20at20 Off Broadway Ticket Discount

In the same spirit as Restaurant Week, which we've mentioned before, Off Broadway theaters are rolling out the 20at20 promotion. Starting September 8th and running through September 20th you can get tickets to select shows (including STOMP, The Toxic Avenger Musical and The Fantasticks) for just $20.00. The tickets are available from the theater box office 20 minutes prior to showtime, with the exception of sold-out performances. Tickets for these seats generally run anywhere from $25.00 to $85.00 each.

Having seen STOMP some years back I would definitely say that the $20.00 ticket is well worth it. With some 25 shows already signed on to participate there's sure to be something you would find worth the effort.

Joy@touriststop

Museum Day

Mark your calendar, September 26Th is Museum Day here in NYC. Sponsored by the Smithsonian Magazine, several museums will be opening their doors for free general admission. In order to take advantage of this you must go to their site and print your admission card, you will not be allowed to participate without it. Some of the museums in the city that are participating include; Bodies..The Exhibition, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Museum of the City of New York, and the South Street Seaport Museum, just to name a few! General admission to some of these museums can be over $20 per person. So if your in the city at this time print your admission card and choose your museum to see for free!

A complete list of the museums in New York that are participating can be found here.

by Scott@touriststop

Schnitzel & Things..
Another good find in the street food category. Wow, when I found out about these guys I had to track them down and find out for myself. Not bad. They serve three different types of schnitzel, its not your Paprika (My Fav), or Rahmschnitzel but the more popular Wienerschnitzel, a chicken schnitzel and a fish schnitzel. All served with your choice of sides. They also serve a good brat. If you have Sehnsucht for home cooking or would like to try something new on the go, give them a try. You can follow them on Twitter to find a location nearest you.

As of tomorrow through next Friday Twitter fans get a free cup of soup with their order.

by Scott@touriststop

High Line Park

New York City's newest park is now open. Located on top of an old elevated railway on Manhattans West Side, from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 20th Street, in Chelsea, between 10th & 11th Avenues. Access points as well as how to get the park via subway can be found here.


The High Line was originally constructed in the 1930s, to lift dangerous freight trains off Manhattan's streets. Abandoned in the 1980's it was eventually reclaimed by nature. Seeing the wildflowers grow gave inspiration to what has become High Line Park. Winding through lower Manhattan its a mix of New York's industrial past with beautiful green space and views of the Hudson River.

by Scott@touriststop

Bryant Park

Bryant Park is more than just the venue for New York Fashion Week with its giant white tent and designer fashion shows. When it comes to outdoor spaces in the city, Bryant Park is easily one of the most accessible. Located between 5th and 6th avenues on 42nd street it is reachable from just about every major subway line.

Just a short walk from Times Square and Grand Central this haven of calm in one of the most urbanized areas of the city is truly worth a visit.

Mix and mingle with a diverse group of people like the lunch-time business crowd, college students or even the local knitting club. The lush lawn just begs for you to take off your shoes and relax. If all that relaxation weren't enough, how about free entertainment? There are daily events being hosted at Bryant Park, from movies to concerts and even a Broadway in the Park series during the summer months.

Visiting in the winter? No worries, Bryant Park has a wonderful Holiday Market Village and skating rink waiting for you to explore.

One of Scott's favorite buildings is the American Radiator Building on the South side of the park.
Look for it's shining gold and bronze accents and Gothic style black facade. Also not to be missed is the New York Public Library on the park's East side. So wander on over and discover what the locals already know, Bryant Park is a great place to unwind.


Good to know: Public Restrooms can be found at the North-East end of the park.

by Joy@touriststop

Food Carts

NYC is famous for it's hot dogs and hot dog street vendors. Lemme tell ya the hot dogs are good but there is so much more to food carts in New York City then the hot dogs. You really have a wide variety to choose from, there is BBQ, Vegetarian fare, tacos, shishkabob and lots more. In the morning pick up a fresh bagel or an egg and cheese sandwich. For great coffee forget about the lines at Starbucks and grab some MUDD. MUDD being some of the best coffee served in NYC, look for the unmistakable orange MUDD van. Great food, fresh fruit all to be had quickly and inexpensively. New York City has over 3,000 food carts give one a try with so many to choose from you wont be disappointed!

by Scott@touriststop

Good news! For those of you who enjoy a great meal as much as I do, Restaurant Week here in NYC has been extended until Labor Day! What is Restaurant Week? Well I'm glad you asked! Twice a year in January and June-July some of the best restaurants in NYC offer a flat rate for three course meals. A three course lunch can be had for $24, dinner for $35. Keep in mind this fixed cost is a fraction of the price these restaurants would normally charge. So now is the chance to sample some of the finest in dining New York City has to offer at a fraction of the price!

