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Post by Rainy_Day_Woman on Aug 30, 2023 19:52:04 GMT
I know there are previous threads on New York tourist things, but humour me please!
I am going to be in New York in September for my birthday BY MYSELF. I haven't had a solo trip in 18 years so I am very excited. I'm staying in Lower Manhattan for the first few days and in Rockaway Beach for a few. (My soul has been needing water and my Lake Ontario hasn't been cutting it.)
I'm not terribly concerned with the main tourist things. I like meandering, chatting with people, and art. I'm not really into major shopping or Broadway.
I do want to go to the MoMa and the Guggenheim, maybe find local galleries to browse and a botanical garden. Are there major tourist attractions that really are must-sees?
Does anyone have any quirky recommendations of things to see or do? Weird restaurants (do you have speak-easys? I feel like good ones shouldn't be easy to find on Google?) or tiny shops, or neighbourhoods to loiter in?
(I am a massage therapist, and know a few therapists through professional groups, so I arranged a few massage exchanges over the week. A few work in swanky spas, so they set me up with friends and family passes. I'm looking forward to the pampering!)
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quiltz
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Post by quiltz on Aug 30, 2023 21:58:42 GMT
Please, DO NOT MENTION about going to a spa or that you are a massage therapist to USA Border Agents.
They *may* think that you are going to work in NY and could deny entry. I've seen too many Border Security America episodes.
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Post by Rainy_Day_Woman on Aug 30, 2023 22:20:10 GMT
Please, DO NOT MENTION about going to a spa or that you are a massage therapist to USA Border Agents. They *may* think that you are going to work in NY and could deny entry. I've seen too many Border Security America episodes. Ha- this I know! One of the therapists I am exchanging with had this exact issue last time he came to Canada for some classes and has warned me thoroughly! He has to meet with a TSA agent before he is allowed into Canada now 🤣 |
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Aug 30, 2023 22:26:42 GMT
Not sure if it's considered quirky or not. I'm in my later 50's, and I would be going for a ride on the carousel horses in Central Park. It's on my bucket list.  I would also be going to the original Serendipity, for a frozen hot chocolate. Also on my bucket list. |
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Post by mikklynn on Aug 30, 2023 23:06:21 GMT
If you like theater, the Museum of Broadway is good. There are lots of fun props from over the decades.
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scrappyesq
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Post by scrappyesq on Aug 30, 2023 23:51:33 GMT
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peabay
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Post by peabay on Aug 31, 2023 0:15:39 GMT
I've lived in the NYC metro area my whole life (except for 7 years in Chicago) and the one thing I'm really hankering to do is take a "round the world" food tour in Queens. You can pretty much find every possible world cuisine in Queens.
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Post by supersoda on Aug 31, 2023 1:02:02 GMT
Definitely the Museum of the Moving Image. We like it so much we’ve been twice. We go for the muppet memorabilia, but there’s lots of movie memorabilia, too. You might be interested in walking the Highline and checking out Chelsea Market. It’s touristy but a nice walk, some art, and decent food. I really just like wandering the less busy neighborhoods and finding a sidewalk cafe to drink sangria. |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Aug 31, 2023 1:07:17 GMT
You can pretty much find every possible world cuisine in Queens. I'm following this thread with interest. I'll be coming to Queens in October to visit my cousin and her wife. They live in the Ridgewood neighborhood which I understand is phenomenal in and of itself. |
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peabay
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Post by peabay on Aug 31, 2023 1:09:41 GMT
You can pretty much find every possible world cuisine in Queens. I'm following this thread with interest. I'll be coming to Queens in October to visit my cousin and her wife. They live in the Ridgewood neighborhood which I understand is phenomenal in and of itself. My friend's daughter is in Ridgewood - it's a great neighborhood for sure! |
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scrappyesq
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Post by scrappyesq on Aug 31, 2023 1:14:34 GMT
I've lived in the NYC metro area my whole life (except for 7 years in Chicago) and the one thing I'm really hankering to do is take a "round the world" food tour in Queens. You can pretty much find every possible world cuisine in Queens. I’m here. And I eat. You just let me know when you want a IRL meetup. When it comes to food queens wins. |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Aug 31, 2023 1:17:00 GMT
