Commuting
Hopstop - for commuting around the City. I prefer it to the MTA website because the trip planner doesn't just give you the approximate travel time with an updated route that includes the detours and changes in schedule. You can choose if you prefer subway or buses or both as well as more walking or more transfers. Hopstop also gives you the cost of a taxi ride to your destination and it has videos that show you where to turn if you have to walk part of your trip. You can find it here or at:
http://www.hopstop.com/?city=newyork
Also, pick up a free subway map from a subway stations. The subway map can tell you if there's another stop reasonably nearby. You might opt to walk to the next stop or take a bus.
If you think that you'll take the subway or bus, the fare is $2 per ride. If you buy the pay per ride ticket and pay $15, they'll give you one free ride. The buses only take Metrocards and coins, though in a pinch someone is likely to change bills for you on the bus, if you find yourself without coins.
Taxis - they take credit cards and you can adjust the amount of tip, so it isn't the default 20%.
Cheap Eats in NYC
http://nymag.com/restaurants/cheapeats/2008/
Usually quite reliable, the Cheap Eats list covers all the neighborhoods and boroughs outside of Manhattan.
http://newyork.seriouseats.com/
For more unusual finds and reliable "best of" write ups.
http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/18
For discussion threads and a good place to ask for restaurant or food recommendations.
http://www.zagat.com/newyork
For a wide range of choices by cuisine, by neighborhood, by price point. The reviews are based on diner's reviews so they tend to be accurate.
A few art stops
Gagosian Gallery - Picasso exhibit of Mosqueteros until June 6, 2009.
522 West 21st St (between 10th and 11th Avenues), NY, NY tel. 212-741-0006
Mon-Sat 10 am to 6 pm.
First major exhibit of his work since the Guggenheim's exhibit in 1984. For the review by NYTimes, click here or visit http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/17/arts/design/17pica.html
Going All Out, Right to the End
The staggering exhibition of Picasso’s late paintings and prints at the Gagosian Gallery is one of the best shows to be seen in New York in the past several years.
Metropolitan Museum of Art - 5th Avenue from 84th St to 80th. Suggested donation is $20 but they accept less. Included in the ticket is admission to the Cloisters. Met is closed on Monday. Open until 8 pm on Friday and Saturday. Check out the rooftop garden and cafe - for a great view of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline and drinks.
MOMA - On W. 53rd St between 5th Ave and Ave of Americas (6th). MOMA is closed on Tuesday. Free from 4:30 to 8 pm on Fridays.
Solomon Guggenheim Museum - 1071 Fifth Avenue (corner 89th St). Closed on Thursdays. Pay what you wish on Saturdays from 5:45 to 7:45. The Guggenheim is just a few blocks away from the Met, along the Museum Mile.
Frick Museum - 1 East 70th St (on Fifth Avenue, a few blocks away from the Metropolitan Museum along Museum Mile). Closed on Mondays and holidays. Click here or visit http://www.frick.org/index.htm
Bookstores?
http://gridskipper.com/archives/entries/062/62923.php
If you can add any helpful tips or suggestions - please comment! Thanks!
What a great post for all those heading that way! I wish I could have gone to BEA, but even without going, this is a great head's up post!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Becky.
ReplyDeleteI prepared a table with the hours, free days, admissions, addresses, and closest subway stops for museums, attractions, and fun spots in NYC for friends and relatives that visit. If you or anyone would like a copy, just shoot me an email and I'll send it to you.
Gaby