XP- NYC vacation- is financial district an ok area?

jenna8984

<Has been posted in the local NYC board>

Hi! I live in MASS and have only been to NYC like twice in my life. I want to bring FI for the weekend for his 30th birthday but since it's a month before the wedding and honeymoon I really need a budget hotel. There is a half off deal on Travelzoo right now for the Double Tree by Hilton in the Financial district for $150 per night in August. Seems like a great deal to me but is that on ok area? We are interested in walking around/ sightseeing (all the normal things like Central Park, Empire State building, times Square). We are in good shape to walk a few miles or don't mind taking the subway and we don't care about nightlife. What do you think? Or is there someplace else you'd recommend in that price range? 

Cookie Pusher

FYI, the Financial District is all the way on the south end of Manhattan, so you'll need to cab/subway/bus your way to most of the touristy things AND it'll be pretty deserted on the weekend since the market it closed - finding cabs won't be as easy then.

SmileDamnit

My first visit to the city, we stayed in Chinatown and loved it - cheap hotel right by the Manhattan Bridge. Two subsequent trips we stayed at a friend's condo in midtown and loved the convenience of the location, but I'd imagine hotels would be more expensive there.

AprilH81

I stayed at the Milennium Hilton a few years ago (financial district very close to Ground Zero).  There is a subway stop with 1 block so getting around was easy and since we weren't in a tourist area so to speak it was quieter at night which was nice.  The hotel was nice and big, the rooms had plenty of space which is hard to come by in the downtown hotels.

jenna8984

There's one for the same price in the Upper West side-google says 3 miles to the Empire State building so that one might be better?

climbingsingle

I'd pick the hotel on the UWS as opposed to the financial district. 

cruffino

Personally, I like the UWS better than the financial district. As @cookiepusher said, the financial district will be somewhat deserted on the weekends, especially in August, but it's more convenient to the downtown attractions. Kind of depends on what you guys are looking to do.

Either way, Manhattan is so easy to get around via subway and cab, so I would probably just choose what suits your budget best.

sarahufl

FWIW, I live on the Upper West Side, so I am all for that option! I always tell people to stay in a more residential area when they come visit because it gives you a better feel of what New York is actually like. I vote to avoid mid-town, Times Square, etc because they can just be SO CROWDED and full of tourists. The more residential areas have great food, great stuff to see (Central Park, Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center, just to name a few on the Upper West).

Financial District is fine, but there is nothing at all there on weekends. Enjoy your visit!

jenna8984

Thanks @sarahufl I'm jealous that you live there lol. After looking around some more I think I might up my budget and do one right near Grand Central so we can take the train in from CT....it would be cheaper than paying for parking and probably less stressful.

pinkcow13

One near Grand Central would be nice. It is definitely way closer to Times Square (walking distance to Times), Central Park, etc, and there is a lot more to do than down by the Financial District. You will also be a lot closer to all the nightlife that the city has to offer. You guys will have a blast!

jenna8984

@aprilh81 @pinkcow13 There's an option for connecting room, rollaway bed, smoking, honeymoon couple......I'm super tempted to check off honeymoon couple. Do you think they would be mad if it's a month before our wedding? lol

AprilH81

@jenna8984

Call and ask to see what it is, I doubt they would honestly care but it depends on what they include in that package.

JCbride2015

There's nothing wrong with Financial District, but there will be more going on near the UWS or Grand Central.

I suggest you look beyond the normal touristy things.  I promise, Times Square is not really fun just to walk around aimlessly.  Groupon always has fun stuff like painting classes, wine tastings, etc. that are really fun.  And it's out of the way, but the Bronx Zoo is my favorite "tourist" destination.  The architecture there is gorgeous.

jenna8984

Thanks @jcbride2014 the zoo sounds awesome!

JCbride2015

jenna8984 said:

Thanks @jcbride2014 the zoo sounds awesome!

Seriously, it can't bear repeating enough: you will NOT regret a trip to the zoo!  And don't worry about it being the Bronx, the subway is right next to the zoo and it's a pretty OK neighborhood.  I used to work really close by actually.

pinkcow13

JCBride2014 said:

jenna8984 said:

Thanks @jcbride2014 the zoo sounds awesome!

Seriously, it can't bear repeating enough: you will NOT regret a trip to the zoo!  And don't worry about it being the Bronx, the subway is right next to the zoo and it's a pretty OK neighborhood.  I used to work really close by actually.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Bronx Zoo. I do agree with @jcbride2014, Times Square is not that exciting, and it is always super crowded. I would do one of those bus tours, and ride around the city (I think they're pretty cool, I went on one a couple of years ago lol.) And since you guys will be here in August, I would also suggest a trip out to Coney Island. It is so much fun out there in the summer. It is also pretty far, but it is a straight ride on the subway. I personally love taking the subway to and from Coney Island. One time a few years ago, I played hooky from work and spent the day there with 2 of my friends. We had such an amazing time. Oh, and I would suggest going to DUMBO, Brooklyn. There views of the city are amazing, and Brooklyn Bridge Park is lovely. There is also a carousel which is really pretty. Great places to eat and drink there, and it is really close to Manhattan in terms of transportation. 

I'm sure they won't mind if you check off the honeymoon box

climbingsingle

Yes, the Bronx Zoo is awesome! Also, I don't know if you're a baseball fan, but going to a Yankee game (IMO) is always fun! 

jenna8984

@pinkcow13 oooo coney island sounds like an awesome idea!! FI has every Monday off so I just asked my boss if I could have the Monday off so now it's a 3 day weekend woohoo! I think Brooklyn Bridge Park is the one in every movie where they show people just hanging out with the skyline views behind them...is that easy to get to?

