NY next summer

[bherg]

Hello world,

Me and a friend are planing a New York trip next summer. What are the must do´s besides the must do tourist stuff.

Any Tips?


Cheers Johannes

 

[eric]

Hello world,


Any Tips?

Do NOT go to B&H PHoto
Or Tamarkin
Or Ken Hansens
Or Lens and Repro
do not do it or...you.....will.......regret.........it

Do go to all the places where you can eat cheap (Chinatown, Little Italy, Greek places). Go to at least 1 really good restaurant (3 star)

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Get a free copy of _The Village Voice_ anywhere in the five boroughs of New York City, look at the photo listings, and go gallery hopping. If you're interested in alt-process work in particular, check out the John Stevenson gallery.

 

[Bromo33333]

Do NOT go to B&H PHoto
Or Tamarkin
Or Ken Hansens
Or Lens and Repro
do not do it or...you.....will.......regret.........it

Why not? Now I want to go. Had no real desire until you told me I shouldn't! (Been to B&H and it was a little disappointing mostly due to the scale of things in Manhattan is small, though I certainly didn't regret it)

Do go to all the places where you can eat cheap (Chinatown, Little Italy, Greek places). Go to at least 1 really good restaurant (3 star)

Agreed. Completely. I like finding a low key good food place. And I usually go to 1 swanky place when I go. Like Craft or something like that.

 

[Drew B.]

go to the Barr Gallery in Greenwich village for wonderful B&W images. On monday nights, go to Michaels (also in GV) to hear Woody Allan and his dixieland jazz group

 

[Bromo33333]

Hello world,

Me and a friend are planing a New York trip next summer. What are the must do´s besides the must do tourist stuff.

Any Tips?


Cheers Johannes

While it is touristy - you could go to a play. I try to do that when I go. Pricey, but if it is enjoyable, well worth it. I am a bit out of the loop, but last time I went I saw 2: Sweeney Todd, and The Drowsy Chaperone. No idea what is on next summer, but no doubt lots to choose from.

 

[eric]

Agreed. Completely. I like finding a low key good food place. And I usually go to 1 swanky place when I go. Like Craft or something like that.

Haven't been to Craft but Gourmet Magazine usually has a spread on the top chefs and they ask where THEY go to eat. Usually, its Blue Ribbon which I recommend. I went to the one in Brooklyn last time I was there and had a great dinner.
See if you can find that issue and try one of the places where chef's go.

 

[copake_ham]

When you get closer to the time of your trip - shoot me a PM and I'll provide you with my recommendations.

NYC is the greatest city on the planet and there is so much to do here.

One thing that would help would be to know what your non-photography interests are. Also, the website "NYC & Co." is a good place to start. And, when the time comes, the NY Times website will be a great source for all kinds of entertainment/exhibitions etc. news.

Also, NYC has changed dramatically in the past twenty years. For example, the Lower East Side has chic and hip venues when just a few years ago it was really "rough". The same can be said for many other neighborhoods.

Also, NYC is NOT a bargain town. Yes, you can do it on the cheap - but even then, ratchet up your expectations. Unles you figure to return often - consider this trip a "blow your budget" vacation and do it up right!

 

[jovo]

It seems so obvious I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned: Central Park!! In the summer you can easily spend an entire day and not be bored for even a moment! There are a host of sites where folks gather to: dance, drum circle, skateboard (and I mean those folks are GOOOOD!!!), run, cycle, read, sun, be entertained (well....that's everywhere, but there's some 'formal' entertainment as well), and a plethora of opportunities too numerous to entirely cover. And...it 's cheap!!

 

[Monophoto]

Johannes -

NYC is a fabulous place to visit. As others have noted, it can be expensive. But it's also possible to enjoy a visit there without having to mortgage the house. It's all a matter of being selective.

