New York City In The Winter Time, Any Tips?

[Hattuchili]

New York City In The Winter Time, Any Tips?

What is a must see/do there? I am going, soon!

 

Hey guys,

I will go to New York City for a long weekend next week! Do you have any insider tips for me, what I realy have to see or to do? Where I get good food (I love food), which is a good musical, a good museum, and and and...! It is my fist time there in years and in the winter/christmas time! So, I want to plan everything as good as possible!

 

Thanks,

Sören

[Meteornotes]

If it's a clear night, going up on the Empire State Building is a must. Yeah, you can and should do it during the day, but the city looks really cool at night. Just make sure it's clear, though, or you won't see much of anything.

 

The Metropolitan Museum Of Art is also a must-see attraction, if you're into that sort of thing.

 

dt

[Hattuchili]

^ Thanks Dave, the Empire State Building is on the top of my list!

 

--Sören

[apollo210]

Well a must see attraction is also the Statue of Liberty. It might not be open, but its still worth a shot. Oh yeah, maybe you can go to Ellis Island as well! One last thing is you should go ice skating on Central Park. THose are just my must visit attractions with myself going to New York this April with my school.

[Hattuchili]

^Thanks Stephen, more good stuff on my list! I also want to see the big Christmas tree infront of the Rockefeller Center!

 

--Sören

[Blazen_AZN]

OK, for a good musical, there are two options i think you should consider...

 

Wicked: Its about the witches of Oz

 

 

Or Avenue Q: Which is.... Odd. Hard to explain...

 

I can't find a trailer, so here's a clip of a song

 

That musical is more about funny songs like...

 

The Internet is for Porn

It sucks to be me

and Everyone's a little bit racist

 

Both would be great choices i think.

[DATman]

I suggest Spamalot, which I found much better than Wicked. It is freaking hilarious, and it's a Monty Python musical, so basically it's amazing. If you saw the Holy Grail, this musical is way better.

 

If not, I suggest Avenue Q ^(he has good taste) or Hairspray, my other favorite musical. Hairspray is just one of the most uplifting and fun things around. Avenue Q is basically Sesame Street for adults, genius.

[AndrewCT]

Spalmalot is pretty good, I would recomend that one.

 

Try and hit the Toys-R-Us in Times Square, it's pretty cool to take a quick look around.

 

One major tip I would give you, is never buy anything off the street in Times Square, and if for some reason you do plan on getting something, have money in your pocket to purchase it, NOT your wallet.

 

NYC is much safer than it used to be, but it's always safest in that area to not pull out your wallet.

 

Other than that, just enjoy the views, as long as your in Manhattan, you'll find something fun if you've never been. As for myself, I'll be wandering those very streets next weekend, just like I do most weekends.

[SonOfBeastSucks]

Avenue Q is better than Wicked, in my opinion. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Sweeney Todd are also good, but they closed on Brodway in September.

 

Honestly, I don't think going out to the island that the Statue of Liberty sits on is worth it. They heard you like cattle onto the boat and it takes major self control to avoid going completely insane. You can see it from land, of course, so there really isn't a point to go through the hell of getting to the island.

 

The NBC Studio tour is interesting enough, if you are within walking distance.

 

Otherwise, just explore some of the city, don't schedule everything. Leave a day or two to just wandering around, finding what you find. There are some independant coffee shops and small, unknown museums in the city that you can find on your own. I would do the same with some meals. NYC has some, good, famous restuarants, but also some unkown ones. If you want famous New York Pizza, go to John's Pizza. There is a location near Times Sqaure.

 

If you want a guidebook on New York City, my favorite is New York City For Dummies, which you can probably find at a bookstore near you...or library.

[krazekiddd]

I would highlly recommend Wicked. I loved that play and thankfully it's going to be back in Miami in a couple of months...

 

If it's snowing, go sledding in Central Park. It was fun for my first time sledding in about 15 years...

[AndrewCT]

Yes, sledding can be a lot of fun in the area, but considering the temps have been about 60 up here, I don't think that's going to happen.

[Adriel]

Go to Statue of the Liberty and mind this...

 

If you want to go INto the statue, you have to buy a ticket. It's already near the peak season so just be careful because the tickets can be sold out very fast. Maybe you should buy 2 days before or sooner.

 

And Empire State Building is a must, yes, beautiful.

 

Don't forget to warm up in Starbucks Coffee. Last time I was there it was -2 C.

[SonOfBeastSucks]

^I would stay away from Starbucks in NYC...there are so many independent coffee houses there that not only need your business, but also are better. (ignore my member title...)

[Wes]

Go see Stephen Colbert and Conan.

[SonOfBeastSucks]

^Oh yeah, I totally forgot about that.

 

I didn't go to a Conan taping because I wasn't 16 at the time, but I went into his studio on a tour.

