I'm going to NYC!

[wontonny]

The title says it all. I'm going to the place I've always wanted to go, the mecca of street photography. I've already started to compile a list of things to do and see, but I would like any and all input. From locals as well as people who've visited before. I'll be there for 1 night and 3 full days at the beginning of January. I'll be staying in the NYU/Washington Square park area. Street photography is my aim for the whole trip, so where are places with the most foot traffic as well as cool scenery/buildings? I've seen the videos with Joel Meyerowitz on 5th avenue, and that seems to be what I'm mostly looking for. I've seen pictures of what look like large plazas in front of buildings, where are some interesting ones? I'd like to take some long exposures of the city, do you know of any buildings that offer a good vantage point to do so?I'd also like to go to Brooklyn, what are some places to see there?

Update: My list includes
Katz's Deli (I've heard there are other places that are just as good, but cheaper)
Trinity Church
Delmonicos (Not to eat, just a landmark so I can explore the surrounding area)
Wall Street
Ray's Pizza (The 1st one, according to wiki, on Prince St.)
4 Seasons Hotel (which is where I hear you can go up into the building and shoot out of their windows, I'm looking for high and low vantage points too)
Rockefeller center (also for night scenes)
Coney Island
White Castle!

Thanks!

 

[antonandreas]

I work really near that area, and the place is ripe for photography. Unfortunately there is some construction going on in that area right now... There is of course Times Square, but a couple other neat areas are Union Square and Flatiron District (which is also photography central in nyc). The West Village really seems to have gone very commercial, but there are still a ton of nice residential areas around there. East Village is another place to check out, though I am not too familiar with it.

 

[gdmcclintock]

Enjoy and be careful. Start at Washington Square Park and head south, east, and west through the Village and lower East Side. Be sure to see the mural by the Brazilian brothers Os Gemeos at Houston Street and Bowery. This will be the highlight of your stay. Then hop on the train (subway) and get off at 125th Street in Harlem and traverse Manhattan via 125th Street. Hop back on the 4 train and head south to City Hall. Get out and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. -George

 

[wontonny]

January is rather cold, so be prepared for it.

Yes, I'm definitely bringing my heaviest coats. Weatherwise, will it be cloudy? I'll probably bring 100 sensia, 125 plus-x and 400 tri-x film along with me.

 

[robklurfield]

visit the highline, a park built on a former elevated freight railway on the far westside beginning at about 16th St (at 10th ave).

lots to look at and shoot from there. open until about 10:00pm. unusual views that were not available until recently. was there this evening.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/4047998795_a0495c075f_b.jpg

madison square park, just north of the flatiron building, itself an indelible photo icon from Stieglitz's time onward. today, someone was roasting a . . . I think it was goat, but I'm not sure and I didn't stop to ask.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/4048834016_55ff15c318_b.jpg

 

[shenkerian]

You can see the averages here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City#Climate

It can feel colder than it is because the tall buildings lining the streets create wind tunnels.

As for sights, I'm biased, but I think there's plenty to fill three days without heading up to Harlem. You'll be staying in one of the most beautiful and historic areas of the city (Greenwich Village), and a short walk to others in every direction (Union Square, East Village, SoHo, West Village). If you like large plazas, check out midtown (Times Square, Columbus Circle, Lincoln Centre, 58th St and 5th Ave).

 

[wontonny]

If you like large plazas, check out midtown (Times Square, Columbus Circle, Lincoln Centre, 58th St and 5th Ave).

Any other suggestions for good places to eat?

You can visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art and/or the Museum of Natural History to get a lot of people shots indoors, away from the cold.

One thing to note about these two museums is that they accept public funding. What this means is that they cannot force you to pay the amount they state as their entrance fee and prevent you from entering if you don't. They use the words "Suggested Amount" or something, so it's "Suggested Entrance Fee = $18." You DON'T NEED to pay that amount. You can get in by paying 25 cents. I usually pay $1. Most people don't know about this, especially the tourists, and end up paying the full "suggested" amount. In this economy, who can pay $18 per person to be in a museum for an hour?

THIS is the info I need! Thank you!

