First time in NYC and need help picking hotels and where to go besides seeing shows.

[disneyschildren]

Hi Everyone! I've been a long time lurker and finally decide to join in since it looks like I am finally heading towards Broadway for the first time next month! Couldn't be more excited! My current plan is to see about 14 shows over 9 days. Fingers crossed it will all work out.

 

I have two questions, any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Firstly where to stay during my trip? I would probably prefer to stay in or very close to the theater district since I would be seeing two show for most days. I am traveling alone and don't have a lot of luggage so room size is not too big a concern for me. Do prefer the room to be clean and hopefully on the quiet side though. Also free wifi is a must.

 

Another thing is what to do during the day? It would be my first time in NYC. I will probably have maybe two days that have just one evening show and most others only until noon since I need to attend the matinees. I'm a bit unsure where I can go and explore in New York when I only have a couple of hours in the morning.

 

Huge thanks for anyones input!

[disneyschildren]

BTW here are the shows I currently plan to see:

An Act of God

Aladdin

Color Purple

Jersey Boys

Les Miserables

Lion King

Waitress

Wicked

Book of Mormon

Phantom of the Opera

School of Rock

Something Rotten!

On Your Feet!

And probably Avenue Q & Sleep No More.

[BIG BALONEY]

For something to see take the subway up to The Cloisters in Washington Heights. The admission will also let you into the Metropolitan Museum the same day. A bus outside travels over to fifth avenue and leaves you outside the Met. The Cloisters are Medieval and worth seeing and looking across the Hudson river to New Jersey. I usually use hotwire.com for hotels, but groupon also shows some deals.

[C4b2a3b]

Wow! It sounds like you have an amazing trip planned! 

 

My trips to NYC are also long trips from out of town, and I too find proximity to Midtown important. I usually find a Manhattan hotel between 28th street and Central Park, and the subway system is very easy to use in NYC. It is a fairly fast ride in any direction. Are you looking for hotel recommendations? I think people will want to know how much money you want to spend per night. I find that staying in Manhattan is more expensive than staying in another borough, but if cost isn't an issue, you shouldn't have a problem finding a quiet and clean hotel in Midtown. 

 

 In any case, I use TripAdvisor for hotels. I find their ranking system very helping in narrowing options to my exact needs, as it searches across many websites and specifications. They have a map feature that tells you where the hotel is. The website has a helpful tool to set a price range you want to pay. 

 

I hear good things about Airbnb. Although I haven't personally used it, I know many who have had good experiences in NYC. Airbnb will get you more square footage per dollar in most cases, and if you're looking for a good deal in Midtown, I think Airbnb is a good place to start. 

 

Finally, because I'm overly-frightened about bedbugs.... I will search for potential hotels in the bedbug registry before I actually book a hotel. http://www.bedbugregistry.com/ I don't know how accurate this website is, as it appears to be a self reported thing, but it provides me a lot of peace of mind! In the end, isn't that what any of us needs to fall asleep at night? :)

 

Good luck! I'm sure others here will have more recommendations on things to do. It depends on your non-theatre interests, I suppose. 

[disneyschildren]

Many thanks for the replies so far. If I have to I am willing to pay $300 per night, but would prefer it to be close to 200 if possible.

Since it would be my first time in New York I suppose I should go to a few places out-of-town tourists usually would visit. Just not sure if I have enough time for anything when I need to be in a theater by 2PM. I do plan to visit NYC at least once every year from now on though. So I am not in too big a hurry to do absolutely everything. And next time I will likely see less shows so to have more time for other things.

[Keiichi2]

My favorite hotel for theater is The Michelangelo.  It's close to theaters (it's actually right behind the Winter Garden theater, where School of Rock is playing), very spacious rooms for NY, great staff, and affordable for the quality and the area. (The lowest price room in August is going for around $266.) It's a quiet oasis that's wonderful to return to after being in the city all day.

