Hi, we‘re (parents + 2 kids) tourists from germany, here for a week. My wife really loves the watertowers on every roof and is asking, if there’s a rooftop or terrace with one ob it open to public. Is there a chance, she can get near her beloved watertowers to take photos? We really love the city, with all its vibes and we try to fit in as good as possible. Thanks in advance!

Planning a trip to NY soon and I haven't seen this question asked before. I'm really into breakdancing and dance battle culture. Is there anywhere in NYC or surrounding areas where I could watch dance battles or breaking sessions? Becoming a breakdancer was always a dream of mine so I would be so happy to see some breaking in person!

I made an intinerary based on reddit posts, internet, and a few suggestions from friends. Let me know what you think! If something I've got is terrible or really good, also let me know! It will be me and my mom going and we're pretty flexible on budget, one day (I was thinking Thursday) we wanted to splurge on food a little more.

Monday

ARRIVAL AT AIRPORT

Hop on the Q70-SBS (LaGuardia Link). It operates 24/7, leaves every 8-10 minutes, Subway: Exit at the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue station. Follow the signs to the Manhattan-bound 7 train. Swipe or tap your contactless credit card or mobile wallet (OMNY) at the turnstile. This costs $2.90 and covers your transfer. Arrival: Get off at the Times Square-42nd St station

TIMES SQUARE

Walk around, do some light shopping and explore.  Things to hit: Rockefeller Centre, Fifth Avenue, Radio City Hall, Bryant Park, Ellen’s Stardust Diner.

DINNER + DRINKS

Dinner at Beccos. I thought we could bar hop a little in the area, some spots in times square (Haven Rooftop at Sanctuary, Birdland Jazz Club, Jimmy’s Corner (famous divebar)). Hopefully we can lookout at the city from a rooftop, apparently at 11:57 the billbourds in times square all show digital art until midnight, its called midnight moment?

Tuesday

HEAD TO CENTRAL PARK

So much to do here apparently. We can rent bikes and/or a rowboat. The MET is nearby. Grab a lunch and picnic. Not sure where yet. Take our time. Once we’re done NYC Ferry East River Route from East 34th Street directly to Wall St./Pier 11. The trip takes approximately 25-30 minutes

9/11 MUSEUM

Walk 15 minutes to the 9/11 Museum. Spend about 2-3 hours there. Then we walk to Staten Island Ferry, its about 10-15 minute walk. We will take the ferry and get a beautiful view of the Statue of Liberty.

STATEN ISLAND

In Staten Island, there are shopping outlets when we arrive. Before we leave, there is a restaurant called Beso nearby that serves really good Spanish. After we head back on the ferry, go to Whitehall St-South Ferry subway station. Board the uptown 1 train, Ride the train approximately 8 stops directly to the Times Sq-42 St station in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.

Wednesday

1 PM HAMILTON BROADWAY

Take it easy this morning, we can explore nearby. Catch the 1 PM matinee of Hamilton. Arrive at the theater with time to spare since matinee crowds can be busy. 

CHELSEA MARKET + HIGH LINE

After the show, we will take subway from 42 St. Port Authority Bus to 14 St and then walk to Chelsea Market for a late lunch, then take the High Line right next door for a relaxed stroll through the elevated park.

SHOPPING IN SOHO + DINNER LITTLE ITALY

We can then walk or subway over to SoHo for an afternoon of boutique and flagship shopping around Broadway/Spring St. Once we’ve shopped enough, we will walk over to Little Italy for dinner. Rubirosa is apparently very good

Thursday

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

Start the day at the Empire State Building. We will book timed tickets ahead to skip the line. Great views over the city, and it's centrally located.

FANCY EARLY DINNER

Trying to get us into The Polo Bar, very clubby very intriguing, if not will try and book The View for 5:00 p.m. or Gabriel Kreuther Pre-Theatre Dinner. Let me know what you think of these.

7 PM PARANORMAL ACTIVITY BROADWAY

I will get us tickets for Paranormal activity (mom loves horror) at 7pm, a scary night which will be followed by dessert. We could go anywhere, but Junior’s Restaurant and Bakery is home to the ‘best’ iconic NY style cheesecake (apparently).

BONUS FRIDAY: 

Short amount of time because we’re flying international, but before we go we should get a real NYC bagel, Tompkins Square Bagels seems good?

Hello! I am going to be in town this weekend Friday to Monday and was hoping to make it to Small’s Jazz Club again. Does anyone know if their weekday student discount would mean I have to go on Sunday or Friday? I reached out and think it would mean Sunday but looking to see if anyone else has some input. Thanks!

Touring the UN has been on my NYC bucket list for a while now, but my partner is rather indifferent to it. We only have space for a UN tour our first afternoon in NYC, but we would be cutting it close with the suggested arrival time (the website says to arrive an hour in advance).

