New York Travel Info, Recommendations, and Links

New York

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UNITED STATES

New York

New York - Having grown up just a few hours' drive from "The Big Apple", we'd both been there many times before we met one another. (In fact, Shay did a PR internship in Manhattan during the summer of 1994.) We've gone back a few times since we've been together, and will undoubtedly return in the not-too-distant future. We've pulled together a list of our favorite attractions and local haunts for your reference...we hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Tourist Info:

NYC Visit - The official web site of the New York City Convention and Visitors Bureau. You'll find a wealth of information to prepare you for your next visit to The Big Apple, including transportation, accommodations, restaurants, sightseeing, and more. Look up maps and neighborhood information, peruse a calendar of events, or check out the latest news. Order a free Official NYC Guide before you go; for additional literature, splurge for the comprehensive Official NYC Visitor Kit or stop by the Visitor Information Center when you arrive in Manhattan. For travel information covering the entire state, visit the Official New York State Tourism web site at www.ILoveNY.com.

Online Guide Books - You can find scads of additional information on New York sights, accommodations, dining, entertainment, and more by visiting the incredibly useful Frommer's, Time Out, and Fodors online travel guides, as well as The NYC Insider , NY.com, and NewYorkMetro.

Local Transportation:

Metropolitan Transportation Authority - The MTA runs an extensive transportation system of buses, subways, and trains throughout NYC and Long Island. It's the cheapest and easiest way to get around the city, as taxis can get expensive (and frequently get caught in traffic). Visit the MTA's NYC Transit pages for information on subways and buses, including maps, fares, schedules, and more. If you'll be in the city for more than a day and plan to rely on public transportation, you best bet is to buy a MetroCard, which offers unlimited ride and pay-per-ride options.

Attractions:

	CityPass - This pass includes admission to seven major attractions in the Big Apple (over a 9-day period). The attractions included are the American Museum of Natural History, Guggenheim Museum, Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Empire State Building Observatory, Circle Line Harbor Cruise, and Whitney Museum of American Art. (As of April 1, 2003, the Whitney Museum will be replaced by the SkyRide at the Empire State Building Observatory.) You can purchase a CityPass at several locations within New York, or order it online.
	The Metropolitan Museum of Art - 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street - This impressive world-class museum boasts extensive collections ranging from Greek and Roman Art to Medieval Art to Modern Art. In addition to its vast collections of painting and sculpture, the Met houses exhibits of arms and armor, costumes and accessories, books, musical instruments, photographs, and textiles. It also hosts a variety of interesting exhibitions. Visit the web site for admission fees, hours, directions, event calendar, and more. *Tip:* It's impossible to see the entire museum in a day, so plan your visit in advance and decide which collections you'd most like to view.
	Guggenheim Museum - 1071 Fifth Avenue at 89th Street - The Guggenheim houses one of the world's foremost modern art collections in a fantastical building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Unlike the sprawling Met, visitors can easily take in the Guggenheim's permanent collection and exhibitions in the space of an afternoon. As you stroll through the Tower Galleries and the spiraling ramp of the main museum, you'll take in dramatic works of painting, sculpture, photography, and film and video, as well as works on paper and installations. Visit the web site for admission fees, hours, directions, event calendar, and other information. *Tip:* If you have the time, head downtown and visit the Guggenheim SoHo (575 Broadway at Prince Street), which displays postmodern works (such as Andy Warhol's The Last Supper) and multimedia exhibits.
	Whitney Museum of American Art - 945 Madison Avenue - The world's premier collection of 20th-century American art. Like the Guggenheim, the Whitney's startling architecture (designed by Marcel Breuer, a leader of the Bauhaus movement) makes as much of a statement as the art housed inside it. The permanent collection includes works by such notable artists as Georgia O'Keeffe, Roy Lichtenstein, Alexander Calder, and Claes Oldenburg. The museum also hosts a series of intriguing exhibitions. Visit the web site for hours and location, ticket information, event calendar, and other details
	Museum of Modern Art - 11 West 53rd Street - MoMA houses one of the world's greatest collections of modern art from the late 19th century to present, with such masterworks as van Gogh's Starry Night, Picasso's Demoiselles d'Avignon, Dalí's Persistence of Memory, and Monet's Water Lilies, as well as always-fascinating exhibitions. However, MoMA is currently in the midst of a massive building project that will close its 53rd Street galleries until their completion in 2005. (Check out the Visitor Information page for current details.) In the meantime, visitors are invited to head to MoMA QNS (45-20 33rd Street, Long Island City) from summer 2002 until MoMA's reopening in 2005.
	St. Patrick's Cathedral - Fifth Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets - This imposing structure is the largest Gothic-style Catholic cathedral in the country, as well as the seat of the Archdiocese of New York. There is no entry fee, so it's well worth your time to stop by and take a peek at the soaring interior. Admire the brilliant stained glass windows and the massive Pieta statue, which is three times larger than the Pieta at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Marvel at the stunning altars of St. Michael and St. Louis (designed by Tiffany & Company) and St. Elizabeth (designed by Paolo Medici of Rome). If you would like to attend Mass at the cathedral, view the schedule on the Archdiocese web site.
	American Museum of Natural History - Central Park and 79th Street - This museum always brings back fond childhood memories, from the giant Blue Whale hanging overhead in the Hall of Ocean Life to the recreated dinosaur skeletons in the Fossil Halls to the amazing celestial show in the Hayden Planetarium. Kids love this place, but it's just as much fun for adults. Visit the web site for information on the museum's permanent halls, the Rose Center for Earth and Space, special exhibitions, floor plans, admission fees, hours, directions, and more.
	United Nations - 46th Street and First Avenue - At a time when there is so much turmoil in the world, it's especially meaningful to visit an institution that is devoted to peace. Visitors can tour the UN headquarters and see the sites where world leaders meet and international issues are discussed. When you pass through the gates here, you're actually leaving the United States and entering international territory...the UN has its own security and fire forces, issues its own postage stamps, and conducts business in six official languages. Take a guided tour and visit the chambers of the Security Council, the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council, and the General Assembly Hall. (You can also take a virtual tour online.) Visit the web site for hours, prices, directions, and other information.
	Empire State Building - 350 Fifth Avenue - The Empire State Building observatory is the best place to get a bird's-eye view of the city and its environs. The Empire State Building is now home to a new attraction: SKYRIDE, a motion-simulation aerial tour of New York City. Visit the web site for hours and admission fees, directions, virtual tour, tower cams, and more.
	World Trade Center Viewing Platform - Broadway and Fulton Streets - Visitors who wish to stop by the site of the former World Trade Center no longer need a ticket to access the viewing platform. For more information, visit the WTC Viewing Platform web page on the NYC Visit site. The LowerManhattan.info site features information about the area's rebuilding efforts and includes the new designs for the World Trade Center site.
	Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - New York Harbor - Lady Liberty is one of the most popular visitor attractions in all of Manhattan. Unfortunately, following the September 11 attacks, she is closed to the public until further notice; only the grounds of Liberty Island are currently accessible. (Check the Statue of Liberty Travel Basics page on the National Park Service site for updated information.) Ellis Island remains open to the public, allowing visitors to experience the historic site where many of their ancestors first set foot in the New World. Visit the moving Ellis Island Immigration Museum to view exhibits and films, and get a sense of what the immigrants experienced upon their arrival in this country. (Refer to the Travel Basics page for operating hours.) There is no fee to enter Ellis Island or the museum; however, visitors will need to purchase a round-trip ferry ticket to get to Ellis Island and/or Liberty Island. See the Circle Line Ferry web site for schedule, fares, directions, and other info.
	Bronx Zoo - Fordham Road and Bronx River Parkway - There are many people who would never think of traveling to the Bronx during a trip to New York, so they unknowingly miss out on the largest metropolitan animal park in the country. Since its opening in 1899, the Bronx Zoo has grown to accommodate 4,000 animals living on 265 acres. Meet some of the zoo's residents via a colorful photo gallery, and familiarize yourself with all there is to see and do via the zoo map. Visit the web site for additional information including hours, admission fees, directions, and more. *Tip:* Don't miss the cool "Birds of Prey" show if it's on the schedule while you're there.
	Coney Island - Brooklyn - A day at the beach...New York style! Head out to Brooklyn on the B, D, N, or F train...get off at Stillwell Avenue/Coney Island. What to do while you're there? First, visit the New York Aquarium (Surf Avenue and West 8th Street), and get to know some of the denizens of the deep. Next, stop at Astroland (Surf Avenue and West 10th Street); take a ride on the famous Cyclone roller coaster and enjoy the view from atop the Astrotower. Then, head over to Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park (Boardwalk and West 12th Street) and go for a spin on the park's namesake 130-foot-tall Ferris wheel, with cars that slide about on curved tracks. If you've got a soft spot for merry-go-rounds, don't miss the B&B Carousell (Surf Avenue near West 12th Street), with its lovely hand-carved horses. If all this activity leaves you feeling hungry, you can always enjoy a Coney Island hot dog (and cheese fries!) at Nathan's Famous (1310 Surf Avenue). Later, take a stroll down the fishing pier and watch some of the old-timers lower crab traps off the side. And before you go, take a moment to stop at the water's edge and splash in the surf.

