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My remark was not Chicago isn't walkable as if someone said that? But ALWAYS HOW SMALL CHICAGO IS REMARKS LOL. Small means you may as well ONLY WALK IT.
Oh OK, that makes more sense. But regardless of how big a Downtown is, or the urban parts of a city, that's what the subway is for. You can still experience it on foot.
I'm surprised you didn't say you can do little downtown Chicago on foot easy. Tell the OP's party along on his trip? Mighty Manhattan is waaaaaay to Big to merely do on foot and in Manhattan. You might be pushed bad shoved along? If you are a tourist wanting to stop and look up on foot. LOL
But a open top bus especially. Is a good tour for either city too LOOK UP and get views from streets you might not otherwise get especially in Manhattan. Also good for viewing the architecture.
Idk why you're directing this at me. I haven't said anything negative about Chicago in all of my posts. I'm not one of the countless people commenting just to say how much bigger NY is than Chicago. I'm sure OP knows this and there's no point of beating a dead horse. I'm giving OP my personal advice/input on NYC.
And to be clear, obviously you can't see ALL of Manhattan on foot in a single trip. I meant that in terms of exploring neighborhoods, seeing the sights, and getting from point A to point B. It's best to do so on foot. It's really the easiest way to get around Manhattan and to see the most each area has to offer. The city was designed to be navigated on foot. But take the subway for longer distances that you don't want to walk. You can be the judge for exactly what that means. When the weather's nice sometimes I walk to various different parts of Manhattan from my apartment in Brooklyn. I've even walked home from my old work a few times to Williamsburg (Brooklyn) from Midtown when I used to work there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavePa
In NYC you will have to use the subway unless you use pricier methods. There are many miles between Midtown and Lower-Manhattan. In Chicago you can walk Oak St beach at downtowns official, north edge to the Willis (Sears) Tower. Thy gives you the smaller scale Midtown and Lower-Manhattan FRACTION LOL on foot. Michigan Ave gets quite busy as green-space and flower plots take portions of the sidewalk. Still few see tourist as "get out of our way attitude and MOVE IT" as in Manhattan.
1. Those lowrise neighborhoods between Midtown and the Financial District are Lower Manhattan, and those are the areas that I think are the most interesting. They definitely should not be skipped over on your way from Fidi from Midtown. Those neighborhoods (Chelsea, Meatpacking, SoHo, Villages, NoLita, Chinatown, etc.) are the most fun NYC walks IMO. Midtown and Fidi is where everyone goes to work. But the in between neighborhoods is where everyone goes to go out & have fun.
2. I can see you've clearly never had the "pleasure" of working in Midtown Manhattan. People don't get mad at tourists for no reason. Any tourists in Midtown Manhattan need to BE AWARE of their surroundings, specifically the other people around them. Don't block the sidewalks. People need to get around. Pull over to the side if you need to stop. Treat the sidewalks of Midtown like a highway or busy street. Look where you're going and don't raise your arm up or point to something without looking first because you will clothesline a bunch of people and smack someone in the face. I have seen this happen so many times, lol.
When riding the subway, use proper train etiquette and don't give money or cheer for the showtime people because you're just encouraging them to do that **** even more.
Idk why you're directing this at me. I haven't said anything negative about Chicago in all of my posts. I'm not one of the countless people commenting just to say how much bigger NY is than Chicago. I'm sure OP knows this and there's no point of beating a dead horse. I'm giving OP my personal advice/input on NYC.
1. Those lowrise neighborhoods between Midtown and the Financial District are Lower Manhattan, and those are the areas that I think are the most interesting. They definitely should not be skipped over on your way from Fidi from Midtown. Those neighborhoods (Chelsea, Meatpacking, SoHo, Villages, NoLita, Chinatown, etc.) are the most fun NYC walks IMO. Midtown and Fidi is where everyone goes to work. But the in between neighborhoods is where everyone goes to go out & have fun.
