NYC in January

[Guinevere]

I was thinking about taking a second trip to NYC in January (AFTER New Years) so it will be cheaper. What would you recommend to see/do in NYC in January?

I already went for one week in August and saw all the "touristy" stuff like Times Square, Empire State, Rockefeller, Statue of Liberty, MOMA, the Met, Natural History Museum, World Trade Centre museum and walking tour (but not the memorial because it wasn't open yet. I will probably go again to see it this time) and I took a bike ride around Central Park. I feel like I hadn't seen enough of the city itself and the neighborhoods and the shopping. What would you recommend that is not really a "touristy" thing?

[Garden Kitty]

Frick Museum is always high on my list. In January the hot house at the Bronx Botanical Gardens can be a nice, warm treat.

[sk9tingfan]

- Walking and/or Eating Tours: www.bigonion.com and specifically this one:

http://www.bigonion.com/tour/eating/

But there are tons of other companies that offer a wide selection

- Go walking around Greenwich Village, Washington Square

- Go to Chinatown and Little Italy and see the chickens that dance and play tic tac toe

- Go down to the Lower East side specifically to shop and possibly get some of the better bargains in NY(this might be something of an oxymoron). You will probably find things in these stores that you won't in the big chains

http://www.lowereastsideny.com/shop/womens-clothing/

Before you go, either check out the websites or buy copies of New York Magazine or Timeout NY

- Go to Serendipity's for its frozen hot chocolate or other decadent choices

- Go to John's in the Village for pizza

- Go to see The Highline although in January you could face high winds and of course very cold temperatures http://www.thehighline.org/

- Take the train or bus up to The Cloisters

And this is just Manhattan. There are things to go see in Brookyn, etc.

[vesperholly]

What made me feel like a non-tourist was taking the subway and going to this little restaurant in the East Village called Villa della Pace (food is incredible btw). We also ate at a fabulous Dominican restaurant in Washington Heights, I think it's called Galicia. Shopping in Soho was pretty crowded, but not "touristy", especially once you're off the main drag of Broadway south of Houston.

[Guinevere]

Thanks for all your replies. Those links look really good sk9tingfan, I already have a couple picked out I want to check!

I also would like to explore Brooklyn. I've heard of Park Slope and Williamsburg but that's about it but not sure if they're places to visit.

I also visited the Cloisters - that was one long bus ride, more than an hour from the Met!! It's so far north that it wasn't on most of my maps!

[sk9tingfan]

Thanks for all your replies. Those links look really good sk9tingfan, I already have a couple picked out I want to check!

I also would like to explore Brooklyn. I've heard of Park Slope and Williamsburg but that's about it but not sure if they're places to visit.

I also visited the Cloisters - that was one long bus ride, more than an hour from the Met!! It's so far north that it wasn't on most of my maps!

I would go to Brooklyn Heights which is closer to the city than Park Slope since it has become a prime location due to its close proximity to Wall Street and it is known for its great restaurants and other food shops. I believe that Jacques Torres has his main store there. If you do go, get over to the Promenade which has a spectacular view of the Financial district, but make sure you bundle up. The Brooklyn Museum and The Museum of the City of New York are also special, both in Brooklyn. If you make it to The Brooklyn Museum, it's also very near the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

Supposedly, the best pizza in New York is in the Midwood section of Flatbush at DiFara's and accessible via the BMT at the Avenue J and 16th street stop not that far from where I grew up. I went back there a couple of years ago and got really depressed because nothing looked the same. If you have a car, try going to Sheepshead Bay for lunch or dinner for really good fish or seafood.

http://www.difara.com/

I grew up in the city and lived in Manhattan for 20 years, but I don't get back in that often and not for long periods of time. My shopping mecca was the Lower East Side, but note that many of the shops close by sundown on Friday and don't reopen until Sunday which is a huge shopping day there.

Soho and Tribeca are also really funky neighborhoods. If you like to sew, go to the Garment District which starts at about East 35th and goes up to around East 41st Street between Fifth and 8th Avenues If you watch Project Runway, that is where Mood is and I would also check out M & J Trim and the button, bead and ribbon stores. Even if you don't sew, the textiles, etc are something to see!

[overedge]

I also visited the Cloisters - that was one long bus ride, more than an hour from the Met!! It's so far north that it wasn't on most of my maps!

You can take the subway to 190th St. and walk through the park to the Cloisters building. It's not a short subway ride but it's quicker than the bus

But even though the bus trip is long, the bus route is a pretty interesting introduction to how different NYC's neighbourhoods can be.

[Guinevere]

You can take the subway to 190th St. and walk through the park to the Cloisters building. It's not a short subway ride but it's quicker than the bus

But even though the bus trip is long, the bus route is a pretty interesting introduction to how different NYC's neighbourhoods can be.

I learned that on the way BACK after I asked one of the workers at the Cloisters on how to get back to the city faster. The subway was easily half the time the bus took.

But you're right, the bus ride was incredibly interesting. I was fascinated by how just a few blocks from the Met, the neighborhood was completely different. It was like so many different worlds all inhabiting the same place. I think it was Harlem? I can't remember. Then I fell asleep.

