite itinerary. I know for dinner that night I'm going to eat at Peter Luger's in Brooklyn before heading back to Albany. Then the day of the NYC show is when I had planned on the Italian meal. Sorry for the long winded response, but I've put a tremendous amount of time into planning this trip already, and I want to be able to get the best advice possible to utilize my time as best I can. THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!:wavey:

I hope you have a wonderful trip... I love NYC... I love shopping at Barney's NY... eating vendor hot dogs, visiting the Beacon, going to Monster Bar over on 7th and Christopher they have a piano upstairs.... visiting my friends there... etc... report back and let us know how it went...

[DavidMn]

You know, I really like this Staten Island Ferry idea, but how in the world can it be free? thats amazing to me.:shocked:

[GODDESS6]

nyc is so fun, i loved going there & want to take my son now that he is older~ very fun exciting place. w/ something to do or see at all hours~

[DavidMn]

WHats interesting is is that if I didnt have my situation with what happened to my car, I probably wouldnt be doing these shows. I've always been afraid to drive there but since I'll be on the Greyhound, as Arnold says "No problemo!":laugh:

[Villavic]

etc. But I'd like to recommend taking a Circle Line cruise, if you have the time for it.

I took that cruise in 2006. It is worth it, I recommend it, too.

I went to the statue in 1988 but the line to the stairs were soo long that we abandoned it after almost one hour. I know now you can´t enter the crown or torch, just the base, like a 10th floor where you are near the feet of the actual statue. Don´t know how crowded is these days.

I have questions too, I'm going to NYC for easter holiday. I arrive at JFK and stay at a hotel in Times Square. Not sure to take the subway, or a shuttle. What do you recommend? I'll be with a medium baggage, not so heavy but not sure if it' would be easy walking with it through the subways. Besides, how long takes to Times Sq. from JFK by subway?? (I arrive at 7am aprox). And.. is it safe? Or do you recoomend a shuttle?

[DavidMn]

I took that cruise in 2006. It is worth it, I recommend it, too.

I went to the statue in 1988 but the line to the stairs were soo long that we abandoned it after almost one hour. I know now you can´t enter the crown or torch, just the base, like a 10th floor where you are near the feet of the actual statue. Don´t know how crowded is these days.

I have questions too, I'm going to NYC for easter holiday. I arrive at JFK and stay at a hotel in Times Square. Not sure to take the subway, or a shuttle. What do you recommend? I'll be with a medium baggage, not so heavy but not sure if it' would be easy walking with it through the subways. Besides, how long takes to Times Sq. from JFK by subway?? (I arrive at 7am aprox). And.. is it safe? Or do you recoomend a shuttle?Well, ****, lets all go to New York then!:laugh:

[bucklind17]

I took that cruise in 2006. It is worth it, I recommend it, too.

I went to the statue in 1988 but the line to the stairs were soo long that we abandoned it after almost one hour. I know now you can´t enter the crown or torch, just the base, like a 10th floor where you are near the feet of the actual statue. Don´t know how crowded is these days.

I have questions too, I'm going to NYC for easter holiday. I arrive at JFK and stay at a hotel in Times Square. Not sure to take the subway, or a shuttle. What do you recommend? I'll be with a medium baggage, not so heavy but not sure if it' would be easy walking with it through the subways. Besides, how long takes to Times Sq. from JFK by subway?? (I arrive at 7am aprox). And.. is it safe? Or do you recoomend a shuttle?

There is an AirTrain from JFK to the subway/Long Island Railroad station in Jamaica, Queens. Whenever I am heading back to the city from JFK, I usually take the AirTrain to this station and then take the Long Island Railroad into Manhattan. It's $5 and about 20 minutes and much easier than dealing with the subway, which while a few dollars cheaper, takes much longer. The LIRR will get you into Penn Station, which is just a few blocks from Times Square. You'll be perfectly fine at 7am, since that's the beginning of rush hour and lots of people are on mass transit at that time of day.

David, I think the Staten Island Ferry is free because it's essentially the only way for people who live on Staten Island to get to Manhattan without having to drive/take a bus through Jersey, which is a much longer process. As a New Yorker, I've found any time you can avoid taking a bus or anything that can get stuck in traffic (especially when coming into the city from outside of it), you should do it!

