Visiting NYC - any pointers/advice

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Double-O-Dave

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Good afternoon:

We are celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary, and our daughther's high school graduation by traveling to the Big Apple for a visit. I had other ideas, but ya'll know how that goes. Anyway, we'll do the typical tourist things - Empire State Building, Ellis Island, NY Public Library, etc., but do any of you have any advice/suggestions or ideas? Except for short business trips to Washington, DC, this is my first visit north of the Mason-Dixon Line in many years, and our first trip to New York. Also, I routinely carry a pocket knife (SOG Escape) in a pouch on my belt. Is this permitted in New York, or will this get me in trouble?

Thanks,

Dave
 
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Don't go. You might never make it out alive!!!! just kidding. It's a nice place to visit.
Not sure about the pocket knife. Depending on the length it could be considered a concealed weapon, especially on the subway/train.
 
Double-O-Dave said:
Good afternoon:

We are celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary, and our daughther's high school graduation by traveling to the Big Apple for a visit. I had other ideas, but ya'll know how that goes. Anyway, we'll do the typical tourist things - Empire State Building, Ellis Island, NY Public Library, etc., but do any of you have any advice/suggestions or ideas? Except for short business trips to Washington, DC, this is my first visit north of the Mason-Dixon Line in many years, and our first trip to New York. Also, I routinely carry a pocket knife (SOG Escape) in a pouch on my belt. Is this permitted in New York, or will this get me in trouble?

Thanks,

Dave
Click to expand...



I have been to the Intrepid (WW2 carrier) and you have to go through security, and they allow no weapons. Good tour by the way.

I would check the websites for attractions you wish to visit if no one here has a definite answer on that particular site.

I have been told that you also have to go through security at the ESB, but that was only hearsay to me. I normally carry a SOG knife but that is legal in the rest of the state in general except for no weapon zones, but NYC does have their own laws.
 
DO NOT keep the knife on a visible belt holster/pouch.

conceal it, and know that assisted opening knives are not legal.
I do not have the laws right in front of me, but NYC is very uptight about weapons of any kind.

out of sight is my own rule for NYC.
I am picking up a short walking staff/cane for future visits, as I have some rudimentary sword training, and it is illegal (Americans With Disabilities Act) for police to ask you about your cane/staff.

Of course, NYC proper is actually VERY safe, it's the outlying boroughs that will do ya in!
Just, don't buy any extra-large sodas....or mayor Bloomberg will have you jailed!
 
NYC is a great place to visit Dave. Time Square (especially at night) is great for people watching. Check out the schedules for sporting events, concerts. Ooorrr, look into a broadway show (a nice anniversary/graduation gesture...hint!). The Intrepid Museum is there and pretty neat. Places like the Village, Little Italy, etc. are cool to walk around and/or catch a quick bite. The 9/11 memorial area is very moving. The architecture all around the city is great (you'll be looking up quite a bit). NYC is the shopping mecca, check out Macys. You can see a lot just walking around.

That said, understand where you are at night although most areas of Manhattan are perfectly safe. Ask the concierge or counter clerk at your hotel for advice. They are usually extremely helpful and up to speed on current events and areas that might be less desirable..

You won't need a car unless you venture out to places like the Bronx Zoo or to Coney Island, or out of Manhattan. And even then, you can probably catch the subway or a train to anywhere you want to go. PLAN ON A TON OF WALKING and the occasional cab. In general, when you try to cross a street; wait for the light, look both ways (repeatedly), say a quick prayer and run like hell to the other side. The theory that pedestrians have the right of way ceases to exist in NYC! Cabbie's driving skills are only slightly better than their grasp of the English language.

As for carrying a knife, a pocket folder is perfectly ok an 8" Crocodile Dundee-lookin' fixed blade might get some unwanted attention.

Happy anniversary! I'm sure your wife and daughter (and even you) will have a great time. Like they say; "it's a nice place to visit......"!

Good Luck!
 
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.
 
As a New Yorker who moved to Oregon some years back I would say don't go lol!
But if you must Grays Papaya is a must as well. The biggest thing I miss about NYC is the food. They have some of the best food in the world, pizza shops, delis, Chinese and sushi places on every corner.
As far as the knife depending on size it could be considered concealed. Wear it in your front pocket so the clip is in open view, then it is no longer legally considered concealed, and legal to carry.
Also a tac light is a great carry weapon if need be aswell.
 
