Here come the Cooooouuuggsssss!

[CPtheCoug]

My buddies and I (late 20's, early 30's group) just bought our plane tickets into Newark for the Rutgers game, and this will be our first time in New York/New York City area.

We come in peace.

Being as this is our first time in the area, we are fairly excited to see everything there is to see on your side of the country. We'll basically have half of Thursday the 10th, and all day Friday the 11th, to walk around/see Manhattan. Besides the obvious places to visit (Central Park, Empire State Building, World Trade Center, Etc...), do you guys have any must-see recommendations? I'd love to spend Thursday/Friday in Manhattan with a mix of obvious touristy locations, and hole-in-the-wall spots.

We are still figuring out lodging for Thursday/Friday night in Manhattan... everything seems really frickin expense in the city... Any ideas?

Being Cougs with severe drinking problems (we drank an Auburn bar dry when we played Auburn in 2013, seriously... http://q13fox.com/2013/09/02/surprised-coug-fans-drink-bar-out-of-beer/) what are some of the more fun bars in New York, or must see bars? We tend to prefer "pubs" over "clubs"... just kind of our alumni style.

For Saturday before the game, any good watering holes to visit around the stadium area? We want to meet some Rutgers fans and shoot the sh*t before the game.

Anyways, best wishes and hope to see some of you guys come September.

 

[restartRU]

My buddies and I (late 20's, early 30's group) just bought our plane tickets into Newark for the Rutgers game, and this will be our first time in New York/New York City area.

We come in peace.

Being as this is our first time in the area, we are fairly excited to see everything there is to see on your side of the country. We'll basically have half of Thursday the 10th, and all day Friday the 11th, to walk around/see Manhattan. Besides the obvious places to visit (Central Park, Empire State Building, World Trade Center, Etc...), do you guys have any must-see recommendations? I'd love to spend Thursday/Friday in Manhattan with a mix of obvious touristy locations, and hole-in-the-wall spots.

We are still figuring out lodging for Thursday/Friday night in Manhattan... everything seems really frickin expense in the city... Any ideas?

Being Cougs with severe drinking problems (we drank an Auburn bar dry when we played Auburn in 2013, seriously... http://q13fox.com/2013/09/02/surprised-coug-fans-drink-bar-out-of-beer/) what are some of the more fun bars in New York, or must see bars? We tend to prefer "pubs" over "clubs"... just kind of our alumni style.

For Saturday before the game, any good watering holes to visit around the stadium area? We want to meet some Rutgers fans and shoot the sh*t before the game.

Anyways, best wishes and hope to see some of you guys come September.

you'll get lots of great responses here but great job motivating. Hope you and your friends have an awesome trip and great weather. Apologies in advance about the beat down coming to your team.

 

[PatrickRU92]

you'll get lots of great responses here but great job motivating. Hope you and your friends have an awesome trip and great weather. Apologies in advance about the beat down coming to your team.

Going to lay off the NYC pubs recommendations as I am not too familiar but while in NYC get a pizza from Johns on Bleecker. you can walk it from the WTC probably about a mile. Have to get NYC pizza!

Saturday on game day if you want to shoot the s**t with RU fans go to the tailgate area around the stadium. you will get both booed (probably good natured) and get offered food. There is a beer garden in the area right across the street from the North Entrance to the stadium that is outdoors with TVs.

Bars aren't too happening on gameday before the game as RU is more of a tailgate school, but they'll be open for sure (lots in New Brunswick across the river--easily walkable)

 

[Sir ScarletKnight]

My buddies and I (late 20's, early 30's group) just bought our plane tickets into Newark for the Rutgers game, and this will be our first time in New York/New York City area.

We come in peace.

Being as this is our first time in the area, we are fairly excited to see everything there is to see on your side of the country. We'll basically have half of Thursday the 10th, and all day Friday the 11th, to walk around/see Manhattan. Besides the obvious places to visit (Central Park, Empire State Building, World Trade Center, Etc...), do you guys have any must-see recommendations? I'd love to spend Thursday/Friday in Manhattan with a mix of obvious touristy locations, and hole-in-the-wall spots.

We are still figuring out lodging for Thursday/Friday night in Manhattan... everything seems really frickin expense in the city... Any ideas?

Being Cougs with severe drinking problems (we drank an Auburn bar dry when we played Auburn in 2013, seriously... http://q13fox.com/2013/09/02/surprised-coug-fans-drink-bar-out-of-beer/) what are some of the more fun bars in New York, or must see bars? We tend to prefer "pubs" over "clubs"... just kind of our alumni style.

For Saturday before the game, any good watering holes to visit around the stadium area? We want to meet some Rutgers fans and shoot the sh*t before the game.

