Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Right, so I'm going to New York at the end of August.  I'm making my Yankee Stadium pilgrimage!

This is my first big trip, and I come to you guys for advice.

I will be riding in an airplane for the first time ever.  Which brings me to my first question.

Are sites like Priceline legit?  Since I'm a student and I only work sporadically, I don't want to be throwing money around when I could save some.  That "Name A Price" feature is mighty tempting.  Has anyone ever used it with success?

And my other area of concern is lodging!  Most hotels in Manhattan average at around $200 a night!  I plan on spending about a week in the city.  There HAVE to be better options.

Any and all suggestions/tips are welcome!

Priceline is legit although i have never used it myself. I think it can be good from what i've heard from other people who have used it.  But then i don't think they give you the full details of the trip before you buy so you have to be a little bit flexible.

I usually look at airline sites or expedia or things like that.

there is so much to see in NYC, i hope you have a great time.  make sure you eat tons of good food!

There gotta be a few people from there on the board.. maybe someone has an extra room??

Oh and make sure you see strawberry fields and check out a good part of Central Park.


Here are some restaurant recommendations , i got these from a friend of mine who showed me around the city the first time i went by myself:


Grimaldi's (if you can make it across the Brooklyn bridge)
http://aolsvc.digitalcity.com/newyork/entertainment/venue.adp?sbid=107138580

Totonno's Grammercy or Upper East Side (the original Coney Island location is actually the best)

http://aolsvc.digitalcity.com/newyork/dining/venue.adp?sbid=133602
http://aolsvc.digitalcity.com/newyork/dining/venue.adp?sbid=106979972

Arturo's
http://aolsvc.digitalcity.com/newyork/dining/venue.adp?sbid=106910647

Lombardi's
http://aolsvc.digitalcity.com/newyork/dining/venue.adp?sbid=106910062

John's Greenwich Village, Times Square

http://aolsvc.digitalcity.com/newyork/dining/venue.adp?sbid=106920486&squery=&uquery=&skip=5
http://aolsvc.digitalcity.com/newyork/dining/venue.adp?sbid=106993008&squery=&uquery=&skip=2


For some delis:

www.katzdeli.com or

www.carnegiedeli.com

If you're looking for budget hotel accomodations, I highly recommend the Chelsea Star Hotel on 30th and 8th.  It has all types of rooms from hostel baracks style rooms to a single bed room with a shared bath to actual rooms with their own baths.  The twin bed room with the shared bath are the best value you will find during the summer in NYC....it's 99 a night.  I always stay there in the summer and I stay at the New Yorker in the winter. 

Are places like those safe?

Is there an ideal time to book?

Dude , I am New Yorker, IF you need a place to crash on a weds, Friday -Sunday just pm me. And I think rimbob will attest I'm , cool!, as he stayed a night here during Hammerstein shows!

This place is absolutely safe.......it's actually a gem in New York.  I first found out about it in Frommers Travel Guide and if Frommers says it's the best budget hotel in NYC, I have to oblige.  But yes it's definitely safe if you stay in the single room or up.  If you stay in the 10 person dorm room, I can't give you any info because I've never done that.  The single rooms are lockable and you have your own key to get into the building also.  It's very safe........they also have safety deposit boxes.  I usually never have problems booking there if I do it at least a month in advance.  But yeah, like I said.....it isn't the Hilton and the rooms are tiny......but for $99 a night in NYC, you definitely ain't finding anything better.  I swear by it.

http://www.starhotelny.com (http://www.starhotelny.com)

Thats cool you are going to the Staduim. Great idea since it is the last year for it. You might want to check out Little Italy, China town and the Financial District. Have fun.  :peace:   

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

Here is what I have planned so far.

Sunday-Arrival
Monday- Explore the town a bit, and then go to the Iridium Jazz Club and catch Les Paul play a couple of sets and hopefully meet him.

Tuesday- Maybe head out to Flushing and catch some U.S. Open action!

The rest of the week I don't know!  :hihi:

Friday- My big Yankee Stadium day!

Saturday- Head back to L.A.  :-[

I plan on eating a lot of pizza and street hot dogs!  ;D

If I'm mugged on the subway, I'll take it as a positive experience!

have fun on your trip dude. my cousin also wants to go see Yankee Stadium before its taken down for his bday and i might go with him.

