Out and about in NYC

[Marge_Simpson]

I went to Roosevelt Island last summer to look at some apartments; a former coworker became a real estate agent and had some places for sale there. I was not really interested in living there, but I needed an excuse to ride the tram. I've lived here all my life and had never been to Roosevelt Island. Living here would NOT be my thing, the place seemed infested by young couples with dogs. But the tram ride was cool, although I'm sure the thrill would wear off rather quickly if I lived there and took it every day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS4whF5pcQ8

[victoriajh]

Subway! It's a little intimidating at first, especially if you don't live somewhere that has them, but once you get the hang of it you will be glad you did it. So much faster for the most part and if you are with a big group you don't have to worry about splitting up.

^this
once you understand that downtown is 911 (wtc) and uptown means the other way- you can figure it out
I did however find that the subway system was no where near as user friendly as the tube or metro (paris) - it IS confusing!! but when we looked lost a local was ALWAYS coming to our assistance- another tip NONE of the subway stops had maps of the whole system (which was a MUST) i did manage to find one and cut it down to the 4 squares i needed that consiststed of the main mid and downtown stops i needed- so if you are going maybe source out one online first..... cabs were everywhere and not hard to get- so in a pinch or if you have a large group very cost effective. the 29.00 7 days pass fro the subway was a great deal though-
have fun!

[BigB08822]

We also downloaded a NYC Subway app for free which really helped. Some trains had the maps and upcoming stops listed in the car and others didn't so have the app was like always having a map.

[barbk]

I'll be visiting in February (brrr, right?) and staying at Park Central (870 7th Avenue). It is supposedly right above the 57th St. subway stop (NQRW) -- advice as to what is the best application for figuring out how to use the subway to get from there to, say, the Metropolitan Museum, the Tenement Museum, or the Frick? If the weather is good, is hiking the route that goes through Central Park ok to do?

Any Korean BBQ restaurants of note?

[Marge_Simpson]

For the Tenement Museum: from your hotel, walk one block east to 6th Ave, and take the F train to the Second Ave stop. When you exit, you'll be on East Houston Street. Walk east (towards the building with the giant statue of Lenin on the roof, there's no way you can miss it) and then walk south on Orchard Street.
If you like knishes, make a pit stop here first:
http://knishery.com/
the staff are all surly, but the knishes are fabulous.

For the museums on 5th Ave ("museum mile") you are better off with the bus. Walk east to Madison Ave and take any uptown bus.

[Jayar]

I'll be visiting in February (brrr, right?) and staying at Park Central (870 7th Avenue). It is supposedly right above the 57th St. subway stop (NQRW) -- advice as to what is the best application for figuring out how to use the subway to get from there to, say, the Metropolitan Museum, the Tenement Museum, or the Frick? If the weather is good, is hiking the route that goes through Central Park ok to do?

Any Korean BBQ restaurants of note?

Barb-- I've stayed at that hotel MANY times. Let me know what you need-- The 1 line is at 59th and Broadway (or 50th). You can get most anywhere from the N, Q, and 1.

[barbk]

Thanks MargeSimpson & Jayar.

Good to hear about the hotel, Jayar. I'm going with girlfriends, and we were thrilled to find the pricing they had.

Haven't had a knish in 45 years, Marge_Simpson. Mmmm. Next: finding a really good grilled corn muffin. (Funny the things we remember from childhood. Unfortunately some, like the Automat, are long gone.) And my NY crumb cake. And a pastrami sandwich that has never seen a microwave.

[Marge_Simpson]

If you are going to the Tenement Museum, you can get a pastrami sandwich at Katz's, which is a few minutes away on foot:
http://katzsdelicatessen.com/
If you still have room for dessert, try the gelato here, directly across the street from Katz's:
http://www.laboratoriodelgelato.com/index.html
Very close by the Tenement Museum is an adorable shop called Hello Sari. Besides saris, they have costume jewelry, pillows, and all sorts of knick-knacks, very reasonably priced:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hello-sari-new-york
Don't forget to visit Kossar's bialys, the Pickle Guys, the Doughnut Plant and Economy Candy (links in previous posts) while you're in the neighborhood, they are all in walking distance of the museum.

Another place to visit nearby is the Eldridge Street Synagogue, whic has been restored and is quite beautiful inside. You can find info about it, and other historic LES sites here at the LES Jewish Conservancy site:
http://www.nycjewishtours.org/sacredSites.htm

Also check their tour schedule, they run wonderful walking tours of the neighborhood.

