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To New York or not to New York

Posted: 16 Jan 2015, 16:29
by Dutch guy
There is a good chance I'll be flying to the USA on Monday or Tuesday for work. Specifically to Albany. After I'm done there I MIGHT get a few days wait before the return flight.

Can anyone tell me if it's worth it to try and get to New York for a day or 2 of sightseeing? I'm kind of torn because it's the middle of winter and looking at the weather report also snowing and foggy. Especially since I'd be alone.

Or if anyone can tell me something fun or interesting to do in Albany that would be awesome too.


Alternatively I will probably have a transfer in either Boston or Atlanta (tickets are still being arranged) so maybe that's a better alternative to plan an extended stopover?

In any case. Watch out USA. A Dutch Guy is coming! :mrgreen:

Re: To New York or not to New York

Posted: 16 Jan 2015, 17:14
by Master Gunner
New York is definitely worth it. I visited some people from the DB Chat there last year, and had a great time. There's plenty to see and do, pretty much regardless of your interests.

Re: To New York or not to New York

Posted: 16 Jan 2015, 17:16
by Bebop Man
New York's awesome, you should definitely visit. I've been there twice and I'd rather go a third time than visit Boston or Atlanta for the first time (no offense to Bostonians or Atlanteans).

Re: To New York or not to New York

Posted: 17 Jan 2015, 03:26
by Dutch guy
Okay then.

Anyone got any recommendations on hotels and what not to miss if you've only got 2 days?

Re: To New York or not to New York

Posted: 17 Jan 2015, 18:27
by Kortanios
I have only been to New York City 5 times so I can't say too much in terms of the secret places only locals know. Anyways, if you're into museums the Metropolitan Museum of Art is THE place to visit (ranking up there with the Louvre, British Museum, and Museums Insel) followed by the MOMA which is great even if modern art isn't really your thing, if you can still stand to see more museums after that the Guggenheim is very interesting and the Museum of Natural History is also great. Besides those the typical touristy stuff like the Empire State Building is pretty good. Also, if you're into that kind of thing the Metropolitan Opera is just fantastic...

What I would suggest more than anything though is eating all the foods.

EDIT: No suggestions on hotels though, I lived in NJ for some time so never had to bother with that.

Re: To New York or not to New York

Posted: 17 Jan 2015, 19:50
by Master Gunner
There's also the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum. The museum is, in fact, a decommissioned aircraft carrier that counts an A-12 and the Enterprise Shuttle Test Vehicle among its exhibits.

Re: To New York or not to New York

Posted: 18 Jan 2015, 07:03
by Kortanios
Master Gunner wrote:There's also the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum. The museum is, in fact, a decommissioned aircraft carrier that counts an A-12 and the Enterprise Shuttle Test Vehicle among its exhibits.


They also have a Concorde. What I found in a way disturbing when I went there was the uncritical treatment of war and the somewhat glorified presentation of military service and war in general, especially having so much of it directed at children...

Re: To New York or not to New York

Posted: 18 Jan 2015, 14:25
by Darkflame
Visited there once. Lots of interesting things, but word of warning; Dont expect decent priced groosserys. Basic Bread and Milk is darn expensive - easier to eat out each day for less money.

Re: To New York or not to New York

Posted: 19 Jan 2015, 06:20
by viscomica
Any suggestions on hotels? Anyone? (desperate panda)
I'll be there for two days like Dutch guy here but next month so I thought to hijack this thread because why not.

Re: To New York or not to New York

Posted: 19 Jan 2015, 07:45
by Robo4900
Kortanios wrote:Empire State Building is pretty good.

Rockefeller Center has a better view and is cheaper, though.

Re: To New York or not to New York

Posted: 19 Jan 2015, 10:56
by Dutch guy
Welp, the maybe turned into a definitely. I'll be skipping the pond at 13:05 CET, Düsseldorf to New York, then drive to Albany. Return on the 28th. Kinda exited, kinda nervous! :?

Re: To New York or not to New York

Posted: 19 Jan 2015, 22:09
by sylenctone
Not sure if you got hotel info yet, but if you haven't found anything reasonable, try North Bergen, NJ or Secaucus, NJ (Especially in the Harmon Meadows Area). I know it sounds like it is far (in another state!) but the rates are reasonable, the public transport into the city is easy, and it's only 5 miles from Times Square. Careful on your drive from NYC to Albany. The weather is not so great here right now and people on the Thruway drive like idiots.

(Disclaimer: I work for NJ Tourist info and tell people how to visit NYC all the time. But it really is cheaper and just as easy from the west side of the Hudson River.)

Have fun in the City!

Re: To New York or not to New York

Posted: 26 Jan 2015, 17:48
by Dutch guy
Welp, seems like this snowstorm is going to throw a major spanner in the works. I'm going to be in the US an extra day anyway because the work took slightly longer than expected. But with this snowstorm it looks like I won't be able to get to NY to do any touristy stuff before I have to get on my flight.

Re: To New York or not to New York

Posted: 29 Jan 2015, 19:30
by Dutch guy
In NY city now. Saw times square. Ate pizza at Don Antonio's.

Visited a gunrange on the way down. Shot some guns. Pictures to follow.

Re: To New York or not to New York

Posted: 30 Jan 2015, 01:24
by BlueChloroplast
Dusseldorf has great mustard if you stop there on the way back, the ABB mustard is better (and harder to find outside of that city).

Re: To New York or not to New York

Posted: 30 Jan 2015, 06:55
by Dutch guy
Well be arriving very early in the morning after a long flight. At that point its only about 1:30 hours to home, so I'm pretty sure we won't be visiting the city.

Re: To New York or not to New York

Posted: 30 Jan 2015, 07:35
by BlueChloroplast
I can understand that, travel still feels tiring even if you sleep for some of it. It seem that city is close enough that you could visit anytime. I am not that close to New York, but close enough that it feels unlikely that I would never visit.

Re: To New York or not to New York

Posted: 31 Jan 2015, 05:07
by Dutch guy
After finally getting home (and currently being jetlagged to hell) I think I can safely say, NY is NOT my kind of city. Crowded, rushed, chaotic and TERRIBLE traffic EVERYWHERE. Also, I'd probably go nuts in the urban canyons of Manhattan quite fast. I like having some sun around every now and then.