Non Tourist Destinations (New York, Hudson, Camden: neighborhoods, theater, school)

[WinnieC]

My first trip to the city will be in March I am looking for non-tourist activities and restaurants.Any suggestions you have will be appreciated.

[oc200]

Think outer boroughs. I'd say 95% of the tourists that come to NYC do not venture out to the boroughs. You will find great deals on restaurants and the food is often better and more authentic than Manhattan at half the price. Check out Chowhound's outer borough forum for some tips and guidance.

[Viralmd]

There are little places, like Sniffen Court, in the East 30s and Henderson Place, off East 86th Street, that give you a sense of what New York City was like about 100 years ago...

[LookingtoLeave]

If you like Indian food, some of the best I ever had was in Brooklyn. It was in the Park Slope/Prospect Park area. It's called India Place on Vanderbilt. If you venture out of Manhattan, you should check it out if it's your thing.

[Guywithacause]

Arthur Avenue in the Bronx...old school Italian Food in a very serene, tree-lined, out door seating type setting.

Bronx Zoo and Botanical Gardens a short walk from there also. Must sees indeed!

Come see the Original Yankee Stadium BEFORE it is demolished next year. It is an American icon and will be demolished forever!!! While you are there...walk a bit around the Grand Concourse and see the wide boulevard, with the biggest cluster of Art dec buildings in the country (and possibly the world).

Wave Hill in Riverdale is a wonderful garden style estate on the banks of the Hudson River..with panaramic views of the Hudson, and the Palisades of NJ.

Walk around the most infamous ghetto in the country, the scary "South Bronx." Bring a friend or too...and see the gargantuan housing projects, the eateries and local establishments, the few remaining brownstones, and get a feel for one of the most notable ghettos in the country.

Don't want to walk around the scary "South Bronx?" They have a FREE trolley ride once a month that is a great MCed tour of the area, the burgeoning artists colonies, the historical sites, the evolution of the community, and establishments of particular interest (theaters, restaurants, etc). You can google the "Bronx trolley" for info.

[Angler]

One place I always wanted to visit is The Cloisters. It's in the guide books but very few tourists venture that far north.

The Center For Jewish History is a nice museum in a great neighborhood
Center for Jewish History: Directions and Hours

[straight outta camden]

Originally Posted by Guywithacause

Arthur Avenue in the Bronx...old school Italian Food in a very serene, tree-lined, out door seating type setting.

Bronx Zoo and Botanical Gardens a short walk from there also. Must sees indeed!

Come see the Original Yankee Stadium BEFORE it is demolished next year. It is an American icon and will be demolished forever!!! While you are there...walk a bit around the Grand Concourse and see the wide boulevard, with the biggest cluster of Art dec buildings in the country (and possibly the world).

Wave Hill in Riverdale is a wonderful garden style estate on the banks of the Hudson River..with panaramic views of the Hudson, and the Palisades of NJ.

Walk around the most infamous ghetto in the country, the scary "South Bronx." Bring a friend or too...and see the gargantuan housing projects, the eateries and local establishments, the few remaining brownstones, and get a feel for one of the most notable ghettos in the country.

Don't want to walk around the scary "South Bronx?" They have a FREE trolley ride once a month that is a great MCed tour of the area, the burgeoning artists colonies, the historical sites, the evolution of the community, and establishments of particular interest (theaters, restaurants, etc). You can google the "Bronx trolley" for info.

I second all of these suggestions apart from the south Bronx. If you take a clear-eyed look at it you find it is not so much scary as downright ugly. Harlem is much more appealing.

The chowhound suggestion is also great. Few forums are so demented as that one. In a good way.

Also:

American Folk Art Museum, especially for Henry Darger.
Friday night Poetry Slam at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe.
If it is nice weather do the Brooklyn Heights boardwalk, ogle the brownstones and eat at Grimaldi's.

[Guywithacause]

I would say Camden is downright ugly....Mott Haven, Melrose and Concourse have quite a few original brownstones, Grand Concourse has a wide boulevard with the biggest cluster of Art Deco buildings in the country, as well as the Original Yankee stadium...but thats just all downright ugly South Bronx stuff huh?

Don't miss all of these sights based on the opinions of someone "str8 outta camden." I know the city well, and you will enjoy all of these historical landmarks.

[Henna]

how about a tour of the Steinway Piano factory in Astoria Queens and then eat lunch at one of the many great restaurants there (check chowhound outer boroughs for suggestions of where to eat)? You will have to set up the tour in advance, which you can do by emailing the factory thru their website.

Another suggestion is to get a gallery guide to Williamsburg and Greenpoint (brooklyn) and spend a few hours gallery hopping. This will give you a chance to see the neighborhoods and there are tons and tons of places to eat there. Only one subway stop from Manhattan on the L train. Check the gallery hours before you go. They tend to be open 3-4 days a week including weekends.

[UpsonDowns]

Originally Posted by Angler

One place I always wanted to visit is The Cloisters. It's in the guide books but very few tourists venture that far north.
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Unless you love medieval art and tapestries, the Cloisters is incredibly dull. I am a super museum geek, but I can't recommend it.

Some tourists spots are completely worth it - if you like art a visit to MOMA and the Met is a must. I also recommend a walk along the Brooklyn promenade.