The registration for RWA 2011 in New York is open, and despite three browsers and twenty minutes of errors, I registered – woo! While I was filling out the hotel information, it occurred to me that I’ve heard in the past that many RWA members are somewhat intimidated by New York City, by Manhattan, by the costs and the geography and the expensiveness and the general confusion of being in a city of 9 million people.
Well, first, take heart: it’s July 4th weekend, so many of the actual New Yorkers will be away. But more importantly, New York City is an awesome city (though today it is rainy and cold and icy and kind of yucky to be outside), and, contrary to popular rumor, New Yorkers are not rude. As Meg Cabot pointed out in her “Lightning Girl” series, they aren’t mean – they’re in a hurry and don’t like to stop. But after many years of living along side New York and commuting in and out, I can tell you, New York is exciting, friendly, and awesome.
In the weeks and months leading up to the conference, I want to do a few PDF guides for visitors for the conference. Places to eat, places to go, ways to get around, and general FAQ, so that when you arrive for the 2011 national conference, you’re as excited as I and many others will be to welcome you to Manhattan. So, got any questions? Concerns? Burning desires to memorize the subway system, or desperate yearning for shopping and exploration? Hit me up with your questions, and I’ll start devising the answers. And if you have suggestions of what those journeying to New York in July might enjoy (a hint: sunscreen is a good idea!) please, drop a comment.
I went to New York briefly in 1994 (which is way too long ago!) on a big US trip from Australia. I loved it. It was vibrant and fast and amazing. I didn’t have any concerns about safety and everyone we spoke to was friendly. Visitors are in for a treat.
Oooh ooh ooh, so excited!
I wasn’t going to go. I had just decided to put my money into editing services for publishing on Kindle and other fluff like retirement accounts, and then I read the SB post this morning and within an hour (that’s how long it took to deal with the RWA website) I had registered for the conference and hotel. Then I eliminated any change of mind by also buying a plane ticket on Virgin. How appropriate! Flying on a virgin to RWA!
I’ve been to NY for business before, but this is ROMANCE business. Bound to be way better. Can’t wait can’t wait can’t wait can’t wait, etc.
Now we shop for shoes, eh?
@Jennifer Estep: Trains (even Amtrak trains) are nothing like airplanes. You may have to wait on line for a while to actually buy your tickets (it’s best to buy them in advance, online, and pick them up at the station). But if you have the tickets in hand, you wait until the track is announced, and then go down to the train tracks. That’s it. No “security,” no semi-strip searches, no hassles, just a quick check that you are actually a ticket holder as you go down to the platform. I’ve literally shown up at the station and raced onto the train as they were ringing the bell. AND you can take as many liquids as you like, and some trains provide outlets for laptops etc. This is why trains are supremely awesome.
Penn Station is 8 blocks south of the conference hotel. As a rule of thumb, 20 blocks (north-south) is one mile, or twenty minutes walk. So you’re under half a mile. If you have luggage, take the subway one stop in the “uptown” direction to Times Square, and you’re there. (It will be faster and cheaper than sitting in a cab in midtown traffic.) If you’re traveling light, you can just walk toward the neon.
Southwest flies into LaGuardia now—I just booked my tickets there.
Maybe a little closer to the date we can compare notes (here or elsewhere) and find people on the same flights to share cabs with.
Still not sure if I’m going or not, I probably should get around to joining RWA in general.
Also, Tea & Sympathy. On 14th and Greenwhich Ave. Little British restaurant and I LOVE IT. ITS AMAZING.
My major concerns have been addressed: how to get from airport to hotel, things to do, how to navigate public transit (I’m a total geek for public transit – I can’t wait to ride the trains!), how much cabs cost if I’m desperate, etc.
But my big question is about cost effective places to eat with veg options. I’m a vegan foodie who’s willing to try tasty, new things, but clearly have restrictions (as stated). This is my first trip to NYC and I’m so stoked that I’ll be there in a handful of months!!! Now if I can only find employment there, I’d never have to leave! 🙂
I’m guessing everyone who’s doubling up in hotel rooms has already done so? I need to locate a message board for people willing to take on a roommate…
Silver James, Susanna Fraser beat me to the blog with the info that Southwest flies into La Guardia. I’ll dropping kids at Camp Gramdma in Ohio, then flying to NY via Baltimore. My roomie is flying St. Louis to NY via Baltimore – so we’ll connect at the USO lounge at BWI!
