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3 days in New York in February

Replies: 14 - Last Post: Dec 9, 2012 2:28 AM Last Post By: lee_with_a_back...

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lee_with_a_backpack

lee_with_a_backpack avatar

Dec 6, 2012 4:42 AM
Posts:  18

3 days in New York in February

Hi all,

I will be spending 3 days in NYC in February and was after any recommendations besides the usual tourist sights to see and do. I am open to seeing anything as I like to get a real feel for a city rather than ticking off the top 10 tourist spots. Thanks in advance

amobr82

amobr82 avatar

Dec 6, 2012 4:53 AM
Posts:  1,314

1

"...was after any recommendations besides the usual tourist sights to see and do. I am open to seeing anything as I like to get a real feel for a city rather than ticking off the top 10 tourist spots"

I will simply quote the signature lines of regular poster "bazookaj":
"Five phrases you should never post:
1) "I want to see the 'real' America." It's all real. If you want fake, stay home and watch tv.
2) "My situation is unique." 99% of the time, it's not, and most of us can easily cite FAQs or other threads to prove it.
3) "I am interested in everything/anything." Because everyone likes spending their honeymoon hopping between strip clubs and hookers.
4) "What would you see/do?" Wait, is this trip for me? Aww, you shouldn't have!
5) "I want to see/do like a local rather than a tourist." So you came all this way to pay our bills and take our kids to school? Thanks! Time for a vacation! "

lee_with_a_backpack

lee_with_a_backpack avatar

Dec 6, 2012 5:21 AM
Posts:  18

2

I still plan on seeing the likes of ground zero, empire state, times square etc. What I meant was are there places that people recommend seeing visiting that aren't in the usual tourist books/websites. Places people have stumbled upon that they enjoyed.

bzookaj

bzookaj avatar

Dec 6, 2012 5:35 AM
Posts:  5,224

3

What are your interests? History? Art? Music? Food? Parks? Shopping? Night clubs? Strip clubs? Remember, we don't know you and what we like may be what you hate.

In other words, just because I may have stumbled on something I enjoyed, doesn't necessarily mean you'll like the same thing, and few people go on vacation to purposely do things they don't like.

xNYC is highly covered by guidebooks. Chances are anything we recommend is in one or another.

lee_with_a_backpack

lee_with_a_backpack avatar

Dec 6, 2012 7:30 AM
Posts:  18

4

I like to learn about the history of a city and discover what makes it unique. Obviously most western cities are very similar but they all have that 'something' that makes it what it is., and that is what i am after. Not really into the party scene. I love local food but more along the lines of 'street food' rather than going into a mcdonalds etc. Those family run places that offer something unique.

amobr82

amobr82 avatar

Dec 6, 2012 7:32 AM
Posts:  1,314

5

And I would add that some of my favorites in NYC aren't anything I'd want to be doing in the cold and wind and possible snow/slush of February, when it often feels like a challenge getting from the subway to the closest indoor venue. "Street food" when you can't be on the street for more than 5 minutes without freezing your important parts off?

bzookaj

bzookaj avatar

Dec 6, 2012 7:47 AM
Posts:  5,224

6

I like to learn about the history of a city
Tenement Museum.
Museum of the City of NY.
Federal Hall. (small and quick)

I love local food but more along the lines of 'street food' rather than going into a mcdonalds etc.
There are a ton of $1 pizza slice places. Not the best pizza in the city, but for the price, they are certainly worth trying once or twice.
I saw this while Googling. Seek some out.
The people at Chowhound could give you specific recommendations.

"Street food" when you can't be on the street for more than 5 minutes without freezing your important parts off?
There are still plenty of people in the city, including workers who need to eat lunch.
"Street food" is everywhere.

lee_with_a_backpack

lee_with_a_backpack avatar

Dec 6, 2012 8:00 AM
Posts:  18

7

thanks very much for all of your help

RobertoGustavo

RobertoGustavo avatar

Dec 6, 2012 9:30 AM
Posts:  407

8

I'm a New York native. One of my favorite things to do in an expensive city such as New York costs nothing at all.

Even in cold weather, I like to take a ride on the Staten Island ferry at night. It is heated. It's beautiful seeing the lights of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty (you pass close enough to see it well). The ride is about a half hour each way.

You might want to combine this with seeing the sights of lower Manhattan such as Wall St.

amobr82

amobr82 avatar

Dec 6, 2012 9:49 AM
Posts:  1,314

9

If you can survive getting there, and looking around a bit outside at the views to the cliffs in NJ, the Cloisters is interesting (part of the Metropolitan, with the Unicorn Tapestries). You'd never think you were still in Manhattan.

Websterella

Websterella avatar

Dec 6, 2012 9:53 AM
Posts:  46,891

10

It will be cold. It might be inclement.

There is a huge street cart culture in NYC. I found this a few weeks ago. It might help.

LongIslandBob

LongIslandBob avatar

Dec 6, 2012 10:51 AM
Posts:  1,061

11

I don't know how to book it, but I once stayed at the Marriott Marquis on Times Square and they offered a "Gangland Tour." It left out some stuff of course and focused on Little Italy, Chinatown and Five Points. Fascinating.

willysnoutredux

willysnoutredux avatar

Dec 7, 2012 12:34 PM
Posts:  604

12

A Manhattan Site Not in Most Guidebooks

And if you haven't heard of it, The Highline is really worthwhile.

p_ridiculous

p_ridiculous avatar

Dec 8, 2012 2:04 PM
Posts:  4

13

Agree on the Highline - if the weather permits, that is - it's one of my absolute favourite things in NY.

The Brooklyn Flea markets (www.brooklynflea.com) is, overall, a little expensive, but I love it for its total lack of tacky souvenir keychains, bumper stickers and such. Those things grind my gears like you wouldn't believe, and it's really refreshing finding a market without them. There's really good food there too.

If you're into street art at all, or even if you just don't totally hate it, check out 5Pointz graffiti warehouse in Long Island City (southwest Queens).

lee_with_a_backpack

lee_with_a_backpack avatar

Dec 9, 2012 2:28 AM
Posts:  18

14

Thank you to everyone who as taken the time to reply, it has been greatly appreciated.
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