As a Clone Fanatic (Iowa born and raised) and now a New Yorker for almost a decade now, thought I might be able to help people wanting to make the journey to NYC. Most tourists do everything wrong, and end up spending way too much money so.....if you can pony up for the tickets, this might help you afford the rest of the trip.
Tip#1) QUEENS!!!!!!
Stay in Long Island City/ Astoria area. It is a safe, close, and way cheaper than Manhattan or Brooklyn. You can find nice, new, clean hotels for under $200 and sometimes for as little as $150. Unlike midtown Manhattan hotels, hotels in Queens most likely won't know or care about the NCAA and won't jack their rates. This is big for us, but it ain't the super bowl. Here are three great hotel options, I live a bit north but when family or friends are in town they stay at these three:
http://www.vervehotel.com/ - Verve
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3540 - Sheraton
http://hotelvetiver.com/
From these three hotels it is a 15-20 minute subway ride to MSG, no train transfer...you get on watch for 34th street and you are there. If you choose a cab, it is really close and not a problem. These hotels are really popular with European tourists because (no offense to anyone) generally they are more use to cities with public transit systems and small spaces, and in this case they always look like they know what they're doing compared to the people coming in and out of the overpriced midtown hotels. Plus, all the pickpockets hang in midtown for that very reason...shooting fish in a barrel.
Tip #2) LGA
Another tip regarding Queens that will save you a lot of money is fly into Laguardia airport if the prices are even close. The M60 bus is quick, easy, and $2.50...it will take you 15 mintues to the N train...N train south 4 stops gets you right to all three of these hotels. Cab will cost you $35-45 bucks if you don't know what you are doing or are in rush hour. Save you $40 on the trip in and $40 on the trip back to LGA. That $80 is at least 11 beers here in NYC!
Basically, between saving hundreds of dollars on your hotel, plus cab money.....staying in Queens has already saved you the price of ticket $200-300. Period. It's not like staying in the burbs of a city, you're in it, don't worry you'll feel like your in NYC.
Finally, find out where the locals eat and go there. So much great cheap food here, just do a little yelp or blog internet research and eat better food for less. Also, the street carts...not the crappy ones with the hot dog and pretzel, but the carts selling dumplings, chicken and rice Halal, or anything ethnic is going to be the best cheap food you will find anywhere in the USA. Those carts are cleaner than the Applebee's kitchen in Times Square believe me! You can eat like a king in this city for $15 a day....(Food Carts, Bagels, the right $2 pizza slice)
Save on Hotel, Save on Taxi, Save on food......more basketball, more beer. You can't say I don't have my priorities straight! Go Clones!!!!
- NYCLONE
Tip#1) QUEENS!!!!!!
Stay in Long Island City/ Astoria area. It is a safe, close, and way cheaper than Manhattan or Brooklyn. You can find nice, new, clean hotels for under $200 and sometimes for as little as $150. Unlike midtown Manhattan hotels, hotels in Queens most likely won't know or care about the NCAA and won't jack their rates. This is big for us, but it ain't the super bowl. Here are three great hotel options, I live a bit north but when family or friends are in town they stay at these three:
http://www.vervehotel.com/ - Verve
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3540 - Sheraton
http://hotelvetiver.com/
From these three hotels it is a 15-20 minute subway ride to MSG, no train transfer...you get on watch for 34th street and you are there. If you choose a cab, it is really close and not a problem. These hotels are really popular with European tourists because (no offense to anyone) generally they are more use to cities with public transit systems and small spaces, and in this case they always look like they know what they're doing compared to the people coming in and out of the overpriced midtown hotels. Plus, all the pickpockets hang in midtown for that very reason...shooting fish in a barrel.
Tip #2) LGA
Another tip regarding Queens that will save you a lot of money is fly into Laguardia airport if the prices are even close. The M60 bus is quick, easy, and $2.50...it will take you 15 mintues to the N train...N train south 4 stops gets you right to all three of these hotels. Cab will cost you $35-45 bucks if you don't know what you are doing or are in rush hour. Save you $40 on the trip in and $40 on the trip back to LGA. That $80 is at least 11 beers here in NYC!
Basically, between saving hundreds of dollars on your hotel, plus cab money.....staying in Queens has already saved you the price of ticket $200-300. Period. It's not like staying in the burbs of a city, you're in it, don't worry you'll feel like your in NYC.
Finally, find out where the locals eat and go there. So much great cheap food here, just do a little yelp or blog internet research and eat better food for less. Also, the street carts...not the crappy ones with the hot dog and pretzel, but the carts selling dumplings, chicken and rice Halal, or anything ethnic is going to be the best cheap food you will find anywhere in the USA. Those carts are cleaner than the Applebee's kitchen in Times Square believe me! You can eat like a king in this city for $15 a day....(Food Carts, Bagels, the right $2 pizza slice)
Save on Hotel, Save on Taxi, Save on food......more basketball, more beer. You can't say I don't have my priorities straight! Go Clones!!!!
- NYCLONE
