Big Birthday ideas - New York

[ariel2006]

Right I need some serious help in regards to New York and I'm helping that some of you Dibber's will be able to help me out :grin:.

We are going to NY for my Mum's 50th birthday and we have asked her on several occasions what she wants to do on the actual day. She says she doesn't mind as it will be special just being there but I really, really want her to look back on that day and be able to have some really special memories. The trouble is as we haven't been to NY before I am a bit clueless as what to do... we are thinking of maybe seeing The Lion King and going for a meal but are stuck as to where to go for a meal and what to do in the day?

And if you haven't been to NY and were going to go what would you want to do if it was a big birthday for you?

Thanks :grin:

[2waterford]

Yes would definetly see the Lion King.

Mabye a few Cocktails in the View Bar at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. This restaurant/bar revolves and slowly rotates offering great views of Time Square. However I have just noticed you will be in NY in August and it will be bright before the show maybe go there after the show as I think it needs to be dark to really appreciate the view.

There is a Fab restaurant near the Brooklyn Bridge with views back over into manhattan. It is called the River Cafe. Dinner isnt cheap. Maybe over $100 each. Maybe early dinner there, stretch Limo to Lion King and Drinks at the Marrriott after.

Als an option would be lunch at the Tavern on the Green in Central park during the day. How about a few hours at a Spa at one of the big hotels.

[heaven2006]

Here are my suggestions:

Dinner cruise, specially on bateaux boats (they are all covered with glass so you have a clear view of manhattan) - http://www.bateauxnewyork.com/ba/index.jsp They also have lunch cruises, just in case you really want to see a Broadway show that night

You can also book an helicopter tour.

Dinner/lunch at a nice restaurant (Per Se, Bouley, Babbo, Le Bernardin, Gramercy Tavern...)

You can also consider a food tour, which is also a fun thing to do. Can recommend "A Slice of Pizza Brooklyn Tour" - http://www.asliceofbrooklyn.com/ or "The Original Greenwich Village Food and Culture Walking Tour" http://www.foodsofny.com (they also have other food tours)

Carriage ride over Central Park

Onboard City Tours - Specially the night tour - http://www.onboardnewyorktours.com

You may also consider hiring a limo to take you to these places

I haven't been to NY yet but I'm doing an extensive planning for my first visit in July, so let me know if you need anything ;)

[2waterford]

Hsving done dinner cruise twice in NY they are very dependant on weather conditions on any given night.

First night was a cold crisp night and we had fab views of manhattan and SOL. 2nd night was wet and damp and we saw nothing.

[X_laura_X]

I went to NY in Oct 2005 and loved it! I went a helicopter ride which was the highlight of my holiday...i think this was booked through expedia.I would highly recomment this and is something different.You could always go for a meal on the evening too because the chopper doesnt take allday!You could also hire a limo,if you decide to go to the Lion King show,as your taxi.We managed to do this twice during our 4 days stay!We were flagging for taxi's but limo's pulled up and offered us a ride for the same price....couldt say no lol!

MUST DO'S:
Empire state building....at night or dusk
Free ferry across to Statten Island...you go right past Miss Liberty and get an amazing view of NY
Horse drawn carriage ride in Cnetral Park...way to big to walk around.You get a really good tour,show you where they filmed what films etc and you may even spot some celebs
Chopper ride

I also went to a restaurant which alot of people recommend called Jeckyll and Hyde's http://www.jekyllpub.com/jekyllpub/index1.html
I have posted the website,not to everyones taste and wouldnt recommend for the special occassion meal but its something different and i really liked it here!

Sorry i seemed to have rabbled on lol....i tend too when talking about NY!
Hope some of it has been of help to you...X

[Gill H]

Hey heaven2006 - if you have the chance, definitely do the food tour. Nice way to spend a morning, and the food is yummy!

Re the 50th birthday, I like the idea of a carriage ride. We did this in March and it was soooo lovely. In August I would think it might provide a nice cool breeze in the heat too!

[ariel2006]

Thanks guys for all your ideas so far.

There is a few of them that are no goes though for a few reasons. Firstly the helicopter flight is a no go on my Mum's birthday. We do plan to do one at some point during the holiday but she is scared of heights and is not definitely sure she will come on it. Therefore if she doesn't come or doesn't enjoy it I don't want her to have a bad memory on her birthday.
Secondly the carriage ride is a no go as they only take a maximum of 4 people and there is 5 of us. I know my Mum wouldn't want us to be split up so if we do this (which I really want to) we will do it on another day.

Its funny that you mentioned the dinner cruise Heaven2006 as that was my other idea rather than a show. I was thinking that it was something different and the mix of wonderful views and a good meal will give her some good memories. But hearing what 2waterford said I'm really not sure. 2waterfood can I ask is the experience more about the views than anything else or is the food and entertainment good too?

Please if anyones got any more ideas I would love to hear

[tomnj]

Here are some websites to scan for ideas. Are you coming this August? It may be hard to get seats for Lion King.

http://nycvisit.com/index.cfm
http://www.10best.com/New_York,NY/index.html
http://www.mustseenewyork.com/
http://www.viator.com/New-York-City/d687-ttd

[Diane]

If you are looking for a special meal I believe the Tavern on the Green in Central Park is fabulous!

http://www.tavernonthegreen.com/

Diane x

[Elbee]

I can recommend the River Cafe. It's lovely at night and all tables have a view - we were sat at the back but sat next to each other so we could see out across to Manhattan. If you go on their website it gives ideas as to menus. Book early if you want a Friday/Saturday as it's poplular. You could try Sunday Brunch there? They have a chocolate 'Brooklyn Bridge' dessert which is like a choc mousse with chocolate in the shape of the bridge at either side.
Possibly afternoon tea at the Waldorf? Tavern on the Green is very pretty at Night with all the twinkly lights. There are the Rainbow Rooms (I think that's what they are called) which could be a goer?
I am off in August with my mum so if I see anything else I could let you know.
x

[Elbee]

Oh yes - we did the New York Party Shuttle - small minibus tours. We did a 5 hour one which took in everything from Dakota Building and Strawberry Fields, down to the South Street Seaport and over on the Staten Island Ferry. It's an on/off tour but the guide comes with you to the points. It's not like the red bus ones where you hop on and off at will, you stay with them. They cover all the touristy bits. We really rated it and I might do the night time lights tour with mum if she is up to it.

[2waterford]

Food and atmosphere on the Dinner Cruise was fab. The only negative I have about the 2 trips is the weather wasnt good on the 2nd trip.

[tinkerlink]

Hi Ariel. Have been to new york twice and whatever you do will be fab!!! You must try and visit grand central station we only just squeezed it in on the last day of our 2007 trip and were blown away by the place bit gutted not discovered before! I Micheal Jordan has a restaurant there thinks it's ment to be very posh Oh and the have a place called juniors in there voted best cheesecake in new york they do lovely food. Oh yes and i can recomend going up either the top of the rock or empire state at night and the other in the day as the sight at night is magical but also good to see in the day!! Hope your mum has a lovely birthday. My mum is 60 when we are in Florida it's great to do something special isn't it! x