New York City travel guide

What blogs and Internet magazines should one read in and about New York?

New York Magazine is a must for restaurant/bar recommendations. Time Out, of course. The L magazine is focussed on events around the L subway line in New York (hip areas like East Village, Alphabet City, Williamsburgh). Check out the Village Voice (daily) as well as the New Yorker (weekly) for detailed event listings. Brooklyn Based (brooklynbased.net) is a good guide for Brooklyn.

There are tons of blogs covering New York City - http://www.nycbloggers.com/ lists a few thousands!). http://gothamist.com/ has been around for a long time and gives you good city insights. http://www.travisruse.com/ (not updated anymore) has been documenting NYC subway life for more than three years and is still worth seeing.
An awesome weekly (and free) mailing list covering mostly free and independent events throughout the city, is the nonsense mailing list (Sign up at http://nonsensenyc.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/nonsensenyc).

In which movies, books, and songs does the city of New York play a major role?

Movies:

countless, pretty much every Woody Allen or Spike Lee film ever made, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Ghostbusters, Coming to America, and When Harry Met Sally

Songs:
again, countless but here are some of the classics:
Frank Sinatra: New York, New York
Billy Joel (or Nas): New York State of Mind
Ella Fitzgerald: Take the A Train

Beastie Boys: No Sleep Til Brooklyn

Books:
to name a few:
F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby
J.D. Salinger: The Catcher in the Rye
Michael Chabon: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
Jonathan Lethem: Motherless Brooklyn

What are the most famous and the most exciting events in the city?

The most famous events:

- Christmas in NYC – Union Square Christmas markets, Nutcracker Ballet at Lincoln Center, the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (November)

- Watching the ball drop in Times Square on New Year’s Eve

The most exciting events:

- West Indian Day Parade and Festival in Brooklyn, usually over Labor Day weekend
- Generally, summer in NYC– outdoor movies in Bryant Park, Central Park Summer Stage, New York Philharmonic on Central Park's Great Lawn, Celebrate Brooklyn concerts in Prospect Park, Shakespeare in the Park etc.
- Coney Island events: Mermaid Day Parade, Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest
- Halloween Parade (October 31): offers the opportunity for everyone to participate, just show up at the starting point 2 hours earlier, bring your own costume, or participate in one of the group themes. It's a fun occasion to wander through NYC's streets, http://www.halloween-nyc.com/
- Shopping cart race (annual): An alternative (and funky!) event is the annual shopping car race (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiotarod).
- Improve Everywhere – A globally successful improve theater group does amazing events in the public sphere, check their website for latest announcements where you can participate, http://improveverywhere.com/

What free offers should I not overlook?

Walking – distances are surprisingly small and you may not even need the subway. Some public museums (Natural History Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, etc.) are suggested donation which means: they are free if you do not want to pay! Also, check the events chapter – New York offers tons of great free events, especially during summer.

What places give me that special New York feeling the fastest?

Houston to 14th St – moving west to east, you pass through idyllic, tree-lined brownstone neighborhoods with upscale restaurants to a more bohemian, younger, hipster demographic. Not a lot of skyscrapers here, but this is Manhattan at its eclectic finest.

If you want the skyscrapers, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for a fantastic view.

Where and how can I get to know approachable native citizens?

Certainly not at any of the traditional tourist traps – Times Square, Rockefeller Center, etc. Instead, head to a café or friendly looking bar outside of those neighborhoods, preferably below 23rd St. A good alternative is to hop into Brooklyn, which is chock-full of approachable, native citizens.

How much is...

...a snack?

Anywhere from $3 (for a street hot dog) to $6+ to sit in a small café with a coffee and croissant/cake

...a subway/bus/streetcar ticket or taxi ride?

Subway/bus: $2.50 per ride. If you are in town for a few days, get the appropriate unlimited ride card to save money. Taxi rides within Manhattan really depend on how far you are going, but from the W. Village to E. Village, for example, is about $7. Uptown to downtown can be pricier, perhaps $10+. Into Brooklyn may be $15+.

...a coffee / a beer / a pack of cigarettes?

Drip coffee: $1-2, cappuccino: $3.50-5. Beer: $3-5 at happy hour, $5+ every other time. Cigarettes: $14

...a museum ticket?

Some museums (Natural History Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, etc.) are suggested donation – don’t let them make you feel bad if you only want to pay a few dollars! MOMA is $20.

...a fun night in pubs and clubs?

Anywhere from $20 (a few beers at a bar) to $50 (a few cocktails at a scene-y bar), to $100+ (getting drunk at a scene-y club with a cover charge)

I still have some money left over, what should I buy in New York as a souvenir?

Locally-made jewelry and clothing from one of the many weekend markets in the city (Brooklyn Flea, Artists & Fleas, Young Designers’ Market)

What makes this city distinctive, unique, or nerve-wracking - and what are the reasons for it?

NYC is definitely distinguished by its energy – people love living here. The diversity of the people, the sheer amount the city has to offer, its chameleon-like nature – NYC is incredible and you feel it once you hit the sidewalk.

Where and how can I get a good Internet connection?

Some public spaces like Bryant Park are run by non-profit organizations and offer free wireless internet. Quite a few cafes have free internet, although cafés are not the best choice since you are usually pushed to move on soon. A lot of private internet connections are still open (unlocked) for public use.

What should I avoid in New York under all circumstances?

The Upper East Side – not a whole lot of personality and its full of uptight rich people. And don't consume alocohol on the streets – hefty penalties await you. However, sometimes you are allowed in Central Park, e.g. when there are public events like the NY Philharmonic playing in the park.

Is there anything else that people should know about New York?

Most people only think to explore Manhattan when they visit NYC, but Brooklyn and Queens are fantastic in their own right. Try to visit them as well so that you get the complete experience!