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[draven]

So tomorrow I'm going to be heading out to New York City for five nights for a conference, and will be staying a few blocks north of Times Square. Since I've heard a few people are from NYC, what cool stuff is there to do in the evenings (gonna be tied up 8-5 every day) around that area or in places that can easily be gotten to? I'm gonna be living on the company dollar, but don't want to abuse the credit card, tho.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Star Power]

Just walk around and find stuff to do. I'd recommend heading to the village.. it's fun over there.

 

[MrAngryFace]

I thought it said "new your terrorist edition" I was gonna say

 

[AlphaSnake]

Village is nice...but I wouldn't call it a tourist attraction. Basically if you're into the trendy, emo, "I'm different than you" shit check out the Village. But you're in the heart of the city and I suggest you check out TimesSquare first and foremost. Admire the structures. Admire their height and all of the nifty billboards around. Check out Cental Park, go into some ridiculously expensive stores and maybe buy something stupidly expensive for memory's sake. You'd have a lot of fun if you weren't alone here (I hope you're not) -- because we have some awesome clubs, bars and the nine.

 

[draven]

Village is nice...but I wouldn't call it a tourist attraction. Basically if you're into the trendy, emo, "I'm different than you" shit check out the Village. But you're in the heart of the city and I suggest you check out TimesSquare first and foremost. Admire the structures. Admire their height and all of the nifty billboards around. Check out Cental Park, go into some ridiculously expensive stores and maybe buy something stupidly expensive for memory's sake. You'd have a lot of fun if you weren't alone here (I hope you're not) -- because we have some awesome clubs, bars and the nine.

Yeah, going with a co-worker approximately my age, so checking out the bars sounds like a possibility. Thanks.

Other than shopping though, what else is there to do in Times Square? Last time I went, I ran around the Toys-R-Us and DID NOT find the "Big" piano. THat soured me to the whole place.

 

[Socreges]

Village is nice...but I wouldn't call it a tourist attraction. Basically if you're into the trendy, emo, "I'm different than you" shit check out the Village.

Did they kick you out or something? :lol

Anyway, I'd love to go to New York City. Funny that I'm really not interested in visiting the USA otherwise (besides Hawaii), but NYC is up there for cities in the world that I'd like to see.

 

[Star Power]

Did they kick you out or something? :lol

.

Most likely :lol

 

[mCACGj]

How can you go to NYC and not go to the Pokemon Center?

 

[Chipopo]

Yeah, going with a co-worker approximately my age, so checking out the bars sounds like a possibility. Thanks.

Other than shopping though, what else is there to do in Times Square? Last time I went, I ran around the Toys-R-Us and DID NOT find the "Big" piano. THat soured me to the whole place.

Sorry man, the big piano was at FAO Schwartz which is gone forever.

If you really want to take advantage of your location, go to TKTS and get broadway show tickets for incredibly cheap. http://www.tkts.com/index_default.html Get their EARLY (shouldn't be a problem since you're right there).

Socreges, New York is so unlike the rest of America it's not surprising that you're interested. Imagine my niavety, growing up here, and thinking most of America must be the same....

 

[nitewulf]

Imagine my niavety, growing up here, and thinking most of America must be the same....

preach it brother. same here.
anyway, what alpha suggested is good...you definitely wanna take advantage of the immediate vicinity and just look at all the huge neon signs, buildings and stores.
problem with this time of the year is, its too cold. so without a definite place to go, its tough to just walk around.
but i'd say definitely check out the village, plenty of hip clubs and bars there, plus tons of restaurants.
do definitely check out chinatown (buy some stuff here, cheap leather goods), SoHo (hip clothing, hip shoes/boots...the chics will drive you craaaaaaaaazy), and check out Little Italy for all the pretty lights, cafes and little quaint restaurants...and again, chics.
chics, chics, chics, all over the place...everywhere. nyc is heaven.

 

[xsarien]

"Chic" or "Chick"?

(Or chic chicks?)

 

[nitewulf]

ehhh you know what i mean. im drunk on eid on gin and tonic, im a miserable excuse for a muslim.

 

[draven]

How can you go to NYC and not go to the Pokemon Center?

Buh?


Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. One last question: is it really much more expensive to take a taxi to multiple places over the subway system? I'm used to Miami where taxis are way too expensive to get around and there's no public transportation system to speak of.

 

[xsarien]

Buh?


Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. One last question: is it really much more expensive to take a taxi to multiple places over the subway system? I'm used to Miami where taxis are way too expensive to get around and there's no public transportation system to speak of.

Just take the subway, save the cabs for late at night when riding the subway's a bit more...interesting (and not for the faint of heart.)

 

[Chipopo]

the subway isn't for the faint of heart ALLLL times of the day, not just at night But it is worth the money you save.

 

[Mejilan]

Meh, the subways are pretty safe these days. I use them at all hours of the day (and night) and haven't had problems in the 4+ years I've been living here.

The worst I've ever seen is a homeless guy taking a shit behind a column of a subway station.

 

[Great Wasabi Man]

PLEASE PLEASE PLASE don't be one of those asshats that stops to stare at (and film) fire trucks passing by or takes pictures of buildings...not like the Empire State building but just regular buildings.

Subways are safe...worst I saw was a homeless guy doing tia chi on the track with balloons. :lol

 

[aparisi2274]

Dont go to the pokemon center, its huge fucking ripoff.

