yet another going to new york question

August 20, 2005 10:19 AM

Going to New York for the first time. Have questions, will travel.

Me: Mid-twenties guy, traveling alone, going for four or five days sometime between Sept. 2 and 12.

The essentials:
1) I'm thinking about flying over and greyhounding or Amtrack-ing back. This should save me about $70 and deliver me fresh and energized into the warm and loving bosom of NYC. On the way back I'll probably be tired enough to sleep. Is the two one-way-tickets idea bad? Is there some potential complication to this I need to anticipate?

2) I'm also thinking about using couchsurfing.com to find a place to stay. Any thoughts? Any recommendations for cheap accomidations?

the entertainment:
3) I'll spend at least one day doing arty stuff: the MOMA or contemporary museum, SOHO, etc. How long does it take to get to the DEA:Beacon? I’m going to try to walk part of the High Line. Any other stuff I should definitely see?

4) Recommendations for good underground/unknown arty/punky/indie/interesting/sexy things?

5) I'd like to hit at least one really good party. Are these worth going to? The pictures look promising.

6) What are other ways to get into (not too dangerous) trouble?

posted by slipperywhenwet to Travel & Transportation around New York, NY (12 answers total)

If you're definitely going to walk the Highline, and are also into art, note that the Highline is in Chelsea, home to about 200+ art galleries. Most should be opening up shop after the summer hiatus by early Sept., and all are free. DIA also has a museum in the heart of Chelsea if you decide Beacon is to far. Also eyebeam has a cool space in Chelsea.
posted by gwint at 10:42 AM on August 20, 2005

one-way tickets are more expensive--you might get a better deal buying a rt and not using the return portion.

i'd not do couchsurfing..there's a safe hostel on W.20th street between 7th and 8th avenues (email sgt. serenity--he stayed there), and cheapo hotels scattered around.

the highline's not officially open so you'll have to sneak on and could be arrested. be careful. (unless you catch a benefit tour or something)

there are tons of interesting things going on every day. start watching gothamist, and flavorpill, and other sites. once you get somewhere, you'll probably meet people who'll tell you about other things.
posted by amberglow at 10:53 AM on August 20, 2005

Best answer: You can probably purchase a current copy of Time Out NY from a newsstand in your city that carries international papers. That way, you can read it before you arrive and figure out what to do in NYC that you can't do in Toronto. There are some regularly recurring parties and events, but the more interesting ones come up week-by-week and aren't listed so far in advance as now.

The train to Dia:Beacon is about 75-80 minutes' trainride from Grand Central. It's a gorgeous journey and a lovely thing to do, but it will take a long time (and it's only open Thu-Mon from now till October, so don't try to go on a Tues or Weds). Personally, I like to do off-the-beaten-path kinds of things like this, even if they take a half-day, but everyone's taste is different.
posted by xo at 11:32 AM on August 20, 2005

Best answer: If you're into contemporary art, I'd suggest trying PS1. It's in Queens, but I think it's only 1 subway stop in if you're coming from Manhattan if I remember right.

If you go on a Saturday before Sept. 3, you can catch the Warm Up event at PS1. It's a big outdoor music thing in the courtyard in front of the museum, with a lineup of a bunch of different DJs. I haven't gone this year, but they've had some pretty good stuff in the past. When I went, there were also a bunch of cool outdoor installations of art. During Warm Up, the museum is open for for free (although you have to pay for Warm Up - $8). The rooftop gives a nice view of the surrounding area, and I have a really neat series of B&W photos that I took from up there.
posted by GreenTentacle at 1:12 PM on August 20, 2005

The hostel on 20th Street is pretty nice, and it's on the same block as the 10th Precinct police station so it's very safe - and that's the same Chelsea neighborhood where the High Line and the art galleries are.
posted by nicwolff at 1:12 PM on August 20, 2005

"What are other ways to get into (not too dangerous) trouble?"

Take the 6 Train south, beyond the City Hall stop. You'll get to get a historic train station as the train turns around. I've never done this; it's supposedly illegal; report back to me whether you're arrested....
posted by ParisParamus at 4:01 PM on August 20, 2005

Take the 6 Train south, beyond the City Hall stop. You'll get to get a historic train station as the train turns around. I've never done this; it's supposedly illegal; report back to me whether you're arrested....

E train actually.

But yes, do this. Bring a flashlight. You will be amazed.
posted by TTIKTDA at 9:51 PM on August 20, 2005

Response by poster: But yes, do this. Bring a flashlight. You will be amazed.

Okay. Sounds intriguing.

Thanks for the suggestions! All very good. And it turns out that I might have a place to stay with a cousin.
posted by slipperywhenwet at 10:50 PM on August 20, 2005

Hey Slippery -- Bring comfortable shoes, cause you'll be walking MILES. Be sure you hit the waterfront, and get a sense of the city as a port. Consider taking the ferry to Staten Island and directly back -- it's cheap and fun, and gives you great harbor views. As far as museums go, MoMA, the Met, Natural History -- all fantastic of course, but the "smaller" museums are quite unique, and worth visiting (e.g., Frick, Cloisters, Morgan, Cooper Hewitt). Another must-see, whatever your political views, is Ground Zero.
posted by rob511 at 1:44 AM on August 21, 2005

Here's what Wikipedia says about the old station at City Hall...

The First Subway Station

The 6 line's current terminus in Lower Manhattan is Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station. However, if one takes a downtown-bound train to this station and stays on the train after the announcement that they've reached the end of the line and need to transfer, the rider will be able to pass through the City Hall loop and see the first subway station, the original City Hall Station. This station could only fit a five-car train and was closed after most other stations on the system were upgraded to fit ten cars.
posted by Miko at 8:11 AM on August 21, 2005

Check out the mailing list nonsense nyc and subscribe a week or two ahead of your trip. It's got lots of listings of interesting/funky events, plus good house parties and offbeat things.
posted by Vidiot at 8:39 PM on August 21, 2005

i'd not do couchsurfing..there's a safe hostel on W.20th street between 7th and 8th avenues (email sgt. serenity--he stayed there),

there's a plaque there now.
posted by sgt.serenity at 8:48 AM on August 31, 2005