New York City

[TheSelfishGene]

Hi guys.

Later this year I'll be going to NYC for a holiday and I know that a few people from here live there or nearby.

Can some people suggest things to see and or do in NYC? I'll be there for about 2 weeks from late November / early December.

Cheers.

[Borman]

Im a bit north of NYC, but yeah. Theres a decent little arcade in Chinatown, along with the Nintendo Store by Rockefeller Center (NBC studios and such).

[GuardhouseMusic]

I was going to say go to a Japanese restaurant or noodle bar (Sapporo on 49th st. btw. 6th and 7th ave. Manhattan is FTW) but you were in Japan for an extended period of time weren't you (plus Japanese is particularly expensive)?

I'm in the awkward position of having lived in the city for 19 years, not knowing shit from shinola when it comes to recommendations. All of these possibilities are located in Manhattan. Perhaps you could visit the Empire State Building observation deck. Plus there are quite a few guitar stores (you play, don't you?) such as Sam Ash (155 W. 48th St.), Guitar Center (14th st. a block or two up from Union Square; you can't miss it), and smatterings of mom & pop stores. I don't think you'll be disappointed regarding the bars or nightclubs, and if you find yourself going to a concert, good venues are Bowery Ballroom (Delancey st. right outside of the M train Bowery stop), Terminal 5 (56th st. btw 11th and 12th), Mercury Lounge, Webster Hall, Hammerstein Ballroom, Roseland Ballroom, Irving Plaza, Nokia Theater, and so forth.

What kind of places do you intend to go to?

[Yzak]

Theres a decent little arcade in Chinatown

Haha, do you mean Chinatown Fair on Mott? I used to go there all the time during my DDR phase.

Other points of interest in that area are Elizabeth Center on Elizabeth street, and Ten Ren's bubble tea place for a deliiiicious bubble tea drink.

Seconding the Nintendo Store. Closeby are a Kinokuniya on 6th Ave right across the street from Bryant Park, and Asahiya on 45th off of 5th. If that sort of thing is your cuo o' tea.

That sort of thing aside, see a Broadway show! Rock of Ages has the cheapest tickets, and the show is fabulous and hilarious and if you know 80's music or ever played Guitar Hero if you are younger you'll know the music there - even if you don't know either, the show is great. Wicked is an always pimp as well, for a show. Because it's Wicked. I think both shows have a lottery (where they sell tickets for really cheap about an hour and a half before a show in a small raffle - you just show up, put your name in, if you get picked you pay about $30 for it. And if you don't win and are in the city for a few days, going again will possibly get you in eventually, the crowd sizes vary. Asking about Standing Room Only tickets at the box offices is a good idea too - they are somewhat cheaper, though you do have to stand :x)

Museum of Natural History is a lot of fun, too.

[misstvirus]

Go to Chinatown, 8D its fun just seeing all things they have in there shops and food markets. Also, I'm not certain of the street its on but there is an amazing Chinese restaurant called The Golden Unicorn on E. Broadway!

[TheBlackMamba]

well you'll def have to go to Manhatten, that's where all the sites are, the Chrysler Building, Empire Stae, Rockerfeller Center, Madison Square Garden, etc.

[Weskers Flag]

Does New York City have a Hard Rock Cafe?

[Vector]

If you're gonna be there in late November/early December, you're definitely gonna wanna hit up Rockefeller Center to check out the giant Christmas tree and do some ice skating. There's really nothing like Christmas in New York. Whether you celebrate the holiday or not is irrelevant...the entire island of Manhattan turns into a red and green forest of happiness.

Also, you'll be there during hockey and basketball season -- if you have the money, I highly suggest picking up tickets to a Rangers or Knicks game. Again, it doesn't matter if you're a fan of the sport or not, there is NOTHING like going to an event at Madison Square Garden. It's not called the most famous venue in all of sports for nothing. Every time I go to a game there is a special time.

