Rec’s for a place to stay for a NYC jaunt?

[IggyMom23]

Any parking advice? Yikes

Spot Hero ahead of time...I parked in a garage in the East Village this past summer using Spot Hero for $50 for 24 hours, and the regular garage rate was almost double that. I went a day early to pick my DS up from USMA SLE and stayed in Manhattan so I could see a show...everyone said I was crazy to stay in the city and park, and try to get out of town during morning rush. I parked reasonably and was out of the city in like 16 minutes bright and early. Woo hoo!

 

[Mdm26]

John's on Bleeker
Ray's
Famous Ray's
World-Famous Original Ray's Pizza

All of the Ray's are not connected but are pretty good as is John's on Bleeker which folks say is the best.

Now if we go to BROOKLYN, there is a whole 'nother set of delis and Pizza to aspire to.
Numero Uno - "Junior's Deli" (has a branch in Times Square) is probably the best known.
L&B Spumoni Garden for Pizza

L&B Spumoni Garden!!! Square slices are amazing.

 

[hokiesfan]

Spot Hero

Agreed. Was recently in Manhattan and my old trick of grabbing on-street parking on the UWS was foiled by COVID-era outside dining areas and construction. Spot Hero saved the day - paid $21 to park for the day in a garage up near the Museum of Natural History. Much cheaper than taking the Metro North in from CT, but I'm also weird and find driving in the city fun in an extreme sport kind of way.

I'd skip Katz's. Pastrami Queen has amazing pastrami (and they now have a second location on the UWS in the old Fine & Schapiro deli). If you go to their original 78th & Lex location, grab a black & white from William Greenberg (Madison in the low 80s) for dessert.

 

[UHBlackhawk]

I second Katz’s Deli. A sandwich will serve 2. Trust me. Katz’s made Anthony Bourdain’s 13 places to eat before you die. Be aware that it’s a kosher deli, so no meat and cheese, though they will put cheese on the side I think.
I also second Staten Island Coast Guard Station BOQ if available. The Staten Island Ferry is free.
Ferrara’s bakery in Little Italy for cake and coffee.
2 Bros pizza. A NY city chain. No, you won’t find 200 micro beers on tap. You’ll get a great slice for $1.50.
If they are of age, McSorleys. They only have light and dark… beer. Actually, not bad cheap pub food either. Look for the wishbones over the bar.

But you want to start an argument between New Yorkers, ask a group- 1. Best pizza 2. Best deli 3. Best bakery 4. Best way to get to one of the airports.

The Wishbones of McSorley's Old Ale House

Touching mementoes from those who didn't make it back from World War I still hang in one of New York's oldest bars.

www.atlasobscura.com

Anthony Bourdain’s 13 Places to eat before you die.

champagneliving.net

 

[Old Enlisted Marine]

@justdoit19 I live in NJ very close to the NYC. Train, bus and multiple water ferries within a few minutes of my house. If they prefer to drive up this way they are welcome to park at my house. Message me if interested.

 

[AA787DRIVER]

Just be heads up, NYC is in a bad spot with crime right now. I was born and raised in the City and it stinks to see the craziness of crime from the 70's and 80's back. Lots of random acts going down, be smart and travel in a group.

 

[Capt MJ]

Just be heads up, NYC is in a bad spot with crime right now. I was born and raised in the City and it stinks to see the craziness of crime from the 70's and 80's back. Lots of random acts going down, be smart and travel in a group.

Good advice. Keeping wallets in inaccessible places, no obviously expensive jewelry or smart/expensive regular watch in easy view, be careful of when you have your phone out and where you stow it, etc. - just being smart and not looking like easy pickings. I’ve lived and traveled in parts of the world where street crime is the norm, and you have to be proactive in not presenting an easy target. It’s not like strolling Main St. in Annapolis.

 

[AA787DRIVER]

Avoid the "Electric Sewer"/subway late at night, it is back to crazy time under ground.

 

[UHBlackhawk]

Just be heads up, NYC is in a bad spot with crime right now. I was born and raised in the City and it stinks to see the craziness of crime from the 70's and 80's back. Lots of random acts going down, be smart and travel in a group.

