NYC tourist help

[ChrisAlli]

Some girl friends and I are planning a day trip to NYC. Usually we do the normal stuff of Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Broadway that area. We just walk all this from Penn Station where we arrive.

So this time we're thinking of mixing it up a bit and exploring China Town. However we've never used the subway system. Should we just take a cab? Is the subway system easy to understand....

Any good places to eat? Is the neighboorhood easy to navigate? Is it even worth going to and is it safe?

Sorry so many questions, like I said not our regular day trip

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

I've only been to NYC once, so I'm far from an expert. My DH & I went last summer. We found the subway system easy, clean, and safe. I used hopstop.com to plan my routes before leaving home. It even gives you pictures of what it will look like when you come up from the subway & what direction you need to go. That was very comforting for me - a southern girl going to the big city

We only drove through Chinatown, but that was p-l-e-n-t-y for me. What we did that we thoroughly enjoyed was a food & culture tour of Greenwich Village. It lasted about 3 hours. We learned a lot of history, pop culture, and sampled foods at several restaurants and specialty shops. After the tour was over, we went back to eat more and make purchases at our favorite places. I booked our tour through foods of ny.

We also loved just walking up 5th Avenue. We stopped in some stores, went inside St. Patrick's Cathedral, and then continued up into Central Park.

We loved NYC and hope to go back & take the kids before too long. Enjoy your trip!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Hi. The subway will be easy to catch from Penn Station. I would maybe walk around Chinatown for lunch and then head to Little Italy for dessert.

A good option in Chinatown is Joe's Shanghai. I know it may seem a little touristy, but even my friend who grew up in and lives in Chinatown goes there.

http://www.joeshanghairestaurants.com/

Have fun!

 

[ChrisAlli]

Is it easy enough to walk between china town and little italy, on a map it looks close.

 

[ShesAPirate]

Well, as a native New Yorker (who now lives on the other side of the river), I have to say that I find Chinatown ridiculously overcrowded, and really filthy. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone visiting my hometown, to be honest. I'd much sooner recommend Little Italy, or Soho/Tribeca area. As for me, I'm more of an Upper West Side girl (but not in my wallet, unfortunately ). I love the museums and the park. All depends on what you're looking to do. Have a great time either way!

*Just noticed you asked about the subway. I think NYC's subway system is easier to understand than most. Where are you coming from? Do you have any public transit experience at all, or do you live in a small town? I think going from zero to sixty would be hard, but if you're familiar with public trans a little bit, you'll be fine. I do consider it safe and fairly clean.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I agree that Chinatown is crowded and the streets are um, well used, but that is all part of its charm.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

If your looking for a little adventure I would say go.....
Great people watching & dim sum.

Even when I lived in Manhattan I would take a cab down there..

Have a great time.

 

[ckay87]

Use this site and you can't go wrong
http://www.hopstop.com/?city=newyork

Best way to get to head toward Chinatown from Penn Station is to not take the train that is IN Penn Station. Start walking out 34th st and look for the next station. I can't remember which train(s) it is, but it takes you more directly to where you'll want to be on Canal St without transferring.

Down in the station you'll find kiosks to buy a MetroCard. A subway ride is 2 bucks. An all-day pass is $7.50. So just think about how much travelling you'll be doing that day. In the stations, you'll also find very good subway maps. It is very, very easy if you have a good understanding of the layout of the city and where it is you want to go.

I agree ShesaPirate about Chinatown. If it's a nice day, it will also be really crowded. I don't feel like it's a unique place anymore either. You could always plan lunch in Little Italy and pass through Chinatown to get an idea.

One easy thing to do is to take the subway to 14th and Broadway (or just walk). That's Union Square. From there, start walking south on Broadway to explore SoHo & the Village. Turn left on 8th/St Marks for some real Village fun.

Have a good time!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

The subway and bus is now $2.25.

 

[snapppyd]

Use this site and you can't go wrong
http://www.hopstop.com/?city=newyork

Best way to get to head toward Chinatown from Penn Station is to not take the train that is IN Penn Station. Start walking out 34th st and look for the next station. I can't remember which train(s) it is, but it takes you more directly to where you'll want to be on Canal St without transferring.

Down in the station you'll find kiosks to buy a MetroCard. A subway ride is 2 bucks. An all-day pass is $7.50. So just think about how much travelling you'll be doing that day. In the stations, you'll also find very good subway maps. It is very, very easy if you have a good understanding of the layout of the city and where it is you want to go.

