Newbie Here (Seeking Information on NYC)

[sheilsy]

Hi, I am based in Liverpool in the UK. In October this year I intend to Visit New York with my son for four days, basically to do the 'touristy' thing. Ideally I would love to find a self catering apartment that we could utilize during our stay that is not too expensive and pretty central.

As well as visiting all the usual tourist sites, we are both into gadgets and such like, and was wondering if there is anywhere in New York that is THE place for gadgets.

I would really appreciate your responses. Thanks for taking the time for reading my posting.

Peter

[alonzo-ny]

Im dont know how old you son is but there is a decent technology attraction in the sony building, you get to play with robots and such. it is aimed at the younger ages though, i was 16 when i went there and felt a few years too old.

http://www.sonywondertechlab.com/main.html

[ablarc]

Second Home on Second Avenue (212-677-3161) has a very clean, renovated and nicely-furnished apartment on 13th Street between Second and Third Avenues. The apartment comes with a queen-size bed in a separate bedroom and a sofa that converts to a bed in the living room. It also features a nice kitchen with stainless steel appliances.

Location couldn't be better: just a block from lively Union Square, with its plethora of subway lines (one express stop to Grand Central, two to Times Square); its two great supermarkets (Whole Foods and Trader Joe's), and its great street life. Just a few blocks' stroll down Second Avenue, you'll find Veselka, the landmark Ukrainian diner, serving hearty American breakfasts, blintzes, stuffed cabbage, goulash or sinful desserts 'round the clock; St. Mark's Place (8th Street) with its counter-culture boutiques; 6th Street with its riot of cheap curry joints. You'll also be walking distance to Tompkins Square, the East Village's social center, Astor Place, SoHo and Greenwich Village --though Washington Square you'll find torn up.

I can personally vouch for this place, having been very satisfied with the stay. Call and be sure you ask for the APARTMENT in the separate building. All you need is a thousand bucks for the four nights (not much for New York).

Book early, it goes fast.

[ablarc]

we are both into gadgets and such like, and was wondering if there is anywhere in New York that is THE place for gadgets.
New York's gadget stores are specialized, so you need to specify the kinds of gadgets. Computer gadgets? Home improvement gadgets? Gee-whiz dinguses? Photographic? Antique kitchen appliances? Hobbies? Whoopie cushions?

Try BestBuy for starters (east side of Broadway, just north of Columbus Circle).

[lofter1]

Take a stroll along the north side of Canal Street between Broadway and Sixth Avenue and you'll find stores filled with all sorts of gadgets -- the proprietors even spread them out on the sidewalk in front of the store in such a way that you can actually pick them up and inspect them.

[Ninjahedge]

Those would be the crap-gadgets.

Little rinly-dink toys and appliances.

If you want some good stuff, the chains stores of Beast Buy and Circuit Sh..tty (sorry) are on 5th between 43rd and 44th (East Side).

B+H Photo Video is a bit south of Hells Kitchen at 420 9th avenue (around 33rd street).

J+R is a bit south, down by City Hall (around 23 park row, right before park row hits Broadway).

As for Toys, there is also the Toys-R-Us in teh Midtown Mall, which I think is near 33rd and 6th (complete with ferris wheel) and another TrU at time square (I think near 43rd?).

GL!

[lofter1]

I guess I mistook "gadgets" for widgets :o

[ablarc]

^ We don't know which it is; sheilsy hasn't said.

[sheilsy]

Thanks for all your replies.

Basically I was referring to computer type gadgets, its funny that when I say I am traveling with my son, people seem to think of him as a child, but he is 23.
No doubt though we will find plenty to occupy ourselves in the computer dept, both of us particularly like Macs.

I am surprised there has only been the one reply in relation to self catering apartments, anyone else know of any decent accommodation in the NYC area.

Thanks

[ablarc]

http://www.radiocityapts.com/accommodations.cfm

http://www.google.com/search?q=new+york+apartments+daily+rental&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

[antinimby]

Since you're a Mac fan, then you'll love the flagship Apple store at the GM building (underground). It's at 59 St. and Fifth Ave.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/74/197788276_1c8e7d1dcd.jpg?v=1153805479

And just a few steps away from that ^ inside the GM building itself, is FAO Schwarz. It too has a lot of gadgets, albeit they're toys but even adults will them entertaining.

Also, there's another Apple store that just opened in the Downtown neighborhood of SoHo. It's at Prince and Greene Sts.

[sheilsy]

You New Yorkers seem just like us Scousers (from Liverpool UK) helpful & Friendly....many thanks