New Yorkers: Please comment on my "budget" NYC itinerary **Updated Itinerary Post #77

[aprilgail2]

Regarding the camera:

You CAN bring your camera into the theater but cannot take photos while the show is on. I've taken photos of my daughter in the lobby next to the poster as well as inside the theater itself but not when the show is on.
ESB.

We have been yelled at in two different theaters for taking pictures before the show came on-they said no pictures in the theater at all, even before showtime! People in front of me in mama mia last month got told no pictures when they were taking a picture of themselves in the theater before the show started.

 

[GC&S]

Why? Is there anywhere else you cannot take photos? I know its a no-no in the theaters, but I can still have my camera with me right (to take photos outside the theater)?

I am guessing because we were in one of the chinese market places and they probably thought he was the health inspector . But seriously, I told him it was like if someone came into our grocery store and started taking pictures of the butcher at the meat counter - just probably seemed strange to the people in the Chinese market.

 

[Lewisc]

Itinerary is looking better. I'd at least think about taking the Harbor Lights cruise. You'll have to reverse your day if you want to do that.

Double check, my memory is Circle Line has a snack bar. Not great. Probably not cheap. Convenient. I don't think there is an issue if you bring a sandwich.

Bowling alley, unless we want to bowl, sounds like a waste.

You don't even have to walk halfway across the Brooklyn Bridge to take all the pictures you want.

 

[Sagginit]

one more note, if you are driving in and out and want some really beautiful pictures of the NYC skyline, you can get them from right outside the tunnel in NJ. my boyfriend, a new yorker, even takes pictures in my nieghborhood on beautiful days (if its rainy skip it, you will get a blur). this could be about a 20 minute detour but is totally worth it as you will never get that view from a bridge or anywhere in the city. this is completely free and would be a fun way to end it.

 

[kiki02]

Have a grat time. I lived inmanhattan for many years, never heard of your hotel.

ps you're doing a lot of chain type eateries , which you can do anywhere in the usa. imho, try to visit more independent cafes and restaurants as nyc still has a few, ... a dying breed, sadly.

Happy Spring!

I have been planning at family trip to NYC for this June; cast will most likely include myself, DS, DD and her Dboyfriend. I have been doing much research and checking out lots of information on TripAdvisor (I LOVE TripAdvisor!). After re-working a few things, I have an itinerary I'd love some natives from NYC to check out and comment on, if you have the time.

We are driving from Illinois and I currently have reservations (AAA)at the TRYP hotel which is on W. 34th Street and 9th Ave. (Watching for other bargains on TravelZoo). I know we will be paying $40/day to park with the hotel. I plan to get a subway pass. I also have already purchased tickets for the Lion King, so that activity is set without wiggle room.

My itinerary is below. I understand the Statue of Liberty is closed until July due to Sandy; can you tell me if she has also interfered with any of the locations below? My plan was also to get a CityPass; I know there are several types of passes, but this seemed the best for our plans. Some days may be switched due to weather. Are there any activities that should/shouldn't be done on the weekends vs. week days? Any comments on anything are welcome. Thanks!

*Friday 6/14:Arrive from Illinois around 7pm EST (how crazy will traffic be? This is the one thing that scares this mid-western girl!)
*Saturday: ToTR, Library, Grand Central Station (lunch), possibly a museum, Harbor Cruise
*Sunday: Chinatown, Scott's Pizza Tour, Little Italy, Improve at Upright Citizens Brigade at 7:30pm
* Monday: ESB, 9/11 Memorial/St. Paul's Chapel, Wall Street/Trinity Church, ESB after dark
*Tuesday: Central Park (picnic lunch from Zabar's Deli), Museum, Dylan's Candy Bar, Carmine's for dinner/The Lion King
*Wednesday: Intrepid Museum, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge/eat/walk around and back across the bridge
*Thursday: Drive home

I thought about possibly switching Saturday with Monday so we wouldn't have two later nights in a row (ESB after 10pm--City Pass--Monday night, then the Lion King on Tuesday night), also, would it be better to go to Wall Street and such on a weekend? I may try to get tickets to Jimmy Fallon, but my son will be 2 weeks shy of his 16th birthday so I am going to ask when I call if he will make the cut or not.

Thanks for any suggestions you can offer!

 

[Jridou]

Sunday looks food heavy.

Chinatown really isn't all that interesting after a block or 2. I'd add a Tenement Museum tour while you're down there, buy the tickets early, they sell out fast. Alternatively, the visitor center there shows an interesting (free) movie about like in the Lower East side in the 19th century.

 

[weewuvvdisney]

We are thinking of heading to NYC for a visit this summer. Not sure where to
start...

Does anyone have a good website where I can get a feel for NYC, what to do, where to go etc.

There seems to be so much to do but I would like to be able to see things and sort things out ....

Does such a website exist?

TIA,




Janna

 

[Soupermom]

weewuvvdisney--have you looked at tripadvisor? It is a very friendly and useful sight, just the like DIS.

kiki02--I thought I HAD picked restaurants that weren't chains...based on reviews and comments from TripAdvisor. Any suggestions?

