A West Point/NYC Primer

letsgiveacheer · September 27, 2016

The Army game will be here before you know it. If you have any opportunity at all to attend, please do so as there is no better place on earth to see a game, especially in October when the leaves should be at their peak.

I have the good fortune to work in NYC and am happy to pass on some thoughts.

Getting to NYC.

For me, JFK is the preferred airport. You can take the Airtrain ($5) to Jamaica station, then either the E train to Manhattan or the LIRR to Penn Station. If you take a taxi, it is $75 to Manhattan. LGA is a bit cheaper to Manhattan by taxi but using public transport is difficult and requires a bus. EWR is also an option but you will spend a lot of time and money getting into Manhattan either using public transport or taxi.

Hotels

I like the Hiltons in NYC mainly due to their reasonable room size. Hotel rooms are notoriously small in NYC. You will see bigger closets than some hotel rooms in NYC and price is no indication of what you will be getting. When I am not at a Hilton, I always tip the desk clerk $20 in hope that I get a larger room than I paid for. Sometimes that works, sometimes not. I know most of the major hotels in NYC so if you have a question, please PM me.

Getting to the game

The train from Grand Central is fast and a great trip. You will get off at either Peekskill or Garrison and then take a cab. This will be expensive and about a 20 minute ride. Of course there will be other fans on the train that can help share. You'll also need to reserve a cab for after the game. If it was my choice, I would take the game-day ferry as previously discussed.

At West Point

I would try and attend the parade prior to the game if at all possible. You will be proud to be an American. Their band (made of NCOs and not cadets by the way) will probably play our fight song at both the parade and pre-game, too. When you hear the Army song, it is customary to stand. The Army fans will appreciate that.

The game is over and UNT won. Now what do I do?

I have a great suggestion that I know you all will be sure to want to do: Go to the opera!

Yes, the Center for Contemporary Opera is producing a world premiere, Jane Eyre, by Louis Karchin on Oct 22, 8pm at the Kaye Playhouse on the Upper East Side. There is a great cast, creative team, and huge orchestra, called the "A list" by the New York Times. Also, I personally know someone who can get you some tickets.

Get real, letsgiveacheer, I'd rather get hit upside the head with a 2 x 4 than go to an opera.

Ok, here are some other suggestions:

Where to go if you told your wife you were visiting a sick buddy but are really bringing your secretary to NYC.

Begin the evening with drinks (a martini, of course) at the Waldorf Astoria's Peacock Lounge, then dinner at Le Perigord, followed by a nightcap at Bemelmans Bar at the Caryle Hotel. You will feel more comfortable at these places in a suit and tie.

Where to go if you would like to have dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant but do not want to break the bank.

My choice would be http://batardtribeca.com/restaurants/batard/. It is hard to find but for about $75, can have a really great dinner. No tie needed. here.

Where to go if you would like a famous NY steak dinner.

Keens, the Palm, Peter Lugers are all famous and worthwhile but my choice would be Maloney and Porcelli http://www.maloneyandporcelli.com They offer a wine dinner beginning at 8pm and for $85, you get unlimited wine (not the best, but very good), and choice of starter, entree, and desert. Their steaks are prime and it is actually a bargain.

Where to go if you are seated in the middle seat between UNT90 and UNTLifer on the flight to NYC and Ben Gooding is in the row behind you, kicking your seat-back.

You will need liquor, fast!! Finding a bar in NYC is about as easy as finding a Baptist church in Dallas. Two of my favorite dive bars are The Distinguished Wakamba Cocktail Lounge and the Holland Bar. There is nothing distinguished about the Wakamba Lounge, people are killed there. https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-distinguished-wakamba-cocktail-lounge-new-york https://www.yelp.com/biz/holland-bar-new-york

Stay away from:

Carnegie Deli...for rubes only willing to pay $25 for a sandwich

Benash Deli...worst deli in NYC

BBQ restaurants...these are thriving in NYC, but the natives do not know any better

Any restaurant in Times Square..."hey kids, there's an Olive Garden, let's eat there!"

The tragedy of this all:

I can't go to the game as I will be tied up with the opera. What a dunderhead I was to schedule the show on the same day as the game. I hope all of you have a great time.

Edited September 27, 2016 by letsgiveacheer

untcampbell · September 27, 2016

Thanks for that information. I am in NYC once a quarter and will use this information in the future. One category you forgot to address:

I am going with my wife and two kids, staying in Tribeca and want to have a nice dinner one night but not spend more than $50 per person.

