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Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






How do!

So what with Covid and that messing the world up, my planned and paid for 2020 trip didn’t go ahead. But I will be rebooking for 2022, to coincide with my annual bonus for a boost in spending munneh.

What I’m wondering at the moment is how open NYC is? For reference, I’m fully vaccinated, and will be accepting a booster shot should one be offered. And I’ve no issue wearing masks and that - so any social limits shouldn’t be a problem.

I’m hoping to do the usual touristy stuff, possibly with a stopover visit to Lizzie Borden’s house (looks to be doable as a day trip, but would basically take an entire day just travelling there and back. And given I’ve no experience of US public transport, I’ve no idea if it would be a pleasant journey…)

Last time I pre-booked a hike up the Statue of Liberty, and will do so again. Does anyone know if it’s worth pre-booking other such attractions? I know there are another 10 months of developments and changes, but figure I might as well use Right Now as an assumed status quo (because I like it I like it I like it)

All thoughts welcome!

   
Made in us
The Marine Standing Behind Marneus Calgar





Upstate, New York

NYC (and the east coast in general) has some decent coverage with public transportation, although some of it has a dubious reputation. I know I’ve personally take the amtrack rail down the Hudson River and it was quite the pleasant trip from Albany/Rensaleer to NYC. This was many years ago, very pre-covid. Vaccine or not, I’m not sure I’d want to share the air with a subway full of people these days, YMMV.

Schedules should be available online, so you could check it it would work. Greyhound/other busses as well.

Honestly don’t know where exactly you are looking to go, so it might be a little too far off the beaten path.

   
Made in us
Terrifying Doombull




Well, Amtrak train from NYC to Providence isn't (wasn't) an issue, that's a normal route- Amtrak used to be my favorite option for entering/escaping New England. Going further to smaller towns... (assuming you mean the LB House in Fall River, Mass) used to be doable for that area, but I'm not sure these days.

Bus would definitely not be a pleasant journey.

Back in the Beforetimes, I'd suggest just renting a car, but prices now are a little nuts in places, and availability hits a ??.

In general, without a car (or an Amtrak line), the US is effectively bizarrely isolated city-states, with a lot of rural areas between them.
Except LA, which is a group of bizarre city states with the rural spaces removed. :0

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2021/08/11 23:57:14


Efficiency is the highest virtue. 
   
Made in us
Shadowy Grot Kommittee Memba




The Great State of New Jersey

What I’m wondering at the moment is how open NYC is? For reference, I’m fully vaccinated, and will be accepting a booster shot should one be offered. And I’ve no issue wearing masks and that - so any social limits shouldn’t be a problem.


Currently things are fairly open, though mask mandates (and vaccine mandates) are starting to pop back up. The general consensus in the NY metro region is that we are heading back towards some level of further shutdowns/lockdowns as the weather begins to cool and the environment no longer acts as a meaningful natural COVID buffer going into fall. This is almost purely due to an unwillingness by some segment of the population to wear masks, get vaccinated, or really do anything at all that might help contain or stop the spread of the delta variant, although there are indications that these holdouts are starting to cave in, partly due to the fact that a number of very vocal anti-vax and anti-mask spokespersons have started dropping dead from COVID over the last few weeks.

CoALabaer wrote:
Wargamers hate two things: the state of the game and change.
 
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Thank you. The Covid answer seems suitably comprehensive, so I think we can move on from that to avoid discussion becoming argument.

For train journeys, how scenic are the railways? I don’t mind a slightly trickier journey if there are pleasing sights on the journey.

   
Made in us
The Marine Standing Behind Marneus Calgar





Upstate, New York

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Thank you. The Covid answer seems suitably comprehensive, so I think we can move on from that to avoid discussion becoming argument.

For train journeys, how scenic are the railways? I don’t mind a slightly trickier journey if there are pleasing sights on the journey.


