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Not a must see destination for me.But me and mrs zip have secured some flights for an amazing price.
She wants to go on that ferry and ride the horse and cart around the park.
What other must does are there? We are going in May.
I will probably want a good bike shop to pick up some bargains. Recommendations please.
So much to do - I had my 40th Birthday there a few years back, three days but still ran out of time.
The 9/11 museum is very moving.
Some photos from the trip here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/sets/72157625923489399/
Stay above ground as much as possible and walk between your destinations - theres lots to see between the 'sights'. We walked from our digs just south of Harlem across the city, over the brooklyn bridge, around the old part of brooklyn and back again. Theres a book of New York walks by Time Out that gives good routes around the city, you don't need to follow it religiously but it gives you interesting little loops and detours between point. It hadn't been completed when I was there but I really liked the sound of the [url= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Line_(New_York_City) ]Highline[/url] - a new park built on top of one of the old elevated railways. It runs through the part of the city that looks like Starsky and Hutch would crash cars into cardboard boxes although all the old warehouses and wharfs actually contain very lovely high brow art galleries.
Where'd you get the cheap flights? I'm looking for something similar for duaghters 18th.
It's been a long time since I was there, but for me the standout experiences were the Natural History Museum, the MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) and the Guggenheim Museum; the MOMA had a better collection when I went, but the Guggenheim is worth it for the building along, kind of like the Tate Modern is.
A walk over the Brooklyn Bridge is also quite something and of course the obligatory trip to the top of the Empire State Building is pretty cool for the view (assuming there is one).
Helicopter Ride
A show on broadway (I didn't think I liked shows but my mind was changed)
A wander around Grand Central Station
Natural History Museum (def do the Planetarium thing - it was like being on acid)
Find a bar in Tribeca called 'Souths' - great place just to hang out
Find a restaurant in Tribeca call Churrascaria Plataforma (just round the corner from Souths)
Obviously all the main sights but my lasting image of the place is an early morning stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge
A music venue in Brooklyn called the Knitting Factory -watched a battle of the bands thing here - was ace
Check out a website called 'ohmyrockness' for live music listings across the city
We walked everywhere, from Battery Park to North of Central Park - there are lots of interesting suburbs in between eg China Town, Little Italy, etc....
This all sounds good. Getting excited now!
40mpg ... First class returns £100.
Staten Island free ferry
museum/gallery of your choice - The Met, Moma, Guggenheim, Natural History
A wander around Grand Central Station - dont miss the below ground level floors
A wander around Tribeca
Empire state - get in early
Walk from Union Sq to Chinatown
Visit Marimotos restaurant in meat packing district
You'd be hard pushed to not enjoy just wandering about with nothing in mind
Shopping wise, it was a bit of a disappointment, most goods were actually cheaper in the UK! Empire State Building at night was good, if you're into photography.
[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5018/5445309353_428b22bfbe.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/5445309353/ ]View from Empire State Building[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/brf/ ]brf[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5258/5445918036_0de8c2fcb3.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/5445918036/ ]View from Empire State Building[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/brf/ ]brf[/url], on Flickr
40mpg ... First class returns £100.
How the hell did you do that?
First class returns £100.
😯
Peter Lugers Steakhouse
Also, have a drink in posh bars in hotels (some have dress codes), e.g. have a Manhattan in Manhattan and then sit next to Cole Porter's Steinway and watch the world rush by.....
[url= http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4142/5445413859_e00cffe8c4.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/5445413859/ ]Cole Porter's Steinway[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/brf/ ]brf[/url], on Flickr
40 mpg. Airline friends 😆
If you go to a show, go to the half price ticket booths for same day showings at cut prices.
Do a food tour!
It's awesome. Bagels in the Jewish bit.. Oy Vey!
Pickled stuff in massive tubs, stinky fruit sweets, amazing cheese, all sorts.
Eating is nice. 😀
Also, we went to see Hairspray the Musical, and Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were sat near us. I expect they still talk about it today...
We went for 2 weeks immediately before the hurricane hit...
