New York trip suggestions

Darius, I am staying in Manhattan with a large group, so we should be OK. It is a bus tour, so no worries about the car and stuff. However, I know from experiance how those large groups can be and I want to explore the city in a smaller one and enjoy myself.


we drove into Harlem at night and got lost. Met some african Americans, who were as scared of us, as we were(rollled the windows half-way down in order to talk to us) but then they actually drove out of thier way to lead us out in the right direction. That was bofore Juliani took over the city and "cleaned it up" a bit.


then you were lucky, becuase Imy car got broken into the second day I was there, which has never happen to me in Canada;).

He really made some changes.

A couple years ago I went for a week to NYC and we couldn't believe some of what we saw. We drove in via G. Washington bridge, moving south towards midtown. At around 130th street we saw a white woman walking a dog!!! And the dog wasn't even a rottweiler but some while little fluffy white thing on 4 paws. That was something unthinkable in late 80's. Sights like that around that area, or anywhere above 97th street, would have made all the way to headline news back then :)

pieace of cake then. I was there before Juliani's times and I had no problem. Met some really friendly people, so I guess it depends on the law of attraction;)

Hey Brooklyn fugedaboudit Brooklyn is just like Manhattan now yuppies all around babies in strollers bumping into you. Best bet is to ditch the tour bus as much as possible if you wanna have fun. make sure you visit Joey Ramone ave too! Its ave "B" and Houston if I recollect properly.

I don't think so. I lived in NY between 1987 and 1990 (Gramercy Park 22nd and 3rd).
I rode many subways at 2 or 3 in the morning, coming from parties..work, or just visiting friends. I never felt threatened or unsafe, somewhat uneasy..maybe at times. I found NY very friendly then, abundant Hi's and hellos at any time during the day or night.

My sister lives there since 1982 (Gramercy Park) and wondering all over Manhattan - never a moment of scare.

Dear Eurola,

Did you read all I wrote?
Where is Gramercy Park and 22nd, and then where is 120 Street? In late 80's these weren't even two different cities. They were two different civilizations. 97th street was called the edge of the knife - ritzy condos with doormen on 96th, and drug dealers mixed up with streetwalkers on 97th.

OK, the reason of my thread in post No 1. So please stop arguing about which part is safer and which isn't since I am interested in "here and now" situation in NY.

I was hoping for more suggestions regrding atrractions, not the issue of safety.

Thank you;)

Miranda, have a nice trip. NY is a beautiful city( minus the garbage bags on the streets). Every time I drove over Pulaski bridge and looked at the skyline of Manhattan, my hart was pounding, how beautiful the view was(is). Verezzano Bridge and Washington Bridge give you also a big thrill. You can just admire it, but the ride it too quick.

Manhattan has no back alleys to put garbage out. It gets smelly in the summer...
When I moved from NY to Chicago the U-Haul driver did not even understand the concept of a back alley as we have it in Chicago. He actually went with me to see how the back alley looks like and his comment was: "You could make another street out of this"... :). It was a residential area where I moved, but even the Chicago downtown has deliveries from "the back" - not the front of a store.

Take a walk in the midtown Manhattan. Your neck gets tired from looking up so high...it amazes me every time. The city was built long time and the technology could not be possibly as good as it is now, but the buildings stand tall and proud.

I visited the twin tower place the last time I was in NY (I think, about 4 years ago). The eerie feeling was still there.

Don't be afraid to hop on the subway. I rode it through different times of the day and night: Harlem, Bronx, Brooklyn, you name it...never felt unsafe. Waaay too many people on it at any time, most streets a buzzing with life at 1 am, 2 am... It was then, when i lived there and it is now. My sister lives there since 1982 and never had any uncomfortable incident in the city....

Hope it helps!

There is a million things to do and see in the City. Have agreat time. Statue of Liberty, Empire State bldg, Central Park, Bronx Zoo, Brooklyn Bridge, the Museums, Rockefeller Center, Blu Note (was a great suggestion) For the short time you are staying there get one of those tours and they just drive you around and you can jump on and off. Don't forget the shopping but stay away from the street vendors for they only sell bogus stuff. Katz Deli (from When Harry Met Saly a great experience)

Enjoy your trip!!!!!

Thanks Eurola, Dariusz and rdywenur:)

so I am packing now and be out of the door by tomorrow. I am quite excited:)

nothing, absolutely nothing turned out as planned, yet I had a wonderful time and I love NY and the American people.