As was pointed out, the US is a lot of metro city-states in a sea of rural. That said, the urban sprawl along the eastern seaboard is a real thing. Depending on the route you take, it might be snippets of small town Americana and fields. Or, it might just be concrete, interspersed with thinner concrete bits. As you are starting in NYC, it’s all going to be city for the first bit as the urbanization recedes.

I’m not an extensive rail traveler. But for the few times I needed to head into the city, we took the train down, rather than deal with city traffic/parking/etc. I enjoyed it, but it’s been a long time (like 20ish years)

You could google map and satellite view the path and get a guess of what it’s going to be.

   
Made in us
Shadowy Grot Kommittee Memba




The Great State of New Jersey

I expect you'll find Amtrak and American rail infrastructure to be a poor comparison for what you might have encountered in Europe. Most Americans are not extensive rail travelers in general, and if we are its usually local rail (i.e. subway or local commuter rail. We're very much a car culture here, even in the NYC metro mega-sprawl. As a result, investment into the technology and infrastructure has generally lagged here compared to other parts of the world.

I couldn't even really tell you what train trip from NYC to anywhere other than the Albany, NY region is like (scenic, mostly follows the hudson river, some nice vistas/panoramic views through small riverside towns, as well as bits that go through older often run-down industrial hubs), as aside from 2-3 trips by rail between home/college, my train rides haven't ever been more than 5-10 miles (and a lot of those are mostly spent in tunnels/below ground).

CoALabaer wrote:
Wargamers hate two things: the state of the game and change.
 
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Oh, one thing I can’t remember I mentioned before.

Not only am I a filthy smoker, but I smoke roll ups, rather than regular ciggies.

I’m perfectly happy with being limited in where I can have a smoke, but I’m thinking I should switch to straights, less a Police Officer see my furtive rolling and figure I might be smoking something entirely different? I ask as I don’t know how common roll ups are stateside.

   
Made in us
Terrifying Doombull




 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Thank you. The Covid answer seems suitably comprehensive, so I think we can move on from that to avoid discussion becoming argument.

For train journeys, how scenic are the railways? I don’t mind a slightly trickier journey if there are pleasing sights on the journey.

Not particularly, in general.

There will be gaps, but a lot of rail lines vary between walled off by concrete walls or treelines in an attempt at noise reduction, some countryside gaps and fairly ugly view of the 'back sides' of towns that the lines pass through.
NYC to Boston does have a few coastal views as it passes through Connecticut and Rhode Island.

As for trickier journeys, there really aren't any. Our train network was properly gutted by the 20th century consolidation of the 19th century rail companies (there were lots of small regional companies), and then by the trucking lobbies.
https://www.amtrak.com/northeast-train-routes
If you want to get somewhere that isn't a major city (or possibly between two of them, sometimes), you'll need a bus or car.

Efficiency is the highest virtue. 
   
Made in us
Shadowy Grot Kommittee Memba




The Great State of New Jersey

Roll ups aren't particularly common but they aren't uncommon either. I don't think you'll encounter an issue with them, especially not in NYC (every once in a while I see someone on the subway or a bus, etc. roll up a cig to smoke when they get off).

CoALabaer wrote:
Wargamers hate two things: the state of the game and change.
 
   
Made in us
Hangin' with Gork & Mork






Honestly depends on where you are rolling them up. It shouldn't be an issue but that doesn't mean it won't be in the wrong place/time. Smoking in general is far less common these days and attitudes toward it can vary wildly.

Amidst the mists and coldest frosts he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts.
 
   
Made in us
Revving Ravenwing Biker




New York City

chaos0xomega is not entirely correct. Cigars are limited to a few places in NYC. Of course you could smoke on the street, but its not allowed in area's with heavy pedestrian traffic. You can smoke in private property, in privately owned vehicles, tobacco stores, and in certain bars.

As for the Covid situation, if you're vaccinated, there really shouldn't be much danger for you. New Yorkers are encouraged to wear masks, because we are a centrally situated city. Immunized people still have a small chance of spreading CV19 to other places.

