New York City on a Budget info

[maggiew]

DH just found out that he needs to go to New York City Aug. 30 - Sept. 2 for work. I am going to go with him We have never been to New York.

I read some of the other New York threads that have been on this board and got a sort of game plan. I wanted some advice.

We are staying at the Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Fifth Avenue. The other option DH's work provided was Fairfield Hotel Manhattan/Chelsea. But the website said it didn't open until Sept 2010?? So I picked the other. But DH asked the travel person at his work and she said that the Chelsea one was available. So if that is a better location, I can switch.

DH has to work during the day on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9 - 5. So this is what I was thinking for at night:

Night 1: NYC Harbor Lights cruise
Night 2: Broadway Show. I'm leaning towards La Cage Aux Folles at the Longacre theater because I love the movie (original and robin williams version). But if this theater is not great or whatever, I can do something else. I'd like to do the Nathan Lane show, but I think that would be a little expensive.
Night 3: Grey Line Night tour

The Grey Line offers a 48 hour hop on hop off pass for $10 more than just the cost of the Grey Line Night tour. I was thinking maybe of getting that upgrade for just myself to do something during the day? Would it be safe for me to do the double decker tours by myself during the day? Should I just stay on the bus and not hop on hop off?

I was thinking for dinner of the following options:
Night 1: Otto Pizzeria (Mario Batali)
Night 2: Bar Americain (Bobby Flay) or Mesa Grill
Night 3: Becco (Lydia)

I am a TV chef fan, thus the choices above. Would we need reservations for any of these? DH isn't sure if maybe the work people will have a get together dinner at night or not? So I don't want to have reservations that we can't keep.

Also, I haven't worked out the timing and location of dinner vs. tours/shows. I will work that out. May have to switch nights of the restaurant or even give them up all together depending on timing of tours/show.

Any advice is welcome.

Maggie

 

[java]

1. Yes make reservations. Becco (our favorite) is one that has gotten crazy popular(dh says because I keep telling people to go) so I would make one for there as well as Mesa Grill.

They just extended Restaurant week and Mesa is on the list here's some info on that- great deals with those menus. lunch $24 dinner $35 for a 3 course meal!!
http://www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek

I wouldn't worry so much about those tour buses. And I surely wouldn't do 2 of them. I prefer just walking around.

We had a GREAT weekend there last weekend. Bathazar is a great place to have breakfast in Soho- it's a big time NY place.

Budget meal- Joe's Shanghai in Chinatown. DELICIOUS! (communal seating and nothing fancy) but YUMMY food. On Pell street in chinatown.

Personally I would stick with the 5th avenue one- you will have more to do during the day- museums are all within walking distance. Chelsea is really getting some nice hotels though, I wanted to stay at Fashion 26 but since it was just dd and I, I was leary about staying in that area at night. Not that it's bad- just that it's very quiet.

Have a great time!

 

[minie_meese]

I feel very safe walking around Manhattan by myself.

I wouldn't bother with the bus on and off. Buses move too slow in NY especially in midtown. If find the subway pretty easy to use as long as you stay in Manhattan. The subway moves lots faster than buses. I'd also plan to walk a lot so bring good walking shoes. If you are TV chef fan you might want to go over to Chelsea Market 9th Ave and West 16th St. The Food Network tapes there. I don't think you can get into the studios but I love the shops there. There are some great bakeries are some nice restaurants. Fat Witch Bakery is also there - love their brownies.

I think the Fairfield Fifth Ave is pretty close to Bryant Park - a great place to just walk around and people watch.

I love the Top of the Rock - great views of the city - much better than Empire State Bldg. The roof of the Metropolitan Museum of Art is great too. We go there sometimes even if we're not going to the museum. Drinks are expensive but they often have some amazing modern art on the roof.

Have a great time!

 

[maggiew]

Is there anything to do in the Empire State Building besides the observation deck? If we do Top of the Rock, we wouldn't need to do the Empire State Building, correct?

Maggie

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I have only had brunch at Bar Americain, but it was outrageously amazing. Make reservations.

I agree with java about Joe's Shanghai, too.

La Cage is a wonderful show, and this is a wonderful production. Go to broadwaybox.com and get a discount code, and order tickets online.

Top of the Rock is better than Empire State Building, for sure. You could also get drinks at the Rainbow Room, which is more fun than either of those. (However, budget serious dough for drinks there).

 

[maggiew]

Is there a place at Ellis Island that you can research your ancestors? Is there a database or something? I'm pretty sure my grandfather and grandmother came through there.