 

http://www.michelangelohotel.com/en/

[LizzieCurry]

I stayed at the Time Hotel earlier this year during the blizzard/BroadwayCon. I live in Queens, but I didn't want to go home early and they were fairly cheap during the storm.

It's not huge, but it's very nice, the staff is super helpful, it's clean and quirkily decorated, and it's two doors down from The Book of Mormon and across from Chicago — so you can't beat the location. The walls are thin, though, so you might hear some bangin' at night like I did.

[uncageg]

A walk in Central Park is a must. You can walk around the lower to mid part. I suggest a walk down the Literary Mall and through the tunnel to the Bethesda Fountain (The fountain in the final scene of Angels in America). On 2 show days you can easily do this in the morning.

I think you will find things are closer together than you may think.  I also suggest visiting MoMa.

They just opened the elevated park down at World Trade. You can check  that out and the memorial park with the waterfalls. If you take the subway, go to a booth at the station and ask for a subway map. I have been here for over 5 years and still use mine. It is also a cool thing to have. I grabbed a few and plan to frame one!

Also check out the Highline walk on the West side if you can.

 Also Top of the Rock (Top of Rockefeller Center) is fun if you don't mind not doing Empire State Building. And you will be right there at Rockefeller Center and can see the famous fountain and the Today Show studios. Each time I have gone to Top of the Rock I have gotten in faster and the elevator ride up is pretty cool.

[LizzieCurry]

I went to the Empire State Building on my second trip to NYC and it was during the evening and Ramadan, so it was lit up green. It was so cool! Sure, could be categorized as touristy, but it was a wonderful experience.

[Wick3]

If you're ok with last minute deals get the hotel tonight app. Michelangelo hotel for tonight is $179 from the app, for example. 

Good luck!

[MarkBearSF]

Good advice thus far on finding hotels (Tripadvisor) - If you're up to bidding, I'd use Priceline & Hotline in conjunction with advice from biddingfortravel.com. (Also do NOT select the Hotel Carter no matter how cheap or convenient it appears). We've gotten good rates on a couple of hotels near Penn Station/Empire State Bldg - Affinia and New Yorker. 

For afternoons, museums are great. Although the Cloisters is beautiful and seemingly a world away from the city, it DOES take a while to get there and is a bit specialized in its appeal. I'd recommend checking out the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) - it's a great 3 hour museum and is very conveniently located. (Advice, check out the out-of-town and student memberships to skip what can be a very long line) The AMNH (American Museum of Natural History) is also recommended - including the wonderful Hayden Planetarium. (Neil deGrasse Tyson's day job)

One other BIG recommendation, if you're interested in architecture and city planning, there's a NY Architecture cruise tour. It's a 3 hour circular tour around Manhattan on a classic schooner (air conditioned inside with lots of varnished wood and brass). They launch from Chelsea Piers. (Google to find it. There are also discount coupons on Goldstar) ...if you're an architect, you can get credits toward ongoing AIA certification. By the way, it's great for non-professionals like myself and also gives a unique view of the city and a history lesson as well. A drink (beer & wine or non-alcoholic bev) and a nice buffet of mid-eastern snacks is included.

[givesmevoice]

I would also recommend going to the Fifth Avenue building of the Met over the Cloisters, at least on this first trip. Admission prices for the Met and Museum of Natural History are both suggested, so you do not have to pay the $25 or whatever they're charging these days. MoMA has a firm admission price, but they have some extraordinary pieces. I also really like the Morgan Library and Museum, which currently has a great exhibition on Rembrandt and cityscapes of Italy during the era of the Grand Tour. Their permanent collection is also great.

If art museums aren't necessarily your thing, I would also highly recommend the Merchant's House Museum on East 4th (not too far from The Public). The family that lived there allegedly served as the basis for Henry James' Washington Square (which then, of course, inspired The Heiress). It's also apparently super haunted but I didn't see any ghosts when I was there. We went on a guided tour, but you can also do a self-guided tour and spend basically as much time in the house as you'd like. I also really like the Tenement Museum, which has several guided tours of different apartments throughout the day. They don't have air conditioning, of course, so it could be miserable on a hot summer day.

