tips for N.Y.

C

Cato

New member
Since I am planning a shopping/sigthseeing trip to New York in May, I would appreciate any advise on a "tactical travel" there- especially which hotel you favour ( I need a compromise between safety and economy ), which areas to avoid, which mistakes tourists usually make there, etc.
Marc Animal´s "Safe in the City" is my "tactical guide book" but since N.Y. seems to be safer now, maybe this info is not up to date any more?
I would also be interested in great gun shops, etc.
Thanks a lot

Cato

PS: I hope the anti-Haider hype hasn't made it already illegal for Austrians to visit the US... ;)
 
avoid washington heights, the bronx and dimly lite side streets. try not to spend to much time looking up. you mark yourself a target by doing that as most of the ones who work the street know that usually tourist stare at the "tall buildings".
eat as often and in as many different restaurants (nationalities) as you can. get a carvel ice cream cone. do china town. little italy, etc. there is alot of interesting history in new amsterdam, enjoy.
oh yeah if you happen to get approached by any ladies of the evening, if they can't break a $20 walk away. definately ride the subway BUT be aware of where you are.
have fun
 
Avoid New York altogether. Come to Arizona. It's a nicer state,gun friendly, home of the Grand Canyon. Lots to see and do all year long. Right now we have everything from desert to snow (with skiing too!!!) We have Baseball, NHL Hockey, Basketball, and NFL Football. In short, we have it all!

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Glocks may come, and Glocks may go, but WALTHERS are FOREVER!!!


Off my meds (quit smoking), armed to the teeth, and loose on an unsuspecting society!!!
 
Calo,
NY is supposedly safer now but that is a relative concept. In the "pre safe" period there were 3000 violent deaths per year it is down to about 1500 now. That is deaths not injuries like shootings, etc.Don't take your wallet out in public and walk with confidence.Would not hurt to carry a potato in your pocket to look like you were armed :)
Seriously it is a great city to visit. See the museums( MOMA @ 53rd St. and 5th Ave) and for a great Chinese restaurant try Shun Lee Palace at 55th street between 2nd and 3rd Ave (or 1st and 2nd Ave).
 
I go to NY 10-12 times per year for business and have never had a problem but I tend to lean more to condition orange while there. Use common sense and stay away from rough areas, travel with others (especially after dark), don't wear expensive jewelry, ignore street bums and remember that most people are aggressive up there. Don't take it personally if someone lowers a shoulder and tries to move you out of their way. Other than that, have a good time.
 
Cato, JimC is absolutely, one hundred per cent correct about the Carvel Ice Cream Cone. If you really have to do the city, do a Carvel. Oh, to have one right NOW! Also do a hot dog and Nehi from a street vendor (or do the still heave them?). Go see the Statue of Liberty, the Museum of Natural History, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center, Central Park, China Town, Madison Square Gardens, Times Square, and the United Nations. If you have time, go all the way east on Long Island (maybe take the railroad) and get a rent car to Montauk Point Light House and walk on the beach. Then eat dinner at a really good seafood restaurant in Greenport or the Hamptons. There's plenty to do! You can also visit Lyman in Middletown, Connecticut, or Ruger, or Auto Ordnance. Have a good trip. sundog

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safety first
 
Good gun shop? Try John Jovino's, they use to have a huge selection and advertised in Shotgun News back in the 70's and 80's. Pepper spray, kubotan, and lockblade if you aren't going to carry a gun.
 
I was born and reared in NY. Here's my suggestions:

Someone earlier mentioned condition Orange. Good tip. Always be that way. Same for not looking up (too much.)

If your wife/girlfreind/S/O is going with you, tell her to only take purses with longer straps, and to wear them crosswise on herself (e.g. Purse on right side, strap over head on left shoulder.) Can't be snatched that way.

Avoid the subways later in the evening, especialy uptown (above 80th street.)

If a bum comes asking for money, a firm "no!" usually does the trick.

Safety in numbers. If you feel antsy, get to a group of people, or duck into a restaurant.

Finally, use common sense.


Now that that's out of the way, get a street vendor hotdog. Get pizza, there's none better.

FAO Schwartz. FAO Schwartz. FAO Schwartz. Everyone should see a toy store that sells actual full-size flying saucers for kids with waaaay too much money.

Empire State Building has the Twin Toweres whacked to the wide. There's a character about that building that the Trade Center can't touch.

Staten Island Ferry. Best public transportation ride in the world, and it's free. Just avoid the pretzels at the snack bar.

Guggenheim, MOMA, Museum of Natural History, Hayden Planetarium (I *think* they still do Laserium on the weekends.)

Mama Leone's. Great food, and the most amazing restaurant decor you'll ever see.

Bloomingdales. Everybody needs to buy just 1 thing from that place.

