Short Notice NY Activities
November 6, 2015 8:06 AM Subscribe
I'm stranded in New York City for a day. Is there anything to do in this town?
I posted this question about New Jersey, and that was helpful. My flight has been cancelled and I now will be travelling to a hotel next to La Guardia in about 30 minutes, and I'll be flying out of La Guardia tomorrow around 10am.
I'm stranded in NY! Awesome! What can I do in about 24 hours? How does the subway work, can I buy a 24 hour pass? Do I just use my credit card to load up $20 worth of travel?
What would you do in my situation?
I posted this question about New Jersey, and that was helpful. My flight has been cancelled and I now will be travelling to a hotel next to La Guardia in about 30 minutes, and I'll be flying out of La Guardia tomorrow around 10am.
I'm stranded in NY! Awesome! What can I do in about 24 hours? How does the subway work, can I buy a 24 hour pass? Do I just use my credit card to load up $20 worth of travel?
What would you do in my situation?
Best answer: I would go spend a day at the Met or MoMA, and then try the #ham4ham lottery or another Broadway lottery, or hit up TKTS tonight.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:09 AM on November 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:09 AM on November 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
What do you like to do? I'd be tempted to spend the entire day in the Met, but I was exposed to E. L. Konigsburg at an impressionable age...
If the weather holds up and you'd prefer to stcik closer to the airport you could go explore the complex of museums/green space that is over by Flushing Meadows park. (NY Hall of Science, Queens Museum, Queens Zoo)
posted by Wretch729 at 8:11 AM on November 6, 2015
If the weather holds up and you'd prefer to stcik closer to the airport you could go explore the complex of museums/green space that is over by Flushing Meadows park. (NY Hall of Science, Queens Museum, Queens Zoo)
posted by Wretch729 at 8:11 AM on November 6, 2015
Check out theskint.com for a list of cheap and free things to do in the city.
posted by bilabial at 8:14 AM on November 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by bilabial at 8:14 AM on November 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
There are some fun shows going on right now, the New Museum is showing a big retrospective of Shaw's surrealist sculpture and it's right on the Lower East Side near some trendy/fancy eating places ( the ice cream factory is nearby and it's great if ...literally industrial looking.) from there all of downtown is easily accessible.
uptown, the New York Historical Society (my favorite small museum) is having a show on Superheros in New York and the city's comic history if you're re into that (they also have Picassco's Tricolore which used to hang in the Four Seasons) and from there you're just a walk across the park to the Met (it's pay what you like if you're u don't use the machines, pick a single collection you want to see rather then try to do the whole thing.)
If you want to combine eating and art, The new Whitney has a very well regarded resteraunt.
posted by The Whelk at 8:15 AM on November 6, 2015
uptown, the New York Historical Society (my favorite small museum) is having a show on Superheros in New York and the city's comic history if you're re into that (they also have Picassco's Tricolore which used to hang in the Four Seasons) and from there you're just a walk across the park to the Met (it's pay what you like if you're u don't use the machines, pick a single collection you want to see rather then try to do the whole thing.)
If you want to combine eating and art, The new Whitney has a very well regarded resteraunt.
posted by The Whelk at 8:15 AM on November 6, 2015
The skint updates daily, so check back in an hour or three to see this evenings list.
posted by bilabial at 8:15 AM on November 6, 2015
posted by bilabial at 8:15 AM on November 6, 2015
The subway and buses cost $2.75 a ride, regardless of destination. There's a $1.00 fee to get a metrocard. You can use the same metro card to swipe multiple people in if you wish. You can transfer between bus and subway or vice versa within a 2 hour window from when you initially pay (if you use a metro card).
posted by Wretch729 at 8:17 AM on November 6, 2015
posted by Wretch729 at 8:17 AM on November 6, 2015
I still think that two of the nicest free things you can do on a day in NYC (especially with good weather) is to ride the Staten Island Ferry and (in a different part of NYC) take a walk on the Highline.
posted by sciencegeek at 8:48 AM on November 6, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by sciencegeek at 8:48 AM on November 6, 2015 [4 favorites]
Note on the highline, it is usually very full and crowded unless the weather is iffy ...and then it's not fun to be outside.
posted by The Whelk at 8:50 AM on November 6, 2015
posted by The Whelk at 8:50 AM on November 6, 2015
Or if you wake up early, then it is quite delightful as well.
posted by sciencegeek at 8:52 AM on November 6, 2015
posted by sciencegeek at 8:52 AM on November 6, 2015
Best answer: You should be able to buy a MetroCard in the LaGuardia terminal (B if I recall correctly), then take the Q70 bus to the Jackson Heights subways station -- from there it's straightforward to take the E, F, or 7 into Manhattan, either to get off at Times Square or take the E or F train downtown farther. It should take less than an hour to get from LGA into the heart of Manhattan somewhere.