Anyways, best wishes and hope to see some of you guys come September.

You may come in peace, but do you come to feast?

Stuff Yer Face is probably the most traditional after game Watering Hole. It was actually chosen as the Big Ten Gameday restaurant for Rutgers. As previously mentioned, more of a tailgate school.

http://btn.com/2015/07/20/hungry-heres-your-big-ten-schools-top-gameday-restaurant/

http://stuffyerface.com/

Hope you have a fantastic visit, but not too fantastic, wouldn't want you winning or anything!

 

[jiggscasey]

 

[jiggscasey]

 

[RU4Real]

Mine?

 

[Abro1975]

For about $150 night stay in New Brunswick and take the train back and forth to NYC to save money. About 45 min each way and about $10 each way.
In NYC check out the new 911 Museum, not cheap, but powerful. For free take the Staten Island ferry round trip and get a free view of the Statue of Liberty. They sell cheap beer on the Ferry too.
Check out South Street Seaport near the Ferry.
Chinatown for a good, inexpensive lunch or dinner.
1 beer at McSorleys Ale House, oldest bar in NYC. 1 beer is enough here.
Walk the Highline along the Hudson River in the Meat Packing District (free)
Check the schedule and see if Yankees or Mets in town.


In New Brunswick stay at Heldrich or Hyatt for in town walking around
Pre Game Saturday hit the College Bars on Easton Ave. Finish at Olde Queens Tavern and take their White Limo up to the game (free for patrons). Walk back, it's downhill
After game hit Clydz in New Brunswick or bunch of other place.

 

[scarletrider]

ok. here is one in NYC you may want to check out
McSorley's old ale house - the oldest bar in NYC

 

[knightfan7]

If you want to visit the 911 Museum I'd advise getting tickets well ahead of time. They run $30-40 depending on what you want to see.

 

[srru86]

There just are no cheap hotels in Manhattan. At least any I would think of recommending to anybody.
If you want to be in the center of tourist NYC see what you can do with the Marriott Marquis. It is in Times Square.
Are you flying? If so don't rent a car just take the train to the game.
Best tourist activity for the money is take the Subway to South Ferry. Take free ride across the harbor on the Staten Island Ferry and take in Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island the skyline. Plus you can tell the folks back home you took the subway like a real New Yawker.
There are just lots and lots of drinking options in Manhattan. If you are downtown one very unique place is McSorley's Old Ale House. You don't have on of these back home I assure you.

^I did not see Abro1975 before writing mine but his is better^

 

[Blitz8RUCrazy]

This thread title should bait NYCBanker.

 

[CPtheCoug]

Awesome ideas guys, really appreciate it.

Culturally anything I should be worried about? Any areas of the city should I probably steer clear of?

For example, if you guys were visiting Seattle I'd say don't hang around Pioneer Square after dark (f**cking sketchy as hell down there), or I'd also say that Seattle is reaaaaaallllllyyyy PC about everything. So feel free to speak your mind unless you have conservative values in which Seattle citizens would scream at you to "go back to California" (even if you arent from there lol).

 

[srru86]

In any neighborhood you might run across a deranged homeless guy but that is quite rare compared to say San Francisco. As in any city don't do stupid stuff, like flash expensive stuff on the subway or street. Hang on to your wallet.

Traditionally north of 110th street was considered a no go zone for tourists. But even parts of Harlem are gentrifying and attracting tourists. But if you wanted to see Columbia U. or Grants Tomb I would go. If you go to Yankee Stadium don't venture more than a couple blocks from the Stadium.

Geographically it is tough to give hard boundaries. Basically if you see a bunch of people you should be ok. People are out and about on most major streets much later than most other cites. Walking down a lonely block at night might not be your best move.

 

[RU4Real]

Awesome ideas guys, really appreciate it.

Culturally anything I should be worried about? Any areas of the city should I probably steer clear of?

For example, if you guys were visiting Seattle I'd say don't hang around Pioneer Square after dark (f**cking sketchy as hell down there), or I'd also say that Seattle is reaaaaaallllllyyyy PC about everything. So feel free to speak your mind unless you have conservative values in which Seattle citizens would scream at you to "go back to California" (even if you arent from there lol).

There are very few parts of Manhattan south of Harlem that are outright dangerous.

That said, the rule to being a tourist in NYC is to avoid looking like a tourist. Don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk and look at a map. Don't stand in the middle of the street and stare up at the tops of the tall buildings. Don't wear a $10 souvenir t-shirt that says "NYPD". If somebody walks up to you in Times Square and says "Here, let me see your phone, I'll take your picture.", don't do that. If the chick that's hitting on your in the bar looks a little bit like a dude, it's because she's a dude. So, ya know... unless you're into that...

