What to do in NYC from Sunday to Tuesday?

September 19, 2007 6:13 PM

Going-to-NYC-filter: The wife and I will be in NYC from Sunday afternoon until Tuesday evening. We're big apple virgins, so I'm looking for suggestions and recommendations for what we absolutely must see and/or do.

Here's the pertinent details:

+ We're staying at the Chelsea Lodge, which I chose based on the glowing recommendations from fellow mefites.

+ Our plane lands in LaGuardia at 11:30 am on Sunday, and departs at 8:00 pm on Tuesday.

+ We're seeing Bjork at Madison Square Garden on Monday night at 8:00 pm.

The only things we've been told to do so far is: eat at the Shake Shack, see ground zero, and try to get cheap tickets to Spamalot on Sunday night.

The only touristy thing we like to do is visit art museums... other than that, we're into hole-in-the-wall bars, restaurants where the locals eat, unique movie theaters, and anything else a typical late-20s couple from the Midwest might enjoy.

I also plan to stare up at all the tall buildings when I'm walking.

Any and all suggestions / recommendations highly appreciated! Thanks!

posted by bjork24 to travel & transportation around New York, NY (28 answers total)

PS - Maybe I shouldn't have been so specific about where we're staying. Damn my midwestern naivety! Please don't mug me.
posted by bjork24 at 6:17 PM on September 19, 2007

Unique movie theaters:
The Pioneer Theater at Two Boots
Anthology Film Archives

These are actually in the same neighborhood, so it'd be easy to visit both. I'm partial to the "Newman" pizza at Two Boots, but I've heard lots of heated discussion for/against Two Boots' style pizza, so that's all I'm gonna say.
posted by xo at 6:19 PM on September 19, 2007

Have you used the search function to read the bajillion threads on this issue?
posted by sacre_bleu at 6:21 PM on September 19, 2007

^ Indeed I have, but seeing as how new things pop up in New York every 10 seconds, I thought it would be worth it to ask again.
posted by bjork24 at 6:24 PM on September 19, 2007

Oh, and because of the days your stay falls on, you'll need to be careful about museum hours. (E.g. most Chelsea galleries are closed on Sun/Mon, the Met is closed on Monday, MOMA is open Monday but closed Tuesday, the Whitney is open Sunday but closed Monday and Tuesday.)
posted by xo at 6:25 PM on September 19, 2007

I'm a bit biased, since some of my work appears in this show but I can definitely recommend visiting the NY Historical Society's new photo exhibit - Here is New York: Remembering 9/11
posted by blaneyphoto at 6:26 PM on September 19, 2007

What to do in NYC: my tips for first-timers

Make sure you eat some pizza, bagels and lox, a pastrami sandwich at Katz's Deli, and some street food (halal carts, Dosa Man, Calexico, taco truck, Chinatown, etc).

2nding the Pioneer Theater and AFA. You might also want to check out Film Forum.

Have fun!
posted by kathryn at 6:40 PM on September 19, 2007

Walk from ground zero west to the water, make a left and follow the water to the Staten Island Ferry, take that out and back for free (you have to get off and back on again on the other side.)

When you get to the river you could also first make a right and look at that part of the park first, including the Irish Famine Memorial and the Tom Otterness sculpture park.
posted by StickyCarpet at 6:43 PM on September 19, 2007

Katz's Deli. Houston & Ludlow. Pastrami Sandwich Nirvana.
posted by jonmc at 6:57 PM on September 19, 2007

The Cloisters is a nice place to visit.
posted by Poolio at 6:58 PM on September 19, 2007

I went to NYC for a week back in July with my fiance, so I can recommend these places:

- Hole in the Wall Bars: Burp Castle (Belgian beer, small space, and the benevolent bar dictatress controls the volume with a "Shhh!" if it gets too loud); Little Branch (throwback speakeasy-type joint, a little expensive but VERY well poured drinks)
- Food: Brunch at Sarabeth's (brunch in NYC apparently runs through the afternoon); pizza at Grimaldi's; dinner at Lupa. Expect long lines at any of these - you should make any dinner reservations two weeks ago, or plan on eating late (a table opened up for us at 11pm).
- Museum: The Cloisters (part of the Met, but separate facility). Heard about it from previous AskMe threads, and can't recommend it enough.
posted by krippledkonscious at 6:59 PM on September 19, 2007

Note: if you take the Staten Island Ferry, note that you'll have to spend some time waiting around in the terry terminal, waiting for the ferry to leave for Staten Island.

Then you get off the ferry on the other side, and get to wait another half hour to be let onto a Manhattan-bound ferry. You must exit the ferry once you reach Staten Island. There's not enough time to run off and back on the boat due to the one-way path they make you take.

I found this entire process quite boring (bring a book), and not a good use of time if you're only in NYC for a short period of time.
posted by kathryn at 7:00 PM on September 19, 2007

I'll again suggest checking out the PS1 Contemporary Art Center, it's one of my favorite museums internationally, a bit off the beaten path.