[Erik Johnson]

Also make sure you go to Macy's during the Holiday season.

[Rider117]

Go see the Rockettes!!!!

[Hattuchili]

Hey guys,

thanks you so much for all the answers. My list is getting longe and longer! I am really looking forward to do only the good stuff, because I only have 4 days and I want to have some awesome days there! Anyway, if there is anything else, please let me know!

 

On my list I have so far:

 

- Empire State Building

- Statue of Liberty (only outside)

- a musical (but which one?)

- NBC Studio tour ?

- the tree at the Rochefeller Center

- Central Park

- MOMA (or another?)

- Madame Tussaud´s

 

Anything else???

 

--Sören

[DATman]

^Depending on what you want to see musical wise, I can give you this advice:

 

More Adult humor: Avenue Q (think "The Internet is for Porn")

 

British/Family Humor: Monty Python's Spamalot (my personal favorite, as it is a much higher quality and more intamate musical than Wicked. It's in a much smaller theater, and the cast is just so wonderfully enthusiastic and you can tell that they LOVE what they do.)

 

Fantasy: Wicked (It's a great musical with some amazing songe like "Defying Gravity", but tickets are really annoying to get, as so many people love it)

 

Just to feel happy and good inside: Hairspray (One of the most uplifting and fun musicals ever. Everything is so goodnatured and just plain fun. It's my other favorite)

 

Looking for a great love story: Phantom of the Opera (Nowhere near as good as it is in London, but it holds the record for longest run on Broadway for any musical, so it HAS to be great)

 

If you are looking to basically wet your pants rom laughing: The Producers (one of the more rauncy/daring musicals. If you saw the original movie, you'd love it. I thought the new movie was lackluster, but the play is still one of the more funny ones out there. Think a series of scenes where one of the main characters is "romancing" an old lady for her money)

 

That's about it. Narrow it down to the three that sound the best, and I'll find more in depth info for them if you want me to...

[Blazen_AZN]

If not, I suggest Avenue Q ^(he has good taste) or Hairspray

 

Heheh, thanks. And, yes! I forgot about Hairspray! I agree, it was just about the most fun i've ever had seeing a musical (I havn't seen many, admitedly, becasue i have no money ). Its generally helarious and at the same time it has a pretty sweet story. Very fun musical, and great for somone whos not totally into the whole musical thing, because it never takes itself too seriously.

 

You might aslo want to check the touring scheduals (or lack there of) for the musicals. Some shows, like Avenue Q, don't even have a touring cast (not yet anyway) so you're only going to see it in New York. Harispray, however, is actually playing in florida right now!

[jamesdillaman]

A *free* thing I've always enjoyed doing is walking the Brooklyn Bridge. Bring a camera and if you want, South Street Seaport isn't far from the Manhattan side so if you want there's some good shopping there. It also isn't far from Battery Park, which has some good views of the Statue of Liberty, as well as the old fort. Ground Zero (The WTC site) is also a free thing to go see, and the financial district isn't too far from Southstreet Seaport, either. If you do go to ground zero, I'd love to see some photos of the construction going on there.

 

-James "Love walking the brooklyn bridge, it's such a brilliant piece of history!" Dillaman

My friend Zach and I on the walkway, above the traffic, and between the cables...

[nay]

I've been reading TPR for a while but have yet to contribute anything on the message boards. So since I've lived in NY all of my life, I thought I would drop in here.

 

BROADWAY

Going to the theatre is one of my favorite things to do and I go at least a few times a month. My personal favorite is Les Miserables (or Les Miz), which recently reopened on Broadway. It's a classic musical that is entirely sung through with gorgeous music. If you're looking for something lighter, I would recommend Avenue Q, Spamalot, or Hairspray. Hairspray might be the easiest of that group to get tickets for. Wicked is a huge crowd pleaser but is always sold out.

 

As for getting tickets, I'm not sure how much you're willing to spend, but if you want to pay $110 for good seats, you should be able to go directly to the theatre's box office and do that. Except for Wicked, where you'd most likely have to arrive early and wait in a cancellation line for a long time. A lot of people use the TKTS booth, located on 46th Street between Broadway and 8th Ave. You can find out what's been available there recently at the TKTS website.

 

A lot of shows these days are doing a lottery system for good seats at cheap prices. That involves some luck, but some are easier to do than others. Each show has a specific time slot where you fill out a lotto card and then when they call out the winners. For example, for an 8:00PM show of Wicked, you can sign up between 5:30-6:00PM, and then at 6:00PM, they call out the winners. The tickets aren't free, but they're usually $25 and located in the front row. Wicked and Avenue Q are almost always crowded, but I've found that Hairspray is a fairly easy one to win. For more information on these, Talkin Broadway has everything.

