Coming stateside (NYC) for the first time, recommendations?

[RamRage]

To make it clear to you guys, a dream and aspiration of mine for a long time has been to come stateside. It may sound trivial, but the culture, the sports, the cards, the people, the food all make me want to come and experience life 'across the pond'. I will, if all goes to plan, be staying in Central NYC for 4 nights and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. I will go be going in mid February. Any good LCS's? Good card deals at Target or Walmart? Good places to visit? Pig-out spots?
Thanks guys!
Jack

[jlzinck]

You MUST go to Sylvia's in Harlem. You won't return home and if you do you heart will stay there.

[chefant73]

Have a good Time..

[RamRage]

Originally Posted by jlzinck

You MUST go to Sylvia's in Harlem. You won't return home and if you do you heart will stay there.

Awesome! How far out of central NYC is it? What is the food like?

Originally Posted by chefant73

Have a good Time..

Saw the original post chefant, nice editing haha (:
I imagine everything will be just fine in 14 weeks. Hope you and your family are OK.

[TrueNE_09]

That is awesome, glad you're able to make it over.

Times Square will be sensory overload and probably blow your mind, but I for one love it there. Also hit up some of the must-visit tourist spots. My recommendations would be take the ferry out to see the Statue of Liberty up close - it'll also blow your mind. Another would be to hit up the Empire State building. Yes, potentially long lines, but the view will give you an amazing (and otherwise unattainable) perspective of the sheer size of Manhattan. It is definitely worth the view, you'll be impressed.

Just don't do TOO much tourist stuff, pick your spots (a couple only, like I said) and then use the rest of the time to roam around and enjoy.

Just keep in mind that travel logistics in and around Manhattan can be time consuming, so make sure to build that into your schedule.

I'm not from there, so the locals who are here on Blowout can probably give you some great insider dirt on where to go, etc.

Enjoy!

[jlzinck]

Originally Posted by RamRage

Awesome! How far out of central NYC is it? What is the food like?
.

So if you are staying in the Times Sq area about 5 miles.

[KEARYCOLBERT83]

I went to times square a few months back and it was crazy. You have to go there. I ate at some diner right by times square and it was awesome. Also id check out grand central...that building makes you speechless.

[rudyjustinfarrell]

Type in "Urban Spoon New York". It is pretty reliable in showing you good (cheap) eats in whatever area you are looking to visit. Hopefully by FEB everything should be 100% running normal. I would think the new NY Yankees stadium, the 9/11 Memorial. Central Park.

[MetDude]

Sylvia's Harlem Restaurant | Queen of Soul Food

chameleon cards on maiden lane

Nets Basketball Game at Barclays Center - Easy train commute from Manhattan
Knicks BasketBall or Rangers Hockey Game at Madison Square Garden.

Bleecker street, Washington Square Park , Greenwich Village in general, Empire State Building Observation Deck, WW2 Aircraft Carrier Intrepid Now has the Space Shuttle Enterprise, South Street Seaport, WTC Memorial, Battery Park and Statue of Liberty tour, Radio City Music Hall, Guggenheim museum , Museum of Natural history, Museum Of Modern Art, Brooklyn Botanic Garden , Prospect Park , brooklyn bridge park, brooklyn museum......and on and on and on ...

If you want a little home away from home - I'm sure theres a few English Pubs around the city. But over in Queens in Sunnyside and Woodside(queens blvd/roosevelt ave) theres a ton of Irish Pubs that have live music, some that have food as well. Many of the proprietors and clientele are first and 2nd generation and theres a few really good Irish Trad bands.

enjoy

[TheHeel]

listen to this guy! Also, Hoboken, NJ (across the Hudson) is a good time if you are over 21. Lots of bars and clubs. Also, a great view from Jersey looking at NY...

Originally Posted by MetDude

Sylvia's Harlem Restaurant | Queen of Soul Food

chameleon cards on maiden lane

Nets Basketball Game at Barclays Center - Easy train commute from Manhattan
Knicks BasketBall or Rangers Hockey Game at Madison Square Garden.

Bleecker street, Washington Square Park , Greenwich Village in general, Empire State Building Observation Deck, WW2 Aircraft Carrier Intrepid Now has the Space Shuttle Enterprise, South Street Seaport, WTC Memorial, Radio City Music Hall, Guggenheim museum , Museum of Natural history, Museum Of Modern Art, Brooklyn Botanic Garden , Prospect Park , brooklyn bridge park, brooklyn museum......and on and on and on ...

If you want a little home away from home - I'm sure theres a few English Pubs around the city. But over in Queens in Sunnyside and Woodside(queens blvd/roosevelt ave) theres a ton of Irish Pubs that have live music, some that have food as well. Many of the proprietors and clientele are first and 2nd generation and theres a few really good Irish Trad bands.

enjoy

[mnvikingstwins]

Originally Posted by TrueNE_09

That is awesome, glad you're able to make it over.

