Noo Yawk

[Cattypuss]

OK.

So I may be going with the boyf to NYC for a long weekend in January.

I've never been.

I'm not into shopping or nightlife and neither is he.

We are into culture and scenery and architecture and food

So what would be good?

And where is THE BEST place to sample some American-eastern-European-Jewish-style food?

 

[wicked woman]

No answers here, but interested in the answers since I'll be visiting NYC later this month.

 

[rosco rathbone]

For scenery in good weather, take a cab to Brooklyn or Queens and then walk to Manhattan on one of the East River bridges after dark. I prefer the WB, the on ramp is on Bedford Ave in Williamsburg Brooklyn between South 6th and South 5th street.

 

[JMohegan]

For architecture, I recommend the Chrysler Building. Don't be shy about walking right on into the lobby.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/wonder/structure/chrysler.html


For culture, I recommend Ellis Island. There is no place more quintessentially American in New York.

http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy/ellis_island_visiting.asp

 

[rosco rathbone]

For architecture, I recommend the Chrysler Building. Don't be shy about walking right on into the lobby.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/wonder/structure/chrysler.html


For culture, I recommend Ellis Island. There is no place more quintessentially American in New York.

http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy/ellis_island_visiting.asp

The problem with Ellis is long ass lines for the boat out there. The Staten Island ferry is free, comfortable, sells beer, runs every half hour, and gives you an excellent view of the Statue, Ellis Island, the Verrazano-Narrows bridge, and the downtown skyline with no waiting.

 

[JMohegan]

The problem with Ellis is long ass lines for the boat out there. The Staten Island ferry is free, comfortable, sells beer, runs every half hour, and gives you an excellent view of the Statue, Ellis Island, the Verrazano-Narrows bridge, and the downtown skyline with no waiting.

I know, and part of the problem is security. It's worse than a fucking airport at Thanksgiving.

But viewing Ellis Island from a boat, and actually taking the tour, are two very different things. I like the tour, and think it's worth the hassle.

For scenery only, you're right about the ferry - no question.

 

[KoPilot]

My recommendations:

Take a walk along the top-most stretch of Riverside and/or through Central park (weather permitting), and check out as many museums as you can manage (The Met, Brooklyn Museum, and the Natural History Museum all have "suggested" admission prices). A lot of the oldest buildings will be found downtown and in the outlying boroughs, but I'm not sure how far you want to travel, so here's a list of "Historic Places" in downtown that you can check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nation...laces_listings_in_Manhattan_below_14th_Street

Basically, a nice long walk down Broadway would seem to do the trick too. (Uptown Broadway is very nice as well.)

As far as food goes... I hear 2nd Ave is famous for it's Jewish delis, though I've never been. And there's always Katz's Deli, if you're looking for a 100+ year old place that purportedly makes the best sandwiches in the country. Also, Veniero's on 1st and 11th is the best dessert place I've ever been to. They're also over 100 years old.

Have fun when you're here~

 

[JMohegan]

If you go to the Met, be sure to take the elevator to the roof, for yet another spectacular view.



ETA: The Met = http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/

 

[rosco rathbone]

The Lobby Lounge at the Mandarin-Oriental on Columbus Circle (59th Street and Broadway,West side) is a great place for elegant drinks with a great view of midtown and lower Central Park from about 25 floors up. Swanky crowd, good for conversation, make sure to make reservations because it fills up.

http://www.mandarinoriental.com/newyork/dining/lobby_lounge/

 

[Cattypuss]

These suggestions are FABULOUS - thanks! Keep them coming!

 

[rosco rathbone]

I'm sure Syd would have something to say about this, but I find the 2nd Ave scene kind of touristy. If you really want THE BEST Jewish food, you need to go to the boros, like Brighton Beach. That's a long haul though.

 

[Cattypuss]

Aha. I have always wanted to go to Brighton Beach - sounds like a fascinating place. I studied Russian at uni and remember seeing photos of bilingual signs there (most notably "Braiton Bich" in Cyrillic )

 

[rosco rathbone]

Aha. I have always wanted to go to Brighton Beach - sounds like a fascinating place. I studied Russian at uni and remember seeing photos of bilingual signs there (most notably "Braiton Bich" in Cyrillic )

Well worth a trip out there, the beach in winter is kinda cool. Coney Boardwalk in winter, right out of a Springsteen song.