Restaurants:

	Apple Restaurant - 17 Waverly Place - A chic restaurant with an art gallery ambiance and delicious Vietnamese food. Apple actually has two separate kitchens: one prepares vegetarian meals and the other prepares meat dishes. The exotic vegetarian entrees feature a variety of meat substitutes such as tofu, soy ham, seitan, and tempeh. Visit the web site for menus (lunch, dinner, brunch, and Bôm Bar), map, and more.
	Bengal Express - 789 9th Avenue - A great little Indian restaurant...truly one of Manhattan's hidden gems. The muted colors of the decor create a relaxing atmosphere, and every table is tidy and spotless. The staff is very friendly and attentive; the food is served promptly, and plates are swept away the moment you're done eating. Every dish on the menu is a good one...all items are carefully prepared and perfectly seasoned (no bland or mushy food here!). Very vegetarian friendly, and surprisingly inexpensive! Highly recommended.
	Candle Cafe - 1307 Third Avenue at 75th Street - An upscale vegetarian restaurant frequented by celebrities and others who appreciate gourmet food that is as healthy as it is delicious. Log onto the web site for a peek at the restaurant as well as its mouth-watering menu.
	Caravan of Dreams - 405 East 6th Street, between First Ave. and Avenue A - A trendy vegetarian restaurant in the East Village, featuring food that 100% vegan and kosher. If you think it sounds too healthy to be tasty, check out the menu online...we think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
	Dojo - 14 West 4th Street, New York - A favorite restaurant of ours, and by far one of the cheapest eateries in town! If you're into trendy decor and gourmet food, this is not the place for you. But if you want a tasty, filling, sit-down meal where two can dine for under $20, this is where you go. Shay's favorite is the soy burger dinner: a soy patty (order it with cheese) on a bed of rice with a small salad and a delicious carrot-tahini dressing over everything. *Note:* There is a second Dojo location at 24-26 St. Mark's Place.
	The Organic Grill - 123 First Avenue, between 7th Street and St. Mark's Place - "Organic" does not necessarily mean bland foods and raw veggies; this restaurant proves that organic can be an immensely satisfying culinary experience. The Organic Grill offers delicious and healthy meals at affordable prices. Visit the web site for menus (lunch, brunch, dinner, beverages, desserts, coffee, and tea), map, and internet specials.
	Vatan - 409 Third Avenue at 29th Street - This Indian vegetarian restaurant offers a truly unique dining experience. The peaceful décor has the feel of an open courtyard, with fluffy (painted) clouds overhead, greenery, and thatched-roof dining huts. You'll be asked to remove your shoes as you are seated on the cushions at your table. And while the restaurant offers an extensive "all-you-can-eat" prix-fixe menu, you won't have to head for a buffet line...your server will bring a seemingly endless array of foods (thali) right to your table. Visit the web site for hours and directions, menu, photos, and reviews.
	Vegetarians Paradise 2 - 144 West 4th Street - This Chinese vegetarian restaurant offers a wide selection of dishes featuring soy proteins that recreate the appearance, texture, and taste of various meats. Try the Hawaiian Chicken, Shanghai Tofu Steak, or Grilled Mahi Mahi, with Maryland Crabcake and Edamame for appetizers. View the full menu and specials online, and look up directions and reviews.
	Veselka - 144 Second Avenue at 9th Street - This popular 24-hour diner serves up hearty Eastern European fare at very reasonable prices. Try the pierogi, kasha varnishkes, and yummy potato pancakes. Meat-lovers will enjoy the stuffed cabbage and grilled kielbasa. If you like borscht, be sure to try a bowl here...it was voted best in the city by the New York Times and New York magazine. And if you have a sweet tooth, don't miss the awesome raspberry blintzes!
	Zen Palate - 34 East Union St. (at 16th St.); 663 9th Ave. (at 46th St.); 2170 Broadway (at 76th St.); and 477 Old Country Rd., Westbury, Long Island - We discovered this fabulous vegetarian restaurant on one of Mike's business trips to Long Island. They offer an extensive array of vegetarian dishes at reasonable prices. We liked it so much that we had dinner there two nights in a row. You can check out their various locations online, and peruse the take-out and dine-in menus. (To view the menus for each restaurant, select a location and then click the menu button in the top navigation bar.) If you're a vegetarian (or even if you're not), this restaurant chain is not to be missed!