Great idea to connect inbound attendees – maybe we can all wear something – a pink ribbon? – that indicates we are enroute to the conference. So if you see that something on another traveler, you can ask if they want to share a cab to the hotel.
I’m excited to be in civilization … love paradise but would like a few “live” people to talk about romance.
How fabulous that sounds!
If I were an RWA member, or an actual writer with an agent and stuff, I would go in a heartbeat!
I won a trip to NYC two years ago and it was fantastic. Stayed at the Ritz Central Park which was beyond stunning and once in a lifetime. The Met was unmissable—just the way the Madame X painting is centered in the doorway is arresting. I got to see a modern art auction at Sotheby’s and they let me TOUCH an early Calder mobile that looked like a leafless tree of wire. I made it spin softly and it made the faintest tinkling sound. Damn that was a fantastic trip.
Have lots of fun!!!
My dad’s family lives in NY, so we try to get out there every few years. Though I really wish he’d stop scheduling the trips during summer, where the Humidity tries to hose you down.
Just remember for some touristy things they book up weeks in advance, so if you do have something on your list make sure you book it early. And I believe the current “hot spot” is Williamsburg so it gets very crowded at night. Then there’s Greenwich Village and Chinatown and Coney Island and…it really depends on what interests you the individual, but just know there is great food from almost anywhere in the world somewhere in NY.
And I say this for every conference: When you leave the hotel take off your badge! (Or at least turn it around so your name isn’t showing.) But New Yorkers are as kind as any other city, willing to point you in the right direction; just don’t stop and block traffic, esp around/in the subway stations.
I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and Chicago is still my favorite town, but I loved my three trips to New York City. It has a lot to offer. Go, if you can afford it!
I’d like to know about the best shows to see – what shouldn’t I miss?
Ha! And I got music78
Elisa: One of the most amazing vegan restaurants I’ve ever been to is Angelica Kitchen – near Union Square, on E 12th St in the East Village (I think – a native New Yorker will have to correct me if I’m wrong). The menu will blow your mind. They only take cash payment and don’t serve alcohol, but they are BYO with no corkage fee. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
As an ex-Londoner myself, I loved the sense of purpose in New York, but I did think they were a little less courteous than the average Londoner LOL And none of the the taxi drivers spoke English which I found a little off putting after the London cabbies.
But overall I didn’t feel threatened there at all and there were loads of police around.so it felt very safe. I’m looking forward to going back again. 🙂
Maybe a listing of restaurants for people with food allergies/preferences/etc? I see someone asked for vegan. I’m gluten free and kind of worried about eating. I mean, it’s New York. I’m sure there is gluten food. But where?
Gluten free food, even. You know what I mean.
captcha: anti32. It’s not that I’m anti-gluten—it’s anti-me.
All these eateries are within walking distance from the hotel…
Shake Shack http://shakeshack.com/ makes one of the best burgers in NYC. And try one of the concretes! Very busy but you can always bring food back to the hotel.
Pam Real Thai http://www.pamrealthaifood.com/ is a bit farther away but yummy and inexpensive. Cash only. No frills décor. There are actually a ton of Thai (and other) restaurants on 9th Ave., north of 42nd Street. Stroll over and stop where it looks interesting.
Junior’s http://www.juniorscheesecake.com/our_restaurants/times_square/ is famous for their cheesecake.
Green Symphony for make your own salads. Here are the Yelp reviews. http://www.yelp.com/biz/green-symphony-new-york?rpp=40&sort_by=date_desc
Margon https://margonrestaurant.rapidorders.com/contactus.php for some Cuban.
Vegan http://supervegan.com/results.php?rq=47
And for those willing to venture out to other neighborhoods, check out http://www.yelp.com/nyc and http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/18 for reviews and suggestions.
Elisa, it is very very very easy to be vegetarian/vegan in New York, and the restaurants range in price from very expensive to very cheap, and from very nice places where Gwyneth Paltrow hangs out to total dives.
I have to mention Pure Food and Wine even though it’s very expensive. The food is nothing short of miraculous. It’s a raw food experience with a comfortable atmosphere and worth it if you’re looking for a special night out.
http://oneluckyduck.com/purefoodandwine/
There are Buttitovilles scattered about for cheap mexican with options such as vegetarian sausage and vegan sour cream.