But yeah, hit as many of the hot spots as you can, time allowing. Get advance tickets to the 9/11 museum (this is the one place where I would respectfully ask that you don't be touristy, as at any given time there's probably somebody standing within 10' of you who is there to mourn a close friend or relative). Take a boat ride around Liberty Island, but don't waste the time actually going to the Statue of Liberty - it looks better from 500' away than it does from inside after standing on line for three hours. Hit up an observation deck - Either 1 WTC, the Empire State Building or, one of my favorites, the "Top of the Roc" (Rockefeller Center). If you're downtown, stroll around the Financial District and bar-hop on Stone St. Check out some old churches. Definitely try and make time for the Village and Union Square Park, it's better than the circus. While you're in that neighborhood, there's a bar on Irving Place, one block east of the park, called Pete's Tavern. Contrary to what others have said, Pete's is the oldest continuously operating bar in NYC. O. Henry used to drink there as did Ludwig Bemelmans, who wrote the famous children's book "Madeline".

 

[late knight]

Keanes steak house is right near penn station and is old ny. While you are walking around, Get a pretzel, a knish and a dirty water dog.

 

[OTBOTOR]

I visited Seattle for the first time recently and was amazed how many and how aggressive the homeless people were in Pioneer Sq. Youll see plenty of homeless in NYC but nothing to be worried about.

For bars, if you're in East Midtown try Rattle N Hum, great craft beer bar. Downtown near WTC I'd go to Jeremy's or Iron Horse by South Street Seaport or have some beers and pizza on the closed-off block of Stone Street. Popular outdoor happy hour spot for Financial District people.

Hotels are expensive. Try Air BnB. You could play Priceline roulette or hope for a last minute deal on Hotels.com if you're willing to roll the dice.

In New Brunswick, plenty of bars open before the game but they'll be more lively after. Find a truck and get a Fat Filippino. You're welcome.

Welcome to the east coast. No doubt you guys will have a blast.

 

[DanoRU]

Like others said, if you're looking to keep the lodging costs down, stay in New Brunswick and take the train to midtown NYC. Just make sure you don't miss the last train of the night - you can check the NJ Transit website for train schedules. Depending on where you want to visit in NYC, it may be better to take the train to Newark Penn Station and then switch to the PATH train which is a subway that services north eastern NJ and Manhattan (will take you directly to the World Trade Center site if going there). I too recommend McSorley's Ale House but if I remember correctly, you can't order just one. They only sell McSorley's dark and light ale in 8 oz mugs and the bartender ignores you unless you order 6 at a time.

 

[WhoRU?]

Chris Farley imitation not included...

Van Down By The River

 

[CPtheCoug]

I visited Seattle for the first time recently and was amazed how many and how aggressive the homeless people were in Pioneer Sq. Youll see plenty of homeless in NYC but nothing to be worried about.

It's the hyper liberal ideology out here. It's ridiculous, the government's compassion is just an excuse to ignore the problem. I have no doubt alot of them are just down on their luck, but there is a definite difference between the homeless who are down on their luck and the ones partaking in mass open drug use (I'm talking about drugs alot harder than weed).

Walking to work today I stepped over used needles on the sidewalk.... In the financial district of Seattle... WTF.

/endrant

 

[Bagarocks]

Just bring lots dough fer da city yer gonna need it $$$

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

If you like Italian food, Seatle and Rutgers own's Mario Batali's Eataly is around 23rd and 5th.. Right near Madison Square Park and the Flatiron Building... Great for those selfies. Not too far North from there is The Gingerman.. Always great beer selection.. 36th street.. And you will se that puts you very close to the empire state building.

Keep going north alongbroadway or 6th and you'll pass Herald Square as sen in the Macys Thanksgiving Day parade.. Then Times Square... Best fod near there might be Virgils BBQ. Yooll be in the theatre district, bryant park. Behind the NY public library with the lions out front. You should probably go east from there to 5th and walk north to Central Park.. See St Patricks, Rockefeller center, Radio City.. And the corner of central park on 5th is at The Plaza Hotel..

From there so many options... North.. Like 30 blocks to the giwant metropolitan museum of art.. Guggenheim further up 5th.. On the west side of the park you have natural history and the planetarium.. In the park to many to mention.. Belvedere castle.. Zoo.. West side of park has many great funky bars and the like.. And the Dakota where Lenon was shot.. Etc..

Best advice for drinking might be to follow girls of the age and lok you like to whereever they get their drink on.. Hell ask them where they go to drink.