Tiffany's. Where else do you see 250,000 engagement rings like they're CZ fakes?

West Village. You can shop there till 5 in the morning. BUT: avoid the EAST Village at all costs.

Wall Street. Amazing how much money goes through that place every day.

Rockefeller Center. Go ice skating.

Probably the biggest disappointment will be Times Square. It's alot smaller than people think, and there's really nothing there.

Finally: A good gun shop, and just over the bridge in Jersey City is Jersey City Armory. Greg Monte always has great prices and a fabulous selection, and he's good people too. You can take the PATH (Port Authority Trans Hudson) trains over too.

PS: Find a Jewish Deli (Trust me: you'll know it when you see it) and have an Egg Cream. Trust me on this. It'll make your trip!

[This message has been edited by joegerardi (edited March 07, 2000).]
 
ah an egg cream... forgot about them. also if you go into a jewish deli get a corned beef on rye and make sure they "trim" the c/beef (you nyer's current and former will know what i mean) and definately get an italian ice (not a hitman) depending on your time frame either get to sheepshead bay or the south shore of the island for some sea food. and as for pizza where else but the east coast can you get a "slice"
key words EAT EAT EAT!!!!!!!!
devil dogs-ring dings-mmmmmm
all american (forget bk and smakdonalds)located in massapequa se corner of hicksville rd and merrick rd. it has been there for almost 30yrs!! they cut their own french fried potatoes on site and believe it or not (this ones for you sundog) just a short 15yds away is CARVEL!!!!!!
 
Corned Beef! No you dufus it's not Corned Beef, it's Pastrami, on Rye Bread! And Don't ask for milk for your coffee either!

I never realize how much culture we have in NY untill I go somewhere else and try to get something to eat. Too bad the Liberals leave such a bad taste in my mouth.

Definitely visit the Museum of Natural History, see Teddy Roosevelts elephants. If you get to Long Island, go visit his home at Sagamore Hill. Hard to get to but worth the trip.

Those street vendor dogs are good but your system may not be able to handle them, go th Nathans instead.


Geoff Ross
 
Thanks, guys for all your tips!
Hmmm...interesting, I know that New York is worth a visit- but it seems that it's even more so when it comes to eating! :D

And I had hoped to loose some weight- after all those Austrian sweet meals
("Palatschinken", "Sachertorte",etc. ) and meat specialities like "Tafelspitz" and "Wiener Schnitzels"- by eating the famous US zero calorie food!! ;)
So when you like good meals and visit Europe, definitely visit Austria!!
 
Oh, heck, we haven't even scratched the surface.

NY Souvlakis: There's a big haunch of lamb on a vertical spit. They cut it right off the haunch and make 'em.

Cheesecake: Find a Greek diner (there's tons of them.) Eat nothing else, just coffee and a slice of cheesecake. You'll get this thin little slice, and be stuffed after eating it. Don't pass out when you see what they charge for that little nibble of Ambrosia.

If you do get out to Brooklyn, especially Sheepshead Bay, go to Gargiulo's (They pronounce it Gargulio's for some reason.) One of the best Italian meals of your life. The Veal Piccata is to die for. It's right near the Aquarium, and is a HUGE place.

Just over the Ferry in Staten Island is Montezuma's Revenge. 'Nuff said.

If you get to an Italian Deli, try Prosciutto Balls. (Yeah, I know - "I didn't know Prosciutto had... never mind!) :)

Definitely do a Carvel's

One more thing about eggcreams: Ask if they're made with Fox's U-Bet. If not - Forget it. Find someplace that uses Fox's. Trust me on this.

[This message has been edited by joegerardi (edited March 09, 2000).]
 
Hmmmmm, how can I do this without enciting flaming response? Ok, you guys that like NY, you're quite welcome to it, you wouldn't catch me dead there. While there may be a lotta things worth seeing and doing, the risk just seems way too high, too many "warnings". I'll take my front porch any day, waving to the farmers as they pass by on their tractors :)
 
fastforty, couldn't resist a reply. i like the front porch, too. way out here in rural oklahoma, complete with fifty yard range behind the barn. property is on end of dead end county road. however, IF i were going to the big apple all of the above applies. i was on the island in early ninties (while working at ft devens for awhile) to see relatives. it's not as bad as one would think if you just pay attention. off course, all we did was sit on the back porch and drink beer! jimc, i'll pass on the fast food for some long island duck, long island lobster, clams, scallops, shrimp or swordfish, a long island baked potato, long island cauliflower, long island peaches, long island tomatoes, and CARVEL! i worked on a peach farm for several years while growing up, and i'm here to tell ya, there ain't no better peaches anywhere else in the world! even on CARVEL! front porch in oklahoma is pretty good, though. sundog
 
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