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.
There is so much going on in the summer in NYC if people traveiing in for the conferece have te time, they might want to plan to stay extra to sightsee or for vacation-type activities.
Sarah, this is awesome. I’m one of those people who’ve never visited NYC and neither has my roomate. I think your post is a fab idea!
We’re going a little early to do some sightseeing, but we really only have one day to hit the high points. When we were in DC, we did a trolley tour and got on and off and it was great. Would love to do something similar in NY – any that you would recommend?
Other than that, I plan to just go and soak it all in. Sometimes the best stuff happens when you don’t plan it and opportunities pop up.
(best Arnold Horshak imitation) Oooh, ooooh! (/unjustified nostalgia) Can we send them to all the places we would never think of going? (Virgil’s, The Hard Rock, that pseudo-SCA place in TS? They can visit Mars 2112 on the weekend, though; the food is decent and the location is underappreciated.)
YES! This is my official entry for the free round trip + hotel + conference fee for RWA contest!
What?
There’s no such contest?
Aw, nuts.
Airport(s) to hotel door. That’s the only thing I want firmly set before I leave. Everything else I can wing.
I’m terrified. Also my husband and youngest son will be running amok through the city, freed from being pinned under my overprotective thumb while I hide behind the potted palms in the hotel lobby, so I’ll be doubly terrified. Our capital city of 42,000 people gives me anxiety and we don’t even have a subway.
Just please, no matter how much I beg, nobody give me any alcohol.
No, No, Shannon, you have that wrong! You need LOTS & LOTS of alcohol and someone friendly to guide you from event to event. That way you won’t be feeling any anxiety (or pain either)! Just stay in the hotel and hide from those nasty (eh, I mean busy, self-absorbed, arrogant….don’t mind me I just lived in upstate NY for a while and we have a …difficult… relationship with the city that believes it’s the center of the universe). If you do venture out, bring a subway map, money for a taxi, and comfortable walking shoes. The museums are great and used to tourists, the waiters are mostly arrogant, everything is hideously expensive, and its a fun place to visit.
I love NYC! It is worth the time and expense to travel from Honolulu. Having visted other large (and more expensive) cities in Europe, Asia, and even Africa, NCY is a piece of cake becuase it it a slice of America! There are plenty of no cost/low cost tourist attractions (and bagel shops) that it won’t break the bank.
But I concur with Carrie Lofty – I just want to know how to get from the airport to the hotel!
I’m a cheap, cheap drunk. One makes me sociable, two makes me obnoxiously silly and three makes me dance on the tables.
We spent five years at Plattsburgh AFB, but my only experience with NYC is digging my fingernails into the door panel while drive through it on the highway as fast as possible.
The only thing that’s a definite on the agenda is a day trip to the Intrepid for my guys. Other than that they’re winging it, which kills my control-freak streak.
Airport to hotel: worst part of the journey. I’ll make a note to include that. You can fly into JFK or Newark, but the majority will likely be flying into LGA/La Guardia, yes?
You know, I’d really like to go this year, but it looks like it takes place during the week. not on the weekend like I originally thought, and, while I’m definitely interested in writing, I’m still working full time, so it looks like a no-go.
It would boil down to – go to NYC for this conference in July or go back over to Oxford for a few days in August to take in a few lectures and a RSC play (and some awesome pubs). Guess which one I’m going with 😀
Maybe next year 🙁
My burning question would be: is there a jeans & sneakers diner-esque place nearby if somebody just wants a cheeseburger and a decent cup of coffee?
Airport to the hotel: If you’re flying solo into Kennedy, and don’t have really heavy luggage, take the Airtrain to either the subway or the Long Island Rail Road. Cheaper than a taxi by far.
I’d include a round-up of the city’s best coffee places – coffee here has gotten really freaking good recently. (Cafe Grumpy, Joe, Stumptown, Blue Bottle…)
I’d also make sure to encourage people to get out of Manhattan for an afternoon – maybe check out Prospect Park, or even get out to places like the Noguchi Museum in Queens.
Maybe a list of good, not-annoying places to go in Midtown? I find those to be hard to spot, and I’ve lived here for almost 10 years. Also a list of awesome, reasonable restaurants (Frankies Spuntino, the Momofuku Ssam and Noodle Bars, Caselulla, Cascabel, Torrisi, Txikito, happy hour at Schiller’s) would probably be welcome.
