NYC in August HELP
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Anonymous
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Need some ideas. Want to take my 16 yo granddaughter for her first trip (and mine) to NYC.
Where to stay that wont break the bank? Must do? Must see? One thing i was thinking of taking her to on her birthday was to see the Blue Man Group perform. She was watching it somewhere on tv and I showed her a video and she was blown away by them. I thought that could be a something to do. Drive? Train? What to do once up there without a car if we take train? Any areas to avoid altogether? Thanks! |
Anonymous
| anyone???? |
Anonymous
| I would take the train. You don't need a car to get around nyc. You're much better off using the subway and taxi's. I'd probably stay somewhere in midtown, near Times Square so you can soak all that in. I'm no expert on the shows, but there are so many good ones you can't really go wrong. |
Anonymous
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Blue Man is fun. Took DD when she was 9. Took my nephew at age 13 years earlier in Las Vegas. NYC venue is small and intimate. If you want to wear a rain poncho and get goop thrown at you, sit near the front!
With DD, we also took the express elevators to the top of the Empire State Building (I'd rather pay more than wait), sailed around the Statue of Liberty (closed because of the government shutdown), ate at Ellen's Stardust Diner with the singing wait staff, and took a horse and buggy around Central Park. (We also ate at the American Girl store, shopped at FAO Schwarz (now closing) and saw Annie on Broadway, but those things might be too young-skewed for your trip). |
Anonymous
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Ride the Staten Islnd Ferry (free) - it goes right past the Statue of Liberty
Carriage ride thigh Central Park (pricey) Stroll through Central Park, get ice cream, have a picnic |
Anonymous
OP here, thank you so much, esp for your review about the Blue Man Group. I really think we both will like that, esp her. Will have to look into the Stardust Diner. She would probably like that, as well as the Empire State building and I already had thought of the statue. Wonder when FAO Schwartz is closing. Any idea on where to stay that wont break the bank? Thanks! |
Anonymous
The ferry sounds awesome, and just my price. I want to pick a few things I need to pay for then find some free stuff if that is even possible. Love the idea for a picnic. We do that around here when we do day trips, so used to packing a lunch and taking with to save money on food. I can only imagine what food costs in NYC |
Anonymous
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Travelzoo.com usually has some good deals on hotels and dinner.
Eataly near Madison Sq Park has gelato and coffee. The original Shake Shack is in Madison Sq Park -- it was closed for reno earlier this year so not sure if it is open again SoL tickets cost less than $20 each and include a ferry to Liberty Island, access to the pedestal of the statue, and Ellis Island. A fantastic way to spend a day. |
Anonymous
| The train can be very expensive. The bus is super easy and has convenient dc Bethesda Arlington pickups. Look up vamoose bus. Also dc2ny |
Anonymous
| Agree with PP on you not needing a car! The city's very eay to get around with the subway and is also really walkable. As for hotels we usually stay in Kimptons when we visit as they tend to be reasonably priced (for NY) and also of reliable quality. We've stayed at Park 70, for instance, several times and have always been happy with it. Just stay away from the Hotel Pennsylvania - scary! |
Anonymous
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does your 16 year old like art? Your ticket (technically donation) for Metropolitan Museum of Art also gets you into the Cloisters at the north end of Manhattan. It's filled with medieval European Art and housed in a beautiful building. Walking the grounds of the Cloisters and the park that surrounds it is also a nice break from the city.
Over in Brooklyn is the Smorgasburg (http://www.smorgasburg.com/) every weekend. Kinda fun to walk around and try some of the food. My favorite restaurant is in Williamsburg--BrisketTown. Best brisket outside of Texas, imo. It's small and tucked away and worth the effort if you're into that sort of thing. Stroll the High Line, wander the West Village. I second riding the Staten Island Ferry. Free, and not anywhere near as crowded as the Statue of Liberty ferry or the water tours that cost a bunch of money. Finally, I found the 9/11 memorial surprisingly moving (and I'm extremely cynical about how people use 9/11 for cover of all sorts of things). It wasn't what I was expecting at all, and I, who can have a heart of stone, was flooded with emotion. |
Anonymous
| If you stroll the High Line (and you should, it's lovely and also free!), stop at the Chelsea Market for something to eat. Lots of delicious and reasonably priced food options. |
Anonymous
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Do the High Line, go shopping, find a sample sale and go (so cheap and fun!). Go to Soho, brooklyn promenade, central park WALKING no carriage horses please, MOMA, MOMA shop (great shopping!), rent a Citibike and go down the west side, eat at Pakistani Tea House after going to Century 21 (must see!).
DONT DO: Carriage ride around Central Park SATC Tour Magnolia Bakery 911 Memorial selfie - disrespectful in my opinion 5th Ave Apple Store (altho the H&M down the street is great) Above All - DONT BLOCK THE SUBWAY STAIRS OR SIDEWALK! |
Anonymous
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Take the bus - Vamoose or Tripperbus (if you are leaving from Bethesda or VA area) or Megabus or Bolt if leaving from DC.
Definitely do the High Line. Magnolia's cupcakes are very popular. If you feel like getting up early you can wait online for a Cronut - it's a very touristy thing to do! Do a picnic in the park. Mamouns is a very popular falafel place and it's quite cheap. Street food - like hotdogs and other fun stuff are also inexpensive. There are plenty of good chinese places and other carryout that won't break the bank. Chinatown and the Village are always fun to stroll around. There are plenty of street fairs in the summer. A food walking door is always fun. Check Groupon for NYC area if there is any type of cheap bus tour. Williamsburg (Brooklyn) might be fun for her to browse the shops if she is into hipsters and what not. I also suggest staying in Midtown or I have seen some good deals for Chelsea area. Travelzoo, Groupon, Living Social are all places to check for hotels. The Jane Hotel has TINY(!) rooms and some ensuites or shared bathrooms. But it can be cheap and it has a great location. |
Anonymous
Oh, brother. 
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