I’m here. And I eat. You just let me know when you want a IRL meetup. When it comes to food queens wins. Can I message you about my visit? I'd love a meet-up too! |
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kate
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Post by kate on Aug 31, 2023 1:53:11 GMT
Quirky? How 'bout a piano bar like Don't Tell Mama, or if you're more the raucous sing-along type, Marie's Crisis? If the weather's nice, definitely grab yourself a bagel and schmear, and sit yourself down on a bench in Central Park. It's great people-watching. If it's rainy and/or you're a whimsical type, grab a meal (or tea) at Alice's Tea Cup. I wouldn't recommend it on weekends or during after-school hours, though, unless you have a high tolerance for groups of little girls.  |
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Post by AussieMeg on Aug 31, 2023 2:00:25 GMT
I've lived in the NYC metro area my whole life (except for 7 years in Chicago) and the one thing I'm really hankering to do is take a "round the world" food tour in Queens. You can pretty much find every possible world cuisine in Queens. Now that sounds like my kind of trip! I am trying to talk DSO into going to NY one day, but so far I haven't had much luck. |
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peabay
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Post by peabay on Aug 31, 2023 2:07:16 GMT
I’m here. And I eat. You just let me know when you want a IRL meetup. When it comes to food queens wins. Can I message you about my visit? I'd love a meet-up too! Oh, let’s make this happen! |
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Post by Rainy_Day_Woman on Aug 31, 2023 12:38:18 GMT
Not sure if it's considered quirky or not. I'm in my later 50's, and I would be going for a ride on the carousel horses in Central Park. It's on my bucket list. I would also be going to the original Serendipity, for a frozen hot chocolate. Also on my bucket list. Ooh, I just looked that up, and it reminds me of a carousel we used to go to as children before it closed down. I may have to wander through- thanks! Thanks- yes, that street festival is exactly something I am looking for, and I am there during it! Thanks, I am going to check it out! |
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Post by Rainy_Day_Woman on Aug 31, 2023 12:53:40 GMT
I've lived in the NYC metro area my whole life (except for 7 years in Chicago) and the one thing I'm really hankering to do is take a "round the world" food tour in Queens. You can pretty much find every possible world cuisine in Queens. Awesome- I have to go to Queens for one of the massages, so I will do that first, and then stuff myself with food! We have pretty diverse food in Toronto but I feel like New York would just do it with more style  (And it's so exciting to go eat where I want and not have to appease the rest of my family.) Quirky? How 'bout a piano bar like Don't Tell Mama, or if you're more the raucous sing-along type, Marie's Crisis? If the weather's nice, definitely grab yourself a bagel and schmear, and sit yourself down on a bench in Central Park. It's great people-watching. If it's rainy and/or you're a whimsical type, grab a meal (or tea) at Alice's Tea Cup. I wouldn't recommend it on weekends or during after-school hours, though, unless you have a high tolerance for groups of little girls. While that isn't something I would do at home, I think vacation me might be a raucous sing-along type! That tea house looks great also and my children at tea party tolerance is high. (I'm not sure my kids would forgive me for going without them, we are certainly high tea kind of people.) Thanks for the recommendations! Definitely the Museum of the Moving Image. We like it so much we’ve been twice. We go for the muppet memorabilia, but there’s lots of movie memorabilia, too. You might be interested in walking the Highline and checking out Chelsea Market. It’s touristy but a nice walk, some art, and decent food. I really just like wandering the less busy neighborhoods and finding a sidewalk cafe to drink sangria. Thanks, I checked out some pictures and I really do want to walk the Highline! Less busy neighbourhoods and sidewalk sangria are absolutely my speed, I have no doubt that Times Square and such is something to see, but it's mostly too many people for me. Thanks for the recommendations, I will be working them in I appreciate the responses- honestly, once I started researching, there are just too many neighbourhoods and too many things to do and I want to do everything. The direction is really helpful |
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Post by guzismom on Aug 31, 2023 13:12:15 GMT
The Feast of San Gennaro was our fav when we lived in the area. I love getting out of Manhattan when I visit my daughter; the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens is fabulous as is the Cloisters. Yes, there are some tourists in both places; but you do a lot of walking, the areas are vast so it doesn't feel crowded. |
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Post by Tearisci on Aug 31, 2023 14:28:35 GMT
