New York recommendations?

imalrightjack · September 2023

Hi,

I'm off to New York in November, a trip based mostly around UFC 295 (tickets secured, at ridiculous prices). I'll be there for four nights and aside from indulging in my passion for pizza, I'm really not sure what to do.

Any 'must-do's'? Any venues or places that are worth dropping into for smaller gigs (metal/rock, preferably)?

Cheers!

elstoof · September 2023

Rudy’s music shop down by the village is worth a look, they’ve usually got some beautiful old guitars in there.

Grimaldi’s pizza under the bridge in Brooklyn is worth a trip too

stickyfiddle · September 2023

Top of the Rock or Empire State at sunset. Rock has a better view except you can't see the Chrysler. ESB has the Chrysler but you can't see the ESB, obv.

Hang out in Central Park for half a day. It's massive and really lovely.

The Met, Moma, Guggenheim and Natural History Museums are all excellent. The Met is my favourite.

Chelsea Market is always fun, as is the Highline walk, which is round the corner.

Statue of Liberty is ok but takes ages. The Staten Island ferry is free and gets you close enough for a view of it without taking half the day.

There are venues all over the place - best bet is to look up listings for the dates you'll be free somewhere like songkick.com

I haven't been in November but NYC gets seriously cold in winter - check what it'll be like and pack accordingly.

elstoof · September 2023

I’m normally there in November and it’s just about starting to get cold around then. January is when it’ll try to kill you

breakstuff · September 2023

I was there in February, and the weather was great. Clear blue sky and plenty of sun, just with a bit of a nip in the air. I think we just got lucky.

Would definitely recommend a trip up The Edge at Hudson's Yards. It has a partial glass floor looking directly below from one hundred stories up. And as @stickyfiddle says, the Empire State at sunset is stunning. Highly recommended.

guitargeek62 · September 2023

Bubby's, in Tribeca.

The very best breakfast (meal???) that I have ever had, do not miss this.

https://www.bubbys.com/

swiller · September 2023

Never been but... i would...
Start spreading the news (you have kind of done that by asking on here i guess)
Are you going today?
Get to the very heart of it..
nu yawk, nu yaaaaawwwk.

DrCornelius · September 2023

guitargeek62 said:

Bubby's, in Tribeca.

The very best breakfast (meal???) that I have ever had, do not miss this.

https://www.bubbys.com/

Blimey , I used to live a few blocks from there - that takes me back . The Odeon is a good spot down there for a late night dinner and the Ear Inn slightly further north is a lovely historic bar that plays some nice bebop on a Sunday morning to go with your hangover breakfast of Guinness and roast potatoes from the bar.

I think to really get the feel of the place you need to walk everyone and stumble across life as it happens which will be difficult in a short period of time but I’m sure you’ll have a great time

breakstuff · September 2023

DrCornelius said:

guitargeek62 said:

Bubby's, in Tribeca.

The very best breakfast (meal???) that I have ever had, do not miss this.

https://www.bubbys.com/

Blimey , I used to live a few blocks from there - that takes me back . The Odeon is a good spot down there for a late night dinner and the Ear Inn slightly further north is a lovely historic bar that plays some nice bebop on a Sunday morning to go with your hangover breakfast of Guinness and roast potatoes from the bar.

I think to really get the feel of the place you need to walk everyone and stumble across life as it happens which will be difficult in a short period of time but I’m sure you’ll have a great time

Definitely this. We walked from our hotel near Times Square to the World Trade Center and stumbled across this....

DrCornelius · September 2023

breakstuff said:

DrCornelius said:

guitargeek62 said:

Bubby's, in Tribeca.

The very best breakfast (meal???) that I have ever had, do not miss this.

https://www.bubbys.com/

Blimey , I used to live a few blocks from there - that takes me back . The Odeon is a good spot down there for a late night dinner and the Ear Inn slightly further north is a lovely historic bar that plays some nice bebop on a Sunday morning to go with your hangover breakfast of Guinness and roast potatoes from the bar.

I think to really get the feel of the place you need to walk everyone and stumble across life as it happens which will be difficult in a short period of time but I’m sure you’ll have a great time

Definitely this. We walked from our hotel near Manhattan Square to the World Trade Center and stumbled across this....

Tres cool and coincidentally about 2 minutes walk from @guitargeek62 ’s recommended eaterie Bubbys !

Chuffola · September 2023

Pick 3 general areas and just walk about. You'll never see everything in one trip.

