Mad About Manhattan
Posted on March 12, 2006 9 Comments
A gal like me could get used to a city like New York. Vivacious, diverse and welcoming, I enjoyed the city at its best (if not its coldest) during a recent extended weekend.
PART ONE
Before I run down of my weekend, here are a few tips for those of you traveling there in the near future:
1) Check the weather channel before you go. I spent $35 on layering pieces that I already own, including a $5.00 pair of gloves from a street vendor, a $10 pair of tights to keep my thighs from freezing while stomping around the city and a $20 undershirt from Victoria’s Secret. It was while carrying this bag that a man stopped me near 51st and Lexington and shouted, “Let’s see what ya got in there!” Save yourself the embarrassment and pack appropriately!
2) Traveling to the Big Apple on business? Make a weekend out of it. Ask your company what it costs to take a vacation day or two and extend your business trip to a vacation. Most companies only ask you to pay the difference in air fare, which I’ve found is often minimal if you’re flexible. This way, your company covers travel to and from the airport, part of your hotel stay and most of your airfare. That’s what I call budget travel!
3) Take a late night flight. If you want to save a couple hundred bucks, take a late evening or red-eye flight home and skip the final night’s hotel stay. The bell desk will hold your bags all day long (just don’t pack anything too valuable), and you can sleep on the flight home.
4) If you’re thinking about visiting Museums, consider local art galleries as an alternative. The whole idea behind my trip was to visit New York’s famed art museums, but a friend convinced me to visit local galleries instead. We picked up a copy of Time Out New York,chartered a course and caught some crazy cool original work. The best part? All of the galleries in Chelsea were free.
PART TWO
For me, New York was overwhelming the first time I visited. The city was enormous and crowded. I went there on business, and my time was rushed.
Last week’s trip left a much different impression on me. The city sparkled with color and excitement. Instead of seeing just tall buildings, I can now connect memories with neighborhoods, faces with places. I can see why people love it so dearly.
I again traveled to New York on business, but this time for a black-tie social event. Unfortunately, that meant spending $200 on an outfit before I ever left Chicago, but I had nothing in my closet appropriate to wear. That is not very budget-y at all, I know, but the outfit (dress, shoes, jewelry) will get great use over the next few years.
I arrived in the city on an icey, sleety, foggy Thursday afternoon and worked most of the day. Unfortunately by 7:00, the weather still hadn’t cleared up, and it was freezing outside (I seriously think the wind chill was 10). But it didn’t deter me from wearing the springy cocktail dress and three-inch bejewled heels I bought for the occassion. I paid for that look and I wasn’t about to let a little wind chill stop me.
The dinner was obviously the most glamorous event I’ve ever attended. But I kept wondering what the big deal was about Tavern on the Green. Perhaps my budgeting perspective has completely taken over, but I’ve been to country clubs in the suburbs of Chicago that are just as nice, with better food. (We actually ate in a tent, so maybe that was the problem.)
I don’t mean to be blasphemous, New Yorkers! The ambiance was lovely, the wine was flowing, and I felt like a million bucks – I don’t think I stopped smiling all night.
Friday, I woke up and checked into the DoubleTree hotel in Mid-Town, where I found a room for $169 per night. I walked to the hotel because I couldn’t get a cab from the Sheraton Times Square. I must have looked confused or frozen on the walk over because a delivery guy said “Hey Mami, where you going?” while I was a bit turned around. I giggled about being called “Mami” the entire cold walk to Lexington. It’s the little things that make life bearable, you know?
I did a lot of walking during this particular trip. From the hotel, I trekked to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It took me an hour. I considered a cab but wanted to see the sights along the way and saved a little cash in the process. (Unfortunately, my cheeks got a nice case of wind burn…it looked like I skiied all day.)
I spent the afternoon lounging at the Museum, where I was lost in the American Wing for a good two hours. (Does it even connect to the other wings of the museum? Or am I just directionally challenged?) I saw “Washington Crossing the Delaware” four times before I found the Egyptians. Fine by me. The Museum is beautiful and I left thoroughly impressed.
To avoid the biting cold, I took the subway to my next stop: SoHo. Prince Street is the best people-watching district I’ve ever seen. Pink dreadlocks, gaucho pants and fur boots everywhere, I sipped a chai latte and watched the parade go by. I missed out on two boutiques because I refused to give up the chai (it was keeping me warm), but still managed to pick up a new shirt from Zara (which I love) and a nude undershirt from Victoria’s Secret because it was so cold and I clearly was NOT packed appropriately.
That night, I saw a Knicks game. (By now, I was an old pro of the subway.) I didn’t go to the game because I love basketball, though. I went because I called an old high school friend who I hadn’t seen in years and she happened to work for the Knicks.
We reconnected after the game at a bar called Mustang something or another, and yet ANOTHER old high-school friend happened to be at the game and went out with us! We stayed out chatting and drinking until at least 2 a.m., when I reluctantly jumped in a cab and headed back to the hotel. The entire night was a bargain (I only paid for cab fare) and I had the best time. I faded off to sleep with a year’s worth of memories and a feeling of absolute acceptance and thankfulness for my old friends, in the middle of a city not especially known for its hospitality.
