New York - things to do and look at

[missing transmission]

I'm going to be in New York in a few days time.

Any suggestions of stuff to look at besides the obvious.

I'm after suggestions/recommendations of

bookshops
record stores
live shows, stand up comedy or podcast recordings
places to eat

[Yorkshire pud]

Unscreened Caller is a native Noo Yourka...She might even go shopping with you. 

[UnscreenedCaller]

YOu can find information on free taping tickets here: http://www.nycgo.com/tv-show-tapings/

If you get tickets for Letterman, wear something warm. He keeps the studio like an ice box. The Today show is filmed outside so all you have to do is show up and dress warm. And a friend of mine got tickets for The Chew within 2 weeks, very easy.

There is a huge Ticketron kiosk in midtown where you can get tickets for Broadway shows or, if you're adventurous, you can to the box office and see if there are any leftovers for a discount.

And I know it's a cliche, but the view from the observation tower in the Empire State Building is gorgeous, unless high places is an issue.

Downtown, the Strand bookstore is a must-see if you're a bookstore buff. It's really a one of a kind, my favorite place of all. The Village has some really nice live comedy clubs including the Comedy Cellar on MacDougal Street. Unlike the Comedy Club, there's a two item cover charge rather than two drink,while some really good, well-known comedians perform there. Like everything else in Manhattan, it's pricey, though.

Personally, I love the Village, lots of character and interesting restaurants, but you should also try to see Soho, the meatpacking district, Freedom Tower and Mulberry Street, all downtown Manhattan. Uptown you'll find luxe shopping, Embassy Row, Central Park and the more famous museums, all fun too.

Wear comfortable walking shoes!

[jazmunda]

Having recently been in New York I concur with everything UC mentioned.

If you're extra lucky you will be treated to a daylight display of public urination.

I heart NY.

[bateman]

Jaz, do you remember all the glory hole locations? Might be helpful.

[GeorgieForPresident2216]

...If you're extra lucky you will be treated to a daylight display of public urination.

I heart NY.

I understood that was just a standard New York greeting.  I guess I'll have to do better research on the local customs before I go.

[jazmunda]

Jaz, do you remember all the glory hole locations? Might be helpful.

Unfortunately no but you should let him know where you'll be that week.

[WOTR]

You should visit track 61 under the Waldorf Astoria.  It was one of the first places I visited.  I suppose I am naturally curious and go where others just walk past.  When a door leading to a staircase was unlocked that was the first place I went (when the NYPD and their bomb sniffing dogs were done with me and making me delete the pictures I had taken I found out that a construction worker had accidentally left the access door unlocked...)  It was only years later that I found that I had stumbled across track 61 and the significance of it... And all within 4 hours of landing in NYC.

Anyhow, for real places to visit- many of which are unknown even to natives I would look at this. http://untappedcities.com/2014/11/11/6-hidden-alleys-and-small-private-streets-in-nycs-greenwich-village/ (page is set to a village page for unscreened caller- but the site has everything if you look under the headings at the top.)  If you are on the subway, take a look at this little trick... It is worth the extra couple of minutes to do the end of the line loop and see what most people never will... http://www.fastcodesign.com/1662679/stunning-nyc-subway-station-hidden-in-plain-sight-until-now

If you want to see what track 61 is / was you can find it here.  I was more impressed with the honesty and rawness of the place than I was grand central itself.  There is something about an area that does not try to be something it is not... http://laughingsquid.com/track-61-secret-train-platform-under-the-waldorf-astoria-in-manhattan/

[Robert Ghostwolf's Ghost]

You should visit track 61 under the Waldorf Astoria.  It was one of the first places I visited.  I suppose I am naturally curious and go where others just walk past.  When a door leading to a staircase was unlocked that was the first place I went (when the NYPD and their bomb sniffing dogs were done with me and making me delete the pictures I had taken I found out that a construction worker had accidentally left the access door unlocked...)  It was only years later that I found that I had stumbled across track 61 and the significance of it... And all within 4 hours of landing in NYC.

Anyhow, for real places to visit- many of which are unknown even to natives I would look at this. http://untappedcities.com/2014/11/11/6-hidden-alleys-and-small-private-streets-in-nycs-greenwich-village/ (page is set to a village page for unscreened caller- but the site has everything if you look under the headings at the top.)  If you are on the subway, take a look at this little trick... It is worth the extra couple of minutes to do the end of the line loop and see what most people never will... http://www.fastcodesign.com/1662679/stunning-nyc-subway-station-hidden-in-plain-sight-until-now

If you want to see what track 61 is / was you can find it here.  I was more impressed with the honesty and rawness of the place than I was grand central itself.  There is something about an area that does not try to be something it is not... http://laughingsquid.com/track-61-secret-train-platform-under-the-waldorf-astoria-in-manhattan/

I heard "Track 61" is actually a secret government installation where alien train technology is being studied and reverse engineered. 

[Kelt]

People rag on America all the time... some of it justified some of it not.  America may not be 'The Greatest Country in the Worldâ,,¢', but New York is, without a shadow of doubt, the greatest city in the world.

If you don't have a great time in New York it's because you were actively trying to be miserable.

[jazmunda]

People rag on America all the time... some of it justified some of it not.  America may not be 'The Greatest Country in the Worldâ,,¢', but New York is, without a shadow of doubt, the greatest city in the world.

If you don't have a great time in New York it's because you were actively trying to be miserable.

I concur. There is no other city in the world that comes close.

Australia is the "Greatest Country in the World" hands down.

[aldousburbank]

Yeah I mostly recommend drinking lots o' coffee and smoking lots o' weed because well, it always works for me.

