The Cultural Exposé's quickie guide to New York City by The Cultural Exposé

The Cultural Exposé’s quickie guide to

NEW YORK CITY

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The Cultural Exposé’s quickie guide to

NEW YORK CITY

August 2010

I’d been to New York about 10 times before deciding to spend the summer of 2010 there - and five weeks in the Big Apple was enough to confirm that it’s truly one of the most amazing places on Earth. Why? Because in the words of Walt Whitman, “There is no place like it, no place with an atom of its glory, pride, and exultancy” - and from the hustle and bustle to the colourful characters, the vibrancy of NYC has a way of making you feel that you too can be a part of the American Dream NYers believe in, with that work hard/play hard attitude they seem to do so well. So whether you’re a first-timer or not, here’s The Cultural Exposé’s tribute to this great city, and one that should be useful if you plan to travel there soon. The Guide is designed for people with limited time and want their information quick and snappy - so you’ll find concise profiles and our personal tips ( ) , hyperlinks dotted throughout the guide to quickly access websites (in red) - and it can also be viewed on readers like the iPad. Finally, if you have any questions and want to know more about NYC, don’t hesitate to drop me an e-mail. Bon voyage (you will LOVE IT!), Matilda (Editor of The Cultural Exposé) TAXI!!! (PIC: MATILDA EGERE-COOPER)

The Basics..........A quick reference guide to the city’s essentials The Destination.............Interesting facts and background info Do’s and Don’ts......................A pick and mix of handy tips

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Eat & Drink..............................What to eat and where to eat it

10-11 Shopping....................Spots that make spending worthwhile 12 Accommodation..Spots that guarantee a good night’s sleep 13 Things to Do, Places to Go....arts, culture & good times

The Cultural Exposé is a site for hip + arty urban adventurers. We publish city and seasonal guides on arts, culture, lifestyle and travel.

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THE BASICS

Currency

Telephone

Important Dates

Weather

It’s all about the Benjamins baby - and $$$’s can get you far in New York as a lot of things (especially food) are cheap. Just remember that tipping is standard practice in the US, and you’ll be expected to add about 15%-20% to your restaurant bill. Also, sales tax for items is currently 8.375%, but may vary depending on the purchase. For up to date currency conversions, visit www. xe.com/ucc.

These are the main public holidays in the US (check this link for specific dates) January – Martin Luther King Jr Day February – President’s Day May – Memorial Day July 4th – Independence Day September – Labour Day October – Columbus Day November – Veteran’s Day November – Thanksgiving December 25th – Christmas

The international code for the US is 001. Also, if you need to dial out from the US, you have a few cost-effective options. You can either 1) Sign up to Skype, buy some credit, and make calls from a computer, 2) Buy a prepaid phonecard (although if you’re calling from a mobile, some charges might occur) or buy a sim card; these are value for money if you’re staying for a month or more.

NYC winters can get bitter and their summers can be unbearable - no surprise then that January and February offer the cheapest flights (but temperatures can get below zero degrees !). May and June are said to be the best time to visit, while July to September is sweltering. October, November and December fluctuate between chilly and warm. Visit news. bbc.co.uk/weather for more info.

Travelling

The main airports that serve NYC are John F Kennedy (JFK), LaGuardia (mainly for domestic flights) and the neighbouring Newark airport in New Jersey. Taking a taxi is the easiest way into the city, and can range from $45 (flat fee from JFK) upwards. From JFK, you can also take the AirTrain JFK, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), the subway or even shuttle buses to get you into Manhattan. Click here for detailed fare information. Once you’re in Manhattan, the price of an unlimited ride metrocard (for the subway and buses) is $8.25 for the day, $27 for 7 days, $51.50 for 14 days or $89 for 30 days. More fares info can be found here. If you want to catch a cab to get around the city, you’ll find they’re not too pricey, but you’ll need to be bold and direct to hail one! Finally, Manhattan works on a grid system, unlike the other boroughs; avenues run East to West (cross-town) while streets run North to South (Uptown and Downtown). 5th Avenue divides the Eastside from the Westside and once you get past 4th Street Downtown, the streets turn to names such as Delancey and it can be a little confusing. Advice? Use a map – you can download one here.

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THE DESTINATION THE INFAMOUS TIMES SQUARE (PIC: MEC)

A few facts about New York City...

