Our first holiday abroad....New York city..... December 2013
- Thread starter y2blade
- Start date
Lu and I went a few years ago and stayed in the Hotel Pennsylvania (remember the Glenn Miller song Pennsylvania 65000, that's the hotel and phone number), okay I side tracked there.... The hotel was okay'ish but the main advantage is, it is right outside Madison Square Garden which is right in the heart of 'must dos'..... we changed room twice which must have confused their system because we ended up staying 6 nights for the grand sum of $0.... yep a big zero. I paid with my card but it never appeared on my statement 
Just standing on the streets will make you smile.... it's that sort of place
The helicopter trip up the East river, across Central Park and back down the Hudson was a great way to 'see' it all.
We used the subway when we wanted to 'move quickly' but walked most days, it's only 6 miles from Battery Park (the pointy bit at the bottom) up to Central Park (the Green bit in the middle).
We were there 7 days and that was enough to do all we wanted to do
Don't forget too order your 'duty free'
from Aerostich beforehand, they will deliver to your hotel while you're there
Oh and if you're thinking of doing the horse and carriage ride round Central Park, make sure you learn some Spanish as that seems to be the 'native' language for all the drivers
Just standing on the streets will make you smile.... it's that sort of place
The helicopter trip up the East river, across Central Park and back down the Hudson was a great way to 'see' it all.
We used the subway when we wanted to 'move quickly' but walked most days, it's only 6 miles from Battery Park (the pointy bit at the bottom) up to Central Park (the Green bit in the middle).
We were there 7 days and that was enough to do all we wanted to do
Don't forget too order your 'duty free'
from Aerostich beforehand, they will deliver to your hotel while you're there Oh and if you're thinking of doing the horse and carriage ride round Central Park, make sure you learn some Spanish as that seems to be the 'native' language for all the drivers
NY advice
We booked a hotel (The New Yorker) through a travel agent so we knew exactly what taxes etc we were paying and it included a transfer from the airport. The hotel had a 24hr diner, reasonable bar and had just been re-decorated. If you like Art Deco and the 20's feel then NY is for you. The hotel was about 1 block from MSG, 15 minutes walk from the Empire State and we had to go past Macey's to get there.
This year check out the weather in NY as it can get colder than a cold thing in a fridge and work out what is feasible. Crap weather - ride the subway! It's dead easy.
My tips (not all for the same day!!!):
Go early to Empire State (weather dependant) to avoid the "lines" (queues) then you can get some fresh air at the top without it being too crowded. The extra cost to ride another couple of floors up from the observation deck isn't really worth it.
Walk up 5th (?) from ESB toward Central Park and watch how the shops change from tourist tat to $$$$$$. Seriously there are some shops near central park that may as well have a big sign outside saying "No poor scum". Even the window dressing was exotic.
Visit Trump Tower. Saks etc, Go for a walk in central park. Go to NY MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) if you like that sort of thing - I think it was mindblowing but I love all that stuff. Rockefeller Centre - see later in this post.
Eat somewhere down a side street where the locals go. Talk to people, go to a sports bar and ask someone to explain whatever is on the TV (even if you already know) great icebreaker.
Go to Grand Central Stn and look at the ceiling and take in the atmosphere before going down to the food hall area and eat whilst commuters rush past. High end dining to burgers, side by side. I had pastrami on rye (always wanted to order that!!) and it was ace.
Visit Chinatown at the weekend and watch chinese people singing and playing instruments and then cross the street into Little Italy. Have a coffee and an ice cream (even in December). You have to realise that they do really talk like that and you aren't on a Soprano's film set.
Weather and visibility dependant - find out when sunset is and 45 minutes before hand walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan. Turn round and then slowly walk back and watch all the skyscrapers light up - very atmospheric (but not in the pissing rain!)
You could book tickets to go up the Statue of Liberty and peer out her crown. We didn't but heard that queues were long (in November) unless you already had tickets - it is also very cramped.
If going to S of Liberty also go to Ellis Island. If you are in any way interested in migrant history or the history of the USA this will take several hours to get the best from it. It was done-up about 8 years ago so it should still be OK.
