NYC - first time visiting...help us plan our trip

[dtuleya]

DH and I will be going to NYC to celebrate our 15th anniversary in mid September. We'll be taking the train up Friday evening and checking into the Hilton Towers (convention center) near Times Square and checking out Sunday morning.

We'd like to get in line and get tickets to a show on Saturday morning at the booth in Times Square. What time should we get in line and how much can we expect to pay? I'm totally clueless when it comes to NYC since it's been over 20 years since I've been there.

We'd like to see a show, what do you recommend?

We'd also like some restaurant recommendations. Nothing high end or fancy and it doesn't have to be the traditional tourist places. We love steaks, chicken, Italian and casual fare. We probably will save all the tourist attractions for later next year when we take the boys on a weekend visit. We just want to enjoy Times Sqare and have a lesiurely weekend.

Thanks in advance for advice.

 

[adamak]

http://timessquare.nyctourist.com/broadway_tkts.asp

This should give you some idea on when to wait in line. For the nightly 8 pm show, I believe they only release the ticket around 2pm. So getting there early doesn't necessarily help. Just plan accordingly. TKT sells the tickets 25% to 50% off the highest price (normally). I haven't seen them discount the cheaper tickets. So if you have any show in mind, go to their official website, and take 25% off the orchestra seats. That should be the highest amount you'll pay from TKT... most likely less.

42nd Street is pretty good show and easy to get tickets. Of course Lion King is my all time fav, but tickets are very hard to come by these days.

If you love steak, go to Smith and Wollensky (49th street / third ave). It's not touristy, you can take a short cab ride from Time Sq. If you want Italian, go to Little Italy, or pretty much any Italian restaurants. Can't go wrong. Other than that, I would suggest staying away from Time Sq, because they overcharge and food is not so great.

If you're staying in the Hilton on Ave of America, you're directly across from China Grill, which is inside the CBS building. This is one of the best restaurant in town. (No tourist normally). It's Asian fushion food, and it's family style. Try it if you can.

Hope this help, and enjoy!!!

 

[*Flower*]

Try this........ http://www.carnegiedeli.com/

We'll try to get there on our next trip on Labor Day.

Also, this one intrigued us too: http://www.bbqnyc.com/

We're currently doing Atkins, and are looking for low carb items to survive on while we're hitting the shows.

We're also contemplating Shula's- they're open for all meals because they're in a hotel.... but are kind of pricey.

For Italian, try: http://www.carminesnyc.com/
Good Italian food, served "family" style.

And (of course) our favorite (we'll probably hit here a couple of times on our trip) : http://www.nohostar.com/

Let me know if you need anymore help!!!

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

another choice is Ellen's Stardust Diner on 51st st. or try Ollie's Noodle Shop of John's Pizza on 44th.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

Second vote for Ellens...

Carmines on 44th - awesome Italian family style

If you want to buy tickets in advance, you can sometimes find good discount codes at www.broadwaybox.com and buy tickets through ticketmaster using the code. You have better luck on weekday performances, but can sometimes score weekend shows (Sat mat and evenings are tough) . Rent has had some good availability using the discoutns lately, as have Cabaret and 42nd St.

Whatever you do, you'll have a great time.

 

[Kallison]

TKTS booth does not take credit -- only cash so be prepared. Also be prepared to make a quick decision when you get to the window, those guys are not patient. I've never tried this but my friend who is an actress says right before show time they have seats that may be available called "director's seats" and they are usually right up front so you could try that I guess.

Do a search for "Restaurant Row" lots of dinners specials for Broadway goers.

I LOVE Met Musuem of Art and walking around Central Park. If you like the Beatles we also have to make a pilgrimage to the Imagine memorial and go see the Dakota.

Have fun New York is awesome.

 

[Megan's Mom]

For casual fare we enjoyed the ESPN zone there at Times Square. But we don't have one around here so it was new for us. One thing we learned was to wear really good walking shoes. I don't think we walked as much as WDW as we did in NYC. Those are the longest blocks I have ever seen in my life. Have a good time.

 

[FunkyRooster]

I just took my best friend around NYC and his favorite place was Times Square.

If you want to get tickets from the booth, get there a few hours before the show. We arrived at around 11:00am on Sunday and wanted to see Cabaret. We waited for about an hour or so and the tickets came to $37 each. 42nd street was about $50...Make sure you have cash because no credit. There are boards up to tell you what shows are playing and at what time. Our seats were pretty good considering they were last minute and the show was really good. Jon Secada is in it and the father from Happy Days is too.

A really fun place to eat is Jekyll and Hyde although they get you by having to pay $2 per person for the "entertainment". The Carnegie deli was a great experience also. We saw it right after the show and it wasn't too busy. Beware of the long lines and the huge sandwiches.

Have fun and bring good walking shoes...you can see so much more of the city if you walk everywhere like we did.

 

[LJC1861]

I am a bit of a theater snob and like to sit in the orchestra or front mezzanine and still not pay full price. To get these tickets I think getting on the TKTS line early is the only way to go. for matinee shows I often get in line as early as 8 a.m. grab a large cup of coffee and bring a book or someone to stand in line with and just wait it out. I have gotten some great seats for my patience.

As another poster mentioned..tickets for the evening show do not go on sale until 3 p.m. If it is a day that there are matinees this can create some problems as you have people buying for the afternoon show in line with people buying for the afternoon. Here is what I do. I arrive at approximately 1:30 and get in line. I keep my ears open for what people around me are buying for. As I approach the front of the line, but not too close I start letting people buying for the afternoon go around me. I retain my place in line so that when the evening line opens I am right near the front. I know this sounds a bit extremem and if you are visiting NYC and maximizing your time you may not want to do this, but for good seats any time you do need to get in line early.

A show I highly recommend is Big river..the story of Huckleberry finn. It is produced by the roundabout theater company in conjunction with Deaf Theater West and is performed in both english and American Sign Language. After a few minutes you forget they are even signing. It is SO beautiful!

For more theater discounts check out www.HitShowClub.com

Have fun in NYC it is a great place to visit!

Linda

 

[RickinNYC]

Hey there! I was going to respond but after having read all the above posts, you can't go wrong with their recommendations.

If, however, you have any other questions about any locations in the city, then send me a private message or email. I'd be glad to help out.

And FYI, the subways are not nearly as daunting or scary as you might think. If you need directions to get somewhere, let me know and I'll give you the info!!

And welcome to NYC (when you get here of course)!

 

[dtuleya]

Thanks so much for all the advice.

RickinNYC - Thanks for the offer. I'll probably PM you closer to the time we go. We actually have become pretty good at getting around on the DC subways. If NYC's system is anything like DC's we should have no problem.

 

[RickinNYC]

Originally posted by dtuleya
Thanks so much for all the advice.

RickinNYC - Thanks for the offer. I'll probably PM you closer to the time we go. We actually have become pretty good at getting around on the DC subways. If NYC's system is anything like DC's we should have no problem.

The NYC subways are actually not anything like the DC system. The DC system is pretty straightforward and much nicer by far. But rest assured, I won't get you lost! I'm not a native New Yorker (former military brat, so I consider Orange Park, FL home) but I was able to manage pretty quickly. And after living in NYC for the past 14 years, I like to think I'm on old pro.

I'll look out for your PM when the date gets closer. Ask away!