New York City experts

[Beast2Prince]

My wife and I are looking to take a weeks vacation to NYC and I have a couple of questions.

1) What's a good budget hotel in midtown Manhattan?
2) What are the absolute must do's?

We will be there Monday-Friday and will be spending one night at a Mets game and another at a Broadway show. What else should we do.

Thanks for all advise and info.

 

[Michelemouse]

There's a nice Red Roof Inn down by the Empire State Building. It usually runs about $100 a night and is clean and safe.

As for must do's...

Empire State Building
Statue of Liberty
Times Square
Broadway show (you can get same-day, 1/2 price tickets at
the TKTS booth which is right in the middle of Broadway at
43rd street.)
Rockefeller Center
Central Park (can also do Metropolitan Museum of Art while
you are up there)
Macy's
Chinatown
St. Patrick's Cathedral
5th Avenue

I'm sure other DISers will add other favorite things but thats a start.

Have fun!

 

[Aristocath]

I suggest staying at the Hotel Edison on 47th, between Broadway and 8th. The location is great- Times Square, large subway station- and the rates are excellent for the area. We stayed there the week before Thanksgiving at a rate of $145/night. Depending on when you are going, if there is a certain Broadway show you really want to see, look for discounts through playbill.com or thatermania.com. Not all shows are available at TKTS for all performances. Have a great trip.

Cathy

 

[Beast2Prince]

Thanks to the both of you! I looked at the RR Inn, as well as the Comfort Inn Midtown. I'm just looking to be in the middle of everything without spending an arm and a leg. How many people go to NYC to spend a bunch of time in their hotel room? I know we won't. But we also don't want some run down place either.

We plan on seeing either Beauty and the Beast or The Lion King. Are those shows avaiable at the TKTS booth? If so, do those shows sell out during the week? And lastly, how good are the seats if you get them through the TKTS booth?


Thanks again!

 

[Big Dude]

When I go into New York to catch a game or a show, I usually stay Here.

It is clean, comfortable and very close to many attractions. It is located right across the street from Madison Square Garden. Sometimes I book right with the hotel and sometimes through Hotels.com. Normally, I pay anywhere from $99.00 to $119.00 per night. Hope this helps.

Adam aka Big Dude

 

[Griggle]

Not sure what time of year you're going, but keep in mind that there are also all kinds of festivals going on....

Don't forget downtown:
Union Square
SouthStreet Seaport
SoHo / Bleeker Street
Little Italy

Walk up 5th Ave and hit:
Trump Tower
The Disney Store
Nike Town
FAO (assuming it's still there) then
Finish off with a horse and carriage ride through Central Park

Go to Rockerfeller Center and say HI to Matt, Katie and Al!!

If you're into window shopping There's also Tourneau Corner, Tiffany's and Cartier!


If you can - a should do in Little Italy is a resturant on Mulberry street called Puglia's. While you don't necesarrily go there for the food, you do go there for the entertainment value...you're not eating...you're an audience - and audience participation is not "Highly suggested" - it's REQUIRED! If you have a good crowd in there - it is truely a fun time.

 

[jel0511]

We plan on seeing either Beauty and the Beast or The Lion King. Are those shows avaiable at the TKTS booth? If so, do those shows sell out during the week? And lastly, how good are the seats if you get them through the TKTS booth?

Unforunately, they usually aren't available at the TKTS booth. These two shows are usually sold out for every performance (they run at 95% - 100% sellout for every show). Since they usually sell-out, they don't have any tickets left to give to the TKTS booth. The TKTS booth benefits the Broadway Artists Fund (that's probably not the proper name), it's a charity. The shows give any unsold tickets the day of the performance to the fund, and the tickets are then sold at half price, with proceeds going to the fund. If a particular show is sold out, there are no tickets to give. If there are any tickets that are given, for other shows, they usually are up in the upper balcony, HIGH up, and sometimes with obstructed views. Once, I bought tickets there for Crazy For You, and we were stuck behind a pole, about 2 rows from the back of the upper balcony. I had to lean to the side to see the whole show, but there really isn't a bad seat, you're just far away. If you really want to see those shows, I'd suggest buying tickets before you leave home. For popular shows like Lion King or Beauty and the Beast, there is no guarantee that tickets will be available, especially for an evening performance.

