Plaese explain the 'neighbourhood'?

l am staying at the Southgate tower hotel (near Penn Station). l understand this is more of a business district. Will this cause lots of problems when exploring Manhattan, and eating and drinking on an evening??

How far are we away from traditional tourist sites, Central Park, Statin Island Ferry, Little ltaly, China Town etc

Thanks in advance.

Plaese explain the 'neighbourhood'?

There are plenty of places to eat and drink in neighborhoods and business districts in NYC, so you won%26#39;t have a problem. Penn Station is a major transportation hub so that will make exploring the city pretty easy. You have the 2/3, and 1 train right near you which can get you quickly to Staten Island Ferry, Central Park (Columbus Circle) and downtown as well to the other places, although you probably should use other options, like the N/R which are close by as well. Just study the subway map before you go to get an idea. It%26#39;s pretty easy.

Have a great time.

Plaese explain the 'neighbourhood'?

You are in Mid-town, short walking distance to Empire State Building, Times Square, Broadway, major shopping areas.

Subway ride to the Central Park, Chinatown, Downtown (Wall Street, Ferry to Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island)

I do not think you want Staten Island Ferry, it is not a tourist attraction but means of getting to Manhattan for SI residents.

No problems whatsoever. You are in the heart of the city, and everything is a short subway ride/taxi away.

Having said that, you need to start mapping things out. The sites you%26#39;re intersted in are spread out. Little Italy and Chiantown are adjacent, but about 2 miles south of you. Staten Island Ferry is even more south (tip of island.) Central Park is north.

I highly recommend checking out a good tourism map, such as Not for Tourists (NFT). This book shows not only sites and attractions, but the nearest ATM, post office, shoe repair and pet stores, etc. nearby.

You can even see the whole book on line. (as they say, ';they kid you not.';)

https://www.notfortourists.com/newyork.aspx

And of course, check the MTA website for subway info:

www.mta.info/metrocard/tourism/index.html

travelforever - I disagree. The Staten Island ferry provides fantastic views of lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty for FREE. Have you ever been on a late afternoon in the fall?

Considering that people are still not allowed up into the statue, this is one of the best deals in NYC.

Just don%26#39;t go at rush hour.

Queens,

My idea of island vacation would not involve Staten Island, I only go there out of necessity. (I said it on purpose, because I have family out there and we always have those Brooklyn vs. Staten Island discussions)

I did not know that people are not allowed to the Statue of Liberty yet. For a better view, I would splurge for a Circle Line instead.

I see. When you have to go to SI, you%26#39;re obligated to stay there for a few hours. Luckily, tourists can just take the round trip and go back and forth in one hour!!

;o)

Queens,

Not to mention $9.00 pay toll, $3.31 per gallon for regular gas and if I am totally unlucky, my mother-in-law in the car singing along with my CD%26#39;s, no matter what is on, it could be Bohemian Rapsody by Queen (mind you, she does not speak English).

Gives me nightmares just talking about it. Thanks for not making my day.

WE loved the SI Ferry when we visited NYC. If we had not ridden on the ferry, we would have missed the guy that had a gold fish in a bag. Talked to it like it was a puppy. Or, . . . . the far off sound of a harmonica. There was the guy that came dressed in his dress pants and under-shirt. Unwrapped his brand new shirt out of the package and proceeded to get dressed for work or whatever. Seemed like more locals than tourists. Seemed more like a slice of life.

Runfar,

It seems that you have witnessed an act of desparation (putting on a brand new shirt because you do not have any clean ones at home), an act of madness (talking to a fish) and an act of loneliness by playing a traditional jail-house instrument (harmonica). That%26#39;s our Staten Islanders all right.

Anyhow, as long as you enjoyed yourselves................

Love Staten Island! The most hairspray and hairgel per capita (check Guiness book of world records)

I lol%26#39;d at the SI comments.

I grew up in Manhattan and have only been to SI 6 times in my life (4 of which were to start the NY Marathon so I don%26#39;t think those trips count cause all I saw was thousands of runners lined up at the bridge)

I went to the fresh kills landfill once in the 1980%26#39;s (amazing!) for an environmental group%26#39;s tour. (not the SI visitors would want to see-- I don%26#39;t even think it%26#39;s open anymore)

I also went to SI as part of the 5 borough bike tour-- but I don%26#39;t remember much.

What are some recommended SI favorites?