I was wondering, for those who have toured it, do you think it was a worthwhile experience? Secondly, how long does it actually take to get through security? Will we need the full hour, or will we end up just waiting around if we show up that early? Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! I’m visiting NYC for the first time mid-September from the Midwest. I really want to treat myself to a designer handbag while I’m in the city without paying full retail.

I know about standard retail spots like Coach and Kate Spade, but since we have those back home, I’d love to explore unique NYC spots.

Can locals or frequent visitors recommend any great thrift stores, luxury consignment shops, or sample sales where I can find authentic pre-loved designer bags at reasonable price points? Open to all neighborhoods! Thanks in advance!

I will be in NYC for the first time mid-August for a company conference. The conference is 5 days and I am planning on bookending it with a full day / night on my own. As a hick Midwesterner, I've always wondered what it would be like to be in a place where being trans, and lgbtq in general, is commonplace. Given that I'd like to spend my 2 free days split between Jackson Heights and Bushwick, which I understand, from lurking on here, to be neighborhoods with the largest trans representation.

My question - for Bushwick where would be the best place to start (I'd be coming from Manhattan via subway)? My ideal day would be spent on streets where I can browse bookstores (Hive mind?), checkout out botique-y clothing shops and hang out in an outdoor cafe people watching. Any suggestions? The one thing I am not interested in - thrift stores :) I don't know why but they make my head spin and I always leave thoroughly frustrated at my lack of ability to visualize (I feel like I need displays to give me pointers).

Bonus question: how safe will it be to stay until midnight or so and travel back to Manhattan solo? Note that I've lived for a time in Chicago so am relatively street smart. But also a woman who is not quite used to the changes in privilege that brings.

GF and I are visiting next week and putting the final touches on our plans. We've got lots of stuff planned out that's mainly passive/consumption based, for lack of a good term. A sunset cruise to the Statue of Liberty, the Met, the Edge for a good view, and a Broadway show are currently on the agenda (as well as lots of good food). What's some stuff we can do that will have us more actively involved? What we have so far on that front is finding a good club to go dancing and Pearl and the Beast.

E: To clarify, we're looking for anything that's activity/participation based, not just exercise. Just generally something that's more "let's do this" instead of "let's look at this".

So my daughter, whom I think will be world famous, has amazing drawings skills at her age (14). Anyway we are taking a trip to NYC and she wants to see some art museums. MoMa will be one stop for sure. it after that what other museum(s) should we check out? We are in town four days (Thursday - Sunday)

Coming into NYC for one night (5 pm-11 am) and wondering which neighborhood you’d suggest for 1) ease of public transit, 2) evening in New York experience. Not into the Times Square vibe.

Chelsea area was suggested to me (by another person local to me) and I’m also looking for other first hand experience or informed suggestions.

My husband and I will be visiting NYC beginning this Wednesday. On Thursday, we have some time between Top of the Rock at 10:30 and arriving at Ellen's Diner at 5pm for dinner, pre-broadway show later. My husband loves aviation and military history and I was wondering if it would be worthwhile to fit in a visit to the Intrepid. We would need enough time to change clothes at the hotel before going to Ellen's. We have been on an aircraft carrier before and are frequent visitors to the Air & Space museums in Wash, DC. . Thoughts?

staying by medical center in NYC, right by columbia uni, is that too far out from everything? we are staying for 4 days but are wanting to visit the main sights in worried we’ll be too far out from everything

I’ll be visiting NYC this week arriving at Penn Station and our hotel is near Rockefeller Center/5th Ave. I will be coming with my ASD just turned 9yo. I was originally just going to Uber to the hotel but then thought I could take the subway. It looks like train 1 or the E line- both of which would require some walking. If it were just me I would definitely take the subway but I’m unsure how easy it will be managing both luggage and my child to and from the different stations. Any advice on which way would be easier?

Hi everyone - hoping I came to the right place!
In the fall I’ll have about 6 hours to spend with my family of 5 in NYC (passing through on a trip to New England). Here’s what I’m working with:

- We have never been to NYC before
- Will be in a rental car
- Youngest kid will be 14, so we can all get around quickly
- Ideally, would love to park the car & be on foot for the day, then come back to the rental without taxis, subways, etc.
- Understand having a car may limit options. Doesn’t have be Manhattan, open to exploring any of the surrounding area, provided it’s walkable.

Thanks for any tips you have!

What are the best bars/clubs/raves/whatever for solo females? I just want to kiss cute boys and not looking for anything serious. I’ve never been to NYC, and not really into using the apps (but let me know what would be the best if you want!)

Where’s a good place to get NTC souvenirs near the pier (35st - 45st). Here for only a few hours and want to take stuff home

Hey everyone! 👋

Just arrived in probably one of the most impressive cities I've ever been to a week ago.

