Goin to New York

[enderzero]

So it now looks like I will definitely be in the Big Apple from next Thursday (17th) until Monday (21st). What should I definitely not miss?

I am planning to go to the Metropolitan Art Museum. That will probably provide a full day of art viewing, which may be enough for the short amount of time I am there.

I am staying in Brooklyn. Anything I should check out there?

How about restaurants and clubs?

Central Park? Just explore it or is there a particular section?

Neighborhoods? The Village gets a lot of talk.

Anyone been to ground zero?

Any advice on the trains or other transportation?

THX

[R3C]

... Times Square of course. Check out the Park definitely (The West side is nicer though.) Walk up and down Broadway a bit (starting around 8th street.) The village is goofy but has some cool shops. Not much to speak about in Brooklyn. Oh, definitely go to Serendipity. It's the best icecream in the country. I got a $15 sunday there that was so good I couldn't eat more than about 5 bites. It's on the upper east side around 70th I think.

[Goemon]

Can't recommend much in Brooklyn 'cause I only ever hung out around Park Slope. Brooklyn Heights can be cool to walk around 'cause of the architecture and views of downtown Manhattan. You could try walking across the Brooklyn Bridge to save some train fare...

Definately agree that the West Side of the Park is nicer, but if you're going to Metropolitan it'll be easier just to walk up and down "Museum Mile".
Metropolitan takes at least a day though:
- some cool medieval armor displays
- a nice Japanese room in the Asian Arts wing to sit down and catch your breath
- definately check out the Egyptian tomb(?) that is reconstructed inside the museum; the contrast with the full wall of windows looking out on a green park is nice on the eyes
- good collection in the European wing; easy to spend a day just in there just doing quick drive-bys of the paintings.
- if you're going alone, bring some tunes (not a boombox though, unless you're planning on challenging some of the security guards to a break battle)

Depending on what exhibits they have going, I'd also suggest checking the MoMA and the Whitney Museum. Whitney sometimes has some freaky video art installments. Guggenheim may or may not be worth a visit; if you can smuggle a skateboard in, you can ride it down the circular exhibit walkway...

http://www.whitney.org/welcome.html
http://www.moma.org/
http://www.guggenheim.org/new_york_index.html

If you're interested in tasting some sake again, you can head to Little Tokyo around the East Village/Broadway neighborhood. There's a nice, noisy basement sake bar at 240 E.9TH ST called Decibel there that is good for pre-festivity drinking.

If you want a real NYC beer, you should hit McSorley's Old Ale House in the East Village. Place hasn't been dusted in years. (15 E. 7th)

If you want to shoot some stick, stop by the Stoned Crow in the West Village; tell Betty, the owner, you're a friend of mine and she might buy you a beer...(or she might kick you out)

Been to Ground Zero once, but I can't really say one way or another whether it is a good destination.

I'll probably think of some more places, but give me a holla if you need anything or someone to hook up with there. I miss that town.

[SpeedCricket]

Pick up some rental guides while you are out there for me if you have a chance eh?
May be going to school out there after I finish the ole BA.

[mistasparkle*]

the G-man gives good advice...

Also for your list might be....

East Village / West Village, Broadway from Union sq. down to Canal Street, China Town, Little Italy, South Street Seaport...... and defintiely peep the Gugenheim, and/or the gugenheim soho.

G: When was the last time you were back? "The city" misses you too.

[Goemon]

Mr.*: I haven't been back since last October. Naomi and I are definately going back for a few days this October for a friend's wedding; I might have to fly back for a bachelor party there before the wedding too.

Ender: If you go down to Soho, you can definately practice some Japanese; there are so many tourists girls there, all visiting the same shops that are in the Japanese guide books.

You can try to find Chumley's in the West Village if you want a pint of Red Hook; no sign outside (it used to be a speakeasy), but you can check their homepage for directions:
http://www.chumleys.citysearch.com/4.html

[Ocean11]

When we were in NY for some tourismo, we liked Little Italy and the boat trip around Manhattan. The guides have loads of interesting things to tell you, and the views are amazing. Take a six-pack along on a nice sunny day, and see some kewl things.