Discussion
First off, I should say that I ve been to NY numerous times before but always with someone or the kids.
Am thinking about a long weekend in September (Sat-Tues) and want to see a different side - I ve done all the normal Manhattan touristy stuff such as Rockerfeller, Empire State, Intrepid, Staten Island Ferry, Highline, 9/11 Memorial etc plus plenty of stuff I ve forgotten about. Never done Brooklyn Bridge though. What else is good and worth doing?
I d like to head to Harlem for a mooch around but not entirely sure that s a great idea. Any other suggestions for something similar?
I guess I want to see the real New York having done the other stuff.
Thinking about flying into Newark as well, for a change. Hate JFK.
Edit - not done any of the museums either and quite happy to have a couple of cultural hours
Am thinking about a long weekend in September (Sat-Tues) and want to see a different side - I ve done all the normal Manhattan touristy stuff such as Rockerfeller, Empire State, Intrepid, Staten Island Ferry, Highline, 9/11 Memorial etc plus plenty of stuff I ve forgotten about. Never done Brooklyn Bridge though. What else is good and worth doing?
I d like to head to Harlem for a mooch around but not entirely sure that s a great idea. Any other suggestions for something similar?
I guess I want to see the real New York having done the other stuff.
Thinking about flying into Newark as well, for a change. Hate JFK.
Edit - not done any of the museums either and quite happy to have a couple of cultural hours
Edited by Pincher on Sunday 20th July 17:49
Harlem isn't as bad as it was but you will stand out as a tourist, so take the usual precautions and avoid it at night. I'd also avoid the east side, personally, but it's a place with amazing history.
As for things to do, there are plenty of museums that are unusual, including one in an elavator in Chinatown. You could explore the disused subway stations, or find the hidden speakeasies.
As for things to do, there are plenty of museums that are unusual, including one in an elavator in Chinatown. You could explore the disused subway stations, or find the hidden speakeasies.
The Met Cloisters is interesting, as is the surrounding neighbourhood. It's a long'ish subway ride north, and you get to go through some interesting underground stations along the way.
Take the cable car over to Roosevelt Island for a different view of NYC, and take a look at the spooky Smallpox Memorial Hospital.
Walk up and over Tudor City Bridge, which gives a decent view along E42nd St.
The Highline is definitely worth a walk along.
Get the subway over to Brooklyn Heights, wander through admiring the brownstone houses, before walking over Brooklyn Bridge back to Manhatten. Do this so that you're walking over Brooklyn Bridge at night which is much cooler.
Get a sunset ticket for Top Of The Rock, and stay up there long after the sun has gone down (there's no time limit). Once the Instagrammers have got their photos with the sunset, they will all disappear leaving the viewing platform virtually empty and you can just chill and watch all the lights come on as night falls - it's very Blade Runner'esque.
Take the cable car over to Roosevelt Island for a different view of NYC, and take a look at the spooky Smallpox Memorial Hospital.
Walk up and over Tudor City Bridge, which gives a decent view along E42nd St.
The Highline is definitely worth a walk along.
Get the subway over to Brooklyn Heights, wander through admiring the brownstone houses, before walking over Brooklyn Bridge back to Manhatten. Do this so that you're walking over Brooklyn Bridge at night which is much cooler.
Get a sunset ticket for Top Of The Rock, and stay up there long after the sun has gone down (there's no time limit). Once the Instagrammers have got their photos with the sunset, they will all disappear leaving the viewing platform virtually empty and you can just chill and watch all the lights come on as night falls - it's very Blade Runner'esque.
So as mentioned Williamsburg and Coney Island is def worth a visit
If coney Island is a bit too tacky then also try Fire Island
I would also look to goto Queens and check out the night market, as well as the 'real' China town as well as Red Hook in Brooklyn, fantastic BBQ place that has live music on a Friday and sat night.
If you have not walked Brooklyn Bridge then def do so, catch the subway to DUMBO then explore that whole area ,can easy spend a day just on that side for the water, for sure time your return walk across the bridge at night, Manhattan lite up is always a beautiful sight (plus a nice sunset shot of the Statue of Liberty ) *walk back to Manhattan as walking away from Manhattan to Brooklyn is not an exiting sight) Actually, if your up for it then walk across the Manhattan bridge to Dumbo, gives you a great view of Brooklyn Bridge plus some great veiws of China town at the start and all the graffiti where you cant normally see.
Outside of NYC then...
If you have time to spare you can do a 2night trip via coach to Watkins Glen and Niagra falls or for just a day trip out of the city get the train to Cold Springs from Grand Central, its a nice small town, a few antique stores right on the Hudson and just further up is Beacon another great town/ village to visit thats on the Hudson and same train line as Cold Springs
Then their is simply spending the day relaxing in Sheeps Meadow central park like a lot of New Yorkers do on a nice day, then grab a cold beer in Tavern on the Green.