Well lets see, you can go over to Rockefella center and watch them get the tree ready, they light it in a few weeks.

Or you can go see Blue Man Group down at the Astor Theater.

I suggest going and buying a bag of Country Cheddar Popcorn from Popcorn Indiana. I think its on 48th and Bway or 48 & 7th, not sure. You cant miss it, its right on the corner.

In terms of getting around the city, you might be better off getting a metrocard and taking the subway. Hell if there is one thing you dont want to deal with its the smelly dirty insane cabbies of NYC, that and NYC traffic. Times Square is a virtual parking lot, especially on weekends. You are better off getting a streetwise map of NYC with all the subway stops, and a Metrocard, and just use the Subway to get around.

If you and your friends want to get some drinks, you can head down to Jekyll & Hydes in the Village. Dont go to the restaurant up in the 50's, because its a tourist trap.

Aside from that, most things at night in the city revolve around clubs or bars. I mean if you can get tix to a Bway play, I heard Ave. Q (Sesame St. on crack) was good. If you could get tickets to The Producers, I highly recommend that, because that was one funny ass play.

If you want some good steaks, hit up Sparks Steak House or Mortons.

If you are into anything Japanese, you can visit Kiokuniya bookshop in Rockefella Center.

I know you wont be free until after 5pm, and I dont know what time he closes, but you can go get soup from the Soup Nazi on 55th and 8th Ave.

Hmmmm, there is always the museum of Natural History or the Planetarium.

MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) just reopened, and its awesome.

I would say hit up Central Park, but not after dark.

I guess thats about it. Good Luck!!!!

 

[draven]

Sweet! Didn't expect so many responses. I'm printing this topic out tomorrow morning along with a subway map to review on the plane ride over.


Thanks again guys.

 

[AlphaSnake]

Did they kick you out or something? :lol

Hahaha, you don't even know what the Village is! It's a district in Manhattan (Greenwich Village), not a store. I'm just burned out on it, it's a phase I've passed. During High School I was there with a couple of friends almost every other day. Basically, most of it is: piercing/tatoo spots, overpriced restaurants (few of which are any good), music shops, and really obscure clothing shops. I kicked myself out of the Village.

 

[Socreges]

Hahaha, you don't even know what the Village is! It's a district in Manhattan (Greenwich Village), not a store. I'm just burned out on it, it's a phase I've passed. During High School I was there with a couple of friends almost every other day. Basically, most of it is: piercing/tatoo spots, overpriced restaurants (few of which are any good), music shops, and really obscure clothing shops. I kicked myself out of the Village.

That was the joke.

 

[Mercury Fred]

Do you like sake?

Check out Decibel or Angel's Share in the East Village. Decibel is an awesome underground joint that feels faintly like a Yakuza den--only safer! Angel's Share is swankier, kind of romantic and sometimes has live jazz.

Try a hotel bar. They're roomier than most regular NYC watering holes for starters. The Tribeca Grand is gorgeous and achingly hip. Cool international DJs, assorted rockers and other such folk have events here from time to time. The drinks are expensive, but it's worth it for the amazing, dramatic interior. Also cool is the rooftop bar at the new Gansvoort Hotel in the Meatpacking District (which is worth, as a neighborhood, visiting for a drink as well). Not sure how that works in cooler weather, but give it a spin.

When you're in Soho, set aside some time to visit Lomabardi's, which many claim is the best pizza in all of NYC. It's damn good, although it's a toss up between that an Grimaldi's in Brooklyn, imo.

I also second the reccomendation for Avenue Q. I'm not a big theatre guy, but this is pure genius. Funny, smart, raunchy, heartful, etc. Plus it had puppets fucking way before Team America.

Have an awesome time and don't be afraid to ask anyone on the street for directions. Just about anyone and everyone will help you if they can. NYCers seem to get off on it in some weird way.

 

[Chipopo]

The subway isn't really dangerous, but if you're not from new york it's still an extremely draining experience.

There are some pretty interesting Hooka Bars in the village to check out. Sahara East has become a pretty popular place to chill out and pick up women; http://www.southsmoke.com/saharaeast.cfm

There are other trendier hooka bars scattered around the village, but Sahara East is the only one I've been to. It's worth going to if you've never experienced it.

 

[nitewulf]

Hahaha, you don't even know what the Village is! It's a district in Manhattan (Greenwich Village), not a store. I'm just burned out on it, it's a phase I've passed. During High School I was there with a couple of friends almost every other day. Basically, most of it is: piercing/tatoo spots, overpriced restaurants (few of which are any good), music shops, and really obscure clothing shops. I kicked myself out of the Village.

uhhh, i dont know abt what shit teenagers do. but the village is arguably the coolest place to hang out in nyc. its much more than just some tattoo spots and overpriced restaurants. hell there are tons of small corner food stores that sell fantastic cheap food.

 

[Chipopo]

there's this little hole in the wall in the village called "Hummus Place", the only thing they sell is 3 types of Hummus.

...HOLY SHIT best fucking Hummus EVER MADE. I snort that shit through my nose and it still tastes good. Damn. Damn I want some right now DAMN!

 

[nitewulf]

theres a turkish place, between mcdougal and something...wonderful kebabs, wrapped in pita, with the sauce...just 5 bucks! and spicy chicken shish kebabs...mmmm...ok, i must go tomorrow.