There are also a few Dojo restaurants around and you can’t beat their Soy Burger Dinner with Brown Rice for less than $4.00. They also have a really good avacado sandwhich.
http://www.happycow.net/north_america/usa/new_york/new_york_city/
This is a good starting list, but I’m not sure how often it is updated. Check to make sure the restaurant is still there before making plans. 🙂
Some from the list that I’ve been to are:
Hangawi
Angelica Kitchen (I got a sandwhich there once and it was the best damned sandwhich I’ve ever had)
Candle Cafe
Caravan of Dreams
Kate’s Joint (Diner food!)
Vegetarian Paradise II
One of the Chinese Dim Sum places but I can’t remember which.
Also, New York is ethnic food galore. Indian Row is a street of Indian restaurants on 6th Ave between 1st and 2nd streets. They all have vegetarian menus and will know what your talking about when you say “vegan”. China town restautants usually have a large vegetarian selection, and then Little Italy should be pretty easy to eat in, as well.
That’s supposed to be “Burritoville”, not “Buttitoville”.
Yes, that can be a problem. But nowhere else has taxi-drivers like London’s. As far as I know, no other city in the world has the equivalent of ‘The Knowledge’ exam.
**snerk** Cheryl, thanks for my first audible laugh of the day!
Actually, I DO have a query about RWA NYC, but it’s more about the hotel. My plan is to fly in a week before the conference to do touristy stuff with a friend, who will fly home as I move in to the conference. (Incidentally, I don’t know about domestic flights, but international ones—I’m coming from the UK—are three times cheaper the week before the conference. Seems if you want to fly in less than a week prior to 4th July you pay way more than flying in 10 days in advance).
So I’ve been looking at hotels for that first week (say 22-28 Jun) and they’re astronomical, especially compared with the RWA rooom rate. My question is this: Can I book a room at the Marriott at the RWA room rate for a week before the conference? (A few years ago they got shirty about non-attendees staying in conference accommodation). Will it matter that my roommates will change halfway through (as my non-writer friend goes home and my writer friends arrive for the conference). Will I be charged two separate rates for the same room? Should I/can I book two separate rooms for each week?
Okay, that’s more than one question!
Oh and I wanted to add: I visited NYC half a dozen years ago and got an airport shuttle from JFK to my hotel. SuperShuttle or something, I think. Very cheap, took about an hour in heavy traffic. Do they still do that?
@Rebecca: Thanks for the info. I appreciate it! 😉
Those with iPhones might want to download the FREE ap, The Scoop, which has beaucoup information about everything NYC. I read about it in the NY Times this past weekend, and I think it’s available through the newspaper. Again, it’s FREE, and it’s called, “The Scoop.”
@AgTigress: I took some pride in living on a street in London my cabby had never heard of. I had to give him directions. But since it was 4 am the morning before Christmas Eve, I cut him some slack. 😉 …He did say that he was going to use my address on the other drivers—apparently they quiz each other during their breaks. 🙂
My experience with NYC taxi drivers is: give them the borough, first, and work in from there. (ie, when my sister got stuck without a working subway at Rockefeller Center and a driver for whom English was not his native tongue, I texted her, “Say/repeat until he nods and/or asks for more info: Queens. Astoria. 21st St. Next to the Tri-Borough Bridge.”) Since you’ll probably stay in Manhattan, that’s less important—and we have a grid system so it should be easier to find addresses. But it’s a useful rubric in general when getting or giving directions.
Central Park’s one set of clean and publicly accessible-ish restrooms are in the zoo cafe. I don’t believe a purchase is necessary to get at them.
Everywhere else, there’s Starbucks.
The generic NYC street hotdog is *not* delicious and is as likely to give you something horrible as not. Kebab and other types of street vendor have been higher quality in my experience, should you absolutely require street food. If you must must must buy a hotdog to get the full experience, find a vendor that is broiling the dogs as opposed to boiling—they might even give you grilled peppers and onions if you ask nicely.
