New York, New York!

[lightningandsnow]

I'm going to New York City with my school in two weeks. Even though it's a school trip, we get a lot of freedom, including almost a whole day to explore the city/go shopping in small groups. I'm really excited - I've never been to New York before. I'm staying somewhere in downtown Manhattan - not entirely sure where, exactly. Anyways, does anyone have any travel tips? Specifically...

- Where are some good places to buy CD's? (I always end up buying a ton of music whenever I'm in the states).
- How safe is the city? Is it really as unsafe as everyone says? (I live in Toronto, so I'm used to living in a big city).
- Is stuff expensive there? (I'm wondering how much money to bring)
- Am I going to get lost? (My sense of direction is only kind of OK)

I'm sure there's other stuff I should know, I'm just forgetting it. Any suggestions would be awesome.

Thanks a bunch!

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. Woo hoo! You'll love it!

I miss it dearly.

1. Depends on what you are looking for music-wise, but I pretty much stuck to the Tower Records at 66th and Broadway (by Lincoln Center, and across the street from the most wonderful 4 story Barnes and Nobles). The Virgin store (I think it's a Virgin) at the south end of Union Square is also good, but Tower's classical area was far superior and actually has employees who know what they're talking about.

2. Very safe. Not as clean as Toronto, by any means, but don't let the dirt fool you - NYC is a very safe place to be. That said, don't be stupid about it.

3. Yes. However, there are shitloads of restaurants that are not expensive, and free things to do can be found all over the place.

4. You probably won't, at least if you stay in Manhattan - it's a giant grid, and above Canal Street, almost everything is numbered, with Avenues running North-South, and Streets running east-west (Avenues begin numberimg on the west side of the island, and the streets just above Canal). A few exceptions are some other north-south arteries: Broadway, Madison Ave., and Park Ave.

You should definitely take advantage of Dim Sum at the Mandarin Court at 61 Mott St. in Chinatown.

[ThomCat]

3. Tower records went out of business.

They closed about six months ago.

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. Well, then - looks like it's down to the Virgin at Union Square.

Bummer.

[ThomCat]

2. Some answers for you.

Where to by CDs: There are a bunch of megastores here. Virgin has one at Union Square Park. :shrug:
There are small specialized places in the villiage.

How safe is the city: I've never had a problem. The danger is mostly on TV dramas.

Is stuff expensive: The dollar is tanking, but things are relatively cheap compared to what you might expect. But, Yes, prices are artificially elevated here in the city. Maybe it evens out.

Will you get lost: Probably at least once. :)

[Westegg]

5. Get off the beaten path...

...Sounds like you don't have a lotta time overall, but if you can make it down the the East Village and West Village, NoHo, SoHo. Check out the cool indie stores. Lots of 'em there. You're from Toronto? No Mega-Virgin in NYC is gonna offer you better CD's than you can get back home. If you like shopping and have money (or even if you don't), take a stroll through Bergdorf-Goodman. Ain't no department store like it.

[Chovexani]

6. Norman's Sound and Vision, on 4th Ave down by St. Marks Place

Best record store. Ever. If it's still there.

NY is the safest big city in America. If you're smart (ie don't walk around at 4 in the morning with a purse full of cash, drunk and looking like a tourist), you'll be fine.

Manhattan is the easiest place in America to navigate, seriously. It's a Cartesian grid, and all you need to know is street numbers go up as you go north, and 5th Ave is the dividing line between east and west street numbers.

Edit to say that NY is only expensive if you hit the tourist traps. If you want awesome shopping bargains stay the hell off 5th Ave and hit Century 21 downtown (it's across from Ground Zero).

[Westegg]

9. Still there. I visit often!

Great store for CDs. Hard-to-find stuff. Those cats know their music!

[Chovexani]

10. I used to frequent it when I worked on E. 9th St

I'm glad to hear it's still there (I moved to Phoenix a little over a year and a half ago). I have some great memories of that place. When I was taking my first baby steps into the Goth scene I got some great stuff there.

It helped that one of the guys who worked there had a crush on my co-worker, and we used to barter homemade incense for CDs. :rofl:

[Westegg]

22. Still there for now...

...but one has to wonder how long any indie record stores can survive in today's climate. Even in NYC. I wouldn't be surprised to find the place suddenly shuttered one day. I know for a fact their business isn't what it used to be, PLUS the gentrification of St. Marks/The Bowery that is ongoing and huge, will probably lead to rent hikes and others problems for small "mom and pop" operations. This happened not long ago to TLA Video, my favorite indie video store on 8th St. and 6th Ave-- just up and closed one day due to massive rent hikes as they attempt to "upscale" 8th St.

[lightningandsnow]

7. I was wondering about the safety thing because

We got a whole sheet about safety tips, and some of them seemed kind of excessive, like "Never take the subway", "Don't carry a purse", "Don't read a map in public" (I can kind of understand this one), etc.

(Don't carry a purse? Where the heck am I supposed to put my wallet/cellphone/map/glasses/whatever else? Aren't they more likely to get stolen if I put them in a backpack?)

[Book Lover]

8. "Never take the subway"????

:rofl: Just don't look like a rube and you'll be fine. I totally agree with the one about not reading a map in public, FWIW. You might want to check out Gothamist to get some look-and-feel before you go.

[alcibiades_mystery]

14. Sounds like greatest hits of the 70's and 80's

I grew up in NYC when it was bad ass. Now, it's silly not to take the subway. Ridiculous even. And if you look at a map in public, someone's likely to help you. They'll only laugh at your haircut after you go away, I promise!

[sir_captain]

11. Definitely the safest big city in New York

you'll be fine. Just don't walk around with hundred dollar bills in your hands. :-)


And it's just a big grid, so Manhattan is literally almost impossible to get lost in.

I actually find Toronto to not be unlike New York in its diversity and energy and flavor, so I imagine you'll feel right at home. Have fun!

[rug]

12. Don't forget to count your money in Tompkins Square Park at dusk.

[alcibiades_mystery]

13. Don't miss this fabulous Italian restaurant in Times Square

:evilgrin:

[Bicoastal]

15. Here's a word of advice:

Be sure to bypass the city and head straight to the Ferry at Battery Park. Everyone knows the REAL sights are in Staten Island.

And it's FREE!

[alcibiades_mystery]

16. ROFL

:rofl:

Don't be cruel.

[ThomCat]

18. As someone who lives on the other side of that ferry trip...

:rofl:

[Chovexani]

20. I'm so sorry

;)

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

21. Just make sure that you don't get off the subway's first few stops

:scared:

[stuntcat]

17. Mostly safe. Not expensive as some cities I travelled to. Better carry a map. Try to go to Soho.

I used to live a block from St Marks, that neighborhood's good no matter which way you go, cool stuff everywhere. My favorite thing around there were all the places that sold old clothes. If you have time go to Soho (neighborhood South of West Houston street) it's beautiful there.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

19. The City is safe and fun and well organized and has an Olive Garden or two

for music I always recommend: http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7087276/new_york_ny/other_music.html

[lightningandsnow]

23. I found out more information today...

Apparently we're staying at the Skyline hotel in Manhattan - does anyone know anything about the hotel?

Also, we get a half day to hang out in Soho/Canal Street/Little Italy - what sort of stuff is there to do in those areas?

I'm also having dinner in Hell's Kitchen one night, lunch in harlem one day and in Times square another day - what are some good, inexpensive places to eat around there?