2. I can see you've clearly never had the "pleasure" of working in Midtown Manhattan. People don't get mad at tourists for no reason. Any tourists in Midtown Manhattan need to BE AWARE of their surroundings, specifically the other people around them. Don't block the sidewalks. People need to get around. Pull over to the side if you need to stop. Treat the sidewalks of Midtown like a highway or busy street. Look where you're going and don't raise your arm up or point to something without looking first because you will clothesline a bunch of people and smack someone in the face. I have seen this happen so many times, lol.
When riding the subway, use proper train etiquette and don't give money or cheer for the showtime people because you're just encouraging them to do that **** even more.
Warnings to the OP exactly. Why tourist are not seen as "happy to see ya in Manhattan" you get in my way.... and top to look up? Fa'geta'bout'it if you can't hide behind something they can't push. I make too long a post that don't get read on the comments I made in Manhattan streets.
If the OP is visiting the Low-Rise neighborhoods as you call them. Then recommendations on them are welcome I'm sure... If Midtown to Lower-Manhattan and the subway use? Add shuttered stores and a look of being unsafe and bags of trash on streets standard. Aesthetics are better to be realized and WARNINGS before one goes. I found these warnings and negative aesthetic aspects? Rare in downtown Chicago. Few claim any unsafe feeling. But still a Big city (very small when NYC is mentioned) and Chicago gets nods for being cleaner and greener and more open vistas not merely by Central Park in NYC.
I did give some WARNINGS in a previous post. Especially not expect a Manhattan of Action-movies on street-level.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavePa
Yes, there is certain point density becomes like traffic-jams. But with people. They dislike tourist who dare stop to look up. You no longer have a quiet block to go home too unless locked in your apartment. You rush but still another sees you in the way. Aesthetics are unimportant to add green or flowers because you don't take the time to enjoy passing them and trees are in the way. You need room for trash bags. (I jest).
But the point is density can reach overkill too. Then it no longer adds. Its threshold is reached and a downside can begin. My point in Manhattan can lose aspects we are to see its greatest asset in a degree of over-crowding that matches the traffic-jam on the streets. You just have no time to stop.
I'd say the OP is hitting the key parts and some walking especially through Midtown. So RECOMMENDATIONS are not just great to seek. BUT WARNINGS NECESSARY and for some surpasses expectations and for some it gets tarnished from being a URBAN DISNEY-ESQUE EMERALD CITY.
* Your Warnings prove it as a resident.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PDF
Oh OK, that makes more sense. But regardless of how big a Downtown is, or the urban parts of a city, that's what the subway is for. You can still experience it on foot.
Yes any city. Anyone needs to know basics of what transportation they will or have to use visiting a city. It's best to have some plan and itinerary of top places they wish to see and how they will get there.
If on the cheap especially not merely calling a taxi or uber to everyplace. No one rides the NYC subway because its scenic and attractiveness LOL. a subway lone gives you little to look at till you leave its abode.
I don't think there is a cheap travel option from NYC region airports. With Chicago there is. The Blue-line L from O'Hare or Green-line from Midway Imports to downtown. Both offer views being mostly above ground and of a city a subway alone would not. Perhaps a El line will eventually link some NYC airport?
You are limited on the cheap in Manhattan unless you use the subway and distances make it necessary. Small Chicago's core you could keep more on foot as it is not 13 miles long. Some museums have free entrance days also but some wait times too.
Buying tour packages offer some priority entrance to museums too. Free summer concerts and events that are not fighting crowds generally. One can carry drinks that only buying food then is necessary.
I stayed at a Hostel in a awesome Victorian tree-canopy neighborhood just north of downtown Chicago for a week in a dorm on the cheap. 30-some a day w/breakfast and bus or L to downtown. If OP was alone I'd say a great cheap option.
Cheap flight tickets alone? Still mean many additional cost there. Especially to Manhattan everything is more. I find Chicago very manageable and never feeling overwhelmed and Da Lake is always East and open. Less chance to feel dirty and grimy but only takes one thing to tarnish a trip sometimes. Especially, if fully not expected. But Manhattan's offerings are GREAT.
