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NYC visit, where to go?

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Marcus Antonius

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In addition to my previous post about selecting an ideal bag for my trip to NYC coming christmas i had a few questions about POI in NYC.

I already had a few interesting tips according to safety in NYC and one more POI, maybe there's more i did not think about. Here is my list so far:

Statue of liberty
Epire state building
Christmas tree @ rockefeller center
Times Square with new years celebration
Brooklyn bridge
USS interprid aircraft carrier
Coney Island
Chinatown
Top of the rock
And ofcourse BH-Photo & Video

Any further tips are greatly appreciated

I'll be visiting during christmas and new year for 9 days.
I also have a few more questions:

Is it possible to get a public transport ticket for using the subway/bus/train during this 9 day trip (so i don't have to buy a ticket every day) and how much will it cost, or are there better ways to do it.

I heard coney island is closed during the winter period. Is it still nice to go there even when it's closed?

Are there more marine ships apart from the Interprid i can visit?

Thanks in advance.

Best regards,

Marcus

--
Making a moment last forever
 
--If you are going to be here for 9 days, you probably should get a 7 day unlimited Metrocard ($27) and for the last 2 days, just pay as you go. That would be the cheapest. You can ride the subways and buses (but not the express buses, which you probably wouldn't need anyway) with the card, but not the trains (PATH, MetroNorth, LIRR). If you are just going around the city, you won't need those trains anyway, just use the buses, subways, and, best of all your feet.

Coney is closed for the winter, but you might want to go anyway to look around, just don't expect something like Disney - Coney is old and ragtag for the most part, but it does have nostalgia and you can get some shots of the Wonder Wheel, Cyclone, etc. Don't go at night, it's not the best area to walk around in. Take the N, F, D, or Q subway lines to get down there.

Bowbridge
 
Thanks for your input bowbridge. Will do as you told me with those tickets. You said do not expect coney island to be like disney but that's the opposite of what i was looking for, i just love the old style that coney island has. I have seen photo's that inspired me to make a visit when in NYC. Overall, i love old style photo's. I was thinking of doing some black & whites of coney island.

Marcus

--
Making a moment last forever
 
Looks like you have the touristy places covered. I'd perhaps add The Cloisters to the mix. However, to get a real slice of NY visit the different neighborhoods - either in other boroughs or just in Manhattan and just take street photography (people, places, things). Your opportunities will run from before sunrise with the business commuters and early service workers to the early next am with the club revelers.
 
1. Metropolitan Museum (in addition to everything else in there, there's a special exhibition of Robert Frank till Jan 3rd).
2. MoMA
3. The Whitney
4. International Center of Photography

5. George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography and Film -- it's in Rochester, Upstate NY, 350 miles from New York City, but could be worth a one day trip if you can rent a car or something.

If you still have time left after all that, Metropolitan Opera, New York Symphony, and theaters can take care of that. I think all of the above will give you a much better bang for the buck you spend traveling over the pond than the Times Square, the Stature of Liberty, and especially the Intrepid museum. Needless to say, would be much better for your photography in general.

Best,
Igor.

PS. In terms of pretty places to be and photograph:
1. Central Park
2. The High Line park
3. DUMBO

4. Coastal line along the West Side of Manhattan, along DUMBO on the Brooklyn Side

Again, all of the above are much more interesting than the Times Square, the Stature of Liberty, and especially the Intrepid museum, imho.
 
Thanks for your input guys. I'm not sure about visiting theatres and musea (besides, i did that alot in rome past month... bit too much) , although they could make terrific images, i'm more interested in the landmarks and skyline pictures (i know that may sound cliché but everyone told me that about the eiffel tower and louvre in paris too, but i got some awesome pics from those structures). I might go to several boroughs and shoot people (is it generally allowed in NYC to do this? I know in my country many people don't approve, even when asked to). So the uss intrepid is not interesting? hmm, bummer. I thought it would be nice to visit.

Does anyone know btw if i need to buy an entrance ticket to be on times square for the new years celebration?