Maggie

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Is there a place at Ellis Island that you can research your ancestors? Is there a database or something? I'm pretty sure my grandfather and grandmother came through there.

Maggie

You can actually do that online here, but there are probably computers at Ellis Island with the same info.

Ellis Island is pretty awesome, but it's a trip, and takes up a chunk of the day.

 

[Anthony1971]

I would stick with 5th ave
Chelsea is still somewhat of an up and coming area. some parts are nice others not so nice.. in other words on the other side of 10th ave going towards 9th there are Projects, parks where some residents go a huge post office sorting facility and other nice things. Not saying it is a bad area as it is not just by far not 5th ave and that NY feeling and there is no close trains like on 5th.
also the food around Chelsea is not so good and very pricey for what it is--in other words better off paying those prices with a view and same nothing to rave about food.
Now if it were me I would stay at Chelsea as I work in NYC and want to be away from it all so to speak

 

[Anthony1971]

Oh the bus tours you can book them day of all along 7th ave i have seen them form 42st-50st selling the tickets and you can probably haggle to get it cheaper as sometimes there are multiple lines on one corner.
Do not buy any comedy tickets you will see what I mean and be careful of people with CD's they will ask your name and wright it on the CD and demand you pay for it..... if this does happen give them the and walk away without paying them anything.

 

[maggiew]

Has anyone been to see The Addams Family in the Lunt Fontanne Theater? Broadwaybox has $86.50 seats. Would it be better to sit in the front 3 rows but to the side OR in the center orchestra toward the back of the orchestra?
There are also $60 tickets in the very back row of the second mezzanine.

Thanks,
Maggie

 

[Kitzka]

Has anyone been to see The Addams Family in the Lunt Fontanne Theater? Broadwaybox has $86.50 seats. Would it be better to sit in the front 3 rows but to the side OR in the center orchestra toward the back of the orchestra?
There are also $60 tickets in the very back row of the second mezzanine.

Thanks,
Maggie

I saw Beauty and the Beast in this theater. the stage is very high so you want to be a little more back. If the cost is the same I say go with the Center orch seats.

I haven't sat in the back but i think it's worth the $20 to sit closer.

Since your husband will be working days-what are you going to do while he is working? maybe check out one of the shows yourself? You also mention Lax Cage. GO SEE THIS. It's so so so good. Kelsey Grammer is wonderful as is the rest of the cast.

No one mentioned anything about Otto. I eat there all the time and i LOVE it. I like Becco but it's getting to be crowded. I like both Bobby Flay resturants but prefer Mesa Grill. Maybe hit Bar American for lunch?

you are going to be in the city at a great time.

have fun!

Lara

 

[maggiew]

I saw Beauty and the Beast in this theater. the stage is very high so you want to be a little more back. If the cost is the same I say go with the Center orch seats.

I haven't sat in the back but i think it's worth the $20 to sit closer.

Since your husband will be working days-what are you going to do while he is working? maybe check out one of the shows yourself? You also mention Lax Cage. GO SEE THIS. It's so so so good. Kelsey Grammer is wonderful as is the rest of the cast.

No one mentioned anything about Otto. I eat there all the time and i LOVE it. I like Becco but it's getting to be crowded. I like both Bobby Flay resturants but prefer Mesa Grill. Maybe hit Bar American for lunch?

you are going to be in the city at a great time.

have fun!

Lara

Wow! I forgot Kelsey Grammar was in La Cage! I remember hearing about it when it was announced, but that was long ago!!! Maybe we will have to see both La Cage and The Addams Family. I read that the plots were basically the same! We can make a comparison??

During the day while my DH is working, I was thinking of doing the hop on hop off bus tour. I figure it will be the easiest way to see things by myself???

I think I am definitely going to do the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour (I think $15) because I DID find my grandfather on the Ellis Island website that roomthreeseventeen posted!! They have the ships manifest, picture of the ship and his passenger record!

I also plan to go see the Soup Nazi restaurant and Monk's diner (Seinfeld). I see that they are easily reached while on the bus tour.

DH had to go to Paris last summer for work and I tagged along then too. I toured all over the city by myself during the day. So, I have a little experience.

Maggie

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

The Seinfeld diner is also not that far from the northern strip of Central Park, which is absolutely beautiful to walk.

