Mangia lol, we have an account with them, they SUCK ASS.
I’ll tell you where to eat, I’ll tell you where to drink, I’ll even karaoke with you if your down with that shit.
Subways and busses rock ass, check out : www.hopstop.com - 2.00 can get you REALLY far because of transfers are FREE with the metro card.
If you come, get all day passes (they are like 7 bucks I think) and they provide unlimited rides for the whole day (with a 15 minute cooldown before rides, to prevent multiple people using one card.)
Hotels in the city suprisingly ARE worth it, because there’s nothing like getting fucking tanked and then crashing after a short taxi ride home. However - if you want, I wouldn’t go into NJ for the hotels - Bronx, lower westchester is a lot easier to access and are MUCH nicer. The Metro North line rocks ass, but doesn’t take metrocard. You can buy a 10 pack off peak to and from for relatively cheap (cheaper than buying one at a time).
Bars : you sound like you aren’t into trendy lounges and huge clubs - lucky for you I’m not usually that type either and I know the bars in the lower east side and (somewhat) the upper east side really well. Drinks can be pretty cheap - you can always find a couple places that do all you can drink deals or really cheap something. There’s a bar off the Astor Place stop on the 4,5,6 subway that is 10 dollars for 5 shots of whatever you want. They don’t have goose, but kettle one, and all other call liquor and stuff, so that’s pretty good. Anyway, there are lots of GREAT cheap eats, GREAT cheap drinks, GREAT FREE entertainment.
Walking around Times Square at night still gives me the chills, I’ve done it countless numbers of times, it’s still amazing. Top of the Rock is a huge tourist spot but shit, for 15 bucks per person - you won’t get to see anything cooler. Make sure you have your Camera, and a tripod if possible.
Food - Street vendors are suprisingly clean. Chicken and Rice or Lamb Gyros are a huge hit with most people. They are actually very strictly enforced. Hot Dogs are not that good - they are interested. The hotdogs at Ted’s are a lot better. Don’t bother going to one of the well known delis around here, they overcharge for the same shit that any midtown deli can offer. They all use Boar’s head meat and the same bakeries. They just name their sandwiches differently.
Keep your shit in zipped pockets. I can’t stress how important that is. You will be jacked if you don’t. People who seem really really nice to you are either trying to get you to give them money, diverting your attention so they could take money from you, or diverting your attention so someone else can. They also will rip you off if they smell “tourist.” If you want to buy something off of a street vendor, and it seems a little high, just put it down and say “no thanks” after you ask him the price. They will drop the price, depending on the traffic of the area.
Depending on what else you are interested in, like broadway shows (which admittedly are absolutely fucking amazing here in NYC vs anywhere else), fine dining, a walk in the park, horse carriage rides (i don’t recommend), seeing museums, just walking into HUGE retail stores (FAO schwartz, apple store, Saks, blah blah blah)… the possiblities are endless…
I can help plan your trip if you want, but as for nightlife, I’m pretty whatever - I’m always a go-with-the-flow type bar guy, and there are PLENTY of bars for that. You will quickly be overwhelmed with choices of bars in just one part of the city…