New York
#1
New York
Hiya
Just after a bit of insider info from anyone who is in NY
We've planned a 10 day break in the city later in the year. We're staying in an area which we've been told isn't too bad on Lafayette Street, very near to Little Italy and China Town
Any suggestions please regarding hidden away restaurant or bar gems or anything touristy that it worth doing other than the normal well known ones?
Would be grateful for your help, first time in NY
Just after a bit of insider info from anyone who is in NY
We've planned a 10 day break in the city later in the year. We're staying in an area which we've been told isn't too bad on Lafayette Street, very near to Little Italy and China Town
Any suggestions please regarding hidden away restaurant or bar gems or anything touristy that it worth doing other than the normal well known ones?
Would be grateful for your help, first time in NY
#2
Re: New York
A wealth of things to do that are off the tourist grid. I know the Brits here will pipe in shortly but this Yank will gather up a list of things for ya and will post asa it is finished. If I've not moved on to Mississippi by then, perhaps we can have a drink one evening. Would love it.
#3
Re: New York
A wealth of things to do that are off the tourist grid. I know the Brits here will pipe in shortly but this Yank will gather up a list of things for ya and will post asa it is finished. If I've not moved on to Mississippi by then, perhaps we can have a drink one evening. Would love it.
Due in September
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 250
Re: New York
If you make it to Soho be sure to get lunch/dinner at The Cupping Room Cafe, their food (especially their sandwiches) is fabulous. See www.cuppingroomcafe.com
Last edited by Jerni; Mar 19th 2014 at 1:39 am.
#7
Re: New York
We were there a couple of years back, but with 3 kids in tow, so not really got anything to say about bars and restaurants.... but from a tourist/ things to see point of view, we got incredible value from the Go New York Card.
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Location: London -> New York
Posts: 216
Re: New York
I was watching Fox News last night and they had a quick interview with the guy that wrote this book....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Discovering-.../dp/0762784547
Looked good to me - already ordered my copy!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Discovering-.../dp/0762784547
Looked good to me - already ordered my copy!
#10
Re: New York
As touristy as it may sound, don't miss Grand Central Station -- I spent hours there with a friend visiting from the UK recently and we both had a wonderful time exploring the nooks and crannies, it really is a great place. Of course there are a zillion wonderful museums -- do say if there is any particular kind of museum you might be interested in. This one is a little off the beaten track, but I'm fascinated by Tibet and the Himalayas, so it's a favorite: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubin_Museum_of_Art
And if you have any interest in sports -- or even not, there's so much to do there! -- Yankee Stadium is a great afternoon or evening out.
The San Gennaro Feast, of Godfather fame, takes place in Little Italy from September 9 -14 this year, so don't know if will coincide with your visit. If not this tiny church, which is where the statue of the saint lives year round, is very interesting to visit -- a friend and I found it by chance while we were killing time one day and it is living history: http://www.nycago.org/Organs/NYC/htm...iousBlood.html
And if you have any interest in sports -- or even not, there's so much to do there! -- Yankee Stadium is a great afternoon or evening out.
The San Gennaro Feast, of Godfather fame, takes place in Little Italy from September 9 -14 this year, so don't know if will coincide with your visit. If not this tiny church, which is where the statue of the saint lives year round, is very interesting to visit -- a friend and I found it by chance while we were killing time one day and it is living history: http://www.nycago.org/Organs/NYC/htm...iousBlood.html
#11
Re: New York
As touristy as it may sound, don't miss Grand Central Station -- I spent hours there with a friend visiting from the UK recently and we both had a wonderful time exploring the nooks and crannies, it really is a great place. Of course there are a zillion wonderful museums -- do say if there is any particular kind of museum you might be interested in. This one is a little off the beaten track, but I'm fascinated by Tibet and the Himalayas, so it's a favorite: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubin_Museum_of_Art
And if you have any interest in sports -- or even not, there's so much to do there! -- Yankee Stadium is a great afternoon or evening out.
The San Gennaro Feast, of Godfather fame, takes place in Little Italy from September 9 -14 this year, so don't know if will coincide with your visit. If not this tiny church, which is where the statue of the saint lives year round, is very interesting to visit -- a friend and I found it by chance while we were killing time one day and it is living history: http://www.nycago.org/Organs/NYC/htm...iousBlood.html
And if you have any interest in sports -- or even not, there's so much to do there! -- Yankee Stadium is a great afternoon or evening out.