 

[LJC1861]

For good deals on discount tickets try www. HitShowClub.com. They have lots of good deals including Beauty and the Beast. While I like the TKTS booth for the spontaniety of it all I do not recommend it if you want a particular show. The other factor to consider here is time. In order to get good seats through TKTS and they do have some, you need to get in line EARLY!!!! For matinee shows when the line opens at 10 am, I get in line no later than 8 am. For evening shows when the line opens at 3 pm I recommend getting in line at 1 pm. By doing this you can often snag a decent orchestra seat but do you want to give up a few hours of your vacation to do it? Bottom line here, with a little research you can get the tickets of your choice to a great show at a discounted rate without standing on a long cold line for a few hours.

Another great location for good food here in NYC is the West Village. There are great restaurants on every corner with evey kind of cuisine imaginable. Come down to where the tourists rarely go and where the locals know to eat! If you want some particular recomendations, let me know.

Linda

 

[Kimberle]

You've gotten lots of good advice.

BTW, I have gotten really good seats from TKTS booth (like 6th row center). The popular shows are now going to be there. If you buy tickets in advance, aim for Tue/Wed/Thurs night. They are kind of "off peak" and you'll probably get better seats.

I took my family on the backstage tour of Radio City. They really enjoyed it. It's a nice tour. Tickets in advance. (www.radiocity.com).

I find that it's better to grab a bit at a coffee type shop rather than "hit" McDonalds, etc. You can generally get a meal for not much more if not less. (The fast food joints really jack up the prices in mid-town.) Look in the cross streets, they are usually just a bit off the beaten track. Most resturants have menu's posted. My dd & I got a nice Italian meal for around $20 (can't remember the name.)

Do you like cheesecake? Then you must go to Junior's (Brooklyn is their "home", but they have a shop in Grand Central. It is the BEST cheesecake you've ever eaten!! (When you go in GCT, look in the main lobby, you'll see the information booth. Look to the sides, there are staircases that will take you down 1 level to the "food court".

Do you have a young girl in your life (dd/granddd, niece, etc)? If so, there is a brand new American Girl Doll store that just opened. It's just down from Saks on 5th avenue. My 4.5 yo dd was in HEAVEN when I took her there. Bring back a souvineer from here & you'll be "king" for sure!

Enjoy!!!

 

[Arabella Figg 2003]

Originally posted by jel0511
Unforunately, they usually aren't available at the TKTS booth. These two shows are usually sold out for every performance (they run at 95% - 100% sellout for every show). Since they usually sell-out, they don't have any tickets left to give to the TKTS booth. The TKTS booth benefits the Broadway Artists Fund (that's probably not the proper name), it's a charity. The shows give any unsold tickets the day of the performance to the fund, and the tickets are then sold at half price, with proceeds going to the fund. If a particular show is sold out, there are no tickets to give. If there are any tickets that are given, for other shows, they usually are up in the upper balcony, HIGH up, and sometimes with obstructed views. Once, I bought tickets there for Crazy For You, and we were stuck behind a pole, about 2 rows from the back of the upper balcony. I had to lean to the side to see the whole show, but there really isn't a bad seat, you're just far away. If you really want to see those shows, I'd suggest buying tickets before you leave home. For popular shows like Lion King or Beauty and the Beast, there is no guarantee that tickets will be available, especially for an evening performance.

I've seen B&TB offered at the TKTS booth during the summer of 2003. I've also seen "two-fers" at the McDonald's on Broadway for that show. The show's been running forever and only attracts a tourist crowd these days. Lion King, on the other hand, is not running any discounts as far as I know, but tickets have become more available now that the show's been running awhile.

 

[Arabella Figg 2003]

I also like the Hershey Store in Times Square. You can get all kinds of Hershey products, including items that may not be readily available in your supermarket.

 

[snoopy]

If you can - a should do in Little Italy is a resturant on Mulberry street called Puglia's. While you don't necesarrily go there for the food, you do go there for the entertainment value...you're not eating...you're an audience - and audience participation is not "Highly suggested" - it's REQUIRED! If you have a good crowd in there - it is truely a fun time.