1. Battery Park (free Staten Island Ferry for a trip past Statue of Liberty and a stunning view of Manhattan from Staten Island)/ Financial District / Tribeca / Greenwich Village
2. Chelsea / Highline/ Hudson Yards (and as noted already, the Edge is meant to be superb - a friend is just back and highly recommended it)
3. Grand Central / New York Public Library / 5th Avenue / St Patricks Cathedral / Trump Tower / Central Park

They'd be my pick alongside any of Empire State / Rock / Freedom Tower and a walk over Brooklyn Bridge to pizza at Grimaldis. Brooklyn generally is very cool too. "Real" New York - Brownstones and groovy bars.

Can I come?

YellowLedBetterMan · September 2023

2 Bros Pizza. Any of them.

Also - if you're down in or around the Financial District, the White Horse Tavern is a great place for a cheap beer. They'll do a pint and a shot for $5 including tax.

A short hop from there is my favourite place on earth, Battery Park.

In terms of Museums, AMNH is a must. A bit further afield is the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn, which is a bit different but well worth the admission to see the old trains and learn about the most inconvenient public transport system in the world.

For observation decks, I preferred Rockefeller to Empire State. You can't get pictures of King Kongs tower from standing atop it. Plus Rockefeller has the better views of the Park too.

Keep an eye on social media for gigs too. There are plenty of venues that are free entry with a drink purchase for the first X amount of people who arrive. That's how we saw Sam Ryder in a venue as big as the average living room for the cost of an overpriced lager.

Stratavarious · September 2023

Great city to walk. Try to do a couple of museums and Central Park and pop over to Brooklyn.

I like to wander around the NYU area but I avoid Times Square.

stickyfiddle · September 2023

Ghostbusters is my favourite movie in the world by a country mile. I have been to NYC 5 or 6 times and still never been to 8 Hook & Ladder. Next time I will not miss it...

Also if you need recommendations for gluten free places hit me up...!

Hurling_Fruitmig · September 2023

stickyfiddle said:

Top of the Rock or Empire State at sunset. Rock has a better view except you can't see the Chrysler. ESB has the Chrysler but you can't see the ESB, obv.

Hang out in Central Park for half a day. It's massive and really lovely.

The Met, Moma, Guggenheim and Natural History Museums are all excellent. The Met is my favourite.

Chelsea Market is always fun, as is the Highline walk, which is round the corner.

Statue of Liberty is ok but takes ages. The Staten Island ferry is free and gets you close enough for a view of it without taking half the day.

There are venues all over the place - best bet is to look up listings for the dates you'll be free somewhere like songkick.com

I haven't been in November but NYC gets seriously cold in winter - check what it'll be like and pack accordingly.

You've already got most of our favourites on your list. I'd add the Witney Gallery, just off the Highline Park for an interesting collection of modern art.

Both times we’ve been we stayed in Brooklyn and commuted on the East River ferry which was more scenic and less confusing than the subway.

HAL9000 · September 2023

Ellis Island
Grimaldi’s
Top of the Rock

musteatbrain · September 2023

The first morning you wake up there you, will be hours ahead of everyone. Get up and have a good walk around before everyone else does. See loads of interesting quirks of the city on foot and then get a big pancake breakfast. I did top of the rock as soon as it opened and it was queue free. Maybe check who is playing at BB kings place and the Iridium too?

imalrightjack · September 2023

This is where we're staying, so Central Park is an easy one!

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g60763-d93520-Reviews-Park_Central_Hotel_New_York-New_York_City_New_York.html

Good advice, @musteatbrain - I've just decided to knock booze on the head, so that will likely be easy for me, as I'll not be hungover all weekend. My mate who is coming with me will likely not be as early a riser, so I'll head off solo. Although the dispensaries there will be getting checked out.

Thanks for everything so far. I'll need to read up on a bunch of these places. Any good travel guides/books? I'm worried, like most of my trips with the wife, I'll try and blag it and miss out (for instance, the Van Gogh museum was fully booked when we were in Amsterdam).

fretmeister · September 2023

Roger Sadowsky's workshop is a great visit.

One of the best things I did in NY was get a bus down to Battery Park, and then walk all the way back up Broadway to my hotel. Passed through all the different areas on the way, Chinatown, Little Italy etc etc. Amazing how different it feels in each area.

Katz Deli is worth a visit for some famous sandwiches.

See if you can get into the Blue Note Jazz club - both for the music and the food.

Dr_Necessiter · September 2023

If you like a steak, Smith & Wollensky is memorable. Book well in advance though.

https://www.smithandwollenskynyc.com/

stickyfiddle · September 2023

No idea where you're looking for accomodation but we've stayed at Giraffe and The Library. Both central Manhattan and quite expensive but really great.

Katz's pastrami and brisket is SO GOOD. Similarly if you want the best salmon & cream cheese bagel on earth, Russ & Daughters is round the corner.