The bus was 24 hours late and at one point I wasn't sure I was leaving at all.
Then the bus driver lost his walet.

Then, we got stopped at the border and almost lost one of the fellows who left his passport at the KFC. Hunger makes people forgetfull.

Then I lost contact with my friend who decided not to stay in the hotel with us. Then it was raining all day long and I didn't have my umbrella, but I learned how to hail a taxi in NY.

Then, it was all good. I had a wonderful time regardless all the backups at the beginning of my trip and I just got home. Sipping some free duty and going to bed soon.

Why there are so many dogs in Manhattan?
Why is Toronto asleep when Ny is just waking up?

Why there is so much grease in patatoes served with breakfast?

TBC maybe tomorrow:)

Because they taste better this way. Plus, you don't get to be the fattest nation on Earth without a little extra grease.

Glad you enjoyed your trip, Miranda. Welcome back.

Welcome back, M....glad you had a good time despite the chaotic start! Did you take lots of pictures (I know you did)? You should post some of them for all the PF members to see:)

It sure does. I was teasing. I had breakfast in this greasy spoon joint which have't seent the paint brush for years, but 2 Ny cops were having breakfast there too, so I was thrilled;).


thnaks, of course I did. that is all I did, never mind the fine dining and shopping. No time for that at all. I will definatelly put some stuff up once it is ready. Now I need to get some sleep;).

New York is great, I own a yard in long island city so im there all the time, plus i drive and walk around every boro. everywhere is great. one day ill move to the city :) but for now, I stay in the subburbs lol

One either hates it or loves it.

MET was great but really crowded and I got so saturated with looking at art, that it will last me until next year. The best time to go is in the morning, otherwise one can find that instead of looking at art, one is looking at people. Well, I did anyways. I guess people are as important as art. Well, some are;)

Dogs. I am not sure if I was paying attention to dogs or there are just so many of them in NY. THey come in all shapes and sizes and usually have an owner attached to them with the leash:). They have little green space to do their thing and little flower beds around trees are protected with wire from the dogs. I found this most peculiar but practical.

Cops. Hardly any where I was staying. I guess most of them went undecover.

Dutch turists. Why do you have to be so loud?

Starbucks was my base for exploring the city. I would get my morning coffee there and get grounded yet for antother day of walking with heavy cameras in my backpack.

Service: impecable, friendly, relaxed, probably the best I have experianced so far.

Yellow taxis. The best, especially the SUV version, equippped with a TV screen and GPS. I loved it.

Tourist places: to be avoided at all costs because of the crowds.

I didn't go to a jazz bar, because when I wanted to, my legs just refused;(

TBC.

Miranda!!!
So you went some 600km to watch TV? And who needs a GPS in a cab in Manhattan, of all places? :))

Miranda

I'm pleased that you found NY friendly and had a good time. Most people don't understand un til they get here. We're stereotypically rude and arrogant :) Most places that you go to in NY have outstanding customer service. I hope you were able to take some good pictures.

Brooklyn has a nice and big Polish neighborhood called "Greenpoint".

Yeah, Greenpoint and Williamsburg are a good time during the night. A lot of places to go out.

yah, I know. There is more I have seen but I guess some things stick in my memory better than others. I just though I would mention it, since yellow taxis are a symbol of NY. I didn't actually watch TV in the taxi, but the friends I was with did.


I did and I really wanted to.


I have visited before and I had a good time as well. It was really safe, although I used the street smart approach, as one would in any large city.


My impession was just the opposite. Everywhere I went I experianced genuine friendliness.


Absolutely. Even in a variety stores and such places.


I cannot wait to post them next week.


I missed it this time due to time contrains but I will definately go there next time.

I thought this may be a nice place for some of my NYC pics ;)

GWB from NJ
NYC from NJ
The lady :)
NYSE
Street
Central PK
Bethesda fountain in Cntrl Pk
Natural history museum (front)
Typical New yorker...lol joking..sort of ;)

Nice photos of NYC. Although I haven't been to the city since I moved further up state I am looking forward to another trip soon and to see the statue of liberty. (now that it has reopened) My ex was from the Bronx. Worked on the Twin Towers when he was an ironworker and several other tall buildings. He lost his goldchild there who was a fireman for NYFD.

don't go. NYC is a dump. :D

LOL, thanks for the heads up. I went in May;) and have forgotten about it.