 

There are also some discounts that you can use over the phone, on-line, or print out and bring to the box office. Broadway Box lists every discount that is currently available for any show.

 

I could go on and on about this, so feel free to contact me privately if you'd like. I think Avenue Q or Hairspray would be your best bet. Their lottos are at different times, so you'd be able to try both, and if you don't get tickets that way, they should still be available at the box office or TKTS.

 

One more thing and then I'll stop with the theatre talk. Even if you don't see Wicked, they offer backstage tours, in case you have any interest in seeing what goes on behind the scenes of Broadway musicals. They offer them every Saturday morning at 10am for $25.

 

FOOD

The first thing I have to recommend is the Magnolia Bakery. It's downtown on Bleeker and 11th Street. They have the most amazing cupcakes that you will ever have. It's a very small bakery but is always packed and has a line around the corner to get it. But it is totally worth it. For non-dessert type foods, of course you have to have pizza. Pretty much any quick service pizza place is fine for a slice of good NY pizza. If you'd prefer to eat it at a restaurant, John's Pizzeria is a good place. They don't serve it by the slice there, but it's excellent, and they also have great pasta dishes and garlic bread. If you're down by Bleeker Street, there's one there, or on 44th Street right in the theatre district. There are a lot of good restaurants everywhere, depending on what food you like. Restaurant Row on 46th Street has lots to offer, and I enjoy several places on 9th Avenue in the Hell's Kitchen area. Ellen's Stardust Diner is in the theatre district, and while they don't have amazing food, the atmosphere and singing waitstaff are great. Another good place, especially for dessert, is Serendipity 3, located on 60th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Their Frozen Hot Chocolate is the best. Dylan's Candy Bar is also in that area, which is a large candy store.

 

SIGHT SEEING

I haven't been to the Empire State Building or Statue of Liberty in years, so I don't have any advice for that except that they're worth seeing for a first time visitor. Central Park is huge but nice to take a walk in. Of course there's the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, along with the NBC Studio right there. If you choose to see a TV taping, I'd go for Conan O'Brien. You'd have to try for the standby tickets, and I'm not exactly sure how your odds are for getting in with that, or what days they tape (probably Monday through Thursday). The Christmas windows are always nice to see at Macy's, though I haven't been by them this year yet. 5th Avenue is a busy shopping area with lots to see. I especially like the World of Disney Store, which has theme park merchandise there (unlike the regular Disney Stores across the country), along with some exclusive NYC stuff. Bryant Park has set up Christmas shops and an ice skating rink. It's a much, much smaller park than Central Park but it's very cute. Union Square also has a similar holiday set up with shops that are fun to browse. I'm not much of a museum fan, but I've been to the Museum of Natural History a few times. I've always enjoyed the dinosaur exhibit and planetarium.

 

The best ways to get around the city is either by walking or the subway. The subway is dirty and smells like ass but it's a fast and easy way to get around.

 

I can probably come up with more but this is getting way to long already, so I'll leave it at that for now. Like I said, feel free to contact me privately if you want more info on anything and I'd be happy to help! Have a wonderful trip!

 

Renee

[disneygurlz2s]

Soren,

 

Have a fabulous time!

 

As for musicals, I can't believe that no one has mentioned the Disney trifecta:

 

Beauty and the Beast

Lion King

Mary Poppins

 

Unless you are totally trying to escape Disney for the weekend, I highly recommend these. Poppins is brand new and has gotten good reviews from what I've read. I have seen B&B twice and LK once and they are amazing. If you like the theme park versions, you will be blown away by the Broadway versions.

 

Some great shops to check out besides Macy's

 

FAO Schwartz.... Huge, amazing candy store

 

Dylan's Candy Bar... Ralph Lauren's daughter owns this giagantic candy store

 

Also the Hershey store, Disney Store, Tiffany's, and all the other fancy famous department stores!

 

Shari

[nay]

^

I agree, the Disney shows are tons of fun. And there's also Tarzan. Mary Poppins is wonderful and probably one of the best things I've seen recently. However, it's a tough ticket to get and would probably involve waiting on a cancellation line.

 

And another thing I meant to add in the food recommendations: Bagels. Definitely get a good NYC bagel for breakfast one morning.

[map2]

Go see the Rockettes!!!!

Exactly what I was going to say!

 

I would suggest going to the Empire State Building, Rockerfeller Center, and the ferry to Ellis Islnad.

 

The last time I went, it was the Christmans after 9/11, so fares were real cheap since people were reluctant to go to New York in an airplane. The Christmans decorations were all cool. If you feel like it, the Toys'R'Us in Times Square is HUGE, and is a lot of fun. Even if your not buying anything, just looking at the store is a lot of fun. To me it is a lot better than FAO Schwartz.