Clubs & Bars:

NYC Clubs:

Goth Clubs - As might be expected, New York is a bastion of goth clubs. Visit the International Goth Club Listing for the complete list of NYC clubs featuring goth nights, or check out our reviews of a few we've attended:

AlbionBatcave at Downtime - 251 West 30th Street, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues - Two of New York's longest-running gothic nights - Albion (formerly of The Bank) and Batcave - have joined forces; the powerful duo now co-host a popular club night every Saturday at Downtime. The multi-level club offers a great space for this sort of event: the main floor features live performances and a DJ spinning gothic, industrial, synthpop, and new wave music; the mid-level room overlooks the main floor and offers comfy seating (great if you want to chill out for a bit); and the two upstairs rooms each have their own DJs, with gothic, darkwave, and synthpop in the "Chamber" and electro, trance, and industrial in the "Playground". For more information, visit the AlbionBatcave web site, where you'll find the current week's schedule, a list of upcoming events, DJ bios, and more. And before you go, don't forget to print out a flyer that will get you reduced admission to the club.

Voodoo A Go-Go at The Raven - 12th Street and Avenue A - Okay, we haven't actually attended this goth night, but considering that it features good music and no cover, how can you go wrong? For more info, visit the club's official web site.

Estate (formerly Limelight) - 47 West 20th Street - The coolest thing about this club is its site: a deconsecrated church with a "labyrinthine gothic interior". This longtime NYC institution was shut down a few years back, but has recently reopened under new ownership. (For more info, see Citysearch and DigitalCity, as the club does not seem to have its own web site yet.)

NYC Bars & Pubs:

	Ace Bar - 531 East 5th Street, between Avenues A and B - Once upon a time, there was a wonderful nightclub called "Mission"; it featured a $6 cover charge, one-hour open bar, and great music. (And as Shay can attest, Mission had a pretty damn terrific New Year's Eve party back in 1992/1993.) Alas, Mission no longer exists. But the good news is that its former site has been put to good use; it is now a way-cool pub called Ace Bar. The place still attracts an interesting crowd, and offers reasonably-priced drinks. It boasts a number of fun diversions as well, from pool tables and dartboards to pinball machines and a vintage lunchbox display (see how many you recognize from your own schooldays!). *Tip:* In case your recollection of biology class goes out the window after a few drinks, the XX door = ladies room, and the XY door = men's room.
	The Ginger Man - 11 East 36th Street - Okay, we have to admit upfront that we haven't actually been to this pub (yet), but if it's anything like its sister pub in Austin, it's definitely worth a visit! The Ginger Man carries around 65 (no, that's not a typo!) draft beers in all! Don't see your favorite? Check the list of over 100 bottled beers. Not a beer drinker? You have your choice of wines, scotches, and other spirits. Have the munchies? No need to leave - a hearty selection of salads and sandwiches are available. Ready to go there now? You'll find maps on the web site.
	Jekyll and Hyde - 91 Seventh Avenue South - One of the most entertaining bars you'll ever have the pleasure to drink in, with two floors of macabre decor, special effects, and live entertainment that you just have to see to believe. Read up on the imaginary tale of how this "club for eccentric explorers and mad scientists" came to be. Peruse the mind-bogglingly massive beer list online, and take a peek at the tasty dinner offerings and weekend brunch menu. Hours and directions are available online. *Tip:* The downstairs restrooms are hidden behind a secret bookshelf in the library hallway...if you have trouble finding the entrance, wait for someone else to come out, or just head upstairs.
	Mona's - 224 Avenue B, between 13th and 14th Streets - Another friendly "Alphabet City" dive bar, much like Sophie's (see below). Popular among Irish expats, with cheap pints (featuring Guinness, of course!) and imported cider on tap. Like all good dive bars, it features pool tables and a first-rate jukebox. *Tip:* The loos can be a bit nasty; if you're stopping by here as part of an East Village bar crawl, it may be wise to hit the restrooms before you reach Mona's or after you leave.
	The Slaughtered Lamb Pub - 182 West 4th Street - If the name sounds familiar, then you've probably seen "An American Werewolf in London". (The film featured a pub called the Slaughtered Lamb.) Part of the Eerie Pubs group, along with Jekyll and Hyde (see above). The decor is a bit over-the-top (for example, a glass case houses a creepy life-sized rotating wax figure of a werewolf clutching his victim), but it's what makes this pub so delightfully different from all the other British-style pubs in the Village. The Slaughtered Lamb has an impressive bar selection, with some 75 beers. And the food is very good...try the pumpkin ravioli. For yet more eerie ambiance, head downstairs to the "dungeon" (complete with skeletons in shackles), where you can play pool or darts or simply put back a few pints.
	Sophie's - 509 East 5th Street, between Avenue A and B - Just a stone's throw from Ace Bar (see above) is this prototypical dive bar. Cheap beer is the hallmark of this hole-in-the-wall, along with a great jukebox and pocket-change pool games. As long as you're not the type to get hung up on the grungy interior, you'll find this place is friendly and fun. You're likely to meet everyone from bikers to punkers to old-timers, and usually someone's pet dog as well. *Tip:* There's no name outside the bar; just look for the neon beer signs in the window. If you've hit the Ace Bar, you've passed it.
	Tír Na Nóg - 5 Penn Plaza (Eighth Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets) - If you don't care for dive bars, try this wonderful Irish bar/restaurant with its stunning decor. (Have a peek for yourself; the web site includes a number of photos as well as an IPIX 360° scrollable image.) The extensive bar offerings include over 20 draft beers and a dozen bottled beers as well as a variety of cocktails, wines, scotches, whiskeys, and other spirits. The bar features live music performances on the weekends. The gourmet menu tends heavily toward meat and seafood; check out the web site for brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert and wine menus. A map is available online.

Accommodations:

	Best Western City View Inn - 33-17 Greenpoint Avenue, Long Island City (Queens) - We discovered this hotel when we were in town for our friends' wedding. If you plan to spend lots of time in Manhattan, you may do better to look for a budget hotel in the city. However, this hotel offers clean, comfortable rooms at a reasonable price, and it's a good option for anyone who will be spending time in Queens. Amenities include free parking, continental breakfast, and complimentary shuttle service to/from the subway and LaGuardia airport. (The shuttle service was great; we didn't have to wait long for a shuttle to take us to the subway, and they drove out to the subway station to meet us after an evening at the clubs.)
	Empire Hotel - 44 West 63rd Street, New York - Pleasant West Side hotel at the corner of Columbus Avenue and West 63rd, right across the street from Lincoln Center. Good location and comfortable, nicely-furnished guest rooms. Moderately priced...by New York standards. Visit the web site for rates and availability, a virtual tour, and more. *Tip:* Check the home page for special promotions.
	For additional accommodations options, check the hotel listings on the NYC Visit site, or try running a search on QIXO and SideStep for a quick survey of the best rates. Apple Core Hotels and the Hampshire Hotels & Resorts group (BestNYHotels) offer budget-priced rooms in national chain hotels throughout the city. You may also wish to look into the Citylife Hotel Group, which includes Habitat, ThirtyThirty, and On the Ave, and offers chic rooms at reasonable prices. (Just be forewarned that the cheapest rooms at Habitat have a European-style shared bath.)

Note: There are a lot of links throughout this section. Although we try to maintain these pages on a regular basis, web site pages go up, come down, and change addresses at a staggering pace. So if you happen to notice any bad links, please contact us so that we can update our listings. Many thanks!