Maybe also suggestions for less touristy tourist stuff, like the LES Tenement Museum, food walking tours (Can you say Doughnut Plant and bialys?), The Cloisters, Governor’s Island, the Cooper-Hewitt, Neue Galerie – stuff that’s a bit off the beaten path, but still very New York.
the nyc conference usually has great parties! and there is so much to do. but sometimes just walking around is a blast. (it’s my hometown, okay???) but since a lot of the publishers are in town, they do more, so check your schedules.
Another upstate New Yorker weighing in here to say don’t listen to the naysayers! I think NYC has adapted beautifully to tourists over the years and I promise people aren’t as mean as you’ve heard. Like Sarah said, they’re all just in a hurry, and that’s the biggest adaptation newcomers need to make—when you walk, walk fast! And don’t forget that even in these tough economic times there are many, many affordable sightseeing options available, among them the major museums, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building—and the list goes on and on… My personal favorite trip takes me right to the TKTS booth in Times Square, where you can buy half-price “day of” theater tickets for both Broadway and off-Broadway shows. Remember, this is the theater capital of the world, and it just so happens that the conference hotel is right smack dab in the middle of it!
And Sarah, maybe a brief primer on how the streets and avenues around the conference site work might be helpful. Or how about a shopping guide listing the biggies??
When I was in NYC, I flew into LaGuardia. Once I picked up my luggage (one rolling suitcase, one overnight bag), I got on the van from the airport to Grand Central Station ($25). From there, I got a subway ticket to the stop closest to my hotel and walked from there to the hotel. Entire trip? Around $28. A taxi to the hotel? About $60. (When I went back, I just reversed the process.)
There were lots of signs in the airport, directing me to the transport area and plenty people to ask once I got there. As for Grand Central, the lady at the subway ticket window was very nice about making sure I knew which train to get on. No one bothered me the entire route, even while I was rolling my suitcase along like a puppy on a leash. I realize, though, that people bring a LOT of luggage to the RWA convention. So my method may not work for most of you.
Sarah, you are an angel. Airports to Hotel! YESYESYESYESYES! Especially the easiest ways with luggage! Given that I want to fly Southwest, directions from Newark and from Long Island/ISP (I think it’s MacArthur Airport?) and which would be easiest/cheapest transport from airport to hotel would be hugely appreciated!
Heh! Spamword: hotel44 That pretty much sums it up! ($44 to the hotel?)
I’m not sure how close everyone is, but I’m about 4 hours away, and I would say that in many places, if you’re willing to spend a little bit more time traveling, taking a bus to NYC might be a better option for some. Not only is it cheaper, but the bus may drop you somewhere more convenient to get to your hotel. Obviously this isn’t for people like 12 hours out, but for those not much farther south than DC/VA, it’s a good option.
New York City is a terrific place: I always feel at home there. Maybe it’s because I’m a Londoner! Londoners are often falsely accused of being rude or uncaring, too, but just because they don’t say ‘good morning’ to any of the 5,465 people they encounter every morning on the way to work doesn’t mean that they are not kind and helpful in a crisis. I think the same is true of New Yorkers (think of the acts of selfless heroism in response to terrorist atrocities in both cities). As a Londoner, I endorse the advice to walk purposefully; also, don’t make eye contact with strangers on the street.