 

[lindsey]

I enjoyed just walking. I agree Top of the Rock. You can also take a tour of the NBC studios. I agree Bryant Park. It's a great place to grab a chair and people watch, or read a book. Go to Macy's and browse. Make sure to use the escalators and go all the way to the top. MOMA was interesting. Central Park is another option.

btw.. I toured Paris by myself last year too. Lots of walking there also.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

We usually walk, walk, walk when we are there. I so love just strolling through Central Park, Strawberry fields etc. Outside of the park, in Columbus Circle is an Unique yogurt shop called Pinkberry. Very, very good. It should still be warm when you go and this is a nice treat. (I am assuming you would do these when DH is at work)

RE: tickets. Any tickets I have purchased have been wonderful through broadwaybox.com. Can't comment on the shows you are going to see, just make sure your seats are not partially obstructed.

As for restaurants, we love Mario Batali's Otto. They have a cheese platter that you can customize that is too die for. Ask for extra cherries, because you will wish you had. (They are sooo good). And if in season the Meyer Lemon Gelato is heavenly and so is the mandarin orange. The chocolate sauce was a great combinations with the creme fraiche and vanilla. Okay we used the chocolate on all the flavors. Enjoy your trip.

 

[gk90]

Wow! I forgot Kelsey Grammar was in La Cage! I remember hearing about it when it was announced, but that was long ago!!! Maybe we will have to see both La Cage and The Addams Family. I read that the plots were basically the same! We can make a comparison??

During the day while my DH is working, I was thinking of doing the hop on hop off bus tour. I figure it will be the easiest way to see things by myself???

I think I am definitely going to do the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour (I think $15) because I DID find my grandfather on the Ellis Island website that roomthreeseventeen posted!! They have the ships manifest, picture of the ship and his passenger record!

I also plan to go see the Soup Nazi restaurant and Monk's diner (Seinfeld). I see that they are easily reached while on the bus tour.

DH had to go to Paris last summer for work and I tagged along then too. I toured all over the city by myself during the day. So, I have a little experience.

Maggie

Ellis Island is one of the best attractions in the NY area especially if you have a family connection--it does take a big chunk out of your day but it's something you can't do anywhere else in the world, unlike shows and restaurants, so if you're interested then definitely go for it. I've been told the ice cream at Ellis Island is great but haven't had it myself.
Here's a good Statue of Liberty link including a video tour of the head and crown from the inside
http://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm, the crown access tour is great if you don't mind the climb but right now they're sold out online until mid-September.

 

[maggiew]

What is the dress code for the shows? Specifically La Cage and Addams Family. We are heading to New York straight from our Disney trip, so I need to know what to pack.

I plan to bring khakis/polo for DH and sun dresses for me for our signature dinners at Disney. Will those be ok for the New York shows (evening) or do I need to bring something more fancy?

Maggie

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

What is the dress code for the shows? Specifically La Cage and Addams Family. We are heading to New York straight from our Disney trip, so I need to know what to pack.

I plan to bring khakis/polo for DH and sun dresses for me for our signature dinners at Disney. Will those be ok for the New York shows (evening) or do I need to bring something more fancy?

Maggie

That's more than okay. You'll see everything from fancy dresses and suits (unnecessary) to flip flops and shorts (not at all OK). Whatever you'd wear to Yachtsman would be perfectly appropriate. Keep in mind the theatres are sometimes over aircconditioned, and you might want to bring a sweater if you get cold easily.

 

[sharbear]

If you have time go to the Metropolitan Museum. It is so wonderful. It has so many great things. They have rooms that came from a French house, it is so interesting. They have a great Egypt exhibit and the costume exhibit which sounds so neat.

We went in the spring and saw King Tut. We loved it. We ate at Junior's for lunch. It was good and not too expensive.

 

[Bren's Mom]

NYC is so much fun!

First, do not be concerned at all about enjoying the city alone during the day. It's very safe. Be smart, of course, don't carry an open purse or be dripping in diamonds...but other than that there's no need to worry any more than if you went to your local mall. I travel in an out of the city alone by train, sometimes with my 4 year old, have done this for years and have never had a problem.

I'd say that the location of the hotel (for me) would depend on two things: the reviews of the hotels themselves and how close each is to where my dh would be working. Since he will have limited time in the evening, choose the one closest to where he'll be.

If you're a TV chef fan, be SURE to get to the Chelsea Market. It's fun to walk around, and the Food Network studios are there...you never know who you might see!

South Street Seaport would be a nice place for you to walk around, enjoy nice weather, shop and have lunch alone during the day.

Take the (free!) ferry to Staten Island and see the Statue of Liberty.

Rockefeller Plaza, 5th Ave, St Patrick's Cathedral...that area is lovely to walk around. You'll find some street vendors to pick up your 'pashminas' and get a pretzel.

As for shows, if your dh is working until 5pm you will not likely be able to make a show if you try to eat dinner in between unless maybe you meet him at the restaurant and he heads there right from his work location.