New York (again)
Discussion
We went to NYC in Feb 2020 (just sneaked it in pre lockdown, all shut up shop pretty soon after) for our 25th wedding anniversary, my wife was a bit nonplussed about going but loved it so much we went again last October and took our three grown up sons and their girlfriends.
She wants to go again, I do as well, but after some suggestions of things to do and see that arent the usual tourist attractions, as we have done the Statue of Liberty (twice), Empire State Building, Ellis Island and Intrepid.
Was thinking maybe see a bit more of Central Park, the Guggenheim museum, maybe venture to New Jersey, see a bit more of Brooklyn ? Any other suggestions, likely go for 3/4 days around mid late Feb ?
She wants to go again, I do as well, but after some suggestions of things to do and see that arent the usual tourist attractions, as we have done the Statue of Liberty (twice), Empire State Building, Ellis Island and Intrepid.
Was thinking maybe see a bit more of Central Park, the Guggenheim museum, maybe venture to New Jersey, see a bit more of Brooklyn ? Any other suggestions, likely go for 3/4 days around mid late Feb ?
My best mate lived in NYC for a number of years. He hated the touristy stuff as you'd expect living there - but the one thing he always recommended was - https://www.comedycellar.com/ - ahd some brilliant evenings in there.
gotoPzero said:
As a side quest how about DC?
A heck of a lot to see there, dozens of museums, White House, Lincoln / Washington memorials, Arlington etc
Most of it free.
Can get the train fairly easy only a few hours.
I liked Washington, it was far more cultural, museums good, the food was good and generally everywhere very clean/fresh. Hotels also cheaper.A heck of a lot to see there, dozens of museums, White House, Lincoln / Washington memorials, Arlington etc
Most of it free.
Can get the train fairly easy only a few hours.
Quite nice seeing the official buildings and the park areas. It had more on offer but didn't have the time.
Some suggestions for you…
The Guggenheim is only really worth it for the building & architecture. The “art” displays are very “arty” and to be honest a bit sh*te unless you’re that way inclined. Far better of going to MOMA, as there are some very decent art displays including the very intriguing Artificial Intelligence art wall that is constantly changing to its surroundings.
Head north to the Met Cloisters which is quite an interesting & eclectic set up of art & architecture in very nice surroundings.
Visit Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, of which both can be bought with one ticket. Once done, head over to Brooklyn Heights for a wander around the lovely sandstone buildings, and along the river to Brooklyn Bridge.
Get the cable car over to Roosevelt Island and see the city from a different viewpoint. The Smallpox Memorial Hospital is quite spooky.
On the way back to JFK, stop off at the TWA Hotel at JFK, and marvel at the 60’s architecture and interior.
Hope this helps.
The Guggenheim is only really worth it for the building & architecture. The “art” displays are very “arty” and to be honest a bit sh*te unless you’re that way inclined. Far better of going to MOMA, as there are some very decent art displays including the very intriguing Artificial Intelligence art wall that is constantly changing to its surroundings.
Head north to the Met Cloisters which is quite an interesting & eclectic set up of art & architecture in very nice surroundings.
Visit Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, of which both can be bought with one ticket. Once done, head over to Brooklyn Heights for a wander around the lovely sandstone buildings, and along the river to Brooklyn Bridge.
Get the cable car over to Roosevelt Island and see the city from a different viewpoint. The Smallpox Memorial Hospital is quite spooky.
On the way back to JFK, stop off at the TWA Hotel at JFK, and marvel at the 60’s architecture and interior.
Hope this helps.
djsmith74 said:
The Guggenheim is only really worth it for the building & architecture. The “art” displays are very “arty” and to be honest a bit sh*te unless you’re that way inclined.
This, I thought it was the biggest load of emporers new clothes rubbish ever. I actually wondered if they had a bet to see what the biggest load of crap they could display and convince people was art.The whole room displaying the post cards a man sent every day for 11 years with the message "I got up" was a particular highlight......
Right, might give the Guggenheim a miss, may suggest Washington as the destination as have never been.
She wants to go to Tiffanys, she nearly bought this bracelet thingy from there last time but bottled out, but has decided this time she is getting it, can get it in any of their shops but may as well get it in New York rather than Manchester, makes it more special, and expensive...
Tiffanys is lovely, but boring for a bloke, so myself and my three sons were there, idle hands and all that, I needed to "use the facilities", and it was the best toilet experience in my life, utterly heavenly, lovely soap, exquisitely decorated, luxury paper etc, came out and told my lads I had just "Parked my breakfast at Tiffanys" to much sniggering, and we were asked to keep it down by the security guard
She wants to go to Tiffanys, she nearly bought this bracelet thingy from there last time but bottled out, but has decided this time she is getting it, can get it in any of their shops but may as well get it in New York rather than Manchester, makes it more special, and expensive...
