Blue Velvet in New York City

[leekohler]

That's kind of what I was hoping to do... but wanted to get an idea of where would be interesting places to start, trying to avoid anything that's too plasticcy and touristy. I'm not really interested in going to Times Square, for instance.



Heh. Scary... for the likes of me. I could capsize a canoe just by looking at it.



OK, thanks. And yes, pizza!



Both. Are you free?

But seriously, what that means is that I'm free to do as I please, coming and going, eating and hanging around where I like. I don't have kids, parents or partners in tow. I can stay out until 4am if I wish or spend all day lying in bed... which I'm not going to do. I've only got one tentative casual meetup planned and that's not pinned down to anywhere specific at this stage.

I like all the suggestions so far, except perhaps for Ahmed's. Thank you!

I think Ahmed's just bitter because he used to live in Berlin. And really, it's hard to top Berlin.

 

[scem0]

My recommendations:

Touristy: Walk the Brooklyn Bridge, and time it so that when you get to the other side you can have some of the best pizza in NYC - Grimaldi's Pizza. Grimaldi's is right on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn bridge and it's really great. It is very, very busy at peak times, so try to time yourself there for a lunch rather than a dinner, and don't even bother with dinner there on the weekends - too crowded. Website: http://www.grimaldis.com/2/Index.htm

People Watching: I don't think it gets better than Union Square for people watching, personally. There are other great areas of town to people watch, for sure, but I prefer union square. Try visiting union square and then having lunch/dinner in the area - tons of great restaurants. The mac n' cheese at chat n' chew was mentioned, and I can second that. But it really depends on the cuisine desired. You can literally find ANYTHING within 5 blocks of union square.

Nature-y: Many people would suggest a walk through Central Park. I certainly would not caution against it. My parents always do the central park thing when they visit NYC, and they enjoy it. It really isn't my thing at all, so I don't recommend it on a personal level. But if the idea of a massive, pretty park in the middle of a massive, pretty city seems fun to you, then by all means go!

Not to be missed: The High Line Park. This is my new place to bring out of towners. It's amazing. It's a park that goes up the length of the lower, west side of manhattan on an old, abandoned train track and it's \ impeccably designed. You could make a really fantastic afternoon taking a spin through the High Line, Visiting the 9th avenue Apple Store (At 14th street), and then taking a jaunt through the Chelsea Market. For food, grab a slice of pizza (no specific recommendations for where, in that area, that I can think of) and eat take it up to the high line. Lots of seating up there.

For what I consider a very authentic NYC experience, you have to go to a really cheap, poorly lit Chinese takeout place to get greasy, yummy, americanized chinese food. Yummy! No seating! Young Chow near Union Square is a great choice, and is your quintessential, NYC chinese takeout. If you're not into chinese food or friend stuff, pass this by . I feel in heaven at these places though. Also, dollar pizza at 9th avenue and 41st street is fantastic. Greasy 1 dollar slices on the thinest crust imaginable, with cheap yummy cheese. Not fine dining, but certainly a fun NYC place to grab some grub.


Enjoy your trip,

Emerson

 

[steviem]

Top tip for Pizza... Look for the grottiest looking pizza place for the best pizza.

New York pizza beats the crap out of the stuff we get here.

I'll be there from 28th August to visit my fiancée and I think High Line park, walking Brooklyn Bridge (again, but on a sunny day).

Top of the rock is the best one to get some excellent shots of the city, seeing this huge green rectangle surrounded by concrete, glass and stone is one of the most wonderful views I've had the pleasure of witnessing in a city. You also get to actually see the Empire State Building, which is a much more impressive building to look at than 30 Rock.

 

[Eraserhead]

Also, is getting a yellow cab from JFK to downtown the fastest way to get into town?

AFAIK its just as fast to take the subway, and probably more interesting.

 

[kernkraft]

AFAIK its just as fast to take the subway, and probably more interesting.

It's also pretty much the same time and a fraction of the price. It's only one or two changes and a few dollars each way. Cabs can be stuck in traffic, so taking the subway/E-train is not a bad idea.

 

[steviem]

LIRR from Jamaica/Sutphin Bvd is a lot quicker and not much more expensive than the subway ticket. You'll be at Penn Station in like 15 minutes after the AirTrain.

If you're carrying luggage though, $45 (I think that's the maximum cabs can charge from JFK to the city) isn't too much of a big deal. After a 7 hour flight, the interests of the E train with luggage is the last thing I want...

 

[OutThere]

LIRR from Jamaica/Sutphin Bvd is a lot quicker and not much more expensive than the subway ticket. You'll be at Penn Station in like 15 minutes after the AirTrain.

If you're carrying luggage though, $45 (I think that's the maximum cabs can charge from JFK to the city) isn't too much of a big deal. After a 7 hour flight, the interests of the E train with luggage is the last thing I want...