Gray's Papaya for deliciousness!  :love:

Oh no way man, it's gotta be Papaya King hot dogs!  Kramer recommends.  : ok:

Speaking of which, I've added a few things to my itinerary.  :hihi:

Visiting all the Seinfeld landmarks (diner, Jerry's apt etc...)

Visiting the Physical Graffiti building of Led Zep fame.  It's the same building they filmed the Rolling Stones video for "Waiting on a Friend."

Shea Stadium.  Might as well, they're tearing that down too after this season.

Ground Zero for obvious reasons.

Should I do Coney Island?

And Gray's Papaya just to compare both hot dog chains!  ;D

definitive Coney Island, how can you not ride the cyclone!

yeah and make sure you wear your Warriors vest with no shirt  :hihi:

I'm gonna have like 50 Nathan's hot dogs before I go on the ride, and then spew on the ride!  EXCELLENT!


Dude, I am SO lost right now.  :-[

dont tell me you've never seen the movie "The Warriors"?

I have never seen the movie "The Warriors."

Make sure you check tripadvisor.com to check out the hotel you book.  If the price is too good to be true, there is a reason.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/

I believe there are some hostels with shared bathrooms and such but the accomodations will be less than stellar.

Priceline is for real but you will wind up with a flight with 3 stopovers and you could get to Japan in the time you will spend trying to get to NY.

Spend the extra money for a regular nonstop, the time you won't lose will be worth the extra dollars.

As a native NYer may I implore you that you fly into Newark, it is the least "hellhole" of our 3 local airports and you will almost have a prayer in hell of your flight being on time.  It is always a little more expensive than flying into JFK or LGA but well worth it and there are lots of ways to get into the city via public trans, trains, etc.

If you don't take my advice, beware of cabbies trying to charge you some crazy rate to get into Manhattan.  I think it is supposed to be a flat rate but I don't know what it is currently.

Get a good subway map online if you can.  Try to map out where you want to go.  The NYC subway system can be a bit daunting.

Should be lots of NYers on here to help you out, I live about 30 mins. north of the city but I know we have a lot of city folk here! ;D

 :peace:

You might think about going to see the Dakota where Lennon was shot

Well if Garry needs help he will be in good hands here.  : ok: :beer:

I'll take my passport along, just in case!  :hihi:


The cabbies are what "intimidate" me at the moment.  Not just the way they drive, but the way they usually rip people off, ESPECIALLY if they see a bunch of long-haired tourist kids with piles of luggage!   ;D

I have already printed out a copy of the subway map off the NY MTA site and I've been getting acquainted with it.  Puts L.A.'s public transit to shame!

If I'm in trouble, I'll shoot a flare into the sky and have my fellow HTGTH'ers rescue me!

Thanks Bandita!

I live here in the NYC area....you should stay in jersey and commute over...it will be way cheaper...if you stay in secaucus or fort lee, englewood, you can get to NYC in about 10 minutes...taking the path train from Jersey city or hoboken can save you alot of money...its only 1.50 each way...p.m me if you want some more info...i know some hotels around Giant stadium that are not that ridiculous as far as prices go...staying IN manhattan is insane....way too expensive

Take a yellow cab, they shouldn't rip you off and if they do, make sure you keep the card with their number so you can complain later - make sure you can see their meter running. Don't take a ride in an unlicensed cab from the airport.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/passenger/faq_pass.shtml#15

? What are the fares concerning trips to and from Newark, JFK, and LaGuardia International airports?
   
   
Newark International Airport
- The set fare from New York City to Newark International Airport is the regular metered rate of fare, plus a $15.00 surcharge, plus all tolls going to and returning from the airport.

John F. Kennedy International Airport
- The TLC has established a "Flat Fare" program for trips to and from JFK and Manhattan. The flat fare is $45.00 plus any tolls. There is no set fare to or from JFK to any point in New York City outside of Manhattan, and the metered rate applies.

LaGuardia International Airport
- There is no set fare for trips to and from LaGuardia International Airport. The regular metered rate of fare, as is displayed below, applies in all cases.