There are wonderful, world-class museums and galleries, great shops, fascinating architecture, Central Park — the only problem is to fit enough of these things in when attending a conference! I played hooky from the 2003 RWA conference in NY more than once to get back to the Metropolitan Museum for the umpteenth time, and the Natural History Museum, and the Brooklyn Museum, and… well, you get the picture. But the conference was great, too. Wish I could go there again. 🙂
oh, i read some of your comments and i hear a lot of fear about NYC – the people are very nice! in terms of crime, you’re in Manhattan, a well to do area. Plenty of cops around on the streets. Really, I’ve gone walking in Central Park after midnight (with lots of other people lol). Just stick with a buddy or two. I’ve been to NYC during July 4 weekend, since my sister lives in Manhattan, and there’s lots of stuff for kids: top of the Empire State Bldg, Southstreet Seaport, Statue of Liberty, boat rides on the Hudson, street fairs and vendors all over (don’t buy on the street and be sure to haggle!! and walk if they don’t play). taxis all over, just step to the curb and raise your hand and wave like the queen. an available cab will have their light on. they do drive fast, so hold on to the strap. streets are a grid system so it’s easy to find your way. it’s much more logical than Pittsburgh (for ex. – nothing personal, Pitt!) and the shopping if great. all over but there’s lots on 5th ave. and remember 57th st. is a major two way street and you can always find your way back from there. the buses on 57th will take you from one side of Manhattan to another. Macy’s is at 42nd street and Broadway or 5th – can’t remember. It is a madhouse, just sayin. There are plenty of deli type and coffee shops just like Seinfeld. Broadway at midnight is amazing to behold. Drinks can be pricey so just go to a liquor store (they’re all over) and buy your wine for the hotel room. if you are in a bar, DO NOT go off with any strangers. Don’t be stupid, okay? Getting to and from airport is easy, and the taxis don’t rip you off. just act like you know what’s happening. one way will cost between 25-50$. Share with a friend and split the cost. I know there are cheap buses you can take. my dad usually takes the 104 bus up broadway to 106th st., then catches the M50 bus which takes you to Laguardia. you can do the same route by bus from Lag to Manhattan, but it could be confusing. Just ask people. I’ll be coming up from d.c. and staying with my sister who lives near david letterman studio. can’t wait! and yes, i was born there!
p.s. re money – you needs lots of single bills and quarters if you use the bus or subway. and yes, tip the taxi drivers and anyone who carries your bags at hotel. tips at restuarants is usually 20 percent.
We’re thinking of taking Amtrak. Then a taxi to the hotel, because we have luggage. How much for a taxi from the train station? What percent or set fee do you tip cabs in NY? $1/bag at the hotel? I guess I’ll stuff my purse with ones.
I’d love to know what is in the neighborhood around the hotel. Restaurants, shops, theatres, regular street vendors, etc.
I see in another comment that there is a ticket booth in Times Square for 1/2 price show tickets. Do we take the subway from the hotel to get there? I’m assuming Subway maps are easy to come by. How much is the Subway?
Thanks for doing this. It’s a big help.
Thanks so much! I’d like to get a sense of the neighborhood around the hotel – coffee, shopping, light meals. I’d also like to get to Ellis Island for a day, and would appreciate some advice on safe, cost-effective ways to get there.
Ok, I know I’m gonna sound like a smalch, but is there any specific gift you would like as a thank you for these guides? This is gonna be my first trip out of Africa and you have manged to smother at least 5 potential mini panic attacks (the normal cure is standing in a book shop and breathing for half an hour, which isn’t so bad, but it can get expensive) just by mentioning doing them.
It is a seriously nice idea.
Actually, the buses do NOT take bills, and subways do not take coins at all. Buy a Metrocard at any subway station (either from the vendor or the machines) and refill as necessary. Re: a comment further up the thread about sight-seeing: there ARE the “hop on hop off” type double decker tourist buses in New York, and if you are in the Times Square area there are lots of shills for them. They are UNIFORMLY HATED by New Yorkers, because they clog traffic, and make unpredictable stops (speaking as a bicyclist, I hate them especially because they have no compunction about going in bike lanes), and also because they broadcast their annoying announcements NON-STOP, so if you happen to live along one of their routes you get VERY sick of them. They also cost about $40 a person. A MUCH better and cheaper option is to get an unlimited metrocard (usable for both subway and bus) and “hop on and off” a regular city bus, going in any direction. You get to sit by the window and watch the sights, AND you get real New Yorkers, for free inside the bus.
Re: off the beaten path touristy things, I firmly second the Tenement Museum that someone mentioned (great for lovers of historical romance). For foodies, I’d suggest Zabar’s on the Upper West Side. And for a truly romantic sight, walk out onto Pier 45 (Hudson River and Christopher Street) on Sunday or Wednesday evening at sunset, to see couples dancing tango on the water, with the Statue of Liberty silhouetted in the background. In fact, the entire park along the Hudson River is lovely for biking, roller blading, or just strolling, and the summer river festival is usually in swing then, with free outdoor concerts and movie screenings, as well as lots of outdoor dance venues. For July 4 weekend of course there are also fireworks. I don’t know whether the main ones will be on the Hudson or the East River this year, but either way it’s something to see. Oh, and the view of the Brooklyn Bridge from South Street Seaport is also classically romantic. (Think lots of movies.) And of course there is the Staten Island Ferry, absolutely the BEST way to see the Statue of Liberty, and absolutely free. (Also the classic ride taken by Meg Ryan in “Working Girl.”) To get to the ferry, and also the boats to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, just take the 1 train to the last station, aptly named “South Ferry.” There are also a bunch of museums around that area (battery park), and it’s within easy walking distance of South Street Seaport.
