for display only
Big Blue Interactive The Corner Forum  
Back to the Corner

Archived Thread

NFT: Visit to NYC for 3 days - Food & Places to Visit?

Andrew in Austin : 3/8/2018 3:08 pm
Looking for some advice from the BBI faithful.

My son (14) and I are visiting NY this weekend for a few days. We are staying near the Upper West Side a little north of the Natural History Museum.

So far plans are to head to the museum and take in a musical, but I am also looking for any advice on restaurants or recommended places to visit while we are out there for 3 days. Any things you would prioritize with a 14 year old? Always interested in good food places you have enjoyed as well.

Thanks!
Andrew
Andrew  
Chris684 : 3/8/2018 3:18 pm : link
I'd recommend taking your son down to 9/11 reflecting pools and museum.

While not what anyone would describe as a "fun" trip, it is a very important place and a great chance for your son to experience American history (as strange as it is to type that since it feels like just yesterday).
Sbarro's  
McNally's_Nuts : 3/8/2018 3:22 pm : link
is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than Homeslice pizza!!!
If it's a first time type trip  
BillT : 3/8/2018 3:23 pm : link
The Statue of Liberty. Use the SI Ferry for free (great view.) or go to the island and take the outside tour not inside which is always sold out. Central Park, Grand Central, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center. Freedom Tower, Wall Street. Brooklyn Bridge. Greenwich Village/Soho.
Don't waste your time  
McNally's_Nuts : 3/8/2018 3:27 pm : link
at Grimaldi's....go to Juliana's right down the street.
I have lots to say, but first you can grab great Pizza  
DonQuixote : 3/8/2018 3:30 pm : link
right in your neighborhood, Motorino on Amsterdam Ave. Try the Brussel Sprout or Sopressatta Piquante.

If you are with your 14 y.o. son, it kind of depends what you guys are into. Modern Art? there is the MOMA. Airplanes and stuff? the Intrepid Museum.

It's endless of course, some like to see where their favorite TV shows were filmed, others like history and such. The tenement museum is terrific and Broadway deserves a thread of it's own.
Couple of good resturants on the UWS  
BillT : 3/8/2018 3:30 pm : link
The Milling Room, 81/2 on Columbus and Machiavelli (personal favorite, Italian) 85th and Columbus. Just good UWS restaurants not high end NYC type places.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  
yatqb : 3/8/2018 3:34 pm : link
.
And the bus tours are ok  
BillT : 3/8/2018 3:36 pm : link
Cover a lot in a short period. Take the downtown.
Carmine's, Broadway and 90th, near where....  
MOOPS : 3/8/2018 3:38 pm : link
you're staying. Good Italian.
Intrepid Museum, 46th and 12th.
RE: If it's a first time type trip  
DonQuixote : 3/8/2018 3:40 pm : link
In comment 13855363 BillT said:
Quote:
The Statue of Liberty. Use the SI Ferry for free (great view.) or go to the island and take the outside tour not inside which is always sold out. Central Park, Grand Central, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center. Freedom Tower, Wall Street. Brooklyn Bridge. Greenwich Village/Soho.


