Visiting New York

[SAKOTXA]

I'm taking an extended vacation from work and school for the first time in 3 years, finally. Two of my childhood friends who now live in Brooklyn invited myself and my fiance to New York for couple of weeks. I always dreamed of visiting one day, but never had the chance or time, so i said what the heck we're in.

I want to know every little thing there is to know about New York. Food joints, hotels, museums, and every other place that one would consider interesting and fun. I plan on having the best couple of weeks of my life, so let the suggestions begin you filthy New Yorkers.

I also plan on playing at Rucker Park, and that moment will be documented when it happens, so i might even post it in this thread when i get back.

[Jakeh008]

http://insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264961

http://insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=234001

:cheers:

[SAKOTXA]

Search option would help, you know...Jeff. :lol

Thanks bro, i'll read both of those threads.

[KevinNYC]

Search option would help, you know...Jeff. :lol

Thanks bro, i'll read both of those threads.

What neighborhood in Brooklyn do your friends live? What types of things do you like in museums?

We just talked about NYC food in a recent Thai food thread
http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283032&page=3

[Rake2204]

I may be driving within the general vicinity of NYC but have never been. I have nothing major planned within the city but thought it might be worth seeing if I was over that way. The question is, would it be better to get a hotel within the city for a day or two or to get a hotel outside of the city and work my way in for a couple days?

Is it possible to find a cheap accommodation within NYC or Manhattan in a solid/safe area, with cheap perhaps meaning less than $175 an evening? Or is it cheaper to be on the outside and find a way to commute inward?

I understand it takes many days to take in New York City. I am not afforded that time schedule, but thought something might be better than nothing. I just wanted to know if it was possible or worthy to make it happen. I'm about as ignorant as it comes referring anything on the east coast, particularly NYC.

[bagelred]

I want to know every little thing there is to know about New York.

Even people who live here their whole lives don't know that...

You have to give us more info. What do you like to do? What do you want to see? Do you want to sightsee? party? culture? food? music? sports?....there's no way we can recommend things until you tell us more about what you want and like. Do you have money? You looking for budget recommendations? What season/what specific dates will you be here?

Where in Brooklyn are you staying?




.

[Rake2204]

Even people who live here their whole lives don't know that...

You have to give us more info. What do you like to do? What do you want to see? Do you want to sightsee? party? culture? food? music? sports?....there's no way we can recommend things until you tell us more about what you want and like. Do you have money? You looking for budget recommendations? What season/what specific dates will you be here?

Where in Brooklyn are you staying?
Hey, sorry, the post you're referencing is old. I was searching for threads on visiting New York and this one popped up. I probably should have just started a new thread instead of bumping it with my own questions. My bad.

[D-FENS]

I may be driving within the general vicinity of NYC but have never been. I have nothing major planned within the city but thought it might be worth seeing if I was over that way. The question is, would it be better to get a hotel within the city for a day or two or to get a hotel outside of the city and work my way in for a couple days?

Is it possible to find a cheap accommodation within NYC or Manhattan in a solid/safe area, with cheap perhaps meaning less than $175 an evening? Or is it cheaper to be on the outside and find a way to commute inward?

I understand it takes many days to take in New York City. I am not afforded that time schedule, but thought something might be better than nothing. I just wanted to know if it was possible or worthy to make it happen. I'm about as ignorant as it comes referring anything on the east coast, particularly NYC.

Stay at the Days Inn, 94th and Broadway - roughly about $120 a night and it's decent for sleeping. Right by the subway and Central Park. You can see a lot of New York in a couple of days. I was there for a trade show last February and managed to run in Central Park in the morning, and took a bunch of photos like Strawberry Fields and the Dakota. Also went to Ground Zero (book tickets online, they're free, but you need to book) pay your respects. Went to Times Square, walked past 30 Rock, Empire State Building and down to the tip of the island to see the Statue of Liberty.

It's very easy to get around, lots of people want to help, and they're very friendly. I stayed with a well connected friend so I saw some underground bands on a Sunday night, too - was awesome.