Newark Airport: There is a bus that drops you at the Port Authority Bus Terminal (42nd St and 8th Avenue – just one block west of Times Square and the hotel) which costs about $30 each way. A taxi will be double that. (Reminder: taxis have a FIXED RATE from the airports into Manhattan, not including bridge tolls and tip.)
Final note (for now, unless I think of more): Regularly updated subway and bus maps are FREE at all subway stations (unless they’ve run out). Don’t bother spending a lot of money for a teeny tiny wallet sized one unless you want it as a souvenir.
Sorry to babble. I love this place, and am always proud to show it off. (Must admit that midtown is probably my least favorite area, since it’s too monumental for my taste, but you actually can get out of the 34th-59th Street area pretty easily. The blocks are much shorter than Chicago, and easily walkable.)
P.S. If anyone is interested in the actual Tom’s Diner, from Seinfeld, take the 1 train in the opposite direction, to 110th Street, and walk one block north to 111th St. and Broadway. The food is truly terrible, but it’s next to a really awesomely good supermarket (West Side Markets), and near two cool independent book stores (Bank Street Book Store – for kids, and Morningside Books), and also the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and the campus of Columbia University (featured in “The Mirror Has Two Faces” and the 1968 riots) which is by Mckim Meade White, and worth a look. It’s a neighborhood with a bit of a student vibe, and tons of really good places to eat, so after you look at Tom’s, go eat anywhere else.
@Teresa re the TKTS booth: if you’re staying at the convention hotel you’re in Times Square. The TKTS booth is also in Times Square, so be brave, hustle your way through the throngs of people and walk right up to the window!
Also, I’m not sure some of you realize just how many restaurants, diners, coffee shops, street vendors and other purveyors of food there are in Manhattan! They are literally everywhere you look, and you can probably find any kind of cuisine you want within walking distance. And not all restaurants are super-expensive. I saw The Lion King last Sunday, and my pre-show lunch, a delicious New York style pizza and 2 drinks at John’s on 44th St., cost less than $20!
I’d like to know touristy, rube stuff about Amtrak since there is no public transportation where I live. How many hours beforehand do you have to show up to go through security and catch the train? One hour? Two? And Penn Station is only 1 mile from the conference hotel, right?
Also, what touristy things are worth doing and which ones aren’t? Empire State Building? Statue of Liberty? Visiting the NY public library? And good eats. Always on the lookout for info about good eats. 😉
“the Cooper-Hewitt, Neue Galerie” – OH YES. I love the Cooper-Hewitt. It never gets enough love, but it’s always so amazing to tour. And am I alone in having favorite paintings to visit at the Met?
These are all awesome questions and suggestions.
@shannonstacey: No question, yes, there are jeans-appropriate coffee places everywhere. Restaurants, too. Never fear. Casual is your friend.
Strange but true – we travel to from mellow northern California to NYC as often as possible. We have even braved it with our 4 year old (3 times now!) and love it.
My question is about the conference. Is it ok for readers? I mean not -in-the-industry types?
Here’s my opinion, which I think is pretty valid because I’m not a New Yorker, so I’m good with the touristy stuff, but I don’t live that far away, so I’ve been to NYC many times. Empire State building is cool to see from the skyline or maybe pass by and say “Oh cool – that’s the empire state building,” but going up to the top was just… going up to the top of a very tall building. You’ve done it once, you’ve done it a million times. But that’s just me, if you want to get a large scale view of New York, go for it.
I don’t think they were letting people actually into the Statue of Liberty when I was last in Ellis Island, but that was years ago, so who knows now. I was always really into the performing arts, so seeing Broadway and Radio City Music Hall was awesome to me and I absolutely adored seeing the Metropolitan Opera House. I LOVED seeing St Patrick’s Cathedral the one time I went there, but that’s because my brother and I both just took an Art History class with the same teacher so we were psyched by the architecture.
Okay so remember when I said I know what I’m talking about with tourist spots? I lied. That’s total bullshit – it’s all on what interests you the most.