Tiffanys is lovely, but boring for a bloke, so myself and my three sons were there, idle hands and all that, I needed to "use the facilities", and it was the best toilet experience in my life, utterly heavenly, lovely soap, exquisitely decorated, luxury paper etc, came out and told my lads I had just "Parked my breakfast at Tiffanys" to much sniggering, and we were asked to keep it down by the security guard
J4CKO said:
Tiffanys is lovely, but boring for a bloke, so myself and my three sons were there, idle hands and all that, I needed to "use the facilities", and it was the best toilet experience in my life, utterly heavenly, lovely soap, exquisitely decorated, luxury paper etc, came out and told my lads I had just "Parked my breakfast at Tiffanys" to much sniggering, and we were asked to keep it down by the security guard
I went next door and 'Had a Dump in the Trump' Lots of good ideas already but If you like food, we did a Chelsea Market guided tour which was good.
Highlight of my visit last year was The High Line. But you're going in February so hmmm.
Also, Jeremy's Ale House down at the Seaport if you like a beer, and I'd recommend travelling up and down Manhattan Island using the ferries rather than the Subway, but again, February....brrrrrr.
Also, Jeremy's Ale House down at the Seaport if you like a beer, and I'd recommend travelling up and down Manhattan Island using the ferries rather than the Subway, but again, February....brrrrrr.
I've been to NYC several times (twice in Feb) and kind of liked just mooching about, on the second trip onwards we'd just get off at random subway stops and have a wander. If repeating what you've already done doesn't appeal too much you could look at the other borough's. I feel like I've done NYC now, which isn't to say I wouldn't return when the kids are older. Another eastern city to consider may be Chicago but it can be baltic in February.
CardinalBlue said:
My best mate lived in NYC for a number of years. He hated the touristy stuff as you'd expect living there - but the one thing he always recommended was - https://www.comedycellar.com/ - ahd some brilliant evenings in there.
Any idea which venue is best, there seems to be 3 - MacDougal St, Village Underground & Fat Black Pussycat (Bar or Lounge)? We're off to NYC in a couple of weeks.JQ said:
CardinalBlue said:
My best mate lived in NYC for a number of years. He hated the touristy stuff as you'd expect living there - but the one thing he always recommended was - https://www.comedycellar.com/ - ahd some brilliant evenings in there.
Any idea which venue is best, there seems to be 3 - MacDougal St, Village Underground & Fat Black Pussycat (Bar or Lounge)? We're off to NYC in a couple of weeks.And before or after, head right across the corner and sit at the bar in Minetta Tavern and have the best burger in the world (and definitely in the city). And I'm not joking either. The Cote Du Boeuf for two is to die for as well if you have a slightly bigger appetite.
GCH said:
JQ said:
CardinalBlue said:
My best mate lived in NYC for a number of years. He hated the touristy stuff as you'd expect living there - but the one thing he always recommended was - https://www.comedycellar.com/ - ahd some brilliant evenings in there.
Any idea which venue is best, there seems to be 3 - MacDougal St, Village Underground & Fat Black Pussycat (Bar or Lounge)? We're off to NYC in a couple of weeks.And before or after, head right across the corner and sit at the bar in Minetta Tavern and have the best burger in the world (and definitely in the city). And I'm not joking either. The Cote Du Boeuf for two is to die for as well if you have a slightly bigger appetite.
fourstardan said:
gotoPzero said:
As a side quest how about DC?
A heck of a lot to see there, dozens of museums, White House, Lincoln / Washington memorials, Arlington etc
Most of it free.
Can get the train fairly easy only a few hours.
I liked Washington, it was far more cultural, museums good, the food was good and generally everywhere very clean/fresh. Hotels also cheaper.A heck of a lot to see there, dozens of museums, White House, Lincoln / Washington memorials, Arlington etc
Most of it free.
Can get the train fairly easy only a few hours.
Quite nice seeing the official buildings and the park areas. It had more on offer but didn't have the time.
One thing to note, the Air and Space Museum, is under renovation and not worth going to until 2026.
Oh, and pack for cold weather. Early Feb in NYC is cold in a way most people have never experienced. Later in Feb can be reasonable but still consider the weather when thinking about going for long walks. You may need to drop in to bars and shops to defrost.
As posted above, MacDougal St Alehouse is a great NYC bar. Not many left like that now, especially since the demise of The Back Fence on Bleecker. One place we've been back to several times is The Tenement Museum. They have a few different tours, which give a really good overview of what life was like in NYC over the years.
https://www.tenement.org/
Once you've done the essentials, I've always found that it's best to not plan anything. just let the city carry you around. It's changed every time we've been, and barely recognisable from the first time we visited over 20 years ago.
https://www.tenement.org/
Once you've done the essentials, I've always found that it's best to not plan anything. just let the city carry you around. It's changed every time we've been, and barely recognisable from the first time we visited over 20 years ago.
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
djsmith74 said:
The Guggenheim is only really worth it for the building & architecture. The “art” displays are very “arty” and to be honest a bit sh*te unless you’re that way inclined.
This, I thought it was the biggest load of emporers new clothes rubbish ever. I actually wondered if they had a bet to see what the biggest load of crap they could display and convince people was art.The whole room displaying the post cards a man sent every day for 11 years with the message "I got up" was a particular highlight......
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