New York ideas

One bit I forgot to mention....
Try and get to the Teardrop Memorial. You will be one of only a few people that has seen this, honest!!
I was taken last time by a NYC local. Great views of Lower Manhattan and brings a lump to the throat.

Ooh ta everybody,

Lots to go at there. Darren your night sounds wild!!

John, my nights are always wild!

On a slightly different tack... If you're a culture vulture, then NYC is really something. You could spend a week in the Met alone. The Guggenheim and MoMA are also good (in that order). Above all, if you appreciate painting, then go to the Frick Collection. It is terrific.

There's so much else to recommend... museums, restaurants, etc.

I agree with what pjh said about walking -- Manhattan is fantastic for sauntering around. SoHo, Chelsea, Upper East Side, Greenwich Village, Meatpacking District, the list is endless.

Final piece of advice: it's a short flight, so think carefully about the value of UC. My view is that the money is generally better spent when you get there -- it's not a cheap destination. I would also compromise on hotels to boost spending money, especially if you're going to be out and about all the time.

Forgot to comment on dates! I would avoid the worst of the winter unless you particularly want to experience it. I love NY in October and April. Definitely avoid the summer -- it's pretty uncomfortable.

Forgot to comment on dates! I would avoid the worst of the winter unless you particularly want to experience it. I love NY in October and April. Definitely avoid the summer -- it's pretty uncomfortable.

Couldn't agree more re going in summer ,not very pleasant .
Not a lot I can add that hasn't already been said john , wherever you stay and whatever you do I'm sure you'll love it

Thanks again guys

Hey there Bretty - you lucky man, I bloody love NY..!

For you first time I would advise seeing all normal sites (Empire State, Rockefeller Centre, Statue of Lib, WTC etc). However, get to Katz deli for lunch or the Grand Central Station Oyster Bar as they are amazing.

Also, go to Williamsburg Brooklyn - really cool area with good shopping, much better drinking than Manhattan (unless you like generic 'Irish bars') great restaurants and better prices!

Hey there Bretty - you lucky man, I bloody love NY..!

For you first time I would advise seeing all normal sites (Empire State, Rockefeller Centre, Statue of Lib, WTC etc). However, get to Katz deli for lunch or the Grand Central Station Oyster Bar as they are amazing.

Also, go to Williamsburg Brooklyn - really cool area with good shopping, much better drinking than Manhattan (unless you like generic 'Irish bars') great restaurants and better prices!

Thanks Daniel, much appreciated.

I thought I'd update you all on progress with 'im indoors. He had been primed with the thought of using the PE upgrade vouchers from Amex, but hadn't really taken it in.

The first reaction to visiting NYC was rejected for a couple of reasons. One being money, he worries about what we can and can't afford and of appearances if we take yet another holiday. The second reason was an objection to turning right. "If I can't go UC I'm not going" or similar words were used. I tried to sell the PE product to no avail, and the fact that we need to use the vouchers and an east coast flight is ideal for them.

Today we discussed it more and he was more open to it. I suggested maybe Christmas which was appealing (he likes to escape obligatory festive cheer at this time of year and is what many would call humbug!). Then January was mooted, but then he suggested later next year as one of next year's holidays, whereas I'm just looking at a short break. I have since shown him the pictures on VS website of PE cabin and seats, this has resulted in "I could do that" with the recognition he's not back in Y, or cattle class, his words not mine.

I'm going to leave a while now and then see if I can tempt him with Christmas once I've done some sums to counteract his objections to the cost.

Thanks all for your useful ideas and especially Whiterose for emailing me photos which will be used on my next round. This is how I have to work on him, as he's always shied away from holidays until the last few years, and the resistance is strong. I just adopt the old Borg saying, "resistance is futile" and keep wearing him down. Eventually he'll concede to shut me up

Also, go to Williamsburg Brooklyn - really cool area with good shopping, much better drinking than Manhattan (unless you like generic 'Irish bars') great restaurants and better prices!

I must rouse myself to a defence of three of Manhattan's finer drinking establishments, namely the Ginger Man on East 36th, Rattle n Hum on East 33rd and McSorley's on East 7th (not for those with an aversion to sawdust). There are also a number of Heartland Brewery establishments. As Daniel says though, all too easy to be lured into somewhere still selling Harp lager...

I just adopt the old Borg saying, "resistance is futile" and keep wearing him down. Eventually he'll concede to shut me up

Softly, softly, catchee monkey

Your post really made me chuckle Bretty, as I have encountered similar "issues" in the past but have managed to progress from (very dull) holidays in the Canaries to tours of Thailand and trips to the States. I am now working on a South African Safari but that is going to call for special measures I think

The cabin class seating is the opposite for me though- I get resistance to spending so much for upgrades, but a few well planned mentions of deep vein thrombosis and spending hours to walking around the terminal because there are no vacant seats often works to my advantage. The epiphany was going to the Clubhouse in February using the GuestList. I think there will be no looking back (or turning right!) from now on (well as long as I pay of course)

Good luck on your quest.

This is how I have to work on him, as he's always shied away from holidays until the last few years, and the resistance is strong. I just adopt the old Borg saying, "resistance is futile" and keep wearing him down. Eventually he'll concede to shut me up

I call that planting the seed...I did this for Vegas in September...

Me: oooh, look at that. That's a cheap fare to Vegas in upper.
2 days later he had booked the return flights to Vegas in upper .
A few years back I left my iPad with a picture of the TV I really wanted on the bed and left the room...the following day we went out and bought it...I am the master!

This is how I have to work on him, as he's always shied away from holidays until the last few years, and the resistance is strong. I just adopt the old Borg saying, "resistance is futile" and keep wearing him down. Eventually he'll concede to shut me up

I call that planting the seed...I did this for Vegas in September...

Me: oooh, look at that. That's a cheap fare to Vegas in upper.
2 days later he had booked the return flights to Vegas in upper .
A few years back I left my iPad with a picture of the TV I really wanted on the bed and left the room...the following day we went out and bought it...I am the master!

Being a hypnotherapist (I'm not kidding) I should be a master of planting suggestions. I just have to be careful how I do it since he was my guinea pig many times when I was training, so I have to be more subtle than usual or occasionally the opposite and more OTT to get results. Sometimes I succeed in making him think it was his idea. He doesn't know it but Japan came about that way

So Glad this thread has been started, we go in August (Not looking forward to the heat, didn't think of that when I booked). We're staying at the Staybridge Suites, W 40th Street and I still haven't managed to work out what we will do.

This will have to be a very touristy break, so looking forward to reading everyone else's advice. Been good so far, thanks!

Sounds like you are making some progress, John. I find it helps with leaving my oh with some time to mull these things over, too, as often I get way too excited about holiday ideas too quickly... good luck with the convincing!
And guys, I'm impressed with all the "manipulation" tips!

Sounds like you are making some progress, John. I find it helps with leaving my oh with some time to mull these things over, too, as often I get way too excited about holiday ideas too quickly... good luck with the convincing!
And guys, I'm impressed with all the "manipulation" tips!

Sounds like you are making some progress, John. I find it helps with leaving my oh with some time to mull these things over, too, as often I get way too excited about holiday ideas too quickly... good luck with the convincing!
And guys, I'm impressed with all the "manipulation" tips!

How does it go...?
Look into my eyes, the eyes, the eyes, not around the eyes, 3,2,1... you're under. Mwahahahaha