Visiting NYC - any pointers/advice

[mc5aw]

You will not be able to get past the security check point at the Empire State Building with any type of pocket knife. No way, no how. That's from personal experience.

DO: Museum of Natural History; Metropolitan Museum of Art; Museum of Modern Art.

DO: John's Pizza -- Bleeker Street, Greenwich Village
Uncle Jack' Steak House -- 9th Avenue & 33rd Street

DO: The ceiling at Grand Central Station

DO: NY Public Library

DO: Chariot rides around Central Park

DO: Rockefeller Center

DO: Visit the firehouse on 6th Avenue between Houston and King Streets and pay your respects. They lost a lot of good people on 9-11.

DO: Wear a good pair of walking shoes/sneakers.

***Don't take taxis if possible.

***Don't read maps on street corners or in the middle of pedestrian walkways.

***Don't buy bootlegged designer junk from street vendors.

***Don't buy food from street vendors.

***Don't get on a subway if you're not 100% positive of where to get off.

***Don't use parking garages; stick with the big lot off the West Side Highway on 11th Avenue and 60th Street.

 

[ladder13]

If you do get on the subway make sure it's not an express train

 

[mc5aw]

If you do get on the subway make sure it's not an express train

Or Pelham 1-2-3 ...

 

[MTS Cop]

Any knife with a blade over four inches or assisted openning could get you in trouble. Just carry it in your pocket if you must. Normal cops could care less about it, but the eager rookies look for that sort of thing. They think they are saving the world.

Stay away from anyone selling anything on the street. It's either fake garbage or a scam. Anyone selling tickets for the Staten Island Ferry should be in jail. Don't get roped in by street performers either. Half the time they are a distraction for their pick pocket buddies. If they were any good they wouldn't be doing gigs on the 6 train in the first place. Beware of cab drivers too. There are lots of hidden charges they usually aren't up front about. And wear your seatbelt in cabs. It's probably the least safe mode of transport yet you aren't legally required to buckle up. And do not ever let your belongings out of your sight. You put a bag down and turn your back to it it's gone.

 

[wheelgun28]

RE the knife

DO NOT have it clipped in your pocket.

Do Not have a clip showing.

Do not have a drop open or assisted open knife

I think its a 4" blade maximum

If the police see it, they will as a minimum take it at worst take you.

If you must, a just under 3" Buck type fully inside your pocket is the best choice.

Most serious crime in NYC is drug related and not in the main areas.

Be aware of your surroundings, dont get caught in the lights of Broadway and get pick pocketed, it happens.

Others have mentioned fun stuff some things I would add are.

See Grand Central at 5:30 on Friday afternoon, the hustle and bustle is amazing!

Google NYC museums, you will be shocked at the list. Things like police and fire.

They have a large Beretta store, its on the upper east side close to central park. Its a short walk to the Central Park Carousel.

See Good Morning America in times square

China Town, trump tower, flat iron building

The Statue of Liberty is s till closed as is Ellis Island

Hudson river dinner cruise

Like adventure try Sylvia's or Melbas

I would get a few maps and plan your days. Perhaps take a subway then walk back seeing the sights.

In NYC the limiting factor is always money

Most of all have fun!

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Wow! You guys (see, I'm trying to blend as I would normally say "Ya'll") are the greatest.

Lots of really good suggestions and ideas, please keep it coming!

About the knife, I'm neither a ninja or Zorro. Instead, I'm a country boy who's had a knife in my pocket ever since I started wearing long pants. The darn arthritis in my hands has pretty much robbed me of my gripping and ripping ability, so I use a knife quite a bit in a day to open things. I like folding lockblade knives because their big enough, and have thumb studs or blade cut-outs so opening one isn't a problem. Guess I'll have to leave the blades at home and rely on my wife and kids to help me. Man, I'm really going to miss my guns.

Thanks, all.

Regards,

Dave

 

[ladder13]

Wow! You guys (see, I'm trying to blend as I would normally say "Ya'll") are the greatest.

Thanks, all.

Regards,

Dave

It's youse guys, but you're geting close,Dave.

 

[sgt.207]

Fuhgeddaboudit

Happy Anniversary and have a great time here.

 

[gm272gs]

Certainly get to a deli and grab a corned beef or pastrami sandwich, with a cream soda.

 

[jasserv]

Hope you have a great time and bring lots of cash. Take a heli tour around the city, See or visit the Intrepid. Also check out FAO Schwarz 767 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022. (Oldest Toy store in the US)

 

[labworm]

Wow! You guys (see, I'm trying to blend as I would normally say "Ya'll") are the greatest.

Lots of really good suggestions and ideas, please keep it coming!

Dave, When you encounter the language barrier.