But the valid advice I would give is to not try to run all over the city in just a few days trying to catch everything, You just won’t enjoy yourself. Pick maybe one or two touristy things to do, then just explore your area a little bit.
Again, not a New Yorker, just a somewhat experienced tourist, so I don’t know of any great restaurants, but I can tell you that any restaurant that looks like it’s swarmed with tourists probably isn’t the best place to eat.
Aww – I was trying to add to the end (but apparently I hit submit somehow instead) – I hope I haven’t offended any actual New Yorkers on here by talking out of my butt
This will be my first trip to NYC!! I want to go shopping!! Clothes and shoes and purses!!! Need shopping guide!! (Could I use more exclamation points?)
And of course I’ll be doing all the touristy stuff, like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State building, and the MET.
I. Can’t. Wait.
Honestly, I’ve never had an airport-to-hotel experience half as bad as Orlando . . . NY is so easy: Get in cab. Give cabbie address. It’s a flat fee, and you’re DONE.
The only thing I find hard is deciding where to eat (too many fab options!!!), LOL!
Another Upstate New Yorker popping in – (and by that it means anyone NOT living in Westchester County and below)-
Here’s my addition to the things to do list- esp for those with spouses and kids going who may just be a bit on the geeky side. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
It’s an electronics store the likes of which you have not seen. It is the only brick and mortar one they have- everything else is online worldwide- about $10mil a day in sales is the average. However, they are closed Fridays from 2pm until Sunday morning to observe the Sabbath.
You walk in one door to a place you can buy anything, where everyone in their departments knows what they are talking about (no Best Buy wonders here), where there’s a dolly system that runs throughout and takes purchases to their final stop. We go at least twice a year just to play and buy online from the exclusively. (Really, when my ipod from there got run over by a car, they REPLACED it. Apple wanted nothing to do with it,even tho is was under their warranty still AND it had popped off the clip from Apple. Who else would do that?). They have an awesome “used” store upstairs- where much of the stuff is brand new.
It’s my fave tourist spot. And people do come from all over the world to go there.
Has anyone mentioned Ellis Island??
Just for the heck of it, take a ferry ride to Jersey and back.
As a local I can safely say Islip/McArthur is not your first choice airport. They haven’t connected it to the LIRR, so you would need a cab to the train,(and even off peak is over $10 now) and then it’s over an hour to Penn Station in the city (@ 33rd street) and then about 10 blocks to Times Square ( so another cab). Closer to the city airports are better set up to get you there.
Having said that, I get a thrill every time I walk out of Penn, and it’s THE CITY. Right in front of MSG, across from Fuse TV, a few steps and it’s Project Runway. What a rush.
I know inexpensive eating has been mentioned. I would suggest avoiding Serendipity- we have mever gotten in because of the wait time and crowds. (They didn’t take reservations, and it is a tiny little place.) We rather take visitors to Elaine’s Stardust Diner ( the other end of Times Square.) A friend was shocked that a deli sandwich was $14- I told her I’d take her someplace the sandwich was $14- and you wouldn’t care. This is the place where the wait staff are actors/singers /dancers and perform all over the joint-literally. On the backs of the booths. railings, you never know. We’ve seen people just off Broadway or are leaving for Broadway and have always had a great time.
Also if you walk away from Time Square to 6th or 8th even the fastfood places get less exspensive. The Times Square McDonald’s is unique, but you pay a premium to eat there.
For those trying to do NYC on a budget, has anyone mentioned the Staten Island Ferry? It’s a free scenic ride past the Statue of Liberty.
Also, there is a sex museum. That one isn’t free, but I think group rates are available.
http://www.museumofsex.com
Another wonderful museum is The Cloisters. It’s small so you can get through it pretty quickly.
http://www.metmuseum.org/cloisters/
NYC is actually very easy to navigate. For the most part, the streets are laid out in a nice orderly grid and if your confused people are always willing to help you out. A lot of times the hardest thing is coming out of the subway and trying to decide which direction you need to walk in, and people are always willing to point you in the right direction.
I am a lifelong New Yorker, born here, still live here.
NYC is safe. Anyplace tourists generally congregate is even safer, as the NYPD is extremely evident.
