NYC - Any advice?

[thessh]

I'm taking my best friend to New York City for an entire week in May.
Now - I've been to NYC several times and I think I have a pretty good grasp of what to see and do.
But is there anything that a Swede like me might not know - but should?

Sussie, who's never been to NYC (or the States) before, has requested a couple of things.
She wants to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and she wants to go up in the Empire State Building.
She also asked if we could see a musical, so I've gotten us tickets for the new "The Addams Family" (since I've already seen Wicked, Mama Mia, The Phantom etc.).
And we're having Afternoon Tea at The Russian Tea Room. This has kind of become "our thing", since we do that in every major city we travel to together...

The one thing I've decided that we must do, is to walk the Brooklyn Bridge!
I've always wanted to do that, but my husband has not really jumped for joy at the idea... ;-)

Sussie is becoming more and more interested in photography, and she's the one who bought my old DSLR. She's also bought some of my older lenses when I've upgraded my kit. So both of us will be traveling with fairly well equiped camerabags.
I've figured I'd try to make some of our excursions more photo-oriented... Like a micro-walk, a landscape-walk and an architecture-walk...

I'm not too keen on venturing over to the Jersey-side - sorry!
But places in Brooklyn and the Bronx could be of interest!

Anyone have any tips that a normal Swedish tourist might not think of?

[SharLamb]

Just don't try the Empire State Building in the middle of the day. It will take HOURS of standing in line. Literally. There may be others who know the best time of day.

[Jen D]

Yes, I second not doing the Empire State Building during the day. It is prettier at night anyway It is open until 1am... we went close to midnight and there were maybe 30 people up there total! So peaceful and the lights were amazing to see.

[Squeak]

Totally agree with not trying to see the Empire State Building in the middle of the day. The night view was awesome and the lines were so short! You might also consider going to the Top of the Rock (the Rockefeller Building). When I was in NYC with my friend, the lines for that were quite short and the view rivaled that of the Empire State Bldg, in my humble opinion. The walk across the Brooklyn Bridge is so much fun, and there's a great ice cream store on the Brooklyn side where you can go before you start your walk, you know, so you can keep up your strength! Also, and I admit up front this is totally touristy, but you might consider a boat cruise around the whole island of Manhattan. It was pretty cool seeing all of the bridges from underneath, and you get some extraordinary views of the buildings that you just can't get any other way.

[anke]

wow, no advice from me since I don't know the place, but it sounds like such fun! I wish I could come too! How about chinatown, there should be lots of stuff to photograph around there

[RandyP]

Originally Posted by anke

wow, no advice from me since I don't know the place, but it sounds like such fun! I wish I could come too! How about chinatown, there should be lots of stuff to photograph around there

And little Italy is right across the street from Chinatown. In fact, Chinatown surrounds Little Italy at this point.

[thessh]

Thanks, Ladies! And Randy!
I'm usually in NYC just for shopping and the restaurants, so all advice is much appreciated!!!
Chinatown and Little Italy goes on my list!!! I think they will be perfect spots for all kinds of photography as well as eating and shopping! ;-)
I've been up the Empire State, but never after dark or at dusk. I think that is the way we will have to go!
And I agree about the view from "The Rock" - it's amazing with the Central Park so close.
I think that will be good for a daylight look on the city!
Will have to look into a boatride around Manhattan... I think my friend would like that!

[katie pertiet]

We'll be up there in May a couple of different times so you'll have to let us know when you're there and maybe we can connect!

The museums are good for photography too. The steps to the Met, central park and the carousel, buggies, times square and all the craziness that goes on there. You will have a fabulous time I'm sure!

[krystav]

If you want to do the boatride "on a budget" the Staten Island Ferry is a good alternative

[thessh]

Originally Posted by katie pertiet

We'll be up there in May a couple of different times so you'll have to let us know when you're there and maybe we can connect!

The museums are good for photography too. The steps to the Met, central park and the carousel, buggies, times square and all the craziness that goes on there. You will have a fabulous time I'm sure!

We will be arriving in the afternoon of May 14th, and we're leaving a week later, in the evening of May 21st! If You would happen to be there during that week, just let me know if you have time for a coffee or something!

Thanks for even more advice!

I've been to NYC several times, but I haven't done the "touristy" stuff in years!!! My skill when it comes to NYC lies in knowing where to get the exact pair of designer shoes I want... To my husband's horror!
But I'm really looking forward to taking my best friend, because she really wants to see it all and do all these things my husband usually says "Haven't you done that before?" about!

Now I've been given great advice! Some of those things and places wouldn't have entered my mind w/o help!

I'm amazed that they let you take photos inside museums!!! That is rare in Europe...

[vfleslie]

Make sure you check into getting tickets in advance for the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island attraction. Reserved time slots sell out in advance. They are closing the inside of the statue for renovations at some point (we were there last year and were told this but I can't remember the time).

Make sure you get to the inside of some of the churches. We hit St. Patrick's Cathedral once on a Saturday afternoon and got to witness wedding after wedding! It seemed they scheduled them every 30 minutes and they roped off the center of the Cathedral for the wedding parties but tourists could still walk around and see everything and be within a few feet of the wedding at the altar. There were several stretch limos out on the street and grouping of bridesmaids and other wedding party members in their finery on the steps. Fun!

I liked the evening/twilight boat ride around the lower half of Manhatten. It was so pretty!

Leslie

[Carol Elliott]

Thank you so much for starting this thread Thess ... we're going to NY in June and we've never been (except for my husband on business, does not count)!

[thessh]

Originally Posted by Carol Elliott

Thank you so much for starting this thread Thess ... we're going to NY in June and we've never been (except for my husband on business, does not count)!