[KevinNYC]

I may be driving within the general vicinity of NYC but have never been. I have nothing major planned within the city but thought it might be worth seeing if I was over that way. The question is, would it be better to get a hotel within the city for a day or two or to get a hotel outside of the city and work my way in for a couple days?

Is it possible to find a cheap accommodation within NYC or Manhattan in a solid/safe area, with cheap perhaps meaning less than $175 an evening? Or is it cheaper to be on the outside and find a way to commute inward?

I understand it takes many days to take in New York City. I am not afforded that time schedule, but thought something might be better than nothing. I just wanted to know if it was possible or worthy to make it happen. I'm about as ignorant as it comes referring anything on the east coast, particularly NYC.you should be able to find hotels s that fit what you inside Manhattan. Planning ahead helps. Also a ton of hotels have opened recently in Brooklyn and queens . So just a short commute to Manhattan

[rufuspaul]

you should be able to find hotels s that fit what you inside Manhattan. Planning ahead helps. Also a ton of hotels have opened recently in Brooklyn and queens . So just a short commute to Manhattan


Last minute bookings on Hotwire is the way to go. Last time I went to NYC I got a very nice room at the Westin Grand Central for $99/night.

[KevinNYC]

Last minute bookings on Hotwire is the way to go. Last time I went to NYC I got a very nice room at the Westin Grand Central for $99/night.
You also have to budget for your car. Find out if the hotel has parking and if they charge for it.

[rufuspaul]

You also have to budget for your car. Find out if the hotel has parking and if they charge for it.


True. I never drive in New York and try to avoid it in most larger cities. Hotels charge an outrageous amount for parking.

[Rake2204]

The last five posts have all been very helpful. I have two younger brothers tagging along for the ride, and it turns out now their family is willing to cover a fair bit of room & board, so that was a nice bonus. With such little knowledge of the city and such short notice, we kinda decided to plop down exactly where one would expect a tourist to plop - Manhattan near Times Square. With the shared expense coming into the picture, we went with a spot for $160 a night and split three ways; not the greatest deal, but also not too shabby, no?

The fun part, and perhaps the most interesting, will be the fact that I opted to valet at the hotel. It kind of feels like a situation where you tell a kid not to touch the stove because it's hot, but he touches it anyway, like an idiot, just to see for himself. I've heard not to drive, and you guys said it wasn't a good idea, yet I merely called the hotel for the sake of inquiry and five minutes later I came out with a full travel plan.

I suppose the good news is after I experience what a bad idea driving downtown turned out to be, I'll be able to be the guy next time who's like, "I'm telling you from experience, don't drive downtown. Then the cycle shall continue.

[rufuspaul]

The last five posts have all been very helpful. I have two younger brothers tagging along for the ride, and it turns out now their family is willing to cover a fair bit of room & board, so that was a nice bonus. With such little knowledge of the city and such short notice, we kinda decided to plop down exactly where one would expect a tourist to plop - Manhattan near Times Square. With the shared expense coming into the picture, we went with a spot for $160 a night and split three ways; not the greatest deal, but also not too shabby, no?

The fun part, and perhaps the most interesting, will be the fact that I opted to valet at the hotel. It kind of feels like a situation where you tell a kid not to touch the stove because it's hot, but he touches it anyway, like an idiot, just to see for himself. I've heard not to drive, and you guys said it wasn't a good idea, yet I merely called the hotel for the sake of inquiry and five minutes later I came out with a full travel plan.

I suppose the good news is after I experience what a bad idea driving downtown turned out to be, I'll be able to be the guy next time who's like, "I'm telling you from experience, don't drive downtown. Then the cycle shall continue.


Driving's really not that bad if you time it right. Download a map and learn which direction the Aves and Streets run. What hotel did you pick? For Times Square you'll probably come down 7th Ave. Which runs pretty well. Once you get to the hotel there's no need to get the car again until you check out anyway.

