My friend is a 35-year-old businessman from Mexico, and he is going to be visiting the Big Apple soon for the first time. Suggestions?
2007-06-27 06:55:11 · 5 answers · asked by popularest 3 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ New York City
You can't climb up into the Statue of Liberty anymore. Your friend will get an excellent view of the Statue and the Manhattan skyline from the Staten Island Ferry - and, it's free. The ferry that goes to Liberty Island is crowded - there are long lines, and, then there is a long line waiting for a boat to take you off the island - I don't recommend this.
The Staten Island Ferry is downtown - since he is a businessman, he may find walking around Wall Street and the Financial District very interesting (I don't think they give tours of the various stock exchanges anymore). Many tourists like to see the hole that was once The World Trade Center - there is a memorial at St Paul's Chapel at Trinity Church. Also, near the Ferry is Battery Park - there is a free Museum of the American Indian, the old US Customs House. He can easily walk to the South Street Seaport - interesting shops and nice view. He can walk to the World Financial Center (and get some of the best ice cream at Custard Beach) - it's a nice walk on the promenade - benches facing the river - New Yorkers walking, jogging, walking their dogs - interesting walk.
Chinatown is also downtown - wonderful inexpensive restaurants and lots of cheap trinkets and knock-off to buy.
He also should see the expensive shops on Fifth Avenue, ie, Tiffany and Cartier. Nearby is St Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center and Radio City. He can walk from there to Central Park.
My favorite museums are The Museum of Natural History and The Metropolital Museum of Art.
2007-06-27 08:15:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
When we went, we walked from the subway (we came from Ridgewood (I think Queens)) to the WTC site and then to the Staten Island Ferry. We rode the ferry, it was the best view of the Statue of Liberty. Then we just rode it back. It's free both ways. My husband's aunt and uncle are retired NYC cops and they both said that it is the best view on the ferry, even better than going to the island where it is becase then you are too close to it. In order to go in it now you have to make reservations in advance (security purposes). I would definitely recommend trying the italian sausage and knishes from a street vendor. My hubby and kids loved the hot dogs too.
This is just informative but the hubby's uncle will not ride the subway without his gun (the ex-cop 20 years on the force uncle) so be prepared and on guard when riding the subway. While we were there too, his aunt wouldn't let him talk because of his strong southern accent. She warned him that he would be given wrong directions and wind up somewhere he wouldn't want to be.
2007-06-27 14:07:31 · answer #2 · answered by Michelle H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NYC can be a scary place for a first timer without a guide. Tell him to pick up a subway and bus map before he leaves for NY. If hes into southern food, theres this great resturant called Jezzibles located at 630 9th Ave. The food is great. Times square is def a tourist trap, but its lit well at night and perfect for picture ops. Id advise against going to see ground zero, if he does want to see please tell him not to take pics, its a graveyard not a tourist destination.
The statue of liberty is a huge attraction, personally i think its over rated, but if he does want to see it the best view is from Staten Island.
Also if he wants to buy tshirts from vendors on the street, haggle them down to a price your ok to pay. If they say 2 shirts for 20 tell them you only have 15, most of the time they will take it.
As far as food goes, any pizza shop is great, the bagels are the best, and its ok to eat the hotdogs from the carts on the street (there actually pretty damn good)
2007-06-27 14:09:12 · answer #3 · answered by Fenix 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Make reservations for ferry to the Statue of Liberty. This time of the year, climbing to the top is a long line, and very, very hot, so I would personally just walk around the bottom and visit Ellis Island. Then walk around time’s square, Rockefeller Center, etc. Get tickets to a Broadway show. Check out Grand Central station. See a Yankee’s or Met’s game. Go to museums...
2007-06-27 14:06:17 · answer #4 · answered by Robin C 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Standard : Empire state, Staue of Liberty, grand Central, broadway, museums, yankee stadium, central park, zoo, circle line, times square, etc
Fringe: off broadway, off off broadway (lots of fun), Greenich village, Mars2112, jeckle & Hydes
2007-06-27 14:09:13 · answer #5 · answered by jon_mac_usa_007 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