Jill and I are off for more New York City adventures this summer. Our daughter Moira has a summer internship at the Yeshiva University Museum in NYC, so we have the perfect excuse to spend some time in our favorite city. We will be there one week in early June, and then another week in July.
I sometimes get questions from people who would like to visit the city but are a little apprehensive. To aid those interested, I am going to be blogging about our trips this year. I am an avid reader of other folks travel blogs so I guess it is time to add something of my own to the mix.
In addition, I will be adding photos of the trip. I take a lot of photos. The image at the top of this post is a somewhat photoshopped view of the Midtown Skyline as coming in on an Amtrak train from Saratoga Springs. All of the photos on this blog are taken by me, usually on my iPhone.
Getting to the City:
We don't really like to fly much, and we love trains, so we always take Amtrak to the City. I do not recommend having a car. Driving and then finding a place to park in the City is best left to the professionals.
We have some good friends in Durham, North Carolina, so we catch the train from there. The Carolinian (http://www.amtrak.com/carolinian-piedmont-train) goes from Charlotte to New York City everyday. We leave Durham at 10 a.m. and get into the City at 9 p.m. All in all, a nice ride. It is usually on time, and is comfortable. The seats are much larger than on an airplane. There is food available, but bringing along some snacks is always a good idea.
Where to Stay:
Hotel prices are pretty high in the city. We always stay a guest house run by a non-profit organization in the East Village. Email me if you want details. All parts of Manhattan are safe, so you can feel free to search for good deals anywhere. Make sure the hotel you pick is close to public transportation. I always check online review to make sure the hotel is legit.
How to get Around:
Again, I would never drive in the City. The fastest way to get around is via Subway. You can pick up a Metro Card with unlimited rides in any Subway station. You can get them for a Week at a time, and they allow you to ride the Subway and Buses as much as you want.
You need a Subway/Bus map with you. There are several good iPhone App, I use Embark/NYC. You can also pick up a small folding map in most gift shops and bookstores.
I am a big fan of taking the Bus. Buses cover the city more thoroughly than the Subway, which means less walking. You also have the advantage of seeing the town as you travel. The downside is that the bus is slow. In Manhattan there are buses that run on every Avenue. In addition, there are crosstown buses on the "major" streets. Example of major streets are 9, 14, 23, 34, 42, 58, 66... There are Express Buses, which are faster, but do not make all the stops. There is a map at each bus stop.
The Subways are much faster. Make sure you know the direction you want to go, whether Uptown (towards higher street numbers) or Downtown. Also, watch for Express trains. Express trains do not make all of the stops. Do not stand too close to the edge when waiting for a train. Safety first.
You can also take a cab. Cabs are fast and can take you exactly where you need to go. They are more expensive than the Subway. To hail a cab, just go to a street corner and raise you hand. Only get into Yellow cars. Black cars that may offer you a ride are not regulated and can be a safety risk. Unless the place you are going is super well known, it is best to give the driver a street corner (such at 41st Street and 3rd Avenue.) Be careful not to steal a cab by moving up the block from someone who is already waiting.
What to Do:
There are so many things to see in the City. I recommend a good guide book for the first time visitor. One thing not to miss is a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. This free ride will offer you a cool breeze on a hot day, and excellent views of the Statue of Liberty. When you get to Staten Island, just turn around an come back, as there is not much to see there.
There are also tons of great museums. My favorites are the MOMA, the Guggenheim, and the International Center for Photography. Look online, as many museums offer "free" days sometime during the week.
Spend some time in Central Park. It is really an amazing place. Make sure to explore the northern end as well, as it is more rustic and less crowded.
Walk around Chinatown. You will see and smell things there that exist no where else in America.
Go to Times Square once. Then mark it off your list and never go back. :-) Times Square is not New York. It is more like Disneyland.
Walk, Walk, Walk.
Where to Eat:
There are so many amazing places to eat in NYC. If you have a smartphone, get the Yelp app to help you out. You can get surprisingly cheap food in the City, or you can pay way too much. You just have to look around. Some neighborhoods are cheaper than others. The Lower East Side and the East Village are pretty cheap. Anywhere Midtown or above can be pretty pricey. I few spots we never miss are the Meatball Shop on on 84 Stanton in the Lower East Side, and Veselka (Ukrainian Food) at 144 Second Ave. in the East Village.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
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