It hadn't been completed when I was there but I really liked the sound of the Highline - a new park built on top of one of the old elevated railways
This was quite nice for an evening stroll, it's in an up and coming trendy area and was full of people dressed as zombies.
Go to Ellens Stardust Diner...the waiters/waitresses are all aspiring musical actors, and sing while you eat. All tips go on their singing and dancing lessons.
Go to Ellis Island...it's part of the trip to the Statue of Liberty - which to be honest is not worth a visit - when we went the museum was shut, so you go to Liberty Island...take loads of photos from various angles, then bugger off to Ellis Island. The museum at Ellis Island was interesting, as a bit of an history geek I enjoyed that.
If you want to see the Status of Liberty, go on the free Staten Island ferry, it looks better from a distance.
Eating - we ate in Diners all the time, my wife loves them...I set myself a gruelling task of surveying burgers and chocolate milkshakes in New York. Can't remember the name of the place that was my favourite, but it doesn't matter they were all good.
PS. Don't expect the famous American customer service at the attractions, everybody we encountered seemed to hate their jobs. But the waiters/waitresses were all nice - the power of needing tips!
Just hope you have a better time than we did on our honeymoon..
We got caught, and stranded when Sandy hit.
Just hope you have a better time than we did on our honeymoon..We got caught, and stranded when Sandy hit.
You must have arrived just as we left...the week before it hit.
But I guess on your honeymoon there's plenty to do in your hotel room 😉
I found the service in NY to be fine, we mainly ate in small family run diners / cafes or really posh s****y bars - both of which were good. The bar in the Waldorf Astoria does a great steak, we weren't well enough dressed to be allowed in to the restaurant...
But I guess on your honeymoon there's plenty to do in your hotel room
Start writing all those thank you letters for all the wedding gifts 😉
But I guess on your honeymoon there's plenty to do in your hotel room
Aye, but that still leaves 23hrs, and 54minutes... 😳
Not a lot to do with no power, heating, water, food etc...
Was a bit of 'mare if im honest.
Don't forget that you will be on UK time ,so take advantage of being up at stupid 'o'clock in the morning ,first at the diners for the best of breakfasts .
Don't forget that you will be on UK time ,so take advantage of being up at stupid 'o'clock in the morning ,first at the diners for the best of breakfasts .
Makes no odds, New York doesn't really shut down at night..
Times Square was busier at 03:00hrs tahn it was at 15:00hrs...
The place never seems to close down.
My biggest tip is to forget all about British style tipping. 20% is pretty standard now. It's in the price, as bar/waiting staff are paid peanuts.
If you tip well on your first round in a bar, you will get great service all night. If you go all British, and wait to see if the service is good, and tip at the end - you will just get rubbish service all night. It used to really wind me up, but I've got my head round it now, and it definately works.
If you are sporty, an early morning jog round central park with the great & good of NY is a must!
Looking back at a few pics, we should've seen the storm brewing... 😕
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One of my favourites( and not for *that* reason) was this of Times Square.. No power, but as all the billboards are run on generators, you're always sure to know that Gap has a 20% sale on, even in times when the worlds about to end.
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but as all the billboards are run on generators
Didn't know that, seems a very expensive way to power them....
Didn't know that, seems a very expensive way to power them....
Yeah I thought that... Apparently it's a back up for exactly when this kinda things happen..
Normaly run on normal source of electricity I guess?
Statue of Liberty and Staten Island still closed IIRC, but the ferry is still trundling around. Mind you, that crashed into the dock last week so check!
If you come up with an itinerary, book stuff before leaving the UK. Long queues for Empire State etc but you waltz right past if you book ahead.
Don't forget you'll need ESTA if you don't have a visa.
The top of the rock.
IMO it's better than the Empire State as you are further up town in amoungst it, less queues, 360 panorama and because its not as high the views seem better, less look at the tiny buildings below, more f me this place is spectacular.
Looks like I'm going to have 4 or 5 days in NY in June after agreeing to DJ a friends wedding in Virginia. So this thread is pretty useful.
Where would you guy recommend staying? Best to get a cheap hotel, or go with somewhere from airbnb? And how much would you budget per day for eating, doing stuff and drinking?