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Coming to NYC -- Opinions please...

post #1 of 31
4/22/06 at 12:56am
Thread Starter 
Okay New Yawkaz, I'm coming up there soon to visit some friends. I'll be doing some research on my own but I'd like some native opinions also.

1) I'm thinking of coming up Memorial Day weekend. Would that be a bad move? As in too many tourists/travellers that particular weekend? Or will it be business as usual?

2) I'd like to save some money. Any opinions on good/great hostels in the Manhattan area? Or a nice, clean, cheap hotel?

3) Funny, I thought I had a third question and now I can't think of it. Carry on.
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post #2 of 31
4/22/06 at 1:23am
There are always too many tourists. Go to Times Square and stand in the middle of the sidewalk while real people are trying to get someplace - extra points if you're standing slackjawed, hypnotized by the lights. This is apparently the ultimate NYC tourist experience, since it happens all day every day.
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post #3 of 31
4/22/06 at 12:20pm
I would also like to add, forget hanging out at a manhattan bar on memorial day weekend if you are looking to pick up chicks. The Navy sailors who dock in NY can walk into any bar and CLEAN house. You wont stand a chance once they enter the place.

2) To add to what Devin said regarding Times Square, i would suggest you avoid it completely. If you absolutely must experience it, then go there around 3 AM. usually the streets are empty.

3) As for cheap hotels, you're probably gonna have to go to an outer borough, since most hotels in Manhattan are expensive (well, what i consider expensive). you could get a decent room for 110 a night.
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post #4 of 31
4/22/06 at 1:07pm
Check out this thread for tons of things you can do in NY:

http://chud.com/forums/showthread.ph...41#post1459241

Don't know about cheap hotels, though. And considering you are coming on a major Holiday weekend, if there were cheap hotels they are probably all taken.
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post #5 of 31
4/23/06 at 4:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neal

1) I'm thinking of coming up Memorial Day weekend. Would that be a bad move? As in too many tourists/travellers that particular weekend? Or will it be business as usual?

2) I'd like to save some money. Any opinions on good/great hostels in the Manhattan area? Or a nice, clean, cheap hotel?

3) Funny, I thought I had a third question and now I can't think of it. Carry on.

1) [see Devin's comment]
2) save money? you won't, good/great hostels? nope, nice, clean AND cheap hotels? there aren't any, whatever you think your budget is, multiply it by 3 and you may just get by...
3) nicotine improves short-term memory...
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post #6 of 31
4/24/06 at 3:42pm
http://www.hostelhandbook.com/usa/nynyc.htm
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post #7 of 31
4/24/06 at 6:07pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the input. I've been to NYC before, but it was in October and was kind of nice if not a bit rainy. Didn't seem to "touristy" at that time. I just didn't know if during that particular holiday more people would get away from the city or dive into it. I've also never done the hostel thing but maybe I'll continue to avoid it.
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post #8 of 31
4/24/06 at 6:42pm
The hostels in that link I posted look pretty decent. I travel a lot and am a big proponet of hosteling. It's a fine way to see the world with out breaking the bank. You meet nice people and loose chicks, often one in the same, and it leaves you with plenty of money to use on things that are more fun. Like beer. Of course the potential to come across a skanky hostel is there, that why you have to do your homework.
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post #9 of 31
4/24/06 at 7:15pm
Jesus, some of you guys make Times Square sound like it's shoulder-to-shoulder tourists, non-stop. It's a little crowded, but it's not that fucking big a deal.

I was a "tourist" there last month (assuming "tourist" applies to all out-of-towners, including those who have been there and kind of know where they're going), and it's not like it took me any longer to wade through the slightly larger concentration of people there than it did on relatively empty streets. There's still generally a flow happening. I've been there around Christmas, too, and it seems a little worse, but it's just not THAT huge an obstacle, unless you're not comfortable being touched by anyone, ever or something.

For the record, I also wasn't distracted by the big, shiny objects.
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post #10 of 31
4/24/06 at 8:29pm
When I was in NYC in high school I felt like there was too much to do to stand still. I was on the go non-stop, although I do have to admit that had they lit the tree in Rockefeller Center while I was there (they didn't light it until the week after) that I might have been hypnotized. But that's just because I have a thing for Christmas Trees. Otherwise man, go go go and see all you can see. You still won't see it all.
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post #11 of 31
4/24/06 at 9:26pm
Times Square isn't bad for you because you're not actually GOING anywhere. I have to do screenings there all the time and it's a nightmare to just get a few blocks. New Yorkers walk with speed and purpose.
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post #12 of 31
4/24/06 at 9:30pm
..and the ability to kill you with a thought!
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post #13 of 31
4/24/06 at 9:42pm
I wish. I do yell at people in Times Square, though. A LOT.

