New York gaming scene

[AlexandersChiefEunuch]

'Hi' to all our American cousins !

I am off on my hols to New York at the end of this month, well - actually staying in Cranford New Jersey, but New York (city) is the objective.

Does anyone know of any good games shops in the New York / New Jersey area that it may be worth me seeking out ? I am particularly interested in historical board games and miniatures. I'd like to get some GMT games for $ for what I'd have to pay in £ here in the UK.

Thanks in advance for your advice chaps and lady chaps,
Martyn

[AlexandersChiefEunuch]

Oh... and any French and Indian War, Revolutionary War or Civil War sites worth visiting not too far from NYC ?

Thanks again !

Martyn

[jdm]

Hi Martyn - try posting on the Matrix forums as they have far more US players than the Slitherine forum.

[nelson111]

'Hi' to all our American cousins !

I am off on my hols to New York at the end of this month, well - actually staying in Cranford New Jersey, but New York (city) is the objective.

Does anyone know of any good games shops in the New York / New Jersey area that it may be worth me seeking out ? I am particularly interested in historical board games and miniatures. I'd like to get some GMT games for $ for what I'd have to pay in £ here in the UK.

Thanks in advance for your advice chaps and lady chaps,
Martyn

I am also a games lover and love to play during travel. I cannot suggest you about games shop in your area because I am from not from New York. I am a tourist can you provide me some details about New York’s famous place. I can be helpful for my tour because I am planning to visit New York in December.

[Benpark]

The Compleat Strategist is the one wargames-related store I would visit when I lived in Brooklyn. It is on 11 E 33rd St. in NYC. They have a decent selection of historical wargames.

[AlexandersChiefEunuch]

Thanks Benpark, I'll try and give it a try. Is that part of NY easily accessible via the Subway ?

[MikeAP]

Having lived in North NJ for a better part of 20 years I can tell you a few things.

I dont remember seeing any gaming shops. In the area they aren't called 'gaming shops' they are called Hobby Stores. Most of said stores sell only vehicle models. I'm not sure about the Cranford area, there may be a hobby shop or two.

New Jersey is a little too far North from any Civil War battlefields - although the southern-most town of New Jersey (Cape May) was part of the confederacy during the war. New Jersey is also a little too far south for any French-Indian War battlefields. However, there were some excellent American Revolution battles fought in the area. I would suggest Washington's Crossing, near Philadelphia - a short trip down the NJ Turnpike. Well worth the drive. There are revolutionary bivouac sites all throughout New Jersey and the Cranford area.

[AlexandersChiefEunuch]

Thanks for the tips guys. Eight days is not as long as it sounds, so didn't see much of New Jersey at all.

I did make it to the Compleat Strategist, though, and wow ! That is one brilliant shop. There's nothing like that in central London, all the games stores were priced out in the mid-late '80s. I wasn't expecting such a shop in the heart of midtown Manhattan. I popped in there while my wife and my mum dithered around in Macy's. I would have stayed longer but my daughter was pestering to get to Toys R Us and Build a Bear.

I bought Virgin Queen, though it cost me $96 rather than the £62 I could have got it for at home, so no great saving and a hefty
thing to get in my case, but to see all those boardgames and RPGs in one shop was brill. i would recommend it to any Briton venturing to New York. The shop is almost directly under the Empire State building so couldn't be easier to find.

Martyn

[AgrippaMaxentius]

There used to be a great place here called "Neutral Ground" on 23rd street, it was the host of many MTG grand prix tournaments, unfortunately it has since closed. You'll want to check out "FORBIDDEN PLANET" It's on 13th street near the Union Square station. There are also some larger places in Staten Island, but you need to reach them by car, which I am not sure if it will be available to you on your visit. It's sad to say that New York City doesn't have nearly as many game shops "Or paintball stores for that matter" as it should.

Forbidden Planet is small, but ask them to go upstairs and there will be people playing Magic the Gathering, Yu-Gi OH, sadly the space is too small for Warhammer or any board games.

I hope this helps, feel free to contact me on steam "Laika" and i'll be happy to lead you in the right direction.