New York Long weekend in NYC

[cpranger]

Bring some boots or heavy shoes that are OK in the snow. If it snows during the weekend you might want to take a walk in Central Park. You can go to 59th street Columbus Circle on the subway and enter the park there. Walk up a few blocks in the park to the Tavern on The Green area and you can explore little walkways and paths. In the snow it's a fantasyland. There should be lots of people and children on sleds, cross country skiers on skis. It depends on how much snow, or course, and whether it accumulate. In any case, the view of the buildings in Manhattan from the park from just east of Tavern on The Green at the fence on the North side of Sheeps Meadow is spectacular. You can check "accuweather.com" and plug in "10023" zip code and then do a 15 day forecast and see how it might check out while you are there. Remember than New York City is like 20 cities (or more) in one. Most people who visit for a few days get overwhelmed and exhausted trying to take it all in. You just can't. Try not to spend all your time going from place to place. Rather spend more time at a very few places and just walk around exploring. Just be sure you have some warm clothing and good weatherproof shoes/boots. Lots of European visitors go to the "Century 21 store" downtown to pick up discounted high-end clothing. It's close to the world trade center area in case you are down there. You probably could find some nice goods much cheaper than they would be back home for your wife. But you can pick up some cheap stuff off the street vendors that are all over the place. The cheaper the better! Lot's of knock offs of band name merchandise. But also souvenier stuff with "NY" on it in all sorts of designs.

Have fun!!!!!

Frank

 

[grantray]

The view from the Empire State Building at night is stunning.

Marvin E. Newman is showing early works at the Siverstein gallery: http://www.silversteinphotography.com/galleries.php?gid=11&i=20&page=next

The International Center fro Photography, (founded by Cornell Cappa), has a great show up right now, The Body at Risk: http://www.icp.org/

Coney Island is closed for winter and is pretty much a freezing ghost town.

Since you're only here for three days, I suggest staying in Manhattan. It's a big place.

Carry a small bottle of your favorite liquor to keep warm when you're out at night, as going to bars can get REALLY expensive.

There is a small black book you can find at Barnes & Noble called NFT, (Not For Tourist), that can be really helpful.

When you come up out of the subway, and you're not sure which way to walk, just ask.

Don't know how into contemporary art you are, but I think the Whitney Biennalle starts this weekend.

-grant

 

[ch1]

Hi George,

I would really enjoy that. There are areas up here I've yet to explore. Company would always be welcomed.

The west side of Harlem, I live in Hamilton Heights, is quite different from the east side. Over here the avenues are quite wide and very few buildings are over 10 stories tall. The Hudson River and Riverside Park are quite close in proximity to everything. Broadway cuts a wide swath through the neighborhood and the center meridian also doubles as a park in places. The east side is very much like downtown, East Village, etc.. Lots of small brownstones, and things generally feel much crowded.

Christ Church on 154, has quite an interesting cemetary, with masoleums, to explore.

The cafe con leche in the neighborhood for $1 is not too bad as well!

Cheers

Keith,

I'm familiar with much of Harlem (in the extended definition) and thinking of west of Lenox over to Morningside Drive and up through to your neighborhood (taking in "Central" Harlem etc.)

The blocks from 110 to 125 are undergoing such rapid change - but right now so much of it is (thankfully) restoration rather than replacement. Many of the buildings there have such wonderful detail etc. that I'd love to "capture" them - espescially before the "next wave" developers come in an start doing in-fill buildings that will be more modern and "bland".

Anyway - not to hi-jack RML's thread anymore* - I'll start a thread on this in a few weeks as the warmer weather starts to come. Hopefully, we can get a lot of RFF'ers from all over to come.


*For which I'll post MY recommendations separately! 😉

 

[johne]

RML:
For what it is worth, may I suggest you not say "I am going to shoot in the subway."
Say take pictures or you may find unpleasant consequences. 🙂
Enjoy.
Johne

 

[ch1]

RML,

Wasn't sure which weekend you are speaking of, so if you haven't already come and gone....

First of all, three days is such a small bite of the Apple that you will definitely want to come back for more.

Second, check out Central Park - top to bottom - unless the weather is absolutely miserable. It is Manhattan's "backyard" and on any weekend is filled with every sort of person doing her/his thing in every sort of way! (Granted - it's much more fun in warmer weather - but you got what you got).

Also check out the crowds along West 34th Street - the "Macy's" shopping district. And of course, load up a lot of ISO 400 (with a "push") and go to Times Square at night (don't waste time during the day!).

A night in Chinatown is okay but it is "faded".

Your "problem" is that you just do not have enough time (and are coming at a "dark" time of the year). Sio, that's about all I would recommend to someone coming here in February with only three days to spend!

Have fun!

 

[ch1]

RML:
For what it is worth, may I suggest you not say "I am going to shoot in the subway."
Say take pictures or you may find unpleasant consequences. 🙂
Enjoy.
Johne

Is this advice for the subways of Paducah?

It is entirely legal to take pictures in the subways of NYC! 😡

 

[oftheherd]

Well, at least that's encouraging! I need mercury batteries for my CL and for my Canonet. I really hope I can find them, or that someone can point me to a source in NYC. I only have three days and I can't roam the town just for some batteries. 🙂

Yes, mercury batteries are not sold in the USA. You can get alkaline, and as some mentioned, the zink air.

 

[ch1]

Yes, mercury batteries are not sold in the USA. You can get alkaline, and as some mentioned, the zink air.

Ditto.

I get mine via mail-order so cannot recommend a particular retail place. If you do go to Chinatown - I would expect that along Canal Street you will find a shop that has the "replacements".

But given your short time here - if you have a couple already, bring them and don't waste time looking for them! 😉

 

[RML]

Lots of good info and suggestions. I like the idea of the Leica gallery and the Capa "org" exhibtion.