Just amplifying some of this. Take the Staten Island ferry round trip. Great views of the city and the Statue of Liberty, especially at night. A walk across the brooklyn bridge is great...the return trip giving some of the greatest views of lower manhattan.
I hate to say this but besides the museums and theater  
Essex : 3/8/2018 3:49 pm : link
everything in NYC you can now basically do anywhere else in the world. Maybe it is because I am from here but I feel like all the tourist stuff is not so great, such as the Empire State Building, the Statute of Liberty, etc. I feel like every corner now has a Starbucks and a Bank. But, there are still parts of old New York left if you are willing to go look for it. If you are to trying to find something that is original to New York, I would go to Barney Greengrass on the UWS for breakfast, they have the best potato pancakes I have ever had. I would go to Katz's Deli or Veselka on the lower east side for lunch (although it is pretty far from where you are staying). I also think of NYC as a walking city, just pick a good neighborhood, like the West Village and walk around there. There is a pizza Row where you can go to John's of Bleeker, which is as good of pizza as any. If you do go to Brooklyn, I would probably walk the Brooklyn Bridge because that is an unbelievable viewing pleasure. For food in Brooklyn, I would skip their pizza alley under the Bridge in Dumbo(Grimaldi's, Julianne's etc) but if you do go Ignazzio's which is the spillover place from those two restauarants is nearly as good and you wont wait two hours to get in. Williamsburg probably has some of the most original and best food in NYC these days.
Also it depends on how many museums you want to do  
Essex : 3/8/2018 3:56 pm : link
but right next to the Museum of Natural History is the New York Historical Society which is a beautiful museum. On the East side, not only do you have the Met (which I am sure you know about), but about 15 blocks up in the Museum of the City of New York which is fantastic and museum of el barrio which is great and right next to the museum of the city of new york.
I really enjoyed the Fraunces Tavern Museum.  
allstarjim : 3/8/2018 3:57 pm : link
Some pretty cool American history going back to the birth of our nation.

Stop in the actual tavern...the oldest standing structure in NY, btw, and have an Oyster Stout. You can eat in there as well so perhaps you can have lunch there. It might be the coolest place I've ever had a beer.

Take a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, great view of the city. Have a great time!

RE: I hate to say this but besides the museums and theater  
BillT : 3/8/2018 4:03 pm : link
In comment 13855417 Essex said:
Quote:
the tourist stuff is not so great, such as the Empire State Building, the Statute of Liberty, etc.

The Statute of Liberty may be the most beautiful public monument in America. DC can't even match it. Grand Central maybe the best public space in America. The ESB, Chrysler Building and Woolworth Building the best deco skyscrapers anywhere. Times Square is still completely unique. The Brooklyn bridge an historic masterpiece. So, I'd have to disagree a little.
Katz's gets so much pub  
allstarjim : 3/8/2018 4:08 pm : link
And it is worth it. You must get a pastrami sandwich.

But isn't there another deli that doesn't get quite the publicity that Katz's gets that's also really terrific and maybe even better than Katz's? I know there is a place I've seen on TV a couple of times that I thought if I ever get back to NYC I want to stop there.
The Knicks  
pjcas18 : 3/8/2018 4:15 pm : link
have a matinee on Sunday, might be worth it taking your son to the most famous arena in the world.

RE: RE: I hate to say this but besides the museums and theater  
Essex : 3/8/2018 4:17 pm : link
In comment 13855438 BillT said:
Quote:
In comment 13855417 Essex said:


Quote:


the tourist stuff is not so great, such as the Empire State Building, the Statute of Liberty, etc.


The Statute of Liberty may be the most beautiful public monument in America. DC can't even match it. Grand Central maybe the best public space in America. The ESB, Chrysler Building and Woolworth Building the best deco skyscrapers anywhere. Times Square is still completely unique. The Brooklyn bridge an historic masterpiece. So, I'd have to disagree a little.

Feel free to disagree, just my opinion. Maybe it is being dragged to those places on countless field trips make it not much of an attraction to me. However, I do agree with you that Brooklyn Bridge, especially walking over it, is a must.
Hit the touristy shit.  
AnnapolisMike : 3/8/2018 4:25 pm : link
9/11 stuff is excellent..but he may find it boring.
I thought the Intrepid Museum was a waste of time IMO...but I am spoiled by Washington DC's Air and Space museum and Udvar-Hazy Center (Air and Space Annex) by Dulles Airport.

Museums otherwise are all excellent.

Pick one to go to top:
Rockefeller Center
Empire State Building
World Trade

Hit a Pizza Place
Johns Pizza on Bleecker (traditional) or Keste Pizza right across the street are both very good.

Go to Katz's Deli. It's a tourist trap...but a good one and is a neat experience. (Go to Economy Candy around the Corner as well)

Times Square at night is an absolute must do.

Take the Subways...cheap and entertaining.