[Rake2204]

Driving's really not that bad if you time it right. Download a map and learn which direction the Aves and Streets run. What hotel did you pick? For Times Square you'll probably come down 7th Ave. Which runs pretty well. Once you get to the hotel there's no need to get the car again until you check out anyway.Appreciate the reassurance. Went with the Edison Hotel on W. 47th. I found its art deco stylings appealed to my tastes (aka it was a relatively good deal that happened to pop up).

[KevinNYC]

When are you going? Rufus can give you advice as a visitor and I can give you advice as a local.

Give a list of what you are looking to do and we'll get you some good advice.

One thing to do is avoid most of the restaurants in Times square with the excptions HB Burger and John's Pizza (sit down place with full pies)
9th Ave is filled with small reasonable restaurants. Lots of diversity of choices.


Here's one Tip. Downtown is below 14th Street. Time Square is Midtown.

[Rake2204]

When are you going? Rufus can give you advice as a visitor and I can give you advice as a local.

Give a list of what you are looking to do and we'll get you some good advice.

One thing to do is avoid most of the restaurants in Times square with the excptions HB Burger and John's Pizza (sit down place with full pies)
9th Ave is filled with small reasonable restaurants. Lots of diversity of choices.


Here's one Tip. Downtown is below 14th Street. Time Square is Midtown.Yeah I was actually going to ask about the eateries and whatnot - kinda figured Times Square would be a bit commercialized and all of that. But then again, I have some awfully unrefined taste buds so I'm not sure I'll be phased either way.

I hate to be difficult, but we kinda just decided to stop in NYC as an afterthought for a day or two. As such, I'm really uncertain what kind of things we'll be able to accomplish (or what we want to accomplish). I feel like it'll just be good enough for me to be there, since I've never been, but I'm sure it'd be nice to experience some things out there.

I'm actually kind of worried of coming across too much like a tourist. But I guess it is what it is. What might be available in that general Times Square area to visit or experience without really breaking the bank?

[-p.tiddy-]

I am also going to NY in a few months...will be staying in Times Square

restaurant advice would be nice!...both up 5-star and hole in the wall joints

[christian1923]

I am also going to NY in a few months...will be staying in Times Square

restaurant advice would be nice!...both up 5-star and hole in the wall joints
Cafe Colonial on white plains rd and Brady ave in the Bronx

[rufuspaul]

I am also going to NY in a few months...will be staying in Times Square

restaurant advice would be nice!...both up 5-star and hole in the wall joints


Kevin's advice about 9th Ave. is good. Really if you go East or West a few blocks from Times Square you'll run into some great neighborhood places.

My faves of the $$$$ variety:

Esca
Le Bernadin
Daniel
DB Bistro Moderne
Momofuku
Per Se
Babbo


In Times Square it's worth going to Sardi's. The food is average but the ambience and history are great. Also 21 Club on 52nd St. Very old school.

[-p.tiddy-]

:cheers: awesome

will definitely look into all of those

[KevinNYC]

I am also going to NY in a few months...will be staying in Times Square

restaurant advice would be nice!...both up 5-star and hole in the wall joints

If you're going fancy the best deal is lunch. I had the lunch at Del Posto and that might have been the fanciest meal I've ever had and it was delicious.

http://www.delposto.com/lunch.cfm
http://ny.eater.com/archives/2013/03/12_sensational_lunch_deals_in_new_york_city.php

Del Posto is not filled up at lunch either. It's away from the business districts. You need to reserve, but it's not hard to get a reservation.
http://guestofaguest.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ickg46hilwlw.jpg

Colicchio and Sons is on that same block and they do a lunch W-F
http://www.craftrestaurantsinc.com/colicchio-and-sons/

[-p.tiddy-]

:cheers:

[BrooklynZoo]

You also have to budget for your car. Find out if the hotel has parking and if they charge for it.


huh? drive? I find it weird that a new yorker would be advising a tourist to get a car in the city, but I'm guessing that we're assuming he's coming by car and can't just ditch it. I'd def advise to take the train to avoid the traffic and just for kicks (especially if you dont have a major public transportation system where you're from)

As to where to go/what to see

-Times Square to see all the lights/people

-Chinatown, Little Italy and Soho are all in the same area if you wanted to walk around, check out the area/people and eat (Ctown has cheap food, Little Italy is pretty expensive) or do a little shopping.

