"MY ADVENTURES N NEW YORK CITY" TRIP REPORt; SEPT '12 (W/PICS & VIDEO)

[knewton64]

Well whaddya know - I come back from Ireland just a few weeks ago...now I wanna see more of the USA so hey...why not NYC.


So it's off to the Big Apple for me in a "few" months but hey, that just gives me more time to plan this bugger.

For starters, my adventure begins Sept 6th and at this point is for 4 nghts and 5 days with me hanging around the Sheraton hotel (7th & West 34th) but....there is a STRONG possibility that I will add a day onto this guided tour - either a pre or a post day.


WHY??

I WANNA C A YANKEE GAME.

(psstt!!.....and to think I live but only 30 minutes away from where the Rangers play baseball).



ANYWHO -


Now some of my Goofy ?s center around my fav topic:


** FOOD **


Ok....so this is my 1st visit into NYC so what's up there 4 food?? What is your fav food to eat there and why?

Any restaurant recommendations??


OKe Dokey.....enuf 4 now. I gotta boogy back on over to my Hawaii vacation planning. feel free to read along if ya want about my fun over in the Aloha state- just look for my trip report below and happy reading!





UP NEXT:


Having more fun slowly assembling this adventure & figuring out the ins and outs of Times Square & just how hard is it to request "Late Night w/David Letterman" tickets??

Stay tuned.








T.T.F.N.

[jlou]

If you are planning to visit the Statue of Liberty, you should get your tickets now. They sell out fast, especially if you want to go up into the actual statue, rather than just up to the top of the base. Also, Ellis Island is a really neat place to visit. I just went there last year, and wondered why I had never gone before. Happy planning!

[JulyGirl]

I'm so sad I have to wait over a year to see how this trip pans out!

[MissUndastood]

Originally Posted by JulyGirl

I'm so sad I have to wait over a year to see how this trip pans out!

I am on the edge of my seat

[cornflake]

Ok, first... there's a Sheraton on 34th and 7th? Are you sure that's the address? It's possible, there are hotels everyplace I just can't picture one there.

Second, plenty of restaurant recommendations, what do you like?

Third, it's not that hard to get tix to Dave, the day of is your best bet at this point, you won't get in advance. You call in the morning, answer a trivia question about the show (they're pretty basic) and they'll put you on the standby list. They'll either call you or usually you just have to go show up and wait on line before the taping in the afternoon (so you're not there all day or anything), and if they have room you're in.

[knewton64]

Originally Posted by jlou

If you are planning to visit the Statue of Liberty, you should get your tickets now. They sell out fast, especially if you want to go up into the actual statue, rather than just up to the top of the base. Also, Ellis Island is a really neat place to visit. I just went there last year, and wondered why I had never gone before. Happy planning!

- just added a pre-day to this so now I am at a 5 night / 6 day adventure So, now I can begin to turn my attention to adding some delicious add-ons.


BUT......just heard the Statue of Liberty is undergoing some renovations (starting Oct 2011 and expected to last about a year) but no worries, I have my "Ellis Island" dvd on order and am reading to hit the town.

(Esp to think we housed the Rockette's 3 years ago and they were such a delight to have in our hotel)





and yes, I am now looking at Lady Liberty and other add ons, will post them on my PTR as I know more.



Anywho -

Originally Posted by JulyGirl

I'm so sad I have to wait over a year to see how this trip pans out!

Oh contraire! I will be chiming in ever so often with what I am learning and hey - feel free to chime in as well with your ideas.



Okey Dokey - gotta run 4 now.





Until next time - keep on traveling


&



T.T.F.N.





COMING UP NEXT:



Best places to nibble on pizza, wine, chocolate and other assorted NYC restaurants

[knewton64]

Originally Posted by cornflake

Ok, first... there's a Sheraton on 34th and 7th? Are you sure that's the address? It's possible, there are hotels everyplace I just can't picture one there.

Second, plenty of restaurant recommendations, what do you like?

Third, it's not that hard to get tix to Dave, the day of is your best bet at this point, you won't get in advance. You call in the morning, answer a trivia question about the show (they're pretty basic) and they'll put you on the standby list. They'll either call you or usually you just have to go show up and wait on line before the taping in the afternoon (so you're not there all day or anything), and if they have room you're in.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Yes, I OOPS'ed in my earlier posting above....sorry about that - actually it's:



"Be a part of the NYC spirit at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, located on 7th Avenue between 52nd and 53rd Streets in midtown Manhattan. Just steps from the excitement of Broadway theatres, prestige of Carnegie Hall and world-class shopping of Fifth Avenue - our location is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the best that New York has to offer.