NJ has lots of places to drink to.. If you havent been in the atlantic ocean.. You should dom that.. Asbury Park maybe

 

[ho26rus]

I know when people come east the want to stay in nyc but since you mentioned price.
Just across the Hudson river, in jersey city, there are a few hotel/ motels near the water
The thing is no traffic, cheaper, no paying to park the car

The PATH rr will take you one stop , from exchange place, to the world trade center
or the same station you can take a train to 34th, 23rd, or 14th streets
effortless travel.

You can google pubs and there are plenty but happy hours vary and drinks can be quite a bit cheaper.

there are microbrewerys all over also.

But to repeat two things said earlier Rutgers people can be pretty nice at tailgates

Staying the hotels near campus and not feeling the frustration of tunnel traffic trying to get to ny.

Have you considered Philadelphia instead. Lot of good pubs there ie Good Dog

And if that was your interest an incredible amount of history.

 

[BeantownKnight]

New York City will be a wonderful experience and I highly recommend it. I'd also recommend that you grab your rental car and drive down to see the magnificent New Jersey shore. I mean, why not? It's the same distance from the Rutgers campus as New York is but in the opposite direction. You can see the Atlantic Ocean. Go to The Inkwell (www.theinkwellcoffeehouse.com) in Long Branch's "West End." It's open late. Get your drink on, grab a coffee, and watch the waves roll in after dark.

 

[CPtheCoug]

I know when people come east the want to stay in nyc but since you mentioned price.
Just across the Hudson river, in jersey city, there are a few hotel/ motels near the water
The thing is no traffic, cheaper, no paying to park the car

The PATH rr will take you one stop , from exchange place, to the world trade center
or the same station you can take a train to 34th, 23rd, or 14th streets
effortless travel.

You can google pubs and there are plenty but happy hours vary and drinks can be quite a bit cheaper.

there are microbrewerys all over also.

But to repeat two things said earlier Rutgers people can be pretty nice at tailgates

Staying the hotels near campus and not feeling the frustration of tunnel traffic trying to get to ny.

Have you considered Philadelphia instead. Lot of good pubs there ie Good Dog

And if that was your interest an incredible amount of history.

Yeah I am a big history nerd. I'll probably be in the one in the group dragging people around to the historic spots around the city. I've never been to New York, so for this trip I think that is where we will stay.

Few years ago I visited phili and Boston. Great trip all around.

 

[RU4Real]

Philly sucks.

 

[RUJohnny99]

In NYC check out the new 911 Museum, not cheap, but powerful.

I tend to disagree about the 911 museum. Visiting the memorial fountains where the towers stood is just as powerful, and free.

 

[rutgersal]

Spend the extra money and stay in NYC. Too tiring to shuttle back and forth, IMO. Do airbnb if you have to.

 

[JoeRU]

 

[rutgersal]

The Arkansas gang had a really nice get together at Hurleys Saloon on 48th street near Times Square. That's another bar to consider.

There are also various rooftop bars with nice views. My favorite is one on Park avenue. Google NYC rooftop bars.

I love eating at Carmine's and also enjoy Juniors cheesecake.

 

[Jersey Boys]

McSorleys has been mentioned a lot and for good reason. Definitely stop by in the afternoon with your crew. A group of us (including fellow poster SFMatt) go once a year like clockwork right around Christmas. We've been doing it annually for like 15 years. Be sure to have some cheese and hot mustard with your dark and tan.

I highly advise the Hyatt. The train is a stone throws away with a direct stop that gets you to midtown in 45 min.

And Philly sucks.

Edit: If you like historical spots and you don't mind spending a few bucks, hit the steak house Sparks. It's notorious for a certain event in the 80's plus they make a kick ass steak. I used to go there from time to time with a few sales guys I knew back in my leveraged finance days.

 

[greenknight]

South street seaport for a few frostys

 

[Abro1975]

At Sparks, get a NY Strip Steak, maybe a little melted Gorgonzola cheese melted over it, and the awesome Hash Browns ! Start with a good Bourbon Manhatten, and then switch to a big Zin red with the Steak. Share a dessert, one is big enough for about 6 guys. Be prepared to spend about $150 each. In dead center mid town. Lugers is good, but it's small hike into Brooklyn, and they don't take Credit Cards. Wolfgangs they pack you in like sardines. Del Friscos is very good in Mid town also, but to me, Sparks has the old time NYC vibe.

McSorleys has been mentioned a lot and for good reason. Definitely stop by in the afternoon with your crew. A group of us (including fellow poster SFMatt) go once a year like clockwork right around Christmas. We've been doing it annually for like 15 years. Be sure to have some cheese and hot mustard with your dark and tan.