Hmmm, this is intriquing. I'm fairly familiar with NYC, but I'm not familiar with this restaurant. More details, please.

I can also say without question that Juniors in Grand Central does have amazing cheesecake. I was just there two weeks ago on a business trip and we had cheesecake there after having dinner at the Oyster Bar, also in Grand Central. Yum! Get the kid size serving though!

 

[dbond]

My daughter and I are going to NYC for a long weekend in January. We signed up to recieve the NY Times.com Ticket Watch emails and got a great discount on Thoroughly Modern Millie. We're also seeing Hairspray. Funny you should mention the Comfort Inn Midtown, that's where we'll be. I thought the price was great and it has a free daily continental breakfast. Free Food in NYC, you can't beat that!

Be sure and take the subway to Shea, it's a breeze, we took the whole family out there last summer for a Mets game. Sorry I don't remember the exact lines we took, but the attendants in the ticket booths were very helpful telling us where to switch trains. It was a blast, and the long subway ride in the tunnel was so cool.

My DH took me to the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Plaza one trip for dinner. At the time, they had an early theater prix fix menu that seemed somewhat reasonable. If you stay past a certain time you pay an extra charge for the floor show & dancing, so go early and it's not sooooo expensive. It was a beautiful place, with a gorgeous view. Some may think it is kinda touristy, but still elegant and romantic.

 

[Big Dude]

Originally posted by dbond
Be sure and take the subway to Shea, it's a breeze, we took the whole family out there last summer for a Mets game. Sorry I don't remember the exact lines we took, but the attendants in the ticket booths were very helpful telling us where to switch trains. It was a blast, and the long subway ride in the tunnel was so cool.

If you get on at Times Square, 5th Avenue or Grand Central Station, it will be the #7 IRT Flushing Line Subway. If you start at Penn Station, take the #2 to Grand Central Station then the #7 out to Shea.

Adam aka Big Dude

 

[Mary Anne]

The # 2 does not run to Grand Central Station; That is a West Side Train you need the 4, 5, or 6 to get to Grand Central.

Also the Met Schedule is not out yet, you'll need to wait till around the 15th of January to see when they'll be playing at home this year and then pick your week.

 

[Griggle]

Hmmm, this is intriquing. I'm fairly familiar with NYC, but I'm not familiar with this restaurant. More details, please.

Puglia


A visit here is one of our Holiday Traditions - with this place the more the merrier is an understatement.

 

[Beast2Prince]

You all rock! I knew I would get some great advise here.

Our plan is to go the week before Memorial Day. I've seen another team's tentative schedule that shows them at the Mets that Tuesday and Wednesday.

It sounds like there's more to do than 1 week will allow, which means a return trip! We'll probably hit the hot spots this trip, and then go back if there's anything we missed that we'd like to see.

Can anyone tell me how safe the subways are at night? If the game's at night, we may end up taking a cab.

dbond, maybe you can let me know how the Comfort Inn Midtown is when you get back.

Keep the advise coming, it's a big help!

 

[Mary Anne]

I would not think twice about taking the # 7 back into the city after the game. It will be full of people from the game and you'll be more then safe. Depending though where you are staying, you might get off at Grand Cental and then take taxi back to your hotel. Not knowing where you're going on the system, late at night I'd take the taxi. Personally, I'd also pick a hotel on the East side, in the 30's and 40's but that is just my opinion.

I forgot that some teams do have a schedule out already so you're probably OK with your plans to see the Mets at that time. I'm sure the dates are fine, the times may be subject to change.

 

[WilliamsMom]

I was just there for the Macy's Thanksgiving parade with grandstand seats! We live in CT and go into the city when we can.

Radio City's Christmas show is a must see. The living nativity scene at the end is really wonderful and of course the Rockettes are spectacular.

As for a great lunch place try Carnegies Deli. They have HUGE sandwiches and the best cheesecake. You can even order a cheesecake and have it sent to your home.

I've heard the Lion King is wonderful.