NYC!

[Redsgirl]

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 

[DaveShoelace]

@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.

[Redsgirl]

@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?

[DaveShoelace]

@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.

[Jon MW]

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).

...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!
....

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.

[Redsgirl]

@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.

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

[Redsgirl]

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).

...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!
....

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.

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?

[MANTIS01]

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.

[ruud]

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.

[Redsgirl]

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

[ruud]

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!!!

[Jon MW]

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

Click to see full-size image.

[DropTheHammer]

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

[Redsgirl]

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.

[DaveShoelace]

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