-If you're trying to catch a sporting event: Barclays Center is a couple stops away from Manhattan if you wanna check out a Nets game, MSG is in the heart of the city (but their season will probably be over by the time u get there lol) and Yankee stadium is in the Bronx (the only reason you might want to go to the Bronx)

WTC/Memorial, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central station and a bunch of museums and broadway shows if you're into that stuff

[Sarcastic]

I am also going to NY in a few months...will be staying in Times Square

restaurant advice would be nice!...both up 5-star and hole in the wall joints


Margon on 136 west 46 Street has the best Cuban sandwiches in the world, for hole in the wall spots.

5 star restaurants are easy to look up.

[KevinNYC]

huh? drive? I find it weird that a new yorker would be advising a tourist to get a car in the city, but I'm guessing that we're assuming he's coming by car and can't just ditch it.

He already said he was driving.

[Lamar Doom]

hole in the wall joints


Chez Oskar
211 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205



5 star baller ass shit for baller ass ballers


Locanda Vini & Olii
129 Gates Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238



Balthazaar
80 Spring St, New York, NY 10012




Balthazaar the only one really close to your hotel but you should get into Brooklyn and walk around ft greene and Clinton hill with your lady. Gonna get that magic all up in her man, I wouldn't do you wrong here.

[Rake2204]

Also, with being housed near Times Square, are their any local casual basketball spots where we could get up some shots?

[KevinNYC]

Also, with being housed near Times Square, are their any local casual basketball spots where we could get up some shots?

I have no idea how casual, but surprisingly, there are actually some close to Times Square (https://www.google.com/search?q=basketball+court+Hell%27s+kitchen&oq=basketball+court+Hell%27s+kitchen&aqs=chrome..69i57.7785j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8)

You should take the train down to W4th and 6Ave. Tiny little court known as The Cage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjWIld8cdv0). Probably the most famous court in Manhattan outside of Rucker. If the weather is warm, it probably will not be casual, but you never know. I got to play there early in the season on spring day where the temperature suddenly jumped to 70's. Just a half court game, but I had a good day, scored 4 or 5 in a row until they switched defenders on me. My guy thought the CharlesBarkleyround white kid couldn't play and gave me some room. I had three baskets before taking a dribble. Then his teammate was screaming at him to D me up and he comically overplayed me and I went in for an easy layup.

I don't even remember why I was in that neighborhood that day. If it was later spring or the summer, I wouldn't have even gotten on that court.

It's also the heart of Greenwich Village and is a cool place to walk around. And the court is very close to one of the best slices of pizza in NY. (http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2011/02/famous-joes-pizza-greenwich-village-manhattan-nyc.html)

[-p.tiddy-]

Chez Oskar
211 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205

Locanda Vini & Olii
129 Gates Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Balthazaar
80 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

Balthazaar the only one really close to your hotel but you should get into Brooklyn and walk around ft greene and Clinton hill with your lady. Gonna get that magic all up in her man, I wouldn't do you wrong here.
:cheers:

[D-FENS]

New York guys, has anyone been to a Sicilian pizza place in the Fashion District? It's called Ben's or Famous Ben's or something. Maybe I'm off with the name. Best pizza I have had in a long time

[KevinNYC]

New York guys, has anyone been to a Sicilian pizza place in the Fashion District? It's called Ben's or Famous Ben's or something. Maybe I'm off with the name. Best pizza I have had in a long time

Is the Fashion District different from the garment district? You may be taking about this place. They have a union square branch

http://www.famousbenspizzaofsoho.com/

My favorite Sicilian slice in Manhattan is Artichoke Basille'shttp://campoutkid.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/sicilian-pizza-at-Artichoke-Pizzeria.jpg

Tiny place on 14th Street in the East Village. Now I see they have two other locations. (http://www.artichokepizza.com/ourstory.html) The 14th street place is one of those places you go off hours because they usually have a line down the sidewalk.