My favorite places in NYC are Prospect Park, Central Park if you don't mind walking past people every 10 feet, the MET, the AMNH, the Botanical Garden, and Governors Island. You should visit at least one of those places if not all of them.

That being said, I've lived my whole life in NYC, its a concrete jungle. If you want something less artificial; upstate New York has an incredible amount of beauty. Pure American landscape, with rolling hills, rivers and lakes, yellow meadows, streams and waterfalls every direction you turn. Its beautiful any season of the year, but jaw droppingly gorgeous during Fall. The Catskills and Adirondack Parks would be my recommend for any beginner's journey to the New York Mountains.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2021/08/21 16:27:23


I will forever remain humble because I know I could have less.
I will always be grateful because I remember I've had less. 
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Probably gonna stick to the city I think, as I’m after a taste of as much Americana as I can get.

I know in the current climate it can be tricky as who knows which might survive until my visit, but I’m open to recommendations for Mom & Pop style restaurants where I can try different American cuisine.

   
Made in us
Revving Ravenwing Biker




New York City

Well...not sure if you count pizza, but thats all thats coming to my head right now. There are plenty of italian, indian, chinese, and mexican foods. lol

Theres this place in downtown Brooklyn called Dinosaur Bar-B-Q...I've been thinking about them for the last few months. Not exactly Mom&Pop, but the foods amazing.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/08/21 17:04:04


I will forever remain humble because I know I could have less.
I will always be grateful because I remember I've had less. 
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Oh Pizza counts! And definitely in the market to try a few New York Slices!

   
Made in us
Shadowy Grot Kommittee Memba




The Great State of New Jersey

 LumenPraebeo wrote:
chaos0xomega is not entirely correct. Cigars are limited to a few places in NYC. Of course you could smoke on the street, but its not allowed in area's with heavy pedestrian traffic. You can smoke in private property, in privately owned vehicles, tobacco stores, and in certain bars.





We weren't talking about cigars there, chief (and even still you can bring cigars just about anywhere, you just can't necessarily smoke them).

CoALabaer wrote:
Wargamers hate two things: the state of the game and change.
 
   
Made in us
Ollanius Pius - Savior of the Emperor






Gathering the Informations.

Having grown up constantly traversing to upstate NY to spend summers with family?

Gonna advise against it now. COVID's been a big problem because of something we're not really allowed to talk about here anymore. Suffice to say, the family members I still have in that area are extremely anti-masking+vaccination. It also isn't all that interesting outside a few parks.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/08/22 14:38:38


 
   
Made in us
Terrifying Doombull




 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Probably gonna stick to the city I think, as I’m after a taste of as much Americana as I can get.


Just FYI, those are contradictory statements. To get actual Americana you need to leave the cities.
The big cities are where we go to get the dim echoes of other cultures and put our toes into the shallow end of experiences past the limitations of 'Merica!'

Efficiency is the highest virtue. 
   
Made in us
Revving Ravenwing Biker




New York City

My good friend recommends The Smith in East Village 3rd Avenue and The Grey Dog on University Place and East 12th.
Stay away from restaurants in Midtown and near Central Park.
I still wholly recommend Dinosaur Bar-B-Que on Union Street Brooklyn; and while you're over there its only a short stop over to Barclays Center. Check out 5ive Spice Tacos&Banh Mi.
There's also Chick-fil-A around the corner. Personally, I would not pass up the chance to grab a chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-A if I'm passing the area before heading back to work.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Kanluwen wrote:
Having grown up constantly traversing to upstate NY to spend summers with family?

Gonna advise against it now. COVID's been a big problem because of something we're not really allowed to talk about here anymore. Suffice to say, the family members I still have in that area are extremely anti-masking+vaccination. It also isn't all that interesting outside a few parks.


Yea, some people upstate are really bitter at us city folk, got some deep seated Republicans up there. They cheer for their team, and the city-folk cheer for their team. One can possibly even say its more of a football game kind of situation rather than any knowledgeable or thoughtful desire to shape our society in a meaningful way. But nooo, thats crazy talk.