@Eliza: I live in Queens, not Manhattan—and even here we have at least two pizzarias that boast to having gluten-free pizzas in their windows. In July, you’ll probably want to be mostly eating salad (or not eating, and just drinking frozen fruit drinks or ice cream) anyway, but definitely ask your server. It helps when places put their menus out where you can scan them before deciding where to go.
also what @Cheryl said—my vegan friend and omnivore me love to go for sushi together.
Argh, so much!
SBSarah—can we create two threads? One for questions and one for answers/locals?
I live *very* close to LGA/La Guardia airport, and I’d like to offer to be an emergency contact for people coming through there if they need one—but that might sound skeezy. Is anyone else thinking they could do that, or am I being a naive non-native?
re: block size, when we first arrived and were trying to get our bearings, my friend (a short woman but a fast walker) said that for the “short” blocks (ie, walking north or south) budget one minute, and for the long blocks (east-west) budget 5. Because I travel with small children, it’s more like 3-5 minutes short and 10 minutes long (it’s the street crossing that adds time)—and that’s non rush-hour times.
If you can avoid traveling public transportation before 9:30am or 4-6 pm, you will not incur the wrath of the vexed commuter and the people traveling with you are more likely to have the time and inclination to offer assistance.
must.stop.posting.
good luck and have fun!
I would have felt quite smug about that, too — it’s very unusual! But the next driver might well have known it. 😉
Reading through this thread, I hope and trust that those who are at all nervous about New York will feel more confident, and will realise what a splendid experience they will have. I haven’t been there for a few years, now, and would love to go back.
Great world cities are much more than ‘a big city in a given country’; they have their own individual atmosphere, and are always a joy to visit again and again, to see and do again the things one has enjoyed before, and to see for the first time the new things, or those one missed on previous visits. They never pall.
Oh, I wish I could go to the conference. I LOVE New York. I visited the wonderful city in ‘09 and found it confusing, exciting, friendly, and I wanted more. The people were great and friendly when I had to stop someone for directions. No one snubbed me or was rude at all. The subway was confusing, but an adventure in and of itself. Even a homeless woman asked me if I needed any help. At least I think she was homeless. Guess she could have just been a real crappy dresser. I want to go back when I have more time to spend in NYC and visit more than just the Empire State Bldg. Someday…..
In regards to the whole gluten-free thing, I highly recommend a trip to Babycakes, a vegan, mostly gluten- and sugar-free bakery on Broome Street. Which, coincidentally, is right around the corner from the Tenement Museum!
During the summer, it’s also just a few blocks to the Hester Street Market, which is fully of goodies, including a misting tent to cool you down on hot days.
@catmarsters: Unfortunately, those are questions that only RWA can answer. If you can’t book at the conference rate, you may be able to find a cheaper hotel and then move to the conference hotel when it’s time. Good luck!
I have to admit that my daughter and I loved Rock of Ages. It rocked! pun intended. And I liked that it was a laid back, wear jeans and a vintage rock shirt, buy a beer while sitting in your seat and drink it during the show, join in the singing type of show. I plan on seeing it again. And Connie was great. They all came out the side door after the show for autographs and pics.
Yes Sarah, I fear you’re right. Unfortunately every other hotel I’ve looked at is at least twice the rate: boo!
I’m going to ride the Megabus from Pittsburgh. The fares for late June aren’t available yet, but the ones for March were great ($3.00 to NYC and $1.00 to Pittsburgh).
Has anyone tried them?
Cat,
Have you looked into hotels in any of the outer boroughs or in NJ? A lot of them would be near public transprotation into Manhatten, and some may even have shuttle service. I did a quick comparison online of rates for a random day in June and compared the hotel where the convention is being held and the Courtyard Marriott in downtown Jersey City and there was a $120 difference in the price, and the JC hotel will probably be more open to haggling. There are subway trains that connect NJ and Manhatten. The route is limited but they do run all night. Would you consider doing a few days at a hostel to cut expenses? Some friends of mine stayed in a NYC hostel once and it was comfy and very clean. You might want to talk to the hotel staff directly about room rates. If the week before is a slow one, they might be willing to give you the room for a reduced rate just to fill it.
