Input on Big Apple vacation

[pressboxramblings07]

The girlfriend and I are leaving for NYC on the 30th ... doing the whole New Year's vacation in New York thing. I know it's going to be packed all week long, but we've been looking forward to this trip for about seven months now.

I've got the rock ready to put on her finger the first night we get there on top of the Empire State Building. We've pretty much decided against trying to deal with all that chaos that is Times Square on New Year's Eve (we're going elsewhere to bring in the New Year).

We've got tickets to a few places and few restaurants in mind, but I wanted to get some input from SportsJournalists.com nation on do's and don'ts and things to do/places to see while we're there.

To give a timetable, we'll check in our hotel at 3 p.m. on the 30th and return home on Thursday, Jan. 3 (early, so not much time for anything).

A few things already on the list:
Yankee Stadium
Empire State Building
Guggenheim
Rockefeller Center
Modern Art Museum
Museum of Natural History

... so, any help would definitely be ... uh, helpful.

 

[hockeybeat]

Central Park.

 

[Moderator1]

You got no shows on that list? You can't go to NYC and not see a show. I can give you a long, long list of worthy shows.

 

[JR]

Staten Island ferry.

 

[pressboxramblings07]

You got no shows on that list? You can't go to NYC and not see a show. I can give you a long, long list of worthy shows.

I meant to add that. We're definitely going to see one, but I have no idea which one yet. She wants to see The Little Mermaid, but every show is sold out while we're there. I could get them off StubHub and other places, but I can't pay $200 apiece.

So, input on good shows would be helpful, too.

 

[imjustagirl2]

I'm going for Christmas, but will be long gone before you get there. I know we're hitting Central Park, Rockefeller Center and several bars. Beyond that? The world is our oyster.

 

[John]

I'm going for Christmas, but will be long gone before you get there. I know we're hitting Central Park, Rockefeller Center and several bars. Beyond that? The world is our oyster.

Having a very limited plan is my favorite way to visit NYC. I go for about a week each summer and just make up each day as it comes along, basically exploring a different part of the city each day.

And sorry Moddy, I still haven't seen a show -- unless you count a Pearl Jam concert.

 

[pressboxramblings07]

We'll definitely be in Central Park. I think we're going to go for the New Year's thing out there -- fireworks, watch the people do the midnight run, all that jazz.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

NYC is so diverse, there's no one answer for all people. What does your fiance-to-be like, besides you?

 

[pressboxramblings07]

She likes the normal stuff -- shopping, shows, sight-seeing. She's pretty open to anything.

I guess you could look at us as the typical tourists.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

What kind of food and music does she like?

 

[imjustagirl2]

I will second the Staten Island Ferry, though it will likely be freezing. I've never been on it, but the view is apparently spectacular.

 

[deskslave]

I will second the Staten Island Ferry, though it will likely be freezing. I've never been on it, but the view is apparently spectacular.

And the price can't be beat!

 

[pressboxramblings07]

What kind of food and music does she like?

She's not too ... uh, cultured ... when it comes to food (and neither am I). She's eclectic with music.

We've already got reservations New Year's Eve at BLT Steak on 57th Street. Heard nothing but good things about that place.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

Ride the subway at least once. You could get killed, but that can happen anywhere. If you go between 5 and 5:30 p.m. on a weeknight, you'll get the full effect of what it's like to be a New Yorker.

If your future wife likes shopping as in buying, go to Century 21 department store across the street from the World Trade Center site. Great bargains. If she likes shopping as in looking but not buying -- Macy's is just immense, it really is worth a walkthrough. Lots of cool shops scattered throughout Greenwich Village, especially Bleeker Street, and you should eat at John's Pizza there. Fifth Avenue from 42nd Street to 57th is mostly pricey stores, but while you're there, St. Patrick's Cathedral is worth a look and so is Rockefeller Center -- I would guess the big Christmas tree will still be up. There are cool upscale stores on Madison Avenue from 72nd to the low 90s. In that neighborhood (92nd) there is a restaurant that women usually love -- Sarabeth's. Great breakfasts. They have other locations, but I've only been to the one at 92nd. Here's a menu:

http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/sarabeths01/menus/breakfast.html

Another good place is Popover Cafe on the West Side, Amsterdam at 86th:

http://www.popovercafe.com/htmls/popoverFrames.htm

Really, you can find less touristy, regular New Yorker, reasonable-by-New York standards kind of restaurants by taking a walk on Second Avenue in the 80s or the low 50s/high 40s and just seeing what calls you. Those are relatively safe neighborhoods with diverse offerings.

Some will undoubtedly recommend Little Italy or Chinatown, but I won't. I always felt filthy just walking there, much less eating there.

It's been awhile, but I like the ribs at Brother Jimmy's in the 70s on Second Avenue. It's Carolina-themed, so there's ACC hoops on the TVs in season:

http://www.brotherjimmys.com/menufood.aspx?location=1&tab=All+Thangs+BBQ


If you want something expensive, this is romantic and the food is very good, and it's in Greenwich Village:

http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/one-if-by-land-two-if-by-sea/

The Harlem Gospel Choir is at BB King's Blue Club on the 30th. I see from your posts that you like church. If it were me, I'd try to score tickets to Gov't Mule at the Beacon Theater.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

I will second the Staten Island Ferry, though it will likely be freezing. I've never been on it, but the view is apparently spectacular.

Neither the view nor the price can be beat.

I'll also echo Frank's recommendation to ride the subway. Good experience, especially if you didn't grow up in a thoroughly urban setting.

 

[imjustagirl2]

We're relying on the subway during our trip, for the places we won't walk to. But we're staying in Times Square, so I'm guessing we'll walk to a lot.

 

[Smasher_Sloan]

Get yourself a copy of the magazine Time Out New York. It lists all the shows (Broadway, Off Broadway and Off Off Broadway), plus all the other cultural/entertainment happenings for each week. It's amazingly comprehensive.

You could try the half price booths for show tickets. Some of the "Off" and "Off Off" fare is interesting, and sometimes the tickets are as low as $20.

Do NOT go to the Stage Deli. If you want an authentic NY deli experience, hit Katz's on the Lower East Side or the newly-reopened Second Avenue Deli (now on 33rd Street off 3rd Avenue and open 24 hours). In a pinch, the Carnegie will do.

Buy a sidewalk cart hot dog, but don't pay more than a dollar for it. Stay away from the pretzels. Find a cart that's selling chestnuts and get a bag.

Whatever you do, don't do things or visit places you could do at home. Don't eat at Olive Garden or Applebee's. Stay off 42nd Street from Broadway to Eighth Avenue. It became Guiliani'd into an outdoor Mall of America.

 

[wireguy]

someone on another messageboard that i post on a regular basis, said "young frankenstein" was really good. and if you want to see a place with a lot of cool sports items on the walls, go to foley's on west 33rd between fifth and sixth.

 

[DanOregon]

If you're going to see a Broadway show - see Wicked. It's fantastic.
Check out Grand Central Terminal and if you want to go ice skating do it in Central Park instead of Rockefeller Center (which is a rip-off). But enjoy hanging out in mid-town. If you like microbrews, check out Heartland Brewery.
And if the strike is still going, join the WGA picket line. You might meet someone famous.