Their pizzas are almost baroque. They are famous for their artichoke pizza which is like artichoke dip on a pie. I only like a bite or two of that one. To me the ratio is off. Some folks love it though. The orange looking thing above is their crab slice.

Their regular slices are great, but the sicilians are something else. They know how to cook a pie, which is very well done. The number one problem in bad pizza besides cheap ingredients is being under done. The cheese needs to cook, not just melt. You can see the how well the cheese is cooked in that photo.

These guys go in the other direction. Their sicilian slices are crispy to the point of being burnt. They also pour a ton of olive oil in the pan. Good quality cheese grated on top too. $4 a slice but it's worth it. The pizza place near my grade school had a Sicilian slice I'm still trying to find a place that matches it, but nowadays if I visit my Mom, they consistently undercook it and it's no where near what it used to be.

If you going to Wall Street or the WTC and it's a nice day, go to Stone Street and go to Adrienne's Pizzabar. Stone Street is a little cobble stone street that is lined with restaurants and they have tables outside. Get the grandma pie with pepperoni. It's fantastic. Grandma is a thinner version of Sicilian that started in Long Island and spread to the city.

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/04/00/98/82/adrienne-s-pizza-bar.jpg

It's a good place to eat and drink outside. Get there before the market closes or else the stockbrokers will have all your tables.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l2apqPFS5-c/UhpC-vsf6EI/AAAAAAAABJ4/6SM9rqp_ryU/s320/stone-street-2-1024x658.jpg

[D-FENS]

Is the Fashion District different from the garment district? You may be taking about this place. They have a union square branch

http://www.famousbenspizzaofsoho.com/

Thanks buddy! That's the stuff - yeah, garment district. We're headed to New York later in the year and I wanted to get another slice of this pizza. Amazing stuff

[nathanjizzle]

make sure you wear a kevlar shirt just in case someone tries to stab you.

[rufuspaul]

Chelsea Market on the West Side is another great spot for foodies, plus you can check out the High Line (http://www.thehighline.org) which is one of the coolest urban metamorphoses imo.

[KevinNYC]

Thanks buddy! That's the stuff - yeah, garment district. We're headed to New York later in the year and I wanted to get another slice of this pizza. Amazing stuff

well this place is not in Garment District, i.e. the rag trade which is the 30's over by 7th ave. It's by Union Square (14th and Broadway). However, from 14th through 23 is where a ton of photographers work, so I thought maybe folks started calling it the Fashion District.

I'm guessing you were actually over in Union Square.

[Rake2204]

I have no idea how casual, but surprisingly, there are actually some close to Times Square (https://www.google.com/search?q=basketball+court+Hell%27s+kitchen&oq=basketball+court+Hell%27s+kitchen&aqs=chrome..69i57.7785j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8)

You should take the train down to W4th and 6Ave. Tiny little court known as The Cage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjWIld8cdv0). Probably the most famous court in Manhattan outside of Rucker. If the weather is warm, it probably will not be casual, but you never know. I got to play there early in the season on spring day where the temperature suddenly jumped to 70's. Just a half court game, but I had a good day, scored 4 or 5 in a row until they switched defenders on me. My guy thought the CharlesBarkleyround white kid couldn't play and gave me some room. I had three baskets before taking a dribble. Then his teammate was screaming at him to D me up and he comically overplayed me and I went in for an easy layup.

I don't even remember why I was in that neighborhood that day. If it was later spring or the summer, I wouldn't have even gotten on that court.

It's also the heart of Greenwich Village and is a cool place to walk around. And the court is very close to one of the best slices of pizza in NY. (http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2011/02/famous-joes-pizza-greenwich-village-manhattan-nyc.html)Thanks a ton, good sir. My brothers and I were laughing earlier because we knew of The Cage, but only because of NBA Street Vol. 2 and maybe NBA 2K2. The complication now becomes whether we want to lug our basketball shoes throughout the city specifically to go play at The Cage. Is the area nice? I know virtually nothing about Greenwich Village.

