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by Fanilow

Hey, I thought I would just pick the brains of some of you New Yorkers, if you don't mind. I am trying to plan a trip to NYC sometime late this summer. Main purpose of the trip is BROADWAY!!! My daughter and neices are such big broadway buffs, along with me, but we have never had the chance to actually make the trip and see the shows live. We did just get back from Wilmington, DE where we drove up to see Idina Menzel and the shows were absolutely great. However, the drive from MS to DE was 20 hours long and I was a basket case after going through Baltimore. Where the heck do the lanes go at those toll bridges??? What I would like to know, is (1) Where are some of the best (inexpensive) places to stay within walking distances to the shows? (2) Do you know of any internet sites that offer discounts on broadway tickets? (3) What would some of you consider a must see or must do for someones first trip to NYC? Oh yeah, I am not planning on driving this time or ever again, I am thinking of the train since the flights seem to be so expensive. I am an RN in MS working on my MSN and my daughter will be starting nursing school this fall. My niece is pre-med and so we don't exactly have much extra cash laying around but we have decided that we are just going to bite the bullet and take this trip. My daughter and niece plan to move to NYC after nursing school/med school, they don't feel that MS is cultured enough for them lol. Thanks in advance for your help. Sandy

[LilyRoseRN]

Re: MS nurse visiting NYC

The hot new show this past year has been "Spring Awakening," but there are lots of other good ones--Avenue Q, Hairspray, Legally Blonde, Mary Poppins, etc. Most of these shows you can get tickets for the day you want to see them for 50% off (so around $50) if you go to the TKTS booth in Times Square (you can find all this info online too). As for staying within walking distance of the shows, that is the Times Square area, and it is definitely NOT cheap, because they know tourists want to stay near the shows. You might be able to find some good hotel deals on travel websites like Priceline, Expedia, etc., but just be warned that NYC is very expensive, especially in tourist areas like the theater district.

[Fanilow]

Re: MS nurse visiting NYC

Thank you, that's great to know that we can wait and buy the tickets that day. I was thinking we would have to order ahead of time like we do tickets for shows that tour. I guess that makes sense b/c the shows aren't only there for a few days lol. We are wanting to see as many shows as we can while we are there, the ones you mentioned as well as RENT since it will be closing. I realize it won't be cheap to visit there, but we want to be as frugal as possible while still enjoying ourselves. Who knows if we will really make it back again. You guy's are sooo lucky to have the theaters there, I wish MS could be like that, but I won't hold my breath.

[LilyRoseRN]

Re: MS nurse visiting NYC

I would also suggest that aside from seeing shows (which are great), try to get outside of the theater district and explore non-touristy areas. The food will be cheaper! ($15 for a burger at Friday's in Times Square??? Come on!) and you'll have a better experience. Wander around the greenmarket in Union Square, check out the funky boutiques in the East Village, eat at a restaurant you would never find where you live, etc. That's what I as a New Yorker wish people from out of town would do. But obviously, you'll have a great trip wherever you go!

[SteveRN21]

Re: MS nurse visiting NYC

Things to do:

Lunch in Little Italy, and wander through Chinatown.

Walk through Central Park... in the summer at night they have Shakespeare in the Park shows for free. Just bring a blanket to sit on.

Empire State Building or Top of The Rock Observation deck.- a word of advice... buy your tickets online, print them out, and you'll save a lot of time NOT standing in lines. ($12?)

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum on 42nd St/Times Sq. ($21-24)

Bodies:The Exhibit - Should be top of the list for all medical people. I went twice and loved it. It's in South Street Seaport, which is a nice area to explore. Just buy a 7-day Metrocard and travel all over the city. ($22)

Brooklyn Botanical Garden - $3 to get in..... amazingly beautiful, and who would have thought, it's in Brooklyn! Basically steps from the subway stop.

American Museum of Natural History/Metropolitan museum of art - You pay a "suggested donation" or nothing at all to get in. Both are wonderful.

I personally loved Les Miserables, and got great seats last time through an online place called "Broadway Offers" - The danger of getting tickets through TKTS on the day of the show is that there may not be any left, they may be separate seats (not in a row) etc....

Have Fun!