"It's called a fuckin' sidewalk. WALK! It's in the fuckin' name!"
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post #14 of 31
4/24/06 at 9:46pm
That's not cool. You know that guy had no legs.
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post #15 of 31
4/24/06 at 9:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Hellboy
..and the ability to kill you with a thought!
If that were the case, Times Square wouldn't be such a hassle.
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post #16 of 31
4/25/06 at 2:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by devincf
Times Square isn't bad for you because you're not actually GOING anywhere. I have to do screenings there all the time and it's a nightmare to just get a few blocks. New Yorkers walk with speed and purpose.
Actually, I was going somewhere, I knew how to get there, and there was a time element involved. I was, as you say, walking with speed and purpose. I believe this was the case the three or four times we walked through Times Square on this trip, actually.

Of course, I'm not a resident, so maybe I've just lucked out the 15 or so times I've been in Times Square as an adult. But I don't know what the hell Dr. Doom is talking about with his "wait until the streets are empty" to walk through Times Square comment. Any reasonable human being knows to keep up with the pace of the herd or become annoying/get trampled. Neal hasn't given off the vibe of sub-literate troglodyte, so I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt.
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post #17 of 31
4/25/06 at 2:38pm
Let me throw in my own little bit of Times Square hate. I scream at tourists all the time there also. 5th Ave is also horrible during wintertime, as everyone stops and stares at the pretty christmas displays. But damn, I work near Grand Central and everyday bump into people taking pictures of the ugly, constantly under construction front of it.

New Yorkers have truly perfected the art of walking. I'm proud of my style. I can twist through even the worst crowds of people and charge ahead of groups staring at the sky full of big buildings.

Oh, and potential tourists- please don't fucking ask where Ground Zero is. I once had a tourist ask me where the Twin Towers were, and I almost snapped back "a dump in staten island".

If you're looking for anything to do- my usual recommendations- The Comedy Cellar... best comedy club in the city, for my money.... and The Museum of the Moving Image's always got some great exhibits.
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post #18 of 31
4/25/06 at 2:58pm
Time Square is a nightmare. It's crowded at any given time of the day and I try to avoid it at all costs. That's not always possible, though. I like going to the AMC 42nd movie theater because the screens are humongous and they often have indies and other non-blockbuster type films. But when I come out of a movie at at 10, 11 p.m., the crowds are still unbearable. I literally have to walk in the street because its faster than walking on the sidewalk.

But the absolute worst time of day is the evening rush hour (5 p.m - 7 p.m.). Not only is this the busiest tourist time (they sure do love their overpriced chain restaurants), but then you add all the NYers trying to get home from work via taxi, bus, or subway and it is literally at a standstill. I don't know what time of day it was when you were in Times Square, DaveB, but I am jealous of your experience.
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post #19 of 31
4/25/06 at 3:01pm
i avoid times Square because it really doens't have much to offer me, there's better and cheaper stuff to do elsewhere, and it's not that great close up, like visiting Stonehenge, yeah, it looks like it does in pictures, a pile of rocks, graaaaate, Times Square is like a coffee shop, it's an okay portal on your way to somewhere else, especially if you can get better coffee at a nearby deli for less, the whole Disney aisle thing doesn't help either...

i would also avoid comedy clubs, unless you're a fan, otherwise, walking by comedy clubs now is like walknig around at the end of "Pig Alley" in Paris, and with Broadway and off-Broadway right there, what's the point? i'd rather watch some guy smeared in tapioca pudding sing Madam Butterfly while clawing his way through a sheet shaped like an egg...
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post #20 of 31
4/25/06 at 3:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Diva
I don't know what time of day it was when you were in Times Square, DaveB, but I am jealous of your experience.
Once was on a Tuesday probably around 1 p.m. I was heading north. Then probably about 45 minutes later, heading south.

Another time was around 6 p.m. on a Thursday night, heading south to Penn Station to catch our train back to Long Island, after dinner and a full day at MOMA (so we were on a schedule of a sort, though if we missed the train we were aiming for, it wouldn't have been a tragedy). Times Square was busy, but it wasn't the hell on Earth being described here.

I'm sure the repetition of experience makes it seem worse for you locals, and I sympathize, but it's seriously not that big a deal for someone who's a) used to a bit of walking, b) willing to keep up with the pace of the locals, and c) doesn't have to contend with it every day. Granted, I'm also not endorsing it as a destination; it just doesn't seem like someplace to deliberately avoid, except for the exceptionally dim-witted hayseed. New York (Manhattan, at least) is incredibly user-friendly, despite the crowds. Chicago's a huge pain-in-the-ass, by comparison.
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post #21 of 31
4/25/06 at 3:58pm
I agree Dave. Times Square ain't that bad. You want to be caught in a cauldron of people that will devour you? Try a cramped ethnic neighborhood! Then compare which is worst between the two because I'm pretty sure I know what you'll say. My grandparents, various uncles, aunts and cousins live in one and the combination of tourists and infinite amounts of old people from the old country will scramble your brains. No one cares how they drive or walk and it's complete insanity, but yet everyones so used to it that if you get run over in front of them, they'll step right over you.