 

[Rayt]

You can visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art and/or the Museum of Natural History to get a lot of people shots indoors, away from the cold.

One thing to note about these two museums is that they accept public funding. What this means is that they cannot force you to pay the amount they state as their entrance fee and prevent you from entering if you don't. They use the words "Suggested Amount" or something, so it's "Suggested Entrance Fee = $18." You DON'T NEED to pay that amount. You can get in by paying 25 cents. I usually pay $1. Most people don't know about this, especially the tourists, and end up paying the full "suggested" amount. In this economy, who can pay $18 per person to be in a museum for an hour?

When I was a starving student I paid a dollar but once I got a job I always paid the suggested entrance fee.

 

[andredossantos]

As for sights, I'm biased, but I think there's plenty to fill three days without heading up to Harlem. You'll be staying in one of the most beautiful and historic areas of the city (Greenwich Village), and a short walk to others in every direction (Union Square, East Village, SoHo, West Village). If you like large plazas, check out midtown (Times Square, Columbus Circle, Lincoln Centre, 58th St and 5th Ave).

I completely disagree. IMO going to at least one or two places not on every tourist map is always a good idea. 125th in Harlem is a great suggestion and a great place for street photography. Nothing wrong with exploring the classic areas but I would suggest taking one afternoon and heading somewhere off the beaten path.

Besides the classic NY spots here are some places you may enjoy, all safe and all great for street photography. Plus, you'll get some shots that not everyone comes back from NYC with.

-Harlem: take the A to 125th and walk east to the 6 train to head back downtown

-Harlem: take the 2 train to 110th and Lenox and walk north along Lenox to 135th then head back downtown on the 2 at 135th

-Washington Heights: take the A to 175th and explore the areas around broadway
-Jackson Heights, Queens: take the 7 to roosevelt and explore the surrounding blocks...every block changes in terms of people from Colombian to Indian to Filipino etc etc. It's great, not to mention a lot of places to eat

-willets point, queens: take the 7 to Shea stadium and walk behind the baseball field to several miles of auto body, repair shops, junk yards, and scrap yards. There isn't even any pavement. It looks like a mad max movie, seriously!

-red hook, Brooklyn: take the f train to Carrol street then transfer on the bus right outside to van brunt street. Not as much ped traffic but if you like old industrial stuff and older looking waterfront areas you'll like it.

-fordham road, Bronx: majorly crowded shopping district in the Bronx. Great for people shots. Take the b to Fordham road then walk east to Arthur avenue for the Bronx' version of little Italy (so much better than the manhattan version!)

 

[Damaso]

I was going to suggest the High Line as well. Of course you also have to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge... if you want the best pizza, visit Grimaldi's after you walk over the bridge into Brooklyn...

 

[kbg32]

Be sure to see the "Americans" at the MET.

 

[degruyl]

I'll be there for 1 night and 3 full days at the beginning of January.

Just be aware that there will be fewer people in the village at the beginning of january than just about any other time of year: No School + Freaking cold = no students.

You might consider B&H... If you have never been, it is something to experience.

Enjoy Katz's. Don't listen to nay-sayers. It is an icon. (2nd Avenue Deli is closer to where you are staying, though).

Skip Ray's.

 

[morback]

Street photography or museums. In 3 days including a trip to Coney Island you're not going to have time for both.

From WSP I would go east, the more (still somewhat) interesting places in Manhattan are east village / alphabet city / lower east side / little italy / chinatown.

Two weekends ago I went to Wall street and was very disappointed. That areas looks nothing like New York. I found the only cart selling Turkish Coffee though... My same day morning stroll in Woodside (Queens) on the other hand made me rediscover the true New York people always imagine to be.

Tips.

Chinatown is not Canal Street. Chinatown proper is below Canal to the east under and below the Manhattan bridge. Columbus park would be a good starting point, you can see locals do what locals do best!

Brighton Beach in January = Polar Bears. Dress really warm, it gets really cold out there. Awesome event, I stumbled upon them by chance. 1PM every Sunday. It's a really long trip from Manhattan. After you see the Bears go to Brighton Beach avenue and enjoy the Eastern European vibe. If you're adventurous you could walk all the way to Sheepshead Bay and forget that you're in New York. It's the only area in New York that has backstreets that I am aware of.