Got any advice for this one?

GMG

kingwoodgreen · September 27, 2016

I am flying up from Houston and flying my dad up from Dallas. He has been the caretaker for my mom the last year (bad health) and is in need of a weekend off. My thoughts are to fly in on Friday afternoon and head to the trade center museum. We are staying at the Marriott downtown which I believe is close to the museum and close to the pier for the game day ferry. I hope to meet a lot of you on the trip. We may eat at Bobby vans on Saturday night

Evan · September 27, 2016

Thanks for the info!

MeanGreenHoops · September 27, 2016

Thanks @letsgiveacheer for the info!

Having been last time we played Army I can say two things, best road venue ever and the Cadet Review on the Plain is worth making.

Important note, the Cadet Review he mentioned starts at 9am on Saturday so if you want to see that you'll need to get there another way than the ferry. And yes they did play our fight song last time :thumbsup:

sgmthompson · September 27, 2016

I am going to the West Point game.

Would be great to meet up with the UNT crowd.

MeanGreenHoops · October 3, 2016

Anyone here purchased and received tickets from the UNT ticket office for this game? I called to order some and was told I could pick them up this week. Then I called today and was told we couldn't pick them up but would have to pick them up in West Point.

keith · October 3, 2016

I think they are all going to be Will Call tickets. At least that's what I was told.

Graham · October 3, 2016

I would also highly recommend looking at AirBnB. NY hotels are crazy expensive, and most of the reasonable options are shitholes.

There are tens of thousands of great apartments on AirBnB to choose from, usually $100 less/night than a sub par hotel. And don't forget Brooklyn. Neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Fort Greene, Cobble Hill, Dumbo, etc are beautiful and no more than one or two subway stops from Manhattan.

I keep a good Google Doc of stuff to do/see/drink/stuff your face with too. Feel free to have a look here.

Edited October 4, 2016 by Graham

Ben Gooding · October 3, 2016

4 minutes ago, Graham said:

I would also highly recommend looking at AirBnB. NY hotels are crazy expensive, and most of the reasonable options are shitholes.

However there are literally tens of thousands of great apartments on AirBnB to choose from, usually $100 less/night than a sub par hotel. And don't forget Brooklyn. Neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Fort Greene, Cobble Hill, Dumbo, etc are beautiful and no more than one or two subway stops from Manhattan.

I keep a good Google Doc of stuff to do/see/drink/stuff your face with too. Feel free to have a look here.

Nice link. I wish I could make this trip. I have only heard great things from people who have made it. Maybe in 2018.

MeanGreenHoops · October 3, 2016

2 hours ago, keith said:

I think they are all going to be Will Call tickets. At least that's what I was told.

Thanks I'll probably call one more time and see if the 3rd answer lines up with either of the 1st two.

DeepGreen · October 4, 2016

Didn't Carnagie Deli just announce it was closing? What a shame.

letsgiveacheer · October 4, 2016

On 9/26/2016 at 10:17 PM, untcampbell said:

Thanks for that information. I am in NYC once a quarter and will use this information in the future. One category you forgot to address:

I am going with my wife and two kids, staying in Tribeca and want to have a nice dinner one night but not spend more than $50 per person.

Got any advice for this one?

GMG

Hello. Depending upon the age of your kids, you may want to consider Ninja New York. I have not been there but understand from colleagues with children that is a good place to visit. http://www.ninjanewyork.com/

8 hours ago, DeepGreen said:

Didn't Carnagie Deli just announce it was closing? What a shame.

Yes, although I am no fan, it is part of the NYC landscape and will be missed. For deli, I like Sarge's or 2nd Ave. Katz's is fun but it has become so popular that the wait can be enormous.

Ryan Munthe · October 4, 2016

If you decide to stay in the valley instead of NYC, do not stay in Newburgh.

Do. Not. Stay. In. Newburgh.

Silent Eagle · October 4, 2016

If the opportunity presents itself, take a moment to talk to some of the cadets. I've found that West Point dudes are usually the most laid back of the academy types (Shipwreck Tech and Zoomie U being the more pompous of the two) and it usually makes for good conversation. These guys have dedicated themselves to a four year stay at a minimum security prison, so real, human interaction is something they appreciate. A number of my friends from training at Fort Sill changed my thoughts about USMA. Really chill cats.

