New York, New York
Because this is my kind of town, here you will find pictures, information about restaurants, and things I wish I did but most likely haven't gotten around to doing.
If you're visiting the city, this page could help you get the perspective of someone that lives here.
Like knowing the subway:
You will also find out about some little known secrets (for instance cheap hotels, but shhh), and maybe even some urban legends - like ciy squirrels have rabies... NOT- see question of the day.
If you live here, how about giving a hand to help the poor souls that want to make their trip a unique experience?
Let's make this a New York page from New Yorkers to everyone else!
Hotels:
NYC hotel rates can be simply obscene. If you are on a budget, you might think that the only way you can stay here is by sleeping on a bench (if you do, make sure it's in a well lit park).
Actually, although not extemely cheap, you can find some good deals out there.
Use travel search engines (like Expedia or Hotels.com) to get comparative prices. But be careful, sometimes what they offer seems too good to be true, and generally is. Read the fine print, especially the description of the room.
One that I've come accross, and actually visited when some friends stayed there, was the Comfort Inn Central Park West. Although the rooms are small, for about $120 bucks a night it's a bargain.
The reason I metion it is that, contrary to other affordable hotels you might find on the Web, this one has 3 major things going for it:
1) The location. 71st street between Columbus avenue and Central Park West. Can't get more newyorker than that. Everything is close-by and this is one great neighborhood. Talk about restaurants galore!
For those a bit more adventurous, I suggest checking out short-term rentals. Some sites offer apartments for a minimum stay (I've seen from 3 night onward) that are often less expensive than staying at a hotel. The down side is that they might not have maid service (just like at home, make your own bed).
Direct Apartment is a great site I found. I don't know if they have a fee or not, but ask, it doesn't hurt.
Hotels:
Please note: I do not advertise, I merely suggest.
I will not be held accountable if these places turn out to be a dump.
I will not be held accountable if these places turn out to be a dump.
Actually, although not extemely cheap, you can find some good deals out there.
Use travel search engines (like Expedia or Hotels.com) to get comparative prices. But be careful, sometimes what they offer seems too good to be true, and generally is. Read the fine print, especially the description of the room.
One that I've come accross, and actually visited when some friends stayed there, was the Comfort Inn Central Park West. Although the rooms are small, for about $120 bucks a night it's a bargain.
The reason I metion it is that, contrary to other affordable hotels you might find on the Web, this one has 3 major things going for it:
1) The location. 71st street between Columbus avenue and Central Park West. Can't get more newyorker than that. Everything is close-by and this is one great neighborhood. Talk about restaurants galore!
2) It's clean (last I saw). Really, although roaches are part of the New York fauna the last thing you want is one (or a whole family of them) sharing your room.
3) Private bathroom! Don't laugh, many of the "great" deals that the afore mentioned sites offer, often mean that you will be sharing a bathroom with others on your floor. Unless you're a back-packing youngster, I would steer away from them.
For those a bit more adventurous, I suggest checking out short-term rentals. Some sites offer apartments for a minimum stay (I've seen from 3 night onward) that are often less expensive than staying at a hotel. The down side is that they might not have maid service (just like at home, make your own bed).
Direct Apartment is a great site I found. I don't know if they have a fee or not, but ask, it doesn't hurt.
bravenet.com