I don't trash Manhattan at all. There are reasons for its esteem in the world. But I applaud another city that has found a way to shine despite its issues by some great choices it made and renewed nicely. A Big punch in a smaller Package.
Warnings to the OP exactly. Why tourist are not seen as "happy to see ya in Manhattan" you get in my way.... and top to look up? Fa'geta'bout'it if you can't hide behind something they can't push. I make too long a post that don't get read on the comments I made in Manhattan streets.
If the OP is visiting the Low-Rise neighborhoods as you call them. Then recommendations on them are welcome I'm sure... If Midtown to Lower-Manhattan and the subway use? Add shuttered stores and a look of being unsafe and bags of trash on streets standard. Aesthetics are better to be realized and WARNINGS before one goes. I found these warnings and negative aesthetic aspects? Rare in downtown Chicago. Few claim any unsafe feeling. But still a Big city (very small when NYC is mentioned) and Chicago gets nods for being cleaner and greener and more open vistas not merely by Central Park in NYC.
I did give some WARNINGS in a previous post. Especially not expect a Manhattan of Action-movies on street-level.
I'd say the OP is hitting the key parts and some walking especially through Midtown. So RECOMMENDATIONS are not just great to seek. BUT WARNINGS NECESSARY and for some surpasses expectations and for some it gets tarnished from being a URBAN DISNEY-ESQUE EMERALD CITY.
* Your Warnings prove it as a resident.
Yes any city. Anyone needs to know basics of what transportation they will or have to use visiting a city. It's best to have some plan and itinerary of top places they wish to see and how they will get there.
If on the cheap especially not merely calling a taxi or uber to everyplace. No one rides the NYC subway because its scenic and attractiveness LOL. a subway lone gives you little to look at till you leave its abode.
I don't think there is a cheap travel option from NYC region airports. With Chicago there is. The Blue-line L from O'Hare or Green-line from Midway Imports to downtown. Both offer views being mostly above ground and of a city a subway alone would not. Perhaps a El line will eventually link some NYC airport?
You are limited on the cheap in Manhattan unless you use the subway and distances make it necessary. Small Chicago's core you could keep more on foot as it is not 13 miles long. Some museums have free entrance days also but some wait times too.
Buying tour packages offer some priority entrance to museums too. Free summer concerts and events that are not fighting crowds generally. One can carry drinks that only buying food then is necessary.
I stayed at a Hostel in a awesome Victorian tree-canopy neighborhood just north of downtown Chicago for a week in a dorm on the cheap. 30-some a day w/breakfast and bus or L to downtown. If OP was alone I'd say a great cheap option.
Cheap flight tickets alone? Still mean many additional cost there. Especially to Manhattan everything is more. I find Chicago very manageable and never feeling overwhelmed and Da Lake is always East and open. Less chance to feel dirty and grimy but only takes one thing to tarnish a trip sometimes. Especially, if fully not expected. But Manhattan's offerings are GREAT.
I don't trash Manhattan at all. There are reasons for its esteem in the world. But I applaud another city that has found a way to shine despite its issues by some great choices it made and renewed nicely. A Big punch in a smaller Package.
NYC has hostels and there are also cheap ways to travel from the airports, even on a train! Seems like you don't know what is out there.
I explained why I want to ride the train in Chicago because of the gorgeous view of downtown that you don't get from NYC.
OK, but subways are the fastest and easiest way to get around NYC. Saying you definitely won't be on the subway doesn't make any sense if you want to check out the city like you say you do. Even visitors don't take public transit solely for the views.
Downtown Chicago is tiny compared to Manhattan and sterile. This city has no game once so ever. Give a rest!
Just as your SJ is tiny to SF you try to lessen. I won't take the bait on being sterile. One thing Chicago does not get a stigma on.
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Chicago's core you could keep more on foot as it is not 13 miles long. Some museums have free entrance days also but some wait times too. 