Really, the hardest part is deciding specifically what you want to do in NY (see Times Square, Empire State Building, Central Park, WTC memorial, MOMA, Rockefeller Center, etc.), or see a play; also, what kind of food do you want? If you can say what you're interested in, I think a bunch of MeFites can give you tips how to efficiently get it.
posted by aught at 9:02 AM on November 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
Really, the hardest part is deciding specifically what you want to do in NY (see Times Square, Empire State Building, Central Park, WTC memorial, MOMA, Rockefeller Center, etc.), or see a play; also, what kind of food do you want? If you can say what you're interested in, I think a bunch of MeFites can give you tips how to efficiently get it.
posted by aught at 9:02 AM on November 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: I'm up for anything really. I think I'm going to start with the Met or MoMa and go from there. I'll keep checking this post.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 9:05 AM on November 6, 2015
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 9:05 AM on November 6, 2015
The High Line is hell and overrated. Go to Central Park. Wander. It looks like New York is having amazing weather for November.
posted by Automocar at 9:34 AM on November 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Automocar at 9:34 AM on November 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Tonight go to the Comedy Cellar or UCB (West not East). Best single-guy alone thing I ever did in NYC.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 9:35 AM on November 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 9:35 AM on November 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Yeah, the weather is bizarre devil weather so really you could just wander around outside and be entertained by the millions of people angrily wearing winter coats.
seconding the new whitney though
posted by poffin boffin at 10:03 AM on November 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
seconding the new whitney though
posted by poffin boffin at 10:03 AM on November 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
It's ridiculous but when I had a couple hours to kill on a work trip I went shoe shopping on the upper west side (W 72 St had like four shoe shops [Tana, Tip Top, and, uh, others] with brands I couldn't easily find in DC). My NY-based cow orkers thought I was nuts, but I ended up with some cool Tretorns and a pair of blue suede Converse from a skate shop across the street, so it worked out.
I'd also fill time with food and drink. Maybe some soup dumplings, and/or wine and cheese at Artisanal, and if you get tickets to a show you can go to The Rum House before and/or after. I've been to fancier bars in NYC, but that one has a feel I really like.
posted by fedward at 10:09 AM on November 6, 2015
I'd also fill time with food and drink. Maybe some soup dumplings, and/or wine and cheese at Artisanal, and if you get tickets to a show you can go to The Rum House before and/or after. I've been to fancier bars in NYC, but that one has a feel I really like.
posted by fedward at 10:09 AM on November 6, 2015
Best answer: Given today's freakishly warm weather, I'd pedal all over town on CitiBikes, 45 minutes at a time (or whatever the time limit is). Dock your bike, eat, drink, shop, then get another bike. Repeat as needed.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 11:04 AM on November 6, 2015
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 11:04 AM on November 6, 2015
Response by poster: On the M headed to MoMa. CitiBike sound good, too. Want to hit Comedy Cellar tonight as well. Thanks to everyone so far, and keep the suggestions coming.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 11:20 AM on November 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 11:20 AM on November 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Here is a magic, MAGIC part of your cellular device.
It'll tell you what subways to take. Google Maps (for free) can route you on the correct line and the correct stop.
Get around NYC like a New Yorker!
posted by filmgeek at 11:38 AM on November 6, 2015
It'll tell you what subways to take. Google Maps (for free) can route you on the correct line and the correct stop.
Get around NYC like a New Yorker!
posted by filmgeek at 11:38 AM on November 6, 2015
make a MeFi meetup (beer and karaoke are favorites) and us New Yorkers will show up to entertain you :)
posted by cristinacristinacristina at 12:02 PM on November 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by cristinacristinacristina at 12:02 PM on November 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: MoMa was great. Walked to central park, got a citibike and ride that to ground zero. Now figuring out what to do before I hit the comedy cellar at 8:45 (if anyone feels like joining).
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 2:41 PM on November 6, 2015
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 2:41 PM on November 6, 2015
Response by poster: Or maybe just chill at Harlem Public on Broadway.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 4:44 PM on November 6, 2015
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 4:44 PM on November 6, 2015
Harlem Public is not that far up Broadway from me! However, I just got home from work and am in total blah mood. The next time you're here, call a meetup, even if it's last minute.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 4:50 PM on November 6, 2015
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 4:50 PM on November 6, 2015
Response by poster: Yeah I would have, but this happened at the absolute last minute.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 4:54 PM on November 6, 2015
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 4:54 PM on November 6, 2015
Check your MeMail.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 5:01 PM on November 6, 2015
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 5:01 PM on November 6, 2015
Response by poster: Alright, for those who find this in the future....
From LaGuardia I hopped on the Q70 bus to a subway station, and from there I popped out near MoMa, did that, then walked to Central Park and got a CitiBike. CitiBike is basically the best thing ever, and I spent most of my time biking around and seeing sights. I dipped into a couple bars, tried to go to the Comedy Cellar (but it requires a reservation for those trying to hop in on a Friday night) but was unsuccessful, and eventually ended up at a bar in Harlem after I realized a long lost friend had moved to New York and luckily he hadn't changed his cell phone number.
Eventually computech_apolloniajames and mlis stopped by and fun was had shouting our life stories at each other.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 8:15 AM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
From LaGuardia I hopped on the Q70 bus to a subway station, and from there I popped out near MoMa, did that, then walked to Central Park and got a CitiBike. CitiBike is basically the best thing ever, and I spent most of my time biking around and seeing sights. I dipped into a couple bars, tried to go to the Comedy Cellar (but it requires a reservation for those trying to hop in on a Friday night) but was unsuccessful, and eventually ended up at a bar in Harlem after I realized a long lost friend had moved to New York and luckily he hadn't changed his cell phone number.
Eventually computech_apolloniajames and mlis stopped by and fun was had shouting our life stories at each other.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 8:15 AM on November 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
« Older Can I actually hook these speakers up to my... | Mailbox vandalized; how to get it replaced ASAP?... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:07 AM on November 6, 2015