Short Term Apartment Rental when visiting New York
When visiting New York City and planning on staying for at least 3 nights, you may want to consider a short term apartment rental. The rentals come furnished, are often in good residential neighborhoods and typically will cost less then a hotel. You may find a place in SoHo, Greenwich Village or Chelsea to name a few. Some of these apartments can have wonderful views of the Empire State Building and the NY skyline if you are lucky. Not to mention with a full kitchen, you can also save of the cost of food so you do not have to eat out all of your meals.
A few companies to consider contacting for your NYC visit include the following:
Cyberrentals
Gamut Realty Group
City Sonnet
Manhattan Gateways
Metro-homes
I am sure there are several other companies servicing the tourism industry here in New York. The aforementioned are only a few suggestions. This is a great way to experience a neighborhood you may not otherwise visit and save some money in the process.
My Favorite New York Pizza
Like most native New Yorker’s we are passionate about our pizza. We all have our local favorites. I remember growing up, after a night out with ‘da boys, we would head to Nick’s Pizza on Gun Hill Road in the Bronx. The place never disappointed (yes there is a Gun Hill Road in the Bronx).
You can always tell someone from out of town when they order a pizza saying “can I have a slice with cheese.” A New Yorker would never order a slice “with cheese.” We just say, ” give me a slice.” It already has cheese.
Some of my personal favorites are lined up on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. So when visiting New York City be sure to head to Bleecker between 6th & 7th Avenue.
Bleecker Street pizza on the corner on Bleecker Street & 7th Avenue is my personal favorite. I especially like their “square” as we call it.
Keste Pizza on Bleecker Between 6th & 7th serves wonderful individual pies. The place is cozy, narrow and often crowded. They offer a wonderful variety of selections.
There is always John’s on Bleecker which always is a safe bet. Do not be fooled by the “hole in the wall” feel of the place, the pizza is excellent.
Lastly, there is Joe’s Pizza at 7 Carmine Street, just off of Bleecker and 6th Avenue. Small place with a wonderful, classic, New York slice.
Free, Romantic things to do in NYC for Valentine’s Day
Enjoying a Central Park walk during the winter in NYC
One of my favorite things to do in New York is a walk through Central Park. If you have time to really venture well into the Park, some recommend locations include Bethesda Fountain, The Bow Bridge & The Ramble. True, you may get lost trying to find these locations, however, it just makes it that much more fun. If you are limited on time, simply entering the Park at the 59th Street and 5th Avenue entrance and going around the Gapstow Bridge and towards the Wollman rink creates some wonderful, romantic views (see attached photo).
A walk on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade is very romantic. Wonderful scenic views of the Manhattan skyline and The Brooklyn Bridge in the distance. Easily accessible by subway from Manhattan. While there you may want to walk towards Smith Street for a nice meal and dessert.
A walk on the Brooklyn Bridge is always a great activity. You do not need to walk all the way over, simply walking towards the middle between the arches makes for wonderful views and a romantic experience.
Just a few, free suggestions for spending your Valentines Day here in New York City.
New York City Karaoke bars
Enjoying the New York City nightlife is as an essential part to someones visit. While you should catch one of the many wonderful Broadway shows, and dine in the many delicious and culturally diverse restaurants NYC has to offer, you should not overlook the karaoke bars. They are very entertaining, especially after kicking back a few.
Some of my favorite include the following:
Wicket Willy’s
(149 Bleecker St between La Guardia Pl and Thompson St$1 per song) is not a proper karaoke bar—there are no private rooms—but it does host amateur performers Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at around 8pm.
Winnie’s
(104 Bayard St at Baxter St, $1 per song). If you want to get a taste of Chinatown’s “underground” karaoke scene, this place is for you. You may want to stop off at my favorite off the beaten path Chinese restaurant while you are there called Wo-Hop’s on Mott street; the place is a New York City dining institution, especially for night revelers.
Karaoke Kave
(9 E 13th St between Fifth Ave and University Pl.) Set in Greenwich village, not too far from NYU, great setting for Karaoke and you are well situated to continue your evening of dining and entertainment in NYC by going to either the West or East village.
Things to do in New York during the winter months
Couple enjoying walk in Times Square during winter months in New York
As the holiday’s are in the rear-view mirror, just wanted to give a few suggestions for things to do during the winter months in New York.
The New York Botanical Gardens offers a tropical rain forest.
Barneys Warehouse sale @ 255 West 17th Street offers their annual sale with 50% – 70% discounts.
The Grace Hotel 125 W. 45th Street offers a steam room, sauna & indoor pool for $10 all day.