The San Gennaro Feast, of Godfather fame, takes place in Little Italy from September 9 -14 this year, so don't know if will coincide with your visit. If not this tiny church, which is where the statue of the saint lives year round, is very interesting to visit -- a friend and I found it by chance while we were killing time one day and it is living history: http://www.nycago.org/Organs/NYC/htm...iousBlood.html
We're quite interested in finding museums about NY past, and I notice there are also a lot of walkabout tours. I hadn't even thought of the Yankee stadium :-)
We will be there for the San Gennaro Feast luckily :-)
#12
Re: New York
A wealth of things to do that are off the tourist grid. I know the Brits here will pipe in shortly but this Yank will gather up a list of things for ya and will post asa it is finished. If I've not moved on to Mississippi by then, perhaps we can have a drink one evening. Would love it.
Anything I might have suggested has already been written.
Quite excited for you Mitz.
#13
Re: New York
Then Ellis Island and its museum will be a must, and you may find the Tenement Museum, Fraunces Tavern, and Merchants House of interest:
http://www.tenement.org/
http://frauncestavernmuseum.org/
http://www.merchantshouse.org/
Then there's the Historical Society:
https://www.nyhistory.org/
When I lived in the city, I used to love to stop in for a drink at Peacock Alley in the Waldorf-Astoria after a dinner out. It was cozy and elegant and they had standards played on Cole Porter's own piano. They seem to have done it up and made it more of a restaurant now, but according to this article you can still just have a drink:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/07/bo...ting.html?_r=0
http://www.tenement.org/
http://frauncestavernmuseum.org/
http://www.merchantshouse.org/
Then there's the Historical Society:
https://www.nyhistory.org/
When I lived in the city, I used to love to stop in for a drink at Peacock Alley in the Waldorf-Astoria after a dinner out. It was cozy and elegant and they had standards played on Cole Porter's own piano. They seem to have done it up and made it more of a restaurant now, but according to this article you can still just have a drink:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/07/bo...ting.html?_r=0
#14
Re: New York
I'd like to endorse Grand Central Terminal (not Station!). I pass through it every working day but still gawp at its sheer spectacle on occasion. If you're really interested in the architecture and history of it you can hire an audio tour from one of the ticket windows or download it to your smartphone.
Whilst super touristy and a tad expensive I would recommend going up one of the skyscraper observation decks if it's a nice sunny day. The views over Manhattan and the rest of the city are worth it. I've done the Empire State Building myself. My wife has also done the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center on 5th Avenue) and says that it's better.
I'd also endorse Ellis Island - especially if you've done the immigrant thang yourself, it's quite moving to feel that you're continuing a process that has been so key to the shaping of the city and country.
The Met and the Natural History Museum are good value in terms of having a lot to see for the admission fee - MoMA and the Guggenheim a bit less so IMO but must-sees if you like modern art. I was about to recommend the Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum too but I just had a look and it's currently closed for renovation, which is a shame.
Whilst super touristy and a tad expensive I would recommend going up one of the skyscraper observation decks if it's a nice sunny day. The views over Manhattan and the rest of the city are worth it. I've done the Empire State Building myself. My wife has also done the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center on 5th Avenue) and says that it's better.
I'd also endorse Ellis Island - especially if you've done the immigrant thang yourself, it's quite moving to feel that you're continuing a process that has been so key to the shaping of the city and country.
The Met and the Natural History Museum are good value in terms of having a lot to see for the admission fee - MoMA and the Guggenheim a bit less so IMO but must-sees if you like modern art. I was about to recommend the Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum too but I just had a look and it's currently closed for renovation, which is a shame.
#15
Re: New York
Also for eating places, we've been a bit disappointed in NYC - we generally have found that the standard of eating out is better in London. However two I'd highly recommend are:
Saro Bistro at 102 Norfolk Street in the Lower East Side, which specialises in cuisine from the countries that used to form the Austro-Hungarian Empire - if that sounds a bit poncy to you, don't be put off - it's really good!
Il Corallo Trattoria at 172 Prince Street in SoHo, really good neighbourhood Italian place which we stumbled upon quite by accident but which served us some of the best Italian food we've had outside Italy.
Saro Bistro at 102 Norfolk Street in the Lower East Side, which specialises in cuisine from the countries that used to form the Austro-Hungarian Empire - if that sounds a bit poncy to you, don't be put off - it's really good!
Il Corallo Trattoria at 172 Prince Street in SoHo, really good neighbourhood Italian place which we stumbled upon quite by accident but which served us some of the best Italian food we've had outside Italy.