Tips for New York City 2018!

 Ah, New York City.  This is one of my favorite spots, and this year it was time to take my son and his girlfriend to the city for their graduation trip.  My son wanted me to play tour guide for them, and there's nothing else that I love to do more.  So, while on that trip, I picked up some current tips and new discoveries.  Here they are.

First, I always stay on Wall Street.  On the weekends it slows down, and only the tourists remain.  Fun fact, most of them go away after 5 pm.  Makes it a quiet neighborhood with all the conveniences that you need.  My favorite hotel will always be Club Quarters on Wall Street.  This place is the best spot in town, particularly on the weekends.  The staff there will put up with any of a plethora of situations, which I unfortunately tested this time.  They will be unbelievably polite, helpful, and expedient.  They will let you check in as soon as your room is ready for the day.  They will hang onto your bags before and after you check out so you can roam the city.  They will find the stuff you left behind and get it to you.  They are, in a word, wonderful. 

But, there's more to staying on Wall Street than just the hotel I love.  In less than one block from the hotel is a lovely open plaza to hang out in.  There is a building with an open public space to hang out in when it's cold or it rains or both.  There are at least five coffee places including a Starbucks and a Dunkin.  There is a Duane Reade for all your pharmacy and convenience store needs.  There are three subway stations.  There are food trucks with great food and an amazing deli.  There is a bar and restaurant.  This is all within a block.  Not joking.  You are also in the neighborhood with Trinity Church, Federal Hall, the original Tiffany's, and the New York Stock Exchange.  You are walking distance from all that goes on around One WTC.  You are a few blocks from the waterfront at pier 11 where you can catch all kinds of ferries and water taxis to just about anywhere.  You can also take a helicopter ride.  It's really an amazing neighborhood and a great place to stay.

 Things to remember.  Citibike is a great way to get around, but make sure you stop in and park the bike at a station every 30 minutes or so.  You will get charged extra if you don't do that.  Also, if you love IKEA or the food trucks at the Red Hook Ball Fields on the weekends, take the shuttle provided by the NY Water Taxi.  The shuttle costs $5.00, but it's a cheap ride to Brooklyn.  The Water Taxi also provides it's hop on hop off service to all the major sights in south Manhattan from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Intrepid Museum.

 Speaking of the Intrepid Museum.  We went for a visit and had a great time.  For those of you who haven't been there in a while, there are some changes.  They have a pop up planetarium at the moment with fascinating shows.  It's in the Exploratorium, but it's great for adults too.  Also, there is a virtual reality ride that is worth a try.  As always there are great things to see and do for kids of all ages, even mine. 

 One of my favorite Intrepid surprises on this visit was to find that viewing the space shuttle is now part of the regular admission price.  Last time I was there it was extra.  So, finally, we can just take a look.

 Always remember when visiting waterfront attractions that you are getting an added bonus. The view.  I love the Hudson River and the Intrepid is a great place to get a great view of the river.  It's part of the trip.

Here's one thing.  The subway is my choice of travel in the city, but there are no subway stations particularly close to the Intrepid.  Did you know that there is a shuttle bus service for the NY Ferry which is right next door?  It's a thought.  Just saying.

 In other news this season.  There are many things going on in Times Square.  There are several art displays worth looking at.  Unusual and interesting stuff.  The Hershey Store is gone, but the M & M's Store remains.  Kinky Boots is still playing on Broadway, but not for long.  Anastasia is coming back to Broadway soon for all you Romanov fans like me. 

In other news, there's a lot of work going on at the World Trade Center site.  The Westfield Shops are now opening in that thing that looks like a whale skeleton.  There are a couple of other buildings that they are working on too.

O'Hara's is still going strong, but I think the secret is out.  So many of us have discovered the magic of learning about 9/11 at this amazing location that it has become seriously popular.  We could barely find a place to sit this time and the noise was unbelievable.  My advice; go there during the week if you can.  It has to be more intimate and quiet then.

There are a lot of subway lines being worked on, so make sure you check the work and delay schedules at most stations. 

Little Italy has not changed one little bit and Casa Bella is still my favorite spot.

So, when in town, notice the differences.  I visit NYC at least once a year; normally more often.  I will always provide the little tidbits that I pick up on my visits.
Enjoy!

https://www.intrepidmuseum.org/
http://nywaterway.com/
http://www.mta.info/
https://www.timessquarenyc.org/
https://www.iloveny.com/
https://official.nyc.com/broadway_tickets/?msclkid=1379045359281aee888a5fca6df229c1
https://www.nycgo.com/
https://www.onewtc.com/
https://oneworldobservatory.com/en-US
https://www.911memorial.org/
https://www.westfield.com/westfieldworldtradecenter
https://www.citibikenyc.com/
https://southstreetseaportmuseum.org/
https://www.seaportdistrict.nyc/
https://www.nywatertaxi.com/
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/01/nyregion/oharas-ground-zero-pub-where-memories-are-a-badge-of-honor.html
https://www.facebook.com/OharasPubNYC/
https://www.getyourguide.com/-l3414/?cmp=bing&campaign_id=326239222&adgroup_id=1258941012759903&target_id=kwd-78683941385290:loc-190&loc_physical_ms=44738&match_type=p&ad_id={creative}&keyword=tour%20wall%20street&ad_position={adposition}&feed_item_id=&placement={placement}&partner_id=CD951&msclkid=b36d14db9f2a160314e24f42a9997465&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=united%20states%3A8%7Ccore%7Cen%7Cus&utm_term=tour%20wall%20street&utm_content=new%20york%3A59%7Cf5%7Cwall%20street%20ny%3A3414%7Ctour%3A942%7C%7Btd22%7D%7C%7Byr16%7D
https://www.thewallstreetexperience.com/
https://www.hotels.com/
https://www.booking.com/
https://www.airbnb.com/
https://www.expedia.com/
https://www.amtrak.com/home
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B06Y1C2MS7
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/721980
https://www.inkitt.com/ninakindred
https://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
https://www.zazzle.com/imagings
https://terri-dixon.pixels.com/
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts
http://ninakindred.wixsite.com/ninakindredgroup/connections