1. If you ever feel a little claustrophobic in NYC,

there’s a reason why – the city has a population of 5. Despite the influence of other fashion capitals a whopping 8.2 million people – more than any such as Paris, Milan and London, New York was the other city in the US. Cosy! first to launch a Fashion Week in 1943, after publi2. New York was rechristened in 1664 after cist Eleanor Lambert wanted to give American dethe English seized the city from the Dutch and signers an opportunity to flaunt their work. changed its name from Nieuw-Amsterdam (New 6. Broadway was once known as the WiechqAmsterdam) to New York. uaekeck Trail (try to pronounce that!)– a former 3. New York has three major newspapers – the trader route for the Algonquins, an aboriginal New York Times, the Daily News and the New York tribe from Canada. Post, while AM-New York and Metro are two free 7. NYC is made up of five boroughs: Manhattan, daily papers distributed every morning. No Daily Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island and Planet, I’m afraid. each borough is represented by a Borough Presi4. The city became known as the Big Apple in the dent - except Manhattan - although their powers 1920s after sportswriter John J Fitz Gerald over- are limited: it’s the Mayor of New York City that heard stablehands in New Orleans refer to the calls the shots. racetracks in NYC as the Big Apple – he named his column Around the Big Apple as a result. www.theculturalexpose.co.uk | 5

DO’S AND DONT’S

Do play chess in Union Do Square with a guy named Big John. For a mere $5, this fellow taught me everything I needed to know in an hour; and he let me have a second lesson the next day for free. Good man!

check out nyclout. com if you like to get your party on. There’s always some kind of industry launch going on and alot of these spots have an open bar (!), so if you want to have a cool night out, visit this site.

Do talk to people – New

Yorkers are quite open and you can end up having some of the best conversations with random strangers. But this is not a suggestion to get yourself in a dodgy situation (crackheads like talking too).

Do enjoy the free Wi-Fi. Do

Do know your Local from

You can get an internet connection more or less EVERYWHERE. I’d suggest Starbucks as your first point of call, but you can also pick up Wi-Fi at Barnes and Nobles, Union Square and alot of cafes.

explore, but keep your wits about you. NYC is an adventurous city and you can stumble upon some great places, but I ended up bumping into a guy who said he was “On the run” - and I didn’t stick around to find out why!

your Express trains. These are great if you’re in a hurry as the train will skip loads of stations - but if you were on an Express trying to get to 23rd St, you could be screwed. Check before boarding!

Do go to a TKTs booth to Do have a $1.99 biscuit Do get your nails done get discount Broadway tickets. There’s one near Times Square, Brooklyn and South Street Seaport and you can get up to 50% off the price of a ticket. Get there early though as the queue is ridiculous!

and two-piece chicken from Popeyes. This spot is the Louisiana version of KFC and they are everywhere (even in Chinatown!). It’s greasy fast food, but gorgeous nonetheless. Do it ;-).

on the cheap! There are some thrifty spots to get your nails done in NYC and they do a blooming good job too! I got a pedicure for $13 (with tip, $16) and it lasted for a solid two weeks. Not bad at all!

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Don’t

just take the subway. Buses are fun too and they can be a good way to check out the city while going across Manhattan ( “crosstown”) or up and down the Avenues. Visit www.mta.info/ nyct for more info.

Don’t forget your sun- Don’t just do the tourscreen/umbrella in the summer. NYC at this time of the year is a furnace! If you care about your skin, baste yourself in nothing less than factor 30, and use an umbrella for shade – everybody else does!

isty stuff. You’ve seen the Statue of Liberty, hailed a cab and checked out Times Square, so what next? Check out our Things To Do, Places to Go section to get another insight into NYC.

Don’t take the subway Don’t late at night or early in the morning if you fear rats. Some are said to be the size of cats and that alone freaks me out. My solution? Walk, cab, bus; I’m not running into a RAT!

go to Harlem on a Sunday. It’s Tourist Central at the famous Abyssinian church and Sylvia’s Soul Food restaurant on 125th and Lenox Ave, while the street vendors sell everything at a premium. Mid-week is better.

Don’t

leave a supermarket without checking your items thoroughly. I once went to a spot on two separate occasions and ended up leaving with mouldy rice and a half empty juice carton. Double ewwww.