Honestly, and I know this may not be popular, but...there is nothing to see at Ground Zero. I was close by working downtown through 9-11 and trust me I'm full of heart and respect for the victims, people who sacrificed themselves, those who are sick, injured or dead from the cleanup, those who've lost loved ones, and all concerned, but there is really nothing to see at Ground Zero. If the trip means something to you personally by taking the time to pause, think and remember, I'm not trying to step on that.
posted by bunnycup at 7:04 PM on September 19, 2007

And I Nth the Cloisters. It's unfortunately been years since I have been to that breathtakingly beautiful and fascinating museum, which is high on cliffs on the very north tip of Manhattan, with dramatic views - bring a picnic.
posted by bunnycup at 7:09 PM on September 19, 2007

Yup, skip the Staten Island Ferry.

If you like books, go to The Strand.

Also, the square near The Strand has a great farmer's market around this time of year. Find the artisanal wine dude.
posted by poweredbybeard at 7:17 PM on September 19, 2007

I'm also gonna second xo's suggestion to hit up Two Boots pizza.

My favorite location is on Bleecker at Broadway. I ate there practically every day while I was doing my undergrad at NYU.
posted by Poolio at 7:19 PM on September 19, 2007

Walking around aimlessly in the Village, Chinatown and Little Italy is one of my favorite things to do in NYC. It drives my wife crazy, so your results may vary. Don't miss Central Park either, and the shops along Fifth Avenue, while not my cup of tea, are really something to see. Try the food kathryn suggests for sure, especially the pizza. Everyone should see Times Square at night, and the world from the top of the Empire State building at least once. If you like jazz NYC is the place to be, but there is good music of every stripe playing every night. You could spend your whole vacation at the Met, but there are so many museums from which to choose, but the guidebooks and listings in the paper as to what is current will steer you to what you want on museums. The other thing that NYC offers that is hard, but these days no longer near impossible, to find in the midwest, is great bread. NYC has the best bread in the US (sorry San Fran). Too bad the NYC Ballet is not in town when you are here as they are among the best in the world. NYC is a firehose, enjoy your drink.
posted by caddis at 7:22 PM on September 19, 2007

-- I head Coney Island won't be in its nostalgic state for much longer. See it while you can. While there, go to the aquarium and see the walrus exhibit. Incredible.

-- Speaking on animals, the Bronx zoo has a stunning gorilla exhibit. A whole family of them. Grown ups. Babies. It's like watching another human species.

-- The Museum of Natural History is having an exhibit of mythical creature. In addition, they have a really cool planetarium.

-- Consider the Brooklyn Museum. It's one of the largest in the country. It has an Ancient Egypt second only to Cairo and The British Museum. While at the BM, stop by the Botanical Gardens (next door) and Prospect Park (NYC's biggest park -- bigger than Central Park).

-- While at the BM, take a break and go to Tom's for lunch. It's a pretty much preserved diner from the 30s. Egg Creams, Cherry-lime Rickies. A zillion types of pancakes. Wanna see where the locals eat? This is where!

-- Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at night (maybe on your way back from the Brooklyn Museum).

-- On a nice day, Washington Square Park is good for people, dog and street-performer watching.

-- Go into the main concourse of Grand Central Station and look up at the ceiling.

-- Speaking of grand, make sure you go see St. Johns the Divine. It's like going back in time to the Middle Ages. I'm a Jewish atheist, but that church makes me want to praise Jesus.
posted by grumblebee at 7:34 PM on September 19, 2007

Dude you gotta focus us a bit. asking for general tips for things to do in nyc is insane, there's 15 zillion things to do. I think first you need to decide if this is gonna be a going out at night trip or a going places during the day trip. Don't try to do too much in such a short time, you will be too tired! Seriously, pick a couple things and do them well. Take a nap before your show on Monday. Remember, this city goes all night if you want it to.
If you know anyone in the city, I'd recommend calling them up and saying hi! People like to show people around their hood or their scene. Even if you don't know them that well, I'd recommend giving a call.
Second, it really sounds like you don't have much time. So...I'd do dinner in manhattan sunday evening when you arrive. Lupa is nice, I agree. I don't know where you're coming from or what type of food you like. Certainly New York Italian is great. But, maybe you want to choose some type of food you can't easily get where you're from? Name it, they have it. Chinatown isn't too far from you (shanghai joe's, soup dumplings) Think of a type of food, find it and go for dinner sunday night. If you want to try something crazy, go to Peter Luger in Brooklyn (take the L train or hop in a cab). You'd have to go there and wait around and have drinks, but its truly a unique experience. There's a review of them in today's nytimes I'm sure you can find.
Monday's your money day but you don't want to get too tired, I would think, before your show. It really depends on your interests...but I'd say some type of Museum/Park idea is a good. And shake shack. Personally, I love the Chelsea galleries, right by your hotel. Its all these galleries selling art from living artists. Its free, you go into one and check it, then go to another. But it really depends on your interests, museum-wise. But don't do too much before this show or you'll be dead bodies. Cause i recommend going to this show and then going to bars.
Tuesday, pick one thing and do it. Be it shopping, the ground zero thing, soho, another museum, brunch.
Hope this helps...you didn't really say anything specific you want to do. If you can go to queens or brooklyn, you'll see the real new york. No offense to anyone from the bronx.
posted by alkupe at 7:39 PM on September 19, 2007