Best regards,

Marcus

--
Making a moment last forever
 
Not at the countdown you mean? Being there with all those people counting down, was the main reason for my visit to be honest, i have dreamed about that since i was a little boy and saw it on tv.

However, to make no misstake, i really do appreciate your opinion :)

Marcus

--
Making a moment last forever
 
No, you don't need tickets for Times Square on New Year's Eve, but if you don't get there way early (like in the afternoon) you will be nowhere near Times Square. I went one year at 8 p.m. and the closest I got was 57th St.

People pictures are easy in the city, at least I've found it so.

An offbeat place to go to is Roosevelt Island (take the F train) on the south end. Very nice view of the skyline, especially the United Nations. I'd suggest walking across (or at least to the middle of) all the East River Bridges (Queensborough, Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn Bridges). Each has some nice views, and I'm sure you'll find some interesting shots.

Believe me, you won't be at a loss for taking pictures.
--

Bowbridge
 
Go to the USS Intrepid... its great, especially if you said your liked taking military photos. I haven't been there since I was 12 but I pass by it often and always want to go back. When is the last time you can be on an Aircraft Carrier, let alone a famous ship from WWII. You get to see F-14's, F4's, A4's, and a Blackbird!

Unfortunately you will be missing the USS New York, which is a Landing Troop ship that was partly constructed from the World Trade Center recycled steel. It is open for public viewing until tomorrow, when it will be commissioned and then put on active duty.
Marcus Antonius said:
Thanks for your input guys. I'm not sure about visiting theatres and musea (besides, i did that alot in rome past month... bit too much) , although they could make terrific images, i'm more interested in the landmarks and skyline pictures (i know that may sound cliché but everyone told me that about the eiffel tower and louvre in paris too, but i got some awesome pics from those structures). I might go to several boroughs and shoot people (is it generally allowed in NYC to do this? I know in my country many people don't approve, even when asked to). So the uss intrepid is not interesting? hmm, bummer. I thought it would be nice to visit.

Does anyone know btw if i need to buy an entrance ticket to be on times square for the new years celebration?

Best regards,

Marcus

--
Making a moment last forever
Click to expand...
 
  • Streets in Lower East Side, Alphabet City (Avenue A,B,C,D)...
  • Chelsea Galleries
  • in Central Park Go to the northern part of the reservoir and you'll have nice view

Marcus Antonius said:
In addition to my previous post about selecting an ideal bag for my trip to NYC coming christmas i had a few questions about POI in NYC.

I already had a few interesting tips according to safety in NYC and one more POI, maybe there's more i did not think about. Here is my list so far:

Statue of liberty
Epire state building
Christmas tree @ rockefeller center
Times Square with new years celebration
Brooklyn bridge
USS interprid aircraft carrier
Coney Island
Chinatown
Top of the rock
And ofcourse BH-Photo & Video

Any further tips are greatly appreciated

I'll be visiting during christmas and new year for 9 days.
I also have a few more questions:

Is it possible to get a public transport ticket for using the subway/bus/train during this 9 day trip (so i don't have to buy a ticket every day) and how much will it cost, or are there better ways to do it.

I heard coney island is closed during the winter period. Is it still nice to go there even when it's closed?

Are there more marine ships apart from the Interprid i can visit?

Thanks in advance.

Best regards,

Marcus

--
Making a moment last forever
Click to expand...
--
Vadim
http://www.vadimkrisyan.com
 
The stuff you've listed is all pretty touristy.

If you're game for something a little spicier, head uptown through East Harlem into the South Bronx. Take a long lens.

LG
Marcus Antonius said:
In addition to my previous post about selecting an ideal bag for my trip to NYC coming christmas i had a few questions about POI in NYC.

I already had a few interesting tips according to safety in NYC and one more POI, maybe there's more i did not think about. Here is my list so far:

Statue of liberty
Epire state building
Christmas tree @ rockefeller center
Times Square with new years celebration
Brooklyn bridge
USS interprid aircraft carrier
Coney Island
Chinatown
Top of the rock
And ofcourse BH-Photo & Video

Any further tips are greatly appreciated

I'll be visiting during christmas and new year for 9 days.
I also have a few more questions:

Is it possible to get a public transport ticket for using the subway/bus/train during this 9 day trip (so i don't have to buy a ticket every day) and how much will it cost, or are there better ways to do it.