Don’t cross the streets Don’t take a taxi from Don’t look like a touruntil the sign says so. The streets are like motorways and they’ve got this rule which states cars can make a left turn regardless if pedestrians have way. So if you’re impatient, you could DIE.

the airport (if you’re travelling on your own and can’t split the cost) when you can take a shuttle bus. It’s more than half the price of a cab (although shuttle journeys are that little bit longer.)

ist. Put away the lofty guide books, keep your camera tucked away and don’t stand in the middle of the pavement looking lost. NYers don’t suffer fools, so make sure you get with the programme - pronto! www.theculturalexpose.co.uk | 7

DO’S AND DON’TS

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EAT & DRINK

The variety of food in New York City knows no bounds. Here, you can taste cuisine from any where around the world, enjoy colossal breakfasts and try out an unlimited range of “cheap eats” - the recession-friendly options that keep diners satisfied (if only for the fact that they’re saving money!) New York is also famous for their pizza, fab cheesecake (check out Juniors!) and their relaxed approach to measuring alcohol shots - not to mention, the hundreds of street vendors selling kebabs, pretzels and other foods - but consume this stuff at your own risk!

Brooklyn Moon, Fort Greene

This quaint cafe in the classy Fort Greene area of Brooklyn is such a best-kept secret, but it’s worth leaving Manhattan for; they combine Caribbean and US soul food to create an eclectic menu featuring entrees such as “cat eggs” (turkey-wrapped plantain), curry mussels and even “lobster” pancakes (grilled tilapia over a garlic mashed potato pancake stuffed with lobster). The guava lemonade comes highly recommended too. Then there’s the great prices - especially their famous $5 lunch special which offers diners a selection of entrees and one side dish. 745 Fulton St, Tel: (718) 855-7149. (between Elliott Pl & Oxford St) Subway: Lafayette Ave (C), Fulton St (G), Atlantic Ave-Pacific St (2, 3, 4, 5, M, N, Q, W, R, B, D)

THE $5 LUNCH FROM BROOKLYN MOON (PIC: MEC)

ITALIAN Tonalli Cafe & Bar 3628 Broadway between 149th and 150th Sts (212926-0399) Price: Moderate They claim to be the only continental Italian cuisine in Hamilton Heights and it’s worth the trek: juicy paninis, addictive fries and a sophisticated ambience that’s cool without trying. www.tonallicafebar.com SOUTHERN BB Kings Bar & Grill 73 W Houston Street (Soho) (212 - 533 - 5610) Price: Moderate This is a tourist staple just off Times Square (42nd St) and doubles up as an entertainment venue and a restaurant (affectionately named Lucille’s Grill after the late bluesman’s guitar). www.bbkingblues.com DESSERTS Emack & Bolios 73 W Houston St (212 - 533 - 5610) Price: Moderate This quirky ice-cream parlour boasts flavours such as ‘deep purple cow’ (black raspberry ice cream with blueberries and white and dark chocolate chips – yum!) and produces the loveliest handmade chocolates. www.emackandbolios.com

For more eat + drink recommendations, visit nymag.com/restaurants

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THINGS EXTO DO

THE $5 LUNCH FROM BROOKLYN MOON (PIC: MEC)

AINT NO PARTY LIKE A DOMINICAN PARADE PARTY(PIC: MEC)

The number of things to do and see in New York can be overwhelming, to say the least – but if it was a choice between a dry itinerary and a schedule so packed you’d be tempted to extend your trip, most people would happily swing towards the latter. Sightseeing bus tours are well recommended, but you can also explore the city by foot or even plug into the recreational nightlife as many bars and clubs usually have something fun jumping off!

The Museum of Modern Art, 11 W 53rd St (near 5th Ave)

The creative magnitude of NYC’s Museum of Modern Art is undeniable; it houses works from the 19th century onwards, with collections that revolve around architecture, photography, film, sculpture, paintings and drawings. All of this comes courtesy of some of the world’s finest including Van Gogh, Matisse and Monet, and there’s an opportunity to learn more about their art and others through the numerous multimedia stations, or at the daily gallery talks at 11:30am and 1:30pm. If you feel a little peckish, there’s a couple of cafes on site, as well as the Michelin-starred restaurant The Modern, which serves French-American cuisine - and all this exciting culture is guaranteed for a decent admission charge of $20 (although it’s free entry on Friday between 4-8pm!) www.moma.org