Actually, I suggest testing the spectrum that NYC has to offer. There are places like Le Perigord that are fabulous restaurants and ridiculously expensive, but middle of the road places are available also - one of my favorites is the Oyster Bar at Grand Central Station. Its a classic old place, a bit more pricey than average, but with a wonderful kitchen. Another favorite is Kennedy's Restaurant on 57th St. This is an old fashion Irish bar with a backroom that offers very good comfort food at reasonable prices. And if you want inexpensive, there's the Chat n' Chew on 16th Street just off Union Square, or the Chelsea Square Restaurant on 23rd and 9th Ave, or Milady's Restaurant down in SoHo.

My wife and I enjoy doing gallery crawls in Chelsea. There are a lot of photography shows, but we prefer to just wander from one place to the next and see what there is to be seen. Some very expensive art, and some very good art - and occasionally some very good, expensive art. David Goldfarb mentioned the John Stevenson Gallery on 23rd Street - that is a must see. It is a beautiful gallery in a tasteful storefront (not a loft), and the photography is always top notch.

Shopping is always something to do in NYC - the photo places (B&H, Adorama, Calumet, etc) are there, but its actually a lot of fun to wander down to Canal Street and just go from one shop to the next to see what kind of crazy stuff you will find on sale.

I like to wander around and watch people. Central Park is a good spot, as is Bryant Park, Union Square, Washington Square Park or a dozen other spots in Manhattan.

If you travel with a PDA, subscribing to Vindigo is a great idea - it provides listings of restaurants, shops, bathrooms (!), banks and ATMs, together with maps to help get around. Don't be afraid of the subway - its cheap and fast. Purchase a MetroCard and recharge it as necessary - a single ride will cost you $2, but there are price breaks for putting more into your MetroCard. You can pick up The Map at any substation station with an attendant, and many hotels provide them on the rack of tourist literature.

Have fun.

 

[Bromo33333]

Haven't been to Craft but Gourmet Magazine usually has a spread on the top chefs and they ask where THEY go to eat. Usually, its Blue Ribbon which I recommend. I went to the one in Brooklyn last time I was there and had a great dinner.
See if you can find that issue and try one of the places where chef's go.

There are a ton of options - NY is a foodie paradise - and lots of good options. Never heard of Blue Ribbon, but I am sure it's great.

Once place (Only if you like Cheese A LOT) is Artisanal at 35 West 64th which specializes in ... you guessed it, cheeses. Great Bistro. Can be crowded, but we were there on a Holiday weekend and ended up without a big wait which we found out later from a friend was a fluke.

My wife likes glassmaking as well, so we went to Brooklyn to Urban Glass - only good if you like glass, as the exhibitions are medium to small, and it is mostly an d educational center.

 

[copake_ham]

Johannes -

NYC is a fabulous place to visit. As others have noted, it can be expensive. But it's also possible to enjoy a visit there without having to mortgage the house. It's all a matter of being selective.

This remains something I do not understand.

Does one inquire about a trip to Paris and want to do it on the cheap?

Ditto London?

I don't know the OP's resources and, yes, you can have a great time in NYC "on the cheap".

But why is that now a "critereon" in this thread?

You can have a hell of a better time in NYC is you are willing to SPLURGE!

For cryin' out loud, for someone coming from Sweden, visiting NYC is probably a once in a lifetime trip. Why do it "cheap" unless your finances require?

I do note that it is mainly the Americans here who are giving all the "cheapo" advice. That's exactly why we love the Euro and Asian tourists over you!

They come here to "blow the budget" and have a grand time (well, with the exception of the Brits - who seem to be mainly interested in going downtown to the Century 21 "bargain department store" for cheap jeans!).

Come to NYC, spend big bucks to live grand and we'll love ya'

You want cheap? Go to Chicago!

 

[Bromo33333]

This remains something I do not understand.

Does one inquire about a trip to Paris and want to do it on the cheap?

Ditto London?

