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Hi peoples, anyone got any hints, tips, must do's or don't bothers to share for a first time trip to the big apple?
5 night stay so reasonable amount of time to cram stuff in, budget lower than I'd like due to crappy exchange rate but then again anyone who is familiar with me knows I wasn't ever gonna be making it rain anyway  :)
Flying in on the 8th November which I just found out is Election day and staying in Times Square.

I have always found out some really useful stuff when I've posted like this before so thanks in advance Blondes!

- Ferry from battery park to the statue of Liberty and onto the Ellis Island immigration museum
- Ground Zero memorial +museum
- Empire state building. allow time for queues
- central park, try and allow some weekend time when its lively
- museums. depends on your taste but either side of central park you have MOMA, the metropolitan and the Natural history museum. first two if you like art etc.
- grand central train station. stunning.
- all the shopping stuff down fifth avenue etc
- south street seaport is good for smaller shops and places to eat. under the brooklyn bridge, and really good vibe


bus tour. you'd think they are a bit naff in London but in NYC they'll get you to parts of the city it would take you hours to get to and might not necessarily want to walk round, eg Harlem and the Bronx. well worth a couple of hours

boat tours are good too, again try battery park area

there are more, but i did most of that lot in 3 days and never stopped

As recommended by the Camel. It is a bit pricey but only just up from Time Square.

Top of the Rock, not quite as high as Empire State but high enough and a much bigger viewing platform.

https://www.topoftherocknyc.com/share/

And as Tighty says. bus tours are great in NYC and worth the money.

Leaving Central Park 'til the weekend,  that's the kind of little gem of info I was hoping for. Pencilled that in for Saturday.
I have bought a Explorer pass this side for the bargain price of £88 that gets me into 5 tourist type things, the bus tour being one of them, so I'll definitely do that.
Cheers Tighty!

That looks amazing. We were looking for somewhere nice for a birthday dinner,  I will definitely suggest this.
Thanks Bob!

I was in NYC on my own, flew in Fri and had til Mnday morning and work to myself. so on the sunday afternoon i found myself in central park and it was a great vibe

i sat down to watch a softball game, hundreds take place in the open spaces with the infield marked out etc etc

the ball was hit to me sitting on some bleachers and i threw it back

next i was asked if i wanted to join in and did so alongside lots of different nationalities and it was a fun couple of hours

maybe not your thing but just an example its much more fun at the weekend

I think the High Line is great. Don't think it was mentioned so far.

Basically an elevated park on an old railway tracks.
https://www.timeout.com/newyork/parks/highline

Also I ended up with a bike and cycling around Manhattan and over Brooklyn Bridge - wasn't nearly as scary cycling around NY streets as I expected!

We went last year and I went the year before that, obviously personal preferences make a big difference but I'd say:

- along the East River for sunrise
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/12038506_10153532489826043_8921852872705740018_n.jpg?oh=1f96d93f04cfe97b71fe2ddfa638c4a5&oe=5889D77B)

- Staten Island Ferry for sunset
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1394241_10151935572521043_800036897_n.jpg?oh=2e9495eae7ca6e6aa865b3eeaa1af287&oe=58A0AD91)

- Empire State Building during the day
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1381275_10151914468886043_1683497957_n.jpg?oh=410b6a6acc5ed2bb7fcc58b6a0dd8780&oe=588CB148)

- One World Observatory at night (particularly as it's a lot less busy)
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11227903_10153534570471043_8533533802819573589_n.jpg?oh=bef4366da418c4168855de302f17deaa&oe=58A75889)

- The High Line and Central Park are both worth going to; unless it's quiet I think the High Line suits more of a walk rather than a sit down and rest though.
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(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12032647_10153556159306043_7218500664356653682_o.jpg)

Apart from that - Natural History Museum if you like Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art if you like art.

There are also a lot of things that are good to look at so walking around is highly recommended.


- If you liked the show Friends then the cafe at the bottom of where they filmed the apartment exterior serves a very nice brunch (http://www.thelittleowlnyc.com/)

NB. When I was doing research a lot of people on touristy forums advised against bus tours because they just get stuck in traffic - they were clearly referring to ones which only toured Manhattan but it might be worth bearing in mind the note of caution.

Definitely this - the top of the Empire State is tiny and cramped, the Rockefeller is flat and much more open. Also, you can see the Empire State from it, which you can't do from the Empire State.

Broadway show is a great night out after dinner/cocktails.

Broadway!

