I just got back from an epic solo trip to Iceland. It was awesome.
I want to plan another solo trip. This time to the "Big Apple" in the Fall. Never been there. Probably for 8 days. Any advice? What are some "hidden gems"?
--Michael D. Clarke
Those big cities scare me. So many people packed together, and those buildings towering over you.
shareTake the Staten Island Ferry. It's free, and goes by the Statue of Liberty.
https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/ferrybus/staten-island-ferry.shtml
It really all depends on what you are into, for example some may have no interest at all in the Wall Street area, though it is quite historic. Some may or may not be interested in a Broadway show, or seeing the United Nations. The streets of Greenwich Village can be confusing even to the native New Yorker.
The architecture, to me, is one of the very best things, from the storied pre-war limestone apartment buildings of 5th Avenue to the new pencil tower residences.
Try the pizza. And a Gray's Papaya (or Papaya King) hot dog.
Thanks. I assume a car rental isn't even needed in NYC? It seems the subway system is quite efficient.
Ever checked this place out? The "New York City Transit Museum"? Seems fascinating. https://www.nytransitmuseum.org
--Michael D. Clarke
NYC is known for its museums! Yes, I've been to the Transit one. I'd say the three most important museums are The Met, The Museum of Natural History, and MOMA.
No car! Driving and parking would be a huge headache.
The good old ‘Hop On - Hop Off Bus’ is a great way to get your bearings.
You can’t go far wrong doing all the touristy things; Empire State, Chrysler, Flat Iron, Rock, Guggenheim, Liberty, Macy’s, Broadway, Brooklyn Bridge, Yellow Cab, pretzel, hot dog, China Town, Times Square etc
Totally agree with the HOHO - great way to see any big city. In addition to the above, if you are in Broadway go to Ellen's Stardust Diner - good food with singing waiters - very talented people. You will have a great time there. Pedicab tours of Central Park are also fun and not expensive. If you want to see a show go to the half price ticket booth in Times Square.
shareWe try and do the HOHO everywhere we go - there’s even one in ‘Sunny’ Bournemouth, lol: -
https://city-sightseeing.com/en/85/bournemouth/248/hop-on-hop-off-bournemouth
Good list, except I just walk everywhere, if not tight for time; be aware New Yorkers walk about 4 MPH, and try not to impede the "flow of traffic."
Protip, make sure you get a pretzel with sufficient salt coverage as many do not, and try putting a line of yellow mustard on it. Oh, and try cold sesame noodles at any Chinese place. Also recommend trying Chinese/Cuban places, my favorite dish is arroz con calamares en su tinta (squid & rice with squid ink), or if that's too much, you can't go wrong with plain old Cuban garlic chicken or pork.
I was going to add that the great thing about NYC is that it’s so walkable.
shareI DID THAT WHEN I WAS 23....A TWO WEEK VACATION...MET UP WITH A FRIEND FROM THE INTERNET....SHE ATTACKED ME AND WE ENDED BEING TOGETHER FOR 20 YEARS AND HAVING A DAUGHTER.
shareI always wondered what she saw in you, but now that I know you met on the internet, it turns out she didn't actually see you so now it makes sense.
shareSounds like a cute RomCom, you should write up a script!
shareMake sure you check out the dog sized rats and the piss alleys. I lived in NYC for 4 years. Fuck that place. Why anyone would want to visit the place is beyond me.
Signed, million man.
That’s just it though, tourists don’t see the bad bits (apart from the tramps on each corner). NYC is an iconic place to visit.
shareHuh, I never associated you with being a New Yorker😄
You seem very laid back upper MidWest. I mean that as a compliment btw👍
Yeah I lived there for four years till my dad got a job in DC and we moved to VA. I lived on Brighton Beach then Astoria.
Signed, million man.
Oh, I love Virginia. One of my best lifelong friends Annie moved there from Yonkers with her husband, they had really good job offers and they have thrived!
Virginia is gorgeous and man, the people, even total strangers, are so sweet. As a life long New Yorker I just assumed everyone was a slimy bastard up to something but nope…Virginians are actually just nice people. I love Virginia, lovely state and lovely people.
Don’t rent a car, you’ll spend half the day looking for a spot to park, it’s maddening. The subway is cheap and easy but don’t stand anywhere near the tracks, there are a lot of junkies and random lunatics in those tunnels that are happy to shove a random person onto the tracks…no lie, happens all the time. NO eye contact, that is considered suspect and if anyone seems too friendly they are up to something. Wallet and cell phone in your front pockets near your dick, that way you’ll notice a fucker trying to boost them. Watch for scooters/mopeds/electric bikes, those assholes follow NO rules of the road and you won’t hear them coming. NYC has a population of 8.3 million people and a half million of them would be happy to rob or kill you. Trust no one.
Check out all of the glorious museums and take in a Yankee game, all convenient to the subways. Enjoy!
I would just use Uber.
shareEven UBER is sketchy in NYC.
This broken city is full of malcontents and perverts.
Funny, NYC is a place where you need a trusty pistol but you cannot legally get one.
I carry a long shank screwdriver in my coat and a baseball bat and framing hammer in my car.
The NYPD is utterly worthless, they just want to get home to their kids and wives…I totally understand.