Anyway, as a New Yorker, I'm disappointed that you feel it isn't that interesting. Now, I haven't traveled upstate once every year growing up like you have. But I've been a few times, and every time has been a unique and memorable time with close friends and family. One only needs to google New York mountains to see what amazing sights and opportunities awaits should you make the decision to venture there. Theodore Roosevelt, our most outdoors president you'll ever find, loved New York. And if you know anything about Teddy Roosevelt, I think that in itself is more than enough said.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/08/22 17:35:07


I will forever remain humble because I know I could have less.
I will always be grateful because I remember I've had less. 
   
Made in us
The Marine Standing Behind Marneus Calgar





Upstate, New York

There is a lot of Us vs. Them in regard to The City and the rest of the state. You tell someone you are from New York, they just assume NYC. And while there is a strong urban v. rural divide, it’s not 100%. The fact that the state tends to be dominated politically by the city riles up a lot who prefer other paths. But there are all kinds of people all over the state. Upstate probably has more in common with Vermont/New Hampshire than the City. (and those two states have a mix of ideologies)

I’m in the Saratoga Springs region. There is a ton of things to do just around here, depending on what sort of things you enjoy and the time of the year. Head north, you hit mountains, with great hiking and skiing. Tons of breweries/distilleries/wineries. Crafts and farmer’s markets. Historical battlefields.

Obviously not as densely packed as stuff in the city. But a different kind of vacation.


   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Gonna give Chik-Fil-A a miss, for reasons we don’t discuss on Dakka.

However, I’ve heard Popeyes is rather good, and possibly superior?

   
Made in us
Revving Ravenwing Biker




New York City

I prefer Popeyes over KFC. Theres only a handful of them in NYC though.

I will forever remain humble because I know I could have less.
I will always be grateful because I remember I've had less. 
   
Made in us
Powerful Pegasus Knight






 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Gonna give Chik-Fil-A a miss, for reasons we don’t discuss on Dakka.

However, I’ve heard Popeyes is rather good, and possibly superior?


Missing out on good chicken sandwiches but whatever.

Amtrack is okay but it depends on where you want to go. You'll either get urban sprawl or rural country side with it.

   
Made in us
Shadowy Grot Kommittee Memba




The Great State of New Jersey

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Gonna give Chik-Fil-A a miss, for reasons we don’t discuss on Dakka.

However, I’ve heard Popeyes is rather good, and possibly superior?


Popeyes chicken sandwiches are superior to Chick-Fil-A (which are good but at this point overrated compared to some of its competitors offerings). They also don't come with the baggage that we don't discuss on Dakka.

There is a lot of Us vs. Them in regard to The City and the rest of the state. You tell someone you are from New York, they just assume NYC. And while there is a strong urban v. rural divide, it’s not 100%. The fact that the state tends to be dominated politically by the city riles up a lot who prefer other paths. But there are all kinds of people all over the state. Upstate probably has more in common with Vermont/New Hampshire than the City. (and those two states have a mix of ideologies)


Its more than just NYC vs the rest of NY State. Its NYC vs. most of the rest of the country. NYC has a serious case of main character syndrome.


CoALabaer wrote:
Wargamers hate two things: the state of the game and change.
 
   
Made in us
Last Remaining Whole C'Tan






Pleasant Valley, Iowa

I got a Burger King spicy chicken sandwich the other day and to be honest, it was about as good as Popeyes. I was really surprised by that because lol Burger King, really? But a friend swore... and he was right.

I also think Chik-fil-a is deeply, deeply overrated and is probably the least good of all the national burger chain chicken sandwiches.

 lord_blackfang wrote:
Respect to the guy who subscribed just to post a massive ASCII dong in the chat and immediately get banned.

 Flinty wrote:
The benefit of slate is that its.actually a.rock with rock like properties. The downside is that it's a rock
 
   
Made in in
[MOD]
Otiose in a Niche






Hyderabad, India

So pizza.

