Touristing in NYC

I've been to several times myself and there are some really cool, not as well known, smaller museums. Definitely check out The Cloisters and The Tenement Museum ( make reservations online!). Also for some really fun theatre vibe go eat at Ellen's Stardust Diner on Broadway. Don't forget your camera!

garyhaupt wrote:

wanderingbob wrote:
Did any one say , Central Park " on the weekend , best circus in town . Street performers , jugglers , skaters , bikers , muggers ,fun for all !

We have 'done' the park a couple of times but a Shake Shack burger and wander in is the best was to spend a couple hours, for sure.

Thank you for the reminder.


Gary

Just sold my CPW apartment (massive sigh on many levels but but my retirement fund likes it just fine) and am of the biased opinion that you can never have enough of the park, LOL. No Shake Shacks up there that I know of but there's a nice burger place on...Columbus and West 97th or 98th that emulates it. It's called "Bare Burger". Like most places here you can eat in or takeout.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/bareburger-new-york-20?osq=Bareburger

Wave Hill, a city garden that frequently has music. Great for picnic lunches and resting your tired "dogs".

https://www.wavehill.org/

Shakespeare in the Park (free) will run through sometime in August. Grab a picnic meal from Zabar's (a Westside institution) and nosh as you wait in line.

https://www.publictheater.org/Free-Shakespeare-in-the-Park/

http://www.zabars.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Zabars-Site/default/Link-Page?cid=OUR_STORE_ON_BROADWAY





A rarely seen by visitors or even residents, formal garden at 5th Ave and 102nd Street. Beautiful statues, water features and wisteria trellis. Not what you'd expect to see in Manhattan.

Of course the Cloisters. I take my DGD there least once a month and she's still not tired of it- in fact there's a pic of her sitting in front of part of the Unicorn Tapestry absorbing the details in one of the museum's magazine. Schedule a trip there same day as the Metropolitan and you only pay an entrance fee for one of the two.

Brookfield Place which is just across the street from WTC yet remains a destination in itself. Fantastic water views, great eats, people watching and year round activities. During the summer they like to show movies at night outdoors. Grab a prime rib panni from Eataly's and go to heaven on earth. Or take an outdoor seat at Le District ('spensive French bistro but great night scene) or PJ Clarke's. PJ's raw bar is fresh, made to order and the seafood platter is quite filling although my piggy eyes thought it wouldn't be. Wrong (thank goodness for my waist line, LOL) and a fine light supper or lunch.
Blue Smoke across the street is a BBQ haven and the brisket tips, collard greens and mac + cheese are truly worthy. I swearrrrrrr I only ate a tablespoon of the mac......

High Line Park, on the edge of the Westside, is one of our newest "got to be there" places. It's on the site of a previous railroad and rises above the street in many areas. Great landscaping, eating and people watching. Also you can see the aerialists' school attendees working out and gosh many are quite good.

Bring your camera and walk over the Brooklyn Bridge around sunrise and eat breakfast at Junior's once you get there. Take the subway back to "the city" and avoid the hordes of tourists and city folk crowds. Make a stop at Federal Hall and checkout the newly discovered parts of the wall (embedded in the street) that gave Wall Street it's name and delineated the upper reaches of 17th century New Amsterdam. Feel like exploring more of Brooklyn? Walk (or grab the subway) up Flatbush Avenue make a left on Eastern Parkway to the Brooklyn Museum. Sorry you'll miss the Georgia O'Keeffe show:(.

https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/

Since you are staying in Staten Island take a trip over to Sailors' Snug Harbour. Haven't been there for a while but the memory lingers:).

http://www.noblemaritime.org/sailors-snug-harbor/

Take in a game at Yankee Stadium and then stop at Giovanni's for brick oven pizza. Should you still have some energy walk a few blocks up the Grand Concourse, to the Andrew Freedman House. It was built by a millionare for formerly wealthy people who lost their fortunes. Each resident had the use of 3 servants so they could better remember the "old days".

http://www.ohny.org/site-programs/weekend/sites/andrew-freedman-home

Take a walk through Greenwich Village. It's nothing like I remember it anymore (gentrification....sigh ish ish) but the historical spots, still remain as well as the twisting streets. You can still close your eyes and imagine Edith Wharton, O. Henry and Bob Dylan walking down the streets.

http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/76248/buried

HTH and have fun!

wanderingbob wrote:
Did any one say , Central Park " on the weekend , best circus in town . Street performers , jugglers , skaters , bikers , muggers ,fun for all !

We have 'done' the park a couple of times but a Shake Shack burger and wander in is the best was to spend a couple hours, for sure.

Thank you for the reminder.


Gary

rhagfo wrote:
Skip the car, way to frustrating in NYC!! Get weekly subway passes! When work took me to NYC, I would fly into JFK and take AirTran and the LIRR into town, and then use the Subway system to get around town! Weekly. Pass is about $31.
There is also an app for smart phones for the Subway map and schedules.

You are right all way around..we'll rent a car for a drive out onto long Island tho.

Thanks


Gary

Did any one say , Central Park " on the weekend , best circus in town . Street performers , jugglers , skaters , bikers , muggers ,fun for all !

Skip the car, way to frustrating in NYC!! Get weekly subway passes! When work took me to NYC, I would fly into JFK and take AirTran and the LIRR into town, and then use the Subway system to get around town! Weekly. Pass is about $31.
There is also an app for smart phones for the Subway map and schedules.

ol Bombero-JC wrote:
Circle line (boat) tour "Red & White Fleet" - easy parking.
Good food and drink on board.

The narrators have great info on everything - access to same, where to go, how to get there, cost/s (best deals) etc.

Easy and convenient for Q and A on whatever rings your chimes.

~

Yeah..a boat tour would be right up our interest lane...

Thank you

Gary

westend wrote:
The original Customs House in the Battery-Manhattan (they have restored it and it is a neat look into the history of NY and USA)
Metropolitan Museum of Art--Pretty good even if you aren't into that art sort of thing
American Museum of Natural History--Lots of different species and habitats.
The Guggenheim-Art lover's special
Brooklyn has some history museums, too. You might want to check a local guide book to pick out the best.

Ohh..The Customs House sounds neat. I really have to spend some time in Brooklyn this trip.

Thank you.

Gary

TexasShadow wrote:
Sagamore Hill house (Teddy Roosevelt) is in the area.
and West Point...but I don't know if tourists are allowed.

They do tours...I am not sure this will get seen..one of us isn't into the West Point stuff.

Thanks tho.

Gary