I've always been super good in English at school, spoke it a lot with people all around the world on trips or online when I used to play video games. I even got praise for my English from natives of English speaking countries.

But understanding some people here can sometimes get really hard for me. Especially in like ordering situations or generally when it's a louder environment which is nearly always the case in New York, I guess.

Apart from that, I feel like the speech is sometimes quiet mumbly, fast and maybe a bit silent (?).

It's gotten better after adapting for a couple days, but yeah sometimes I still struggle.

Looking forward to your comments!

Cheers.

I have a reservation for the FBPC for a 7:00 pm show and my spouse got a reservation for 8:45 pm at the comedy cellar.

What time is the show at the FBPC over (next show is at 9:00 pm) and can I make it to the 8:45 at the Cellar.

Also, where is your favorite place to sit at Yankees stadium? I’ve been to the old stadium, first time going to the new one and I probably won’t make it back so I want a great 1 time experience.

I need to take public transit from JFK to Harlem. Is it safe to stop in Howard Beach and transfer to the A train to Harlem, as an older black female?

My family is going on a trip to NYC next week and I want to have something special for every person that is unique and not just another tourism thing. My spouse is the hardest to find something for. I’d like something that the “kids can take him to do.” So fun for them but exciting for him too. Kids are 13 & 15. All three are on the nerdier side loving science and such. Would love any recommendations as I’m stumped on it.

One example is like our daughter doing a tennis lesson in Grand Central.

My spouse likes science, tech, and cultural experiences. He’s a man of very many interests but none that are a hobby or something that stands out as a must for him like the kids had.

Looking for feedback on our itinerary. Family of 6 (almost 4, 7, 11, 14). We can’t afford to travel much because of the cost of 6 plane tickets and requiring 2 hotel rooms, so we try to really jam pack our days to get the most out of it. We bought a stroller for the almost 4 year old based on the amount of walking in NYC but she hasn’t used one in 2 years, so if anyone has recommendations of ‘bring the stroller this day but not that day’ or anything like that, it would be helpful. I also don’t know if I have given appropriate buffer time for transit so that kind of feedback will be helpful (I have the mta app set to ‘mosey’ walking speed for the kids and have plotted at least half of the routes but not all).

Day1

5am
Leave for airport (Humphrey - Terminal 2 by cemetery)

5-5:15am
Use reserved parking for value lot orange or purple, check luggage and head to security

6:45am
Approximate boarding time

7:15am
Take off

10:58am
Land at JFK

11am-12pm
Collect baggage and board the Air Train to Jamaica Station

12pm-1pm
Air Train and Long Island Rail Road to Penn Station:
- AirTrain from JFK to Jamaica Station (Air Train is $8.75 payable when arriving at Jamaica Station) - runs every 5-10 minutes
- LIRR from Jamaica to Penn Station (LIRR is $5.25 on weekends with the flat-rate CityTicket purchased before boarding.)
LIRR leaves Jamaica Station and arrives at Penn Station as follows:
11:15-11:36 (Train 6823)
11:40-12:00 (Train 6131)
12:15-12:35 (Train 6825)
12:40-1:00 (Train 6135)
1:15-1:35 (Train 6853)
1:40-2:00 (Train 6153)
- 5-6 block walk to Hotel and leave suitcases there

1pm-1:30pm
Take subway to Museum of Natural History

2pm-5pm
Museum of Natural History

5pm-7:30pm
Picnic with street food in Central Park and visit to Belvedere Castle

7:30-8pm
Take subway back to hotel

8-9pm
Get ready for bed and bedtime

Day2

7am-8:30am
Wake up and get ready for the day

8:30-9:30am
Bagel Market

9:30-10am
Travel to Intrepid Museum
M42 from 8th to 12th Ave

10am-3pm
Intrepid museum (eat lunch while there)

3-4pm
Travel to Empire State Building

4-6pm
Empire State Building museum and views

6-6:15pm
Walk to dinner

6:15-7:30pm
Market Crates (variety sandwiches, paninis, a few entrees, etc)

7:30-8pm
Take subway back to hotel

8-9pm
Get ready for bed and bedtime

Day3

6am-7am
Get ready for day

7am-8am
Breakfast buffet

8am-8:30am
Return to room to get ready items needed for the day

8:30am-9:30am
Travel to Battery Park by bus or subway

9:30am
Be at ticket booth at The Battery for Statue of Liberty tour - must clear airport style security in advance of boarding ferry (10am ticket time)

10am-4pm
Visit Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (5-6 hours of touring with pedestal access)