It's really great, Carol!
I'm getting new and better advice on things and places I've already seen, and things I never thought of on top of that!
And I'll let you know what we experienced when we come back from our trip!

[ValerieP]

I had a great time taking photos in Central Park, and I really enjoyed getting some shots in the subway, and I second Old Italy and Chinatown. We went up inside Rockefeller Center instead of the Empire State building-but a person could do both. My grown kids had some fun taking photos in the toy store-sorry I cant remember the name
Have fun, cant wait to see what you see!

[DonnaNJ]

There are several different cruises around Manhatten that are fun.. lots of photo ops as you go under the bridges, etc. (Some of the cruises are run by Circle Line and NY Waterway if you want to see what's up on the internet) If you get a chance to go see the musical Jersey Boys it's awesome.. some great music! Other than that you got lots of great advice.. now as far as New Jersey :-) There is a park on the Jersey side of the George Washington Bridge that is a great place for dusk photos of the city.. also Liberty State Park on the Jersey side is great for photos because it's right by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as well as the NY skyline.. in fact if you're going to those two you can just hop on the ferry to NJ take some shots.. and then get back on the ferry to the Statue and then back to NYC..just in case you change your mind about NJ :-)

[earlofoxford]

I'm loving this thread! My daughter-in-law and I just made airline reservations for a few days in NYC in April. Can't wait to take pictures there!

[AllynD]

You must walk the Brooklyn Bridge-- and be sure to check the promenade in Brooklyn Heights for the absolutely best view of Manhattan.

Funny-- I am a New Yorker (suburbs) and I did not even know that the Russian Tea Room reopened. I guess it was years ago, too. It was closed for several years.

And the Central Park Zoo is small and very sweet.

[carollee]

Last time I was in New York the cow parade was on, it was fabulous spotting all the colourful cows.

I really liked going on the boat out to the statue, hey and I actually thought the subway was kind of cool (but that's me the novice!). Not just the steps to the Met but I loooooooved looking through the Met and up to the roof top garden there where we had a drink, if it's still there, this was in 2000 I was last in America.

[Lisa Pate]

I agree with everyone above the Empire State Building at night and China Town for sure! Wow! You are going to have such a wonderful time! Enjoy!

[thyme4me]

FYI, I went to Chicago this past October and used a CityPASS. This CityPASS also has one for New York. Alot of what is mentioned here is offered on the New York CityPASS. Not only will it save you money but time also when you get to skip the main ticket lines. Just letting you know that there is this consideration. Sounds like a great time in whatever you do. Enjoy!

[thessh]

Thank You so much - all of You!!!

I'm getting so many useful and good hints and tips! I'm soooo happy we have an entire week!
I've already talked to my friend, and she really wants to do some kind of cruise, Empire State in the evening, Top of the Rock in daylight. We're walking the Brooklyn Bridge. Chinatown is now a must along with some other neighborhoods "down south".
Definitely looking into the CityPass!!! We have those in most major cities all over Europe, and they're usually very good!
We have a couple of restaurants lined up. I LOVE restaurants!
Among them, "Red Rooster" in Harlem. It's the new creation by Marcus Samuelsson, a Swedish chef, now resident of New York. He used to be at "Aquavit" and he was the winner of "Top Chef Masters" in 2010. I've been to Aquavit, and now we're trying his new place!

Linda, if you encounter something interesting in April - feel free to share! ;-)
And I'll tell of my experiences for those traveling after me!

[margmcraw]

If you are going to venture to Brooklyn - you should check out the Promenade and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. The New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx is bigger and nicer if you venture north. All of the bigger parks are beautiful (Central Park, Battery Park). One park that never seems to get mentioned is the Highline on the westside. The High Line There are also a lot of websites that provide info for self-guided walking tours through all the neighborhoods. Enjoy your trip.

[thessh]

Originally Posted by margmcraw

If you are going to venture to Brooklyn - you should check out the Promenade and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. The New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx is bigger and nicer if you venture north. All of the bigger parks are beautiful (Central Park, Battery Park). One park that never seems to get mentioned is the Highline on the westside. The High Line There are also a lot of websites that provide info for self-guided walking tours through all the neighborhoods. Enjoy your trip.

Thank You!!! There will probably be a visit to one of the botanical gardens and The High Line looks awesome!

[earlofoxford]

Will do, Thess!

[thessh]

My husband, along with my mother, my sister and my friend Sussie's parents, all collectively choked on their morning coffee this morning at the news of the Bin Laden-killing.
Not because they're sorry for him, but because none of them think this is the time for me and Sussie to be traveling to NYC...

We've been listening to their concerns today and decided to revise our travel-plans.
Not that I really believe that something will happen over the next couple of weeks, but sometimes you have to listen to your family and put them at ease...

We are going to Paris, France, instead of NYC.
Not that I think any capital or bigger city in the western hemisphere is a "safe" destination in the months to come if there is any truth behind the threats from today.
But at least Paris is on the "right" continent for us, and if they cancel flights for any reason, we can still get home!
As my husband said "I can get in the car and drive down and get you!"

So, Friday 13th, I'm flying off to Paris instead!

[earlofoxford]

Sorry you had to scrub your NYC trip, Thess, but I totally understand your concerns.

[AllynD]

Sorry that you won't be coming to NYC, but it makes perfect sense.

[TU_Jenn]

that makes perfect sense and I have to say, I would trade Paris for NYC! :-) Only because I've been to NYC a couple of times but not Paris yet (only London in Europe for me so far)

I'm sure you both will have a great trip and looking forward to seeing pages in the gallery!

Jenn