NYC summer suggestions

[TL]

May 30: WIRE (for free) @ South Street Seaport

I'm so p.o.'d I'm gonna be out of town for this.
 

[Emily]

oh & you should check out Coney Island & ride the Cyclone. If you're here for the Siren Festival that can be fun too (crowded but fun):

http://www.villagevoice.com/siren/

& there are good shows at McCarren Pool in Williamsburg (free on Sundays)

http://www.mccarrenpark.com/

[TL]

May I recommend the Circle Line?  It seems like it might be a cheesy tourist trap, but it's not.  It ain't cheap, but it's a really great and informative afternoon that gives you a feel for the area you can't get from streets, subways, bridges, and tunnels.  The "tour" aspect of it is usually really good, but there are also long stretches during which you're just riding up or down the rivers or around the harbor, and it's a beautiful way to see the city.  I try to do it once every couple of years (TERRIBLE web site, though - I take no responsibility for that).  If you DO wind up going to Hoboken or Jersey City for Maxwells, WFMU, or anything, take the NY Waterway ferry for the same reason - that IS cheap, and it's a nice ride.

[Martin]

Yes! Another vote for Circle Line. Very informative, a great way to get a sense of where the different burroughs are, etc.

[jed]

oh & you should check out Coney Island & ride the Cyclone. If you're here for the Siren Festival that can be fun too (crowded but fun):

Fixed.

You should go to Coney Island though.  It's fun.

Also, there is Elis Island which is really awesome, especially if your ancestors immigrated from Europe when it was still operating.

The Sonic Youth/Feelies show is not in NJ, its in NYC and you have to reserve a spot even though its free.

[senorcorazon]

Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge is nice - classic NY experience, lots of wonderful sights, and it didn't take as long as I had been told either, about 30-45 minutes or so. If you do it from Manhattan you can then take a stroll along scenic Cocain Brooklyn Heights Promenade.

Or, if you turn left off the bridge you can go to DUMBO and get some amazing ice cream on the pier while looking at the water that Walt Whitman used to cannonball into after work.

Following the Grote theme, the Staten Island Ferry is free. It's a nice way to see the skyline and see Brooklyn and the Statue of Liberty.

[Emily]

and a lot of museums (moma, whitney) are free on Fridays from like 5 till close. so it's a great way to avoid their outrageous prices (even though w/ student id = reduced cost).

also, if you want to go to the crown of the Ms. Liberty, i heard that you have to make a reservation a day ahead.. so check their site.

my sis did the Barnard program one year and had a blast - i'm sure you'll have a wonderful time!

[jed]

And, despite bold lettered admission prices on the signs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it is pay-what-you-want.  If you are legitimately strapped for cash, tell them that you will be donating a dollar today and stroll right in. If you like paintings, the Met is great!

[Gregory]

The American Museum of Natural HIstory is also pay-what-you want.

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

Ditto for just about everything that's been said, especially I'm so pissed I'm going to be out of town for Wire and you should go see Mike Daisey.  Extra FOT bonus: he is holding roundtable discussions after his current show, and (schedule permitting) I'm going to be on one of them.  If this is at all interesting to you, PM me.  I might be able to get you a free or cheap ticket.

[Forrest]

A good well-kept secret: Free, city-funded kayaking in the Hudson River at 57th and West End Avenue on weekdays. A lot of friendly ducks hang out there too.

[Emily]

or there's the less scary paddle boat option in central park (for a small fee)

[Trotskie]

I agree with KtB, walking is awesome.  You will find more things that you like that way than any list of recommendations ever could.  A good one to start with would be starting at the Cloisters and walking down Broadway. 

Also, think about checking out Flushing Meadows Corona Park on a nice weekend day.  It is a good way to see the diversity of the city collected in one place and sort of celebrating life, if you allow for such foolishness.  Not to mention that it all takes place amid the ruins of a couple of World's Fairs.

Oh, and the panorama is there to:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bccSqaO6Jdo[/youtube]

[Spoony]

bring back FOTchan so that us real folks can have a place to interact.

Yes, real people with Anonymous names.

I haven't read through this entire thread (lazy), and forgive me if this has already been recommended (or trashed) but the Sunday's at McCarren Pool are always good. There are usually good bands playing for free or a craft fair with beer. At the very least, you'll get to see first hand what everyone hates about Williamsburg so much.

When you get here, grab a copy of the Village Voice, or even better, the printed copy of The Onion off the streets. The back of The Onion has a good list of that weeks events.

Also, summer nights at Union Square on 14th St can be fun for the sheer amount of students hanging around with nothing better to do.

Have fun when you get here.

C

[Beth]

May 30: WIRE (for free) @ South Street Seaport

I'm so p.o.'d I'm gonna be out of town for this.
 

I'm going! I'll be in town that weekend. SWEETNESS.