I am coming to NYC in June, have never been there before, and I am excited as all hell.

So a question to all you NYC Orgers...what area should we get a hotel in? I want to stay somewhere where there are good, but not outragously expensive, resturaunts/bars within walking distance. Everyone I know from there told me NOT to stay anywhere near Time Square since its become the Disneyland of NY.
I am from Chicago and want to stay in a neighborhood comparable to Wrigleyville or Old Town....far away from Michigan Ave and the ususal tourist traps, but with a hopping nightlife.
One of the reasons I am going is to see Oasis at Madison Sqaure Garden...but I heard the neighborhood around the Garden sucks.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
[Edited 2/19/05 9:48am]

Brownsville in Brooklyn is a nice place.....

The Village

It depends how much you wanna spend. If money isn't an issue, I would suggest a hotel anywhere in Midtown. No matter what, you'll be near anything you need. If you're gonna see a show at the Garden, try to get a room at the Pennsylvania Hotel, right across the street. There's a shit load of places to get a room. Best bet is to go online and find a price and location that suits you.

Thanks!

i don't see anything wrong with Times Square, so don't judge unless you see or go there for yourself. When i went i didn't view it as a "disneyland" but i guess if you allow yourself to stay there and don't go anywhere else then that's when it becomes a "disneyland"...

missfee said:

42nd aint the same, that area is so fucking sterile now.....

gimme the real NYC.....
[Edited 2/25/05 8:17am]

Staying in the Village area mught be fun for you. Times Square is VERY VERY busy and frankly, a bit touristy. I like the Village because it's not as touristy, it has great little off-beat shops and small neighborhood restaurants that are great, food and price-wise.
Chelsea is a section bordering on the Village, which is also has more New Yorkers than tourists.
EvilWhiteMale mentioned the Pennsylvania Hotel - it's directly across from Penn Station & Madison Square Garden. If you're planning to spend time in Midtown Manhattan, that's not too bad. Hotels in Midtown tend to be a little less expensive, but don't expect much! You do NOT get a lot for your money in New York hotels.

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I just booked at the Holiday Inn in SoHo after a few people told me its a good place in a good part of town. Wasn't too expensive but not its not a flea bag either. I hear there are some cool bars near the hotel...someone told me the Peculiar Bar has a nice selection of beer from around the world...my kind of place.

Any other suggestions of good bars/pubs around Soho/the Village?

Be sure to get a Soul Injection (soul food) in Harlem!!

Pagey said:

Just walk around the Village and you'll find tons of good bars like The Fat Black Pussycat and Off the Wagon. Also, pick up a Village Voice and some of those New York night life books in the magazine shops. That way you can get an idea of what each bar and club is like and where they are.

EvilWhiteMale said:

Cool...thanks again.