Anyone been to New York

[Sarah84]

I know theres already plenty of topics on New York, but I just wanted soem advice really from people that have been as to when they think is the best time to go, I was origanally thinking weekend of 8th December this year but now its between that weekend, being there for new years eve or my birthday which is the end of january. All the times I was thinking are pretty close to each other but im finding it hard to make a decision.

[Elbee]

I went in December 2003 - round about 11th. It was cold and it snowed, but it did not stop us doing anything we wanted - the shops were warm! It was me and my bessie mate and my DH paid for us to go for a 40th birthday treat. We did the Empire State Building, helicopter tour, NYC Ballet - Nutcracker (beautiful but did have several micro sleeps!), Normas for breakfast which is at Le Parker Meriden, Katz Deli, Carnegie Deli, Ellens Stardust Diner (can you see a food theme here....) Chinatown, Macys, Bloomingdales, Tiffany, Central Park horse carriage ride in the snow, plus a walking tour of Chinatown, Little Italy with a Big Apple Greeter who was superb.
We went for 3 nights, out on Friday, back on Monday, landing Tuesday. We packed a lot in - we were shopping until about 10.30pm on the Saturday!
Went BA, flew World Traveller Plus, got upgraded on way back to Business Class. Desperate to go back and saving like mad!
If you want to know anything else, just ask or do a search on New York in the searchy type box.

[PeterParnes]

I would go in December a you have all the christmas decorations up. Croud wise it doesn't really matter. It is always croaded.

If you need advice on hotels, shopping etc feel free to ask!

[Sarah84]

Thanks for the advice is much appriciated :D have decided to deffo go 8th-12th December now (will keep all fingers and toes crossed that it snows), seems so far away to be planning anything, but to me is such an exciting part, and when you have wanted to go soemwhere for as long as I've been wanting to go New York I suppose 12 more months is nothing. Am looking at staying in the grand hyatt hotel so if anyone has stayed there your views on it would be great :p:

[HuckFinn]

That time would definitely be my first choice and recommendation, then second would be the end of January, and New Years is out of the question and bloody ridiculous with crowds. I seriously doubt you could even hire accommodations for New Years 2006 as they book out years in advance.

December 8-12 is a great time.

[Sue]

Another vote here for Ellen's Stardust diner (on Broadway) and (I know I've written this somewhere before on the Dibb, but I am truly obsessed with it) if you leave NY without sampling the Strawberry Blonde cheesecake at the Brooklyn Diner on West 57th Street (same street as Tiffany's and all the designer shops)- you will have missed somethign amazing. DH and I are planning a return to NY and one of the main reasons is this cheesecake!!

[TracyK]

I have just come back. This was our second time over New Year. All the decs were still up and we got to do Times Square on New Year's Eve. We stayed at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square which was ideal for New Year. We never had a problem getting accommodation over New Year.
Tracy

[Sarah84]

Gawd feels like will be so much to fit into 4 nights.
Whats all your recommendations for hotels?? this is an important part for me im so fussy with hotels, been looking at the grang hyatt and hilton mellenium at the moment, tho grand hyatt is winning because has a better location, but if theres any others that are worth checkign out please let me know.
Thanks x :D

[fionawi]

Going to NY this weekend and staying at millenium hilton so will let you know what its like when I come back next week.

Fiona

[Sarah84]

Originally posted by fionawi
Going to NY this weekend and staying at millenium hilton so will let you know what its like when I come back next week.

Fiona
Oooh thanks, hopeits nice for you and ya have a great time, no doubt you will :D
That hotel does look so nice, it was just the location I was unsure about.

[Claire_L]

The Millenium UN PLaza by the UN Building is nice. A 15 min walk to Times Square but lovely hotel and great views.
Claire :wink

[Sue]

We stayed at the Hilton Towers, right next to the Rockefeller centre and the location was fantastic, its pricey though (got a good deal through DH's work) and there are lots of hotels in that area that all looked good to me eg. Sheraton

[Sarah84]

Originally posted by Elbee
Empire State Building, helicopter tour
What was the empire state building like?? is it worth it??
and di you book your helicopter trip once you were over there or before you went?? thats something i really want to do

[Claire_L]

Empire State is great the views are breathtaking by day and by night.
We used Liberty Helicopters (http://www.libertyhelicopters.com/) and booked before we went through Virgin, but in future may book direct. The longer the tour the more of NY you see and we will book the New York New York one next time to see more of Central Park.
Claire :wink

[paulab]

Hi there Ive been 5 times now and always stay at the Marrios Marquis. Itds right on Times Sq, and has a revolving restaurant at the top (the only one in NYC) called The View.

Have a fab time! (PM me if you have any more questions!)
P.S Dont forget to go ice skating in Central Park!

Paula

[Sarah84]

Originally posted by paulab
Hi there Ive been 5 times now and always stay at the Marrios Marquis. Itds right on Times Sq, and has a revolving restaurant at the top (the only one in NYC) called The View.

Have a fab time! (PM me if you have any more questions!)
P.S Dont forget to go ice skating in Central Park!

Paula

Theres NO WAY i'm leaving New York without having been ice skating, I found that hotel last night and it was saying about that resturant looks nice, just trying to get a good deal on a hotel at the moment as im paying for my two mates aswell so I cant afford it to be to much

[paulab]

Hi Sarah - have you tried the Marriot.com website? They usually are the cheapest way to book Marriott.

[Claire_L]

Oh yes the ice rink looks fab -

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/photopost/data/500/2526Central_Park_ice_rink-med.JPG

Claire :wink

[Sarah84]

Originally posted by paulab
Hi Sarah - have you tried the Marriot.com website? They usually are the cheapest way to book Marriott.
Yeh I have thanks seems to be the best place for it at the moment and seems a lovely hotel, i've also been lookign on expedia see if theres any good deals for hotels on there but coz it's so far away im not having any luck getting the prices up for dates at the moment. Found another few hotels that look quite nice so think will give it another few months till december dates are on expedia just to compare them :D

and Claire your right that ice rink looks so fab, I really can't wait to be wizzing around on it hahaha

[Claire_L]

Sarah the ice rink is fab but I didn't dare go on it as it was our last morning in NY that we went to Central Park! Couldn't bear the thought of hurting myself by falling over and then have to fly home in pain!!! Its on my list for next time though ;)
Claire :wink

[Sarah84]

New York just seems so great and I really can't wait justw ish my firends were excited about it as I am