Also, I haven't been there in a while, but the National Museum of the American Indian was a favorite place when my sister and I were younger. It's free and located in the Alexander Hamilton US Custom House, so it'll be almost like going to Hamilton.

[Bettyboy72]

I tend to always stay at The Row NYC. It's so close to theatres. Some people don't love it, but I've always had a great experience. Like them on Facebook and get on their email list. They have great rates. I never pay more than $200 a night. It's a nice looking hotel and they allow you to check in online so you never have to deal with the front desk. 

[gypsy101]

we stayed at the New Yorker (between 34th and 35th on 8th) when we were there in June and the price was terrific, and just a short walk to most of the theaters (I think my best friend used hotwire and booked the flight and hotel simultaneously).

[regnad kcin]

For several years we've used Priceline.  If you stick to 3 stars or better you should be fine -- we have never gotten a bad hotel in doing this for about 12 years straight, and the price has always been 1/2 to 2/3 what you would pay otherwise -- typically $140 to $175 per night.

[jbird5]

The Edison is in the middle of the theater district and looks like it can be booked cheap if you do it now. I prefer to stay away from that area. I like the Ramada at 30th & Lexington. Affordable, no frills in little India. It tends to fill up though. You can take the 6 train to Grand Central and the shuttle to Times Square.

You should check out downtown, especially the Village.

[mailhandler777]

I never understood why people spend that much on a hotel room when you are out and about all day long. If you are going alone try The Local NYC in Queens. They have private rooms for way less than $300. It's a 5 minute subway ride from Manhattan. It's super clean and nice. There is also a brand new hotel opened a block from The Local that is cheaper than staying in Manhattan. It's called the LIC Hotel. 

[Mister Matt]

For day activities, my favorites are:

Central Park and Central Park Zoo

Frick Gallery

Coney Island

Whitney Museum and High Line

I was lucky enough to spend a day at the Whitney and the High Line with two wonderful friends, Jane2 and Kathy Biehl (currently starring in I'll Say She Is).  One of the best days in NYC I've ever had!  

[Esther]

mailhandler777 said: "I never understood why people spend that much on a hotel room when you are out and about all day long. If you are going alone try The Local NYC in Queens. They have private rooms for way less than $300. It's a 5 minute subway ride from Manhattan. It's super clean and nice. There is also a brand new hotel opened a block from The Local that is cheaper than staying in Manhattan. It's called the LIC Hotel. 

 

"

 

While I get what you're saying from a financial perspective, the OP mentioned there will be several two-show days, so I can see possibly wanting to have the flexibility to be able to go back to the hotel between shows.  It's the summer, he/she might want to be able to refresh or rest between shows & not have to worry about dealing with PT to get back in time for the evening curtain. 

 

 

 

[indytallguy]

If you are willing to change hotels once during your stay, you might find very different rates on the weekend versus during the week, particularly if you are looking at any of the major hotel brand like Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, or Starwood.

I often split my longer trips into two hotels, first to save on $, and second to locate me in a different neighborhood that I can experience more easily.

[LittleCheno]

Yay for your first visit! I come to NYC pretty often and always stay at an IHG property in Times Square. My favorites are the Candlewood Suites on 39th or the Staybridge Suites on 38th (I think) The Staybridge has full breakfast and for a few weekday evenings has a pretty filling happy hour that are both included in the hotel fees. It's a great way to save money in food areas if you're looking for that. I've also stayed at the Holiday Inn on 8th and 40th and a few of the others in the area. All of them have been great finds and are very close to all the the Theaters!

[jbird5]

If you have time to kill and don't mind standing in  line, go to Levain Bakery on the Upper West Side for their cookies.

if you really don't mind being in line, go to Black Tap for a milkshake. The original is in SOHO.