[Marge_Simpson]

I lived right across the street from the 190th St subway for many years. To get to the Cloisters, don't exit the subway station through the long tunnel. Take the elevator, which will bring you up to Fort Washington Ave. The Cloisters is a short walk from there, you'll see a sign pointing you in the right direction.
My favorite museum is the Tenement Museum, on the Lower East Side:
http://www.tenement.org/
After you visit the museum, check out this fantastic candy store, which is 5 minutes away:
http://economycandy.com/
Also 5 minutes away, yummy donuts:
http://www.doughnutplant.com/
And awesome pickles:
http://www.pickleguys.com/

Another cool museum is the International Photography Center, in midtown. On Fridays it is pay what you like after 5 PM:
http://www.icp.org/
Bryant Park is across the street from here, and the ice rink will be open while you're here, if you like to skate (or just watch):
http://www.bryantpark.org/

If you're an Alan Rickman fan (he is a god ) or just a fan of comedies, get a ticket for "Seminar". I saw it last week and loved it.
http://seminaronbroadway.com/

[Cheylana]

Off the top of my head:

Generally, West is more fun than East Side.

For great restaurants: Upper West Side (poke your nose into Zabar's while you're at it), Tribeca (if you can stand the cold winds coming off the Hudson), Meatpacking District (fun cobblestone streets).

Best cupcakes are at Two Little Red Hens, in the Upper East Side (2nd Avenue between 85th and 86th), Magnolia's got nothing on them!

West Village is fun and pretty and has my favorite ice cream store (Cones).

Soho for lots of fun shopping.

Agree with Marge about the Tenement Museum, which can be done in about an hour but is very historically interesting.

Also consider the New York Public Library; hang out with the giant lions in the front and check out some of the art inside.

Alvin Ailey might be performing in January; not sure. Or consider seeing something at Lincoln Center, perhaps a New York City Ballet performance.

[Rob]

I echo the Frick. Also, I used to like the Museum of the City of New York. Haven't been there in years, but they have Cecil Beaton exhibit through February 20.

The Hispanic Society is a hidden gem, full of treasures. http://www.hispanicsociety.org/

Here is an interesting list: http://www.yelp.com/biz/belvedere-ca...POcI3rxexX-Ngg
It includes the Belvedere Castle in Central Park (I got married at the foot of the castle stairs).

Since you are going off peak tourist season, don't forget to look on Groupon and Living Social for hotel or food deals.

[essence_of_soy]

Cheap Broadway Tix. January is a great time to go after the Christmas rush is over.

You can plan ahead (versus standing in line freezing your bits off) at TKTS for hours, by visiting these discount web sites instead:

http://www.theatermania.com/
http://broadwayworld.com/
http://www.broadwaybox.com/

[GarrAarghHrumph]

Do you skate? The rinks in Central Park will still be open, and I think the one at Rock Center will still be open.

[The Village Idiot]

Supposedly, the best pizza in New York is in the Midwood section of Flatbush at DiFara's and accessible via the BMT at the Avenue J and 16th street stop not that far from where I grew up.

I'll second the DiFara's...not that I've been, but I've wanted to. I imagine it in the middle of nowhere though...which may or may not be correct. Also, very, very few refer to it as the BMT anymore...most people just call it the subway. Take the Q out there.

When you go to the memorial, be sure to reserve your (free) pass ahead of time.

http://www.911memorial.org/visitor-passes

NY'ers seem to like to wait on line at Shake Shack (all their locations, not just Madison Sq Park) for burgers for some inexplicable reason. I don't understand, but people do it.

Also, there's a ramen thing going on right now. Ramen and buns at Momofuku Noodle Bar, and dessert at the Momofuku Milk Bar make a filling evening. There's also Ippudo and my personal favorite Totto Ramen. But there are usually waits for these places so strategizing a time to go is important.

You can check out the Superhero Supply Co. in Park Slope.

http://www.superherosupplies.com/

[Marge_Simpson]

Another one of my favorite places is the Merchant's House, in the East Village:
http://merchantshouse.org/

[emason]

For cupcakes, I recommend the new Sprinkles which opened on Lexington between 60th and 61st, IIRC, diagonally across from Bloomingdales. Anyone who has watched Cupcake Wars needs to check this place out. It is pricey, but these are the best cupcakes I have ever had anywhere.

[mon125]

After Broadway, you can go to La Bonne Soupe (55th Street btw 5th and 6th Avenue) for a cheese or chocolate fondue!

[sk9tingfan]

Also, very, very few refer to it as the BMT anymore...most people just call it the subway. Take the Q out there.

It shows how old I am..... Older New Yorkers differentiate between the IRT, the BMT and IND which are different lines of the subway(I was always more of an IRT gal) DiFara's is really only one or two at most very short blocks walk from the train station. That being said, it is in a very residential area of Brooklyn with little else there unless you were heading south to either Sheepshead Bay or Coney Island.

[The Village Idiot]

It shows how old I am.....

Oh I know. I was going for a less offensive reaction than, "BMT? Daaaaaaaaaaaang how old ARE you?"

[sk9tingfan]

Oh I know. I was going for a less offensive reaction than, "BMT? Daaaaaaaaaaaang how old ARE you?"

Pizza at $.15 a slice, gas at $.299, nickle pickles, penny candies, a dime to get on the subway, nickle candy bars and penny candies, The New York Time for $.05. Does that give you a reference point?