I heard coney island is closed during the winter period. Is it still nice to go there even when it's closed?

Are there more marine ships apart from the Interprid i can visit?

Thanks in advance.

Best regards,

Marcus

--
Making a moment last forever
Click to expand...
 
I never saw an aircraft carrier in real life or a blackbird. Would be great to see it up close. It's not far from my hotel so i probably will take a look. Thanks!

Marcus

--
Making a moment last forever
 
Bowbridge said:
No, you don't need tickets for Times Square on New Year's Eve, but if you don't get there way early (like in the afternoon) you will be nowhere near Times Square. I went one year at 8 p.m. and the closest I got was 57th St.
Click to expand...
What do people do all the time waiting, and how can you stop the cold getting through your feet? I really don't want to miss it, so i'll be prepared to bite the bullet (not sure about my GF though, she gets cold all the time. I remember she almost bailed out at the front of the line waiting for 3.5 hours in a line to visit the eiffel tower last december).
Bowbridge said:
People pictures are easy in the city, at least I've found it so.
Click to expand...
I do iave a 70-200 which would be easier to take pictures of people from a fair distance, however i'm still not sure if i will take that lens with me.
Bowbridge said:
An offbeat place to go to is Roosevelt Island (take the F train) on the south end. Very nice view of the skyline, especially the United Nations. I'd suggest walking across (or at least to the middle of) all the East River Bridges (Queensborough, Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn Bridges). Each has some nice views, and I'm sure you'll find some interesting shots.
Click to expand...
I'll write that one down, thanks!
Bowbridge said:
Believe me, you won't be at a loss for taking pictures.
--

Bowbridge
Click to expand...
--
Making a moment last forever
 
Logan Grogan said:
The stuff you've listed is all pretty touristy.

If you're game for something a little spicier, head uptown through East Harlem into the South Bronx. Take a long lens.
Click to expand...
What do you mean with spicier, those names you mentioned aren't exactly on my safe-to-visit list :)

Cheers,

Marcus
Logan Grogan said:
LG
Marcus Antonius said:
In addition to my previous post about selecting an ideal bag for my trip to NYC coming christmas i had a few questions about POI in NYC.

I already had a few interesting tips according to safety in NYC and one more POI, maybe there's more i did not think about. Here is my list so far:

Statue of liberty
Epire state building
Christmas tree @ rockefeller center
Times Square with new years celebration
Brooklyn bridge
USS interprid aircraft carrier
Coney Island
Chinatown
Top of the rock
And ofcourse BH-Photo & Video

Any further tips are greatly appreciated

I'll be visiting during christmas and new year for 9 days.
I also have a few more questions:

Is it possible to get a public transport ticket for using the subway/bus/train during this 9 day trip (so i don't have to buy a ticket every day) and how much will it cost, or are there better ways to do it.

I heard coney island is closed during the winter period. Is it still nice to go there even when it's closed?

Are there more marine ships apart from the Interprid i can visit?

Thanks in advance.

Best regards,

Marcus

--
Making a moment last forever
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Making a moment last forever
 
Marcus Antonius said:
Logan Grogan said:
The stuff you've listed is all pretty touristy.

If you're game for something a little spicier, head uptown through East Harlem into the South Bronx. Take a long lens.
Click to expand...
What do you mean with spicier, those names you mentioned aren't exactly on my safe-to-visit list :)
Click to expand...
Well in the context of purely photography the trail you've outlined is well-trodden and unlikely to yield anything we haven't seen from every angle.

I'm suggesting you venture out of your comfort zone a little. I'd like to bet it will be the most memorable part of your trip, and I don't mean that in any sinister way.

If you feel unsafe, start with a guided tour of Harlem. Google it.

LG
 
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