New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [1]
The TKTS booth, overhauled in 2008, is popular with locals and visitors to Times Square alike, and on weekends, many a New Yorker finds his or her way to the Brooklyn Flea, with its cool knickknacks, inexpensive furniture, and a wide array of affordable street food, from pupusas to lobster rolls.
Despite the rising cost of living, New Yorkers eat out just as much as ever, and many restaurants have transitioned to small plates as a way to offer a variety of options, big or small, depending on one’s appetite and checkbook.
As for Broadway, the lack of tourist dollars channeled to buy expensive tickets means that the Off Broadway scene is once again ascendant, with musicals such as Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson making the transition to the Great White Way.
Concerts are rife, from arena rockers at Madison Square Garden to the hottest new act at the Bowery Ballroom; heck, there’s even a distinct possibility that the Knicks will start winning again. (Don’t count on it.) In other words, things are on the way up.
As history will attest, New York is always changing into something new in response to a fresh set of challenges. Given the tiny residences, high prices, and complexities of daily living here, locals are resourceful, and they’re also capable of putting up with just about anything. Let us show you what we can do.
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
What’s on a New Yorker’s plate these days? It’s probably something from the mind of one of the city’s two hottest restaurateurs, David Chang and Michael White. Chang is a media darling but continues to expand and evolve the Momofuku concept, while White has high-end Italian covered, from the seafood delights of Marea to the fried lardo of Osteria Morini.
Also on the foodie front, the food-truck craze is in full swing, and it’s hard to walk a couple of blocks in well-traversed neighborhoods without seeing at least one parked on the corner. Office workers love ‘em for fast, inexpensive, and often gourmet-quality lunches, as do tourists much for the same reason. Luckily, their addition hasn’t pushed the hot-dog and pretzel stands off the streets, although now intersections seem even more crowded.
Escaping the city in summer is something locals think about way in advance of the season, making plans early in the year for housing shares in the Hamptons or Fire Island. But for those without the means, the summertime hotspot of late is Governors Island. The short ferry ride, free concerts, easy biking, and cool history make it popular with out-of-towners and locals alike.
An unfortunate continually discussed topic—and the number of subway ads reveal its presence—is bedbugs. Street furniture is shunned, offices are fumigated, and relationships are ended over these tiny critters that can infest mattresses and often cost of fortune to get rid of. Bring it up and you’re sure to hear some strong opinions.
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When to Go | Getting Around | A Guide to the Grid | Street Smarts | Opening Hours | Money Saving Tips
WHEN TO GO
New York City weather, like its people, is a study in extremes. Much of winter brings bone-chilling winds and an occasional traffic-snarling snowfall, but you’re just as likely to experience mild afternoons sandwiched by cool temperatures.
In late spring and early summer, streets fill with parades and street fairs, and Central Park has free performances. Late-August temperatures sometimes claw skyward, bringing subway station temperatures over 100°F (no wonder the Hamptons are so crowded). This is why September brings palpable excitement, with stunning yellow-and-bronze foliage complementing the dawn of a new cultural season. Between October and May, museums mount major exhibitions, most Broadway shows open, and formal