You can even catch a boat i believe to Martha's Vineyard from Manhattan
If coney Island is a bit too tacky then also try Fire Island
I would also look to goto Queens and check out the night market, as well as the 'real' China town as well as Red Hook in Brooklyn, fantastic BBQ place that has live music on a Friday and sat night.
If you have not walked Brooklyn Bridge then def do so, catch the subway to DUMBO then explore that whole area ,can easy spend a day just on that side for the water, for sure time your return walk across the bridge at night, Manhattan lite up is always a beautiful sight (plus a nice sunset shot of the Statue of Liberty ) *walk back to Manhattan as walking away from Manhattan to Brooklyn is not an exiting sight) Actually, if your up for it then walk across the Manhattan bridge to Dumbo, gives you a great view of Brooklyn Bridge plus some great veiws of China town at the start and all the graffiti where you cant normally see.
Outside of NYC then...
If you have time to spare you can do a 2night trip via coach to Watkins Glen and Niagra falls or for just a day trip out of the city get the train to Cold Springs from Grand Central, its a nice small town, a few antique stores right on the Hudson and just further up is Beacon another great town/ village to visit thats on the Hudson and same train line as Cold Springs
Then their is simply spending the day relaxing in Sheeps Meadow central park like a lot of New Yorkers do on a nice day, then grab a cold beer in Tavern on the Green.
You can even catch a boat i believe to Martha's Vineyard from Manhattan
Matt Harper said:
If you think JFK is a toilet, you're REALLY not going to like EWR!!!
Yeah, have heard it’s not great but isn’t immigration better there - can also get picked up from there by a friend who looks after all the Blackrock planes in NJ. Would probably have to fly out of JFK for flight choice though. Pincher said:
Matt Harper said:
If you think JFK is a toilet, you're REALLY not going to like EWR!!!
Yeah, have heard it s not great but isn t immigration better there - can also get picked up from there by a friend who looks after all the Blackrock planes in NJ. Would probably have to fly out of JFK for flight choice though. EWR is desperately short of Air Traffic Controllers at the moment so probably not the most reliable airport to use.
I got a referral code and use the Blade chopper service to get from JFK to Manhattan, worked out at £110 one way which didn’t seem to be much different to an uber!
Definitely take the ferry from Wall Street to Red Hook - Hometown BBQ is ace. Also visit Sunny's Bar and Strong Rope Brewery (their beer garden has an amazing view of the Statue of Liberty). Then grab an electric citi bike (get the app) and ride back to Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge.
The USS intrepid museum is awesome and well worth a visit if you like planes, boats, submarines! You can walk the high line to get there then grab a bike and ride down the Hudson bike path back to battery park/wall street area (if you like!)
The 9/11 museum is extremely well done and obviously moving.
I have a list of over 100 places that are worth visiting for food if you want it, my girlfriend lives in Brooklyn and I fly over to visit. She is my local expert!
Edit also JFK top tips: Use MPC on the way in and https://www.clearme.com/reserve for security on the way out. Clear Reserve was insane when I used it, I literally got put in the line in front of everyone including first class people, other people with clear etc. And it's totally free.
With MPC I was off plane and on the airtrain in 15 mins. With Clear Reserve I was through security in 5mins.
The USS intrepid museum is awesome and well worth a visit if you like planes, boats, submarines! You can walk the high line to get there then grab a bike and ride down the Hudson bike path back to battery park/wall street area (if you like!)
The 9/11 museum is extremely well done and obviously moving.
I have a list of over 100 places that are worth visiting for food if you want it, my girlfriend lives in Brooklyn and I fly over to visit. She is my local expert!
Edit also JFK top tips: Use MPC on the way in and https://www.clearme.com/reserve for security on the way out. Clear Reserve was insane when I used it, I literally got put in the line in front of everyone including first class people, other people with clear etc. And it's totally free.
With MPC I was off plane and on the airtrain in 15 mins. With Clear Reserve I was through security in 5mins.
Well, I’m all booked - 13th to 16th Sept. JFK in and out 
Staying a couple of blocks from Penn Station so Airtrain and LIRR in to Manhattan - job’s a good’un
Think the Queens night market will be my first port of call, followed by Brooklyn and Coney Island on Sunday.
Monday is free at the moment but may include the Tenement Museum amongst other things. and Tuesday will probably be Hudsons Yards and The Edge with a stroll down the Highline towards One WTC before heading back to airport.
Am determined not to do anything I’ve done before
Staying a couple of blocks from Penn Station so Airtrain and LIRR in to Manhattan - job’s a good’un
Think the Queens night market will be my first port of call, followed by Brooklyn and Coney Island on Sunday.
Monday is free at the moment but may include the Tenement Museum amongst other things. and Tuesday will probably be Hudsons Yards and The Edge with a stroll down the Highline towards One WTC before heading back to airport.
Am determined not to do anything I’ve done before
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