Metered Rate of Fare
$2.50 upon entry
$.40 for each additional unit
$.40 per 60 seconds of waiting time
$.50 night surcharge after 8:00PM and prior to 6:00AM
$1.00 Peak Hour Surcharge in effect 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday-Friday
The unit of fare is:
One-fifth of a mile, when the taxicab is traveling at 6 miles per hour or more; or 120 seconds (at a rate of twenty cents per minute), when the taxicab is not in motion or is traveling at less than 6 miles per hour.

The taximeter shall combine fractional measures of distance and time to accrue a unit of fare. Any combination of distance or time shall be computed by the taximeter in accordance with the National Bureau of Standards. The fare shall include pre-assessment of the unit currently being accrued; the amount due may therefore include a full unit charge for a final, fractional unit.

Different variables such as heavy traffic and tolls should be taken into account in gauging the final cost of your trip.

fly to the airport in newark, its only a few bucks to take the train right into manhattan.   

i stayed at the Hotel St. James (shithole but cheap) in Times Square.   The subway system is fantastic and makes it easy to get around.

i also stayed at Jazjme's place one evening and he was very hospitable and helpful.  :peace:

Plitt is right about the NJ thing, it will be a lot cheaper and for what you pay you will get better accomodations for a lot less money.  If you find somewhere where you are real local to transportation, you will be golden.


LGA has the shortest runways in the nation I believe, if you fly into there do NOT look down when the plane is landing because you will swear you are going in the drink.  The pilots have to slam on the brakes and swirve all over the runway to get the plane to stop before the end. Also, I don't think I have ever taken a flight in or out of there that was less than 2 hrs. late.  JFK is just scary for other reasons.  Newark isn't a picnic either but it is the best of the 3.

No offense to the NJ people here, but if you're visiting NYC, the last place to go near is NJ  :hihi:.  yeah NYC is more expensive, but thats b/c its a lot more convenient to stay in the actual city you came to visit then commute to and from NJ.  The PATH train is disgusting and doesn't run that often.  Trust me, you don't want to stay out by Giants stadium, you'll spend more time commuting then you will enjoying yourself.  it's worth the extra cash to stay in Manhattan.  If you're going to the city that never sleeps, you don't want to stay in secaucus, NJ  :hihi:

As for the airports, I've never had a problem at either JFK or LGA.  I actually prefer LGA out of the 3.  You're going to get bombarded by dudes telling you they'll give you a ride (for $ of course).  Ignore them, say no thanks - they are pushy, but harmless, they're just trying to make a living.  but avoid them, just go to the line where the yellow cabs are picking people up, easy to spot, just follow the signs and crowd.

cabs -  if you're in a yellow cab, you are totally fine.  Unless you look TOTALLY clueless you should be fine.  just use common sense, as you would going to any city.  most of all, don't be shy to ask for directions.  NY'ers are A LOT friendlier then we get credit for.  Most are more than happy to help.

have fun, enjoy yourself.  be confident when walking around.  nobody is going to care if you look like a tourist, they are a dime a dozen.  I've only felt unsafe once in the city, it was late at night and I was west of Madison Square Garden - not the best place in the world (but certainly not the worst).  Must have been Shady Guy Night Out Day or something, I thought I was in the "thriller" video.  you're even ok in the subways so long as its SOMEWHAT early, before midnight. Weekends, prob till 1am.

People are suggesting NJ because he is a student probably not with a lot of money.  Unless you are willing to plunk down 300 a night minimum, chances are that the accomodations will be less than wonderful.   If you don't have the 300 and stay in one of the "budget" places, get a tetanus shot. :hihi:

I think if you aren't a NYer that LGA and JFK especially can be pretty scary places, I dunno.  Most of my nightmares with JFK have been with passing through customs though.  LGA is just a disaster and I really have never had a flight land or take off on time, they are always backed up.  I also don't love the fact that since runway space is short at LGA, usually you are sitting in a line of 5 or 6 planes waiting to take off into the same stream-not super safe.

I haven't flown in a while though and maybe it has gotten better since there are less flights now?

But, YES, us NYers are friendly folk!  (When we are not cursing at bad drivers) ;D

have you ever been to NJ?  The path runs 24 hours a day...never stops....and it takes 6 minutes to get from Giants Stadium to NYC.....and you will stay in a much nicer hotel for a lot less money...