Click here for a listing of participating restaurants, locations and cuisines!

by Scott@touriststop

Did someone say Barneys and Sale?

Once a year Barneys puts on a sale of epic proportions. This year New York fashionistas can look forward to shopping bliss (and quite possibly mayhem) from August 20th to September 7th.

Savings of 50-75% off of regular retail prices on designer fashions and accessories will guarantee to put a smile on any shopaholics face. So get your purses or wallets ready and head on over to 255 W. 17th Street, and don't forget to tell your friends!

Happy Shopping!

by Joy@touriststop

Get a Room

Travelling on a budget? How does $88 a night for a private room in Chelsea sound? Or a room for $55 within walking distance of Central Park? How about about a bright 1 bedroom apartment on the upper east side for $125 a night? Sound to good to be true? Well it's not, they can be found at AirBnB complete with reviews and many other listings throughout the city.

by Scott@touriststop

NYC Ghost Tour

Looking for some fun and adventure on the ghostly side? Why not check out the Ghosts of New York Tour, where one of their licensed guides will take you on a 90 minute guided tour.

"Let us see if we can scare you with stories of ghosts, antique sites, ghostly sightings, scandalous tales, haunted places, mysterious sightings of apparitions, strange and unusual tales of centuries past, legendary stories, folk lore and ghostly experiences stranger than reality, and supernatural intrigues of Manhattan."

by Scott@touriststop

Biking In NYC

Staying in NYC for a few days? How about seeing Manhattan by bike? New York City is adding daily to the number of bike lanes and dedicated greenways. Heath-conscious New Yorkers set out daily on the 6 mile car free bike path in Central Park. Prefer a view of the river? There's Hudson River Park with dedicated bike lanes stretching from Charles St. north to 59Th St. Battery Park is also a great place to bike with small, winding streets that are home to historical landmarks dating back to early Manhattan with views of the Statue of Liberty. Bike rentals can be found in just about every location. A wide variety of bikes are available by the hour to a full day. You will need a major credit card to rent your bike.

by Scott@touriststop

The Metropolitan Museum

The Metropolitan Museum, not to be confused with the MOMA or Museum of Modern art is just one of several world class museums you can visit during your stay in New York City. It's located near Central Park and has several exhibits on display as well as the Cloisters (My Fav) a part of the museum dedicated to European Medieval art and architecture. Plan on spending a good part of the day here as there is a lot to see. If you work up an appetite while exploring the museum there is a cafe downstairs that serves good food at reasonable prices.

Admission is a "Recommended" $20 for adults and children under 12 are free. You can find out more information here:
http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/general_information/

by Scott@touriststop

Welcome to our newest Out of Towner!

We're looking forward to Aaron my 19 year old son's perspective on all things New York! From insider tips to culture and the environment. Check out his posts in Aaron's Corner.

by Scott@touriststop

Times Square

It's Time Square and you wont be alone, over 1.7 million people pass through Times Square each day. Things to do while you're there? Hmmm there's the big lights, the ball drop, the people and now a place to sit thanks to Mayor Bloomberg. There are now pedestrian areas in Times Square, nowhere near European standards but hey this is NYC.

Things that come to mind in and around Times Square: there is the Theatre District, Ripley's Believe it or Not, Madame Tussaud's. There is also a Lowes movie theatre. If your going to watch a movie while you're staying in New York I would recommend you watch it there. It's several stories high and there is a balcony you can access that gives you a great view of 42nd street. Great place to take some snap shots.

Other Times Square attractions include the M&M store, Hershey's store, Hard Rock Cafe, and MTV studios.

