Starting to Plan for NY in November

[bevvy5 Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bevvy5]

I've been printing out tons of stuff here and OY as we're going on holidays in a month and I'll be researching our fall trip in earnest while houseboating in the Shuswaps here in British Columbia.

Our first trip to NY, as you can tell and since my husband is pouting about missing our November trek to Palm Springs, I want everything to go well.

Can anyone suggest the BEST guidebook to buy for a first timer? I'd like to buy a guidebook that I can cross-reference with some of the information I'm gathering here. It's all a bit overwhelming for a NY newbie.

I've read suggestions that Michelin's Green Guide and Frommers are good. I may end up buying a couple.

Thanks muchly in advance.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Frommers is good everywhere. But you have many friends here in NY that are better.

[bevvy5 Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bevvy5]

Frommers is good everywhere. But you have many friends here in NY that are better.

Don't I know it? And not surprised you're the first to jump to the plate!!

Yes, as I work through some things, I'll be posting more questions. And hoping that maybe I might get to meet a few, you never know. I'll be meeting Dani from TUG - Danielle, we've been pretty good online friends for a long time and this will be our first chance, after a few attempts, to meet.

The problem is just deciding what's a must do and what's a maybe do. There's just way too much to cram into a week, that's for sure. So sorting through it all to make the best use of our time will be a challenge.

As I mentioned, this is a much different holiday for us - we usually go somewhere to simply recharge our batteries, which means the biggest decision of the day is usually what time to eat!! Half the fun is in the planning and I'm really looking forward to getting down to it when I have some uninterrupted time next month.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I have met Dani and 3-4 times we are friends.

[IreneLF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IreneLF]

For a guide to the city, I love the Michelin Green Guide. It's comprehensive, slim, well organized and in addition to sights has maps as well as walks. The main sites are listed as one two or three star places; you can decide which ones are 'three star' to you. It's light enough to carry with you for reference.

For restaurants you can check Frommers, but I also think Frank is right, you'll do well getting advice here.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Zagat's is my favorite restaurant guide, but we can probably help you out with some 'lesser known' good choices, neighborhoods, etc.. depending on your interests/needs... other guides I can't help you with, don't need 'em, sorry

First plans I would make would be theatre/ballet/opera/etc... tickets; then you can plan the rest around that. It may be early for November tickets, again depending on your interests. I do urge visitors to try a non-musical play, and/or an off-broadway offering, in addition to the mandatory touristy Broadway musical

If you enjoy fine dining, plan an evening or two for special meals without an 8 pm curtain... you can do a matinee on Wednesday or on the weekends, then plan a lovely dinner that day. Pre-theatre dinner is otherwise a bit rushed.

Monday night is dark for many shows, a good night for comedy (if you like comedy) or the odd off-broadway show or ballet/opera/symphony playing on a Monday night.

Museums? Shopping? Tours? let us know what you're interested in...

Oh, Dani is great, I had the pleasure of meeting her about a year ago.

[hudson Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hudson]

We have a New York state of mind

It would be a helpful exercise to make a list of what you value. For example, is there a special appeal to visit neighborhoods to get NY flavor by interacting with locales and not tourists? If you follow the guide books only you will have overall an experience where you are mostly surrounded day in/out with tourists.

Clearly, that bugs me a lot personally, as I've written about it numerous times.

As you've said, you're gathering up info from here and OY , much of which has been contributed by New Yorkers and that gives you that extra something that most tourists miss.

Do you value theater but like smaller, more intimate experiences than the Broadway stages? For that I would suggest checking with the New Yorkers who post here a few weeks ahead of your arrival to get suggestions for the best off-Broadway shows then showing. From what I've gleaned from other posts over the years, it appears that visitors perhaps believe that off-Broadway is somehow inferior and undesirable which is far from the case. In any given year at any time there is probably more interesting and stimulating off-B theater than on at much lower rates.

Start with your wish list of must-do sights. Then ask here how to mix-it up and mix-in the less publicized but equally valuable.

There are many here who can advise you once you've given an outline of the trip........and we're really happy to help you have a great time in our city whether it's finding the best views, best people watching or best anything.

Welcome to a New York state of mind.

H