4 days in New York (not in the rib)

bedajim · 15 October 2007, 21:48

Hi

We're going to have 4 days in New York for my wife's birthday, 22nd - 26th November, could really use some help on must see's, places to eat, tours to take, best ways of getting around etc

We're staying on 37th and Park Avenue if that makes a difference

Thanks James

slimtim · 15 October 2007, 23:39

use subway to get around, quick, cheap and I felt safe even at 3am. I never got a taxi.

Staton Island ferry is free and takes you past (although not that close) to the statue of liberty. We just got off and straight back on again when it reached staton island.

Go up the rockerfeller building. I didn't go up the empire state, but I reckon the rocker is a better deal. Its the same price, rarely has a queue, you can see the empire state and central park and best of all you can see 360deg round (which you can't on the empire state).

Go to Central park to see street entertainers and stuff but I wouldn't hang around after dark.

If you go to the natural history museum, you don't actually have to pay even though there are signs saying "tickets only beyond this point". That was the case when we went anyways.

Also, If someone offers to help you with directions, chances are they will ask for money after they have helped you. 4 of us blokes had to run away to shake off this weird guy trying to sell us roses!

Stay in a nasty, skanky, cheap hotel that has a broken door leading to the roof so you can have your own private view of the city at night

BigFella · 16 October 2007, 07:28

I spend a lot of time in NYC for work reasons (we have an apartment there) so I know it reasonably well.

If you are into live music and a beer or two then deinitely head for Greenwich Village one evening, specifically Bleecker Street. Totally Safe, loads of bars and restaurants, the best pub in NYC (IMHO) is the Red Lion on the corner of Bleecker and Thomson, live music every night from 6 til 4AM.

If you like things a little more young and trendy, then check out the area known as the 'meat packing' district, which is where the 'BP's' hang out.

I agree with Tim, The Staton Island Ferry is great value for a view of the SOL, I personally wouldn't bother paying for a tour.

Central Park is great for people watching on a Sunday Morning

Times Square is a must see especially at night but bewae of buying anything nearby as it is very touristy and overpriced (especially with a lot of non-functional electrical goods

)

The Empire State is one of those 'must do' things. If you go to NYC then really you should do the Empire State as it is sort of expected, and the view is excellent, BUT I do agree it is over-priced and tends to get very busy....

Oh Yes.... and if you are going for your wife's birthday, be very afraid of Fifth Avenue Stores..... especially Tiffany's...

Keith

Dirk Diggler · 16 October 2007, 09:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFella

The Empire State is one of those 'must do' things. If you go to NYC then really you should do the Empire State as it is sort of expected, and the view is excellent, BUT I do agree it is over-priced and tends to get very busy....

Get there as soon as it opens on your first morning, it's an excellent way to view the city, get your bearings and plan your day. And if you enjoy people watching, then the crowds antics at a Yankees game is well worth the visit!

BassBoy · 16 October 2007, 10:40

Go ice skating at Rockefeller Plaza. Very romantic especially in the snow!

slimtim · 16 October 2007, 22:10

Meat packing district might dent your wallet somewhat, I paid $9 a pint there and my mates and I stuck out a bit in Jeans and t-shirts

Beitsta · 23 October 2007, 00:55

Hi James,

You only have 4 days so pick and choose carefully what you plan to do! (Brill - I envy you!)

New York is everything you want it to be! Its Brilliant, alive, exciting, exhausting, romantic - Stay in your Hotel Bedroom for the weekend or be a Tourist and see the other sights!

First things first - Grab an open topped bus tour with the 'Grey line' or 'Red line' bus company. Go to Times Square (any intersection - trust these guys!) to book a three day pass for the 'Downtown Loop' With only 4 days, ignore the uptown loop! You can do this on your next tour. The tour should include a three day pass, entrance to the Empire States Building, Boat Trip to the Statute of Liberty and a reduction in price for the Buffet in the Rockefeller Centre off Times Square.

This will enable you to hop on and hop off the bus for three days at all the Main Tourist Spots and and will include the entrance fee for a visit to the top of the Empire State Building

Now listen carefully!!!! - do not come back from New York without going to the top of the Empire State Building. It would be like visiting Paris without going to the top of the Eiffel Tower -
Pay the money for the Audio Tour and go early in the morning to avoid the queues!

NY can be very cold so bring suitable clothing, hat and gloves. Dress Code is totally casual for the duration of the weekend so don't pack the suit, evening dress etc. This three day ticket should include a trip out to the Statue of Liberty - No matter how long the queue is - just do it!!!! you have to see her close up! I suggest that you do not waste time in embarking at Ellis Island - leave this for the next trip!

