Help me plan my trip to New York City

For jazz, it really is worth it to spend some money to see a big name at one of the big clubs in town (Vanguard, Birdland, etc.). The reason is that people really bring it when they play NY. You will sometimes see as many big names in the audience as you will on stage. You just don't get that kind of energy when you catch a big name jazz guy on the road. It is really special in NY.

A good middle ground for jazz is the Jazz Gallery in Flatiron. Very minimal space. 100% about the music. Very innovative programming. Tickets are $15-25 depending on the act. No drink minimums. Really just a performance space to come hear great performances.

55 Bar is probably what you are really looking for. It is a tiny bar in the village where everyone crams in around a jazz combo for a show.

As for museums, Guggenheim cannot be missed.

Please tell me you found a hotel in NYC to stay at that does NOT charge the mandatory "resort fee" or "service fee". F**k, those annoy me, especially in NYC. Usually they say this will cover "Wifi Access, the Gym, Local/Long Distance Calling". None of these I *NEED* to use (I have plenty of 4G data to use, thanks...and if I make a call, it will be from my cell phone..and I'd bet 5% of hotel guests use the gym).

Really it's all about being able to show a lower daily rate for the third party travel/hotel sites. Hotels realize people are price conscious. Plus, once one hotel figures out they "make" money on it, others jump on board, similar to the airlines and their baggage/ticket fees. As a consumer, I hate it because I think I found a really good rate for that property, then i get usually at least one, if not two or three clicks in before realizing there is a $35/day "resort fee", if not more. So much for that great deal.

1) Running along the Avenues (6th, Fifth, Park, et al.) involves lotsa short blocks, along the Streets involves lotsa long blocks. Learn to cross the streets like the natives - no cars == go.

If you're near Grand Central Station, then Central Park is your closest bet. The Hudson River trail is further away but you'd be sheltered from auto traffic - but not their fumes.

if it's snowy/slushy, i'd stick to the treadmill, wouldn't want to injure myself on a trip.

My usual route would be go up 5th Ave until the north end of Central Park, head west until Central Park West and go south and head back to your hotel/room. under 10 miles, i believe. start this before 7/7:30AM to avoid the morning rush or you'll be practicing the start of the Boston Marathon when you're in one of the slower corrals - weaving in/out like crazy on the sidewalk.

running on the outside of Central Park is not as hilly compared to if you actually ran inside Central Park. the trail around the reservoir in Central Park can be sandy at points.

So I will be closer to the East River than the Hudson, so probably will run on that side if I do venture over there. What's the deal with the continuity of that trail? Am I right to assume that it seems to crap out between 60th and 35th St?

from what I gathered, neither of the hudson river or east river trails were designed in one go - just strung together, linking as best as they could.

from

https://medium.com/great-runs/great-runs-in-new-york-city-2fa576b101b5

"The East River Greenway is another car-free esplanade at waterfront at East side of Manhattan. It stretches from Battery Park in the south to 125th Street in north, with a 1.2 mile-long gap between 34th Street and 60th Street where busy First and Second Avenues are needed to get around United Nations headquarters. The gap is currently under development and it is expected to be fully completed by 2024."

also see

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_River_Greenway

Correct. The smallest gap is between 60th St to go North or 37th (through a little stinky overpass) to go South. You can go North from 37th to 41st but there's no access to 1st Av on that stretch.

Also seems to crap out at about 125th and pick back up along the Harlem River. Not too worried about that stretch, as I probably will not be running that far north.

This guy might do more in his weekend than I've done in a few months here. I live here not Rojo. I'll buy you a drink. Email me wejo@letsrun.com. Maybe we should have Letsrun meetup.

I've never been to a jazz club but keep saying I'm going to venture up to Harlem. Ran through it once but that was it.

9/11 Museum is a recommend.

110th and Amsterdam has 3 of my favorite restaurants. What's so bad about 110th street?

You can walk my dogs. Thanks. Just kidding. I actually almost always walk them in Riverside Park. Thought I'd go to Central Park but almost never do.

And are the cheap parts of NY north of me? I still can't believe what stuff costs here.

And I may need to check out the Cloisters myself. My wife recommended it and now everyone on here.

As for Coogan's not sure it's worth a trip out of your way unless you're going to go run at the Armory or go to a meet there but I might be jaded because I'm around cool track stuff all the time.

"110th and Amsterdam has 3 of my favorite restaurants. What's so bad about 110th street?"

110th Street isn't so bad it's just that...crossing it's a hell of a tester. Seriously, take my advice, you'll either live or die. You've got to be strong if you wanna survive. I'm sure there's a better way out (not snorting coke or shooting that dope - that's copping out), and I'm not saying it's unique (in every city you find the same thing going down), but Harlem is the capital of every ghetto town.

Wejo, Smoke on 106th and Broadway is a great jazz club.

Thanks for all the recommendations!. Definitely seems like plenty of running/biking if you get creative. From what people have shared, I probably will focus on the East River going south towards East River Park and also get in a run two in Central Park. The Brooklyn/Manhattan bridge

I might take you up on the offer of the run, but I am planning my first run back from injury this weekend (I hope) and probably will not be running more than 5-6 miles per day by the time I am in New York. We'll see how I come around.

Well, this list of activities is very aspirational, but hoping to fit in a run, museum visit, and music with each day, if not some additional exploring via walking or bicycle. I'll shoot an email to the great co-founder.

I thought this was already voted on and the conclusion was Piled Peak?

La Salle Dumpling Room on Broadway near 123rd street is nothing short of AMAZING. Handmade dumplings and superb, fresh Chinese food. I might make my way back into the city just to eat here again.

I would come to the LetsRun meetup. I suggest Oscar Wilde Bar

For quality jazz music, you can't go wrong with Lincoln Center. That's my preferential spot for jazz music, but admittedly it doesn't have the same ambiance as a club. The upside is there are no drunk idiots, either.

https://www.jazz.org/events/2018-19-season/

1) Where can I run in Midtown? Is it so frustrating that I should just stick to the treadmill?

You can walk to central park from grand central

3) What art museums are worth a visit? I am also interested in more niche museums I have seen in New York (Mathematics, Transit, etc.)?

Transit museum has some interesting stuff and is great for kids, but probably not worth the trip if you're not otherwise going to the neighborhood. the new york historical society currently has a harry potter exhibition that has interesting stuff if you're at all into that

4) Any guided walking tours worth taking?

I'd assume no. If anywhere, the Financial District will have highest density of historical stuff you might not notice/appreciate without context. Don't know if any tours are actually good, though.

5) What should I do in Central Park besides walk around?

Nothing, but the small zoo is fine if you're into that.

6) Is the High Line worth a visit?

If you're nearby for sure. Otherwise, it's cool but probably not worth the trek west.

7) Is Coogan's worth the visit?

Definitely not unless it's post-Milrose, marathon, or maybe some other big meet at the armory

Abdoujaparov wrote:

"110th and Amsterdam has 3 of my favorite restaurants. What's so bad about 110th street?"

110th Street isn't so bad it's just that...crossing it's a hell of a tester. Seriously, take my advice, you'll either live or die. You've got to be strong if you wanna survive. I'm sure there's a better way out (not snorting coke or shooting that dope - that's copping out), and I'm not saying it's unique (in every city you find the same thing going down), but Harlem is the capital of every ghetto town.

the west side is nice until way higher up than 110

You gotta do a lap of Times Square, its a bucket list item.