Unfortunately, yes, a lot of folks do this. Americans mostly. *sigh*

You can have a hell of a better time in NYC is you are willing to SPLURGE!

Agreed X10.

When I go there, I try to stay near Central Park South (Mid Town) - preferably at the Ritz if the budget allows. And blow what I would do for an "adventure" vacation that some do scuba diving or something else like that. If you have the budget, NYC is WAY better!

You want cheap? Go to Chicago!

Heh.

 

[bherg]

Oh, thank you everyone im taking notes so i can remember everything you have written.

someone said it would be nice to know other intressts besides photography. I like things like Eating good food (who does not?) music, playing a listening, nice clothing and drinking coffe. And my friend who is buying a bass guitar probably wants to hang around in music stores. He is also into sports so we will probably go to Yankee stadium to whatch a game (he did this last time he was there).

And if we plan things right we have talked about taking the plane to Florida to whatch a space shuttle lift of.

I have no intention on doing this on a budget i plan the possibility of getting an 11x14 while in NY. And with the money i have saved over the last year of working i have a fair amout to sped, the plane ticket is payed with coins i have collected is jars

Keep coming with sugestions if fun hearing what locals and other ppl that know the town do, i dont want to follow the tourist routs like a slave, but obviously we are going to do that too. Like visit the statue of liberty and so on.

And going on a budget, next weekend im going to London on a budget to visit my brother and sister.

Cheers Johannes

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

If you're looking for a bass guitar, try Rudy's on 48th St. near Times Square. And if your friend wants to hear Les Paul himself, he has a regular gig at the Iridium Monday nights.

11x14"--call ahead. PhotoGizzmo or Lens and Repro and maybe Bruce's Field Cameras (check his ad in _View Camera_ magazine--you need to call for an appointment) are the most likely places to find one in stock.

For music listings, I also recommend _The Village Voice_, which covers lots of venues and genres.

There are some things in New York that are expensive, but there are also many enjoyable things that aren't. There is not necessarily a correlation between the amount of money you spend and how much you'll enjoy the city, unless you particularly derive pleasure from spending money.

If you will be here for a week, get a weekly MTA pass that will let you ride subways and buses anywhere in the city until it expires.

In the summer, for instance, keep an eye out for the Summerstage performances and Shakespeare in the Park in Central Park, and there are also interesting free performances in other locations like the plaza at the World Financial Center and Prospect Park in Brooklyn.

Take the Staten Island Ferry (free), just to get out in the Harbor--this is a much better way to see the Statue of Liberty than to go there, unless you have a particular interest in entering the structure.

Visit the Brooklyn Heights Promenade for one of the best views of the city and walk around Brooklyn Heights with an AIA guide to appreciate many fine examples of 19th-century architecture. You might also see what's happening at Arts at St. Ann's, Bargemusic, and BAM if you want to take in some interesting performances in Brooklyn.

If you are interested in experimental theatre, skip Broadway, which is 90% commercial kitsch. See what's happening at Arts at St. Ann's and BAM (also music at BAM) in Brooklyn, LaMama in the East Village, and the Wooster Group in the West Village.

Take the subway out to Coney Island. Pick up some Russian delicacies in Brighton Beach and stroll along the boardwalk.

And of course there are great events at the obvious places like Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Village Vanguard, the Blue Note and even Broadway, but the vitality of the city is everywhere, and some of the most interesting things don't involve a $100 ticket.

 

[trhull]

Do NOT go to B&H PHoto
Or Tamarkin
Or Ken Hansens
Or Lens and Repro
do not do it or...you.....will.......regret.........it

Do go to all the places where you can eat cheap (Chinatown, Little Italy, Greek places). Go to at least 1 really good restaurant (3 star)

Did Ken Hansen reopen?

 

[Terence]

Hello world,

Me and a friend are planing a New York trip next summer. What are the must do´s besides the must do tourist stuff.

Any Tips?


