*****Things to Do in NYC***** OFFICIAL THREAD

[RBS05]

There was a great cheap falafel place near Washington square park by NYU i used to go to. Good food and cheap. I think it was on Macdougal street. You don't have to spend a lot of money in New York on food if you don't want to.

That would be the legendary Mamoun's ( Best Falafel Restaurant | Best Shawarma Restaurant | Mamoun's Falafel)

 

[danwbarrett]

Today, the 12/29 date became available for reserving a spot to see the 911 Memorial:

National September 11 Memorial & Museum | Ticket Selection


For anyone driving and parking near the memorial, I found the following site with $15 parking for 6-hours or $20 for 12-hours just 1/2 mile from the memorial:

NYC Parking | 911 Memorial > Central Parking


Also, yesterday I reserved a 12-hour parking garage spot for the bowl game itself; yes I know it's 1.5 miles from Yankee Stadium but it's better than paying $50 real close, $25 for 1/2 mile away, or taking 2 hours plus by train/subway since we are staying 25-miles north of the city:

Search Alliance Parking and look for the garage at 457-west-150th-street.

 

[cyclone13]

yes. I believe the night tour was replaced by the holiday light show. how was your experience doing one of these tours.?

It was OK and part of it depends on your tour guide and expectations.
The Downtown tour was OK, we left from Times Square and stopped by the ferry dock to the Statue of Liberty, took us ~1 hour due to traffic. The tour guide kept on reminding people that tips is customary in the US. The other guides during the uptown and holiday tours were great.

 

[Cycsk]

Today, the 12/29 date became available for reserving a spot to see the 911 Memorial:

National September 11 Memorial & Museum | Ticket Selection


For anyone driving and parking near the memorial, I found the following site with $15 parking for 6-hours or $20 for 12-hours just 1/2 mile from the memorial:

NYC Parking | 911 Memorial > Central Parking


Also, yesterday I reserved a 12-hour parking garage spot for the bowl game itself; yes I know it's 1.5 miles from Yankee Stadium but it's better than paying $50 real close, $25 for 1/2 mile away, or taking 2 hours plus by train/subway since we are staying 25-miles north of the city:

Search Alliance Parking and look for the garage at 457-west-150th-street.

You may also want to think about finding a place to park for free in the suburbs, such as Yonkers, near a train stop and then take a short Metro North train into the city. From there you can do everything by train/bus.

We are flying into White Plains, taking a train into the city, then relying totally on trains/busses.

Also, about the 9/11 Memorial, they have been opening the reservations one day at a time for the last few days. We are hoping to get some more tickets for Dec 31st.

 

[RutgersInMaine]

Carneigie Deli is a tourist trap and sucks.

Katz's deli, despite its fame, has freaking amazing pastrami and is the real deal. Get a pastrami sandwich, nothing else. Maybe some pickels. Order at the counter.

My favorite restaurants in NYC:
- Norma's at Le Parker Meridien for Breakfast (NORMA'S at LE PARKER MERIDIEN New York). This is my favorite restaurant, period.

- Two Bobby Flay restaurants are outstanding: Mesa Grill - New York Restaurant - Las Vegas Restaurant - Bahamas Restaurant - Bobby Flay and Bar Americain - New York Restaurant - Mohegan Sun Restaurant - Bobby Flay

- FWIW, I'm not a big fan of the tourist-trap deli's like the Carnegie Deli.


Favorite things to do:

- Evening time harbor boat ride. I did this in summer, so don't know how it is when it gets dark so early or if the boat is heated. There are several operations that offer these though, here is one example: Twilight Cruise (90-min)

- Empire State Building at Night. Empire State Building lines are horrible. HORRIBLE!!! Only go at night. The view is better and the line is quasi-bearable. The later you go, the better.

- Broadway shows. My favorite ones have been Avenue Q (Avenue Q New York - Tickets, Cast, Reviews, Music, Soundtrack) and the Lion King. Avenue Q is absolutely NOT family friendly, despite the fact that it is puppet-based. Sometimes you can get same day discounted tickets from a booth in times square for most shows except the very most popular. I forget the details of this, should be easy to google.

- Museums. There are a ton to choose from based on personal preference. The biggies are the American History Museum, MET, and Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). I liked all three, didn't love any of them.

- I have not been to Ellis Island or Statue of Liberty, I'm sure that's fun. I did take the Staten Island ferry once as a suggestion. It sucked, don't do it. There is nothing to do once you get there but ride right back.

 

[CysRage]

Which side(s) of the Empire State Building will you see from the Rockefeller Center? In other words, will we see only it lit up in red or will be see both red and gold/yellow?
:unsure:

I'm afraid the it will only be red because I am assuming that the red sides will be facing New Jersey.

I did a google map and it looks like Rockefeller Center is north of ESB which means you would see the Rutgers colors :sad: I was hoping it was to the east or west.