First time I was mugged was in the 1970s. In… wait for it… the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was bad back then.
On the flip side I’ve been through the Harlem/125th St station numerous times with no issues.

The way I travel. I don’t carry my wallet. I carry my cell phone with some credit cards (my Amex, Visa and ATM). Always have your cell phone locked. If it’s unlocked have your phone in a position where it is guarded, especially on a train or bus. I recently saw someone’s phone stolen out of his hand on a train in England at a stop.
For ID I carry my credit card sized passport. It’s not as big a deal to replace as a driver’s license, military ID, or actual passport.
I take my room key, but nothing that indicates my room number or hotel. I put my room number in the calculator of my cell phone.
And learn to be rude. If a shoe shine boy drops a brush in front of you keep walking. Don’t be trusting of people who walk up to you and try to strike up a conversation. Yeah, they have a relative in America.
Learn this

 

[justdoit19]

Ugh I hate that this is how things are….

 

[OldRetSWO]

I second Katz’s Deli. A sandwich will serve 2. Trust me. Katz’s made Anthony Bourdain’s 13 places to eat before you die. Be aware that it’s a kosher deli, so no meat and cheese, though they will put cheese on the side I think.

FYI, Russ and Daughters (also on list) is a block or two from Katz's and is more of a take-out place while Katz's is eat in. Katz's has a strange system of taking a number sort of like being in a supermarket but it works. Look for the Meg Ryan table (sign over it).

 

[AA787DRIVER]

Check out Father Duffy in Times Square, "Fighting 69th"!

 

[Infantry_Dad]

DI FARA

DI FARA

difarapizzany.com

 

[Herman_Snerd]

Ive been asked/tasked with finding either an Airbnb or hotel, thinking lower Manhattan, for a venture to the big city for a group of Mids. Does anyone have any ideas? Any locals recommend an area or place to stay? For sightseeing and night life. TY!

so many cool ideas already - how many mids are going, and for how many days/ nights?
What is their interest in museums, nightlife- any must-see agenda items?

My DS and his 3 midn buddies are driving up to Northern NJ, parking at the ferry, and taking the ferry over from Weehawken in Feb for 1 night. In the past they have taken a NJTransit from Trenton to MSG- midtown.

If it's more than 1 night, I would take the poster above. @Old Enlisted Marine
up on their gracious offer to park near the ferries, take the NY Waterway from Weehawken or Hoboken to/ from northern NJ. No city driving, cost, and ease of egress.

Is this a fleet week trip? If so I believe NY Waterways are free to military then and veterans day (at least it was last year).

I used to live in Manhattan and for my money I used to take out of towners from central park south (60th street and 5th avenue) down to 50th and 5th (10 short N/S blocks) - The plaza hotel, too many stores to list - people watching, St Patricks Cathedral, Trump Towers, NBC / 30 Rock (which you can now tour from top floor), Tiffany's, NY public library and adjacent Bryant park a bit further down, Then would walk West / down to times square/ broadway. If they have a couple of days depending on interest the Met, Guggenheim, Natural History are all great IMO. Depending on time of year you might get in a yankee game. Food is expensive but memorable. If they drink they may wish to "pre-game" at the hotel, have a few cocktails there then only buy a couple more while out - it's a little bananas how expensive it can be.

If you'd like to provide more details on the mids' interests and budget I'd be happy to provide additional recommendations.

 

[Rach3]

No, no, take the train from BWI Amtrak Station, the Northeast Regional. Easy ride up, WiFi, easy peasy. AD military discount.

You do not want to drive or park in the City.

We have many times taken our USNA 3/c mids on what we call the “NYC field trip.” A long but jam-packed day trip.

