[Annie]

Hey everyone!

I hope everybody is keeping well and happy!

Much to my thrill, my best friend and I are planning a 5 day trip down to New York City in 2 weeks, right after the semester finishes. I was hoping like mad to get A Chorus Line tickets, but tragically, they're all sold out (WAH). We're going to shoot for The Drowsy Chaperone, and see what we can get at TKTS the other nights.

My question...I'm looking for some fun, CHEAP things to do in the city. I'm totally broke and this trip is pushing it for me (but we have a free place to stay! woot!), so I'm going to be shying away from all the expensive attractions. Plus, I've been many-a time before, so I've done most of the tourist-y things, so I'm looking for just some fun stuff to do. Cheap shopping? Cheap restaurants? Cheap other such things? What are your favorites?

Thanks!! Happy December, everyone!

Annie

[Chevstriss]

Central Park zoo? most things there are expensive. you can check out FAO for free. just don't buy anything.

[Luc]

Oooh, go on the Ferris Wheel in Toys 'R' Us!!

[Matthew]

[Eponine93]

Window shopping. The tree in Rockerfeller center.

They're not cheap. They're free.

[AllThatJazzHands]

Hmmm, celebrity stalking is pretty cheap.

[BroadwayBaby0202]

Coming from someone who lives in the city, there is plenty to do but not much that is cheap, lol. I know when my family comes to visit, they really enjoy skating at Rockefeller Center. Other than that, it's always fun just to walk around and enjoy the beauty (haha, I know it sounds corny.) Oh yes, and as someone mentioned previously, celebrity stalking is very, very fun! hahaha. Story of my life. Also, this is just a suggestion, but my cousin who is not from around here is really into theatre like me, so when she comes to visit she always buys a Backstage paper and goes on different auditions meeting casting directors, other performers, etc. Anyway, I really hope you enjoy your stay! I must admit that I do love it here.

[Marcellus]

Before leaving, take a look at the catalog at www.nypl.org, especially for the Musical Theatre Research Library at Lincoln Center (at 63rd St and Eighth Ave).

here: http://www.nypl.org/research/lpa/lpa.html

Get signed authority from your school (or theater group) to research something of interest to you. Then you can spend an afternoon (they open at noon) at the musical theatre library looking at videos and such that are only available for research. I saw a video of the 2004 Encores production of the Gershwin Brothers' Pardon My English this way.
(I'm on the board of a community theater, and have produced and directed the Gershwins' Strike Up the Band before, hence my credentials for doing research there).

Your odds of being able to view videos and such are slim unless you can provide credentials for doing musical theater research.
Also, sign up for your NYPL library card online ahead of time to save time.

[MsDivaKate]

Strawberry Fields and the John Lennon memorial in Central Park. Its very cool.

I also enjoy Century 21 which is right across from the WTC site. Its pretty damn cheap shopping especially for designer names. However, its hella crowded down near the handbags and sunglasses. China Town is also pretty good for cheap shopping. You don't even know how many back alley handbag shops I've visited down there lol

[Electricity24601]

One really fun place to go in NYC is the Sony Wonderlab. It's basically an interactive museum where you can experience all sorts of neat technology- everything from designing your own videogame to setting up the layout of a TV show. The best part about it- it's free!
The hitch is you might have to book a spot a few days in advance. It gets pretty crowded, and you might not get in without reservations.
Here's the website:
http://wondertechlab.sony.com/

[kakoforever]

I'm a nerd. I collect trinkets and little junk from shows, in middle school it was show locker magnets, in high school it was backpack pins, and now in college I've graduated to show posters for the dorm.

Cheaper than real shopping, and the junky little tourist traps in Times Square have stuff from shows that closed ages ago, if you're a nerd like me.

[Annie]

haha! Great suggestions, thanks!

Kakoforever, I'm totally a nerd like you. I love Broadway memorabilia and spend loads of time in the little gift shops in the theatre district whenever I make it down to NYC. (Broadway New York, under the Mariott Marquis is my favorite!)

I'll mention all of this stuff to my friend I'm traveling with and see what she thinks. Sounds great to me! Thanks!

Keep the ideas coming, if you like! xox

Annie


p.s. Oh!!!! Guess what?!? I got A Chorus Line tickets! Damn 1-800-Broadway guy told me they were sold out...grrr. Thank you telecharge! WOOHOO!!

[olly]

Grabbing a bagel and a coffee and sitting in Central Park?

[star2ballie]

One day in NY, my friend and I literally did hardly anything and had a total blast. We got coffee and walked all around, and took pictures. I guess it would help if you a) like photography, and b) have a camera...but it was a lot of fun, for us, anyway. There is so much to see and capture on film...when I came home I even used some pictures for my Humanities project!

(Also, we got to be camera whores and take really cute pictures of ourselves all over our favorite city. )

[Jordan]

[Marcellus]

Strawberry Field is in Liverpool. Yoko Ono gave some money to NYC and they made a part of West Central Park that was a favorite walking area of John And Yoko's (across from The Dakota on West Central Park) into a tear-shaped area called Strawberry Fields. The only reference to Lennon (other than vendors at Columbus Circle and elsewhere selling pictures) is a circular mosaic saying "Imagine".

[Annie]

Awesome! I can't wait to do all this stuff! (not to mention see A Chorus Line, and hopefully something else...)

Anyone know if the Central Park Zoo is open in the wintertime? And does anyone know about how much the NBC tour costs? Thanks!!

Oh man, I'm psyched. I'll post many a picture when I come home!

Annie