If the visibility is good do "The Top of the Rock" at the Rockefeller Centre at night, and realise that after the lift there are about 2 floors more to walk up. The advantage is that you see the ESB all lit up, and the Chrysler building and a corner of Times Sq (plus obviously the rest of NY).
Then go to 42nd street having already booked your shows on the internet.
Been once - for 5 days - and really want to go back. You will have fun.
PS: Manhattan is safer than a safe thing (one of the safest cities in the world) but if it doesn't feel right, turn round and walk away.
We booked a hotel (The New Yorker) through a travel agent so we knew exactly what taxes etc we were paying and it included a transfer from the airport. The hotel had a 24hr diner, reasonable bar and had just been re-decorated. If you like Art Deco and the 20's feel then NY is for you. The hotel was about 1 block from MSG, 15 minutes walk from the Empire State and we had to go past Macey's to get there.
This year check out the weather in NY as it can get colder than a cold thing in a fridge and work out what is feasible. Crap weather - ride the subway! It's dead easy.
My tips (not all for the same day!!!):
Go early to Empire State (weather dependant) to avoid the "lines" (queues) then you can get some fresh air at the top without it being too crowded. The extra cost to ride another couple of floors up from the observation deck isn't really worth it.
Walk up 5th (?) from ESB toward Central Park and watch how the shops change from tourist tat to $$$$$$. Seriously there are some shops near central park that may as well have a big sign outside saying "No poor scum". Even the window dressing was exotic.
Visit Trump Tower. Saks etc, Go for a walk in central park. Go to NY MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) if you like that sort of thing - I think it was mindblowing but I love all that stuff. Rockefeller Centre - see later in this post.
Eat somewhere down a side street where the locals go. Talk to people, go to a sports bar and ask someone to explain whatever is on the TV (even if you already know) great icebreaker.
Go to Grand Central Stn and look at the ceiling and take in the atmosphere before going down to the food hall area and eat whilst commuters rush past. High end dining to burgers, side by side. I had pastrami on rye (always wanted to order that!!) and it was ace.
Visit Chinatown at the weekend and watch chinese people singing and playing instruments and then cross the street into Little Italy. Have a coffee and an ice cream (even in December). You have to realise that they do really talk like that and you aren't on a Soprano's film set.
Weather and visibility dependant - find out when sunset is and 45 minutes before hand walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan. Turn round and then slowly walk back and watch all the skyscrapers light up - very atmospheric (but not in the pissing rain!)
You could book tickets to go up the Statue of Liberty and peer out her crown. We didn't but heard that queues were long (in November) unless you already had tickets - it is also very cramped.
If going to S of Liberty also go to Ellis Island. If you are in any way interested in migrant history or the history of the USA this will take several hours to get the best from it. It was done-up about 8 years ago so it should still be OK.
If the visibility is good do "The Top of the Rock" at the Rockefeller Centre at night, and realise that after the lift there are about 2 floors more to walk up. The advantage is that you see the ESB all lit up, and the Chrysler building and a corner of Times Sq (plus obviously the rest of NY).
Then go to 42nd street having already booked your shows on the internet.
Been once - for 5 days - and really want to go back. You will have fun.
PS: Manhattan is safer than a safe thing (one of the safest cities in the world) but if it doesn't feel right, turn round and walk away.
That's the one thing that we thought was shite.... the 'drivers' can't speak a word of English, it stank and was over before you could blink
Two words..... Carnegie Deli
Try getting your gnashers around a hot pastrami 'sandwich
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DavidJames
Registered user
Knowing how much you like internet forums, I'd suggest you get on tripadvisor. You'll get everything you need there.
That's the one thing that we thought was shite.... the 'drivers' can't speak a word of English, it stank and was over before you could blink
Two words..... Carnegie Deli
Try getting your gnashers around a hot pastrami 'sandwich
Oh yes!!!!!
MissB is looking at the menu....she said "ooooh wow New York Cheesecake mmmmmmmm"
Cool pic mate.