Other Places and Attractions

Rockefeller Center

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Central Park + zoo

The Brooklyn Museum

Grand Central Terminal

International Center of Photography

Ellis Island / Statue of Liberty

Times Square

Staten Island Ferry

Empire State Building

The Brooklyn Bridge

Lincoln Center www.theculturalexpose.co.uk | 10

Union Hall, 702 Park Slope (at 5th Ave), Brooklyn

Any spot that has bocce courts, a fireplace, a music venue downstairs and its very own library has got to be awesome and thankfully Brooklyn’s Union Hall ticks all those boxes and then some. When they’re not serving great bar food and drinks, they’re also offering an eclectic range of events such as Adult Education (thought-provoking seminars and lectures) and the weekly free dance party Karaoke Killed the Cat. www.unionhallny.com

Events January

August

New York Times Arts & Leisure Weekend

Lincoln Center Out-ofDoors

Three Kings Day Parade and Celebration

New York International Fringe Festival US Open Tennis

February

World Basketball Festival

Chinese New Year

Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival

March St Patrick’s Day Parade

Spike Lee’s Michael Jackson Loves Brooklyn Birthday Party

Sing Into Spring Festival

Since 1973, this haven for writers and poets has been one of the most popular spots in the lower east side of NYC, playing host to creative arts forms such as hip-hop, comedy and theatre. Their poetry slams are legendary and usually packed out with a mix of locals, artists and tourists who have come to watch contenders use their lyrical prowess to battle it out for the title of slam champion; it’s a riot! www.nuyorican.org

Spike Lee’s Michael Jackson Loves Brooklyn Birthday Party, Prospect Park

In 2009, director and Brooklyn resident Spike Lee organised a birthday celebration for The King of Pop in August, and since then, the massive bash held in Prospect Park has rapidly become an annual homage to his life, celebrated by the people who love him. The 2010 event was a cracker and to top it all off, rapper Snoop Dogg made a surprise appearance. To find out about future events, visit www.40acres.com

September Fashion’s Night Out West Indian Day Parade

April

New Yorker Festival

Easter Parade

New York Film Festival

Tribeca Film Festival Mets and Yankees Season Openers June Puerto Rican Day Parade Shakespeare in the Park SummerStage (through to September) Celebrate Brooklyn (through to August)

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Commemorating September 11 October Columbus Day Parade NYC Underground Comedy Festival NYC Oktoberfest November

July Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Dominican Street Parade Harlem Week

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade ING NYC Marathon George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker December Times Square New Year’s Eve

Nightlife Visit these links to find out about alternative events

www.ny.com www.newyork.citysearch.com

www.villagevoice.com

www.nycgo.com

www.newyorkmagazine.com

Time Out New York

www.newyorker.com

Citysightsny.com

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PLACES TO GO

Nuyorican’s Poetry Cafe, 236 East 3rd Street (Between Ave B & C)

Big East Tournament (basketball)

THE $5 LUNCH FROM BROOKLYN MOON (PIC: MEC)

SHOPPING

URBAN SWAGGER, COURTESY OF VINNIES STYLES (PIC: MEC)

The American actress Bo Derek once remarked, “Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping” - and they probably weren’t in New York City either, which has long been the mecca for shopaholics in need of a little retail therapy. From the high-end thrill of Madison Avenue to the thrifty designer extras at Century 21, shopping in NYC caters for all tastes and budgets. But we at The Cultural Exposé are a quirky bunch, and have chosen some of our personal favourites in the city, as well as highlighting some handy tips from Frommer’s and New York magazine.

Vinnies Styles, 160 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn (between Atlantic Ave & Pacific St)

For chic urban wear with a distinctively avant-garde feel, look no further than Brooklyn’s Vinnies Styles. These hip-hop fashionistas have been selling cult T-shirts, slick ‘kicks’ and other accessories since they opened their first store in 2002, after being inspired to start up a premium fashion store in the area. In 2003, they launched their label, Paulies, which debuted their famous Brooklyn tees. These guys don’t scrimp when it comes to quality and while a pair of denims might set you back $200, they keep their shelves stacked with so many exclusives and limited-edition wares from the likes of Maharishi, you might be tempted to shop like a king. www.vinniesstyles.com Tel: 718-636-9787

