Brooklyn/NYC for a few days , what to do ?

[fastfredracing]

Got gifted Phish tickets for the 28th at MSG. Taking my 16 year old .
How do a couple of hayseeds from Pa, burn up a few days in the big Apple ?
Ive been a few times before , just looking for ideas . Statue, Times Square, Best Pizza?
I will be thoroughly doused in Patchouli oil , they smell me rollin' they be hatin'
Thanks for any ideas !

[stevej37]

I've only been in Manhattan 3 times.

The one thing that sticks with me the most is the Statue Tour.

[flatbutt]

Fred there is just so much to do. What do you like? Museums of art, science? The planetarium? Ground zero memorial? The top of the Empire State building? At this time of year just strolling 5th avenue can be fun.

[stevej37]

I don't know if they still have it...but the first time there we toured the NYSE and watched the trading from the balcony. I really enjoyed that.

From there we walked to the Trade Center and took the elevator to the roof-top viewing area.
Exactly one year later was the 9/11 attack.

[Bill Douglas]

Circle Line boat ride https://www.circleline.com/?locale=en

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Circle Line boat ride https://www.circleline.com/?locale=en

That sounds cool to me...Probably my fondest memory of NYC when we went there as a side trip of the 1957 BSA Jamboree. I haven't been East of the Mississippi since. The Jamboree was at Valley Forge...camping on the same grounds as Washington's troops...very impressive, learning the history.

[TimT]

Circle line, The Occulus, The ceiling at Grand Central Station..... Staten Island Ferry ( Best view of Statue of Liberty) Top of the rock... So much to do and see

PIzza: Johns of Bleecker, Garibaldis, Patsies.... In Williamsburg there are a few places that make a spectacular pie.. DiFara, Dom Dimarco passed but the quality is still amazing..

Katz Deli... patrami

Russ and Daughter

Eataly

McSorleys

Brooklyn Height Promenade..... amazing views of lower Manhattan

[LWJ]

Some favorites that we had were a candy store that is packed to the gills with different candy. (google is your friend) Also, a pickle factory. I seem to recollect barrels of pickles on the sidewalk and you buy one straight from the barrel.

Art museums are awesome. The 911 memorial (wasn't finished, when I was there last) might be worthwhile. Can you get tickets for any of the late night TV shows? Walk Central Park and The Highline.

Eat at a bagel shop. There is a Tenement Museum in Greenwich Village I believe. It was very interesting.

As a musician, maybe check out some cool guitar stores? I still have some guitar picks from my 14 year old self going to Manny's Music in 1980. Why? Because Jimi went there!

Years ago, there were seemingly endless pizza joints with names like Famous Rays or Original Rays. They all claimed to be the first pizza restaurant in NY. I made a point of eating at almost every one I passed by. All in the name of *****s and giggles.

Leave some free time just to check out Times Square. It will be hopping with tourists and performers. Good people watching.

Sounds like a fantastic trip with your son. Enjoy!

[KFC911]

Have fun Fred ... ya don't have an extra miracle ticket (for me) do ya ? Your son is gonna be bug-eyed at what "The City" has too offer just walking around an taking it all in! I don't think McSorleys will serve him tho' . The Statue (by boat) would be awesome, the Towers memorial, eating at Rays and Famous Rays ... LOL... and just seeing it all for the first time.... memories he will have forever! Avoid that Three Card Monte dealer on 42nd St .... NO CHANCE of winning... btdt (stooopid and 18).

Go Phishing!

[Baz]

Directions to the Staten Island Zoo:

Directions to Zoo – Staten Island Zoo

[Brian 162]

Depending what your interests are, here are a few suggestions
Intrepid Air and Space Museum, take the group tour. We got to ride the flight deck elevator
Bryant Park, there's an outdoor skating rink. They have rentals. Rockefeller Center same thing. They're both close to MSG
Times Square during the day and at night. We could see it from our plane when flying from JFK
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
If you like photography you have to go to B&H
Walk the Highline
911 Museum
One World Trade Center Observatory
Brooklyn Bagels Katz's Deli Shake Shack
Nathan's at Coney Island but I think that's all that's open there this time of year
We always asked locals where the good restaurants were.
Just don't drive into Manhattan, the subway is pretty good
Have fun, we love going to NYC

[fintstone]

The best brownies in the world come from Baked in Brooklyn. I have them shipped as Christmas gifts. Directions are on the website.

https://bakednyc.com/

[Paul_Heery]

Fred,

You didn't mention exactly what days you would be in town. But, here are a couple of suggestions other than the normal tourist stuff.

Carolline's on Broadway is closing up for good and the last shows will be on New Year's Eve. Leading up to that, Dave Attell will be doing his normal week of shows between Christmas and New Year. He always gets some notable comedy luminaries stopping by. With Caroline's closing down, these shows should attract some notable comics. Your son can attend along with you. But, some of the material could be a bit raunchy.

Since you are going to be in Brooklyn, Patti Smith and her Band are going to be at Brooklyn Steel in Williamsburg on December 29 & 30. The shows are listed as 16 & Over.

[fintstone]

If you want real excitement, ride the subway randomly around NYC late at night...wearing a Rolex. Get off at every 3rd stop and walk around the block and the return and board the next train.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

Statue, Times Square, Best Pizza?

JFC no.
Just no.

[Baz]

https://bronxzoo.com/plan-your-visit/getting-here

[ramonesfreak]

Having lived there the only things I care about are Katz Deli for a hot pastrami with mustard…..don’t be that guy that gets the turkey sandwich like my wife (she does say it’s the best)…..cash only. Don’t be intimidated by the line at the counter. It’s deep but goes fast.

And McSorleys…cash only

Read about both before you go….shouldn’t be any issue taking a 16 yo to mcsorleys but I could be wrong

And John’s Pizza on Bleeker

MOMA, the Met or Guggenheim or Museum of Natural History to check out dinosaurs and my favorite, Knights in armor exhibit (is it still there?)

Used to go to the Chelsea flea market on weekends…not even sure if it’s there anymore

Have fun at the show. Been to about 40 phish shows myself. Been a while though but I watch the recent shows on YouTube and they are playing great the last few years

[ramonesfreak]

First visit to NYC for me was when I was 16 at thanksgiving. We stayed in the Pennsylvania Hotel across from MSG. I will never forget sneaking down to the street to have a smoke and in the elevator was just me and James Hatfield and Jason Newsted (Metallica). I almost fainted. It was when James had the arm cast from the skateboard crash. I was a huge fan but couldn’t think of anything to say

[fintstone]

Watch the 1975 movie "The Warriors" and then try to recreate their trip across NYC to Coney Island would be fun. Great movie! The setting for the original book was 1965.

[pwd72s]

Probably not for a 16 year old today, but if I were to go there today, I'd have to rent a table for an hour...just to be able to say I've played at one of the most famous pool halls in the country.

https://amsterdambilliards.com/