Some New York advice

I'm visiting New York for the first time in september, and I'm just seeking some general opinions, whilst I could find most of this through Google, I would like to hear what my fellow v-flyers have to say .

So firstly I am staying at the Westin Times Square, I'd like to hear what the experience was like from anybody who has stayed there.

Secondly, what are some of your favourite places to go out and eat, I like most kinds of food so all suggestions are welcome.

Finally, what are the must-do/see activities that a first timer like me should do?

Any other tips for my stay are welcome, thanks !

Hi Seany
I think there are a few threads of relevance around, but as my iPod battery is on its last legs I can't spend toomuch time locating them. My top tips would be


Ellis Island
Empire State
Top of the Rockefeller Centre
Central Park
Grand Central Station

Paul

I'll add:

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge (go from Brooklyn to Manhattan)
If you're into planes check out the Intrepid Sea/Air/Space museum, its an old aircraft carrier
See a show at Lincoln Centre or on Broadway

Brendan's Bar & Grill 42 West 35th Street, just near Macys was good value, nice surroundings and used by locals as well. I also enjoyed brunch at the little restaurant directly opposite Grand Central Station (sorry I forget the name).
Too many must sees to mention but the bus tours are useful for first time visit as you get to see lots and can then decide where to visit. Statten Island ferry is a great way to get spectacular views of Statue of Liberty used to be free but possibly small charge now.
Enjoy your trip I want to go back there!!!!
J
X

Statten Island ferry is a great way to get spectacular views of Statue of Liberty used to be free but possibly small charge now.

It's still free.

Will do a more considered response when I get home but personally I don't think you get that good a view of the SoL from the Statten Island Ferry and both myself and friends who did it expecting to get 'up close and personal' were very dissapointed as the SoL is no where near the direct route from the ferry terminal to Statten Island.

It is worth doing to get a spectacular view of the general NYC skyline..

Seany - how long are you in NYC for and do you have any particular interests - galleries, shopping, etc

The NYAS bus is a good way to get from JFK to The Westin, as it stops opposite at the Port Authority. None of that hassle with the subway, stairs, turnstiles, etc. http://www.nyairportservice.com/

The Westin has the noisiest toilets I've ever heard, but the hotel is handy for Times Square, Broadway and close to the subway too.

If you like a coffee, pop in here, one of my favourite places: http://www.gregoryscoffee.com/

So much to do in NYC, I've just booked my next trip back, always finding something new to do. Whilst Top Of The Rock has been mentioned, I still think you have to to the ESB just to say you've done it, though it's not as nice there as the Rock.

my wife and i spent six days in new york in may for our 40th,we had a evening dinner cruise on the hudson river,it was fantastic food was great,sights were out of this world.try bateaux new york for bookings,also try the woodbury common outlet centre for shopping, you can get a bus from the central bus station just a short walk from your hotel,also gordon ramseys at the london hotel in 54th street just off 6th ave is good.central park is a must.do the empire state building the first night pre-book it saves time.the four bus tours are also worth while

If you want to spend one of the funniest half hours ever and a good view of the Statue of Liberty, then go on the Beast speedboat. I have never laughed so much in my life - especially when Captain Mad Dog started shouting "losers" at all the other sightseeing boats over the loudspeaker! They also pull up right in front of the Statue of Liberty for a photo op! Highly recommended!

http://www.circleline42.com/new-york-cr ... &groupid=2

And should you fancy some total indulgence

When I'm in NYC with work, we're based in lower Manhattan, and for me that is more of the 'real' Manhattan and away from the tourists.

So for shopping head to lower broadway - just south of East Houston and based around Broadway, Spring, Green and Broome Streets.

Breakfast - Balthazars on Spring and Crosby. Amazing food! Or Clinton Street Bakery on Clinton and East Houston.

Lunch - the most amazing Cuban place on Prince and Elizabeth called Cafe Habana

Dinner - IMHO the best Italian in Franks on 2nd Av and 5th Street. Very cosy, amazing food and an incredible wine list.
Or Schillers on 131 Rivington - this is a proper New York 'scene'!

Enjoy!