For more information check out the official website of Times Square!

http://www.timessquarenyc.org/

Fun Fact: There's a functioning ferris wheel inside Toy's R Us!.

by Scott@touriststop

Helpful Hint:
Looking for a clean, safe restroom? You're probably not alone. Public restrooms are hard to come by in Manhattan. If you find yourself on a safari for this endangered animal, check out the Times Square Information Center at 1560 Broadway!

by Joy@touriststop

Discount Show Tickets

There are two things New Yorkers love; seeing a show and saving money. Now you can do both!

No visit to New York would be complete without seeing a show. Whether your tastes run to musicals or more avant-garde stage and comedy productions there's sure to be something you'd love to see.

Here are a few sites we've found that provide pretty good discounts on the face-value of on & off Broadway shows. Next time you have a yen to see a show check these guys out and see if you can save a bit of coin in the process.

Theater Mania - a good place to start when planning to see a show. Tickets can be purchased in advance for a wide variety of shows.

BroadwayBox - good discounts on a variety of shows. Especially good if you're looking for very popular (sold-out) shows like "Lion King", "Wicked" or "Jersey Boys".

TKTS Booth - great savings (up to 50%) on same-day on & off Broadway shows. You'll need to stop by one of the booth locations, but with one right in the middle of Times Square it's really not all that inconvenient. This is a super option for anyone deciding to spontaneously take in a show and saves a bundle compared to purchasing the ticket at the show venue.

With options like these there's no reason not to take in an award winning show next time you're in the Big Apple.

by Joy@touriststop

The Village Pourhouse - East Village

64 Third Ave. (at E. 11th St.)
Manhattan, NY 10003

Type:Restaurant/Pub

Two things recommend the Pourhouse immediately;

• outdoor seating (a luxury in the city)
• and reasonable prices.

The American fare is good, the staff is helpful and the clientele is the usual East Village mix of after-work and college crowd.

On my visit I opted for the Pourhouse burger (how could you not!) which was perfectly prepared and came with some of the tastiest seasoned fries I've had in a long time. One word of caution though, sodas tend to be a little on the flat or watered-down side; this isn't a place people usually go for soft-drinks. However, aside from that, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Pourhouse for a casual dinner with friends or - if you're flying solo - as a great place to hang out and people watch.

You really can't go wrong here if you're looking for good food and a fun atmosphere at a reasonable price.

by Joy@touriststop

Taxi Cabs

We've all seen them in the movies, those swarms of yellow cabs lined up along Manhattan streets that can be a boon or a curse depending on your view-point. To the weary tourist in a bit of a time-crunch they can be a god-send.
Here are a few basic tips on all things taxi:

Hailing a cab (the act of flagging down a taxi):
Hailing a cab is a rite-of-passage of sorts. In reality the act itself is pretty straight forward. Stand on the curb, or slightly in the street (watch out for NYC buses!) and stick out your arm - think Lady Liberty here. If the cab is available (the numbers on the roof are lit) the cabbie will pull over. Voila, you've just hailed your cab!

Fares:
Fares within Manhattan are based on the following rate schedule:
Initial fare.............$2.50
Each 1/5 mile (4 blocks).$0.40
Each 1 minute idle.......$0.40
Peak surcharge...........$1.00 (after 4pm until 8pm Mon-Fri)
Night surcharge..........$0.50 (after 8pm until 6am)
Tolls....................$extra
Additional riders........FREE

Fares between JFK and Manhattan:
Fixed rate of $45 + toll/tips. Tolls should not be more than $4.57 as of the summer of 2009 and it is standard practice to tip 15-20%.

Fares between Manhattan and JFK
Not fixed and the meter rates outlined above would apply. Depending on the time of day hiring a car service might make more sense. Rates between car services do vary so contacting them to agree upon a rate is strongly advised.

Fares between LGA/Newark and Manhattan:
LGA is not a fixed fare however you can expect to pay between $20 and $40 plus tip/tolls. Tolls into Manhattan should not be more than the $4.57 already mentioned.
Newark (EWR) is a fare based on a rate schedule which is not publicly available, however the rate for most destinations within Manhattan will be between $40 and $60 plus toll/tips. Expect to pay at least $6 for tolls into the city. The standard 15-20% tipping rate applies here as well.

Helpful Hint: Most cabs accept major credit cards. Be sure to ask your cabbie before departing if you plan on paying with your card!