Also, another softball question: what areas are probably best to avoid? I want to explore, but I don't want to unnecessarily end up in a sheisty situation. One of the youngsters wants to head to Brooklyn but I'm not sure what to do once we're there (or what part to head toward).

Finally, an update - I did end up driving into the city and it was pretty bad traffic-wise, but only for a few blocks, so it was high intensity but short-lived. My biggest concern was actually about dinging my rental. Also, for an outsider, it was special to see a man get out of his car to argue with the guy behind him in the middle of traffic. Too cliche. Like coming to Detroit and immediately seeing someone get shot.

P.S. We made a wrong turn into Newark initially. Felt shady. It can be shady there, no?

P.P.S. Can ground zero be visited whenever? I know D-FENS mentioned booking ahead of time. Is that just for a tour, or to get to the site altogether?

[KevinNYC]

Thanks a ton, good sir. My brothers and I were laughing earlier because we knew of The Cage, but only because of NBA Street Vol. 2 and maybe NBA 2K2. The complication now becomes whether we want to lug our basketball shoes throughout the city specifically to go play at The Cage. Is the area nice? I know virtually nothing about Greenwich Village.

Also, another softball question: what areas are probably best to avoid? I want to explore, but I don't want to unnecessarily end up in a sheisty situation. One of the youngsters wants to head to Brooklyn but I'm not sure what to do once we're there (or what part to head toward).

Finally, an update - I did end up driving into the city and it was pretty bad traffic-wise, but only for a few blocks, so it was high intensity but short-lived. My biggest concern was actually about dinging my rental. Also, for an outsider, it was special to see a man get out of his car to argue with the guy behind him in the middle of traffic. Too cliche. Like coming to Detroit and immediately seeing someone get shot.

P.S. We made a wrong turn into Newark initially. Felt shady. It can be shady there, no?

Are you in NYC now?
Virtually any place you want to explore is going to be completely fine. The sketchy places are probably places you have never heard of. Particularly, if you've never heard of Greenwich Village. It's like like a ten minute subway ride from Times Square, you won't be lugging anything far. Do you change into your basketball sneakers at the court? That will definitely peg you as a non local. The area around the court is totally fine. Washington Square Park is right nearby which is a cool place to walk around. NYU is right there, so you might find some college girls. Good used book stands on the streets too.

http://wagnerfpa.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/washington-square-park.jpg

You can play these guys at chess and watch them beat your ass.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/Washington_Square_Park_Chess_Players_by_David_Shan kbone.jpg/640px-Washington_Square_Park_Chess_Players_by_David_Shan kbone.jpg

Of the places you mentioned only Rucker Park is in the "hood." You still shouldn't have a problem going there, but generally I would have to know about a person's level of street smarts before I recommend it to an visitor.

Where are you from by the way?

[KevinNYC]

Greenwich Village was one of those neighborhoods that changed America.

Beat Literature, Mark Twain, Bob Dylan and other folkies, Salvador Dali, Gay Rights, Count Basie and tons of other jazz folk. It's where I had my first cappucino years before I ever heard of Starbucks. The first racially integrated nightclub in the US opened there. The Gay Rights movement started there after the Stonewall Riots (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_riots#Riots) after the patrons of Mafia-owned gay bar got raided for the umpteenth time.

[Rake2204]

Are you in NYC now?
Virtually any place you want to explore is going to be completely fine. The sketchy places are probably places you have never heard of. Particularly, if you've never heard of Greenwich Village. It's like like a ten minute subway ride from Times Square, you won't be lugging anything far. Do you change into your basketball sneakers at the court? That will definitely peg you as a non local. The area around the court is totally fine. Washington Square Park is right nearby which is a cool place to walk around. NYU is right there, so you might find some college girls. Good used book stands on the streets too.

http://wagnerfpa.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/washington-square-park.jpg

You can play these guys at chess and watch them beat your ass.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/Washington_Square_Park_Chess_Players_by_David_Shan kbone.jpg/640px-Washington_Square_Park_Chess_Players_by_David_Shan kbone.jpg

Of the places you mentioned only Rucker Park is in the "hood." You still shouldn't have a problem going there, but generally I would have to know about a person's level of street smarts before I recommend it to an visitor.