 

[intothewoods]

I'm sure Syd would have something to say about this, but I find the 2nd Ave scene kind of touristy. If you really want THE BEST Jewish food, you need to go to the boros, like Brighton Beach. That's a long haul though.

It's touristy but I think it's fun to do it once.

Totally agree with JM about Ellis Island.

 

[midwestyankee]

Last time I was in New York I had a great time visiting the Museum of Sex. It's right on Fifth Avenue, just a few blocks from the Empire State Building.

Others know more about all the great places to eat so I'll defer to them on that. If you've a mind to see a show, you can usually buy half-priced tickets on the day of the performance at the TKTS booth in Times Square. Some shows might only be available at lesser discounts but you'll still save a bundle buying your tickets this way, especially if you can be a little flexible about what show you will see.

 

[hd8001]

The one time that I went you could get I think they called it a fun pass and it was like 7 bucks for the entire day for the subway. Well worth it to help you get around. Also before you leave make sure to get some bagels. They are soo amazingly good there regardless of where you get them from. Have fun.

 

[00Syd]

For architecture, I recommend the Chrysler Building. Don't be shy about walking right on into the lobby.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/wonder/structure/chrysler.html


For culture, I recommend Ellis Island. There is no place more quintessentially American in New York.

http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy/ellis_island_visiting.asp

The Chrysler Building is probably tied neck and neck with the U.N. Building for my favorite building in NYC. The U.N. is a short walk from the Chrysler Building right scross 42nd st to 1st Ave, and I HIGHLT recommend taking the tour. It is AMAZING!!

And I completely agree with taking the tour at Ellis Island. It was my favorite museum as a kid. Walking around the halls there feels so profound, likr you could just reach out and touch history. I love it. But I'm also a huge sucker for early NYC history in general, which brings me to...

The Tenament Museum! Located in the historic Lower East Side (look at my playing tour guide ), The Tenament Museum does a great job of displaying what life was life for most immigrants to NYC during the later part of the 19th century. If you do check it out, there are a few different types of tours that you can take, make sure to do the tour with the actor (they get someone to act like they live in one of the apartments, and you can touch everything inside, it's really fun!).

And from there you could walk to Chinatown, if you were so inclined. I have mixed feelings about Chinatown, though. I love it, but the amount of tourists makes me want to kill people. They walk so slowly! If you do decide to visit, don't walk on Canal, try to stick to side streets. Much better.

I'm sure Syd would have something to say about this, but I find the 2nd Ave scene kind of touristy. If you really want THE BEST Jewish food, you need to go to the boros, like Brighton Beach. That's a long haul though.

Hey, the 2nd Ave scene is my hood! Much love for the East Village and the L.E.S. Yeah, the Jew food around there (on Houston) can be pretty touristy, but for good reason! It's great! Do an eating tour across Houston st. Go to Katz's, then Russ and Daughters, then Yonah Schimmel's knishes. There's also Vaselka, some great Ukranian food, on 2nd ave and 9th st.


I'm typing this on my phone at school and its kind of a pain in the ass, so once I get home I'll go ahead and provide links to these places, and suggest other stuff. Like The Museum of Natural History, which is my absolute favorite museum is the whole city. The dioramas, imo, are just as amazing and artistic as the art at the MET. I can't get enough of it! And The Museum of Natural History is suggested pricing ALL THE TIME. I never pay more than $2

Aaaaaanyway, I'll be back later today. Yay for NYC!

 

[rosco rathbone]

This is nerdy but if you go to the Natural History museum, make sure to check out the "Cosmic Scale" exhibit on the walkway around the planetarium sphere. Using the 20-meter sphere as a reference and comparison point to small models mounted on the handrails of the walkway, it takes you all the way from the observable universe to the proton. I could spend all day there with my mouth hanging open as I contemplate the vastness of cosmic space.

I used to live on Yonah Schimmel knishes in days of poverty. It's probably worth getting a big Katz pastrami sandwhich too, if just for the old school vibe in there.

 

[KoPilot]

And from there you could walk to Chinatown, if you were so inclined. I have mixed feelings about Chinatown, though. I love it, but the amount of tourists makes me want to kill people. They walk so slowly! If you do decide to visit, don't walk on Canal, try to stick to side streets. Much better.

If you do Chinatown, get a pork bun and an egg custard. Food down there is so cheap and so good.