The Feast of San Gennaro was our fav when we lived in the area. I love getting out of Manhattan when I visit my daughter; the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens is fabulous as is the Cloisters. Yes, there are some tourists in both places; but you do a lot of walking, the areas are vast so it doesn't feel crowded. The Cloisters is my favorite museum to visit but it's still in Manhattan. Very upper Manhattan and a lot less touristy. I love medieval art and the Unicorn Tapestries are a favorite of mine. |
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Post by Rainy_Day_Woman on Aug 31, 2023 16:18:36 GMT
The Feast of San Gennaro was our fav when we lived in the area. I love getting out of Manhattan when I visit my daughter; the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens is fabulous as is the Cloisters. Yes, there are some tourists in both places; but you do a lot of walking, the areas are vast so it doesn't feel crowded. The Cloisters is my favorite museum to visit but it's still in Manhattan. Very upper Manhattan and a lot less touristy. I love medieval art and the Unicorn Tapestries are a favorite of mine. Yes! I didn't even know the Cloisters existed, but looks exactly where I want to be. Oh, I love medieval tapestry! Thank you so much ☺️ |
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Post by ~summer~ on Aug 31, 2023 16:46:10 GMT
The things that I didn’t get to that maybe could be considered quirky include:
walking around Harlem:
- looking at Audubon mural project in Hamilton Heights and other street art
- St Nicholas historic district
- African food at Safari and La Savan
- central Harlem historic district
- Strivers Alley
Walking around west village more
Food tour in queens
Water taxi to Brooklyn and walking around
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Aug 31, 2023 20:16:36 GMT
h, let’s make this happen! I'm in! Let's get it planned. |
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scrappyesq
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Post by scrappyesq on Aug 31, 2023 21:21:40 GMT
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maryannscraps
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 31, 2023 22:05:44 GMT
Quirky? How 'bout a piano bar like Don't Tell Mama, or if you're more the raucous sing-along type, Marie's Crisis? If the weather's nice, definitely grab yourself a bagel and schmear, and sit yourself down on a bench in Central Park. It's great people-watching. If it's rainy and/or you're a whimsical type, grab a meal (or tea) at Alice's Tea Cup. I wouldn't recommend it on weekends or during after-school hours, though, unless you have a high tolerance for groups of little girls. I had the time of my life with my kids (grown) at Marie’s Crisis. It was Halloween. |
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Post by melanieg on Aug 31, 2023 22:45:45 GMT
Quirky? Check out the Burp Castle pub. I hope it's still open.
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Post by epeanymous on Aug 31, 2023 23:46:09 GMT
Ok, so I moved out of NYC twenty years ago, and only go back every year or two, so trust those there over me, BUT. I am a walker, and my favorite urban pastime is walking, so my NYC thing is walking neighborhoods. I love walking the West Village/Greenwich Village -- that's where I lived for years, and it's beautiful, has a lot of literary sites, and some streets of bars and restaurants, so plenty of places to stop. Walking around Central Park is also great, obviously. The Highline is a fun walk too.
I like the Tenement Museum (book in advance) and the New York Historical Society, in addition to the Met/MoMA/Guggenheim.
I am not a shopper, but I love books, and The Strand is pretty great.
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kate
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Post by kate on Sept 1, 2023 16:34:02 GMT
I had the time of my life with my kids (grown) at Marie’s Crisis. It was Halloween. I bet!!! |
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janeinbama
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Post by janeinbama on Sept 1, 2023 18:33:38 GMT
We went to Brooklyn for a Saturday pop up flea market and then road the train to Coney Island. It was a fun day, as there are no trains where we live and it was a treat.
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Post by betsyg on Sept 1, 2023 18:55:29 GMT
There are some great walking tours through Bigonion.com. I also enjoyed Scott's Pizza Tour.
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pudgygroundhog
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Sept 2, 2023 3:09:48 GMT
I've lived in the NYC metro area my whole life (except for 7 years in Chicago) and the one thing I'm really hankering to do is take a "round the world" food tour in Queens. You can pretty much find every possible world cuisine in Queens. I have a friend in NYC that has arranged "Eat-a-thons" and Queens was our favorite! I have been several times to New World Mall - fun stop. |
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(And it's so exciting to go eat where I want and not have to appease the rest of my family.)
