To experience the real New York, stay in Brooklyn with Laurie. Her comfortable, quiet home is full of art, books and music and Laurie is a terrific ambassador for her neighborhood. Manhattan is a short (15 min.max) ride away on the subway, and there is a ton of great activities right in Brooklyn including the outstanding Brooklyn Museum, Botanical Gardens and many little character bars and restaurants right around the corner from Laurie's place. Stay here, you'll love it. Highly recommended.