Down in South Street Seaport (see any map) the exhibition 'Bodies' is showing - this is not really as gruesome as it sounds - but is an exhibition of real dead bodies stripped of their skin and preserved. You also have real live (dead!) organs, like your kidneys, heart ( gives another meaning to 'I lost my Heart in San Francisco'), liver, etc.

Who can forget 9/11? Get off the bus here and spend some time just taking in the atmosphere - imagine the two tallest buildings in New York imploding and falling to the ground, 3,000 people died - very moving. Walk all the way around the site - it will make you a very humble person and remind you how fragile life is. Get out in that RIB more often!

You have to (about $22/$27 each with your bus coupon) have the Buffet at the Rockefeller Centre at night. It's on the the thirty something floor and it rotates giving fantastic views of NY.

When we visited last year, we got the lift to the restaurant and in my 'sexiest' Irish voice - asked the female receptionist to lead us to the most romantic seats that were available ... she said 'follow me' which we did and we were seated right next to the window. Having sat down and looked out the window, we noticed that our view was partially blocked by a service type building outside our window. Not being one to accept second best, I immediately followed the receptionist back to her desk and asked her for a seat with a better view - Of course, when she returned me to our seat the building had revolved giving us the most fantastic views of NY - Boy, did I feel foolish.

Yes, the Buffet and the drinks were great as well!

Shopping? You have to go to Macy's. We got the bus from Grand Central Station to Chelsea Gardens Outlet Centre (1/2 hour in the bus) We spent the whole day here - it's Nirvana for any shopper - great bargains - yes, my personal credits are high with she who must be obeyed - but my credit card bill is much higher - having decided that the Woodbury common Outlet Centre was to far away.

Yes, go to China Town and Little Italy for Handbags and other 'bargains'

In Little Italy have lunch (with a few beers and a bottle of wine - well, why not for goodness sake - you're on holls in New York!! for two people about $70 -or an evening meal - if you can afford it) in the 'Il Pallazzo' Restaurant - Jeez!!! what a taste - not to be missed!!

Last, but not least - forget your public image - wear a comfortable pair of shoes and loads of warm cloths.

Decide what you want to see before you go and give yourselves time to relax - you cannot see it all - so take your time to enjoy it. Get up early (eightish - have breakfast and get on the road).

Eat in the Texan BBQ Grill (upstairs) in Time Square and people watch - you could spend hours here in the evening. Try the Baby back spare ribs!

Thinking about it has really got my juices going .... any chance of a spare ticket???

Enjoy it and don't forget to report back!

M

Johnwin · 23 October 2007, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beitsta

Now listen carefully!!!! - do not come back from New York without going to the top of the Empire State Building. It would be like visiting Paris without going to the top of the Eiffel Tower -
Pay the money for the Audio Tour and go early in the morning to avoid the queues!

We went up both the Empire State and the Rockefeller Center in the spring and without doubt the Rockefeller was better by a long way both for the view and the experience.

1 Chrysler Building from the Empire State
2 Joe's Shanghai Great Soup Dumplings- well worth the wait ( they make you take a number and wait outside!).
3 The Empire State from the Rockefeller
4 Sunset from the Rockefeller
5 Central Park from the Rockefeller

Also don't forget to order a Long Island Iced Tea

bedajim · 29 October 2007, 14:41

Thanks for the help a plan now forming including some shopping

and some mates coming too, so going to be a big party

Tim M · 29 October 2007, 14:59

New York is the one place in the world I would love to visit. Take lots of photos!

Scrumdown · 29 October 2007, 16:09

I went for 4 days back in 2004 it was a real experience stayed in the Empire State hotel - no where near the building though!! But was on broadway. We used the subway to get around very cheap - but helps to speak spanish to get a token from the booth as that was all she spoke!!!

Enjoy your breakfasts! with lots of good hot coffee hmmmm!

We spent lots of time haivng coffee and just hanging out - It was Feb so there was loads of snow and it was -6c most the time - massive snow drifts in times square.

Had to eat in Planet Hollywood.. just the once though!

We prebooked our transport from JFK airport to the hotel on a shared minivan worked out much cheaper than a taxi and very fast - also got a commentary form the driver of the city. - very handy also as you dont need to worry about cash etc as it was all prepaid.

If you can get hold though of some low currency ie dollars very handy for tips when you arrive for the porter etc...

Enjoy your time

I must go again sometime

BigFella · 29 October 2007, 16:30

In case no one else mentions it, if you arrive at JFK, when you leave the airport walk out of the front door and straight across the road where you will see a little yellow kiosk and either a queue of people, or a queue of cabs, with a warden. These are the ONLY cabs to take from JFK and they work on a fixed fee for which they will take you to any destination on Long Island from the airport.

You will be accosted by the usual melee of 'taxi-drivers' trying to offer you an expenmsive trip to your hotel.....