On that note, if you go into the Met Museum of Art keep in mind that there is no entrance fee. They have booths where you can pay a fee with signs above which list prices, but there is no fee. They work hard to make it look like you have to pay a fee and the security guards will hassle you if you haven't paid to get a lapel pin, but it's b.s. However, I don't think anybody should be a free rider, so I suggest you go up to a booth and pay some amount, say $10 a head (not the $24 or whatever they 'suggest' on their sign) - they'll glower at you, but they have to accept whatever you offer and give you a pin which will get the security guards off your back. I'm sure this griping probably makes me sound like a d-bag, but I resent organizations who bamboozle people like this and who are not transparent. Either have zero fees / free entry like they do in museums in Londoninium, or charge a fee. Don't make it look like you have to pay a fee when you don't. That's just a scam aimed at tourists who don't know better. It's deceitful and cheap and shameless and gives the Met organization a bad name....I mostly did the obvious tourist stuff...
Not been since 2004, so my knowledge is a bit outdated , and as that was my only trip there to date, I mostly did the obvious tourist stuff. Still, a lot of it is great. The Natural History Museum was fun - I was granted long enough to do the dinosaurs and a quick look through the Native American collection, which really is outstanding. I loved that. Definitely do the Staten Island Ferry - the view of NYC is amazing. The Ellis island immigration museum was well worth a visit, and I believe now you can also get into the museum at the base of Liberty agian (maybe evne the statue itself?) - when I was there it had all been shut up since 9/11, and they wouldn't let you within 100m of it. The Empire State Building is worth it too, though expect the cold to take your head off up at the top at that time of year(!).
If you can, take a wonder past Electric Ladyland, though alas it's not open to the public (unless that's changed). I had a pleasurable half hour wandering in Manny's Music, where Jimi and Johnny Ramone, among others, bought guitars. THe Bowery is not what it was, but you can still go to Joey Ramone Place and shake your fist at the overpriced clothing boutique which soils the memory of CBGBs. Worth catchnig a show on Broadway if anything tickles you (I think Hedwig is still running there at present); best prices from the theatre direct or the ticket booth on Times Square - get in *early* in the morning, though.
Not sure if Schott have a facility in NY you can visit? That would be a cool thing to see reported back on. Lost Worlds are based there too, but if memory serves Stu isn't exactly open to visitors.
Great tip on the Brooklyn denim place, 2Wheel, as it's relatively close to where we're staying - the fact that NY has a population twice the size of Scotland is slightly mind-bending, so 'close' is a relative term.
The Staten Island ferry trip is now firmly on our itinerary, but your trip suggestions and food recommendations are all being loaded into my big list of New York things to do.
Out of interest, is there anywhere/anything we should avoid? For whatever reason - tourist traps/dangerous/crap?
On that note, if you go into the Met Museum of Art keep in mind that there is no entrance fee. They have booths where you can pay a fee with signs above which list prices, but there is no fee. They work hard to make it look like you have to pay a fee and the security guards will hassle you if you haven't paid to get a lapel pin, but it's b.s. However, I don't think anybody should be a free rider, so I suggest you go up to a booth and pay some amount, say $10 a head (not the $24 or whatever they 'suggest' on their sign) - they'll glower at you, but they have to accept whatever you offer and give you a pin which will get the security guards off your back. I'm sure this griping probably makes me sound like a d-bag, but I resent organizations who bamboozle people like this and who are not transparent. Either have zero fees / free entry like they do in museums in Londoninium, or charge a fee. Don't make it look like you have to pay a fee when you don't. That's just a scam aimed at tourists who don't know better. It's deceitful and cheap and shameless and gives the Met organization a bad name.
One caveat: I was last there in May 2014 so perhaps this policy has changed. If so, someone please correct me and I will delete this post.
Excellent recommendations. I feel that a visit to Stu's would be absolutely necessary. It'd be a larf just to troll him in person - perhaps arrive wearing a borrowed Lost World jacket twinned with a miniskirt and heels, just to see his expression...
Been a while.Actually, the Staten Island Ferry is free, no token required. (And tokens are long gone anyway - you swipe a card for subways and buses now.) Still the world's greatest free boat ride!