Visiting New York

Hi,

I'll be in New York later in the week and wondered if anyone had any recommendations for places to visit (diving related)?

I'm guessing there might be some cool galleries or the like, so if so please let me know. I don't know if it matters but I'm staying in East Village.

Damien

ps. I won't be diving in NY, but am heading down to Florida for a few weeks cave diving.

Hi,

 

I'll be in New York later in the week and wondered if anyone had any recommendations for places to visit (diving related)?

 

I'm guessing there might be some cool galleries or the like, so if so please let me know. I don't know if it matters but I'm staying in East Village.

You could visit Adorama(downstairs) and Leisurepro(upstairs) at 42 West 18th Street. All of the museums are great. Don't forget to head to the top of the Empire State before dusk to get some great long exposure photographs as the lights come on downtown.

Enjoy the Big City! Will be there in March for St Paddys!

I promised myself no more gear! I'm on a 12 step program already, though am not doing so well.

Also the 80kg+ of camera, lighting and rebreather gear I'm packing prohibits me from buy bringing back any new toys.

I promised myself no more gear! I'm on a 12 step program already, though am not doing so well.

We are here to support you, no one mentioned shopping at B&H, yet

You mentioned you are going to be heading to Florida in a few weeks, not sure if that means you will be in New York the whole time or what travel arrangements you have arranged while in NYC. One thing to think about is getting a pass for the Subway for the time. Often the Subway will be easier (timewise) than Taxis and less costly, and grab a map. Not sure what you are into, some things people like and others may not like, but figured I would throw out general things and if anything is of interest, can go into more details.

On the diving side of things, there are various Dive Clubs that meet in NYC. One that I go to when I get a chance is the NYUPS - next month is pushed back to the 14th though due to the Labor Day Weekend, so it may be too late for you. There are other clubs also like the Sea Gypsies who have something on September 8th.

As mentioned, there are many great museums - The Museum of Natural History and The Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art are three of the well known ones and are good.

Then there is food and bars. As you would guess there is a ton of variety, from Steakhouses to Vegan. Pretty much anything you want. In your neck of the woods (Lower Eastside) great Delis, and also Chinatown/Little Italy. I used to go to there often - grab food then cannoli and espresso afterwards. (Not when I say in your neck of the woods, it is fairly close and would often walk things even if 15 minutes or so.) Lot's of great music clubs, everything you can think of. Jazz, Classical, Rock, whatever with venues ranging from the hoe in the wall to Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall. Broadway shows...

There is the Seaport which is a good place to go to for a bit. There is a ton of stores, such as Macy's, which you may have seen in movies and alot of locations used in movies. There are tours that around sites. Used to be a Seinfeld one, for instance. There is the Statue of Liberty (which I never went to my entire life, and finally went to when friends came in from out of town, and it was worthwhile) and Ellis Island (where immigrants came into the U.S., also interesting.)

If you are into sports, baseball season is still on. Yes, I know, but when I was in Australia I started getting my head around Cricket a bit during those couple of weels, and when my friend and his family came here, we went to a baseball game and they had a blast. Actually took a few people from Australia to games and they had fun.

If you have time to wander a bit outside of the City, within 1-2 hours in any direction there is alot to see on that is non-City. There are places to dive, like the Quarry in PA, which is about 1-1/2 hours away and things off of Long Island.

Really could write a ton more, but figured would throw a few things out there. Lived in the City for many years, now live a bit outside of it. About 30-40 minutes drive, with non-rush hour traffic of course

Eating is diving related right?

Otherwise, check with the NYUPS if they are going to be holding an event while you're there. Galleries with underwater images would probably be photo oriented. So check with NYUPS if any of their people have exhibits. Otherwise, just go to shows and eat.

I live in Brooklyn (was in manhattan but moved) and would be happy to offer recommendations for museums, restaurants, shows... anything you want.

Also, if you would like to grab a beer and just talk about underwater photography, we can do that too.

PM for my contact info if you are interested.

Also, if you would like to grab a beer and just talk about underwater photography, we can do that too.

Maybe an impromptu WP member get together somewhere?

I'm in NYC. Midtown west side. LeisurePro and B&H photo would be nice to visit. However, be prepared for temptation to buy something.

You just missed a real nice photo presentation last week by Jason Heller on his Sardine Run trip.

NYUPS is meeting on September 14th, members will be showing video from point-shoot and DSLR cameras. Sea Gypsies meet on September 8th. Guest speaker is Bernie Chowdhury, author of "The Last Dive".

I'm always up to meet people and discuss underwater video.

As I mentioned I won't be diving in NY, but will be around from 27th Aug - 1st Sept. If anyone wants to grab a beer I'm up for that; it's always good to hear what others are doing.

Damien

For the best steak dinner in the world go to Peter Lugar's http://www.peterluger.com/

Cash only.

Walking close from sub way!

After nearly 24 hours travel we are about to land at JFK. I could murder a good steak so thanks for the recommendation.

I also had a rather unpleasant experience with tsa officials boarding a lax-->JFK flights. The buggers stripped down every piece of may camera gear before doing a full pat down search, magic wand thing etc. Lovely way to start a USA journey. In the end they let me through with all gear but suggested I wasn't wise to travel with such equipment (eg battery packs for lights, strobes, ccr electronics, etc... I even gave them the printed copying of airline rules stating to carry on nimh packs.

Barstards had me pinned in a booth for 90min. I kept my mouth shut as I feared complaining wouldn't help my cause.

After nearly 24 hours travel we are about to land at JFK. I could murder a good steak so thanks for the recommendation.

 

I also had a rather unpleasant experience with tsa officials boarding a lax-->JFK flights. The buggers stripped down every piece of may camera gear before doing a full pat down search, magic wand thing etc. Lovely way to start a USA journey. In the end they let me through with all gear but suggested I wasn't wise to travel with such equipment (eg battery packs for lights, strobes, ccr electronics, etc... I even gave them the printed copying of airline rules stating to carry on nimh packs.

 

Barstards had me pinned in a booth for 90min. I kept my mouth shut as I feared complaining wouldn't help my cause.

I know your pain - 24 hours on a plane to the U.S. and then they greet you with those really nice TSA people who don't have a clue about anything but pounce on anything that doesn't look like jocks and socks. I go over for firefighting conferences and training, and you should see what happens when they run the explosive test wand over carry-on luggage containing a soot-covered firefighters helmet - I haven't been shot yet but have had guns drawn twice.

Make sure you catch a Yankees game - especially if they are playing the Red Sox - because Boston really do Sux