Basically have fun and walk all over the place.
RE: Katz's gets so much pub  
DonQuixote : 3/8/2018 4:30 pm : link
In comment 13855447 allstarjim said:
Quote:
And it is worth it. You must get a pastrami sandwich.

But isn't there another deli that doesn't get quite the publicity that Katz's gets that's also really terrific and maybe even better than Katz's? I know there is a place I've seen on TV a couple of times that I thought if I ever get back to NYC I want to stop there.


Pastrami Queen on Lex in the upper 70s?
lots of good suggestions  
pjcas18 : 3/8/2018 4:31 pm : link
but as a non-native NYer, I find the subways disgusting and in no way entertaining.

I'd Uber or cab if you're staying within Manhattan.

The good thing about ubers specifically in NYC are they won't take the "long way" and sit on the cross streets for 20 minutes unnecessarily with the meter running like cabs may do, it's upfront pricing and you don't need to swipe your credit card.

Bad thing about Ubers is many of them are just regular people as opposed to maniacal NY cab drivers and don't drive like their hair is on fire and they need to get some water to put it out risking every pedestrian's life as well as your life and their own. So rides can take a lot longer even if they take the long way. I've seen uber drivers stop at yellow lights and let cars in - lol, never would a NY cab driver do that.

The point though is the subways smell like urine, have dirty people, are not always convenient, and are in no way entertaining (to me at least).
RE: RE: Katz's gets so much pub  
allstarjim : 3/8/2018 4:36 pm : link
In comment 13855468 DonQuixote said:
Quote:
In comment 13855447 allstarjim said:


Quote:


And it is worth it. You must get a pastrami sandwich.

But isn't there another deli that doesn't get quite the publicity that Katz's gets that's also really terrific and maybe even better than Katz's? I know there is a place I've seen on TV a couple of times that I thought if I ever get back to NYC I want to stop there.



Pastrami Queen on Lex in the upper 70s?


Actually I think it's 2nd Ave Deli.
Intrepid Air Space Museum  
njm : 3/8/2018 4:43 pm : link
Not that far from you. Might be interesting for your son.
When you go to  
UESBLUE : 3/8/2018 4:47 pm : link
the Nat Hist museum grab lunch at Shake Shack on the corner.
I bet your kid would rather eat SHake Shack  
Giantology : 3/8/2018 4:59 pm : link
instead of a Pastrami.
RE: lots of good suggestions  
AnnapolisMike : 3/8/2018 4:59 pm : link
In comment 13855471 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
but as a non-native NYer, I find the subways disgusting and in no way entertaining.

I'd Uber or cab if you're staying within Manhattan.

The good thing about ubers specifically in NYC are they won't take the "long way" and sit on the cross streets for 20 minutes unnecessarily with the meter running like cabs may do, it's upfront pricing and you don't need to swipe your credit card.

Bad thing about Ubers is many of them are just regular people as opposed to maniacal NY cab drivers and don't drive like their hair is on fire and they need to get some water to put it out risking every pedestrian's life as well as your life and their own. So rides can take a lot longer even if they take the long way. I've seen uber drivers stop at yellow lights and let cars in - lol, never would a NY cab driver do that.

The point though is the subways smell like urine, have dirty people, are not always convenient, and are in no way entertaining (to me at least).


But it is a different world to a 14 year old...

going 20-25 blocks...uber. Midtown to Downtown...Subway.
RE: I bet your kid would rather eat SHake Shack  
Essex : 3/8/2018 5:04 pm : link
In comment 13855507 Giantology said:
Quote:
instead of a Pastrami.


I bet his kid can get any number of burgers in Austin that are better or equal to the Shake Shack, but I am quite positive he cannot get a Pastrami sandwich in Austin better than Katz's deli. As an aside, Austin is a great city with great food, but the Shake Shack hamburger is a decent fast food burger, nothing more nothing less that can be surpassed in almost any mid to major city in America.! Coming to NYC to eat at the Shake Shack (besides if you are just passing by and are hungry)is a waste of a meal.
RE: RE: I bet your kid would rather eat SHake Shack  
allstarjim : 3/8/2018 5:07 pm : link
In comment 13855512 Essex said:
Quote:
In comment 13855507 Giantology said:


Quote:


instead of a Pastrami.



