What about Trippy.com or Virtual Tourist? If you log into Trippy using your facebook login it finds people in your social graph that have been, stayed, lived i

What about Trippy.com or Virtual Tourist? If you log into Trippy using your facebook login it finds people in your social graph that have been, stayed, lived in the place you are visiting. It allows you to ask for their recommendations. You'd probably be more inclined to trust friends comments than those from strangers. The only advice I can provide re: NYC is that Penn Station is the stop for Madison Square Garden and is only 2 stops down from Times Square - 42nd Street station. So really that area doesn't really fit into being quiet or sane! Good fun though. You could cut out Subway travel altogether and stay close to where you're giving your talk. Least then if you have any free time after you're in the heart of it.