Shopping by borough Harlem The legendary 125th Street The Malcolm Shabazz market The rest of Manhattan & Brooklyn Check out the Frommer’s guides to the best shopping spots Long Island Check out the borough’s official visitor’s guide to the best shopping spots in Long Island Queens Austin Street in Forest Hills - “packed with chains, boutiques, and hard-tofind items” according to New York Magazine The Bronx Fordham Road – the central hub for shopping in the borough

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THE DOWNSTAIRS KITCHEN AT EAST VILLAGE BED & COFFEE

East Village Bed & Coffee, 110 Ave. C (between Seventh and Eighth St)

Alphabet City is famous for its bohemian vibe and is also home to East Village Bed & Coffee, an eclectic and affordable B&B that’s guaranteed to give you a flavour of real NYC living. Owned by the eccentric Anne Edris (who plays host, along with colleague Harrison), the funky guesthouse boasts of a number of rooms with names like Mexican, Beach, Zen, Black & White and Afghani, and they all easily accommodate singles and couples. Board also includes free internet access, while there’s free bikes and museum passes on offer for guests (not to mention the extra company of a cute pair of dogs). The best bit is, you’ll be living in the middle of one of New York’s most vibrant neighbourhoods which features impressive restaurants and bars, like the Alphabet Lounge (www. alphabetnyc.com). Rooms are usually snapped up quickly, so for more info visit www.bedandcoffee.com or call 917-816-0071.

Sites for more info Hostels www.hostelbookers.com www.gershwinhostel.com (named one of Guardian’s top ten hostels in the world) Hotels www.tripadvisor.co.uk www.mrandmrssmith.com Bed and Breakfast www.bedandbreakfast.com/usa www.couchsurfing.com (good for finding a spot to simply rest your head!) Apartments www.nyhabitat.com

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ACCOMMODATION SHOPPING

For all its plus points, staying in New York ain’t cheap – especially if you want to enjoy the luxuries of a top-notch hotel. However, there are other options, from staying in hostels (don’t be put off by the name – many offer double or single rooms, with private bathrooms) to living in a bed & breakfast (B&B), and these are great if you want to feel like a “real” New Yorker. There’s also apartment rentals, which are perfect for long-term stays or “apart-hotels”, which tend to offer extra spaces like a living room or dining area, with all the convenient perks of a hotel. So whatever you choose, don’t forget to factor in travel - getting around Manhattan is easy enough, but if you camp out in Queens, you could be in for a trek!

The Cultural Exposé’s

quickie guide to

NEW YORK CITY

Produced and published by The Cultural Exposé www.theculturalexpose.co.uk Email: guides@theculturalexpose.co.uk Tel: +44208 133 0359 First edition © 2010 The Cultural Exposé Text © 2010 The Cultural Exposé Project editor: Matilda Egere-Cooper All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any part of the world, without prior permission of the publisher. Requests for permission should be made to the publisher at the above e-mail address. Although every care has been taken in compiling this publication, and the contents are believed to be correct at the time of printing, The Cultural Exposé cannot accept any responsibility for errors or omission, however caused, or for changes in details given in the guide, or for the consequences of any reliance on the information provided. Also most descriptions and assessments are based on the author(s) personal views and experiences when writing.

We’d love to get your feedback. * Do you have any interesting tips or know of any sights, venues, restaurants or places of accommodation that we didn’t feature?

* Want to let us know how we could improve the guide in the future? Send us your ideas and recommendations and we might include it and credit you in the next edition! Email: guides@theculturalexpose.co.uk

Acknowledgements

Grateful to these sites that were used for research: Time Out New York, nycgo.com, The Guardian, New York magazine, new. york.eventguide.com, frommers.com, yelp.com, time.com, bbc.co.uk, jazzhostels.com, history.com, hubpages.com, ehow. com, midmanhattan.com, scenebylaurie.com, Streetadvisor, Tripadvisor, britannica.com and timesonline.co.uk. Also, to Flickr photographers Stephen Rees, Chu Love, Kevin H, Dommm, Steve Rhode and Sascha Grant for the usage of their images. Much love to the friends who gave me advice, my 5-week travel buddy k-hart, and the many venues that allowed me to take pictures. My biggest thank you goes to New York - a wonderful city that never ceases to inspire me.

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