I would have to visit a Harley Dealership...I bet they are huuuuge over there!
There maybe everything you need to know, but you not getting the info from folk you know.... there's a big difference
There maybe everything you need to know, but you not getting the info from folk you know.... there's a big difference
Cheers Paul.
I have asked on the forums I value the opinions of....this one is the only forum I subscribe too (read into that what you will)....I also asked the question on PistonHeads and ADVrider.
David:
Why limit myself to just one forum?
That would be more than a little narrow minded imho! when there is a whole interweb out there.
are you on other forums?
DavidJames
Registered user
NY in December ...
... then you'll need to be ice skating on the rink in Central Park, can't believe no-one else mentioned it
ps - Forget the skanky horse drawn carriages, you'll spend more time worrying about the welfare of the smelly unkempt horses !
... then you'll need to be ice skating on the rink in Central Park, can't believe no-one else mentioned it
ps - Forget the skanky horse drawn carriages, you'll spend more time worrying about the welfare of the smelly unkempt horses !
... then you'll need to be ice skating on the rink in Central Park, can't believe no-one else mentioned it
ps - Forget the skanky horse drawn carriages, you'll spend more time worrying about the welfare of the smelly unkempt horses !
Thanks, wow haven't been ice-skating since I was at school, good call
hmmmm yeah maybe we'll forget about the carriage ride.
Thank you.
WTC1 and the memorial, has this been mentioned yet?
Initially I thought you were planning on going later on this year, which would have ruled out the former, but if you're set for the off Dec '13 then you're timing things well for the new WTC1 being up and running...
Initially I thought you were planning on going later on this year, which would have ruled out the former, but if you're set for the off Dec '13 then you're timing things well for the new WTC1 being up and running...
I've been a few times, in 10 days you'll cover most of the tourist shite, but will get a chance to delve a little deeper into the real non Disney NY. I'll pm some recommendations to you when I get a minute.
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Feck me, it'll be like Love Story!
Thanks, wow haven't been ice-skating since I was at school, good call
Feck me, it'll be like Love Story!
judge
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You're going with your Missus and shopping hasn't been mentioned 
Are you both pulling each others legs not mentioning it but leaving 4 extra days in the bag for it
Are you both pulling each others legs not mentioning it but leaving 4 extra days in the bag for it
I've been a few times, in 10 days you'll cover most of the tourist shite, but will get a chance to delve a little deeper into the real non Disney NY. I'll pm some recommendations to you when I get a minute.
Thank you, yes please.
:cool
You're going with your Missus and shopping hasn't been mentioned
Are you both pulling each others legs not mentioning it but leaving 4 extra days in the bag for it
erm
We'll be visiting the main bike motorbike dealerships in the city.
I assume Harley Davidson have something huuuge in the city along with Honda and others too?
She'll want to go shoe shopping at some point.
Don't forget too order your 'duty free'
Oh yes forgot about that. I did the same, as soon as I arrived I went onto the web and ordered a load of aftermarket stuff to be delivered to my hotel - all arrived in a day or so
At that time of year there is also an ice skating rink outside the Rockefeller Centre, Alena spent an hour skating there and loved it.
Seems others haven't had as good an experience that we had on the horse drawn carriage around Central Park - check it out and see what you think.
Harley dealerships - now I had the same thought and a mate of mine asked me to bring him a NY HD t-shirt. The only HD emporium I found only sold the tat - you know t-shirts, mugs and all that crap - amazingly no bikes in Manhattan.
I think the nearest dealership with bikes is somewhere in Queens.
She'll want to go shoe shopping at some point.
Avoid shopping in New York as the sales tax is higher than in New Jersey for example.
Easy trip across the state line where there are loads of shopping malls that cater for NY shoppers.
Ellis Island is fantastic. If you have any Irish, Polish etc in your genetic make up you can trace distant relatives. My wife (Irish) got very tearful. A real emotional rollercoaster with fantastic sound commentary.
Walking is the best way to see the City. Much safer than any big city in the UK.
