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Well, seems like I'm gonna have me a sweet summer vication, crossing the world to get to New York, spend there a week and then carry on to Alaska. Now, Alaska will be all about forests and bears snow and whatnot, but NYC is a diffrent beast.
I am a geek of all sorts, and I love video games, roleplaying games, movies, books and Magic: The Gathering (a card game). After a 22 hours flight I'll arrive at one of the biggest cities in the western world, and it seems to me is should be brimming with geeky things to do.
So, anyone has any suggestions? are there any awesome hobby stores you'll recommand I'd visit? is someplace having a Magic: the gathering tournament where I could participate? any large book stores where I could wander around the fantasy/sci-fi section for hours?
Even further, is there anything not strictly geeky that a geek might enjoy? I know about the museum of natural history, and there are always the obvious things (statue of liberty, central park, broadway + broadway musicals), but is there something more obscure (and equally cool)?
Thanks!
Freehold DM lives in Brooklyn. Might want to bug him =)
Bug me! Bug me! Provided I'm not away at a convention, that is.
I'm a bit north of Manhattan.
I know PFS seems pretty active from all the chatter I see in their yahoo group. Also, meetup has a few fairly active gaming groups.
Of course, I'll be keeping track of any NY area responders for my own long term nefarious ends (get in or start up a PF campaign).
(< from Brooklyn too)
Well, for hobby stores, you cannot skip The Compleat Strategist, near the Empire State Building.
For a geek overdose, there is Forbidden Planet, near Union Square.
The Toys R Us of Times Square is pretty awesome too.
(< from Brooklyn too)
Well, for hobby stores, you cannot skip The Compleat Strategist, near the Empire State Building.
We moved our office out of NYC about a year and a half back and I sorely miss this wonderful place. My office was about a 10 minute (speed)walk either way from Compleat Strategist and Midtown Comics.
I would say Strand is a must-visit for you, and while you are in the NYU nabe take a stroll past the arch in Washington Square Park and check out the famous chess hustlers, and also check out Union Square. The Marshall Chess Club is also in that area, kind of the Yankee Stadium of chess. Even if you don't play it's pretty cool as a geek to tread the floors Bobby Fischer and so many other luminaries have trodden. Depending on how lost you get in Strand, you can do this whole tour in a few hours. If I were coming for the first and maybe only time, I'm sure I would visit the Met Museum and the Morgan Library. The nice thing about NYC museums is that there are a bunch on the upper East side not too far from one another (Museum Mile). Another nice idea for a day out is checking out the financial district (the famous bull, stock exchange, House of Morgan, etc. I have always wanted to see the gold in the Fed vault but never gotten around to it) and South St Seaport and taking a ride back and forth on the Staten Island ferry, especially at night.
Seldriss, you are in Brooklyn too? Why didn't you say anything! Or if you did and I forgot (which is possible) why haven't we hung out!
(< from Brooklyn too)
Well, for hobby stores, you cannot skip The Compleat Strategist, near the Empire State Building.
For a geek overdose, there is Forbidden Planet, near Union Square.
The Toys R Us of Times Square is pretty awesome too.
The Met is downright awesome, if you're at all into art. Seconded! If you go to the museum of nat history, there's a particular deep ocean diorama that everyone should see. With someone nearby to photograph their expression. The Strand is pretty neat too, but packed much of the time. (And those aisles are naaarrow!)
Of course, I'll be keeping track of any NY area responders for my own long term nefarious ends (get in or start up a PF campaign).
I as well. Unfortunately I won't be down until school starts in September. :(
I have always wanted to see the gold in the Fed vault but never gotten around to it)
They let people see that stuff?! Why was I not told?
Apparently you can see it if you take the guided tour. Speaking of the Met, I recommend the Cloisters also. Really wonderful spot, even if you don't care much for art or history, especially during the warm months when they have their gardens going and you can enjoy the views outside. Unfortunately not too convenient if time is tight because it's way out of the way in the northern boonies of Manhattan.
Oh oh! If you're going to the Met, 1) check out the historical weapons exhibit (It's a pistol! It's a hunting knife! It's a hunting calendar! It does none of these things well!)
and 2) our admission also gets you into the Cloisters, the medieval architecture museum that's constructed in part from sections of monasteries and castles!
