Anyone here from New York?

[me]

am thinking about making a trip to nyc the 1st 3 weeks of july. never spent any time there, just the airport. any input that might make it a better trip is most welcome.

Yes, i know this site is about europe. but, just thought i'd ask.

Specifically, can anyone suggest which hostels are best?

- d

[muzicfreak]

I can't help yea on the hostel situation but i have been to NYC atleast a dozen and half times.. My sister lives in Astoria.. So i know a good portion of things to see and due.. if you are interested in different resturants,pubs/bars or sites to see.. or jazz clubs to go too give me an e-mail and i will help yea out!
cheers
-Gary
[e-mail]

[nyc2002]

Hi. I live in new york, so if you have any questions, just email me.

[e-mail]

[BARATIER]

Hi

I am not in New york per say, but rather New Jersey and close enought to the city to go there frequently. Can't help you on the hosteling question, but i could give you a few pointers on things to do and places to eat. Let me know

BARA

[hper]

I'm not from NYC, but I've stayed at the Jazz on the Park hostel. I think it was around $30/person. It's located in the Upper West Side, near 106th and Central Park West. Probably a 5-10 minute walk to nearest subway station. Our room was clean and the bathrooms were clean. The only problem we had was being next to the bathroom and hearing constant slamming doors.

If you're traveling with someone else, it may be as inexpensive to find a budget hotel, such as Hotel 31.

[me]

thanks, hper!

that's the exact kind of info i was looking for. had looked into The Wanderers Inn, $25 per night, it requires that guests have some contry's passport, even us or canadian. that would seem to make it more for travelers, less a cheap hangout. [exclusivity isn't my goal, safety is my interest]

But, people i know here say new york city in July is like houston. very hot & humid. so, i'm giving 2nd thoughts to going at that time.

i do need to make up my mind. those air tix won't stay cheap forever!

- d

btw, i'd be travelling alone

[me]

well, my nyc in july trip is out maybe i'll make the trip another time.

Thanks for the imput, y'all!

- d

[Danielle]

Well, that sucks that the trip is out, but definitely try to make it there sometime cause it's really a great city. I'm from there originally, as is my ENTIRE family, and will be heading back to NYC at the end of August to start college (Columbia).

I don't know much about hostels (since I've always stayed w/ relatives for free ;D), but I can give you TONS of advice about how to best explore the city when you are finally able to go.

Anyone else for that matter, if you want to know anything about NYC just ask. I've experienced the city both as a local and a tourist, and soon as a student. I can let you know pretty much everything you'd want to know...

Danielle

[LHR02]

so how does one go about getting really fab seats at the Met without being a long time gazillionaire subscriber???

[Danielle]

Well, it's usually easier to get tickets to mid-week shows than those on the weekend. Fridays and Saturdays are the hardest to get good seats for. You can usually get pretty good seats to individual shows if you request them as soon as they go onsale. Speed is everything when it comes to popular NY events. Look on their website for info. You can either call or do it online, they have seating charts available and everything. www.metopera.org

The good thing about Lincoln Center is that all the theatres are VERY well planned; even the so-called "nose bleed" seats are usually pretty nice. I've sat in the 2nd balcony and in the 3rd balcony many times and had WONDERFUL sight lines all the time (a big thing for me, seeing as how I'm only 5'4 and usually have someone's head blocking my view wherever I go). If you have the choice, I would opt for a higher level but a closer row (i.e. top balcony 3rd row as opposed to dress circle row m) You could also get lucky if you go to the boxoffice while in NYC, as sometimes subscribers will not be able to use their tickets and submit them for resale up till curtain time.

If there is a performance you REALLY want to see, you can always do a search online for ticket brokers. They're legal in NJ, but expect to pay at least double the face value on the ticket. I did this for the Producers, because I REALLY wanted to see it but it was sold out for months (I'm a huge Broadway buff, more so than opera) and even though tickets cost a bundle, I felt it was more than worth it.

I would follow the same guidelines for NYC ballet. The best website for theatre is Playbill.com. It's VERY easy to get good theatre tickets if you plan way ahead (I've bought b'way tickets for Christmas shows 6 months in advance before). Cheap tickets are also available at the 1/2 price tkts booth in times square the day of the show, but you'll never get to see the most popular shows (like the lion king, which is sold out forever) w/o planning ahead.

HTH - Danielle ;D