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.
 
I think you're okay with a Swiss Army knife, and its tools may be needed. Standard size ones aren't heavy and are very useful. I'd avoid anything that looks "tactical' or can be opened with one hand. I'd carry a Victorinox Spartan and have a thicker one wih more tools in my suitcase. You'll lock the suitcase in your room, of course.

No one has mentioned the American Musuem of Natural History, but I bet they ban knives, like most tourist places there. Even their zoos probably ban "weapons."

Remember, you're in enemy territory up there. The cops probably look for excuses to bust people on any conceivable weapons charge. But I read on the Net where several cops were arguing whether to bust an out- of- city fireman who had some sort of tactical-looking folder on him. They measured the blade and said it was okay and cut him some slack because he was a fireman.

As an older family man with two women, you probably won't look like their natural prey, but if they find that you're a Texan, I wouldn't be too surprised if they ask about guns.

NYC is almost like another country compared to most of Texas. Be wary! And be prepared for rudeness.

Good luck. Let us know if you make it back home okay and what happened. And I'm only half joking...:rolleyes:
 
NYlakesider said:
I have been to the Intrepid (WW2 carrier) and you have to go through security, and they allow no weapons. Good tour by the way.......
Click to expand...

My dad is a former Marine who was stationed on the Intrepid years and years ago, before I was ever thought of. I have some great pics of him on there that I scanned years ago. I've been wanting to get up there to see it for myself.
 
NYC, Manhattan to non NYer's ;), is amongst the safest cities in this country. Police presence is everywhere, and the cops are both friendly and helpful. There's plenty of cities worse in this country, I've been to many.
 
Best Italian:
Il Cortile, 125 Mulberry St, NY, NY

Best Steak:
Peter Lugers
178 Broadway
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11211

Bring Cash (lots of it)


Best Everything Else:
Beats Me.............
although Mustang Harrys (7th Ave & 31st, maybe 30th) was always good for an Irish stout and fish n chips.

Tickets to B'Way shows sold at discount at a kiosk in Times Square on Wed morning.

Museum of Natural History
79th(I think) & Central Park West....needs a full day and you'll wish you had 2.

And stop by the WTC Memorial just to remember how you spent that day.

Happy Anniversary.......Have a Blast!


(oh yea....put the knife in your pocket)
 
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If you want the best deli, try the Stage Deli on 7th Ave - Katz's is really good, but the Stage is the Best. If you tip the guy behind the counter (esp in Katz's) before he finishes making your sandwich, your sandwich is twice the size (NYC trick). NYC has the best food. Italian food in Little Italy (lwr MN), and W 46 st - "Restaurant Row" has great places to eat. But there is food everywhere.
The hotel can get you Broadway show tickets, 9/11 memorial tickets, Lincoln Center Events, etc. (maybe even Letterman tickets). Don't be afraid to ask them. Yankee Stadium is nice if you're an A/L fan.
Times Square isn't what it used to be, now its family friendly and lots to see. Stay away from any store that says "Going out of Business" - they're not, it's bait and switch!
NYC (mid-town Manhattan) is safe and most people are friendly, just pay attention to your surroundings. Have a great trip!
 
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St Patricks Cathedral is worth a visit. Rockefeller Center is another place to see, though Christmas time is the best time to be there. Check out Grand Central Station, it's breathtaking.
Oh, if bling interests you, the Diamond District is a sight to behold.
Madison Square Garden....yada yada.
 
I LOVE NY:)

Never remembered meeting rude people, maybe a few but that has nothing to do with the entire population. Met them in almost every state I have travelled to in this country, good and bad everywhere.

Theater, Times Square, great food and imagine running around with my Red Sox hat and Tee, never bothered by anyone.
In fact, we were bought a few brewskis by a couple of Yankee fans in a pub in Manhattan. Have a relative who lives there for the past 50 years and they love Manhattan.

Hope you enjoy your trip, I really think you will.:)

Did I say "I LOVE NY":)
 
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