-Morning train from BWI Amtrak Station, park at garage there.
-Purchased train tickets in advance via app, using AD or veteran discount. Many departures, look for trains with fewer local stops. The Accela is the high-speed train, more expensive.
-Relaxed ride up, snooze, use WiFi.
-Roll into Penn Station. NYC is a walking town. Walk to 30 Rock and go to the Top of the Rock. Ditto Empire State Building. Check out ice-skating rink at Rockefeller Plaza. Look into the windows of the ground floor NBC building into the studios. See Times Square, at least once in your life, to see the crazy people. Madison Square Garden is right there.
-Figure out the subway and head further afield to museums, Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial, USS INTREPID.
-Hit a deli or pizza place for lunch.
- ASK EVERY PLACE YOU GO IF THEY HAVE A MILITARY DISCOUNT. NYC loves the military.
-Buy hugely discounted tickets in advance via the USO NYC Ticket Program for AD, which gives you the unique promo codes for various Broadway and event venue ticket sellers. Pick them up at Will Call or use e-tix phone option. Lion King, all the big ones.
- Or contact the MWR Tickets and Tours office at the Coast Guard base on Staten Island. All military installations of any size have “MWR tickets and tours” offices.
- Enjoy a 2 PM matinee on Broadway. Walkable from Penn Station.
-More walking to fun places. One of my favorite things in NYC. Another favorite place, The Greenway Trail around Manhattan along with Central Park.
-So many great places to eat, from high-end celebrity chef venues to hole in the wall family joints. Every type of food imaginable. Eat a nice dinner, more walking, take a 10 PM NE Regional back to BWI Amtrak station.
-We would wear our mids out, but they have a blast on these day trips. DH and I have returned to our pre-COVID “date days” and do the trip, eat pizza and hot pretzels, take in a show or exhibit at the Met, walk Central Park, have a really nice dinner, stroll back to Penn Station and snooze our way back to BWI on a late train and are back home in 20 minutes from the station.

Nearby military installations also have lodging, cheap, but not in the heart of the City. We have on occasion driven to Staten Island CG base and stayed and parked there, then took the Staten Island ferry into the City.

Northeast Regional Train | Amtrak

The Amtrak Northeast Regional train transports you along the Northeast Corridor and beyond while avoiding I-95 traffic. Book your trip today.

www.amtrak.com

Amtrak Military Discount

Active-duty US military personnel, their spouses and dependents are eligible to receive a 10% discount on most train travel tickets.

www.amtrak.com

USO New York Ticket Program

NYC Events sign-up page id.me

www.uso.org

USCG Sector New York Morale, Well-Being & Recreation - MWR Ticket Price List

uscgsectornymwr.squarespace.com

9 New York Military Discounts

If you're planning a trip to New York, make sure you include a stop at the following places that offer military discounts.

www.military.com

▷ The 37 Best Military Discounts in NYC 2024 | COMPLETE list

Find the best military discounts for NYC including ✔ Statue of Liberty ✔ Empire State Building Broadway shows ✔ Hotels 👆READ MORE

loving-newyork.com

Wow ... this is amazing information and assistance for all readers. Thank you!!

 

[Banshee Mom]

Check out Father Duffy in Times Square, "Fighting 69th"!

Also the TKTS booth at Fr. Duffy square offers very discounted prices for Broadway and Off Broadway shows, most are 50% off ticket price and if you are in uniform or show military ID to one of the TKTS employees outside the booths, military personnel are moved to the front of the stand by line .

 

[UHBlackhawk]

How can we forget, the highlight of any midshipmen’s visit to NY?
Go to Grand Central station.
Hop the Poughkeepsie line of Metro North. When you do so, sit on the west side of the train so you can take in the view of the spectacular Hudson River valley.
Then, get off at Garrison Station. Walk to the north side of the station and take the tunnel under the tracks. Continue your short walk to the east bank of the Hudson.
There, your eyes will gaze west in wonderment at the architectural and academic magnificence known as West Point. Bring a hankie as your eyes are sure to well up with tears and your breath is taken away, but your life will be fulfilled.

 

[Wishful]

FYI, Russ and Daughters (also on list) is a block or two from Katz's and is more of a take-out place while Katz's is eat in. Katz's has a strange system of taking a number sort of like being in a supermarket but it works. Look for the Meg Ryan table (sign over it).

View attachment 13397

The older woman was director Rob Ryans mother!

 

[Wishful]

"Phantom of the Opera" is ending it's Broadwy run after 35 years or so; check it out if you can-I guarentee you'll not be disappointed!

 

[Wishful]

DI FARA

DI FARA

difarapizzany.com

Hands down the best pizza I ever had; 3 cheeses & basil on top after it came out of the oven. I was also impressed when the owner took the pizza out of the oven with his bare hands. May he rest in peace.