New York City?

[AliciaD]

So, I'm from a small town in NH, barely ever leave the state, but this Saturday I am going to NY city! Yay! I have a few questions though, and I know Chazzers frequently travel.

a) I'm getting dropped off near Times Square. I have to meet up with a friend who is going to college in NY. How big is Times Square? What is a good meeting place that even a ditz like me can find? I think there's a Subway, haha.

b) What should I see? Like, landmarks, cool things to look at? I'm not really one for sightseeing, but if you guys recommend it I will see what I can do.

c) What should I do? I mean, what is there to do? I'm there till 8 pm, so it's not like I'm going clubbing, haha. I'll feel like the trip was wasted if all I do is window shop, haha.

d) Anything special I should bring? Not that I don't trust the people, but I'll be alone for most of the day (just meeting up with my friend for a little while). Mace? Tazer?

And anything else you can think to add, haha. I'll be honest, I mostly want to see taboo stuff that little ol' NH doesn't have, haha, but I'm game for anything.

 

[RedHotDobe]

I'd carry as little as possible. Less to keep track of, and less for anyone to potentially take. I also just hate carrying things. If I was picking a meeting spot, I would choose McDonald's. It's extremely bright and hard to miss, lol, but not quite as ginormous as some of the other things there. Will the tree be up yet? If so, go see the tree! It's in Rockefeller Center. I'm not much help in the things to see category. I love walking around the stores. They are incredibly huge. Maybe go see the Christmas window displays?

 

[AliciaD]

If so, go see the tree! It's in Rockefeller Center. I'm not much help in the things to see category. I love walking around the stores. They are incredibly huge. Maybe go see the Christmas window displays?

I will definitely see the tree if it is up!

Also, I'll remember to bring ibuprofen in case my legs give out, haha.

 

[GipsyQueen]

I second McDs.

Depending on the weather, I'd go up on the empire state building! It costs $11,50 (At least in 2008 it did), but its worth it!

 

[JessLough]

Sit in Times Square and watch people. Incredibly interesting

 

[milos_mommy]

UM, when? If you're going to be alone for most of the day and I'm around (I go away for the weekends a lot) we could try to meet up!

If you want to see more local-type places and not big sights, and you want to see some of the more intense NY stuff, try St. Mark's Place - gets a pretty wild crowd even in the daytime, or the West Village. Union Square is also a good, safe, easy place to hang out with cool street performers and a farmer's market and stuff, but can be kind of boring. 125th st in Harlem is really cool, but probably a little "ghetto" if you're not used to it. Honestly, no where in Manhattan is particularly dangerous, especially in the daytime, as long as you don't follow any sketchy people into their offices or give them your credit card info.

Chinatown is also always fun, and if you want to do something more touristy, I'd pick the Met. I'm kind of into art and history and stuff, though.

The tree is honestly kind of boring, IMO, but the shop windows around the neighborhood are really really cool. Bloomingdale's is pretty awesome and right nearby, and just walking up 5th avenue during this time of year has cool window stuff. But everything in this neighborhood is super ritzy and I find it boring and I suggest you go down to the village instead.

If you decide on where you're actually going to be hanging out, I can give you a better idea of what's in that area, and let me know when you'll be here and if you want to meet up.

 

[milos_mommy]

Oops, I just realized it says you'll be there Saturday, and I don't think I'll be around...

 

[LostAndConfused]

I think there will be a Christmas market in Union Square & Columbus Circle by Saturday. I've never been, but am hoping to go some weekend before Christmas. Those could be fun. I loved the one in Chicago.

 

[MicksMom]

I will definitely see the tree if it is up!...

The tree's been "up" for weeks. What I think you mean is if it's lit. They're lighting it tomorrow night, so, it'll be lit this weekend.
When we go into the city, I take a mess back pack or a day pack (depending on what we're doing) with stuff like motrin, chapstick, tampons, stretchy gloves, band aids etc. I put everything in a zip lock bag inside the pack. For a couple of reasons- flying has taught me it's the easiest way to have the stuff inside your pack inspected. But, also, I find it easier to get what I want out.

 

[AliciaD]

Oops, I just realized it says you'll be there Saturday, and I don't think I'll be around...

Aw, shame! You got me all excited haha. Bummer. PM me if your plans change.