View Local Area Map

Arts & Culture
•Museum of Natural History 1.3 km/0.8 miles
•Museum of Modern Art 1.3 km/0.8 miles
•Empire State Building 1.6 km/1.0 miles
•Metropolitan Museum of Art 3.2 km/2.0 miles
•Statue of Liberty 8.0 km/5.0 miles
Community
•Hunter College 1.6 km/1.0 miles
•Jacob K. Javits Convention Center 1.6 km/1.0 miles
•Columbia University 1.6 km/1.0 miles
•New York University 3.2 km/2.0 miles
Corporate Offices
•UBS/PaineWebber 0.1 km/0.1 miles
•Equitable Life 0.1 km/0.1 miles
•CBS 0.1 km/0.1 miles
•Time Inc. 0.2 km/0.1 miles
•NBC 0.2 km/0.1 miles

Nearby Destinations
•Times Square 0.1 km/0.1 miles
•SoHo 3.2 km/2.0 miles
•Chinatown 6.4 km/4.0 miles
Recreation
•Central Park 0.7 km/0.4 miles
Shopping
•5th Avenue Shopping/Theatre District 0.2 km/0.1 miles
•South Street Seaport 6.4 km/4.0 miles
Entertainment
•Radio City Music Hall 0.2 km/0.1 miles
•Rockefeller Center 0.2 km/0.1 miles
•David Letterman Show 0.2 km/0.1 miles
•Carnegie Hall 0.5 km/0.3 miles
•Lincoln Center 1.5 km/0.9 miles
•Madison Square Garden 1.6 km/1.0 miles
•Meadowlands Sports Complex 16.1 km/10.0 miles "


Thought I wud post this as a handy reference guide for me.



Now about food - Pizza (YUM!!), wine, cheese-steak kinda of a place, good music to listen to at night (bar), etc.

Suggestions??





OK - ?. Would you pick David Letterman, Jay Leno or something else and why?



I welcome input from all of you as I slowly craft this vacation into one incredible adventure.



T.T.F.N.

[cornflake]

Ahh, gotcha. I was mostly confused trying to picture where a Sheraton could be there, heh. Them listing the Meadowlands amuses me. It is 10 miles - and in another state, a bus and train ride away, heh.

I would definitely do Dave, not Leno. Mainly because Leno in an unfunny, backstabbing *******. But also because he tapes in Burbank, Ca.

I think I'm confused - is this trip THIS October or next? If it's next you can request for Dave, but not this far in advance. You can go day of regardless.

Food... if you like pizza, there's John's on Bleeker - go to the one actually ON Bleeker st., there are a couple other locations with the same name now - best pizza in the world.

I recommended Artisanal Bistro to someone else, as it's awesome. It specializes in cheese, they have a big cheese room, do cheese and wine tasting plates, the best cheese and chocolate fondues outside of France, and also have general food like chicken dishes, steak and such. It's a comfy sit around type place.

Music bar places there's the Blue Note, which is famous for a reason, there's the Cutting Room, the Oak Room at the Algonquin hotel, which is classic cabaret-y, lots of small places downtown - you'd probably enjoy an evening wandering about the Village.

You can go to St. Mark's place, walk, eat, shop, mosey over to Waverly and to University place and 4th ave. - it's all pretty close and PACKED with small restaurants (Khyber Pass, excellent Afghan food in a place with really nice atmosphere is right down there), bars, clubs, etc.

L'Express is down on Park Ave. S someplace and it's a great late-night stop. Really cozy, congenial, neighbourhoody feel, open 24 hours with exceptional coffee and a french bistro menu. Very authentic - croque monsieur, steak frites, escargots, as well as late-night breakfasts, french toasts, croissants, salads and did I mention the really good coffee they'll turn into really good late-night cocktails?

[knewton64]

Originally Posted by cornflake

Ahh, gotcha. I was mostly confused trying to picture where a Sheraton could be there, heh. Them listing the Meadowlands amuses me. It is 10 miles - and in another state, a bus and train ride away, heh.