I bet his kid can get any number of burgers in Austin that are better or equal to the Shake Shack, but I am quite positive he cannot get a Pastrami sandwich in Austin better than Katz's deli. As an aside, Austin is a great city with great food, but the Shake Shack hamburger is a decent fast food burger, nothing more nothing less that can be surpassed in almost any mid to major city in America.! Coming to NYC to eat at the Shake Shack (besides if you are just passing by and are hungry)is a waste of a meal.


We have a Shake Shack in Orlando, now.
My favorite  
mrvax : 3/8/2018 5:07 pm : link
is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You could spend a few days there.
In fact  
allstarjim : 3/8/2018 5:12 pm : link
I just saw on their website that there is a Austin location now as well, on South Lamar.

I agree, don't go to NYC and go to Shake Shack. One thing I wish I did though was go to Papaya King and get a hot dog. As a hot dog connoisseur, I definitely want to see what the hype is about.
I suggested  
UESBLUE : 3/8/2018 5:12 pm : link
Shake Shack because its right next to the museum not because its any kind of destination restaurant.
RE: I suggested  
allstarjim : 3/8/2018 5:14 pm : link
In comment 13855523 UESBLUE said:
Quote:
Shake Shack because its right next to the museum not because its any kind of destination restaurant.


Look I've yet to try Shake Shack and looking forward to the day that I do. I'm not criticizing!
RE: In fact  
Essex : 3/8/2018 5:18 pm : link
In comment 13855522 allstarjim said:
Quote:
I just saw on their website that there is a Austin location now as well, on South Lamar.

I agree, don't go to NYC and go to Shake Shack. One thing I wish I did though was go to Papaya King and get a hot dog. As a hot dog connoisseur, I definitely want to see what the hype is about.

There are not many around anymore, but as a New Yorker, I never knew which one was the real one, "Gray Papaya" "King Papaya" "Papaya King" "Papaya's Dog" etc it is kind of like the Ray's Pizza, Original Ray's, Ray's original etc etc.
Thanks Folks!  
Andrew in Austin : 3/8/2018 6:04 pm : link
BBI comes through - as usual :)

Yeah, we definitely have some great hamburger, steak, & BBQ places out here. The Austin food scene is actually awesome right now with a number of highly talented young chefs.

I'm looking forward to the Deli, Pizza, & Italian recommendations you all made. I keep talking about how much better they are in NY/NJ so this is perfect.

Also thanks for the recommendations on places to visit - especially the historical museums - I hadn't known about them and I think my son will love them!
Oculus at the WTC  
Giant John : 3/8/2018 6:23 pm : link
Is something to see.
My wife and I  
Photoguy : 3/8/2018 6:24 pm : link
will be taking a tour bus from Michigan in June. I hope they give us some free time, so I can hit the Intrepid. We'll be taking the pre-arranged tours of Ellis, Statue, 9-11 Memorial, and so on. Of course I'll be scoping for good deli or pizza too. Depending on where our motel is, I'm hoping the opportunity comes up to catch a Yankee game. (I gotta check the schedule)
RE: Thanks Folks!  
DonQuixote : 3/8/2018 6:33 pm : link
In comment 13855574 Andrew in Austin said:
Quote:
BBI comes through - as usual :)

Yeah, we definitely have some great hamburger, steak, & BBQ places out here. The Austin food scene is actually awesome right now with a number of highly talented young chefs.

I'm looking forward to the Deli, Pizza, & Italian recommendations you all made. I keep talking about how much better they are in NY/NJ so this is perfect.

Also thanks for the recommendations on places to visit - especially the historical museums - I hadn't known about them and I think my son will love them!