@climbingbrideny We're from Boston- nothing we hate more than the Yankees hahah

climbingsingle

jenna8984 said:

@pinkcow13 oooo coney island sounds like an awesome idea!! FI has every Monday off so I just asked my boss if I could have the Monday off so now it's a 3 day weekend woohoo! I think Brooklyn Bridge Park is the one in every movie where they show people just hanging out with the skyline views behind them...is that easy to get to?

@climbingbrideny We're from Boston- nothing we hate more than the Yankees hahah

I had a feeling! :-P 

daria24

If you want to go to Brooklyn Bridge Park-I recommend taking the subway to City Hall, and then walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. There is a great pedestrian bridge, the views are fabulous, and after your long walk you get to treat yourself to ice cream at the lighthouse that is right on the other side. My husband and I do the walk/ice cream trip at least once every year.

On the weekends there is a great flee market/food market right there too. Smorgasburg is the food market. 

I'm not a huge fan of the UWS (I live on the UES, naturally I'm a hater) but you would be close to Central Park, and it isn't a bad walk to go into midtown. It's also easier to navigate than the FD, where the streets are just a jumbled mess. 

pinkcow13

daria24's idea above is fabulous. I want to try to convince FI to walk the Bridge with me one day. A 3 day weekend in the city, woohoo! 

Cookie Pusher

If you're going to cross the Brooklyn Bridge, might as well stop in to Smorgasburg or the Brooklyn Brewery for a tour.

sarahufl

Cookie Pusher said:

If you're going to cross the Brooklyn Bridge, might as well stop in to Smorgasburg or the Brooklyn Brewery for a tour.

Brooklyn Brewery and Smorgasburg are both great, but neither are near the Brooklyn Bridge

Sugargirl1019

We loved visiting central park and the natural history museum!

Cookie Pusher

sarahufl said:

Cookie Pusher said:

If you're going to cross the Brooklyn Bridge, might as well stop in to Smorgasburg or the Brooklyn Brewery for a tour.

Brooklyn Brewery and Smorgasburg are both great, but neither are near the Brooklyn Bridge

Oh, I know that... but if you're going to walk all the way over to Brooklyn, why not make an afternoon of it, ya know? I can't see walking across the bridge then turning right around and going back again!

 

ETA: They actually do have a Smorgasburg that runs on Sundays right at the park: http://www.brooklynflea.com/markets/smorgasburg-dumbo/

jenna8984

We're not into beer but I've always wanted to go to the MET! And I've only seen Central Park covered in snow so that will be nice!

Do any of you know any sushi places in Midtown that are not upscale/ more affordable? We have sit down places here that aren't fancy where you can get california rolls for $4 and specialty rolls for $11....is that impossible to find in NYC?

daria24

jenna8984 said:

We're not into beer but I've always wanted to go to the MET! And I've only seen Central Park covered in snow so that will be nice!

Do any of you know any sushi places in Midtown that are not upscale/ more affordable? We have sit down places here that aren't fancy where you can get california rolls for $4 and specialty rolls for $11....is that impossible to find in NYC?

I recommend going to the Met in the evening on Friday or Saturday (they're open until 9pm). It's so much quieter. It's so huge, I would just choose two or three sections you want to see, it's so easy to get overwhelmed and burned out! There's so many 'hidden' places to check out, lots of little tiny rooms tucked away where they have recreated an entire wood-carved Italian studio, or a circular room that is a single circular painting of a Versailles, there's a Frank Lloyd Wright living room they transplanted into the American Wing, etc. One of the best ways to check out the Museum is to do a scavenger hunt with Watson Adventures-their clues really take you to parts of the Museum you never would stumble upon. 

There are lots of less-expensive sushi restaurants in Midtown, it is a primary location for workers so most have a nice lunch special for about $10. I don't have any to recommend off of the top of my head, I haven't worked in that area for 4+ years.  If you are going to the Met, you might just want to go to one on the UES though, we're lousy with casual sushi. Poke is the usual favorite, I prefer Sushi Suki which is just a hole in the wall near my apartment. 

sarahufl

daria24 said:

jenna8984 said:

We're not into beer but I've always wanted to go to the MET! And I've only seen Central Park covered in snow so that will be nice!

Do any of you know any sushi places in Midtown that are not upscale/ more affordable? We have sit down places here that aren't fancy where you can get california rolls for $4 and specialty rolls for $11....is that impossible to find in NYC?

I recommend going to the Met in the evening on Friday or Saturday (they're open until 9pm). It's so much quieter. It's so huge, I would just choose two or three sections you want to see, it's so easy to get overwhelmed and burned out! There's so many 'hidden' places to check out, lots of little tiny rooms tucked away where they have recreated an entire wood-carved Italian studio, or a circular room that is a single circular painting of a Versailles, there's a Frank Lloyd Wright living room they transplanted into the American Wing, etc. One of the best ways to check out the Museum is to do a scavenger hunt with Watson Adventures-their clues really take you to parts of the Museum you never would stumble upon. 

There are lots of less-expensive sushi restaurants in Midtown, it is a primary location for workers so most have a nice lunch special for about $10. I don't have any to recommend off of the top of my head, I haven't worked in that area for 4+ years.  If you are going to the Met, you might just want to go to one on the UES though, we're lousy with casual sushi. Poke is the usual favorite, I prefer Sushi Suki which is just a hole in the wall near my apartment. 

And while you are at it, hit up the roof bar at the MET. Amazing views of the city!