Cheers Johannes

Being a structural engineer I always give the structural tour of NYC. Subway to Wall St, walk down Broad St to see the canyons that finance half the world, continue on to the Staten Island Ferry (best deal in NYC since it is free) and get a good view of NY Harbor, the Statue of Liberty and the Verrazano Bridge. Take the boat back to Manhattan and walk up South St to the Seaport. Ignore the crappy tourist stuff and head up and over the Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge's promenade is my favorite place in the city. On the Brooklyn side head down to the new Brooklyn Bridge Park for the view of the East River bridges. Make your way up hill and head back to Manhattan over the Manhattan Bridge. into Chinatown. From Chinatown head north past all the cast iron buildings, past NYU and up to Astor Place. Hop the subway up to Grand Central Terminal (my second favorite place). Walk north to Central Park and it's lovely bridges and Annapolis Fountain. Hit the Met Art Museum.

All along the way are fine establishments serving cold refreshing beer. American beer has improved significantly over the last 20 years, so long as you avoid the mass market stuff.

As for fine food, there's no more American experience than downing huge quantities of prime steak at Peter Luger Steakhouse in Brooklyn. It's not cheap, but it's worth it. There may be (slightly) better steaks in the city, but nowhere else has the ambiance of Luger's. It's tough to argue with a place that has a half-inch thick slab of bacon as an appetizer.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I'll second the recommendation for Peter Luger's, but also while you're in Grand Central Terminal, don't forget to stop for lunch at the Oyster Bar. If you've got your tripod, visit the Station Master's office to pick up a photography permit in the Terminal (good for most times except rush hours).

 

[jovo]

It's not so much that people want to know what's 'cheap', as it is that they don't get ripped off. There used to be electronics stores on the avenues that had screaming banners in their windows: "GOING OUT OF BUSINESS...SALE!!!". They were, of course, totally scammy, scummy businesses, but they must have had their share of takers. Comming to anyplace you don't know would be a lot more comfortable if you had some native's guidance. I think it's a pretty reasonable request to find out what you can before you arrive.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

CAMP AND SHOOT

I have been camping a few times near Schroon Lake in NE NY just outside the Adirondacks and their High Peaks region, not far from Ausable (?) Chasm, Lake Champlain, Fort Ticonderoga. I camped at Medcalf Acres on Schroon River. Cold in the summer, perfect after a hot two hours making camp.

 

[copake_ham]

It's not so much that people want to know what's 'cheap', as it is that they don't get ripped off. There used to be electronics stores on the avenues that had screaming banners in their windows: "GOING OUT OF BUSINESS...SALE!!!". They were, of course, totally scammy, scummy businesses, but they must have had their share of takers. Comming to anyplace you don't know would be a lot more comfortable if you had some native's guidance. I think it's a pretty reasonable request to find out what you can before you arrive.

Sorry, jovo, but this doesn't wash. The people who get ripped off at these "Going out of Business" stores ARE the very ones who are looking to do things "on the cheap"! And that's exactly what these stores are looking for - cheapo pigeons!

As the OP said, he's looking to have a good time and not try to do things on a "tightwad budget". He plays and enjoys music - there are wonderful venues for all kinds of music. He wants good food - and boy, do we have good food. And if you're visiting NYC for a brief time - forget being cheap and just going to whatever half-price tickets are available for a Broadway show. Open the wallet and see something you WANT to see - not just anything so you can say you went to a show!

Simple fact of the matter is, with the ultra-strong Euro, the US is a bargain from the get go. The real stores in NYC (not the schlock shysters) are packed with European and Asian tourists who enjoy the City for all that it has to offer. People who know Hermes are smart enough to know you don't buy it from folding table vendors on street corners!

What amazes me is that the same American cheapos when it comes to NYC are willing to go to Vegas and drop several or more grand staring at flashing lights on a slot machine and think they had a great vacation because the Hotel/Casino had a $5.99 all-you-can-eat breakfast!