For Italian, Piccolo Angelo on Hudson street, plus from there it is a great walk through the west village.
RE: lots of good suggestions  
DonQuixote : 3/8/2018 6:38 pm : link
In comment 13855471 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
but as a non-native NYer, I find the subways disgusting and in no way entertaining.

I'd Uber or cab if you're staying within Manhattan.

The good thing about ubers specifically in NYC are they won't take the "long way" and sit on the cross streets for 20 minutes unnecessarily with the meter running like cabs may do, it's upfront pricing and you don't need to swipe your credit card.

Bad thing about Ubers is many of them are just regular people as opposed to maniacal NY cab drivers and don't drive like their hair is on fire and they need to get some water to put it out risking every pedestrian's life as well as your life and their own. So rides can take a lot longer even if they take the long way. I've seen uber drivers stop at yellow lights and let cars in - lol, never would a NY cab driver do that.

The point though is the subways smell like urine, have dirty people, are not always convenient, and are in no way entertaining (to me at least).


I disagree. I mean if you find the subway disgusting, that is your thing, but there are times when the traffic is just impossible. I like cabs at low traffic times but the subway is the way to go through midtown. The sense that Uber's are better than cabs in NY is just false. Uber drivers are often inexperienced and just use Waze, which doesn't really cut it in Manhattan., If you like the Uber app paying experience, just download Curb.
RE: RE: lots of good suggestions  
pjcas18 : 3/8/2018 6:46 pm : link
In comment 13855605 DonQuixote said:
Quote:
In comment 13855471 pjcas18 said:


Quote:


but as a non-native NYer, I find the subways disgusting and in no way entertaining.

I'd Uber or cab if you're staying within Manhattan.

The good thing about ubers specifically in NYC are they won't take the "long way" and sit on the cross streets for 20 minutes unnecessarily with the meter running like cabs may do, it's upfront pricing and you don't need to swipe your credit card.

Bad thing about Ubers is many of them are just regular people as opposed to maniacal NY cab drivers and don't drive like their hair is on fire and they need to get some water to put it out risking every pedestrian's life as well as your life and their own. So rides can take a lot longer even if they take the long way. I've seen uber drivers stop at yellow lights and let cars in - lol, never would a NY cab driver do that.

The point though is the subways smell like urine, have dirty people, are not always convenient, and are in no way entertaining (to me at least).



I disagree. I mean if you find the subway disgusting, that is your thing, but there are times when the traffic is just impossible. I like cabs at low traffic times but the subway is the way to go through midtown. The sense that Uber's are better than cabs in NY is just false. Uber drivers are often inexperienced and just use Waze, which doesn't really cut it in Manhattan., If you like the Uber app paying experience, just download Curb.


Even if you find the subway more convenient for traveling, it's still not entertaining (to me) or an experience I'd recommend for a tourist. I'm in NYC twice a month on business and bring my family there a couple times a year (Christmas and usually once in spring or summer). I definitely try and avoid the subway if I can.

I mostly just walk in NYC, the blocks seem to go by quickly, especially in nicer weather.

WRT uber vs cabs it's not the paying, it's because in my experience so often the NYC cab drivers will take awful routes to destinations cutting up the side streets and sitting through 4 or 5 light cycles with their meter running while Uber drivers are definitely less experienced but they also have no incentive to take longer routes or ones with wait times since they don't have meters.

Guggenheim Museum is a must and  
Stan in LA : 3/8/2018 7:54 pm : link
Peter Luger's Steak House for dinner (bring cash).
My favorite museum in NYC is  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 3/8/2018 8:14 pm : link
the Museum of the City of New York. They always have great exhibits.

The Met is good too.

...  
christian : 3/8/2018 8:31 pm : link
What's your son into? Is he more nerdy, more into music, sports?

MSG is a great visit and I would definitely catch a Knicks game. If you are on the west side it's a quick subway down. The subways hardly ever smell like urine, and are not disgusting. Just avoid the empty cars (the bum piss cars.)