I would definitely do Dave, not Leno. Mainly because Leno in an unfunny, backstabbing *******. But also because he tapes in Burbank, Ca.

I think I'm confused - is this trip THIS October or next? If it's next you can request for Dave, but not this far in advance. You can go day of regardless.

Food... if you like pizza, there's John's on Bleeker - go to the one actually ON Bleeker st., there are a couple other locations with the same name now - best pizza in the world.

I recommended Artisanal Bistro to someone else, as it's awesome. It specializes in cheese, they have a big cheese room, do cheese and wine tasting plates, the best cheese and chocolate fondues outside of France, and also have general food like chicken dishes, steak and such. It's a comfy sit around type place.

Music bar places there's the Blue Note, which is famous for a reason, there's the Cutting Room, the Oak Room at the Algonquin hotel, which is classic cabaret-y, lots of small places downtown - you'd probably enjoy an evening wandering about the Village.

You can go to St. Mark's place, walk, eat, shop, mosey over to Waverly and to University place and 4th ave. - it's all pretty close and PACKED with small restaurants (Khyber Pass, excellent Afghan food in a place with really nice atmosphere is right down there), bars, clubs, etc.

L'Express is down on Park Ave. S someplace and it's a great late-night stop. Really cozy, congenial, neighbourhoody feel, open 24 hours with exceptional coffee and a french bistro menu. Very authentic - croque monsieur, steak frites, escargots, as well as late-night breakfasts, french toasts, croissants, salads and did I mention the really good coffee they'll turn into really good late-night cocktails?

oK....i'M COOL W/Dave Latterman.

Saw on the tv credits the other night that Tom "Bones" Malone is in his band....I didn't know that. Pretty neat that their 'band' has remained together all these years.

Naw, this adventure is set for 2012 BUT......... the issue is - is that I have Hawaii coming up very quickly (see below trip report) followed by Key west, etc (see below trip report) so I work on this one in my spare time.



Per se, my NYC airfare is being added via this adventure next month, then in about 90 days I will begin to add my NYC add ons followed closely behind (and cross yer fingers) trying to add a Yankee game.


Hence is why I am asking ?s and fielding POVs from everyone; kinda like what I am doing on my Hawaii vacation (OCt 2011).



this then frees me up to focus in on my next adventure whcih will be :


San Francisco (I will be booking it around April). For Spring 2013.
Why? Wanna c Walt DIsney Museum, Napa valley, Winchester House, Alcatraz, Gheradeli Choc factory, etc and possibly c Disnjeyland DONE RIGHT (wanna c Walk in Walts footsteps, etc) but I can't see that far ahead just yet cuz I got Hawaii in 64 days but hhheeyy---

who is counting?.



I know. I am a traveling nut but hey - IMO if ya dont plan ahead wisely, ya lose out on beautiful adventures.




Anywho - I have on order via Amazon.com my Ellis Island dvd oh and hey have a Goofy ? of the day for all of you......



been hearing that "NY NY" the song has been remade recently by 2 people??
yes no?? if so who?? I am beginning to think of what NY type songs to have on my I-pod and am curious if anyone knows.

Google search ain't telling me a dang thing.


Oh well, gotta run fer now. Will look at your food suggestions more and give ya a holler back in a few daz. Thank you for your suggestions by the way. I welcome them.



T.T.F.N.

[knewton64]

.
.
ok - for those of you reading this blog, I have a Goofy ? to ask you.


I will be at the Sheraton hotel (811 7th ave at 52 st) and am wondering what foods and or restaurants would you recommend that I check out and why.


I love to taste new foods and am open to all kinds.

and
yes, I would love to try the best of NYC's pizza, bagels, hotdogs, etc.....
as well as fancy sit down restaurants as well.


So please feel free to respond back as I slowly move this adventure one giant step forward.


Am looking at many an add-on for this, just am needing info (please) on food.



THANKS!!!





T.T.F.N.

[Lorelei Lee]

You keep asking about food and no one answers.

John's Pizza on West 44th. It's a sit down restaurant in an old church. Brick oven pizza. You have to buy a whole pie, they don't sell by the slice.

[knewton64]

Originally Posted by Lorelei Lee

You keep asking about food and no one answers.

John's Pizza on West 44th. It's a sit down restaurant in an old church. Brick oven pizza. You have to buy a whole pie, they don't sell by the slice.

