This trip was booked on a bit of a whim which really isn’t like me ! Our son William will be 21 in February. He really isn’t in to “stuff” so the best plan was to go away somewhere. I hate surprises but have been convinced by husband not to tell either him or his sister ( she wouldn’t keep quiet !) until the morning we go. Obviously he knows he is going away to book a week off work, we have told him it will be cold ( he probably doesn’t realise how cold !) So he will open his birthday present in the morning and off we go !
Chose New York because he has always loved Spiderman and Home Alone movies. We had also brought $700 home from Florida last year which was a big help with spends.
Think we have a good deal but I have realised just how expensive NY is.
Flights with Virgin MAN to JFK landing at 1.30pm at £293 economy classic booked via Netfights. Wary of booking via third party but good up to now.
We are all in work/school so won’t be able to set off to the premier inn Manchester Runger North until at least 7. Room booked for £36.50.
Friday morning will be Happy Birthday and straight off to the airport. Parking booked at Terminal 2 multi storey 6 nights for
£52. Booked undercover due to going in February. Will probably eat at Frankie and Bennys.
We hopefully ( barring any weather delays) will land at 1.30 and we will brave the airtrain to Jamaica and then metro to Penn Station.
Staying in a junior suite at the Broadway Plaza. Chosen primarily because I have read good Dibb reports, the rooms appear large by NY standards and there are 3 separate beds. We don’t plan on being in the hotel much and although not ideal we don’t find sharing an issue.
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The rooms seem quite spacious
The hotel also provides a free basic continental breakfast and 24 hour Starbucks. I will take porridge pots with us to supplement the breakfast.
I have already purchased a 10 attraction Sightseeing Pass for $175 each. Personally I think it is too many but husbands choice and he has never shown any interest in planning/ booking a holiday before so I have given in.
Empire State Building booked just before the Sightseeing Pass stopped accepting it. Hoping to do this on the first evening in his birthday.
Arranged a guide from Big Apple Greeters for our first morning. A bit nervous to be honest. We are quite a quiet reserved family and I hope it goes ok.
Second day I have the Statue of Liberty Crown tickets booked. I had intended losing weight to help with the climb up those stairs but it doesn’t seem to have happened !
Have the Ulmon app which I have found amazing for the planning. With going in the winter I have arranged things in to areas and will decide on the day what we are doing depending on the weather.
All I need to do now is stock up on the thermals and hand warmers !