Where are you from by the way?Yeah we arrived earlier this evening. Just stopping over until Friday, so we obviously won't be able to scratch the surface of possibility. We just kinda wandered aimlessly for a short period tonight, weaving past Radio City, Rockafeller, St. Patrick's, and Times Square. It was kind of a night to just get a glimpse and settle in a little. Tomorrow is where we're looking to head some places.

I'm on the fence with basketball. Wondering if our hands will be full enough with all the other exploring we have planned. Might it be a problem getting a game in on a day like tomorrow (60 degrees)? With my rookie subway skills, I'm wondering if it's worth gearing up and heading to the courts then being stuck down there without normal attire. Hopefully we can get familiar with the subway system tomorrow so it's no longer a big deal. Greenwich looks like a nice area regardless, I think we'll be giving that a look. I hear of places like that, but I've never known a real thing about them, so it'll be nice to become enlightened.

And yeah, my street sense is mediocre and naive, ha. I'm from Ann Arbor, MI.

[KevinNYC]

Brooklyn's definitely cool to check out, but you need a plan, Brooklyn is gigantic and much more spread out than Manhattan. Williamsburg can be a hopping place on the weekends. Today it was filled French high school students for whatever reason. Some one above mentioned Fort Greene in Brooklyn, but it's in the total opposite direction from Williamsburg.

You can go walk over the Brooklyn Bridge which is always cool and check out DUMBO.

You can take the East River Ferry and enjoy a nice view of the city from the water
http://www.eastriverferry.com/

If you here on a Saturday there's an outdoor food market right on the waterfront that they ferry takes you right to it
http://www.smorgasburg.com/

[KevinNYC]

Aside from the touristy places, the east village/lower east side are packed with bars and young folks. So those are good night time places to check out.

[Rake2204]

All great stuff here. We're actually trying to be at least somewhat frugal in our visit so a lot of the stuff you're throwing out there is great. Very much appreciate it.

[KevinNYC]

Grab the Magazine, Time Out NY, it will have all the stuff going on this week.

[KevinNYC]

Where's your hotel? Just found out one of the best cheaps eats in NYC just opened a place in midtown

http://xianfoods.com/locations/midtown/
$3.50 for this delicious spicy lamb burger
http://zgt-thumb.storage.googleapis.com/assets/content/cache/made/assets/content/cache/remote/http_storage.googleapis.com/zgt-photos/0x89c260120fddc831_0xd27941e36c91bb3f/cd8f4628cfc5e60f40a24907d0309250_517_400_85.jpg

[KevinNYC]

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/search?page_size=25&order=popularity&on=today&nodes%5B0%5D=784&_source=admin

list of free stuff

[Rake2204]

So, we walked the length of Central Park today. Then once we got to the tip, we decided we may as well go to Harlem. We stopped at Rucker, and since I was planning on exploring, not playing, I ended up being the guy I most despise - the player in jeans and boots. Things went alright anyway. Do they replace the rims come summertime though? Because right now they're egg shaped, like a carnival.

Subway question, is fare always $2.50 anytime we get on? Should each of my brothers have a metro card, or is it fine to just use mine, hand it back, etc.? Final amateur question: must I see an attendant to add more cash to my card, or are their machines or something that can also fulfill that request?

[KevinNYC]

So, we walked the length of Central Park today. Then once we got to the tip, we decided we may as well go to Harlem. We stopped at Rucker, and since I was planning on exploring, not playing, I ended up being the guy I most despise - the player in jeans and boots. Things went alright anyway. Do they replace the rims come summertime though? Because right now they're egg shaped, like a carnival.

