Everything & Anything New York City

hab92

M4RKM wrote: »

You didn't know about Coney Island and Brooklyn? I'd recommend a guide book, or some research.

What would I recommend you do in Brooklyn? I have no idea yet, because apart from Basketball I have no idea what you like. I could link to a great Williamsburg Bar Crawl where you could go hipster watching, but you could be someone who doesn't drink beer.

I could explain about Brooklyn Museum, and Prospect Park and Park Slope, but you may not want to walk for miles around, and hate museums (honestly, I got told off for recommending a museum once).

Ideally, tell me what you want, what kinda stuff you like, and I'm more than willing to recommend things I know are good to do.

Ok, Crime and Safety, I don't get where "people" get the idea of crime in NYC. It certainly isn't from fact. Just last week I was reading an online article about how little crime there was. Anywhere a tourist goes, will be safe enough for a tourist, as long as you use standard common sense. Even if you read wikipedia it contradicts what "people" are saying

While crime rates have stopped decreasing for a decade in the rest of the United States, in New York the murder rate for 2009 is at an all time low of 466, more than a 10% decline from the previous year, and the lowest count during the period that crime statistics have been recorded.

I walked around for half an hour an area of the Bronx, and people say that the Bronx is bad. No one cared! if they're out to get someone the crime is going to be aimed someone they know.

Ok, back on topic. Is it safe to walk around Harlem. Yes. Any area in New York City that you're going to walk around, will be safe. Personally, I've never ventured to Harlem, as there isn't anything that interests me personally. I have been through to Flushing in Queens, and Astoria, and I know I'll be exploring Astoria more on my next short trip.

Phew, essay for the morning.. best get to work... Give me some ideas what you like, and I'll see what I can come up with!

M

You're right about that, I don't drink. Even the basketball, to be honest, I wouldn't say I "like" it, it's just something I want to experience. For instance, I probably would never go to watch a game here in the UK.

The museums sounds interesting. Are they like outdoor areas, almost like a separate town in itself?

About the crime, it's just when people talk about Harlem and similiar places, they say things like, "Ooh, why would you wanna go there?" and assume it's full of gangs that go around shooting each other, so I wanted to ask someone who may have already been there about what it's really like. I would like to just go for a walk and experience how it really is, maybe disspell some myths about the place.

All I know about Coney Island are the amusement parks and that the Bronx is where the Yankee Stadium and the Zoo is, places that might be worth visiting.

malkie76 wrote: »

Thanks very much - it was

Should only be a short walk

That's one thing about Manhattan for me - things are close and within sensible walking distance. You see far more overground in this beautiful city.

Happy to answer any questions people have

greenface wrote: »

Across the rd and your in MSG from the New Yorker..

Yeah, knew it was close so thought it should be worth going to have a look. Even if I don't get tickets, can you just go and have a look around?

M4RKM

hab92 wrote: »

Even if I don't get tickets, can you just go and have a look around?

Looking at Madison Square Garden isn't an experience at all, it's a concrete monstrosity that really isn't interesting.

They do tours, but there are far better things to see.

malkie76

hab92 wrote: »

Yeah, knew it was close so thought it should be worth going to have a look. Even if I don't get tickets, can you just go and have a look around?

Normally yes, they do excellent tours of the stadium. However, it's currently getting a massive internal make-over (although you'd never realise), and the tours are suspended.

Thoroughly recommended given the rich history of that stadium.

bleepandbooster

MSG is iconic and steeped in history, we did the tour a few years ago and have been to a couple of ice hockey games and a few concerts we love it. Infact we are visiting again in January to see another event there. (Bull Riding) No not the Bull Ring !! Hab92 !

As for visitng Harlem ............. go and have a meal at http://www.sylviasrestaurant.com/ or contact Billy Mitchell and see if he can fit you into a tour of this place http://www.apollotheater.org/ Both are worth visiting especially the theartre if you enjoy music.

Radio City Hall do tours, Carnegie Hall do tours and what about the UN building that might float your boat ............... All are better than shopping !!!

Cofion
David

greenface

Still not been to the Apollo and i want to do open mike night and get booed off. Harlem has some very unsafe areas as all major citys do (i wouldnt walk through Norris Green anytime of the day and i know most of the people there)Keep your wits around you as always dont act like a tourist .Dave went to the killers in the echo didnt think much TBH .. Madness tonight ... If anyone is going or in New York this week BB Kings Blues Bar & Grill has some xmas shows with Ronnie Spector and the very special Darlene love ...

greenface

MSG - Its no royal albert hall when its empty but does have history in buckets . As its over the road has to be worth a look ... Grand Central can waste a good hour or two just wandering and gawping .

bleepandbooster

One step beyond Greenie ! We saw the Killers at the NEC and had a good time apart from the overpriced eats and drinks.

Cofion
David

PS We joined a tour of the Apollo one Saturday morning with a group of ladies from a Brooklyn church. It was a great time especially when I was able to go on stage and give them all song !!!! I did warn them not to boo me.

hab92

malkie76 wrote: »

Normally yes, they do excellent tours of the stadium. However, it's currently getting a massive internal make-over (although you'd never realise), and the tours are suspended.

Thoroughly recommended given the rich history of that stadium.

bleepandbooster wrote: »

MSG is iconic and steeped in history, we did the tour a few years ago and have been to a couple of ice hockey games and a few concerts we love it. Infact we are visiting again in January to see another event there. (Bull Riding) No not the Bull Ring !! Hab92 !

As for visitng Harlem ............. go and have a meal at http://www.sylviasrestaurant.com/ or contact Billy Mitchell and see if he can fit you into a tour of this place http://www.apollotheater.org/ Both are worth visiting especially the theartre if you enjoy music.

Radio City Hall do tours, Carnegie Hall do tours and what about the UN building that might float your boat ............... All are better than shopping !!!

Cofion
David

Thanks for the replies, guys.

I think we're gonna try and catch the Knicks-Celtics game in March, does anyone know where would be the best place to get tickets, in terms of price, reliability?

Also, what shows would you recommend? We're trying to decide, but not really sure what to go with.

malkie76

Either ticketmaster or stubhub for tickets. Both very reliable
Use them with the seat viewer section on the official site to see your view.

Shows come down to personal choice of music v comedy v play.
Check the reviews and see what gets your interest going

Thanks for the replies, guys.

No problem at all - very happy to give you information based on my experiences

bleepandbooster

Yuuuuup TM or SH are both fine for tickets. I think in the past using SH we printed out our tickets here at home. But for TM we used Will Call at MSG. If that is the case don't forget to take photo ID and the card used to book the tickets. But with both we have never had any problems.

As for shows fell asleep in Lion King ! Jersey Boys, Billy Elliot both good. Been to see a few plays ............ but again fell asleep (but not snoring like the Woman behind us !) Wife wants to go and see something to do with Charlie Chaplin in January Yawn !

Cofion
David