Also, you'll soon be able to see one of the test shuttles at the Intrepid Museum.
Somewhat off the beaten track, Governor's Island is an island in the NY harbor that used to be a naval base, and is now a national park. There's a free ferry there from lower Manhattan, and you can wander around fortifications from the days of cannons as well as more modern areas. And there are constantly exhibits of all kinds—military history, art, music, film. My favorite part: Although you can see the skyscrapers of NYC and Jersey, it's quiet. I mean, there's still chatter from other visitors and harbor sounds, but the honking and pervasive background hum of the city are absent. So refreshing!
Like most true Brooklynites, I've never been to the Cloisters. I do enjoy the transit museum, Brooklyn museum, botanical gardens, and grand army plaza though. Mainly because they are within spurting distance of each other. I do want to go to governor's island (although if it's as quiet as you say it's likely to bore me to tears, also if my map is correct there is a strong chance I've never been because I have to go into Manhattan to get there even though it's closer to Brooklyn), and I want to go to Roosevelt island because it's awesome (skycar!!).
Marvel Comics is there too!
I do want to go to governor's island (although if it's as quiet as you say it's likely to bore me to tears, also if my map is correct there is a strong chance I've never been because I have to go into Manhattan to get there even though it's closer to Brooklyn), and I want to go to Roosevelt island because it's awesome (skycar!!).
When I say Governor's Island is quiet, I mean that strictly in the auditory sense—you're surrounded by the city, but it doesn't sound like you're in a city (unlike in, say Central Park or Prospect Park, where there's still a lot of traffic noise etc.). Every time I've been there, there've been plenty of people and lots to do. :) (Side note: But yeah, the Cloisters are a pain to get to from Brooklyn.)
That reminds me—Lord Snow, check out the schedule for BAM for the dates you'll be there. They have a crazy range of music, theater, and film for very reasonable prices. I saw Patrick Stewart headlining Macbeth for I think $15, and an all-male (but non-campy), Russian-language (subtitled) version of 12th Night for, er, also not that much!
And if you'll be there in the summer, Prospect Park has a (mostly) free summer concert series called Celebrate Brooklyn that's pretty sweet.
I've lived in Brooklyn the vast majority of my life, I no longer hear the traffic (or so I like to brag). And bam is awesome, but their ticket pricing and availability are weird.
<-- Brooklyn
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Lord Snow,
I help run two weekly PFS games that have at least two tables each week, I also participate in two campaigns, one Pathfinder and one 2nd Ed, as well as hosting some war gaming nights a few times a month. I would love for you to play an NPC judge in Trail of the Beast, I will have my players RP the defense and prosecution in game in about a months time.
You should also check out the Complete Strategist which is one of the best game stores in the North West.
One block away from The Strategist is the Empire State Building, going up the viewing area is still a top attraction. Something that is quintessentially New York, although I have not been there since the first time I was there. Also the Staten Island Ferry is a free ride that will take you past the Statue of Liberty as well as showing you almost all of New York from the water.
If you can afford to wait in line, there are daily discounts for various Broadway and off broadway shows daily, right in the middle of time square kiosk. It's not too far from my residence. There are also free shows that are taped for tv like David Letterman or the Daily Show.
For people watching you can not beat Union Square in mid day of the Meat packing in Chelsea. Every model in New York has to walk up and down that area for daily castings.
Food here ranges from $1 Pizza that is amazing to $200 12 oz steaks, I can help you with reservations with some of the tough to get in spots. My current mid range favorite is ABC Kitchen, shoot me an email or get in touch with Freehold he has all my contact information from my long friendship with him.
I believe the Space Shuttle will soon be 'alongside' the Aircraft Carrier as a dual exhibit.
Late night
Safe travels, hope we get to roll dice or have a drink.
Baron-
Ill see you next week!
I dont have a jacket though...
