On going to New York

Avotius

Avotius

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This summer I am trying to make some plans to travel around a bit in the states. I will be in the seattle area most of the time but was thinking about making a trip to new york and spending 3-4 days there.

I was wondering what someone should expect to spend on such a trip. I would prefer not to stay somewhere expensive, there will be two of us so can help distribute some of the costs. Also what to see for photographers and sights of interest, art galleries and exhibitions, and what not.
 
ibcrewin said:
get a winnebago in seatle and drive across the country. Stop in LA, Denver, Chicago, NYC, Washington DC.
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no money for that, I was hoping to scrape by as cheaply as possible, even if it ment I had to live in my car for several days...(can you do that?)
 
You can live in your car if you can escape the police. Otherwise, they will consider you homeless and send you to a shelter. Perhaps another possibility for the truly frugal, but not to be recommended.

/T
 
Try business hotels at the weekend. They reduce rates, particulalry during the summer. Otherwise, you may be lucky with a package deal - flight, hotels and transfers at a good rate. NY in high summer is not as popular for visitors from the UK, I assume the same is true in the US.

Get good walking shoes and travel light - minimise your equipment, and save on taxi and subway fares. Don't forget to visit B&H for some gear shopping.
 
endustry said:
New York is unavoidably spendy unless you want to stay in a youth hostel or sleep in the park. I'd offer to put you up but we're actually traveling west this summer and will be subletting our place.

Photo walks are nice and free. I recommend the Lower East Side if you like old architecture, graffiti, street characters and the like.
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A youth hostel is a great idea, if you don't mind dormitory style accomodations. I just checked Hosteling International's Manhattan prices. They claim they start at $29/night. Consider that free at NY prices.

/T
 
NYC on the cheap...

NYC on the cheap...

go for hotel/hostel/b&b on the Jersey side and take the PATH train in. That $2 ride will save you hundreds. Also, J.C. and Hoboken have some of the best views of Manhattan around.

You could do the same in Brooklyn, but considerably less to choose from hotel wise.

Having just vacationed in Italy, I would say it is a good time to visit NYC. The cheap dollar has to go farther as Europe seemed REALLY pricey to me for the same reason.

Of course, you could sleep in your car, but with a little planning even a meager budget could do better.

good luck!
R
 
endustry said:
New York is unavoidably spendy.....
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I definitely agree with this. I don't think it's possible to go to NY without opening up your wallet. I spent a week there in early April and had an absolute blast, but, literally, at a price. As for things to do, Chinatown is great for the culture, food and colors. Also do Times Square, especially at night. The colors and people will astound you. Aso try and visit the International Center of Photography on 43rd Street. I could go on and on. NY is defintely one of my favorite cities.
 
Stay at the Fairfield inn in East Rutherford, NJ 850 Route 120, East Rutherford - (201) 507-5222. There are busses that go into the city all day that stop right in front of the place. I see the tourists waiting in the morning when I leave for work. It's not really an inn but a new smallish hotel. It's cheap, safe and decent. I drive to work in the city every morning so I could probably give you a ride in.
 
you could try woogoo.com. They rent apt style rooms. No matter what, be very suspicious of anything under $150/night. Don't sleep in your car. Other than being harassed by the police and exposing yourself to crime, you will not sleep. The city is very loud and it gets incredibly hot in the summer. There is not enough vegetation around to help temper the heat, so it can easily be 85F at night. That said, it's a great city to visit. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge, take the subway to the beach, stop in at a flea market (17th st and 6th ave has lots of old camera gear), great museums, great food and overall great atmosphere.

Enjoy
 
All good ideas!

When you get to town look me up and I'll take you and the GF out for lunch.

Also last year, even though I live here, I bought a CityPass which gave me half price admission to a bunch of places -- but it's only good for a week or so. Check it out here . . .

http://citypass.rtrk.com
 
I made that On the Road Trip twice. You'll need a sleeping bag & tent. Don't sleep in car and this may sound crazy but at night you sweat and that odor permeates the vehicle. Plan camp grounds carefully. Sometimes they fill up quick. In DC & NYC if you sleep in your car they will find you. You will asking for trouble especially in DC. Security is tough on the East Coast. However, if you hit NYC and this is just between you & me, go to Coney Island. Park you car & try under the boardwalk or on the beach. It's been done if you don't pitch a tent. Read Kerouac. Good Luck
 
Nick R.'s suggestion is right on the money. It is a very quick ride into and out of the city and I hear the buses are frequent.
 
Tuolumne said:
A youth hostel is a great idea, if you don't mind dormitory style accomodations. I just checked Hosteling International's Manhattan prices. They claim they start at $29/night. Consider that free at NY prices.

/T
Click to expand...

I've seen those accomodations. Very much like a prison without the bars.
 
I stayed in a hostel in Montreal with Guy a couple of weekends ago. You are only there to crash. It really doesn't matter too much. The lights are out, your eyes are closed, and you're unconscious/sleeping. If money is tight/an issue, it is a good option. Sure a private hotel room is nicer, and if you can afford it, stay in a hotel for sure.
 
As someone pointed out, the ICP is a MUST. Also the Met, as it's donation, rather than flat fee. But there are many galleries and museums. You could spend 2 or 3 days just in the Met and MOMA!!
Lower East Side, and visit Katz's Deli, for Pastrami and Photography. (I can recommend some other things like restaurants too, but only if you want me to.)Brooklyn Bridge Promenade, The Village (east and west), particulary Spring Street.
Word of warning: don't waste time going to the Empire State Building. You'll be in queues for hours. If you want a good view of the ESB, plus Chrysler Building, go to a bar called "230 Fifth." (Search in google.) It's at 230, 5th Avenue, near to the Flat Iron. If you get there before 6pm, earlier at weekends, it's less crowded, and you get to see the lights go on, and the sky darken. Beware they have a dress code, usually shoes. No boots!! I went in March and it was an amazing view, totally speechless. And a visit to NYC is not complete without going to McSorley's, think it's in the East Village.
 
The best views of the Manhattan skyline are from New Jersey. Something most people don't realize. Take the Ferry at 38th street to Colgate Pier in NJ. (That will be Jersey City) around sunset. Absolutely spectacular views of the lower Manhattan skyline from there at sunset.

/T
 
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