So many thoughts spring to mind, others will do the traditional, my suggestion is to walk, walk, walk ... the best way to see New York. Head along W33rd street and look up; go down to the Meatpacking District at dusk and walk around, look at New Yorkers, choose a bar or restaurant (or book at Spice Market or queue at Pastis); for some authentic New York go to the lower East Side, Cassanis Restaurant on the corner of Ludlow and Broome is excellent; Century City for discount shopping; have a cocktail at the bar of the Mandarin Oriental on Columbus Circus, but get there early for window views; eat a hot dog on the street; walk up Madison Avenue, all the way, to the Upper East Side if you want Bond Street like shopping; go to the MOMA shop for great Christmas cards (close to the entrance to the Top of the Rock if you have to wait) ...

The Hop on Hop off bus tour is great value and covers Manhattan from Harlem in the north to Battery Park in the south. It also runs out to Brooklyn.

I can't remember the cost but it was very reasonable and your ticket is valid for 24hrs. There are plenty of busses and they seem to run every 15 to 20 mins.

I too agree with other posters that the Statten Island ferry is exceptional value at $0 and passes quite close to the Statue of Liberty.

If you want to be brought back down to earth following all the razzmatazz of the city, spend some time at Ground Zero.

I would add that Central Park Zoo is worth a visit, I cant remember the price but recall it being inexpensive. South Street Seaport is also pretty good and within walking distance of Brooklyn Bridge.

To eat Bice, 7th East 54th Street is very nice, quite expensive and stylish and IMHO worth the price. For sea food Docks Oyster Bar 633 rd Avenue at 40th Street is good.

For drinks the bar at Rainbow Grill in the Rockerfeller centre
is enjoyable. G & T's are excellent although expensive. The bar was looking a little shabby when I last visited but if you go just as the daylight is fading there are great views of the Emprire State Building lighting up. Best to check the dress code before visiting, I dont think jeans or trainers are allowed.

If you enjoy a bit of people watching the bar in Barneys is fun.

Enjoy your visit

oldboy

Endorse what others have said, although I would make more than one visit to Central Park otherwise you'll be exhausted. Some personal favourites:

Walking from Times Square to Grand Central Station you'll pass Bryant Park - a great place to read the papers and the outdoor library - this is after all next to the site of the New York Public Library. Good for people watching, wi fi access and lots of places to get carry out breakfast.

Get the tube down to Bowling Green and explore Wall Street and Battery Park. Battery Park has a really good cafe, expensive but the food is good, and you look out towards the SOL. Then Statton Island Ferry as others have said (although the Beast sounds good Tinks!) Once back, walk up towards the Brooklyn Bridge and South Street Seaport. Bit touristy but I can recommend the Harbour Lights restaurant - get an outdoor table with a view of the Bridge when it's lit up at night.

Favourite indian restaurant (get curry withdrawal symptoms after a few days!) is Bombay Talkie in Chelsea. Small and contemporary and not bland as much curry can be in the US.

Regards
R3dV

i endorse red-vee,s comments on central park you must have a horse and carrage ride also strawberry fields and the john lennon memmorial,battery park is a short walk from the statton ferry terminal,also very near ground zero,i still prefer the empire state building to the rock centre,dont forget tiffanys in 5th ave,not cheap but good.

cheers,
richard

[email protected]

These are my choices over and above the 'usuals'

Tour of the Lincoln Centre

Tour of the Met Opera (prebook on their website - but NOT disabled suitable as its a lot of up and down stairs and is a working building)

The Cloisters - the Mets annex up at Fort Tryon Park

New York Historical Society (near the Natural History Museum)

JP Morgan Library (near the NY Public Library which is also worth a visit as some good exhibitions)

Walking Tour of the Rockerfella Centre

Gold Vaults at the Federal Reserve (need to book on their website)

South Street Seaport

Museum of the American Indian (at Battery Park so near Statten Island Ferry)

I like Heartland Brewery - several locations and they do some mighty fine speciality brews

Comments on other sites

I prefer Top of the Rock to ESB but I suppose ESB is a 'must'

WTC - dont expect any quiet reflection here. It is now a building site and is cordoned off with hordings etc. You will be able to see the growing new buildings though. There is a amsll exhibit nearby about what is going on.

As I said before the Statten Island ferry is a good trip BUT don't expect to see the SOL close up.

Other Tips

Go to the visitor centre at Macys and get an 11% discount card. Also look out for discount coupons in the papers.

Buy a Metro Casrd Fun Pass, A 7 day pass is good value even if you're only there a few days.