YYEEAA!! thank you for the reply.



ANYWHO -


got tentatively set up for the 5th (my pre-day):

NYC (pm) pub crawl, OR sunset dinner/cruise & D letterman.



and
am of 6th:

4 hour food tour of NYC.


I have put in an email at the Sheraton on this as well.

Ok.....

back to my DCL Jan adventure!



More to come on my NYC adventure - I promise!!
** (I am part of a tour group Sept 6-10th)**


T.T.F.N

[knewton64]

Need help. Ok....I have sent am email to the hotel where I will be staying but they havent answered me back yet.


So, I thought I would reprint some of the email out to all of you in hopes there is a kind soul out there who knows some of ther answers to my Goofy questions so I can move my NYC adventure a little but forward.


Without further adieu, here is part of the email:



In relation to the Sheraton Hotel
811 7th ave at 52 st
ny, ny 10019
212-581-1000

I am wondering where/what are the names of the Spa retreats locations that you would recommend??


i am looking for like a sweedish massage, hot rocks on your back type up to 4 hours of pure relaxation on am of Sept 10th as I will be wrapping up a very long but fun very first trip into your state.


Also, how far away is the West, East Village, Hells Kitchen areas?? Approx how much for a round trip for a taxi from each location from the Sheraton Hotel (I am trying to set up some add on's for Sept 5th and Sept 10th).




Thanks!!





T.T.F.N.

[cornflake]

There are spas all over. Try NY Mag for spa recommends and reviews.

Hell's Kitchen isn't a cab ride, it's a like, 5 minute walk from there, prime Hell's Kitchen restaurant type area, which is what I assume you're looking for. The Village is a like... 15-minute train ride or half hour or much longer cab ride (which could cost from probably minimum... $15 to god only knows each way. If you were going back from the Village up to the Sheraton late at night it'd probably be cheaper, like $12-$15), depending on the time.

You'll have a *very* bad time catching a cab from that hotel from at the minimum like 4-6 every weekday and then later in the evening as well (getting a cab out of midtown at rush hour is not something you can count on being able to do at all). The traffic there is bad going downtown too - don't count on using cabs from there unless it's early or late, it'll just cause agita.

[RexIsaTurtle]

Originally Posted by Lorelei Lee

You keep asking about food and no one answers.

John's Pizza on West 44th. It's a sit down restaurant in an old church. Brick oven pizza. You have to buy a whole pie, they don't sell by the slice.

Decided to follow along on here! Can't wait to meet you next week.

Anyway, the John's on 44th doesn't hold anything to the one on Bleeker. Bleeker is the original and way better imo. Just as magnolia is better at Bleeker than at the uws local too. With that said, Johns is hands down some of the best pizza. (If you want to see a funny skit about new york pizza with some great recommendations watch this: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/we...th-crazy-broad)


Another fantastic Pizza place that you must try is Artichoke. Be adventurous and get the artichoke slice which, despite being green, is great. I've never met a single person who was willing to try it without a friend forcing them, but every single one became a fan for life afterwards. The original is on 14th street in the east village but there's no space to sit down and eat it there. The one in Chelsea is pretty much the same, only a little difference in quality, but is sit down and has a better beer selection.

As for bagels, there's a place about 2 blocks from the John's pizza on bleeker. Hands down best bagels I've ever had, and cheap! They have every kind from plain to french toast bagels, and more spreads than you can imagine. (they have Chedder and Bacon cream cheese!) Its across from a cute little park you can sit in to eat.

At the opposite corner of that park is a pasta place. No cards, cash only. (I'm 100% sure it's mafia owned) They have the greatest Sicilian pasta with immaculate service.

Since you said you wanted to see the east village too, my rec there is to go to Mud Cafe at 9th and 2nd. Though their food is fantastic I dont recommend eating there, just go and get a cup of coffee, maybe a cheese plate if they have it at the time. It's one of those rare places that found its niche market and was able to survive the village's gentrification.

Sorry to focus on the village, but you mentioned in the cruise forum that you wanted to visit three neighborhoods in particular. The best way to visit New York is to do exactly that. Pick a few neighborhoods you really want to experience and just walk around them. Get the feel for the atmosphere and the life there. There's always something more to see or do. I've lived south of 14th street for 21 years and yet everytime I go out for a random walk I find something new or some street I've never walked on.