 

[Forevryoung]

If you are looking for good Italian food near the Lion King I would head over to Trecolori (http://www.trattoriatrecolori.com/) its on 47th between Broadway and 8th. It's yummy, inexpensive (for NYC), large portions and I've never had a bad meal there.

I thought Carmine's was loud and salty.

 

[huhwhat]

SO many of the places you are going to eat at are tourist traps....the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Term is nice...make sure to have a drink at the apartment there too

 

[Lewisc]

http://becco-nyc.com/about-us/

is a another good choice.

They have a good a la carte menu. They also offer their special; choice of Caesars salad or antipasti followed by three different pasta dishes unlimited table side service.

Carmines features large portions, served family style. It doesn't work if your family can't agree on what to eat.

Neither Grand Central Station nor the Oyster Bar would make my list of things to do. Does anyone in your family have a "hobby" of visiting famous train stations?

 

[Soupermom]

My son has always loved trains and I really was just going to have a look. I heard there were many restaurants there, which is why I thought we could eat there. Any other meal suggestions for that day? We like ethnic restuarants, not salty, no need to worry about alcohol.

 

[huhwhat]

My son has always loved trains and I really was just going to have a look. I heard there were many restaurants there, which is why I thought we could eat there. Any other meal suggestions for that day? We like ethnic restuarants, not salty, no need to worry about alcohol.

there is a guided tour of Grand Central that is amazing.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Monday, June 17th
9/11 Museum, St. Paul’s Chapel (Stage Door Deli), Wall Street, Trinity Church, Jimmy Fallon?? (3:30), FREE evening?

Just a note, the 911 Museum has not yet opened. You can visit the Memorial.

I have been to NYC many times, and frankly, your itinerary does not appeal to me. Too many visits to uninteresting places (my opinion). I second the poster who recommended the Tenement Museum; this is really interesting and you can chose a number of different tours. And no Broadway show? Do you have a guidebook; it might be helpful to you.

 

[kiki02]

SO many of the places you are going to eat at are tourist traps....the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Term is nice...make sure to have a drink at the apartment there too

ita. try to see , eat, visit some small independently owned restaurants. If you want to see the tourst traps, have a drink maybe,,,

food isn't usually better at a chain restaurant, ime.

Have a great trip. pm me if / need any questions. Lived in manhattan FOR manyyyyy years.

 

[Jridou]

My son has always loved trains and I really was just going to have a look. I heard there were many restaurants there, which is why I thought we could eat there. Any other meal suggestions for that day? We like ethnic restuarants, not salty, no need to worry about alcohol.

If you like Ethnic restaurants then you should go to Korea town before the Empire State Building.

 

[Soupermom]

Just a note, the 911 Museum has not yet opened. You can visit the Memorial.

I have been to NYC many times, and frankly, your itinerary does not appeal to me. Too many visits to uninteresting places (my opinion). I second the poster who recommended the Tenement Museum; this is really interesting and you can chose a number of different tours. And no Broadway show? Do you have a guidebook; it might be helpful to you.

We are going to the Lion King, it's listed on the itinerary. The museums are kind of an optional fill-in as needed. We have been to many museums in DC and Chicago, so I just listed them as an option. I do have a Frommers Guidebook that has been very helpful, along with the DIS and TripAdvisors. What other suggestions to you have for things to do/see? Thanks!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Aside from the Stage deli I'd eat at all your choices (I'd go to Katz's or the Second Avenue Deli instead).

I always see tourists in Grand Central. If you know what you are looking at, it's actually pretty interesting. I'm guessing your guidebook has a self guided tour with the highlights. There's a bunch of places to eat downstairs if you are looking for someplace inexpensive, there is Hale and Hearty Soup, Juniors, etc..

If you like Ethnic restaurants there are lots of great Indian, Ethiopean, Turkish, etc. places to choose from. Like the pp said Koreatown is good and around the corner from the Empire State Building. It's fun to cook the food on the table.

 

[Sagginit]

We are going to the Lion King, it's listed on the itinerary. The museums are kind of an optional fill-in as needed. We have been to many museums in DC and Chicago, so I just listed them as an option. I do have a Frommers Guidebook that has been very helpful, along with the DIS and TripAdvisors. What other suggestions to you have for things to do/see? Thanks!

i dont see the village anywhere on your list. i love it there. there are tons of great places to eat (non chain restaurants) and lots of small shops. if you got here i recommend for a snack : http://www.yelp.com/biz/café-angelique-new-york-4#query:hot chocolate

i have yet to make it here but people i know with children frequently rave about this place as being fun and good food for all ages: http://www.smacnyc.com/

im glad you are going into brooklyn. i am almost embarrassed to admit that until the last year i had only been to the other boroughs by car just for things like the bronx zoo. i went to willamsburg two weeks ago and had some great turkish food and took a nice long walk.

oh and another thing is there are some really awesome food trucks these days. i work in midtown and you always find them out for lunch rush. so if you plan on being in that are you may want to have a restaurant as a just in case but search for some trucks. for ex in my area i see a fancy waffle truck, korean bbq truck, lebanese food truck, and sometimes there is a fancy burger truck (they feature different meats every day).

 

[huhwhat]

you should check out Johns on 12th St and The Redhead on East 13th