Things to do in New York

[Embiggen]

I know this sort of thing has been covered in many a thread before, but in light of the board re-boot I can't go back and look up everyone's comments. I'm in NYC for six more days, and I'm wondering if anybody has recommendations for non-obvious awesome things to do in the city. I'm not looking for comedy recommendations specifically, just things that New York natives always make sure to show their friends when they visit. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[dan telfer]

Evolution (http://www.evolutionnyc.com/) in Soho.
Superhero Supply Store (http://www.superherosupplies.com/) in Brooklyn.
Museum of Modern Art (http://www.moma.org/) near Times Square.

[conundrum]

I just moved here but I really like Alex Grey's Chapel of Sacred Mirror's it's only $5 too. http://www.cosm.org/

[disl]

go check out those crappy man-made waterfalls in the east river before it's too late!

[Jawa]

I was just there a couple weeks ago to see the Feelies play at Maxwell's in Hoboken.

I had always wanted to try an egg cream, and had a very nice one at the Gem Spa in the East Village.

[Embiggen]

I was just there a couple weeks ago to see the Feelies play at Maxwell's in Hoboken.

I had always wanted to try an egg cream, and had a very nice one at the Gem Spa in the East Village.

Weird -- I just logged on to check this thread, and I'm sitting in a bar 100 feet from there. I guess I'll go get an egg cream.

[Me!]

I heard the night life is amazing!

[Jawa]

Weird -- I just logged on to check this thread, and I'm sitting in a bar 100 feet from there. I guess I'll go get an egg cream.

Oh, heavenly delight. You are awesome.

[PinkieOfDoom]

Looking at this list, I realize that unless there's a show in town, the only thing I ever do in NYC is work, go to a meeting there, or go to Randall's island to watch the Puerto Ricans and the Dominicans play baseball/softball.

Therefore, here is my crappy suggestion: Chelsea Piers, even if you don't anything sports-related there, it's still nice and you can just stay in that area and find something to do.

[TenJay]

You can get a personalized tour of Troma studios in Hells Kitchen. Just send a email to here, tourguide@troma.com, to confirm a time of day and enjoy the organized chaos

Troma's World Headquarters is at 36-40 11th Street, Long Island City, NY 11106.

Can I Get a Tour of the Troma Building?

As we are a working operation, we ask those who wish to visit the Troma Building to schedule a tour in advance with our tour guide, who will gladly take you through the sounds, the smells and the history that is Troma Entertainment. Tours usually last about ten to fifteen minutes, and are available Mondays through Fridays between 12PM and 6PM.

[smartbunny]

Oh man. My ex used to work at Troma. Not much to see there. But hey you might run into Lloyd Kaufman or maybe Ron Jeremy, he used to hang out there a lot.

[crimestick]

Classic: walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

[disl]

Classic: walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

do not do this. i have, it's really not worth the time or trouble. for a preview of this unremarkable activity, click here. (http://www.laurasnyctales.com/bridge/bridge1.html)

[Scratch Lightning]

Yeah, in fact, here's a picture of some buildings, too. Now I've saved you a trip.

http://www.luxurylink.com/images/style/destination/new_york_city_84/new-york-city-skyline-st-bldg-large.jpg

[disl]

yay, we did it!

[Scratch Lightning]

Take that, shitty economy!

Now everyone stay home and watch TV.

[Bucky_Sinister]

The Deep Fried Calzone.

yes, it's true. At a place called Sal's at the corner of Mott and Broom, there's a tiny little place straight from foodie heaven. When you order a calzone, they'll ask, "baked or fried?"

awwwww yeah!

[yumitree]

Take that, shitty economy!

Now everyone stay home and watch TV.

it's called a staycation, thank you very much!

[crimestick]

do not do this. i have, it's really not worth the time or trouble. for a preview of this unremarkable activity, click here. (http://www.laurasnyctales.com/bridge/bridge1.html)

Yeah, on second thought, don't - it will take you a staggering 30-45 minutes (with all the pain and suffering that entails), and you will only get the shitty view of Manhattan and see the boooring bridge up close.

[disl]

dang, i didn't think everyone would be on my side on this one. keep spreading the good word, guys.

[Jawa]

Yeah, on second thought, don't - it will take you a staggering 30-45 minutes (with all the pain and suffering that entails), and you will only get the shitty view of Manhattan and see the boooring bridge up close.