[uncageg]

I have only had to stay in a hotel once when visiting NYC. I was on a budget so booked a room at the Comfort  Inn at 71st and Central Park West. The room was small but it was fine. A nice walk up Central Park West. Right across the street from the park and Strawberry Fields. Around the corner from the legendary Dakota. I had 2 show days and it was fine. There is also one on West 48th and 11th. About a 10 minute, or less walk from the theatre district.

There is a new hotel that just opened on 8th and 46th also. Forget the name though.

[_IrisTInkerbell]

I see most people are suggesting museums, so I want to chime in with some other things. I'm personally not a museum-person and although I have been to NY many times now, I haven't been to a single one of them.

My first time in the city was 7 days, and I did all of the touristy things minus museums. I would recommend doing the Statue of Liberty and World Trade Center on one of your days where you have an evening show. Go down there first thing in the morning so you don't have to deal with excessive lines (I believe the first ferry is at 9, so be there by 9), and do the audio guided tour of the Statue of Liberty, and stop at Ellis Island on your way back to Manhattan (the ferry stops automatically but you can choose not to get off). (Ellis Island probably qualifies as a museum actually).

Once you get back to Manhattan walk around through the financial district and by Wall Street (Hamilton's grave is in the graveyard at Trinity Church, which is right there too). And then go up the One World Trade Center. It's pretty pricey, but the whole thing with the iPad is really well done and gives you a great (over)view of the city.

 

I spent a lot of my other days wondering through the various neighborhood of New York City, which all lend themselves to a few hours in the morning on your 2-show days. Same goes for the High-Line that some others have mentioned. Walk from North to South and grab something to eat at the Chelsea Market at 14th St, then take the subway back up to Midtown. Then there is the Flatiron Building, NYC area and Washington Square Park, the Upper West Side ect.

You can split up Central Park on 2 days, the lower part (Mall, Fountain, Bridge ect) on the first, the upper part on another (the castle, the reservoir...). Don't miss Bryant Park, that's something you could even do between shows because it's right there.

Another really touristy thing to do is to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Take the subway out to Brooklyn, check out Dumbo, and then walk back to Manhattan. Definitely do it this way around, because you want the views of Manhattan as you walk across the bridge! 

I second suggestion of Top Of The Rock over the Empire State, but if you want to do both, maybe do one on a future trip and also do one at night! They are open late you can easily go up after a show!

 

I don't know if you're into movie filming locations, but if you are that's a fun thing to check out. They have bus tours for that, but I did some research (and bought a NY movie locations travel guide) and walked by the ones I cared about when I was in the area.

Since you love theater I can highly recommend the Lincoln Center Tour. It was so interesting and you get to see all the theaters (if you're lucky including the Met) from the inside. Check their website for info on tour times ect. Radio City Music Hall also offers a tour. I didn't do it because I've been in to see shows, but it's stunning and I'm sure it's super interesting as well.

 

You can visit the UN, which is something I haven't gotten around to yet, but that's on my list!

 

I can very little advice in hotels, I have always stayed in hostels to save money. But my friend liked the Edison when she stayed there over the Paramount next door (she stayed in subsequent years). They are a similar price, but the rooms at the Edison were bigger and the wifi was included. It was not at the Paramount.

 

Another tip is to get a weekly subway pass. It'll be good for 7 days, and then you can use that metro card and refill it with money (instead of time) for the last 2 days, so you don't have to worry about getting a ticket every time.

[wonkit]

Walk the High Line and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to have lunch in DUMBO. 

Go to Battery Park and ride the Seaglass Carousel, especially at dusk. 

Go to the Morgan Library and Museum and Library and have lunch in the sun filled atrium.

Look for free Shakespeare all over NYC in the summer.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Worst hotel ever:  New York Inn.  Sure, it's centrally located, but it's like a Third World Country version of a hotel room.  Nice places:  There is an Econolodge really close to the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.  Also, I've stayed at the Washington Jefferson a couple of times.  Nice building and close to the  Gershwin Theatre.