Here's a useful widget for estimating the cost of a cab ride within the city. Remember this is only an estimate and does not take into consideration traffic conditions or other unforeseen delays.
NYCcabfare.com

Car services I've used in the past and found to be reliable (this is not a recommendation):

• Tel-Aviv Limo Service - 800-222-9888
• Dial 7 Limo Service - 800-777-8888 or 212-777-7777

by Joy@touriststop

Good to know: New York cab drives are some of the smartest people in the world. If you're one of those taking a cab from JFK - or any of the other major airports - into the city you will have plenty of time to engage your cabbie in conversation. Take advantage of the time, most are happy to chat about anything from A to Z. You might be pleasantly surprised!

by Scott@touriststop

Calling all Knitters

Serious and not so serious knitters love a bargain on quality yarns. Recently a little birdie gave me the knitting tip of the year. It seems Smiley's Yarns located in Woodhaven, NY has some of the best deals on yarn anywhere, and once a year (this year it's December 1 - 5) they make the trek to Manhattan for their annual yarn sale. Believe it or not Smiley's annual sale sees their already low prices slashed by up to 75%! So wear comfy shoes and bring your wallet, I'm sure you'll have lots of goodies to show when you get home.

Good to know: Bring cash, no credit cards or checks accepted!

Meg

312 E. 9th St.
(between 1st & 2nd Aves)
www.megshops.com

Tucked away on E. 9th Street, Meg is a beautiful designer boutique.

I first discovered this little gem while wandering around on a cold pre-Christmas evening looking for that special LBD (little black dress for those not familiar with fashionista speak) to wear to a Broadway show. I found it at Meg! If you want to feel like a 5th Avenue New Yorker, this is the place. The owner/designer Meghan Kinney has a wonderfully creative eye for fashion, the service is excellent and the boutique itself is utterly delightful. I strongly encourage those with a tooth for shopping to wander along the streets of the lower East Village, but especially to stop by Meg - you just never know what wonders might await.

by Joy@touriststop

Statue of Liberty

305ft 6 inches from the base to the tip of the torch. Do you know what's written on the tablet she holds? How about what the rays on her crown stand for? Well if you've ridden the Shark as many times as we have you would know! The speedboat aptly named the Shark leaves from the South Street Seaport. Its a fun ride around southern Manhattan and makes a stop in front of Lady Liberty for a great photo op. One of the best ways to see the Statue of Liberty in my opinion. Ticket information for visiting the statue can be found here. To visit the crown you will need a separate ticket and at the time of this writing they are sold out until November 2009. Be prepared for airport like security screening as well. ID is required.

Word of advice if you plan on seeing the statue via the Shark, get there early so you can get a front row seat and wear sun glasses as the boat goes FAST. Tickets can be purchased at the Seaport.

by Scott@touriststop

The Subway

Getting around in NYC is easy with the subway. It can be a bit intimidating but just grab a free subway map and remember most of the subway lines run north and south in Manhattan. The exceptions being the 7 & L lines as well as the shuttle from the Port Authority Bus Station to Grand Central Terminal.

If you're staying in the city for 7 days or more I would recommend purchasing the 7-Day Unlimited Ride Metro Card. You save $13.50 and it takes the worries out of having to find tickets on the go. It's good for unlimited subway rides and local bus rides. Unlimited Ride Metro Cards are also available in 1-Day, 14-Day and 30-Day.

You can find out where to purchase Metro Cards and more information here;

http://www.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm#unlimited

by Scott@touriststop

Helpful Hint:
Always make sure you take the right train (A,C,E/1,2,3 etc.). Each line has both LOCAL and EXPRESS trains. Express trains can often skip several stops on the line which can be a wonderful time saver, however you want to be sure that the train you take does indeed make the desired stop. Signs overhanging the platform edge will indicate the direction of travel (i.e. Uptown or Downtown) the type of train that stops (express or local) and which trains stop (A,C etc.) Signs are often posted on platform support columns which will list the station stops for the given trains. These may take a bit of searching for but are invaluable for peace of mind.

by Joy@touriststop

Good to Know:

If you happen to be riding the subway the first Tuesday of the month why not a grab a free book to enjoy along the way? Choose What You Read NY is a free book exchange in NY encouraging local commuters on the subway and residents to read more books. Join their group on Facebook so you can be updated as to the time and location of the book giveaways.

by Scott@touriststop

Fun Fact: The first subway tunnel in New York City was completed in 1870 and was powered by air!

by Scott@touriststop

Grand Central Terminal

42nd Street between Lexington and Vanderbilt.