Scroll down for the building with the Lenin statue:
http://artnerdnewyork.com/category/east-village/

Your hotel is right near Carnegie Hall. Even if you have no interest in attending a concert there, I highly recommend their guided tours. Info here:
http://www.carnegiehall.org/Tours/

The Martha Graham company will be at the Joyce Theatre the same time you are here:
http://www.joyce.org/

I like this restaurant/tea room, also very close to your hotel:
http://radiancetea.com/

You asked about Central Park - yes, definitely take a walk there, and don't miss the zoo. The zoo entrance is also very close to your hotel, near 63 St. The zoo is small but nicely set up, and they have a penguin tank. (Penguins crack me up)
http://www.centralparkzoo.com/

From the zoo, it's a short walk to the carousel. I rode on it last spring, I was the only adult not accompanied by a small child, but I didn't care. Even if you don't want to ride on it, go have a look, it's really very pretty.
http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/.../carousel.html

There is a branch of Alice's Tea Cup fairly close to your hotel, at E 64th, right off Madison. Stop by and pick up a scone, even if you don't want to sit down and order. They are heavenly.

[emason]

If the hotel is near Carnegie Hall, then another bet for a good pastrami sandwich is the Carnegie Deli, 7th Avenue and 55th IIRC.

[Marge_Simpson]

Lincoln Center is a short walk from your hotel, and NYCB will be performing "Sleeping Beauty" from Feb 13-34 (I'm going on the 18th, btw!)
http://www.nycballet.com/Season-Tick...LEBRATION.aspx

The American Folk Art is directly across the street from Lincoln Center. Admission is free, and they have quite a few musical events, also free. I wouldn't make a special trip here (unless you're a huge fan of quilts and such) but if you're near LC, pop in and have a look:
http://www.folkartmuseum.org/

If you are crafty, check out Lee's Art Supplies, on 57th and 7th:
http://www.leesartshop.com/

City Center is also a short walk from your hotel, check their schedule to see if there is anything you're interested in:
http://www.nycitycenter.org/

[victoriajh]

marge_simpson you are a treasure trove! you should have a tour company for NYC!!

[Marge_Simpson]

Perhaps, but anyone taking part in my tours would have to sign a waiver first, releasing me from any responsibility for insulin shock or dangerously high cholesterol levels.


barbk: your hotel is not far from Rockefeller Center, and you should check out Top of the Rock (link in a previous post). I'd pick that over the Empire State Building (if you were planning to go there) While you are at RC, check out the rink, which will still be open while you're here. If you just want to watch, and it's chilly out and/or you're feeling lazy, go downstairs to the concourse level. (look for the elevators on either side of the rink, you really can't miss them) There are tables and chairs down there and you can hang out and watch for as long as you like.
While you're at RC, I would recommend nipping into La Maison du Chocolate, on 49th Street. After all, sight-seeing is a strenuous business and you will want to keep up your strength.
http://www.lamaisonduchocolat.com/en/index.php#/home

If you don't have Pylones stores where you are, there is one at RC, on 50th St. Have a look, they sell all sorts of useless but adorable things.
http://pylones-usa.com/

For a really unique snack, stop by Miniamoto, on 49th, right off 5th Avenue. They sell Japanese pastries and confections that look more like works of art than something you'd actually eat.
http://www.kitchoan.com/

Did you know we have a piece of the Berlin Wall in NYC? It's a short walk from your hotel:
http://nyclovesnyc.blogspot.com/2011...rlin-wall.html

Incidentally, since no one has ventured a guess as to what I purchased at Tea and Sympathy, I will tell you: it was a spotted dick.

And I am still waiting for someone to elighten me on the Mitzvah tank.

[DustPuppyOI]

Any Korean BBQ restaurants of note?

Seoul Garden!!!! http://www.seoulgarden32.com/ Though utilitarian in decor, the food is good. The BBQ is excellent but I've actually enjoyed the shredded raw beef over pickled turnips and separately, a rather excellent grilled mackerel.
If you want more ambience and live entertainment, Kum Gang San http://www.kumgangsan.net/manhattan.php
I personally haven't tried it yet but many folks have vouched for the quality of Korilla BBQ http://korillabbq.com/

And if you go to the Doughnut Plant as suggested by Marge, go to RUB BBQ. http://www.rubbbq.net/
Definitely order the burnt ends if you get there early enough. I was adventurous enough to try the bacon chocolate chip cookies (one order gets you four) and wasn't that impressed but you've got to try it once, right?

From my recent visitors, recommendations are definitely for Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) over the Empire State Building because (1) you can get closer to the edge (apparently the Empire State Building sets you further back) and (2) you actually can take a picture of the Empire State Building from there. Maison du Chocolat is excellent but Jacques Torres is another convenient option in the basement of the Rockefeller Center as well. Don't forget to take a picture of the Atlas statue (http://www.rockefellercenter.com/art...ory/art/atlas/) which is opposite to St. Patrick's Cathedral (http://www.saintpatrickscathedral.org/).

