The south end of the beach at Hua Hin, Thailand.
Where are Kevin and Ruth now? Hua Hin, Thailand.

Where are Kevin and Ruth going next? Maldives on March 23rd.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Planning for New York City

A week and a half from now, we arrive in New York City. The Big Apple! And so we're doing some planning. We're going to be there for four nights. We arrive November 2nd at Newark Airport in New Jersey and we depart November 6th from JFK Airport in Queens.

We were in New York City in October of 2000. Eleven months before the twin towers came down.

So we've already done a lot of the typical tourist things. Not really any ambition to stand in lines with the crowds, so we have no interest in visiting the Statue of Liberty or anything like that. We're probably most happy just wandering around and seeing what we come across. Having said that, we're open to suggestions of different, interesting, inexpensive things to do. So if you have any ideas, go ahead and leave a comment below! I know New York City isn't known for being "inexpensive", so that category might be tough!

Hey, here's something that looks fun! How about a few hours at a flying trapeze school!

Yes, the Trapeze School of New York looks like something right up our alley! Now there's something different to do in New York City!

We haven't confirmed any accommodation yet. I'm kind of surprised by that, although one thing we didn't plan on is that we arrive on Saturday the 2nd and that is the NYC marathon weekend! So the city is extra busy, and we've already heard back from a couple of couchsurfing contacts who said that they are already booked.

But the greater New York City area has a huge population, and believe it or not there are 34,000 couchsurfers listed on the Couchsurfing website! We've got a few more enquiries out, so I'm still confident that we'll get a positive response from somebody. Of course it would be more fun to stay as close to central Manhattan as possible, but given that we arrive in Newark and depart at JFK, we could stay anywhere in between the two and it wouldn't really matter.

Driving distance between Newark Airport (pink mark on the left) and JFK Airport (pink mark on the right) is about 30 miles (50 kms).

Interestingly, we've got another three days planned in New York City next March when we arrive back in North America from Africa. We know there's lots to see and do in "the city", so I'm sure we won't run out of ideas.

but again, we welcome any tips or suggestions so go ahead and leave comments below.


20 comments:

  1. I chaperoned our kids on a high school band trip to NYC in 1998. One of the things I remember enjoying was walking around in Battery Park, looking at some of the statutes there and people watching. We stayed at the Marriott Hotel that was right in front of the twin towers, so for me I'd definitely want to see the memorial that is now at that site. I would also go to a show or two. I know there is a place where you can get reduced tickets the day of the show. Have a great time!

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    1. We have walked around Battery Park before and enjoyed it so not sure we will do it again but you never know. The Twin Tower Memorial will probably be one of our picks seeing that we were up in the Windows On The World a year before the towers came down. I doubt we will go see a show, the line up for the discount tickets is nuts but you never know, if something pops up we may just grab the moment.

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  2. Make sure and see the USS Intrepid berthed on the Hudson River, It is a great Museum, and kevin said he would like to see an aircraft carrier, although this is one of the smaller Essex Class. I spent a month on a Helo det on her when she took the Lexington.s place as the training carrier in Pensacola.while the Lex was in the yards. Sam & Donna...

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    1. There is a strong possibility that is one of the things we will try to see. It is definitely something that we would love to do.

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  3. Howdy R&K,
    If you want to do a Mystery Search, try finding a 'REAL' BOWL OF RED/TEXAS CHILI IN NYC !!!! Did you read ALL of the Flying Trapeze site; IT'S OUTSIDE on PIER 40 and sometimes closes for BADD WEATHER !!
    Sam's idea is a good one, too...
    Hope your Nova Scotia weather stays gooood for another week or so...

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    1. We love Chili so maybe we will try to track some down, thanks for the suggestion.

      Yes, we know that the Flying Trapeze School is outside, it is only an idea at the moment.

      We like Sam's idea as well.

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  4. I loved visiting NYC Chinatown, being an authority on San Francisco's Chinatown, I wanted to see New York's. We ate lunch there and it was so much cheaper than other areas - and great food too. Also, Wall Street is 'where it's happening' and fun to walk around in the milieu of money barons. The New York Marathon is fun to watch, although you have to choose your spots as you can't see it all! The finish line is in Central Park and we did see the finish of many of the runners. If you want to see the first runner cross you almost have to miss any other spots along the course in order to have a good view of whomever finishes first. Of course, New York bagels, lox and cream cheese in a NY deli are good. Also pastrami sandwiches. I love to walk in Central Park, sitting on a park bench to enjoy people watching from time to time. Have so much fun!

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    1. China Town will most likely be on our list. We've done Wall Street before so not sure we will do it again, we are trying to do things we didn't do on our last visit. Having said that we will most likely do part of Central Park again but we will choose to go to a different part of it. We love people watching so that will be a must do and perhaps we will see some of the runners finishing the marathon.

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  5. What about watching the NYSE for a bit? Is that allowed? I mean, it's total craziness but maybe it would be interesting to see the place where so much influence on the world's money comes from. Oh, and the noise! I think I would be good for a few minutes........

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    1. We actually did a tour of the NYSE back in 2000 and were there for the opening bell and it was pretty cool to see. Unfortunately the NYSE is not open for tours anymore and even if it was it wouldn't be the same as technology has taken over so much that the same craziness isn't there anymore.

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  6. Be sure to thoroughly explore Central Park. NYC also has lots of famous bridges to walk, completely free. There are also lots of smartphone apps that point savvy tourists to little-known places off the beaten path. The Brooklyn Bridge even has its own app!

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    1. I am sure that we will have a good walkabout in Central Park. The smartphone apps won't do us any good though, as you need to have a phone to make the apps work and we don't have a phone.

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  7. Try to get tickets for David Letterman.

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    1. Kevin sent in a request for tickets in early September and we haven't heard anything on them yet. I think that there is a possibility of getting tickets in the morning for that day's show but they don't have many available so the odds aren't good. Would sure be fun if we could get some though!

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  8. The Metropolitan Museum of Art was most impressive, and ad.mission is by donation, and if the weather's bad you'd be inside.

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  9. Since you have three full days and are budget minded, how about a study on street food and the cost versus yummyness? Either way, have a great time there!

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  10. For Outdoors people, you need to walk the Highline http://www.thehighline.org/

    You can now bike or walk a good portion of the Hudson river. Citibike is a very easy way to rent bikes. http://www.nycbikemaps.com/maps/manhattan-waterfront-greenway-bike-map/

    The Staten Island Ferry is free, Easy way to see New York Harbor.

    Use Yelp to get reviews on street food, Great options.


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    1. The Highline was already on my list, I thought it sounded really interesting.

      Love your idea of renting bikes and biking a portion of the Hudson River, Kevin will look into that. We have done the Staten Island Ferry before and perhaps we will do it again and we'll certainly check out Yelp for the street food.

      Thanks for the great ideas.

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