Subway question, is fare always $2.50 anytime we get on? Should each of my brothers have a metro card, or is it fine to just use mine, hand it back, etc.? Final amateur question: must I see an attendant to add more cash to my card, or are their machines or something that can also fulfill that request?

http://web.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm#payper

Using a single metrocard is fine as long you don't hold anyone up. Every station will have metrocard machines. Subway fare is always $2.50. You get a free transfer to a bus if that helps. If you put $20 or more on the card, you get 5% bonus.


How many people were out playing?

[SAKOTXA]

Forgot about this thread. :oldlol:
Had a blast last year. Stayed 10 days in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and then we drove to Niagara falls, went through Buffalo, Syracuse on the way. Had amazing Buffalo wings at a local joint. After we came back i gambled a little bit at Atlantic City. Stayed at the legendary Taj Mahal, but it was kind of dead on a Friday night, it was right after the storms, that's probably why. Oh and i spent 5 grand in 15 days, New York is expensive as sh.it.

[Rake2204]

http://web.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm#payper

Using a single metrocard is fine as long you don't hold anyone up. Every station will have metrocard machines. Subway fare is always $2.50. You get a free transfer to a bus if that helps. If you put $20 or more on the card, you get 5% bonus.


How many people were out playing?Appreciate the knowledge once more.

There were eight folks at Rucker. We got a few half court games in. Then I scored, a man punted the basketball into the scoreboard and the other guy took his ball and went home.

True story.

[KevinNYC]

I probably react the same way if some kid from Michigan in boots and jeans scored on me.



just kidding

[Rake2204]

I probably react the same way if some kid from Michigan in boots and jeans scored on me.



just kiddingHaha, still shaking my head at that. Can't believe I was that guy. Thankfully my little brother loaned me his 1.5-sizes-too-small J's partway though, but the jeans were still very present.

I think we're going to bring our basketball shoes and shorts along tomorrow when we head to the southern portion of Manhattan, just in case we opt to stop in at The Cage. Just kind of a tough spot because if we head down there, I feel like accomplishing a lot, but I'm not sure I'll want to be wearing gear or toting it in my backpack all day.

Also, when leaving Harlem via subway, I still didn't understand if I was doing the right thing paying for the three of us on one card by going to the cashier feller. But I approached and, not thinking, was just like, "Three going through," like, you know, three rides needed. The guy paused, stared, smiled into a chuckle before being like, "You're not from around here, are you?" I'm still not sure the proper way to do what I need to do - you guys say there's a machine in every entrance to add more cash to my card? I went to the teller the next time too, but simply said, "Three" and called it good.

I am so midwest.

That cardigan, jeans & boots elevation

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g423/Rake2204/GrabbedFrame155.jpg

[KevinNYC]

Nice pic. How tall are you?

You usually tell the guy how much money you want to put on the card

[Proctor]

Yeah, there is a machine to add money in every station. They look like this:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/26/MetrocardMVM.JPG/200px-MetrocardMVM.JPG

or as Kevin said, you can simply tell the person how much you want to add. In your case, you'd just tell him $7.50. They don't care at all if it's 3 people using the same card.

I too am from Michigan and am getting adjusted to New York life (I now go to school here.) I remember when I first experienced the subway and had a miserable time trying to get the swipe speed for the card down pat. :oldlol:

[Rake2204]

Nice pic. How tall are you?Thanks. 6'3''.

Yeah, there is a machine to add money in every station. They look like this:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/26/MetrocardMVM.JPG/200px-MetrocardMVM.JPG

or as Kevin said, you can simply tell the person how much you want to add. In your case, you'd just tell him $7.50. They don't care at all if it's 3 people using the same card.

I too am from Michigan and am getting adjusted to New York life (I now go to school here.) I remember when I first experienced the subway and had a miserable time trying to get the swipe speed for the card down pat. :oldlol:Ha, and thanks to the both of you on the subway knowledge. That explains it (price, not number of admittance). Hopefully today goes a bit smoother in that regard. I think we're planning on visiting WTC and walking the Brooklyn Bridge.

[Rake2204]

By the by, subway went a lot smoother today thanks to you guys. I much preferred using the machine than the teller. Tiring but enjoyable couple of days out there.