Boltbus and Megabus are great – they’re run by greyhound, I think – at any rate clean and with licensed drivers. There’s wi-fi, the bathrooms aren’t too scary, and the prices start out at a dollar but go up as more people buy tickets, so it’s smart to get your tickets as far in advance as possible. There are very few restaurants that don’t have vegetarian options, and vegan is only slightly less easy. In addition to already named places, Gobo is very good vegan food, and that is not a thing I tend to say. In terms of non-hotel places to stay, you can check out craig’s list for apt swaps or vacation rentals. Also, although I cannot for the life of me remember the name, I know there’s a convent in Manhattan where they rent out single rooms – you have to book well in advance because it’s cheap and clean and thus highly sought after. You don’t have to be religious, but you might have to be female. Anyone know where I’m talking about? I just love the idea of the romance convention overflow staying at the convent.
@Cat Marsters: I don’t know what the room rates are for the hotel at the conference, but I’d also suggest looking into hotel options outside of midtown, especially if you’re going to stay for a week. (Being stuck in midtown for a week is terrible in any case. You’re much better off in a pleasanter place.)
Also, be aware that most “hostels” in New York also have private rooms. The Jazz Hostels chain has a good reputation, and according to their website, their Harlem location, Jazz on Lenox (Lenox & 128th St), has private ensuite rooms with a double bed and a twin bed available for $140 a night for the nights you specified. Here’s the website if you want more info:
http://www.jazzhostels.com/jazzonthelenox.php
Friends of mine also liked the Hotel Newton, on Broadway and 95th St. which has the advantage of being right by a (newly renovated) express subway stop. Their rates are also around $140 a night for a double, if that’s competitive. Check out: http://www.thehotelnewton.com
Hope this helps.
I’ve only lived in NY for several months, so I don’t have much to info to share. But I want to offer two tidbits:
1) Bryant park is my favourite NY place. It has nice green shade, lots of place to sit, lots of books to read while sitting there. Tasty food to buy. Pretty buildings around the park to stare at. NY Public Library to hide from the heat, free musical concerts at noon, free moves at night. But the best of all – Le Carousel! who wouldn’t want to ride a cat or a frog while listening to cheerful French music? 🙂
2) some museums has a suggested price, and nobody really look at me disapprovingly when I pay only 5 dollars and spend only half an hour there.
Someone refered to a convent that rents out rooms very reasonably. It is Leo House, on West 23rd Street, between 8th and 9th Avenue, The subway is on the corner, two stops to 42nd Street and a block walk over to Times Square. A friend stayed there a number of years ago and said it was a great value.
I love Amtrak, and the exit from the Amtrak portion of Penn Station is on 32nd St and 8th Avenue. The other parts of the train station has commuter trains from Long Island, and links to subway lines.
If you are traveling in by bus, if you bus comes in to the 42nd
St Port Authority you will be very close to Times Square. The bus terminial spans 40th to 42nd St, from 8th Avenue to 9th Avenue. It is huge.
I am a dedicated mass transit user, and love our NYC transit system. One thing to keep in mind is that the subways were originally all privately owned and built. They were all in competition with each other and they were not connected.
Now all of the lines connect, you can ride any place within the system for the same fare, but some of the transfers will
be very awkward, up stairs, down corridors, down stairs, you get the idea.
A fabulous museum is the Transit Museum located in Brooklyn, near Boerum Place.. If you stay at the Brooklyn Marriot, you will be able to walk there, but is near all subways and is definitly worth the trip. They have old trains spanning the history of the transit system, and the docents are retired train operators that love their job. The museum is underground in a retired train station and it is usually cooler than the outside temperation, which is a benefit in NYC’s July heat.
I am so disappointed I can’t attend this year, but we moved to California late in 2009 and I just can’t swing another trip to NYC. We’ve been flying our kids out here several times a year, plus we celebrated our 25th anniversary by flying to Europe for a few weeks, and we have an east coast wedding in early June, so it’s just not in the stars. I’ll just have to wait ‘til Anaheim next year.
That being said, as a born-and-bred NYer, NY is awesome—greatest city in the world—NYers are the nicest people on the planet—no one should feel intimidated at all.
And, after living here in Cali for over a year now, I would KILL for a Sabrett—who was dissin’ the Sabretts?—seriously, the second I land in NY for the wedding I’m getting a Sabrett, a knish,a REAL bagel, a slice of REAL pizza and a black and white cookie. Outside of my family and friends, those are the things I miss the most.
So jealous of all who are attending. NYC & RWA would be awesome. I’ll just have to live it vicariously this year. :~(