Noon'ish
Eat Lunch at Crown Café or Ellis Café

4-4:15pm
Arrive back at The Battery and de-board ferry

4:15-4:30pm
Walk to the Seaglass Carousel

4:30-5pm
Ride the Seaglass Carousel

5-5:30pm
Subway to WTC

5:30-6:30pm
Visit 9/11 Memorial and Oculus

6:30-8pm
Hank's Pizza - New York style pizza by slice or pie

8-9pm
Walk around the park a little more then, bus or Subway back to the hotel

9pm-9:30pm
Get ready for bed and bedtime

Day4

7am-8am
Wake up and get ready

8am-9am
Breakfast buffet at hotel or donuts at Angelina Bakery next door

9am-9:45am
Travel to Trinity Churchyard by bus or subway

9:45am-11:15am
Visit Trinity Churchyard Cemetery (Alexander Hamilton gravesite) and Charging Bull

11:15am-11:30am
Travel to Whitehall Terminal by bus

11:30am-12:15pm
Take the Staten Island Ferry

12:15-1:45pm
Take bus towards Fort Wadsworth
Take S51 down Bay Street
Lunch at a Bay St restaurant:
Bay Street Tavern

Take the S51 farther south to Fort Wadsworth

1:45-3pm
Explore Fort Wadsworth (doesn't look like there are tours but the visitor center will be open)

3pm-3:45pm
Take S52? from Ft Wadsworth back up north to St George Terminal
Maybe get a quick glimpse of the Staten Island 9/11 Memorial
Baskin Robbins or Ralph's Italian Ice if it's hot?

3:45pm-4:30pm
Take the Staten Island Ferry back to Manhattan

4:30pm-5:15pm
Travel via transit to Times Square

5:15pm-6pm
Explore Time's Square

6pm-6:15pm
Travel via bus? Or walk to Rosa Mexicano

6:15pm-7:45pm
Dinner at Rosa Mexicano (lincoln center or times square if open)

7:45pm-8:15pm
Take transit back to hotel

8:15pm-9pm
Get ready for bed and bedtime

Day5

7am-8am
Wake up and get ready

8am-9am
Breakfast buffet

9am-9:45am
Travel to St Patrick's Cathedral by bus or subway

9:45am-10:45am
Check out St Patrick's Cathedral

10:45am-12:15pm
Take subway/train? to Luna Park

12:15-7pm
Luna Park rides all day (open 11am-10pm)
Also take a little time sometime during this period to head down to the beach and pier area to take in the scenery

12:30pm ish
and
6pm ish
Eat lunch and dinner at Coney Island - ideas:
Nathan's hot dog stand (hot dogs, chili cheese stuff, etc)
Park/street food
Paul's Daughter (seafood - lobster rolls, clams and oysters, chicken strips, etc)
RARE Italy steak and seafood

7-8:30pm
Take transit back to hotel

8:30-9pm
Get ready for bed and bedtime

Day6

6am-7am
Wake up and get ready for trip home

7am-7:30am
Quick breakfast - may eat more at airport

7:30am-9am
Take Newark Airport Express Bus to airport (7:50am or 8am bus?)

9:15am
Arrive at Newark airport and start going through security

11:15am
Approximate boarding time

11:44am
Take off

1:44pm
Land at MSP

2pm-2:30pm
Collect baggage and head home

EDIT: Repost because i was told to redirect my question here instead of asknyc!

I was looking at where to get I <3 NY Merch for cheap and I've seen a couple comments say Canal Street or 5th Ave around empire state but the posts were all years and ages ago! I'm posting for more up to date info since I know these things aren't really as trendy as before but I just want them for the memes.

I was wondering if they actually sell every kind of "merch" there like hoodies, or pajama pants?? Can you guys send me a photo of what those stores look like... Or are they similar to those people who sell merch t-shirts outside a concert venue??????

How much do I expect pricing too? I see that people usually haggle. So, if I want a shirt, a hoodie, a hat, and a pair of the sweats/pjs...... would 40$ for all be feasible?!?!?

Hi all! I'm going to NYC for the first time this August 6-8th. Friday night - a Braves at Yankees game is the meat of the trip. Thursday afternoon/night and earlier Friday afternoon will be time to do... Well... Everything else.

Here's the thing... I'm 53 and disabled. I can walk, but not for very long. Oh yea, also broke as hell because I can't work, so I MIGHT have about $200 to spend. A good friend is taking care of the plane tickets, hotel, and the game, but even still, not much to spend.

So my question is where should I go? What should I do while there? I'm not looking to go to Times Square just to stand there for a second to say I've seen it, or any of that type of thing. I wouldn't mind seeing a few spots in central park if it happens to work out, but beyond that I am wide open.

I would very much appreciate any thoughts or ideas about what is truly worth doing, and simultaneously what I imagine would have to be really cheap, but worth an Uber or subway ride to see or do. Thanks!