The tree's been "up" for weeks. What I think you mean is if it's lit. They're lighting it tomorrow night, so, it'll be lit this weekend.
When we go into the city, I take a mess back pack or a day pack (depending on what we're doing) with stuff like motrin, chapstick, tampons, stretchy gloves, band aids etc. I put everything in a zip lock bag inside the pack. For a couple of reasons- flying has taught me it's the easiest way to have the stuff inside your pack inspected. But, also, I find it easier to get what I want out.

What do you do in the city? >_>

Haha, yeah, I mean if the tree is lit! I don't have a purse, so I'll have to bring my backpack. Not the most glamorous thing, but whatever,

 

[milos_mommy]

The Union Square holiday market is pretty great. And if you're into dorky stuff like me there's the coolest bookstore in the world nearby, and a pretty intense comic book stuff store, and you could walk to St. Mark's Place or the West Village from there...St Mark's Place has a pretty awesome vegan-y cafe that gives out condoms with your receipts you'd probably like. If you're into stuff you won't find in NH, there's also a place not far from there called the Yippie Museum Cafe, although I'm not sure how it qualifies as a museum or a cafe. They do have some food/juice/stuff, and a bunch of books, but they play live music and are dedicated to the legalization of drugs. They have a bunch of artwork and the guy who runs the place is the most unattractive individual I've ever met in my life. But it IS cool. I don't know if you'd be into this but the ABC No Rio, which is kind of an art/activism center on the lower east side that miraculously survived gentrification, has a punk/hardcore matinee on Saturday's at 3:30pm. I've never been, but it's supposed to be pretty good.

I should also mention, don't try to fit in too much. Keep in mind that even via cab, traveling throughout the city takes a pretty good deal of time, and going across town to get somewhere can take upwards of an hour (usually around 45 minutes). So if you're only going for the day, pick one or two areas to see and no more than that.

Also, if you go to see the tree/window displays at this time of year, it's extremely crowded with super wealthy tourists who don't know where they're going and step on you and stop abruptly in front of you so you accidentally step on them. But Bergdorf Goodman is supposed to have a cool window display of folk animal characters wearing steampunk inspired clothing.

 

[AliciaD]

Thanks Milos Mommy. Vegany cafe and condoms are definitely on the list, Those other places sound cool too. The time constraint is kind of a bummer, but oh well.

Woot! I'm excited.

 

[RedHotDobe]

I think the tree and window displays are awesome, but I love glitz and I love Christmas decorations. I really want to make it up there this year. The Tiffany & Co. windows are carousel themed, and I absolutely adore carousels.

Now you've got me trying to go up this weekend, lol. If I do, I'll let you know. I've been to Long Island fairly recently, in Astoria and Great Neck, but haven't been to Manhattan in a loooong time.

 

[Michiyo-Fir]

a) I'm getting dropped off near Times Square. I have to meet up with a friend who is going to college in NY. How big is Times Square? What is a good meeting place that even a ditz like me can find? I think there's a Subway, haha.

It's kind of big, but most importantly it's very very busy so definitely set a meeting place. There's a Toys R Us or Hard Rock Cafe...or something you can meet at. there's lots of possible places...

b) What should I see? Like, landmarks, cool things to look at? I'm not really one for sightseeing, but if you guys recommend it I will see what I can do.

Go see a musical, it's a must! I absolutely adore musicals and NYC has some good ones.

c) What should I do? I mean, what is there to do? I'm there till 8 pm, so it's not like I'm going clubbing, haha. I'll feel like the trip was wasted if all I do is window shop, haha.

There's tons to do, check out the American Doll store lol. It's disturbing, the give hair cuts and pedicures and face washes for kids' dolls! You have to make appointments too! The store is huuuuuge.

d) Anything special I should bring? Not that I don't trust the people, but I'll be alone for most of the day (just meeting up with my friend for a little while). Mace? Tazer?

Nothing special you need to bring.

 

[MicksMom]

...What do you do in the city? >_>...

The past few years we've gone in for the bull riding at Madison Square Garden. Last fall we went for their free even in Times Square, too. In the past we've gone to the Intrepid and to the Garth Brooks concert in Central Park. Also the dog show (Westminster).

 

[milos_mommy]

Hey, what did you end up doing in NYC? Did you have a good time??

 

[toxic]

Ohh, wish I was here to see this thread earlier. I lived in the NYC suburbs for 15 years - I still find new things each time I go back to the city. One day wouldn't even scratch the surface! Hope you had fun though.