Then there are the obligatory places to visit -- Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Chrysler Building, the East Village, Chinatown, Little Italy...there's definitely a lot to see in Manhattan. Lots of places to shop, lots of photo ops, lots of taxis.

[YamiYumes]

Hey, if you get lucky, you might get to be on Cash Cab, too ;P

[Yzak]

Little Italy - which is next door to Chinatown is a plus as well. It has the best food ever in some of the shops there.

[TheSelfishGene]

Thanks for all the tips guys. Sounds like you've been making notes Guardhousemusic ;). Yes, I lived in Japan, and yes, I play guitar.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.
I'll definately do some more reading up on what to do.

Yzak, I've been told to go to a broadway show, and off broadway show, and an off off broadway show. Not entirely sure what the difference is (is it quality? or just where the theatres are?), but will have to see what's on in town. I know there is a local production of Wicked on here, but I keep hearing mixed things about the show. I'll just have to see what's on. Thanks for the list of music venues. I'd really like to see a band or two while I'm there.

CR29. I don't really get Hockey, but I don't mind watching basketball (admittedly I don't follow it though). Is it expensive to go to the basketball?
The whole winter-Christmas thing is a bit of a novelty for me (being down-under and all. Suppose that's why ice hockey isn't popular here in Australia). I'd definately like to see some of the displays. I'm thinking of delaying the trip, possibly over the xmas and NY gap, if only to go to times square for the countdown.

Can anyone tell me if the Statue of Liberty and Chrysler building and Empire state etc are worth going to see? Is it worth going up to the observation decks of them? Or just one? Or are they best observed from afar? Are they truly amazing, or mostly places for tourists. I guess what I'm asking for is for people to mention things in NYC that people who live there like, rather then what a usual tourists guidebook would list.
Info that you can get from locals and what the people of New York really like .

My mother told me the metropolitan museum is amazing. Another person also told me to try and get tickets to Letterman. And I hear there's a TV museum somewhere too? Still got alot of research to do!

[Yzak]

Yzak, I've been told to go to a broadway show, and off broadway show, and an off off broadway show. Not entirely sure what the difference is (is it quality? or just where the theatres are?), but will have to see what's on in town. I know there is a local production of Wicked on here, but I keep hearing mixed things about the show. I'll just have to see what's on. Thanks for the list of music venues. I'd really like to see a band or two while I'm there.

It's both. There are a bunch of off-Broadway theaters. And obviously not a lot of shows make it to ~BROADWAY~, but are really good shows for what they are who aspire to get there. So looking into them and finding something you'll think you'll like means a lot to both smaller and Broadway shows, since it's tough, especially for the smaller shows. Quality-wise, well. Usually a show that makes it to Broadway goes through a lot of small changes and tweaks to songs, lines, events in the process. Hell, sometimes even HUGE ones.

Personally I love Wicked. It's SUCH a hit all around the world, and seeing in on Broadway is a real experience, but it might not be everybody's thing. I think it had great music and an interesting story. It's a good show to see. As for Rock of Ages, if you like loud 80's rock, beer in your seats and little lighter-shaped flashlights, it's a good go. ROA is more of a kick ass good time on Broadway, which is different than what most Broadway shows and theaters have for their atmosphere.

The places I've mentioned are places I enjoy going. Since I work at a theater and love Chinatown and stuff. But hm hmmm. 34th street/Herald Square area is a nice place for shopping in general, to me.

[TheMedic]

If no one has already told you this you should DEFINITELY go to greenwich village and soho. Those are the places the locals hangout in and there's tons of good food and culture there. Its worth a visit!

[Vector]

Oh yeah, check out Carnegie Deli. There's about a half pound of cold cuts on every sandwich.

[nemesis_lover]

If you have the money, take a helicopter ride around the city, you go near the statue of Lib to the Washington Bridge. You also get a picture outside the helicopter and your allowed to take a video camra with you on the trip. I got a really nice video of the city's skyline.