+2 I concur with this

John's Pizzeria near broadway

Make sure you have an Uber set up on your phone, the bizarrest thing about NYC is at around 4pm the daytime taxi drivers swap with the night time taxi drivers and there is a 30-40 mi n period where its hard to get a cab

Comfortable walking shoes is a must because you'll be walking way more than you think

I stayed at a cracking hotel called Casablanca in Times Square

Wow, five days suddenly doesn't seem very long at all. @bergeroo and jonMW, I hadn't heard of the High line, it looks like a great place to mooch about away from the hustle and bustle so that one is on the list.
Lots of mentions for Empire state and Top of the Rock, my friends and I have been discussing which one to do but have decided as both have different attractions to do both, probably one daytime, one evening. Well, that's what we had decided until Jon threw World One into the mix so we might have to look again.
I am sure I remember someone posting about a magical time travelling lift with walls that showed pictures on a thread once, but i may have dreamt it.
If not I'd like to know where it is!

@Mantis, been thinking about Broadway too but having been a fairly regular visitor to the West End for the last ten years I'm wondering if the experience will be different enough to warrant the time/money spent on it? What say you?

@Daveshoelace strange as this may sound coming from a bright young thing like me but I have never used Uber, I know it is something to do with taxis but I'm not sure what!
Will have to get my little sis to sort that one.
As you mention, we are expecting to be walking most places anyway especially as we are fairly central.
Would like to know what people think the best option for getting to/from JFK though, cab or public transport?

Thanks for the input everyone, always appreciated  :-*

UBER is essentially a taxi app which you can link up to your paypal and not pay in cash, its worldwide and you probably have it wherever you live in the UK by now.

You can preorder and prepay for a private car to pick you up at the airport, just google 'airport hire car' or similar. I used Dial7 and they charged $40, which will be cheaper than a taxi (but I guess still pricey because of the state of the pound).

Cant speak for the trains from the airport.

Uber thing sounds good, but how does not paying in cash work with the forced tipping whatsit they have in the states? Do you have to just give them a random amount as you get out or not bother at all?

You can preset a tip % for all your transactions, or none at all. I always give 10% automated.

It works like ebay, you give your driver a rating afterwards and they give you one, it's really good and you can get your first ride free when you sign up.

We went to see a Broadway show as well - and I would definitely recommend it, but it is true that it's not really that much different to the West End as an overall experience. It is good for seeing shows that aren't in London though (and some may never come to London).



That was the One World Observatory - I found the Empire State Building perfectly fine (but both times went first thing in the morning) and we went to the Observatory at night (so also away from the crowds). But I haven't been to the Top of the Rock so I don't know for sure how different it is, I just think when you're going you're not going to have to worry about crowds as much as people might if they were going at a more peak time of year.

We got the light railway from JFK (called the Skytrain) and changed to the Long Island Railroad (you can also take the normal Metro) - this is pretty easy, but I know a lot of people don't like the hassle and just get a cab.

How clever! I should know this but I never need a taxi usually.
Thanks dave!

I had an idea it was you with the elevator post Jon, but I couldn't remember enough to say. I imagined it was in the Empire state, but now it looks like World one is on the to do list as well.
Skytrain sounds like a good option too, I'll Google it.
You mention it being low season,  do you think it being election day will have much impact on how busy it is?

When visiting cities I find it cool to immerse yourself in city life. In NY I think it's cool to spend an afternoon in Central Park watching New Yorkers do their thing and an evening out where you go for dinner & drinks and onto a show is along similar lines, perhaps go for a smaller production. Doing what you could do if you lived somewhere is often better than making like a tourist and going to look at something, like a landmark or whatever, it's similar to everyday life but still so different.

I run a school trip there every year and I absolutely love the city.

Our typical itinerary is:

Day 1 - arrive lunchtime, wander round Central Park, check out a couple of bits of shopping along Fifth Ave and normally go Bloomingdales too, then Top of the Rock for sunset.

Day 2 - UN Building tour in the morning (one of my favourite things to do by far), a bit more shopping and a walk down towards Times Square. Dinner there and then a Broadway show - we have seen Matilda, Chicago and Wicked multiple times. All incredible.

Day 3 - Grand Central Station, get the subway to Brooklyn (High Street) and walk back along the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan taking in the view. Then down to Battery Park, ferry across to Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, back to walk along Wall Street and check out the Financial District before checking out the 9/11 Memorial and One World Observatory for evening. Back up to Midtown for an evening meal in a sports bar/restaurant which caters for teenage groups where we normally watch the NBA playoffs.

Day 4 - Empire State Building, Macy's, shopping along Fifth Ave and then home!!!

Any spare time we wander up to Central Park and just let the kids relax.

Is one of the best weeks of every year for me. I absolutely adore NYC and everything about it.

Wow, maybe we should just take you with us ruud! School trips to New york?? When I was at school they took us to the local abbotoir.
Got to google the UN building now, if you go regularly and it's your favourite it's got to be worth a look, right?
You seem to fit a lot in though, if you can do all that with a gang of kids we should manage ok.
Thanks for posting x

UN Building is very informative and educational and I think the whole organisation is fascinating. One year we actually got to watch Ban-Ki Moon speak which was incredible.