Look at the City Pass or the new york pass as they can be good value

My big tip is to do some planing in advance to work out what you want to do and they arrange things logically. Check opening days too as these are not always consistent.

Above all HAVE FUN !

I like Downtown - Battery Park, South Street Seaport and Wall Street
Statue of Liberty is a one time only trip - queues, security and more security is a pain.

Carnegie Deli is a must for a feel of NYC as is Grand Central Terminal

I wouldn't bother with the Empire State Building - The Top of The Rock is a much more pleasant experience with great views of Central Park and the Empire State Building

Other favourite spots are Central Park Zoo and the American Museum of Natural History on the west side of the park.

Use the Metro for anything over 15 blocks otherwise walk.

And go to Citi Field rather than Yankee stadium - Go Mets!

So much great advice, thank you guys ! Keep it coming, I'm writing this all down. I am there for 7 nights.

if you are planning the empire state building and dont want to spend time waiting in line the empire state building is open until 200 AM (last elevator up is 115AM) so that's a good option

we did a harbour cruise instead of the statue of liberty cruise - no need to pre-book the harbour cruise

and definitely agree with the new york pass and the advice to walk, walk and walk - we found it the best way to see NY

catch a yankee game - the world's "winningest" pro team - you are going in september - if they are playing at home the stadium will be abuzz

of course dont forget the street food - hot dogs and pretzels - not the healthiest of options but convenient

we also liked planet Hollywood - a bit of a wait specially if you go in the evening but we got some great service and decent food

have a blast

I am a regular-ish visitor to NY, though it has been almost a year since I last went there. I often have people asking me for NY advice and the following is some of the advice I have passed on:

1) Think of the reason you are going to NY. Are you going for a shopping trip, for a few good nights out, sight-seeing, etc? Determining what sort of holiday you are looking for in the first place is important as it will set the vibe for your trip. If you are going on a shopping trip with maybe the odd sight-seeing jaunt thrown in but aren't bothered what you see, you are looking for at least 3 nights. Sight-seeing trips, you need to have at least 5 nights. It is so easy to get overwhelmed in NY, you need a few hours during the day to recharge your batteries. Also, with enhanceed security post 9/11, you can expect to queue for a significant length of time to gain entry to the sights - Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island ferry and Empire State Building spring to mind - thus reducing the time you get see stuff. If you're there for 3 nights, that's a large chunk of your time there queuing. I usually go for 5 nights when I head over; that way I can get to see what I need to, not feel rushed and break my time up during the day for a nice long lunch, sit and chill in Central Park, etc. Seven nights is a decent length of tiime and hopefully, should have no problems.

2) How are you planning to get around? NY is easy to get about in - transportation is plentiful and reasonably priced, especially taxis. The subway is safe and quite clean, though try and avoid after 11pm. My only quibble with the subway is the maps aren't as easy to comprehend as, say, the London Underground. Take time beforehand to familiarise yourself with the subway system to try and alleviate issues. From where you are, you should be able to walk to most places and as it's mostly on a grid system, is straightforward to navigate round on foot.

3) Food and drink. NY has everything and is available 24/7. If you fancy a Kazahkstani take away at 4am Xmas morning, you can get one. Unfortunately my favourite restaurant, Tavern on The Green, has closed. But the Bull and Bear in the Waldorf Astoria hasa steaks to die for. Though, I found that a trip away from Midtown to Greenwich Village is worth it as you get, in my opinion, a much better standard of eaterie, an enhanced chance of being seated quickly and at a much better price than most places in central Manhattan. If you take a trip to Brooklyn, just underneath the Brooklyn Bridge on Fulton Street, there's Grimaldi's, probably the best pizza on the Eastern Seaboard!

4) Sightseeing. Have a think about what you want to see, before you get there. As I said, it is so easy to get overwhelmed or have a couple of places in mind and regret missing out on something. You have 7 days, so hopefully you should get to see and do everything you want to. My favourites are:

Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island
South Street Seaport/Brooklyn Bridge
Empire State Building
Central Park (including the zoo)
Times Square
Natural History Museum (Fantastic!)
The Met
Grand Central Station

Though, obviously, this list is not exhaustive. Get a good guide book and have a look. It all depends what you're interested in.

Have a GREAT trip to a GREAT city!