When ordering a cup of coffee, practice now, it's CORE FEE

 

[BigCityChief]

Papaya King on 84th and Lexington. Katz Deli for hot pastrami on rye. Any pizza shop that isn't a tourist joint. Go to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx...the real "Little Italy." A visit to the world's finest zoo is in the Bronx as well; oh, and a visit to my alma mater, from grade school to grad school, Fordham University (in the Bronx as well) where one can get the finest in Jesuit education. Stay out of Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens...nothing there. Manhattan's Greenwich Village, while not the same as it was in the 60's, is ground zero for New York University. Speaking of Ground Zero, it goes without saying. A dirty water hot dog (Sabrett's) is always in order when you get the munchies and you're on the street. A trip to the Riverdale section of the Bronx will yield a city you never thought existed...like the suburbs. Riverdale host's the Russian Consulate which really is the home of all that was the KGB. Need more, just PM.

Nice to hear a plug for Jesuit education. Jesuits educated me from high school through graduate school but the best of it occurred on 84th between Park and Madison - a terrific time with great intellectual challenges. (Didn't mean to hijack the thread.)

 

[BigCityChief]

Any knife with a blade over four inches or assisted openning could get you in trouble. Just carry it in your pocket if you must. Normal cops could care less about it, but the eager rookies look for that sort of thing. They think they are saving the world.

Stay away from anyone selling anything on the street. It's either fake garbage or a scam. Anyone selling tickets for the Staten Island Ferry should be in jail. Don't get roped in by street performers either. Half the time they are a distraction for their pick pocket buddies. If they were any good they wouldn't be doing gigs on the 6 train in the first place. Beware of cab drivers too. There are lots of hidden charges they usually aren't up front about. And wear your seatbelt in cabs. It's probably the least safe mode of transport yet you aren't legally required to buckle up. And do not ever let your belongings out of your sight. You put a bag down and turn your back to it it's gone.

Love your avatar MTS Cop - it's nice to see Big Blue's flag on this forum!

 

[mc5aw]

The Naked Cowboy is good for a laugh, if for no other reason than he's made a career off false advertising. Wanderin' around the streets in tighty whities and cowboy boots playing guitar ain't exactly nekkid.

BTW ... Places to avoid --->The United Nations and Gracie Mansion.

 

[Alnamvet68]

Nice to hear a plug for Jesuit education. Jesuits educated me from high school through graduate school but the best of it occurred on 84th between Park and Madison - a terrific time with great intellectual challenges. (Didn't mean to hijack the thread.)

Ah ha, a Regis man!

Those hotdogs and fresh fruit drinks at the Papaya King are to die for, byw.

 

[LazyKB]

Take two suitcases, one for clothes, the other for the money you'll need. Take a bottle of liniment. My neck got sore from watching all of the gorgeous women walking by. I first tried to see them all but soon realized if I missed one there would be another in ten seconds.

 

[LazyKB]

Oh yeah. Watch the weather and try to go out after a rain, it smells a lot better.

 

[TheGreatGonzo]

The cab driver will ask you to put your luggage in the trunk. He WON'T tell you that it is a extra $20 charge till you get there. Put the luggage in the back seat with you.

There is absolutely no charge for making use of the trunk of a Taxi Cab. That used to be an old trick that Taxi Cab drivers played back in the day, but I've not seen or heard of it being used since the 1980s, back before Times Square became Disney North. If the driver is the one who loads your luggage in the trunk, it would certainly be appropriate to tip accordingly.

NYC is my former home and a city I love dearly, despite its draconian gun laws and other assorted problems. You should have a wonderful time. The suggestions you have gotten so far are great. I lived a few blocks from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Arms and Armour display is absolutely amazing. I'm also still a huge Broadway fan. If you enjoy music or the stage at all, you really should catch a show.

+1 for Papaya King for a quick, cheap (by City standards) lunch on the go. If you are in the mood for a burger, Jackson Hole (now with multiple locations) was always one of my favorites. If you are anywhere near Hells Kitchen, the Little Pie Company is amazing.

Have fun!!
Gonzo

 

[HELLSING]

From my personal experience, my wife and I went there for New Years Eve... and I HATED it, well, most of it. We stayed in Times Square at the Marriott, which was crowded as can be. Days before New Years it was tolerable...(I hate crowds and most people in general).

I'm not sure how this will be taken, but, I mean no disrespect to anyone in LE, but the NYCPD were nothing but kids. They were so disrespectful and acted like nothing but *******s. We were 10 feet away from the ball when it dropped, and our hotel was about 40 yards from where we were standing, and some young idiotic kid tried to tell me I would have to walk 6 blocks with my pregnant wife to get into the hotel. He put up a barricade in front of my wife and hit her in the stomach several times not caring she was there at all. Well, that didn't fly with me... I just used my 280lb frame and made the boy move and pushed the barricade over and walked to my hotel.

Good luck if you go, it's crowded, annoying, and the cops are idiots. The food is good and the cheesecake is the best I've ever had. Lego Land and the wax museum were really cool.

 

[bill2000]

If you like Italian food don't miss Carmines on W44th St. near Times Square. Beat manicotti I've eaten since X mother in law mamma DeMarco. Bring your appetite, you'll need it. Go early or expect a LONG wait.

Enjoy your trip...it won't be your last.