Exactly... I came home to a blizzard after 4 months in France and nobody could get to the airport to pick me up so I had to do it public transit style with a ton of luggage, no fun. It was kind of a pain for me and I'm very familiar with the subway system. Generally the NYC subway is poorly signed and hard to figure out for yourself.

Taking the Airtrain to LIRR would be good but Penn is nowhere near her hotel so you'd either have to transfer to the subway or get a cab anyway. Not my game after a transatlantic flight.

 

[Blue Velvet]

My recommendations...

...are splendid, thanks! I'm staying in Chinatown so greasy cheap Chinese food will certainly be on the agenda, possibly within hours of arriving! Thanks scem0 and it's nice to see you again after all this time.

New York pizza beats the crap out of the stuff we get here.

That's what I've heard. Hold the anchovies, though. I'll be aiming to walk most of it off, hopefully.

AFAIK its just as fast to take the subway, and probably more interesting.

It's also pretty much the same time and a fraction of the price. It's only one or two changes and a few dollars each way. Cabs can be stuck in traffic, so taking the subway/E-train is not a bad idea.

LIRR from Jamaica/Sutphin Bvd is a lot quicker and not much more expensive than the subway ticket. You'll be at Penn Station in like 15 minutes after the AirTrain.

Generally the NYC subway is poorly signed and hard to figure out for yourself... Not my game after a transatlantic flight.

Exactly. Up at 6am, trekking out to Heathrow with bags, three hours checking in time, 8+ hour flight, customs and border entry, hot weather, completely new to the country, woman travelling alone...

Yellow cab fares from JFK to Manhattan are fixed at $45 plus tolls and tip, regardless of route and traffic. Get to sit back and look at the city, maybe chat with the cabbie. Drops me off right outside my hotel. Absolute bargain for ease of mind. The subway can wait until I've gained my bearings the next day.

Thanks for all advice so far.

Question: Are Visa debit cards OK over there in ATMs and in stores? I'm taking credit cards too, but it would be handy to have access to my bank account.

 

[iGav]

Question: Are Visa debit cards OK over there in ATMs and in stores? I'm taking credit cards too, but it would be handy to have access to my bank account.

Yes. And also because of that it's pointless considering travellers cheques or exchanging any sum of money at a Bureau de Change beforehand, because when you withdraw money from an ATM or pay for something at a shop on a credit/debit card, you'll often get a much better exchange rate through your bank than at a foreign exchange for example.

Might be worth notifying your bank that you'll be in the U.S. just incase any transactions flag as suspicious and they freeze your cards.

Heh. Scary... for the likes of me. I could capsize a canoe just by looking at it.

Well that's paddling too.

 

[steviem]

Visa Debit cards are ok, although some stores have POS where you can select between debit and credit. This isn't something UK cards do and when I selected Debit, the transaction didn't work. When I selected Credit, it worked though.

The Cab is worth it, when I took it last, the driver was Bangladeshi, his son lived near where I live and studies at UEL (london) and when he first went to the US he lived where I'll be moving to. So I had quite a good chat with him. Although one cab I took, the driver insisted upon taking us from Brooklyn to Queens via Manhattan and over a toll bridge. So sometimes they're not all that awesome, but we only took it because it was 3am.

 

[OutThere]

Yes. And also because of that it's pointless considering travellers cheques or exchanging any sum of money at a Bureau de Change beforehand, because when you withdraw money from an ATM or pay for something at a shop on a credit/debit card, you'll often get a much better exchange rate through your bank than at a foreign exchange for example.

Might be worth notifying your bank that you'll be in the U.S. just incase any transactions flag as suspicious and they freeze your cards.

Definitely notify the bank that you're traveling. You don't want to have them lock you out for 'mysterious charges'.

It's always good to carry all of your cards, because sometimes one will just inexplicably not work (at least that was my experience using American cards in Europe). Also be prepared to slide your card through the machines rather than put them in like in the UK. The US kind of missed the boat on smart cards.

All the yellow cabs have credit card machines now too, so you can put that on plastic and not have to worry about cash right away.

 

[nebo1ss]

LIRR from Jamaica/Sutphin Bvd is a lot quicker and not much more expensive than the subway ticket. You'll be at Penn Station in like 15 minutes after the AirTrain.

If you're carrying luggage though, $45 (I think that's the maximum cabs can charge from JFK to the city) isn't too much of a big deal. After a 7 hour flight, the interests of the E train with luggage is the last thing I want...

+1

The Airtrain and LIRR is by far the best option. The one thing to be aware of with the Airtrain is that there is no where to buy a ticket just get on it and it can be taken care of at Jamaica Station/Sutphin Blvd. I would skip central park during the week it is much more fun on weekends. Canal street is an interesting experience and you will probably enjoy wandering through the West Village. The museums are worth a visit. Avoid those tour buses and walk as others have recommended. As a Londoner now living in New York the food you want to try is Mexican, Pizza and the Deli sandwiches. Every visitor I get from Europe want to visit Ground Zero.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I'm sure you'll enjoy NYC, it's a very cool city!