Weekend MTA schedule sucks. When in the station, the subway map also list service changes on the side. Check those to avoid unpleasant surprises.

East River State Park offers a nice view of the skyline. It has become an incredibly popular spot lately. The Greenpoint / Williamsburg neighborhood is also interesting to be in.

 

[micromontenegro]

I don't want to be a killjoy, but last december I spent two full weeks at NYC... and it wasn't enough. You should really consider a longer stay.

 

[semordnilap]

http://hopstop.com/ will actually give you routes considering the MTA closures...

Past grimaldi's, the park under the brooklyn & manhattan bridges is nice, and offers great city views.

If you're willing to venture into Queens, there's Gantry Plaza State Park, which also has nice views. I've never been to the East River State Park, so I can't speak about which has better views. But Gantry will just be a short ride across the Queensboro bridge. You could make a loop there (by cab) through Williamsburg and then back over the Williamsburg bridge into the Village.

And if you want to go up the Empire State building, it's open 'til 2 am, so you can go up at night and get your long exposures there while skipping the daytime lines. Just use a monopod and stick your lens through the fence.

Rockefeller Center will be a nice plaza, with people skating on the rink and shopping there in January. And out in front of the MET people tend to congregate as well.

 

[semordnilap]

BTW... I would listen to Fred on food. It was in a thread here that he was talking about the tortilla trucks in Redhook. I don't live in NY, just go there too often–usually to Brooklyn–so I read up and went to check it out. Yum. Yum yum yum... ! Even saw Bloomberg there–I thought it was a super long line for tacos and was discouraged, but everyone was just thronging around the mayor. So I took advantage of the distraction.

Anyway, thanks for the accidental recommendation Fred!

 

[dmr]

I might suggest the Promenade (Esplanade) in Brooklyn Heights. Just west of the Brooklyn end of the Brooklyn Bridge. Dynamite view of lower Manhattan. (When you're in the area, do the Transit Museum, Court and Schermerhorn, and have some cheesecake or lunch or din-din at Juniors, Flatbush and DeKalb.) Also the pier at 69th. in Brooklyn. (I assume it's still open and accessible.)

Do walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Also the Coney Island/Brighton area. I understand that much of it is closed and torn up, but the next time I'm back I want to see what it looks like. (I'm sure the Aquarium is still there and open.) Get some Nathan's fries! (Stillwell and Surf) A large fries is a meal! 🙂

The Smith/9th subway/el station on the F line (I think it's still the F) has some great views. Ditto for the Flushing Line at various stops.

The Pulaski Bridge, right on the Brooklyn-Queens border gives you a very good view of Midtown Manhattan.

These are just a few suggestions.

 

[shenkerian]

Ahh, sorry, I missed your point - it's a sensitive subject for me.

Totally agree about John's, by the way, although I also like Lombardi's because they'll deliver pretty much anywhere in lower Manhattan.

Also, wontonny, if you like burgers, I recommend Blue 9 Burger and Shake Shack for deliciously greasy ones, or Burger Joint and Corner Bistro for less deliciously greasy ones.

 

[kena]

Food in NYC

Food in NYC

I Just spent most the summer there working and here are some good local eateries....
- New York Noodle Co. Great Chinese! in Chinatown near entrance to Manhattan bridge
- Spoon- Great breakfast, on 20th between 5th and 6th
- Luzzos- really good Italian, I think it was on 1st st. between 12th & 13th....Has a Coal burning oven, great Pizza
- Shake Shack- great burgers, dogs, beer! across from the Flatiron in the park on 23rd and Broadway.
Great food is everywhere and relatively inexpensive!

I'll second the walk across the Brooklyn bridge, however I would start at Grimaldis and and walk TOWARDS the city. ( Don't be put off by lines at grimaldis....moves quickly) As mentioned above the High Line is pretty cool too.
Go up to the Empire State Building early....9am. No crowds and still great views, really cool lobby.

 

[CopperB]

An FYI, Rock Centre charges $20 for the observation deck.