Visiting NYC in April! Advice/tips wanted.....

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  Feb 08, 2012 1:53 AM GMT

  I will be coming to the East Coast in April. I will be spending a week in Parsippany NJ in the middle of April for work and am planning to stay a few extra days in NYC since the company is paying for the plane ticket.
  I have a few questions for you guys that visit NYC frequently or live there.
  
  1) What part of/where in NYC should I stay? (reasonable in cost but nice and close to the subway/attractions...basically an easy location for getting around)
  
  2) What are some cool/fun things to do besides the usual touristy stuff (hidden gems, local favorites, places outside the norm)
  
  3) What are some good restaurants, bars, clubs hangouts? (Unique, interesting, cool atmosphere)
  
  Any advice and tips are welcomed and greatly appreciated!!! I haven't been to NYC in almost 10 years and I'm excited to visit again (this time I will be of legal drinking age and on my own, booyah)
  
  Can't wait to hear from you guys!!

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  Feb 08, 2012 2:05 AM GMT

  Sounds like a very good reason to plan a meetup for NYC in April.
  
  Keep us apprised of your travel dates and we (NY area RJ'ers) will try to plan a get together and maybe show you some of the nicer (and naughtier) bits of town.
  
  Tracking this thread for future ref. ;)

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  Feb 08, 2012 2:41 AM GMT

  AlphaTrigger saidSounds like a very good reason to plan a meetup for NYC in April.
  
  Keep us apprised of your travel dates and we (NY area RJ'ers) will try to plan a get together and maybe show you some of the nicer (and naughtier) bits of town.
  
  Tracking this thread for future ref. ;)

  
  
  
  
  That sounds cool AlphaTrigger. Thanks for checking out my thread and throwing the idea of an RJ'er Meet up out there.
  
  The dates as of right now:
  --Arrive in Parsippany, NJ on April 16th.
  --Head to NYC on Friday the 20th.
  --Fly out of NYC on Tuesday the 24th.

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  Feb 08, 2012 2:44 AM GMT

  Don't go to Brooklyn as there are way to many Jews there.

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  Feb 08, 2012 3:33 AM GMT

  Difara pizza in Brooklyn is by far the best pizza in the world!

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  Feb 08, 2012 3:38 AM GMT

  AlphaTrigger saidSounds like a very good reason to plan a meetup for NYC in April.
  

  
  
  Totally thought the same thing! Late April sounds really good for me to trek out to the apple most biggest.

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  Feb 08, 2012 3:42 AM GMT

  Oh and count me in for the meet up if I'm not stuck at work

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  Feb 08, 2012 4:09 AM GMT

  Just checking to see if anyone has suggestions for my original post? Would love to get some input so I can start planning and booking my hotel!!

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  Feb 08, 2012 4:16 AM GMT

  I went to spin recently. It's a pretty cool bar where you eat drink and play ping pong. I also like fat cat quite a bit. They are not gay bars though, I dont know any good gay bars

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• waccamatt
  
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  Feb 08, 2012 4:20 AM GMT

  Stay in Manhattan - it will be worth the extra money - check hotwire 2-4 weeks before and don't stay in less than a 3 1/2 star. Midtown, Chelsea, the Village, Central Park and even downtown are ok to stay - wherever you get a good deal. I wouldn't stay right in Times Square. I personally love staying close to Central Park.

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  Feb 08, 2012 4:21 AM GMT

  I don't care if the places, bars, clubs etc. are gay or not. I just like cool and interesting establishments. Especially because where I live is devoid of anything real cool or different.
  
  Thanks for the suggestions Cakelion. I will write those down to remember for later.

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• jock5827
  
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  Feb 08, 2012 4:24 AM GMT

  joelryn saidJust checking to see if anyone has suggestions for my original post? Would love to get some input so I can start planning and booking my hotel!!

  
  
  There are several hotels that recently sprung up in the West 20s near Penn Station. The rooms are not big, but they are close to most of the major subway lines and you'll avoid some of the "charming" vermin that can ruin a stay in a more historic hotel. You could also look at places in downtown Brooklyn or just across the Hudson in Hoboken. And if you're really on a budget, you could try something like Airbnb (allows you to rent a room for a short stay in a private home).
  
  April is a good time to visit because you'll be well ahead of the summer tourists and you'll get to enjoy the city before it gets all steamy and gross. If I were you, I'd pack a comfortable pair of sneakers and see as much of NYC as you can on foot. It was built for pedestrians (case in point, the High Line redevelopment), and you'll stumble across some of the cooler restaurants and stores that way. Have fun!
  
  

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  Feb 08, 2012 4:25 AM GMT

  waccamatt saidStay in Manhattan - it will be worth the extra money - check hotwire 2-4 weeks before and don't stay in less than a 3 1/2 star. Midtown, Chelsea, the Village, Central Park and even downtown are ok to stay - wherever you get a good deal. I wouldn't stay right in Times Square. I personally love staying close to Central Park.

  
  
  
  Thanks for the suggestions waccamatt! Will definitely look into hotels in Manhattan. I have no desire to stay right in Times Square so luckily I can cross that off of my list of areas to stay.
  
  Keep those suggestions and advice rolling guys!

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  Feb 08, 2012 4:29 AM GMT

  Thanks jock5827, that will give me some places to check out!

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  Feb 08, 2012 4:30 AM GMT

  Well "reasonable" and NYC hotel are rarely heard in the same sentence, but my ex likes the Affinia on 7th ave & 31st street when he visits. It's diagonally across from Penn Station so right near major subway lines, easy cabs, etc. Not the quietest of neighborhoods, but certainly convenient.
  