Dumb hick that I am, on my recent trip I was walking out of a show at Maxwell's to someone's car. I saw some nice buildings across the river and said, in all seriousness, "Is that downtown Hoboken?"

[littlegirltree]

The <a href="http://www.neuegalerie.org/main.html?langkey=english">Neue Galerie</a> has some awesome stuff, mainly Schiel and Klimt. And the Austrian restaurant in the gallery is incredible.

A trip to in Brooklyn is awesome. They have the best pizza in the world and you get to watch Dominick DeMarco take his time making it in front of you.
<img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1373/639065610_021fa2781b.jpg?v=0"/>

[charles star]

it's called a staycation, thank you very much!
I prefer holistay.

As far as crossing the Brooklyn Bridge ... if the weather is nice, it is definitely worth it. When you arrive in Brooklyn head to Grimaldi's (http://gothamist.com/2004/08/18/grimaldis_pizza_step_by_step.php) for good coal oven pizza. The walk back isn't as much fun - because you've already done it once and now you have a belly full of pizza - but you do get the skyline in front of you the whole way.

Grimaldi's isn't the best coal-oven pizza, though - that's Totonno's (http://slice.seriouseats.com/archives/2004/04/totonno_pizzeri_1.html). If you are going to Coney Island, make sure to go to Totonno's. Best pizza overall, as littlegirltree says, is DiFara (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu9BwZX9IG5QAmgJXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTBybnZlZnR lBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkAw--/SIG=126t3hlde/EXP=1216394992/**http%3a//nymag.com/listings/restaurant/difara_pizza/)- but you need a lot of time on your hands. Service is slooooooooooooooow and it is (touristically speaking) in the middle of nowhere.

[Embiggen]

Thanks for the recommendations, everyone. I'd love to try some great pizza on my last day, but I've OD'd on pretty good pizza this week and am currently going through pizza detox. It's been a great week, and I took a bunch of advice from this thread, so thanks again.

I got to see and perform a ton of comedy -- highlights included Mike Birbiglia, Brent Weinbach, Will Franken and a lot of great NYC comics too numerous to mention. I also got to sneak backstage at Late Night (when McCain was a guest, no less -- nice work, Secret Service) to meet up with a writer friend and also met Brians Stack and McCann, who are as nice as one would expect. Late Night seemed to be the theme of the week as I also ran into Andy Blitz on the street.

I made attempts at attending free shows by The Breeders and Ted Leo, but New York has a great policy of having shows like these in cordoned-off areas within public parks that can't accommodate many people. I did get to watch Ted Leo through the turrets of Clinton Castle, though. The one music show I was able to see in its entirety was Brooklyn's Cheeseburger at the Mercury Lounge, and I'd recommend them to anyone who wonders what Guided By Voices would have sounded like if they were drunker. Fun, fun stuff. Thanks for the awesomeness and hospitality, New York!

Also, I'm going to the first Asssscat show at the UCB tonight if anyone wants to meet up.

[J.B.]

http://www.anthologyfilmarchives.org/

I always suggest going to the Anthology. It's the best movie theater in the world.

[AndyHohner]

I realize this is a bit early, but I am going to be in New York from August 9-12 and was hoping for some night time suggestions, comedy or otherwise. Or just cool stuff to do in the city, or Brooklyn (which is where i'm staying) during the day. Thanks!

[Embiggen]

Make reservations to see Assscat at the UCB Theatre on the Sunday that you're in town. Also, eat free, pretty good pizza at Alligator Lounge in Brooklyn.

[nick]

I realize this is a bit early, but I am going to be in New York from August 9-12 and was hoping for some night time suggestions, comedy or otherwise. Or just cool stuff to do in the city, or Brooklyn (which is where i'm staying) during the day. Thanks!

You're going to be there during the Del Close Marathon, which means there will be a lot of great improv (from a lot of famous people) all weekend long. You can get a wristband that will get you in to (almost) any show all weekend long, but you're probably better off buying tickets to a couple of the bigger shows, unless you really love improv.

That means the ASSSCAT show that weekend will be at a larger theater with $15 advance tickets, and that the four original UCB guys and an awesome cast will probably be playing.

http://delclosemarathon.com/dcm10/shows

My troupe, Midnight Society from Austin, is performing at the Hudson Guild Theater at 9PM.