I was going to suggest Campbell's Apartments for drinks, but if you're off booze it's probably not worth it!

RaymondLin · September 2023

stickyfiddle said:

No idea where you're looking for accomodation but we've stayed at Giraffe and The Library. Both central Manhattan and quite expensive but really great.

Katz's pastrami and brisket is SO GOOD. Similarly if you want the best salmon & cream cheese bagel on earth, Russ & Daughters is round the corner.

I was going to suggest Campbell's Apartments for drinks, but if you're off booze it's probably not worth it!

Snap

RaymondLin · September 2023

I would go back to Katz but would give Russ & Daughters a miss as I am not a big bagel fan and I think the Lox (salmon) is nice but not worth the price tag, i think it came to like £25 with taxes and tips.

DrCornelius · September 2023

imalrightjack said:

Thanks for everything so far. I'll need to read up on a bunch of these places. Any good travel guides/books? I'm worried, like most of my trips with the wife, I'll try and blag it and miss out (for instance, the Van Gogh museum was fully booked when we were in Amsterdam).

Its not deep but for a snapshot of what you may enjoy thats easy to pick up and dip into by area - the DK eyewitness guide is brilliant

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eyewitness-York-City-Travel-Guide/dp/0241510600/ref=asc_df_0241510600/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=535857031875&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1304686691561089845&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045685&hvtargid=pla-1434832497730&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

imalrightjack · September 2023

Thanks, @DrCornelius - I'll order that now

RandallFlagg · September 2023

Greenacre Park - a hidden treat in midtown (you only need 1/2 hour there) then walk round to The Smith restaurant, pricey but great food (book in advance as it gets busy)

Toro Loco on Stone Street in the Financial District was the best Mexican food I've eaten outside of Mexico, the quesabirria tacos were exceptional

the new arty Little Island is fun

Staten Island Ferry, grab a coffee and a nose round the shops at the other end then get the next ferry back, great views of Governors Island

Get up early and walk the Brooklyn Bridge - this was a wonderful moment for me and finally crossed it off the bucket list on 3rd visit.

I've been 3 times but I could go back to NYC over and over again just to try out the thousands of different food places

littlegreenman · September 2023

imalrightjack said:

This is where we're staying, so Central Park is an easy one!

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g60763-d93520-Reviews-Park_Central_Hotel_New_York-New_York_City_New_York.html

Good advice, @musteatbrain - I've just decided to knock booze on the head, so that will likely be easy for me, as I'll not be hungover all weekend. My mate who is coming with me will likely not be as early a riser, so I'll head off solo. Although the dispensaries there will be getting checked out.

Thanks for everything so far. I'll need to read up on a bunch of these places. Any good travel guides/books? I'm worried, like most of my trips with the wife, I'll try and blag it and miss out (for instance, the Van Gogh museum was fully booked when we were in Amsterdam).

@imalrightjack ;

I asked about New York a little while back and @rocktron posted loads of useful stuff. Go to page 2 of the thread here https://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/245707/new-york/p2

elstoof · September 2023

Staying in that part of town, If you’re up early then Central Park zoo is worth walking past while the sun rises to see the seals and the mechanical clock tower. There’s not a whole lot on the upper west side, or the upper east side either unless shopping on Madison Ave appeals to you.

Midtown is mostly offices and retail, there’s a few good restaurants around. Ess-a-bagel is the best for bagels around there, if you like ramen then Hide-chan is close by. Library hotel mentioned has a nice little rooftop bar. Most of the hip places will be further downtown but it’s quick to get there on the subway. Get used to using Uber if you plan on going to Brooklyn for a night out, and if you want a steak experience then book a table at Peter Luger in Williamsburg

ewal · September 2023

We had a great time earlier this year. A lot of walking - Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, Battery Park, South Cove Park, 9/11 Memorial, The High Line, Circle Line Boat Trip we're all highlights. Although it's mainly just wandering and soaking it up.

Two tourist things I was less in to were Katz Deli (Tick Tock Diner on 8th Ave was much better) and Top of The Rock (way overbooked imo). If I was looking for a viewpoint, I'd maybe try The Edge next time.

fretmeister · September 2023

There's a boat tour that does as much of a lap of Manhattan as is possible. One the way out it goes inside Liberty and outside on the way back.

Unless you really want to climb the statue you'll get better photos from the boat than you will on Liberty Island.

imalrightjack · September 2023

fretmeister said:

There's a boat tour that does as much of a lap of Manhattan as is possible. One the way out it goes inside Liberty and outside on the way back.

Unless you really want to climb the statue you'll get better photos from the boat than you will on Liberty Island.

I think a boat tour is a must. It will tick a bunch of boxes in a time-saving way!

Thanks @littlegreenman

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