I kinda like it that way though.
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post #22 of 31
4/25/06 at 5:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveB
Once was on a Tuesday probably around 1 p.m. I was heading north. Then probably about 45 minutes later, heading south.
That explains it.

Quote:
Another time was around 6 p.m. on a Thursday night, heading south to Penn Station to catch our train back to Long Island, after dinner and a full day at MOMA (so we were on a schedule of a sort, though if we missed the train we were aiming for, it wouldn't have been a tragedy). Times Square was busy, but it wasn't the hell on Earth being described here.
You're lucky.

Quote:
I'm sure the repetition of experience makes it seem worse for you locals,
That could be one explaination. Or that there are twice as many people in Times Square than in any other part of the city.

Quote:
and I sympathize, but it's seriously not that big a deal for someone who's a) used to a bit of walking, b) willing to keep up with the pace of the locals, and c) doesn't have to contend with it every day.
That's the thing though. The crowds are so thick you can't walk anywhere, let alone keep pace. I seriously haven't seen Times Square empty unles its smack dab in the middle of the day.

Quote:
Granted, I'm also not endorsing it as a destination; it just doesn't seem like someplace to deliberately avoid, except for the exceptionally dim-witted hayseed.
The only thing too see in Times Square are tall buildings with neon signs. That is why tourists go there. The majority of locals who go there are people who do so for work or to get to the subway station that has the largest number of transfers available. Seriously, what else is there?

Quote:
New York (Manhattan, at least) is incredibly user-friendly, despite the crowds. Chicago's a huge pain-in-the-ass, by comparison.
The majority of Manhattan is not Times Square. Getting around is quite easy when you aren't battling throngs of people. But I hear you about Chicago. I've been there a few times and getting around is pretty difficult.
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post #23 of 31
4/25/06 at 5:36pm
Thread Starter 
I don't think the hairs have been split enough. Try harder people.
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post #24 of 31
4/25/06 at 6:12pm
It's a sore topic, okay!

On to better subjects. Have you decided what to do, Neal?
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post #25 of 31
4/25/06 at 6:14pm
Oh and Neal...keep your wallet in your front pocket. I know it's common knowledge but you'd be surprised how easy it is to forget. And even more surprised at how easy it will disappear.
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post #26 of 31
4/25/06 at 6:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Diva
You're lucky.
Quote:
Originally Posted by me
Of course, I'm not a resident, so maybe I've just lucked out the 15 or so times I've been in Times Square as an adult.
This hair has been split!
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post #27 of 31
4/25/06 at 6:48pm
I hear there are great conditioners that can repair that.
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post #28 of 31
4/25/06 at 7:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JGButler
Oh and Neal...keep your wallet in your front pocket. I know it's common knowledge but you'd be surprised how easy it is to forget. And even more surprised at how easy it will disappear.
Good advice. Add on seperating your money from your wallet and keeping it in a Money Clip. Then, if you ever run into a crackhead with a weapon, you can toss the clip up into the air and run for it ( or hit him if you're like me). You might lose the cash, but hold onto the credit cards/license/social security card/etc. which are far more dammaging to lose.
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post #29 of 31
4/25/06 at 7:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Diva
On to better subjects. Have you decided what to do, Neal?

Well, I don't think I explained myself well enough at the beginning of this thread. I have been to NYC before, I know how to walk and how to talk there. I did stay right on Times Square and it was no problem for me. I wear my wallet in my front pocket no matter where in the country I am at. I just didn't know what a Memorial Day weekend would be like in the big city. I am starting to think, however, that i's best not to travel at all on a holiday weekend like that; I'm going to push it back a week just to be safe. As far as the hostel thing goes, the experience sounds pretty exciting, meeting a lot of new and interesting people that way. On the other hand, I'm one of those people that needs a little privacy also. So... not sure on that yet. Still, again, thanks for all the input.
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post #30 of 31
4/25/06 at 7:40pm
I would reccommend the Pickwick Arms Hotel. very cheap and small, but nice furnishings and a good location, from what I remember.

Also, let's go out drinking!
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post #31 of 31
4/25/06 at 7:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neal
On the other hand, I'm one of those people that needs a little privacy also.
Privacy is for people with small weiners.

Yeah I don't know where that came from. Seriously though - I'm the same way. I'd much rather get a hotel room. Plus, it's freakin' New York. Just walk outside and you'll see any and every type of person you could probably hope to see.
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