I'll put in a recommendation for two bars, and since I made a career out of history I've chosen two of the oldest. Try visiting the Bridge cafe (1794) down by the Brooklyn Bridge or the Ear Inn (1817) in Soho. I've been to the bridge myself, they have a large whiskey slection and pretty good food. I've heard really good things about the Ear too. These are not funky, modern, arty bars, but they are very historic.

Good luck! I hope you get nice weather for walking, It's a great town to experience on foot.

 

[Blue Velvet]

Yes.

Great, thanks. Good advice. If I end up paddling anywhere, I shall PM you a photo.

Visa Debit cards are ok, although some stores have POS where you can select between debit and credit. This isn't something UK cards do and when I selected Debit, the transaction didn't work. When I selected Credit, it worked though.

Definitely notify the bank that you're traveling. You don't want to have them lock you out for 'mysterious charges'.

It's always good to carry all of your cards, because sometimes one will just inexplicably not work (at least that was my experience using American cards in Europe).

Helpful to remember. Thanks.

Every visitor I get from Europe want to visit Ground Zero.

Given the limited time I have there, I'm going to give it a miss. Looking at a webcam there, I see it's a building site at the moment. I watched the entire event live on TV the minute BBC radio reported that a plane had crashed into the Twin Towers. If I'm going to spend any time near any memorials, it's more likely to be Maya Lin's Vietnam Memorial and the surrounding areas around the Mall in DC where I'll be passing through at some point.

I'll put in a recommendation for two bars, and since I made a career out of history I've chosen two of the oldest.

Excellent! Cheers, my Lord Adder.

I'm not taking a camera, but upon returning back to the UK, if there are any snaps I've taken on my phone that can withstand public scrutiny, then I'll post 'em here.

 

[_Matt]

The best pizza in New York is actually in Brooklyn, under the Brooklyn Bridge...

Grimaldi's Pizzeria

You might want to consider getting a whole pie for yourself because it's that good and is even better when it's cold.

Also, there's a few gelato places down the street by the pier/observation area on the East River, you'll recognize the view of the Brooklyn Bridge/Lower East Side from many many movies.

That and the mac and cheese from Chat N Chew will change your life.

 

[rdowns]

The best pizza in New York is actually in Brooklyn, under the Brooklyn Bridge...

Grimaldi's Pizzeria

You might want to consider getting a whole pie for yourself because it's that good and is even better when it's cold.

Also, there's a few gelato places down the street by the pier/observation area on the East River, you'll recognize the view of the Brooklyn Bridge/Lower East Side from many many movies.

That and the mac and cheese from Chat N Chew will change your life.

I have to agree. Grimaldi's is some of the best pizza in NY. So happy they have a restaurant on Long Island too.

 

[kernkraft]

Every visitor I get from Europe want to visit Ground Zero.

I was actually in NYC last year and I was hesitating where I should be on the 11th of September. In the end, I was in NYC on the day but by the time I made it to Ground Zero, most of the event was over.

Anyway, a few days before I went to DC for two days. This was just the time when the Congress had a big debate about the health care reform. I was actually passed by the presidential convoy. That was cool.

 

[steviem]

+1

The Airtrain and LIRR is by far the best option. The one thing to be aware of with the Airtrain is that there is no where to buy a ticket just get on it and it can be taken care of at Jamaica Station/Sutphin Blvd. I would skip central park during the week it is much more fun on weekends. Canal street is an interesting experience and you will probably enjoy wandering through the West Village. The museums are worth a visit. Avoid those tour buses and walk as others have recommended. As a Londoner now living in New York the food you want to try is Mexican, Pizza and the Deli sandwiches. Every visitor I get from Europe want to visit Ground Zero.

Since last May, I have visited Ground Zero on every trip and seeing the buildings going up is a really encouraging sight for me.

Sorry to go off on a tangent, but how long have you been in NY now and how do you find living there as a Londoner?

 

[nebo1ss]

Since last May, I have visited Ground Zero on every trip and seeing the buildings going up is a really encouraging sight for me.

Sorry to go off on a tangent, but how long have you been in NY now and how do you find living there as a Londoner?

Been in New York ten years, everyone has their favorite area to live, but I like the upper West side and would not be anywhere else. Proximity to central park, theatre area, good restaurants etc.

I like New York, summers are more reliable but winters are colder than England. Property taxes are very high but lots of other stuff is much cheaper.
You take your life in your hands when you cross the street, walk signal or not.

It is truly a 24 hour city and you can go to the Chemist, Supermarket or get a meal at 3 or 4 AM.

 

[einmusiker]

Stay down around Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn- the only areas of NYC left worth visiting for anyone with a creative bent. Like others have said, walk around a lot. Area-wise, NYC is not that big. It's very walkable.

Make sure you get some Two Boots pizza!

C'mon Lee, be a little more open minded I still think you should check out central park and then head over to riverside. There are some very cool things uptown. Harlem aint all that scary!