Definitely check out Lincoln Center and Julliard, Columbus Circle. Even just strolling through it's beautiful.

I'd also hit Washington Square Park, it's cool to see an awesome university tucked into a neighborhood and lots of great people watching. A start to a good stroll through the West Village to catch a great slice at John's. If you're up to it keep walking and get to Hudson River path. Killer view of WTC and downtown.

New York is an amazing city, even just staying in Manhattan.
RE: Thanks Folks!  
Gmanfandan : 3/8/2018 10:29 pm : link
In comment 13855574 Andrew in Austin said:
Quote:
BBI comes through - as usual :)

Yeah, we definitely have some great hamburger, steak, & BBQ places out here. The Austin food scene is actually awesome right now with a number of highly talented young chefs.

I'm looking forward to the Deli, Pizza, & Italian recommendations you all made. I keep talking about how much better they are in NY/NJ so this is perfect.

Also thanks for the recommendations on places to visit - especially the historical museums - I hadn't known about them and I think my son will love them!


Pastrami Queen
I second MOOPS  
bitterblue : 3/8/2018 10:38 pm : link
suggestion of Carmine's on the Upper West Side but it would be wise to go online and make a reservation if you are going on the weekend. Also, I find the subways are great and you can buy a Metrocard with unlimited rides for around $32. It's good for 7 days.
Yes, if your kid has any interest in art...  
manh george : 3/9/2018 12:13 am : link
the Metropolitan Museum can be great. The parts on African Art, Egyptian, Greek, etc. are a sight to behold, if he likes that stuff. The Temple of Dendur is fun. The rooftop garden is open now, I am pretty sure, and provides a great view of Central Park and the buildings around it, and has light snacks.

A special exhibit on Pre-Columbian Gold just opened.(link)
Quote:
"Don't expect to see a more beautiful show than [this] anytime soon. . . . a fresh, transformative take on pre-Columbian art." —Washington Post


They have a basement cafeteria that is just OK, and a cafeteria in the American Wing with good views of the park.
Link - ( New Window )
The New York Historical Society....  
manh george : 3/9/2018 12:24 am : link
is right next to Natural History. They are having an exciting exhibit of the MSG's in-house photographer, Kalinsky. Sports, rock concerts, etc. (link)

They have the world's greatest collection of Tiffany Lamps, for those who like that stuff.
Link - ( New Window )
McSorleys  
George from PA : 3/9/2018 4:23 am : link
One of the oldest pubs in NYC......nyu crowd now but it's unique enough.....love the cheese plate
Around that area, I’d suggest Salumeria Rosi, Lincoln ristorante,  
Jim in Hoboken : 3/9/2018 7:03 am : link
Dovetail, Motorino, Han Dunasty, and all the restaurants around Columbus Circle.

Get a cookie from Levain Bakery. Go to Ippudo for a bowl of ramen.
If you like..  
FatMan in Charlotte : 3/9/2018 7:53 am : link
to see a variety of food choices, I highly recommend Chelsea Market. When we go with the kids, there's something there for everyone. My wife loves this salad place, my kids have street tacos and I usually will go for ramen, Thai or pho.

You really can't go wrong. Plus it has some neat shops and food stalls.
RE: Katz's gets so much pub  
clatterbuck : 3/9/2018 1:00 pm : link
In comment 13855447 allstarjim said:
Quote:
And it is worth it. You must get a pastrami sandwich.

But isn't there another deli that doesn't get quite the publicity that Katz's gets that's also really terrific and maybe even better than Katz's? I know there is a place I've seen on TV a couple of times that I thought if I ever get back to NYC I want to stop there.


There's 2nd Ave Deli which is now on Third Ave (33rd st) and Barney Greengrass which is UWS, Amsterdam Ave.
Walking the High Line  
clatterbuck : 3/9/2018 1:08 pm : link
is good way to see some of the city. It's an elevated park built on an old freight railway line. It's on the West Side, runs from meatpacking district (14st st) to mid-30s, between 10th-11th aves.
Back to the Corner