I agree ShesaPirate about Chinatown. If it's a nice day, it will also be really crowded. I don't feel like it's a unique place anymore either. You could always plan lunch in Little Italy and pass through Chinatown to get an idea.

One easy thing to do is to take the subway to 14th and Broadway (or just walk). That's Union Square. From there, start walking south on Broadway to explore SoHo & the Village. Turn left on 8th/St Marks for some real Village fun.

Have a good time!

My DH works at 14th Street and this is what he does every day at lunchtime!

I am also in the group that thinks Chinatown is filthy and overcrowded. I would rather see you go uptown and explore Central Park, and Fifth Avenue around 57 - 59th Street and further up towards Lincoln Center.

 

[rgf207]

Don't mean to hijack this thread but my wife and I are going to New York this weekend for our Anniversary. We've been to NYC before but never for an entire weekend. This thread has been very helpful. Thank you

 

[legalsea]

Chinatown and Little Italy are right next to each other; there is not much left of Little Italy, since Chinatown is steadily encroaching on it. However, my wife thoroughly enjoyed the shopping in Chinatown, and purchased a nice Jade bracelet.

We were staying at the south end of Central Park and, for our day, purchased tickets on one of those 'hop on hop off' tour buses. A bit expensive, to be sure (I think $48 each) but we enjoyed it. Indeed, during the later part of the day when we got tired we got on and simply rode the whole circuit (at least, the circuit we were on; there are three circuits).

 

[fraggle551]

When you're looking at a subway map, the black dots are local, meaning that train stops at every stop on the line. The white dots are express, meaning that train stops at the major stops on the line. When you enter the subway station there are signs hanging up saying which side is local and which is express. If you get in the subway station and need help there is usually an attendant in a booth or a cop around. Ask them, and they will help you get in the right direction.

Chinatown is very crowded. If you're from a big city and used to crowds, then I would say to go. However it can be very overwhelming for someone that is not used to big cities. In that case I would stick to Little Italy (only a few blocks over). There is less congestion, more people speaking English, and wonderful food! My favorite restaurant in Little Italy is Da Nico. Mulberry St is entirely lined with restaurants, so you certainly won't go hungry. It is also closed to cars, generally only pedestrian traffic there. There are menus outside all the restaurants so you can see the prices and what type of food they offer.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Union Square is also fun for the day....Saturday they have a green market & The Blue Water Grill has great people watching, music, sunset specials & is an old bank. You can dine al fresco because of the outdoor heating.
Chat & Chew is fun although very eclectric.....delicious brunch items & mac & cheese.
You are also close enough to Max Brenner....if you a chocolate person it's a MUST!!!
The Strand bookstore is right across the street & a NYC institution!

http://www.maxbrenner.com/

 

[ChrisAlli]

My DH works at 14th Street and this is what he does every day at lunchtime!

I am also in the group that thinks Chinatown is filthy and overcrowded. I would rather see you go uptown and explore Central Park, and Fifth Avenue around 57 - 59th Street and further up towards Lincoln Center.

This was another part we've never really seen. Have been as far as The Plaza and that's it. Would love to go into Central Park, but not sure how easy to navigate or what else is around that area

 

[ChrisAlli]

Don't mean to hijack this thread but my wife and I are going to New York this weekend for our Anniversary. We've been to NYC before but never for an entire weekend. This thread has been very helpful. Thank you

Me and the girls are going up Sunday, let's hope the weather is good for all!!!!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

This was another part we've never really seen. Have been as far as The Plaza and that's it. Would love to go into Central Park, but not sure how easy to navigate or what else is around that area

If you spend some time in the Park you could go to the MMOA before or after.

It is very easy to go through the park & there are some great online maps.....
Any questions please PM me.

 

[snapppyd]

Last Easter we spent hours just walking through Central Park, the boat basin, past the zoo, the bandshell, etc. It's a beautiful walk.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

Buy a daily ticket as it sounds like you will beusing subway a few times.

 

[ChrisAlli]

Buy a daily ticket as it sounds like you will beusing subway a few times.

I think you're right. There's just so many choices. I was looking into one of those bus things, City Lights or something, the blue bus, but it gets HORRIBLE reviews on Trip Advisor, which I know can be completely false as well.