Minor tip — for getting from place to place, definitely buy a few "Fun Passes" for the mass transit. They're $7 each, and they allow you unlimited subway and bus rides until 3 am.
posted by korpios at 8:26 PM on September 19, 2007

If you're interested in revival, indie, foreign movies:nthing the above plus BAM Rose cinema, Walter Reade, IFC--if you want to visit the theater for its own sake you can tour Radio City Music Hall or see what's playing at the Ziegfield at 141 W 54th.
posted by brujita at 9:15 PM on September 19, 2007

I always take new visitors on a Circle Line boat tour of Manhattan. It helps them get the lay of the land, and makes walking around the island that much easier.

Also, I recommend seeing Manhattan at dusk (so you can stay until dark) from the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. Much better than the tacky Empire State Building environment. Bonus: You get to see the Empire State Building AND Central Park. I highly recommend this.
posted by unclejeffy at 4:27 AM on September 20, 2007

Try taking the Roosevelt Island tram - it's a much shorter trip than the Staten Island ferry, but you get an astounding view of Manhattan that I particularly like at night. It costs the same as the subway (you can use a Metrocard), and whether or not you have to get off and get back on when you get to Roosevelt Island depends on who is operating the tram. But even if you have to wait for the next one back, it doesn't take very long. Walking along the western edge of the island is very nice at night, too - it's another unique cityscape view. The Manhattan tram entrance is at 60th St and 2nd Avenue.
posted by emmastory at 4:30 AM on September 20, 2007

I don't know why there's all this hatin' on the SI Ferry. I take most people on the ferry if it's their first trip. You get a great view of Liberty and lower Manhattan, and it's free. Unless it's after midnight, the ferry runs every half hour. And on the SI side, you do have to disembark, but you absolutely can get right back on (ie, you don't have to wait for the next ferry). I did this is June with my 60yo mom and two teenagers with no problems.

I live near the Cloisters, and it is quite beautiful, but if this is your first trip to NYC, I would probably skip it unless you are really into medieval religious art. Part of the joy of the Cloisters is that it doesn't feel like you are in Manhattan, so if you want to experience the hustle and bustle this isn't the place. And it will take up at least half of a day when you factor in travel time.

I would absolutely hit Katz's and Coney Island, because they are classics that might not be around much longer. NYC is losing its character hand over fist, so these places are special. Another great little place is Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop, which has been around since 1929. I would probably do this instead of the Shake Shack (they're in the same area).
posted by kimdog at 7:32 AM on September 20, 2007

FYI, if you want to hit up the Chinatown and Little Italy area, the Feast of San Gennaro is happening right now. If you're opposed to big crowds, avoid it. But if you want to hit up street vendors for gelato and great pastries, check it out.
posted by ahimsa at 8:21 AM on September 20, 2007

Kimdog, when did you go? The last time I did it, the ferry was too crowded so they made us wait for the next one.

2nding going to the Top of the Rock at dusk.

Coney Island might be interesting, but it is going to suck up a good portion of your day and some of the rides have already closed for the season.
posted by kathryn at 9:48 AM on September 20, 2007

The Frick Collection is sometimes overlooked by tourists, but for my money it's the best art museum in New York. It's small and wonderful.
They're open Tuesday from 10-6.
posted by lockedroomguy at 11:36 AM on September 21, 2007 [1 favorite]

Don't know if you're still reading this thread, but please avoid the San Gennaro festival. Blech. Little Italy is gone, it's just tourist traps for nostalgic people who have abandoned their neighborhood long ago for the New Jersey suburbs, and the food is precisely what you will find at any of our horrible "street fairs" featuring huge grilled sausages, funnel cakes, and those weird corn/mozzarella things. Not tasty. And the pastries and gelato are also nothing special at all, I'm sad to say. The community board asked them not to have the festival this year.

But if you *do* like good food, just come on over to the West Village and you will find great ice cream at Cones, great pizza at John's, and the best selection of cheese in the US at Murray's, all on Bleecker St. just east of 7th Ave., near the Christopher St. stop. People might pooh-pooh some of these places as "yuppie" or whatever, but they're great. And Katz's and the SI Ferry are great recommendations too. For a great burger try the Corner Bistro, also in the West Village. Great dive bar is WXOU on Hudson St. between West 11th and Perry St.

Sorry to be so neighborhood-centric.
posted by lackutrol at 8:01 PM on September 21, 2007