Born, brought up and still living in NYC...pretty much anything you can think of, you can find! Some options:
- Various museums-Guggenheim, Museum of Sex, The Whitney(american art), Museum of Art and Design, International Center of Photography, the Frick
-Exhibits; Discovery Times Square (Terra Cota Warriors), Bodies Exhibit ( South Street- SeaPort- fab place to hang out too)
-Parks- Bronx Zoo, Bronx Botanical Garden, Prospect Park
- Churches; My fav is St. John the Divine Cathedral on 110th; now considered the largest church in the world
- other stuff; just walk around. Manhattan is pretty easy to navigate (if going north, the street numbers increase, when going west the avenue numbers increase...). Lots of food and also all kinds of events.
What are your interests? I am sure there is plenty of stuff that's you'd enjoy
Doug see my above email, I have a few groups I can put you in touch with, I have a base of about fourty players and about four over worked GMs.
Thanks! I'll drop you a line this afternoon when things slow down a bit at the office. Much appreciated.
@Baron AH: I am upstate a bit further... 90 miles North of THE City. I am looking for a good RPG group to get into that meets 2-3 times a month. My regular group keeps having RL get in the way, and I want to play more regularly. Can you hook a girl up?
@Doug: It sounds like you'll be getting a good nature fix in Alaska, and wanna do more city stuff in NY. But... if you wanna get more nature... an hour and a half north of the city is the lower 48s largest National Park. (Nobody realizes that the 7 hours between NYC and Toronto is filled with spectacular nature.) Thousands of square miles of hiking trails, biking, swimming, horseback, rock climbing, waterfalls, lakes, cliffs-- even a castle that's working as a hotel.
http://www.mohonk.com/
You can just buy lunch, and then stay on the grounds swimming and free climbing some trails for a great view. That's my New Paltz pitch, if you've got the time.
New Paltz? One of the players in my game went to school there and still visits regularly. Small world.
@Baron AH: I am upstate a bit further... 90 miles North of THE City. I am looking for a good RPG group to get into that meets 2-3 times a month. My regular group keeps having RL get in the way, and I want to play more regularly. Can you hook a girl up?
@Doug: It sounds like you'll be getting a good nature fix in Alaska, and wanna do more city stuff in NY. But... if you wanna get more nature... an hour and a half north of the city is the lower 48s largest National Park. (Nobody realizes that the 7 hours between NYC and Toronto is filled with spectacular nature.) Thousands of square miles of hiking trails, biking, swimming, horseback, rock climbing, waterfalls, lakes, cliffs-- even a castle that's working as a hotel.
http://www.mohonk.com/
You can just buy lunch, and then stay on the grounds swimming and free climbing some trails for a great view. That's my New Paltz pitch, if you've got the time.
Small world, indeed. I grew up and have been living not all that far from New Paltz. Unfortunately there's a mountain between us. :(
@Doug: It sounds like you'll be getting a good nature fix in Alaska, and wanna do more city stuff in NY. But... if you wanna get more nature... an hour and a half north of the city is the lower 48s largest National Park. (Nobody realizes that the 7 hours between NYC and Toronto is filled with spectacular nature.) Thousands of square miles of hiking trails, biking, swimming, horseback, rock climbing, waterfalls, lakes, cliffs-- even a castle that's working as a hotel.
http://www.mohonk.com/
Wow, not only did I go to SUNY New Paltz, but I hiked up to Sky Point at Mohonk just last month.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b205/DougOBrien/040.jpg
Small world, indeed. I grew up and have been living not all that far from New Paltz. Unfortunately there's a mountain between us. :(
TS, I'm in Westchester, but work in the Hudson Valley. Whereabouts are you, if you don't mind my asking? Or just shoot me an email, if you like:
I live in Liberty. Am I anywhere near your commute?
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@Baron AH: I am upstate a bit further... 90 miles North of THE City. I am looking for a good RPG group to get into that meets 2-3 times a month. My regular group keeps having RL get in the way, and I want to play more regularly. Can you hook a girl up?
I have a very good group of role players (that includes Freehold as a player, and mind you Freehold himself is an impeccable DM, and one who's baritone voice I could never hope to emmulate) that meets twice a month regularly that you may be able to fit in with, alternatively, I have a group of four that is in need of a 5th player to start, based on plans made I am guessing that group will meet about once or twice a month.
Those two groups are for campaign games, the PFS 'one shot' games I can line you up meet once a week on Wednesday, although my friend Nate runs a few extra games on Tuesday nights as well, almost all of which are the older mods.
My email is in my above spoilered post.