Be prepared to fight, the cops are no help and you’ll have to strike first. Don’t feel bad about it, kill the dirtbag and pretend nothing happened… nobody cares anyway👍
My No.1 rule of avoiding trouble as a tourist - stick to the bright likes and walk round like you own the place.
shareYes indeed, stick to the crowd.
shareDon’t look nervous or lost.
shareNew Yorkers tend to fake knowing everything, most of them are full of shit.
Act like you own the joint. The fuckers shrink away like limp dicks. All of them. They all have attitude until they understand you have no brakes. Then they shut up and back off.
Also, being nice and polite costs nothing, nice and polite is always my first play.
After nearly 70 countries, I’m still alive and unscathed. Nearly every trip I get people asking me for directions, when I tell them I’m on holiday, they always say, “Oh, we thought you lived here.”
shareI would agree...do not engage beggars/homeless. Either ignore completely, or politely say "sorry" and keep walking. Be especially aware at tourist hotspots like Times Square, of pickpockets, scammers, and hustlers. I always carry my wallet in my front pocket. The scooter/moped drive-by bandits appear to be something new since I moved away.
share“I always carry my wallet in my front pocket.”
I’ve done this my whole life.
Is it "weird" to eat alone at a restaurant in NYC? I'm just doing this trip solo.
--Michael D. Clarke
I get the impression that you are a fairly big lad. You should be fine but watch your six Amigo. These New York scumbags will size you up before you order an eggroll..,only the crooks and cops have guns, trust NOBODY, they will all fuck you over, every fucking one of them.
shareSounds good. I'm 6'0 and weigh 200 pounds (lost 30 pounds so far and still more to go😁).
Do you think it's a good idea to travel to NYC during the heat of the election season? It seems it's going to be a crazy one!
--Michael D. Clarke
Oh wow, we’re pretty much the same height and weight. You’ll have no issues, the creeps are all cowards, they prey on the little rabbits, a big thumper like you will have no problems. I’m nearly the only white dude at my job in the Southwest Bronx, been taking their big city money for 24 years now, never had a problem. This dopey city owes me a fat payday real soon to walk away.
NYC…watch your back but honestly, you’ll be fine buddy. YOU are the scary one, you got balls, that’s all you need in NY…maybe get a screwdriver to keep in your pocket if things get a bit ‘stabby.’
Have fun!
Reading through your comments here has me wondering if I could survive I trip there.
It's been a long time since my last visit and I know the world has become a scarier place. New York City sounds like a demilitarized zone now from what you've described.
Im friendly with a popular preacher from Harlem, he runs a big church and knows a lot of heavy NYPD brass. They all say the same thing, they’ve mostly given up on fighting street crime, there is no curbing that tide and you are
well and truly on your own in the city. It’s a fucking toilet, and you can’t even carry a simple revolver. Only the crooks and cops get the hardware but be sure to tuck a long standard screwdriver in
Your belt or back pocket, plenty dangerous and totally legal, just tell the piggies you’re on your way to Mom’s place to fix her bookshelf👍
I'm sorry to hear all that, but it sounds like you're making due.
I'm definitely familiar with what you're referring to with the plausible deniability. There's a mitt next to the metal bat in my car for that exact reason... playing baseball, that is.
Oh yes, I don’t worry about the filthy animals, they are stuck with me everyday, they should be concerned.
And yes., a good simple story is all you need to cover the various weapons you keep in the car…‘I’m fixing mom’s bookshelf with the screwdriver, I have a softball game after lunch and I need the framing hammer to repair daddy’s deck this evening…’
The cops will know your full of shit but they really have nothing to bust you for and in all likelihood they’d rather be parked under a shade tree bitching about their wives and the current Yankee lineup.
Nothing is weird in NYC. People's default setting is to ignore all strangers. Just have good situational awareness, carry yourself well, try not to look like a tourist and you'll do fine.
shareIt's a real shitty clown town, a total dump. NYC is a toilet and nobody cares about you at all, a lot of them would like to see you get murdered... just an afternoon's entertainment
I make my living up in the Southwest Bronx and I clean up real good, I take all of that city money but when I'm done getting my money they can burn the fucker down, don't expect me
to give a shit.
Used to score weed at 183rd St. a block west of the 4 train stop. Growing up in Ed Koch's NY, I got mugged eight times between maybe ages nine to twelve between the UWS and midtown. Nobody ever got anything from me as I was fast and loud. One distinct memory was playing tug of war with a grown man who didn't look like he was related to me over my brand new Star Wars LED watch shouting "Give it! It's mine!" right in front of Zabar's in broad daylight with obviously tons of people walking right by. Kept the watch, thanks to nobody.
shareEveryone will be too worried about there own stuff to even notice.
shareI watch these ghetto city morons. The stupid fuckers leave the phones over here, the $300 sneakers over there, their Ray Bans are on the picnic table...Its like they are begging to get robbed. I guess when you don't work and just get free money on my dime you can be thoughtless about your fancy belongings.
shareIt’s all about being street smart.
shareI'd say going during an election season is a bad idea. It'll turn into a third world shithole if it's not already
share😂
shareIt’s a toilet, avoid New York City, it’s a hell hole full of scumbags and most of them would happily murder you.
You’d need a .357 Magnum to walk around safely and only the crooks and cops have the fucking guns.
Forget NYC., it’s a sewer and not worth your time. This trashy city should get swallowed by the sea someday.