When you do go to Central Park, try and get to the Central Park Boathouse (http://www.thecentralparkboathouse.com/) for brunch. If you get there when they open, you don't need to make a reservation. The prices are surprisingly reasonable. I tend to like to drag visitors up Belvedere Castle which gives people a nice vantage point for photos. The Metropolitan Museum backs right onto the Central Park right by Cleopatra's Needle/Obelisk.

Not sure if you follow cooking blogs but Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen has her recommendations of New York here: http://smittenkitchen.com/debs-new-york/
She also recommends Yonah Schimmel as well: http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2012/...nish-two-ways/

ETA: A popular application to navigate is HopStop http://hopstop.com/mobile
There's a bunch of MTA approved apps here as well: http://mta.info/apps/

[Marge_Simpson]

To clarify: there are 2 Doughnut Plants. One is on Grand Street, on the LES near the Tenement Museum. The other is on 23rd St, close to R.U.B.

[barbk]

THANK YOU all so very much for the great ideas. I'm copying out the whole thread and sharing with my companions as we plan. This is going to be fun. (Just cross your fingers for no major weather events in Colorado or NYC during our visit.)

[DustPuppyOI]

(Just cross your fingers for no major weather events in Colorado or NYC during our visit.)

On the horrible occasion that weather is less than optimal, you can spend time exploring the subway artwork:
http://mta.info/mta/aft/index.html
http://mta.info/art/app/
Some of my favourites are:
81st Street-Museum of Natural History
14th Street/Eighth Avenue
34th Street-Herald Square
59th Street/Lexington Avenue-59th Street
Lexington Avenue-53rd Street
42nd Street-Bryant Park/Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue/59th Street
Just keep your eyes peeled!

[Marge_Simpson]

Another place to ice skate (or just watch) is Bryant Park, their rink will still be open while you're here. The park is on 42nd, between 5th and 6th.
http://www.bryantpark.org/things-to-do/pond.html
The park also has a beautiful little carousel, but I don't think adults are allowed to ride.

If you're in that area, you can also check out the Photography Museum, just a block north of the park:
http://www.icp.org/
They have a great gift shop, and on Friday eves it's pay what you like.

Don't miss MoMA! But go on Friday evening when it's free.
http://www.moma.org/

[Marge_Simpson]

I mentioned Big Onion walking tours in a previous post, and I'd recommend them to anyone. But if you're interested in a tour that's "off the beaten path" then perhaps you'd enjoy a graffiti tour. No, I'm not making this up. I did the Banksy tour over the summer and it was really fun.
http://www.grafftours.com/our-tours.aspx

[paskatefan]

When I came out of the library I stopped off in Bryant Park to buy a "throwdown wafel" (link in a previous post) and was approached by several men, asking if I was Jewish. Which could only mean the "Mitzvah Tank" was parked nearby. I'm sure most New Yorkers have come across it at one time or another. I'm not Jewish, and I certainly wouldn't pretend I was so that I could get inside their truck.
But does anyone know exactly what's in there? And what goes on inside? Inquiring minds want to know!
http://www.mitzvahtank.com/templates...h/Schedule.htm

First of all, Marge, you are a treasurer trove of info about NYC! Thank you. We live in Philly, so we usually take the train to go to the Theater District (unless we're visiting our relatives in Riverdale in the Bronx, then we drive).

Re: the "Mitzvah Tank," I haven't been in one, but I'm guessing that If you go in there, the Chasidic rabbis will teach you to do one of the mitzvot (plural of "mitzvah") of Judaism. The word "mitzvah" means "commandment," but also can refer to a "good deed." For men this might include putting on a tallit (prayer shawl), and saying the appropriate Hebrew blessing, putting on tefillin (phylacteries) which contain the essential Jewish prayer, the "Shema" (Hear of Israel, the Lord is God, the Lord is One ..."), which is actually said three times a day. Tefillin are put on the forehead for morning services, except on the Jewish Sabbath. If there is a specific Jewish holiday coming up, they might teach you the blessings for that holiday (blessings for lighting the Chanukah candles, shaking the lulav (palm branch) and etrog (citron, like a lemon) for the fall harvest holiday of Sukkot (a few days after Yom Kippur), blessings for lighting the Sabbath candles for the women, etc. Remember, I haven't been in one of these, but I'm guessing that this is part of their mission. We do have something similar to this in Philly. I think it's called the "Mitzvah Mobile."

[Marge_Simpson]

Barnes and Noble is not unique to NYC, of course, and neither are author readings, but since we have so many B&N's here we also have lots of events. If you've never gone to an author reading, do! They are great fun. The B&N on 86th and Lexington has several reading groups. Info here:
http://store-locator.barnesandnoble....&sat=0#content