destination New York City

[teasoy216]

you need at least one week to have a complete NY experience!

[shadowspy]

just got back from New York...the City Pass was totally worth! I was able to bypass long ticket lines especially at the Empire State Building! I highly recommend the NYC Pass. Also, in combination with a one week subway pass ($24)...it's a great combo!

 

on another matter, try Gray's Papaya on 38th and 8th! Their hotdogs are great! And all the staff are Pinoys (well, at least in the two times I went there)! The recession special, 2 hotdogs and a drink for $3.50 is a great value for money!

[DCRJ]

my personal photo at GROUND ZERO (site of the old WTC) , snapshot taken December 3, 2003. A visit to NYC won't be complete without a visit here...it's very eeriely emotional when you think about the 9/11 moment.

 

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/noypiblazer/WTC.jpg

 

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/noypiblazer/WorldTradeCenterSiteNewYork.jpg

[bikerider]

i think you can still buy broadway tickets through your travel agent here in the philippines. you could have it arranged that it will be waiting for you when you check in to your hotel. that's what i did a few years back. no more long lines.

 

my preferred mode of transportation in manhattan - walking. there's a lot to see especially in midtown manhattan. take the subway if plan to go down town.

[TodoBigay]

are you there yet, cause if you want some shopping secrets and where to go let me know.

[loudogz]

...i guess it's too late....

[Zarbor]

best way to do NYC is to use NJ as a base and then just commute

[shadowspy]

best way to do NYC is to use NJ as a base and then just commute

 

 

yeah...mas mura pag outside manhattan...unless you have a friend na nakatira mismo dun...hehehe!

[poppinfresh2k5]

new york is the walking city. the best way to go about is by simply using your two feet. that being said, you need good shoes, a map (but never rely on it... its always best to explore), and the gift of gab. new yorkers are always in a hurry but most often they dont mind entertaining the occasional lost tourist.

 

must see places and experiences of course...

 

lining up at TKTS for a dirtcheap ticket for a broadway show

the annual times square new years countdown (ang saya nito! well the after parties at least)

strolling about central park (or rent a horse and ride around central park)

FAO Schwarz toy store

Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Gap, and Victoria's Secret stores :thumbsupsmiley:

the bull of Wall Street

Serendipity III

Saint Patrick's Cathedral

bar hop over at NYU

youve got your standard fair of empire state, statue of liberty, battery park, liberty island, madison square...

oh ho ho chinatown and little italy (and maybe a chance meeting with regulars like al pacino)

the numerous quaint cafes, shops, and studios over at soho and tribeca

 

and lots lots lots lots more

 

my wife and i have stayed almost a year in NYC (well actually in Jersey... we'd ride the PATH to NY) and we still have yet to really really go around NYC

[malaki]

if anyone needs NYC travel tips, i'll be happy to provide them.

 

 

here's a few..

 

 

- make sure to have an unlimited metrocard - it's a lot easier and more convenient, works for almost all trains and buses, and it's way cheaper than cabbing it everywhere. if you have a good sense of direction and were good at geography (reading maps), it's not that hard to navigate the subway section. what's helpful is planning out your day the night before and having all your train connections to the way you want to go mapped down.

 

 

- walk. appreciate the city. honestly, if you just subway it everywhere, all you will see is trains and people. sure, that's fun, but part of the fun of new york city is just walking around and getting lost.. wandering and exploring new neighborhoods.. you never know what amazing little restaurant, bookstore, or adventure you might find. and once you're tired, just ask for the nearest subway station, and make your way back - there are several stations (union station, grand central, times square, etc) from which you can make connections to most trains - just always remember how to get back.

 

 

- avoid the TKTS booth, unless you're having trouble deciding what you want to watch. what you can do is go to the actual theater, and tell them you want the TKTS price. they will gladly sell you the ticket, because either way, they're still making money, and it's better for them to get the whole cost (even discounted) than have to split with middlemen). you'll avoid the line and end up paying the same cost. just ask nicely, tell them you've come a long way just to see their show, just a little bola and kapal mukha will get you a long way in america.

 

 

- when visiting museums, look carefully -> the "price" for entry is a SUGGESTED donation. it's not required. i think it might say $7 or $11, i forget, but you don't have to pay it. honestly, i've never paid more than $5, and sometimes when i'm feeling barat i'll just pay $1. if you're going as a family, especially, you can just tell them, "i want to pay $20 for the 4 of us" and they'll smile and hand you your bracelets. another tip is to not try to see EVERYTHING. you're gonna miss out on little finds if you try to look at everything.. it's simply impossible to see all of each museum, unless you're there in new york for years.

 

 

- have that new york state of mind - people in the city can easily sense if you're nervous or lost. you have to walk around with confidence, especially at night. oh, and don't get roped into conversations with mormons or jehovah's witnesses or people raising money for some funds or whatever.. they're all hustlers trying to get some dollars off of you. if strangers try to talk to you, you can just walk away, you don't have to acknowledge them. on the flip side though, look around and you might just see celebrities around you.. and if you're truly new york, you'll just give them a little head nod and move along without going crazy. i've seen people like ellen, catherine zeta-jones, usher, jadakiss, kirsten dunst, julia stiles, a few america's top models, and more, just walking around soho or midtown like the rest of us, shopping. the only one i really spoke to was spike lee, and that was because he spoke to me first.

 

 

- new york is an amazing place where you go two subway stops and the entire complexion/demographic/style of the neighborhood changes. don't get sucked into only going to do touristy stuff the whole time - think outside the box and have some real pizza in little italy, or some greek or russian or chinese food that's way more authentic in new york than any other city in america, because of the vibrant immigrant communities.

 

 

alright, that's enough typing for now.. maybe more next time, we'll see..

[denimhead]

co sign on all of the above specially the "new york state of mind" it applies everywhere .. once locals classify you ino touristy .. some of them will and might take advantage of you

[partypooper]

lived in new york for two years in my early twenties. it was a blast, the most unique and alive city in the world. its an experience ill never forget. Clubbing, Bar hopping, restaurants, arts, shopping... its got everything!

[id6230]

Use public transportation.

[turi_guilliano]

had new years eve at time square... had to wait a shity 8 hrs coz they cordon the entire place... if u leave ur spot, they wont let u in back... so no peeing for that much time while waiting in close to freezing temperature...if u come to late, wala ka nang mapwepwestohan...

 

 

tips for peeps u wana visit serendipity. make reservations like a month ahead. theyre always booked especially during the holiday season... and oh... dont eat dinner there... eat somewhere els then have dessert there... =)

 

tips for the subway... dont buy the 7 dollar all day pass... lugi ka... d mo naman malilibot buong manhattan sa isang araw...

 

when visiting lady liberty, bring a jacket cos its windy... and when asked if u wana take the stares or the elevator... trust me... take the elevator...

 

if u like italian food try visitng carmines at 42nd and broadway...

 

wear comfy shoes and dont be afraid to ask new yorkers... there not as rude as people say they are... actually, they're very accomodating... just dont cut into lines or make em wait too much...hehehe

 

so there... and oh...i personally recommend to everyone to visit NYC at least once in their lifetime... d exagerated ang hype mga tol... its all worht it... =)

Edited January 18, 2008 by turi_guilliano

[TidusJanus]

Use public transportation.

 

 

Specially when you're going to Manhattan as the parking prices are way,way expensive!

 

 

I miss NYC!