I highly advise the Hyatt. The train is a stone throws away with a direct stop that gets you to midtown in 45 min.

And Philly sucks.

Edit: If you like historical spots and you don't mind spending a few bucks, hit the steak house Sparks. It's notorious for a certain event in the 80's plus they make a kick ass steak. I used to go there from time to time with a few sales guys I knew back in my leveraged finance days.

 

[Jersey Boys]

At Sparks, get a NY Strip Steak, maybe a little melted Gorgonzola cheese melted over it, and the awesome Hash Browns ! Start with a good Bourbon Manhatten, and then switch to a big Zin red with the Steak. Share a dessert, one is big enough for about 6 guys. Be prepared to spend about $150 each. In dead center mid town. Lugers is good, but it's small hike into Brooklyn, and they don't take Credit Cards. Wolfgangs they pack you in like sardines. Del Friscos is very good in Mid town also, but to me, Sparks has the old time NYC vibe.

So I'm enjoying a little Frank with a nice Padron and a glass of Ruffino in my backyard thinking I couldn't ask for a better night and you post those tasty details. Now I can't get the thought of a Sparks strip with a bottle of red or a nice juicy Prime Rib at Peter's off my mind. Thanks a lot buddy lol!

 

[knightfan7]

Anyone notice the OP's Avitar? he can't be all that bad celebrating New Jerseyan and Rutgers fan John C McGinley.

 

[rutgersal]

At Sparks, get a NY Strip Steak, maybe a little melted Gorgonzola cheese melted over it, and the awesome Hash Browns ! Start with a good Bourbon Manhatten, and then switch to a big Zin red with the Steak. Share a dessert, one is big enough for about 6 guys. Be prepared to spend about $150 each. In dead center mid town. Lugers is good, but it's small hike into Brooklyn, and they don't take Credit Cards. Wolfgangs they pack you in like sardines. Del Friscos is very good in Mid town also, but to me, Sparks has the old time NYC vibe.

Wolfgangs is my favorite. I've been there at least thirty times in the past year.
I start with Makers Mark, then The Canadian Bacon, NY Strip, and whichever dessert you choose (they're all good and come with a generous helping of whipped cream) is a combination that's hard to top. Nothing like an NYC steak.

 

[Randal7]

Alright -- I'm gonna give you the "gentlemen's guide to NYC" here. I live here and wouldn't steer you wrong.
1) check out time square on Thursday or Friday 2-4 pm. Not only will it be feasible to actually walk around, but during the summer these latina women walk around in thongs and bare chested with body paint. It's a spectacle.

2) financial district is definitely worth seeing as you've got the 911 fountains, the 911 memorial, 1 world Trade Center, the stock exchange and the wall street bull and greag walking along the water. Definitely walk along the water down there for some great scenic views of the statue of liberty and all the bridges.

3) for dinner -- I'd highly recommend outdoor eating on stone street down in the financial district. Also, delmonicos grill is down there (it is the cheaper version of full blown delmonicos-- go there and get the steak on toast)

4) check out brooklyn heights by walking over the Brooklyn Bridge from the financial district

5) stay in a hotel somewhere in Manhattan or brooklyn. It's all navigable once you are in the city

6) you can take a train direct from Penn Station to new Brunswick for the game. Very easy.

7) for pub style drinking, check out pound and the pence on weekdays, nassau bar (real interesting dive) and fraunces tavern.

 

[Scarlet Knut]

No recommendations for you, but I will be hosting two Coug fans/grads from Belleview, Wa. at the Jersey shore. They hosted my son and I at last years game. Obviously they want a different result, but I certainly prefer another Rutgers win. Have a great time in NYC.

 

[theRU]

And may you leave in pieces..... Just kidding..but seriously. Have fun and don't be a tough guy, take the ribbing and enjoy yourself.

We come in peace.

 

[Knight177lb]

If you're looking for pubs, not clubs in New York, then you should definitely go to McSorley's like everyone else has said. If you're looking for some more pubs, I would then go to Off The Wagon (109 Macdougal St.), Down The Hatch (179 West 4th St.), and then The Bitter End (147 Bleecker St.) in that order.

If you want a hotel in NYC, try The Millennium Hilton on Church Street. I stayed there recently for $235 a night and it's within walking distance of the WTC and 9/11 Memorial. The Financial district isn't that far away either. You could stay at the Hyatt in New Brunswick though and take the train to New York on Friday, then walk to the game on Saturday.

On Saturday, you could go to Old Queens Tavern on Easton Ave in New Brunswick, but you'll probably have fun just walking around the tailgates around the stadium too.