Things to know before you come. If you can, get your flight into JFK if you want to save on taxi fares. There is the AIRTrain, previously mentioned. The cost is $5.00 plus the cost of the subway (2.25) or commuter rail ticket.
If you fly into LaGuardia, there is no easy public transporation
(it can be done by the truly intrepid) so most people take a cab into the city. A cab will fit upto four people if you are traveling in a group and they do not charge per head, it is a flat rate plus tolls and tips. Credit/debit cards are accepted in NYC cabs.
At JFK, LAG and Newark, if you take a licensed cab the dispatcher will tell you what your flat rate fare will be, plus tolls as tips.
Get on line and explore hopstop.com. It is the best way to find directions for public transportation. DO NOT BUY MAPS.
The transit system is under constant repair and had major route adjustments in 2010 so most tourist books and maps do not apply as they are out of date, and work related disruptions escalate on the weekends.
I am not familiar with McArther/Islip Airport, but it is not convenient to NYC, you will have to take a private limo (not regulated). I have heard there is a jitney to a commuter train station, Lake Ronkankama which is considered a long commute for those who do it daily.
Remember that NYC is densely populated, So even if your logic tells you that LaGuardia is only a few miles away from Midtown Manhattan, it will take more than 10 minutes to get from point A to B. Manhattan is an island, every airport means
a bridge or tunnel crossing.
I’m a Bostonian and always will be but I’ve lived in Brooklyn for about a decade now and I must say that I love – no, I’d even go so far as to admit that I heart New York. I find New Yorkers very friendly – but not creepy what-do-you-want-from-me friendly. It helps a lot if you can walk competently. If you see something shiny in a window or are transfixed by the sight of tall buildings and you stop dead in your tracks to admire, people will plow into you, so you have to get out of the flow of traffic, but particularly in midtown there will be plenty of people also standing around staring, so you’ll be in good company. Also, people will plow into you if you stop in the middle of the stairs trying to figure out if this is the right subway, or having extended goodbyes. Just, you know, stand to the side, and it’s all fine. The subways are pretty easy to navigate, but the signs aren’t everything they might be, so just ask someone if you’re confused – with all the track work and late night changes and stuff, everyone has to ask sometimes, so people are used to it and totally helpful. Crime is so far down, particularly in Manhattan that it’s not worth worrying about – but don’t you know, leave your bag open on the back of your chair in a restaurant or something. The Metropolitan is a fantastic museum, I totally have favorite paintings that I visit, and the temple of dendur is one of the most calming places in the world for me, and oh my god, do you have to go visit the period rooms if you like the historical romance. Also the Met is free (pay what you want). But my favorite museum is probably the Frick. No kids, though – fair warning. (Kids tend to love the arm and armor hall at the Met, and also the dinosaurs etc at the Natural History Museum, an easy stroll across the park and also pay what you want.) The Met Opera is my absolute favorite thing about the city but the season will be over then, so yeah, maybe the TKTS booth for something on Broadway, but the way I endure the opera off-season is to turn to baseball, and while I obviously will not endorse giving money to the yankees, I cannot enough recommend going to see the Cyclones at Coney Island, cheap and so much fun, and really amazing pizza if you haven’t filled up on hotdogs and frog legs at nathan’s. I think the easiest airport is Newark, you can take the NJ transit into Penn station, or there are cheap buses. JFK is on the subway but it is way out on the subway so I’d recommend taking long island railroad in, and LaGuardia I always take a taxi but to midtown I don’t know. I think the best place to eat around midtown (it’s a wasteland for good food in general unless you have money in which case it’s heaven and start at Aquavit) is Koreatown just east of Herald Square, which reminds me that Macy’s is actually at 34th street. Century 21 is a more fun department store, it’s a little (lot) overcrowded but amazing deals if you care about labels, and it’s right by ground zero which I imagine most people are going to want to go check out anyway. It’s frankly overwhelming to think of all the shopping recommendations I have – I need specifics. Oh, you know what’s kind of fun do do in midtown is watch summer disaster action movies, because there’s always a scene in which times square is destroyed. I don’t actually know the best way to get to ellis island, I have directed people to the ferries down in Battery Park but I don’t recall if some are better than others. But I agree that the staten island ferry is a great way to spend time on a summer afternoon and it goes right by the statue of liberty. I don’t actually have any idea what this conference is, but New York itself is bound to be more fun. And we haven’t even gotten to my favorite bars yet.