A question for those of you who have been to, or would like to visit at some future time, New York City:
If you had a fairly limited, but as-yet-unscheduled block of time – in this case, several hours on a Sunday morning/afternoon in early August after BlogHer ’12 and before returning to Canada – what would you choose to do and/or see? Where would you go? How would you spend your time?
I wish I had more time to explore the city, but a few hours is it for this particular trip (unless I win some sort of lottery that doesn’t actually require purchasing tickets)… so I want to make the most of them. I’ve visited the city once before and have seen several of the “usual” touristy-type places, so I’m kind of hoping for something new. I’d love to know what you would do in my situation (apart from buy a lottery ticket and extend my stay, that is)!
Please share your ideas!
The M Half May 4, 2012 at 6:05 pm
I just met an amazing woman who lives in Brooklyn. I sent her a link to your post hoping she might have some tips. On a side note, I also met several amazing people in Vancouver. Perhaps we should schedule a meetup of some kind?
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Dawn Storey
Twitter: ABCsalad
May 4, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Very cool – thank you! I wish I’d known you back when I lived in that neck of the woods – Vancouver is rather far away from me these days!
Dawn Storey recently posted… New York, New York
The M Half May 6, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Oops, I thought you were in Vancouver now. My apologies!
My friend in New York sent me this email for you:
August is a good time to come, since the city’s usually buzzing with festivals, concerts, street fairs, etc. I know how she feels. That’s the same way I felt the second time in Madrid, “I did the touristy things already. Now what?”. That’s why I decided not to have a plan and live like a local for the time I was there and saw much more of Madrid that way. I suggest your friend do the same.
and its neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, Park slope and visit Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Brooklyn Promenade. I highly recommend BB Park, since not only do you get really great views, it’s not as much of a tourist trap as Times Square. Also from the other side of the park you can catch the ferry to Governor’s Island for free. It’s a nice little getaway from the city, but it’s only open for visitors on the weekends during the summer. They often host, music, food and yoga festivals there. A really great option and something just a little different than the normal mile-a-minute pace of the city.
The Met has a suggested donation of $25, but you can get away with paying less than that. She can also try a walking tour. A few friends of mine took an Oscar Wilde walking tour and loved it, and they’re native NYers.
Depending on how much time she actually has and her interests, I’d say visit some of the neighborhoods and their local restaurants and museums. like Harlem, Greenwich Village, Little Italy, Chelsea, the LES, etc. Also venture into the outer boroughs such as Brooklyn
If she’s a bit of a history buff, there are quite a few smaller museums dedicated to the the rich history of NYC. She can try The Museum of the City of New York and The Merchant House museum for example. Bonus, they won’t burn a hole in her pocket with ticket prices. Also some of the bigger museums such as The Brooklyn Museum of Art, MoMA, and The Rubin Museum have free days or free hours which usually end in a museum party
There’s the Hell’s Kitchen and Chelsea Flea markets, the Union Square Farmer’s Market, the Highline, an old above ground railway system that has been reinvented into a park/art space. It runs down the Westside of Manhattan and a hotspot for many locals and tourists.
I often look at Time Out New York (http://www.timeout.com/newyork) for events that are going on around the city.
As you can imagine I can go on and on. If she’d like more suggestions or has a particular interest I’ll be happy to help.
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Dawn Storey
Twitter: ABCsalad
May 7, 2012 at 11:28 am
Wow, thank you SO MUCH – this is fabulous information! I really appreciate your friend for taking the time to share it with me, and you for asking her to do so! Thank you, thank you, thank you… and please pass my thanks on to your friend as well. I have so much to work with now!
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Sharon Greenthal May 4, 2012 at 6:10 pm
Sigjtseeing? Circle line for sure. Central park of course for people watching. Walk up fifth avenue towards the plaza hotel. Downtown shopping in soho. Washington square park. And a slice of real ny pizza!
sharon greenthal May 4, 2012 at 7:30 pm
Oh and I’ll see you at blogher.
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Dawn Storey
Twitter: ABCsalad
May 4, 2012 at 10:01 pm
I’m looking forward to it!
Dawn Storey recently posted… New York, New York
Dawn Storey
Twitter: ABCsalad
May 4, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Excellent ideas – thank you so much!
Dawn Storey recently posted… New York, New York
Susan
Twitter: susandusterhoft
May 6, 2012 at 8:28 pm
Wish I was going this year…but alas, I just got a promotion and have no time to break away. Have fun in NYC…I’ve never been there.
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Dawn Storey
Twitter: ABCsalad
May 7, 2012 at 11:29 am
I’d say a promotion is a pretty great thing in itself! NYC will always be there.
Dawn Storey recently posted… iPad Practice
Joy Renee May 7, 2012 at 1:08 pm
I see this is too late to help you but I just had to answer your question. If I ever got to go to New York I’d want to explore the Inde book stores and see inside the Public Library.
I’m here from the SITS Girls Spring Fling BTW
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Dawn Storey
Twitter: ABCsalad
May 7, 2012 at 1:10 pm
Not too late at all – I still have a few months until my trip, so any and all suggestions are welcome and appreciated! Very nice to meet you – thanks for your great ideas, and thanks for stopping by.
Dawn Storey recently posted… iPad Practice
Classic NYer May 7, 2012 at 10:08 pm
You want me to answer this in just one comment, haha?
Walk. Walk through midtown and Times Square. Go downtown and walk on Bleeker street. Sit down in Washington Square park and listen to the street musicians. Go to the South Street seaport and watch the boats. Go uptown and check out the street vendors on 125th street. Walk up and down Broadway. Walk up and down 5th avenue.
Go see a Broadway show if you have money.
Or, hell, come hang with me, haha!
Classic NYer recently posted… On the tears of the campus
Dawn Storey
Twitter: ABCsalad
May 9, 2012 at 12:50 pm
I know, it’s ridiculous to think of packing everything that could be done into one short afternoon! I’ll have to make plans to return for something other than a conference, so I have more time to explore that wonderful city.
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