Helpful Websites for NYC

Since so many people plan to be in NYC for the BEA, I thought it might be helpful to share a few websites that can help visitors and locals navigate NYC.

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

1.  New York Magazine's Cheap Eats List - click here or visit

http://nymag.com/restaurants/cheapeats/2008/

Usually quite reliable, the Cheap Eats list covers all the neighborhoods and boroughs outside of Manhattan.

2.  Serious Eats - click here or visit:

http://newyork.seriouseats.com/

For more unusual finds and reliable "best of" write ups.

3. Chowhound - click here or visit:

http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/18

For discussion threads and a good place to ask for restaurant or food recommendations.

4. Zagat.com -  click here or visit:

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.  

click here or visit:   http://www.gagosian.com/exhibitions/2009-03-26_pablo-picasso/

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

ART REVIEW | 'PICASSO: MOSQUETEROS'

Going All Out, Right to the End

By ROBERTA SMITH

Published: April 17, 2009

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.

click here or visit http://www.metmuseum.org/

 

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.  

 click here or visit: www.moma.org

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.

click here or visit: http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york

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?

Gridskipper came up with a helpful list. Click here or visit:

http://gridskipper.com/archives/entries/062/62923.php

If you can add any helpful tips or suggestions - please comment!  Thanks!