NYC photos at the Museum of the City of New York. Images on view include photos from Stanley Kubrick, amongst others. Admission is $10, 5th Ave & 103rd Street.
The Grand Central Partnership sponsors a free 90-minute walking tour of Grand Central Terminal and the surrounding neighborhood, with the generous support of Altria Group. The tour meets in the Sculpture Court of the Whitney Museum at Altria on East 42nd Street across from Grand Central.
Restaurant Week in New York City
Just a reminder from us here at PhotoTrek Tours, restaurant week commences on January 25 and is scheduled to go until February 7. If history is any indicator, the promotion will probably be extended in order to accommodate as many tourist and New Yorkers alike who take advantage of the savings offered during this time.
Price fix lunches usually begin at $24.07 per person with dinners at $35.00 per person. The restaurants run the range in genres and neighborhoods. You can select a Greek place in Hell’s kitchen or a seafood restaurant on The Upper West side.
Whether you are sightseeing, honeymooning or just a local in NYC during restaurant week, you should take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.
New York City Jazz Clubs
When visiting New York City, I often encourage my guests to see live music. Often these venues are in Greenwich Village or the Lower East Side on NYC.
While you are walking around New York, you may miss these neighborhoods, so I thought I would list of few of my favorites:
Village Vanguard
178 Seventh Ave. South, 212-255-4037, West Village, Manhattan
Blue Note
131 W. 3rd St., 212-475-8592, West Village, Manhattan
Birdland
315 W. 44th St., 212-581-3080, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
Jazz at Lincoln Center
33 W. 60th St., 212-258-9800, Upper West Side, Manhattan
Iridium
1650 Broadway, 212-582-2121, Midtown West, Manhattan
Jazz Standard
116 E. 27th St., 212-576-2232, Gramercy, Manhattan
Smalls
183 W. 10th St., 212-252-5091, West Village, Manhattan
Arthur’s Tavern
57 Grove St., 212-675-6879, West Village, Manhattan
Off the Beaten Path Museums in New York
Couple enjoying off the beaten path walk around SOHO, NYC.
We are all familiar with the MOMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Natural History Museum, so I thought about a few other museums you may overlook when visiting NYC.
One of my favorite things to do in New York is The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum, located at pier 86, 46th Street and 12th Avenue. The vessel was formally an aircraft carrier during WW II and is now a museum.
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum chronicles the plight of immigrants to New York City and displays how many lived in cramped, tenement apartments.
The Frick Collection, located on 70th Street & 5th Avenue, includes some of the best known paintings by the greatest European artists, major works of sculpture (among them one of the finest groups of small bronzes in the world), superb eighteenth-century French furniture and porcelains, Limoges enamels, Oriental rugs, and other works of remarkable quality.
Just a few ideas during your visit to New York. While it is cold outside, you may want to go indoors during your holiday in NYC.
Broadway Discount tickets before visiting New York
Many of you may already know about the three TKTS booths around NYC to secure Broadway tickets at half price. There may often be lines and it may not work with your schedule while you are visiting New York City.
Below are a couple of other options to secure Broadway tickets at discounted prices prior to your visit.
TM Insider is the exclusive discount club that TheaterMania offers. TM Insider has a wide range of tickets available for advance sale at discount prices.
Hit Show Club also offers discounted tickets for members (membership is free).
New York Show Tickets allows members (paying a fee of about $5.00 per month)
If you want to save some money while getting to see Broadway shows when visiting NYC, you may want to consider The Playbill Club, TM Insider, and Hit Show Club.
Top things to do in New York City on a budget
During our walking tours of New York City, many comment at the expense of visiting. True, New York can be expensive, therefore, I will provide you with a few ideas to limit your costs.
The Staten Island Ferry, is a free way of seeing New York from the water. Providing wonderful views of the New York skyline, the S.I. Ferry leaves every half an hour from 1 South Street in lower Manhattan.
Walking in Central Park does not cost money and you can literally spend hours sightseeing. The Park is filled with bridges, statues, lakes, trees and several activities for children.
Grand Central Terminal offers a free tour on both Wednesday & Friday at 12:30pm. Built in 1917, the station is as impressive today as when it first opened its doors. You can browse the shops, have a drink or a meal at one of the several restaurants or simply take in the grandeur of the station.
On select Saturdays, the Village Alliance offers free guided strolls of St. Marks Place/8th Street. You’ll see Jackson Pollock’s former abode and stand on the spot where Abe Lincoln declared, “Right makes might.”
Just a few suggestion when visiting New York City. More to following in coming blogs.
Read more: http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/features/75100/free-talks-and-tours-in-nyc#ixzz0aimiofOC