I'm headed east for my brother's wedding in June upstate, and it's only a few hours from the city, so of course we're going to stop by and do touristy things for a few days. Here's my Q:
The last time I was in NYC it was with a friend who lived there for a year after spending 4 years in war zones in Africa... so EVERY place in the city was soooo much 'safer', we spent a lot of time in not so great areas (where dogs had packed up to hunt, abandoned buildings, lots of drug / gang activity, etc). I'm fine in those areas, not my favorite place but I can deal as I've spent time in worse as well... but it's not where I want to have my son or husband on accident. We were all over the durn place (and what is UP with chicken and waffles?), but I don't have a good mental map of where we were. My friend is in Uganda so I can't ask them where we were and my new inlaws only go in for specific events and sleep at home.
Checking out books, they all have the places to GO... but not the places to avoid. Help me out. Where's the 'avoid' list / what idiot would be caught dead THERE list for Manhattan & surrounding? Total 2 day tourist schtuff: Central Park, Museum of Natural History, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building (Percy Jackson fan, my son), Museum of Art, Central Library w/ Lions, the whole bit.
PSH, but why spend time in the city (don't mind the maggots, if you're a stones fan), when you can spend LOTS and LOTS of quality time HERE in Saratoga County?
My daughter (14 and a huge Beatles fan) enjoyed the Dakota and Strawberry Fields recently.
If I could, I would make reservations to Anthony Bourdain's restaurant Les Hailles, and spend some time at Chelsea Market.
And btw, it's STILL Lent, you know!
:)
Good lord, it sounds like you've already been everywhere a typical tourist would want to avoid! I've lived in NY over 20 years and in all my trips to Manhattan have never seen packs of dogs roaming around abandoned buildings. Stick with the attractions you mentioned and you will be fine. No wandering! :)
**Edit:
Here's a link for bed neighborhood areas etc.:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=2008012912573...
Hey R.,
Every State, as a "Tourism" website.
Just check out NY's.
lots of info on these sites.