Lombardis was already mentioned, definitely go there and get some pizza

I would suggest going to Zabars and getting the best coffee in the city, them walk across the street to H&H Bagels and have your world changed.

Papaya King rocks but the best hotdog in the city is at Katz deli. Get one or two with a Knish and just watch the sites.

yes, i have, although I don't like admitting it  :rofl:    Sure it runs 24 hours, but the time between trains can be VERY long.  it's also disgusting.  you don't want to be taking the PATH train late at night either, esp if you're a tourist.  its disgusting enough for those that live here, let alone tourists.  if i was visiting NYC i wouldn't have to be worrying about what time to catch the PATH, i'd want to be out at the bars till 4am and then take a cab home.

If this guy is a student he should try staying in a hostel, would be VERY similar to dorm accommodations.  Could also try Craigslist and see if there are any sublets during the time he wants to visit.  And if hes going with buddies, just all crash in a single hotel room and split the costs, it's easy to do - first guy goes in  and gets the room, buddies come in later.   shit, when i was in college and in NYC, i wasn't spending my time in my hotel room....

agree, the only time you need to be in NJ is at the Newark Airport.

It would be awkward meeting a girl and taking her back to Jersey.... :nervous:

haha there is alot of ragging on Jersey in this thread...and the Newark Airport is the LAST place you want to be in Jersey...haha.....I love this state...im with Jon Bon Jovi on this one...there are alot of beautiful areas in Jersey....unfortunately the ones bordering NYC are not some of them...

Well I offered a couple nights, free, in Brooklyn, and think it will be cool. and save them quite a bit , to use for better things, in the city!

See, here's the problem:

If the hotel is cheap, and in Manhatten...usually there is a reason.

I've stayed in a couple of places down there, when just looking for a place to crash for a night (after a concert, ball game, etc) and I can say that...while OK for a night...I'm not sure I'd want to do a week there....

I've stayed at the Chelsea Star twice.  It's one of the better options.

I've also stayed at the Da Vinci (244 W. 56th) and though the rooms are roughly the size of a shoebox.....so long as you're only looking for a place to crash, it works.

Another option is the Herald Square Hotel (19 W. 31st).  Just don't go expecting much in the way of service from the staff or amenities.  The rooms are decent, though.  It's also a pretty quirky, interesting building.  Oh, and the hot water.....I know, it sounds crazy....was actually decent.

I've stayed in 3 or 4 other places, but wouldn't recommend a single one of 'em. 

I've HEARD there's a cheap Holiday Inn that's decent out by the GW bridge, but I've never stayed there (and don't know the address off hand).

Oh, and you might try the Howard Johnson Yankee Stadium.  I'm not sure I'd recommend it, since you're planning on doing "other stuff" in the city....and it runs about $160 a night, to boot....but you can give it a shot.  It gets booked EARLY during the baseball season, though...so you might have to call them to see if they have any rooms.  It's not a GREAT option, but at least it's pretty close to the Stadium.

Really, all we need is a place to toss our luggage and maybe sleep, if we choose to do so.  There's so much to do and so little time!  Since we're going to be out most of the time, the service we could care less for.

Everyone's suggestions have been great, and I can't thank you all enough.  I'll be booking my room and flight sometime within the next week.

I can't wait to go to all these places and do some great things!

How does a guy used to mostly dry heat battle the humidity?

That's the way to have a good vacation! Last thing you wanna do while visiting NYC is sit in a room :)  Hopefully you'll be doing more passing out then actual sleeping ;)  have fun  :beer:

He's never seen any Indiana Jones, Star Wars, James Bond, old Batman movies, etc.. :nervous:

yeah i know. i was in shock when he told me he hasnt seen any of those movie.

the only way to really battle humidity is to drink a LOT!

Yeah, no one's ever won a battle with humidity, don't even bother trying.  Drink to your hearts delight and try to stay in AC, or at least out of the sun.

So I'll be on my way to LAX in 2 hours, I just wanted to thank everyone again for giving me all these pointers.

Life will be a lot easier.  I thank you all.

Oh, I'll be landing over at Newark with a layover in...St. Louis!  :nervous:

A GN'R shirt will be worn.  ;D