Times Square will be sensory overload and probably blow your mind, but I for one love it there. Also hit up some of the must-visit tourist spots. My recommendations would be take the ferry out to see the Statue of Liberty up close - it'll also blow your mind. Another would be to hit up the Empire State building. Yes, potentially long lines, but the view will give you an amazing (and otherwise unattainable) perspective of the sheer size of Manhattan. It is definitely worth the view, you'll be impressed.

Just don't do TOO much tourist stuff, pick your spots (a couple only, like I said) and then use the rest of the time to roam around and enjoy.

Just keep in mind that travel logistics in and around Manhattan can be time consuming, so make sure to build that into your schedule.

I'm not from there, so the locals who are here on Blowout can probably give you some great insider dirt on where to go, etc.

Enjoy!

ESB is easier to get to if you buy the passes ahead of time and from the right place. They had multiple lines for the different companies that you can skip over.

[MetDude]

Originally Posted by TheHeel

listen to this guy! Also, Hoboken, NJ (across the Hudson) is a good time if you are over 21. Lots of bars and clubs. Also, a great view from Jersey looking at NY...

One can take the PATH train to Hoboken, I think theres also a ferry ?
Been awhile since Ive been there.
Played at "Live tonight" and "Maxwells" what seems like a lifetime ago lol.

[RamRage]

Originally Posted by MetDude

One can take the PATH train to Hoboken, I think theres also a ferry ?
Been awhile since Ive been there.
Played at "Live tonight" and "Maxwells" what seems like a lifetime ago lol.

Thanks for the help guys! What are prices like at Charmeleon? Do they sell loose packs?

[MetDude]

Originally Posted by RamRage

Thanks for the help guys! What are prices like at Charmeleon? Do they sell loose packs?

Prices are usually decent. They sell loose packs, singles, boxes comics etc.

Full name is Chameleon Comics and Cards. I'd put more info here but im not sure where blowout draws the line. easy to google

theres no Walmarts in NYC.
There is a Target in Atlantic Center not far from me here in BK near the Barclays Center.
And Another one uptown somewhere.
The selection for cards is sucky and the loose packs usually appear to have been very very well handled.(searched)

I think both the Mets and Yankees have team stores in Midtown Manhattan.
You can also find team apparel, and sometimes cards, at the various Modells Sporting Goods around the city.


wow this google tourist map is redonkulous

cheers, mate

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=new+y...ed=0CAkQ_AUoAg

[RamRage]

Sounds good, I'll hit that and buy a bunch of stuff.
Thanks!
Jack

[Nicnac]

yeah man... don't buy cards at Wal-Mart or Target. Those things are searched the moment they are put on the shelf.

[RamRage]

Originally Posted by MetDude

Prices are usually decent. They sell loose packs, singles, boxes comics etc.

Full name is Chameleon Comics and Cards. I'd put more info here but im not sure where blowout draws the line. easy to google

theres no Walmarts in NYC.
There is a Target in Atlantic Center not far from me here in BK near the Barclays Center.
And Another one uptown somewhere.
The selection for cards is sucky and the loose packs usually appear to have been very very well handled.(searched)

I think both the Mets and Yankees have team stores in Midtown Manhattan.
You can also find team apparel, and sometimes cards, at the various Modells Sporting Goods around the city.


wow this google tourist map is redonkulous

cheers, mate

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=new+y...ed=0CAkQ_AUoAg

I've checked it out and Chameleon seems to be 4 miles from where I'm staying. Are there any shops (no necessarily hobby shops) in the area near Times Square and the ESB that sell wax? Is Chameleon near any tourist spots or other shops?

[ManInTheMirror]

Get pizza............ALOT of pizza...........grab Tebow cards too!

[My-Coolectibles]

Originally Posted by RamRage

I've checked it out and Chameleon seems to be 4 miles from where I'm staying. Are there any shops (no necessarily hobby shops) in the area near Times Square and the ESB that sell wax? Is Chameleon near any tourist spots or other shops?

Chameleon is down by Wall Street and a block away from the new Freedom Tower aka World Trade Center

[RamRage]

Originally Posted by ManInTheMirror

Get pizza............ALOT of pizza...........grab Tebow cards too!

TEEBS! Sounds good haha

Originally Posted by My-Coolectibles

Chameleon is down by Wall Street and a block away from the new Freedom Tower aka World Trade Center

I'll be going down there so that's ideal!

[RamRage]

Worth a bump methinks, any nice eating places around Times Square and Manhattan you guys can recommend?

[JohnAndrew]

Originally Posted by RamRage

Worth a bump methinks, any nice eating places around Times Square and Manhattan you guys can recommend?

Tony's is my favorite Italian! Family-style, big portions...absolutely delicious.

[redsoxx11]

I'm putting my money on you not getting past customs !

[hitman1116]

Originally Posted by jlzinck

You MUST go to Sylvia's in Harlem. You won't return home and if you do you heart will stay there.

Loved Sylvia's when I was in Harlem. Stayed in a hostel that was right around the corner. Great American Soul Food.

Go down to Little Italy and get some great gelato. Watch out for China Town though....they'll try dragging you into their shops literally.