Censored by Laurie · October 5, 2016

On 10/4/2016 at 8:33 AM, Ryan Munthe said:

If you decide to stay in the valley instead of NYC, do not stay in Newburgh.

Do. Not. Stay. In. Newburgh.

agreed. a lot of the old industrial towns that fell on hard times in the 80s have made some namely bohemian-centric come-backs. Newburgh is not one of those towns.

however if you do opt for the Hudson Valley over the city...directly across the river from Newburgh is Beacon...that is one of the towns that has experienced a vibrant revival. I'd also suggest the towns of Cold Spring and Rhinebeck on the east side of the Hudson (though the latter is probably an hour's drive), or Cornwall-on-Hudson on the west side, maybe 15-20 minutes from West Point. if you opt for this little town, I highly recommend building in some time to make the drive on NY-218...a windy road built into the cliffs over the Hudson River.

even recognizing that the lot of this crowd isn't terribly arty...I'd still highly recommend the Dia:Beacon and Storm King Art Center...the prior is a massive modern art collection housed in an old ship-building warehouse...the latter is a beautiful outdoor sculpture garden.

MeanGreenHoops · October 5, 2016

19 minutes ago, Censored by Laurie said:

even recognizing that the lot of this crowd isn't terribly arty...I'd still highly recommend the Dia:Beacon and Storm King Art Center...the prior is a massive modern art collection housed in an old ship-building warehouse...the latter is a beautiful outdoor sculpture garden.

Thanks for those tips!

golfingomez · October 5, 2016

really bummed I'm missing this, I have to go to a wedding this weekend.

Evan · October 12, 2016

Bump for those making plans for the Army game

MeanGreenHoops · October 28, 2016

On 10/3/2016 at 0:29 PM, Graham said:

I would also highly recommend looking at AirBnB. NY hotels are crazy expensive, and most of the reasonable options are shitholes.

There are tens of thousands of great apartments on AirBnB to choose from, usually $100 less/night than a sub par hotel. And don't forget Brooklyn. Neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Fort Greene, Cobble Hill, Dumbo, etc are beautiful and no more than one or two subway stops from Manhattan.

I keep a good Google Doc of stuff to do/see/drink/stuff your face with too. Feel free to have a look here.

Post-trip thank for the Google Doc. Went to Russ & Daughters and it was great, of course now it means I have to find a decent Bagel place in Dallas because I realize what a real NY bagel tastes like.

Also, checked out the High Line, very cool.

One to add to your list is Eataly on 23rd. Italian Food Disneyland.

Graham · October 29, 2016

4 hours ago, MeanGreenHoops said:

Post-trip thank for the Google Doc. Went to Russ & Daughters and it was great, of course now it means I have to find a decent Bagel place in Dallas because I realize what a real NY bagel tastes like.

Also, checked out the High Line, very cool.

One to add to your list is Eataly on 23rd. Italian Food Disneyland.

Glad to hear it man! And you're right – I totally need to add Eatly to that list. It's a sausage and carbohydrate wonderland.

Good luck with the Dallas bagel hunt @meangreenhoops. Holler at me if find anything decent.

untcampbell · October 29, 2016

Thanks to those that provided NYC tips. Here is one for you guys, if you haven't found this place yet.

Family met up with one of my alumni friends (class of 1983). He lives in Morningside Heights. Took us to a small club Saturday night called Showman's on 125th in Harlem, about 3 blocks from the A Train stop. Doesn't get the notoriety of the Apollo, down the street. Thank Goodness, because the venue is small and packed. Three sets. The last one, some of the musicians from the Apollo usually come down and sit in. Blues and Jazz. No cover, two drink minimum. Lady who owns the place runs the place. Doesn't tolerate BS. She cooks something every night and, as best as I can tell, hands it out at no charge if you ask if their is a menu. Lasagna was the dish, served up in a real nice styrofoam bowl. Delicious! Heard her chicken and rice is worth coming back for.

Music: John Smith (guitar), Nate Lucas (Hammond organ), drums, percussion. Lady named Maxine was celebrating her birthday. We had to leave before cake was served but I understand everyone in the place got a piece. Felt like we were part of the family after about 15 minutes.

Heard that Red Roosters soul food is over the top good (pricey and you need a reservation), good music also.

Also, the High Line is awesome. Next up is http://thelowline.org. They are building this near Columbia University off of 125th. If I understand correctly, they are building this park UNDER the existing elevated rail line.

GMG

Edited October 29, 2016 by untcampbell