☆ First Time To New York ☆ Travel and Day One

[TinkerBabe]

Well, out trip to New York has been everything we hoped for, what an amazing city and one that we will return to again without doubt!

I thought I would share some of the highlights with you in a trippie.

Travel (Friday 10th Feb) and Day One (Saturday 11th Feb 2012)

We flew from Heathrow on Virgins ' 'Emmaline Heany' and we had a great flight, with the VPort entertainment system and extra legroom seats.



We got a yellow cab from the airport (Newark) and it was easy ($63 + tolls + tip = $90). We arrived at our hotel at 9pm and we were really pleased. We had booked the Grand Hyatt at Grand Central Terminal in a Hotels.com sale, and it had been a bargain at $90 per night.







Our window had a view of 42nd St below.



We had a stroll along 42nd St then turned in for an early night, so that we would be raring to go in the morning!

We woke up early feeling really refreshed, the beds were lovely and comfortable and you couldnt hear a peep from the traffic outside (we were on floor 27 which may have helped a bit). We headed out for breakfast and took the opportunity to explore Grand Central Terminal which was right next door to our hotel.





We had booked this trip hoping we might see some snow, and we did!





We had a look around the New York Public Library, which is just stunning inside.



Then we went to Bryant Park and the kids enjoyed some Ice Skating, while we enjoyed some Lattes!





We had pre-purchased some tickets to Ripleys Believe it or Not so we headed there next, however as we made our way, it became clear that if we had waited we would have saved some money, as we passed lots of Ripleys staff given out money off vouchers. Never mind, it was good fun and passed an entertaining couple of hours, so was worth it even just for the two headed calf!



Next stop was Times Sq, where we explored the giant Toys R Us store and M & M world.





We really enjoyed Times Sq and I felt very safe even as we wandered around late at night. In fact, I felt completely safe everywhere that we went and we found that New Yorkers on the whole were all really friendly.

We decided to head back to the hotel to relax, and we stopped at an Applebees for dinner on the way, which was fine but very expensive for what it was. We would avoid chains for the remainder of the trip (except for Bubba Gumps!), but on the first night we were simply hungry and wanted something familiar and easy. The bill for 4 of us (4 sodas, one starter, 4 main meals) was $150 inc tip.

We popped into the Duane Reade next to our hotel for some beers and doughnuts, and had drinks and dessert in our room - lovely!

Tomorrow - Lower Manhattan with our Big Apple Greeter!

[sue.o]

Great start! Looking forward to the rest!

[mariechez]

We loved it here, so great to see your pics. Not sure why your cab was so expensive and that should be a flat rate?

[k l is excited]

Great start, we went in 2010 for our first trip and like you loved it all. Look forward to reading more. Photos are great. Did you go on the ferris wheel in Toys r us, we all did.

Karen

[Helen0705]

Great start to your trippie - we had a look around your hotel when we were there , it looked great.
Lovely photos !

[Guest]

Ah Duane Reade, one on every corner nearly, but great for snacks and drinks and yummy cakes and pastries We headed into the one by our hotel everytime before we headed back

If you do Newark again, even a prebooked car would only cost about $70 euros into the TS area ours was $75 inc tip, but he helped us into the hotel with our cases which was really nice of him so I gave him a bit extra

[00swan]

Brilliant start - pleased to hear you enjoyed your trip. Looking forward to reading more.

[sophie1405]

Cant wait to read more, Im going end august-september looks so goood! xx

[parkgirl]

Bargain hotel and looks lovely.

[Guest]

Great hotel, looks like a really big room for a great rate. Great that you saw snow too. I love New York!