I would really recommend getting the subway to Brooklyn and walking back along the bridge - this gives you some of the most inspiring views.

Do enjoy!!! Don't forget to look up!!!

We had lunch at the UN Delegates Dining Room when we went - it was great food, and a fixed price for a help yourself as much as you like buffet. But it did take up a large part of the day with having to reserve it beforehand and meeting at the entrance ready for a security guard to guide us up to it (and back afterwards). All in all I think the UN Tour is probably a better bet for a first trip with the Dining Room better for a return trip.

The food was really good though :)

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Have a great trip Redsgirl, updates and pics would be great!

Thank you D.T.H, I will try to post while I'm there if I can, if not I'll do a little trip report when I get back.

Bonus points if you can get some election-y pictures ITT please.

Mate flying out on Weds for UFC, so will catch the aftermath :D

Not sure when the results are announced, but I land at 7:30 their time on Tuesday evening all being well.
I think there will probably be something election related worth photographing in Times square that evening!

I can be your roving reporter.

sorry to jump in same thread, going for a week nov/december, do you guys think 8 days is too long for a youngish couple? best hotel to stay at?

Can't be to long surely?  As you can see from all the stuff people have posted we're really going to have to work hard to cram it all in to 5 days and that's not counting shopping, eating, nights out and generally mooching about.
Longer the better for hols imo!

It's definitely not too long - but how you use the days will be different for different people.

I went with my fiancee for about the same length of time and we fitted in tourist attractions with museums, parks, theatre and shopping etc; but it would also be easy enough to replace museums with more shopping and theatre with pubs* and clubs and various other combinations. The upshot is that you can more than fill up the time easily enough you just need to work out what you want then find the places in New York where you'd get it.

The advantage with a longer stay is that you can also fit in things you wouldn't normally think of. We went to the Yankee Stadium to watch the baseball despite the fact that neither of us are particularly sporty. Things like that or day trips further afield (i.e. outside Manhattan) are much easier when you don't have to cram everything in for a short trip.

The hotel is a harder question - comes back to what you want again. I've stayed at 3 hotels in New York and liked them all (which might just mean I'm easily pleased of course). As well as the quality of the hotel I think whether you're getting value for money is also important.

When I went with my fiancee we stayed for half the trip at the New Yorker hotel (http://www.newyorkerhotel.com/) - which is historic and interesting, but not very swish. We paid about the same cost as a Travelodge in London would cost and for that I think it's great value. If you paid the going rate for 4 or 5 stars for it then I'd have been pretty disappointed.

The second half of the trip we stayed at "Hilton Garden Inn Long Island City/ Manhattan View (http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-york/hilton-garden-inn-new-york-long-island-city-manhattan-view-ISPICGI/index.html)". This was about the same price - the hotel was much (much much) newer with better facilities, but you had to get a metro to get anywhere. They balanced out to give good value again.

The first time I went I stayed at TRYP by Wyndham Times Square South (https://www.tryphotels.com/en/our-hotels/united-states/new-york-city/tryp-by-wyndham-new-york-city-times-square-south/), which had the location advantage of the New Yorker with the modernity of the Hilton - obviously more expensive but still kept the value for money.

They're the only ones I've stayed at so the only ones I can comment on - but if you really wanted to go for it there are plenty of 5 star establishments in Manhattan as well :D


*NB I would recommend trying out a whole range of pubs and bars - we were restricted when I went with my fiancee as she was under 21; but when I went by myself I found that there are some really great bars and pubs in Manhattan - well worth trying out a few :D

I presume it will just be riot pictures now

My mate done about £2k on his flights/hotel/tickets... wonder if he had riot insurance :D

Don't!

I have been posting in the other thread, I took some pics last night but I can't remember how to post from my phone  ;djinn;  so I'll send them to dad to do it for me.

Pics from your roving reporter. What an historic time to be in NYC.



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(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag66/plainreddog/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG-20161109-WA0002_zpsqam1n9l1.jpg) (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/plainreddog/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG-20161109-WA0002_zpsqam1n9l1.jpg.html)

unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada :D

Ha! Good spot.
The ad on the other side says the revolution starts here!

Just wanted to say thanks for this thread. Dropped in to it a few days before a recent trip and some of the reccs were very good. Top of the Rock was excellent.

We also took in a Nicks game at Maddison Square Garden which was probably the highlight of the trip.

I would also reccomend Statue of liberty on the first day you get there as you will be up early adjusting to timezones. Get the first ferry out to avoid crowds and book several weeks in advance online through statue cruises if you wanna go up into the crown.

Also take loads of money as its really expensive everywhere!!