  You almost definitely want to be on the western half of Manhattan (west of 5th avenue and below 60th) if you plan to visit many gay bars as that is where they are concentrated. The subways do run all night but can be confusing especially late nights/weekends when service is reduced, and cabs are not that hard to get but they aren't cheap either.
  
  If you want something a little trendier check out the Maritime, the Standard and the Dream Hotel in the Meat-Packing District, and even if you don't stay there, you should check out this area. it's very happening right now, and the Highline Park on a nice day is a must (it's a park built on an old elevated railway line so you can walk from the MPD to 30th street without ever waiting for a light, plus good people-watching, changing art exhibits, etc. Also a short walk from there is the renovated waterfront with a sunbathing lawn, bike paths, etc., which is also good for eye candy in nice weather.
  
  Most of the mid-range national chains also have locations in the city (Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, etc.) however read reviews carefully as this is not always an indicator of a great place.
  
  A lot of the gay stuff is concentrated on 8th Ave between say 14th and 28th streets and on 9th between 45th and 57th. The latter is adjacent to Times Square and the theater district which is loud and cheesy but most people who visit want to see it at least once. I probably wouldn't stay there if you are a light sleeper, and there are cheaper places further downtown.
  
  The newest gay rage is the OUT hotel which is connected to John Blair's new XL club, the first biggish new nightclub in the city in a long time. I'm not 100% sure the hotel is open yet but it should be by April. That's on W42nd St. Not right in the middle of things but a tolerable walk to 9th Avenue in Hell's Kitchen where some of the trendier bars and restaurants are (as mentioned above)
  
  In that same neighborhood there is a new hotel called Yotel modeled after Japanese capsule hotels. I don't know what these places cost; just giving you some ideas.
  
  If you are interested in anything in particular besides bars (historic stuff, particular shopping) give us some ideas what your interests are. There is a little of everything in NYC.
  

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• kolkii
  
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  Feb 08, 2012 4:37 AM GMT

  pool + hotel =
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  dream hotel pool party though a) probly too cold but sure to be speedos, b) party keeps moving to keep it "local" vibe sans tourists..
  
  rule of thumb hell's kitchen > chelsea in terms of the better bars that locals prefer to go, enjoy!
  
  
  check out the highline, then stop over the standard hotel / le bain just so you can say you took a piss/crap at the bathroom with the best view while doing #1 or 2
  
  
  
  

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  Feb 08, 2012 4:42 AM GMT

  Good god you know a lot about the city. I need to ask you what to do when I'm bored and feel like crossing the bridge

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  Feb 08, 2012 4:45 AM GMT

  Ariodante said

  AlphaTrigger saidSounds like a very good reason to plan a meetup for NYC in April.
  

  
  
  Totally thought the same thing! Late April sounds really good for me to trek out to the apple most biggest.

  
  
  I should be in the area too!

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  Feb 08, 2012 4:45 AM GMT

  njmeanwhile.....Thanks a TON for taking the time to write everything that you did. I'm now starting to get a direction for planning.
  
  As far as interests....I really like it all. I do particularly like historical places/tours related to the cities I visit. I enjoy learning and seeing their history and getting an better idea of how they came to be. Arts and museums are always fun too.
  
  To help you guys out I will tell you places I have already been in NYC:
  
  -Metropolitan Museum
  -Columbia
  -Bronx Zoo
  -Rockefeller Plaza
  -Waldorf Historia
  -Times Square (wouldn't mind seeing again)
  -Central Park (will probably go again)
  
  The first time I went to NYC it was shortly after 9/11 and I didn't get the chance to do many things because of security.
  
  Things I'm contemplating:
  
  -Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island
  -Empire State building

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  Feb 08, 2012 4:47 AM GMT

  This is great guys!! Keep it coming!! I'm making notes as we go.

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• kolkii
  
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  Feb 08, 2012 4:49 AM GMT

  ton of sex parties in the city, best ones are the hardest to find ie ranging from private invite only to public young frat/jock only parties to bears, to mixed bag whatever your liking...
  
  feeling pg 13 and want your tourist fix without being too fanny pack-ish?
  
  ferzabuta has some cool interactive theater, expect to get wet.. they do a gay version thursdays... cheap? goldstar . com
  
  
  
  
  

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  Feb 08, 2012 4:49 AM GMT

  While I mentioned wanting to see a couple of the major touristy sites, I really enjoy going to authentic places as well.

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• nomadfornow
  
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  Feb 08, 2012 6:34 AM GMT

  If you're going to try to go to Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, make sure you plan it well in advance.
  
  njmeanwhile pretty much hit the nail on the head with his recommendations... not a whole lot I can think of to add to that, but I'll mull it over and see if anything else comes to mind for ya.

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  Feb 08, 2012 9:06 AM GMT

  FOOD
  
  lol I can't believe no one said that!
  
  The best NYC has to offer isn't its tourist attractions.. its food! You can get whatever you want, whenever you want.
  
  If you aren't from a place with a lot of gay people, add Cafeteria or Elmo to your list for a late dinner. It's an awesome mix and almost exclusively gay
  
  Lombardi's pizza is amazing and that whole area down in little italy is full of great places to eat and shop.
  
  You should definitely go to China town and find some authentic asian food. I don't mean that americanized version you're used to... find an asian restaurant and be the only American in there to know you're somewhere good.
  
  I'll go to a meet up....Ariodante, does this smell like chloroform?

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• calibro
  
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  Feb 08, 2012 9:18 AM GMT

  just don't ask jake benson to hang out if you don't already know him
  

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