[attachimg=1]

[jazmunda]

Yeah I mostly recommend drinking lots o' coffee and smoking lots o' weed because well, it always works for me.

Holy shit Batman. It's Cyclops from the x-men.

[missing transmission]

But where will i get

- the best coffee?
- the best bagel?
- the best burger?

Obviously New York... but where?

[aldousburbank]

Always enjoyed Eva's Deli in West Village
11 W. 8th St
http://yelp.com/biz/tKog0Ewz1roBME_kX1G6hg

Also, good street corner halal.

Oh, of course dig those non-franchise pizza slices in whatever pizza hole you prefer.

[jazmunda]

But where will i get

- the best coffee?
- the best bagel?
- the best burger?

Obviously New York... but where?

There is a cafe on Lexington Ave run by 2 Aussies who have bought Melbourne's coffee culture to New York City. Check out Little Collins - http://www.littlecollinsnyc.com/

Check out the menu item called The Convict.

[GeorgieForPresident2216]

I heard "Track 61" is actually a secret government installation where alien train technology is being studied and reverse engineered.

:

[GeorgieForPresident2216]

People rag on America all the time... some of it justified some of it not.  America may not be 'The Greatest Country in the Worldâ,,¢', but New York is, without a shadow of doubt, the greatest city in the world.

If you don't have a great time in New York it's because you were actively trying to be miserable.

I always thought that until the towers came down.  Now it just seems like it's another big city from my distant perspective.

[bateman]

I always thought that until the towers came down.  Now it just seems like it's another big city from my distant perspective.

Well we have a new one now. Eat shit, terrists!

[Yorkshire pud]

I heard "Track 61" is actually a secret government installation where alien train technology is being studied and reverse engineered.

We all heard that. Only one of us believed it.
:

Only sayin.

[jazmunda]

Well we have a new one now. Eat shit, terrists!

The museum at ground zero is a must visit for tourists whether they be foreign or domestic. This foreign guy teared up a few times. I remember that night (it was something like 10 or 11pm) like it was yesterday. I will never forget it. That day and the subsequent days are etched into my brain for eternity. I was glued to CNN and Art Bell for weeks. Relistening to those Art Bell shows recently was like a time warp.

[area51drone]

The most haunting things to me about sept 11 were all jumpers, and the 911 call from the guy who was on the phone as his tower fell.   Makes you just cringe thinking about it

Kevin Cosgrove's LIVE 911 call as he DIES

[UnscreenedCaller]

But where will i get

- the best coffee?
- the best bagel?
- the best burger?

Obviously New York... but where?

Screw Starbucks - any Greek diner in the city has the best coffee. The coffee cups with the Greek key motif is iconic. I've even seen a seagull fly by with one in its beak on the piers. Bagels are the humblest of NY foods. Any bagel shop will probably have good, hand rolled ones; that's a matter of try and compare. Just avoid any trendy place. A bagel is a bagel and not a brioche. If I want a really good burger, I will head off to a burger house that just does them, and all the burger houses I lnow are also humble businesses, but Greek diners are also good, plus there's that coffee bonus.

The museum at ground zero is a must visit for tourists whether they be foreign or domestic. This foreign guy teared up a few times. I remember that night (it was something like 10 or 11pm) like it was yesterday. I will never forget it. That day and the subsequent days are etched into my brain for eternity. I was glued to CNN and Art Bell for weeks. Relistening to those Art Bell shows recently was like a time warp.

I haven't been there and I might never go there, I don't know why. It's hard not to remember the gaping hole in the ground and the smell of burning that lingered forever,  nor the lights in the sky on the anniversaries. And, I've read they have a gift shop which just pisses me off for some reason. Can't bring myself to go there although I've seen it in the distance and it's beautiful.

[WOTR]

I heard "Track 61" is actually a secret government installation where alien train technology is being studied and reverse engineered.

They did not shoot me when I was there... But I believe I may have been hypnotized and brainwashed for a few days.  Still, I recall that blue train car very distinctly along with the elevator in the middle of the platform.  Come to think of it, I seem to recall little green men running for that elevator when I set foot on the platform.

Who do I call to get regressed?  The things I could disclose if only I could recall them!

[Yorkshire pud]

They did not shoot me when I was there... But I believe I may have been hypnotized and brainwashed for a few days.  Still, I recall that blue train car very distinctly along with the elevator in the middle of the platform.  Come to think of it, I seem to recall little green men running for that elevator when I set foot on the platform.

Who do I call to get regressed?  The things I could disclose if only I could recall them!

David Icke

[WOTR]

David Icke

If there's a group of people to ask who does regression, this may just be it.  Where to go in NYC?  a little less... 

I'm trying to recall- is it Brooklyn with a fairly high population of Hasidic Jews?  It's just across the bridge from Manhatten.  Anyhow, the area was worth a visit just for the completely different feeling and atmosphere.

[Eddie Coyle]

    Don't say "Hey man, give me five!" to this fella:

     

[Bart Ell]

Well we have a new one now. Eat shit, terrists!

Too soon?

[Robert Ghostwolf's Ghost]

The best way to avoid ugly confrontations when you encounter people like this is to put them at ease by making prolonged eye contact and engaging them in small talk.

[attachimg=1]

[yumyumtree]

There used to be a museum of holograms in Greenwich Village.  I missed it because it was closed on Wednesdays and I was there on Wednesday. But if I went back I would like to see it.

There's an interesting sculpture, a mechanical thing that makes sounds, in Penn Station, or there was in the 80s.

I liked eating shish kebabs from those carts on the Museum Mile.

Yes, those blue and white coffee cups.   Nice to know they still have those.