First time in NY

[dreamofdisney]

I have booked to go to NY for my scary birthday (the big 4-0) ;) First grown up holiday in 15 years and don't know where to start! Mt and BF re going for 4 nights in May - any hints and tips??

[blusteryday]

Wow, what a great trip you have in store. Must do's I would include: Empire State, a visit to Grand Central Station, Macy's, Bloomingdales, perhaps afternoon tea at the Waldorf?

It's a wonderful city, and IMHO is shown to best effect at night, as the lights look stunning.

[mickeymouse06]

Hope you have a fab time we have been twice its such an amazing city i love it there, for me going to the top of the empire state building taking in the view was one of my favorites, also taking a ride round central park in a horse and carriage, times sq at night was amazing there is just so much to take in my tip is wear comfy shoes cos you will probably walk your feet off lol :d: :thumbs-up :d: :thumbs-up :d:

[ukdiva]

There's so many things to do in NYC it's hard to narrow it down! Get yourself a good guidebook, get on the net and get researching... but you are going have to be ruthless if you've only got 4 days, you're going to keep going back once you've been once! *lol* Some must dos imo are:

Rockerfeller Centre - you can go up to Top of the Rock for fabulous views of Manhattan, or you could visit the Rainbow Rooms for dinner which also give you good views of the city.

Hop on/hop off bus tour - gives you are really good overview of the city, they have three loops - downtown, uptown & Brooklyn. If you are pushed for time, then the downtown is the main one, gives you a good tour around SoHo, Chinatown, Little Italy, Financial District, Times SQ etc, i'd advise doing this on your first day so you can then decide what areas you'd might like to go back to and see more in depth. If you have got time, then also do the Brooklyn tour, that was my fave one personally.

Central Park
Staten Island Ferry
Shopping!

As someone else said, put your comfy shoes on, you will definately need them! :)

[GIRLPOWER]

Early morning call in a deli, collect take out bagels, coffee, muffins etc for a coupe of bucks and head down to the subway. pay $2 and make your stop the first after the Booklyn bridge in Brooklyn. You will find a lovely park with benches and views of the bridge and the New york skyline.. eat our bagel and watch the sun rise...... priceless!

Arthurs Landing in New Jersey. Right on the Hudson River..

www.arthurslanding.com

Book a table a night or even just go for a cocktail... and your view is the NY skyline!!

The View in times square.. book a table.. it's high up and revolves 360'!!! Google it.

The beast speedboat is the best way to see the statue of Liberty. It's a really fast ride with Rocky 4 type music.. best hour we had!

Central park has a restaurant called the boathouse. They have lovely tables overlooking a lake where you an hire rowing boats ($10 for an hour) or even a cocktail at the open air bar.

Have a wonderful time..


HTH

Nikki

[Gaz]

Have you chosen your accomodation yet?

If not i can recommend the marriott financial centre, we stayed there last year, it was my wifes 40th trip (birthday that is) i emailed them ahead to ask for a room with a view, and got the most fantastic view of battery park, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. that really made our day. when we arrived back after our first explore we were greeted to a bottle of champers, tray of fruit, box of chocolates and free access to the clug lounge for the duration of our stay. fab.

there have been a few dibbers who have been recently, so ask away any questions, i am sure many will try to help.

[lausan]

Empire state Building book online save queuing
Do the Audio tour by Tony the Cabbie its fantastic

Statue of Liberty

Red Bus Tour hop on and off

New York Party Shuttle tour, half day Guided Tours

Movie Tours 2hrs(sex in the City) (Friends)

Grand Central Station

Ground Zero

Rockefeller Centre
View and Skate

Ellen’s Stardust Dinner on Broadway
Waiters sing from the Broadway shows and the 50s (above Diner is Capezio Dance Theater Shop)

Central Park strawberry Fields

History Museum and Planetarium

Pier 17 Southport shops and Blue Circle Boat Trips

Build a rag Doll 5th Avenue

Space Restaurant and bar Times Sq

Earth cam Times Sq its go on and wave live to your friends back

Home


Broadway Show if you get time if you want good seats go to the Box office otherwise queue in Times Sq(not Me)

http://wikitravel.org/en/New_York_City

[dreamofdisney]

Thanks for all your help :wavey: - we are staying at the Marriot in Time square and have booked The View for our first night, the recommendations are definately on my to do list!

[ukdiva]

The View bar is fab, i went at night and the views are amazing. They give you napkins with a guide to what you are seeing as the restaurant revolves.

Also forgot to add that you should do the walk across the Brooklyn Bridge back into Manhattan - i'd suggest taking the subway across to Brooklyn, go for pizza at Grimaldis - google this pizza restuarant, it's pretty well-known. Then walk the pizza off over the bridge. Try for late afternoon so you can watch the sunset, the views of the Manhattan skyline is definately worth the walk!

[tomnj]

The Marriott Marquis? Oh, how awesome! The place is awesome.
I've only ever had a pre-matinee lunch in the now Broadway lounge. I loved the high speed glass elevators and the atrium. We went in and rode all the way up and down just for the view and experience. It was funny how each floor was identical. The same chair on each floor in the same exact place. Let's hope you get an upper floor!

The View is now (I believe) the only revolving restaurant in NYC. The other is no more :(

[Gill H]

There is a Brit's Guide book for NYC - I don't have it but I'm sure it will be good.

I've only been once and would love to go again. We did a food walk one morning with Foods of New York. We spent about an hour or so with a guide, going round Greenwich Village and having yummy tastings from lots of different places. Great fun (and hilarious at the end when they take you to an exotic speciality - a kebab shop!)

[Honeybunny]

I have booked to go to NY for my scary birthday (the big 4-0) ;) First grown up holiday in 15 years and don't know where to start! Mt and BF re going for 4 nights in May - any hints and tips??


I've got my big 4-0 in less than 7 weeks but I have decided to spend it with the mouse!!! Your NY trip sounds fab and it is a city where I want to visit.

Next year is DH 50 but I think we are going to do Vegas (I think).

Look forward to your trip report.

Have a great time ;)

[winnie97]

hi :wave:
a trip up the empire state is a must
also try a cruise
grand central station
and also the shops
we went to woodbury common outlet very good about 40 mins on a bus
watch out youll get a stiff neck though from constantly looking at the skyscrapers.

[bob_day69]

Take the Circleline boat tour around Manhattan Island. The full trip is 3 hours or so doing a complete loop with a running commentary for most of that time. Quite low cost, around $30 I seem to recall.

Details here http://www.circleline42.com/ and I would highly recommend it.

Depending how long you have take a tube ride to Coney Island and visit Nathans, home of the hotdog. Best hotdog that I have ever tasted. While there you have the Aquarium and of course Coney Island funfair to explore.

[liverpool lou]

Ditto to what everyone has said.....and apply for a New York greeter now and see some of New York through the eyes of a native New Yorker!! they take you to places you would not think of!! or you can request what you want to see....you have to book early.
Good Luck and have a fab time!!

Jean

[Catherine]

I can only 2nd what everyone has said and agree with Jean, try and get an Apple Greeter. we had a such a great time.

[jeanwales]

Some great tips there - all these helpful posts about New York is just getting me in the mood more for my visit!

[dreamofdisney]

Thanks everyone for the great tips! My head is spinning, so much to do!! But I love to plan so I have now got the Brits Guide (I love the Orlando one so it has to be a winner) and a top ten guide. Off to surf all the link you have given me!

Thank again :wavey: :thumbs-up