[DavidMn]

There is an AirTrain from JFK to the subway/Long Island Railroad station in Jamaica, Queens. Whenever I am heading back to the city from JFK, I usually take the AirTrain to this station and then take the Long Island Railroad into Manhattan. It's $5 and about 20 minutes and much easier than dealing with the subway, which while a few dollars cheaper, takes much longer. The LIRR will get you into Penn Station, which is just a few blocks from Times Square. You'll be perfectly fine at 7am, since that's the beginning of rush hour and lots of people are on mass transit at that time of day.

David, I think the Staten Island Ferry is free because it's essentially the only way for people who live on Staten Island to get to Manhattan without having to drive/take a bus through Jersey, which is a much longer process. As a New Yorker, I've found any time you can avoid taking a bus or anything that can get stuck in traffic (especially when coming into the city from outside of it), you should do it!I'm definitely gonna ride that SAF for sure! I wonder though, because you have to get off and get in line to get back on for the return trip, I should probably plan on quite a wait right?

[HejiraNYC]

I'm definitely gonna ride that SAF for sure! I wonder though, because you have to get off and get in line to get back on for the return trip, I should probably plan on quite a wait right?

It's not a line... it's just a big waiting area with benches, newsstands and food vendors. Indeed, it would be best to ride there and turn right around- ain't nothin' to see on SI.

[DavidMn]

It's not a line... it's just a big waiting area with benches, newsstands and food vendors. Indeed, it would be best to ride there and turn right around- ain't nothin' to see on SI.HEY! Who says I'm not into touring the garbage dumps?:laugh:

[Ghost_Tracker]

I took that cruise in 2006. It is worth it, I recommend it, too.

I went to the statue in 1988 but the line to the stairs were soo long that we abandoned it after almost one hour. I know now you can´t enter the crown or torch, just the base, like a 10th floor where you are near the feet of the actual statue. Don´t know how crowded is these days.

I have questions too, I'm going to NYC for easter holiday. I arrive at JFK and stay at a hotel in Times Square. Not sure to take the subway, or a shuttle. What do you recommend? I'll be with a medium baggage, not so heavy but not sure if it' would be easy walking with it through the subways. Besides, how long takes to Times Sq. from JFK by subway?? (I arrive at 7am aprox). And.. is it safe? Or do you recoomend a shuttle?

The subway is really pretty safe these days, especially if you take it during regular hours. It's certainly no longer like you may have seen it portrayed in movies made during the 1970s. Essentially (in general) you'll only encounter regular people minding their own business and just trying to get from home to work and back.

Not to say that no one ever gets robbed in the city any more, but the crime rate there has dropped a great deal since the 1960s and 1970s. It's a lot "nicer" there now than it used to be, i.m.o.

[louielouie2000]

Since you're on a time budget, why don't you just take the Staten Island Ferry instead of going to see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty? The ferry cruises past both, and has incredibly commanding views of the city. Best part of all... it's FREE!

Regarding cheap lodging, check out the Chelsea Star hotel:

www.starhotelny.com

It's literally a block away from Madison Square Garden, and it's cheap and very artsy and fun! Being a block from Madison Square Garden = 1 block away from Penn Station too. So if you can get a train ticket into the city, you can just walk to the hotel. Everyone always loves to tell you how expensive NYC is. But if you just do a little homework, you really can have an affordable, BIG time there :blob1: .

[DavidMn]

Since you're on a time budget, why don't you just take the Staten Island Ferry instead of going to see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty? The ferry cruises past both, and has incredibly commanding views of the city. Best part of all... it's FREE!

Regarding cheap lodging, check out the Chelsea Star hotel:

www.starhotelny.com

It's literally a block away from Madison Square Garden, and it's cheap and very artsy and fun! Being a block from Madison Square Garden = 1 block away from Penn Station too. So if you can get a train ticket into the city, you can just walk to the hotel. Everyone always loves to tell you how expensive NYC is. But if you just do a little homework, you really can have an affordable, BIG time there :blob1: .Yes, that Staten Island ferry is EXACTLY what I will be partaking in. And I wouldnt have known about unless those of you here here recommended it to me. Thanks again!:)