Planning a trip to NYC: need help!

[blkhole24601]

I've been telling people for a while that I want to go to NYC this September to see a couple of Broadway shows and "get a feel" for the city -- I have lofty daydreams of moving out there someday. Whether or not I'll ever actually do it is another thing altogether. In any case, I have some questions:

1. Where are some of the cheaper places to get a hotel? I'm a woman in her late 20's and most likely, I'll be alone, so I want to be safe, but I don't want to go broke over it, either. The Broadway shows will be plenty expensive enough! (I do have a couple of friends out in NYC I might hit up for housing/company, but it's good to have a contingency plan in case they're unavailable.)
2. Along those lines of trying to be safe: what neighborhoods should I absolutely avoid and when?
3. Any time-saving, money-saving public transportation tips? I go to Tokyo every 2-3 years and I spent my childhood summers there, so I'm not unused to public transportation and what not, but Tokyo and New York are two completely different cities and cultures, all the same!
4. Aside from the normal touristy places, where are other (preferably free or cheap) places I absolutely must go to?
5. Recommendations for awesome restaurants?
6. Runners: aside from Central Park, do you have any other routes in the city that you enjoy?

If you have any other tips, lay them on me! I want to start getting serious about this vacation, and I have a feeling the planning for this trip will be vastly different than, say, to San Francisco or Los Angeles (my frequent domestic vacation spots), so anything you might have to offer will be appreciated!

[JessTosterone]

Hi! 

I've only been to New York a few times so I'll try my best.

 

1. I would try AirBNB and Groupon to find a deal. Last September, Groupon had a deal on the Yotel for $150 instead of $300. I don't know if you're interested in travel hacking at all but I would recommend getting the IHG credit card. There are a few IHG hotels in time square; the nicer ones are the intercontinental new york and staybridge suites. The credit card should be enough to cover two nights at either hotel and it gives you a night every year. Message me if you want more information on it. If you could push back your trip, I'd recommend doing it. New York is super expensive to plan short notice. I'd book it at least six months in advance personally.

 

2. Chelsea personally freaked me out. Maybe because some guy was giving me the stink eye.

 

3. New York has a public transportation pass that you can get. It gives you access to the subways and the buses. It's a MUST. They have dispensers for it at the airport then you can take the bus to wherever you're going. I would also consider using Uber as well. 

 

4. I recommend getting a New York citypass. You can buy them on Craigslist at a discount. The citypass combines six of the most popular city attractions for a discounted price. If you buy it on the website, its $100 but my boyfriend got it on craigslist for $60? If you're interested, you can message me and I'll find out the contact information from him. Other than that, New York has a lot of roof top bars that we enjoyed. Just walking up and down Times Square is fun. Also, there is a skate park in tribeca that has the most amazing ice cream and view. I believe MOMA still has free entry on wednesdays.

 

5. AHHHAJKSDLF;AJDFAJDSJF. PLEASE eat ALLLLL the hot dogs in New York for me. I dream about them. They're so delicious. Hehehe. Anyway, I would mostly stick to hole-in-the-wall and food carts if you're on a budget. They're amazingly delicious. I personally preferred the hole-in-the-wall pizza places over the sit down fancy pizza places in Little Italy. There's a certain food cart called the Halal Guys that we heard was pretty good. We didn' get to try it because there was a super long line. There are a lot of carts that have the same name but for some reason, Yelp is obsessed with one in particular. If you like bars, there's one in Hell's Kitchen called the Pony Express. Their pulled pork sandwich is delicious.

 

6. Sorry. I don't run. I tried doing a 5k in new York after walking for two days and it was terrible. 

[blkhole24601]

1. I'll look into them. And yeah, I'd been talking about going in September since May, but never really got on it. Mostly I want to be sure to see Andrew Rannells in Hedwig (since I'll miss NPH) and A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, and if I have the budget Les Mis because it's my most favorite musical or Aladdin because my childhood, but we'll see how things go. I may move it to October or November in the end. Maybe by then I'll find someone to drag along with me!

 

2. Thanks!

 

3. Perfect! I don't know if you're familiar with SF's BART system, but is it something like that: you get a card, put in a certain amount of money, and refill it whenever it's running low?

 

4. Fantastic, thanks! That sounds like it's a big must-have. I'll try to send you a PM either tonight or tomorrow about this stuff.

 

5. I would, but I'm pescetarian so unless there's veggie or seafood hot dogs (... which might actually scare me more than actual hot dogs), no can do. ;; And perfect, I love hole-in-the-wall places. Any particular favorites?

 

6. No worries! All else fails, Central Park is plenty big enough.

 

 

Thank you so much for your tips! I'll hit you up with a PM in the next 48 hours!

[JessTosterone]

The subway ride and bus fairs are $2.50 each way. The 7 week pass is $30 for unlimited rides. I personally would recommend the week pass just because it gives you piece of mind. Also, if you mess up and enter the wrong station then you can just go out and go into the right one. It just depends how long you're going.

 

Ahhhh I love meat so I wouldn't be able to help you with that one. I don't remember any veggie dogs to be honest >.< I'm sure you can yelp it once you're there though. I liked the food trucks/stands most. They're delicious and inexpensive. 

[Gben201]

Hello, I'm from NJ so i know a good amount of the NYC area but with that being said...

1. I would look on TripAdvisor.com best rates when it comes to specific date but might get better pricing going in NJ and then Commuting when you have to alot of cheaper hotels near Harrison and Hoboken right next to the Path and NJ/NY Transit
2. unless you are definitely going to like the South Bronx or Brooklyn most areas of NY that i have been in around the day are pretty calm unless you absolutely stand out which is difficult to do in the big city
3. Most of cab companys have rates or flat rates online instead of hailing a cab, also the bicycling system throughout the city is really good and not to expensive when it comes to sensibility
4. MSG has free tours online, same as well as the Barclays center, you can get relatively cheap tickets to sporting events but depends on you choice of sport or events really there are plenty of events just a cjoice of looking for what really interest you
5. I've never eaten in NYC really but the Gyros from any street vendor are usually amazing and cheap and filling plus not sure if in NY the have em but in NJ we have a few dine-in theartres those are worth given a look see

Hope this will help you out

[MegaShe-Ra]

Heya!

I spent a couple of weeks in NYC last year and it is an amazing place. I can help out with a couple points.

1. I did AirBnb but was with friends so maybe not as good for a single travellers budget. American also actually has some great hostel options if you feel safe with those options but I would always recommend researching them first. Depending on how long you'll be spraying you could also look into a great online community called couch surfing. I have both surfed and hosted through this program.

3. Definitely get the 30$ week pass. The subway system in the city is awesome, super convenient and runs 24hrs.

4. It's still pretty touristy BUT most people don't know you can get into the Metropolitan museum for free. They have recommended prices but entrance is actually by donation. I was on a budget so instead of paying the full adult price I paid the student suggestion. It was an awesome museum, so worth it.

5. I know it's not healthy, but, PIZZA. Dirty, greasy 2 dollar street pizza in New York is fantastic.

hope you get some good accommodations set up and have a fab trip!

[kaelvan]

NYC or "the city" as I like to call it (how New Yorker of me), is just hour from me. There is so many museums I'm yet to go to (but would love to see before move out of NY). And gyros are so good (and not a bad price). I recommend them.