Saturday was a bit more low-key. I convinced my friend to pal around with me all day and show me the sights. We considered the photography museum, but opted instead to get breakfast near NYU (where we munched on keilbasa and drank lots of coffee) before visiting Chelsea art galleries. What a treat for me to see both the building where Annie Leibovitz lives and some of her photographs in a gallery on the same day! And, as I mentioned in part one, those galleries are 100% free.
But the highlight of Saturday for me was the opportunity to reconnect on a deeper level with my high-school friend. Her generousity and insightfulness really made the day. We walked arm-in-arm down the streets of Chelsea, as if our friendship never stopped. I’ll cherish that lovely day for years to come.
I headed home Saturday night thrilled about my trip. I was spontaneous, independent and well-budgeted. It’s a trip I’ll remember the rest of my life.
*** Yes, I’ve edited this a lot since the first post.
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March 13th, 2006 @ 4:54 pm
I bet you had breakfast @ Veselka on 2nd ave. In which case you should called me, because this is my usual spot.
March 13th, 2006 @ 7:22 pm
He called you “Mami” and yes, it was a good thing.
The whole thing about NYC not being hospitable is a misinterpretation. When one is in need of help I’ve found it to be one of the best places to be, people will take care of you if you’re polite and respectful.
A quick tip for next time. The 5th Avenue bus is all the sights of a good tour bus but costs the same as the subway. You can pick it up right outside the Met Museum and it’ll take you all the way to Soho (5th Ave to 23rd St then switches to Broadway). Get a seat by the window, eat your cookie, drink your water and see all the sights. Whenever I have someone visiting me I take them on that bus.
Good for you for learning the subway right off the bat! Makes everything easier.
March 13th, 2006 @ 9:09 pm
That all sounds so great! You should check out my blog, particularly the post titled, Sometimes you have to the price to look cute.
March 14th, 2006 @ 1:36 am
Sounds like a great time! BTW, a MetroCard only costs $7 and you can ride the subway all day. The subway system is easy to navigate, so there’s an economical option for you when you’re too cold or tired to walk anymore.
PS: I can relate to your extra layering cost – I’ve had to do the same each time I’ve come to Chicago
March 14th, 2006 @ 2:16 am
I just put you on my home page a few days ago. Just got a chance to read “Mad About Manhattan”. I have to say, but I’ve been to NYC & the people there were fabulous. In fact, I’ve never been anywhere that the people were not hospitable. — Key Largo (just last week), Disney World (just 2 weeks ago), California, Europe, etc. I feel like I want to apologize to all the New Yorkers in the world for you. Actually, I got the impression by what you wrote that you are narcissistic, boring, monotonous, droning on and on, and self-centered. Well, maybe not all of that completely, but at least somewhat. (See that was nice!) By the way, did you know that the real budgeting babe is Cari Wira of For Me fame? Are you allowed to use her title? Just wondering… Gotta go to remove you from my home page…sorry babe.
March 14th, 2006 @ 2:22 am
Hi,
Some heartfelt advice:
check the weather before you go an a trip and pack accordingly
March 14th, 2006 @ 2:48 am
Hey anony,
I had an awesome time in NY and loved the people. I said they had a reputation for being unhospitable, and in Chicago, they do. That’s just how it is.
I agree this post is too long, just haven’t had time to cull it down yet.
I checked to see if anyone was using “Budgeting Babe” in October 04 when I started this blog and there wasn’t. But to be on the safe side I just looked up Cari Wira and didn’t see much about her, other than an article from April 2005 where she calls herself a “Budget Babe.” So I can’t imagine that I have anything to worry about.
Are you Sharon Harvey Rosenberg? If so, let me know. You’re the only one I could find with any sort of information about Cari Wira.
March 14th, 2006 @ 6:37 pm
Hi, Nicole, I came across your blog through my My Yahoo! settings.
I don’t know what anonymous is talking about, you come across as a warm, friendly person to me. And your blog can be all about you if you want it to be! (Not saying it is…)
Anyway, I’m at a similar place in my life (i.e. realizing that I haven’t saved enough but trying to rectify the situation) and I’ve enjoyed reading about your experiences. It’s nice to know I’m not alone
Carrie-not registered, I’m on livejournal
March 15th, 2006 @ 8:42 pm
Hey Budgeting Babe, I’m really enjoying reading your blog. I feel like you’re telling my story as well. I visited NYC for only the second time last fall, and I found the people to be friendly, helpful, chatty, courteous, fascinating, funny, just as I found them to be the first time I visited many years ago. I adore NYC and find that people are always ready to lend a helping hand. And I don’t think you sound narcissistic at all……..who are you supposed to write about in a blog, someone you don’t know? Gimme a break! Keep up the good work just as you are doing it.