The transit hub of the city. Much nicer then Penn Station. There are several upscale eateries located in Grand Central. Metrazur, Michael Jordan's and Cipriani can all be found in the main concourse while the Campbell Apartment is situated upstairs and must be accessed via a separate entrance on the Vanderbilt side of the terminal. Downstairs is a more relaxed dining concourse. Think food court; inexpensive food with lots of variety to chose from.

The Green 4 5 6 subway line is available inside the terminal as well as the shuttle to the Port Authority. The shuttle will save you a bit of a walk to Times Square from here. Shuttles come and go every few minutes from both locations.

http://grandcentralterminal.com/

by Scott@touriststop

Helpful Hint:

Looking for some German sausage? How about a bit of imported French cheese? Check out Grand Central Market for a wide selection of imported foodstuffs.

Free Entertainment Tip:

Buskers (street performers, musicians and artists) often perform in Grand Central and can usually be found on the main subway levels as well as on the vestibule of the Shuttle platform.

These performances are usually of very high caliber and can be enjoyed for free or a small donation to the artist.

by Joy@touriststop

Brooklyn Bridge

Nothing says New York quite like the Brooklyn Bridge. A must see during your visit. It's easily reached by the (4 5 6 the green line) Subway Line, the stop is City Hall/Brooklyn Bridge.

Staten Island Ferry

Its free! The Staten Island Ferry runs 24/7 about every 15-20 mins during rush hour and 30 mins thereafter and ferrys passengers to and from Manhattan and Staten Island. During the approximate 30 minute ride you will have great views of southern Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Food and drink are served on board.

The downside, all passengers must disembark upon arrival on Staten Island, you must re-board in the ferry terminal for your return trip to Manhattan. This requires a short wait and in my opinion is a bit of a let down but again its free.

For more info;

http://www.siferry.com/

by Scott@touriststop

Chinatown

Chinatown= vendors
The name of the game is haggle! Great place to find a knock off Rolex, Gucci, Louis Vuitton ect. Expect to pay about half the asking price. Quality varies, remember it's a knock off. Good place to purchase your I Love NY T-shirts, 3 for $10.

Authentic Chinatown can be found on the sides streets off of Canal.

by Scott@touriststop

Empire State Building

Ah.. does it conjure up romantic views of New York city? Well the lines are long, its rather expensive and the view? Not bad on a clear day. The lobby is beautiful, spend time admiring the marble floors, the art deco interior. The American society of Engineers named the Empire State Building as one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

On the outside of the building you'll find ticket vendors offering admission tickets and tickets to the Sky Ride. My daughter and I purchased both, they say your wait is shorter if you purchase tickets for the Sky Ride. I've been to the building before and I'd say the wait is the same, longer if you include the time it takes to get to the Sky Ride. The vendors are very friendly and helpful. I would recommend buying your tickets there if you haven't already.

I wouldn't do the Sky Ride again. It's basically a motion ride, you sit on a platform that moves up and down with the movie that's playing. It has it moments but not enough of them for me. My daughter said it was cool, so it was worth it.

http://www.esbnyc.com/index2.cfm?noflash=1

by Scott@touriststop

Central Park Zoo

Entrance off of E64th street.

Small zoo but they have polar bears!
Great place to photograph birds as there is nothing between you and them in the atrium. Price is right, admission is $10 per adult also includes the kids zoo. They says the kids zoo is also a petting zoo, that's true but the only things to pet are some goats.

Be sure to check out the Delacorte Music Clock while your there. It's just outside the entrance to the zoo. It strikes on the half-hour and hour, the sculptures are made of bronze and were made in the 1930's. It plays music and the figures dance around the clock.

More information can be found here;

http://www.centralparkzoo.com/

by Scott@touriststop

Filene's Basement

Filene's Basement as you may or may not know is a discount designer clothing store. The selection has gone down hill as they have filed for bankruptcy. Why would I include Filene's Basement you ask? Well its several stories tall and has windows overlooking Union Square, great place for snapshots!

If your in Union Square and find yourself in need of a bathroom Filene's has two public restrooms.

by Scott@touriststop