 

[intothewoods]

The Chrysler Building is probably tied neck and neck with the U.N. Building for my favorite building in NYC. The U.N. is a short walk from the Chrysler Building right scross 42nd st to 1st Ave, and I HIGHLT recommend taking the tour. It is AMAZING!!

And I completely agree with taking the tour at Ellis Island. It was my favorite museum as a kid. Walking around the halls there feels so profound, likr you could just reach out and touch history. I love it. But I'm also a huge sucker for early NYC history in general, which brings me to...

The Tenament Museum! Located in the historic Lower East Side (look at my playing tour guide ), The Tenament Museum does a great job of displaying what life was life for most immigrants to NYC during the later part of the 19th century. If you do check it out, there are a few different types of tours that you can take, make sure to do the tour with the actor (they get someone to act like they live in one of the apartments, and you can touch everything inside, it's really fun!).
And from there you could walk to Chinatown, if you were so inclined. I have mixed feelings about Chinatown, though. I love it, but the amount of tourists makes me want to kill people. They walk so slowly! If you do decide to visit, don't walk on Canal, try to stick to side streets. Much better.



Hey, the 2nd Ave scene is my hood! Much love for the East Village and the L.E.S. Yeah, the Jew food around there (on Houston) can be pretty touristy, but for good reason! It's great! Do an eating tour across Houston st. Go to Katz's, then Russ and Daughters, then Yonah Schimmel's knishes. There's also Vaselka, some great Ukranian food, on 2nd ave and 9th st.


I'm typing this on my phone at school and its kind of a pain in the ass, so once I get home I'll go ahead and provide links to these places, and suggest other stuff. Like The Museum of Natural History, which is my absolute favorite museum is the whole city. The dioramas, imo, are just as amazing and artistic as the art at the MET. I can't get enough of it! And The Museum of Natural History is suggested pricing ALL THE TIME. I never pay more than $2

Aaaaaanyway, I'll be back later today. Yay for NYC!

Word.

 

[00Syd]

Okay.

The U.N. Tour: http://visit.un.org/wcm/content/site/visitors/lang/en/home/tours_ticket

The Tenament Museum: http://www.tenement.org/tours.php

Katz's Delicatessen: http://www.katzdeli.com/
(Pastrami on rye with mustard. Pickles on the side.)

Russ and Daughters: http://www.russanddaughters.com/
(I find it extremely difficult to go to Russ And Daughters and only get one thing, but if you only get one thing, TRY THEIR LOX. It is just amazing. I can't decide which is my favorite though, it's either the Irish or the Scottish salmon. Try both!)

Yonah Schimmel's: http://knishery.com/

Vaselka: http://www.veselka.com/
(I've been eating here since I was in diapers, and they don't serve a single thing that I don't like. Try their Borscht and/or stuffed cabbage [with tomato sauce!] and/or pirogi.)

The Museum of Natural History: http://www.amnh.org/
(Visit the North American Mammals wing. The Wolf, Moose, and Flying Squirrel dioramas are my favorite dioramas in the entire museum. They are beautiful.)

 

[00Syd]

I can also suggest some really nice bars, if you guys are into hanging out in nice old bars.

 

[Cattypuss]

These suggestions are amazing! I wanna be there right now!

Yes please Syd - some bars (if you know any nice low-key ones... we're a pair of middle-aged, quiet types!)

 

[00Syd]

These suggestions are amazing! I wanna be there right now!

Yes please Syd - some bars (if you know any nice low-key ones... we're a pair of middle-aged, quiet types!)

I recommend going to these places in the afternoon because they are really nice and quiet during the day, but get obnoxious once the after-work crowd shows up:

The Old Town: http://www.oldtownbar.com/

McSorley's: http://www.mcsorleysnewyork.com/

Molly's: http://www.mollysshebeen.com/

Fancy bars that I love (that are too expensive to have more than one, maybe two, drinks at - but well worth it!):

The bar at Keene's Steakhouse: http://www.keens.com/

The King Cole Bar at the St. Regis Hotel: http://www.kingcolebar.com/

The Oak Room at the Plaza: http://www.oakroomny.com/



I'll post more as I think of them!

 

[rosco rathbone]

The Wolf, Moose, and Flying Squirrel dioramas are my favorite dioramas in the entire museum. They are beautiful.)

My favorite is the one that makes you feel elf sized, with the giant bugs and the acorn the size of a Pilates ball.