I remember as a kid hearing about how some American students in the UK were hungering for NY pizza so one of them flew to NY and got... 50? 100? pies and flew back with them. He of course got his pies from the best pizza parlor in New York, Ray's Pizza.

By the 90s there were almost 50 restaurants in NY with names like Ray's Pizza, Famous Ray's, Original Ray's and Famous Original Ray's.

Turns out there's a Game of Thrones style back story involving family betrayals and all that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray%27s_Pizza

The Ray's that he bought from, and that I think of as the 'real' Ray's (whether or not it was the original) unfortunately closed in 2011.

So I would say pick a Rays and take a picture and tell everyone you found the one true Rays. Who's to say you're wrong.

Oh and Complete Strategist on 33rd street, Strands Books and Forbidden Planet on Broadway between 11th and 12th streets.

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2021/08/23 07:43:56


 
   
Made in us
Legendary Master of the Chapter





SoCal

Voss wrote:
 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Probably gonna stick to the city I think, as I’m after a taste of as much Americana as I can get.


Just FYI, those are contradictory statements. To get actual Americana you need to leave the cities.
The big cities are where we go to get the dim echoes of other cultures and put our toes into the shallow end of experiences past the limitations of 'Merica!'


America is a melting pot. The cities are completely valid Americana. Most Americans live in cities.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I remember being very disappointed by the Strand bookstore. It was a big building, but the selection wasn’t anything special at all.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/08/23 16:32:25


   
Made in in
[MOD]
Otiose in a Niche






Hyderabad, India

If you really want to see America you need to get out of Manhattan.

So take the Staten Island Ferry (30 minute ride, free), walk around a bit, take it back and you'll get the general idea

 
   
Made in us
Last Remaining Whole C'Tan






Pleasant Valley, Iowa

Voss wrote:
Just FYI, those are contradictory statements. To get actual Americana you need to leave the cities.
The big cities are where we go to get the dim echoes of other cultures and put our toes into the shallow end of experiences past the limitations of 'Merica!'


Interesting. It's rare you see anyone handwave away 83% of a country's population as insufficiently part of the nation.

 lord_blackfang wrote:
Respect to the guy who subscribed just to post a massive ASCII dong in the chat and immediately get banned.

 Flinty wrote:
The benefit of slate is that its.actually a.rock with rock like properties. The downside is that it's a rock
 
   
Made in us
The Marine Standing Behind Marneus Calgar





Upstate, New York

 Ouze wrote:
Voss wrote:
Just FYI, those are contradictory statements. To get actual Americana you need to leave the cities.
The big cities are where we go to get the dim echoes of other cultures and put our toes into the shallow end of experiences past the limitations of 'Merica!'


Interesting. It's rare you see anyone handwave away 83% of a country's population as insufficiently part of the nation.


To be fair, I think there is a difference between “America” and “Americana” While the hustle of the urban centers, and the things it supports (theater, museums, events) is a huge part of our nation, when I think “Americana” I think small town, Norman Rockwell, quaint little things. Not full on farm-rural, but not the big city. This is almost defiantly an image that does not actually exist, but one I hold. This might be from my growing up in New Hampshire, and now in Upstate. I’m no stranger to cities. I spent a decade living in Louisville; while not the scale of NYC, few things are. But for me, my heart is craft fairs, farmers markets, mom and pop diners, and small town, USA. YMMV.

America is iconicly referred to as a melting pot. Closer to a stew pot. A mix of everything, but not homogeneous. Chunks of different people and different cultures. But all together to make a sum greater than its parts.

To bring this back on topic, when you have one week, how much can you see? NYC has a LOT going on, but it’s just one aspect of our nation. Is it worth the time/effort/money to try to stray afield and see different parts? You could spend a lifetime searching this nation and constantly be seeing new things. What’s on your to-do list, and how much time do you want to invest in broadening your scope?

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/08/23 21:31:23


   
 
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