New York

[ijjysmith]

That would be, a few of us are forty in 3 years time and we are contemplating a boy's trip to Vegas but our wife's are weary of letting us loose in sin city.

Its been the plan for both of us since we've known each other to have a stag there. Wasn't possible for mine but his is do-able.

Hangover Part 4.

 

[ianefc]

Coincidentally For those who love this city. BBC 2 @ 9pm on Tuesday is the start of a 3 part series.



@chicoazul @l4toffee @Moomin @ijjysmith @The Esk @SunKing @anjelikaferrett @NSNO_Phil_1878 @bigjonny @bring back the catt @Eggs @Gladystweet @Bilko

 

[SLAVEN BILIC]

It's not a happy visit but please do the world trade centre museum and memorial. I was there 3 months after it happened and then went back just after the museum was opened and it's one of the most heartbreaking things you'll ever encounter. Even if you didn't know anybody that died there those 3000 lives were taken for no good reason apart from money and oil.

 

[thirdmantackle]

I was in NY for 13 nights, still didn't see everything I wanted to get to.

A Broadway show was great fun. Times Square at night time.
Getting a personal tour of the UN building was a highlight! (did have a relative who worked there)

 

[john jako]

Get in a yellow cab and sit in traffic for a hour. Sample the real New York mate.

Enjoy it whatever you do pal.

 

[john jako]

Anyway Miami tops them all. Some of the best nightlife I've ever witnessed. Expensive though.

 

[SunKing]

Last time I went was with the girlfriend, absolutely loved it. But when I go back in October it'll be with the lads for a few nights - so likely to be a different outlook. Any recommendations on some good areas for nightlife?

Also, this sounds daft, but I must admit I struggled a little with the tipping lark, I mean I've been to other places in the States and not had a problem but with NYC prices I wasn't too sure. Never wanted to insult a waiter/waitress/bar tender but didn't want to over pay either...any 'tips'?

 

[Tree13]

The areas in and around Central Park. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History are right there...MoMA is really close too.

You could spend a day in either of these museums and not see everything. Both highly recommended. There is a cafe and bar on the roof of the Met - one of the best views of Central Park you can get, but it's only open May to October. http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/met-fifth-avenue

ground zero is worth it, remember to book the time to enter the museum. ( saves waiting for hours in queues), don't let the queues put you off as they stagger the times of entry, it's a good system and works.

Agreed. Ground Zero and the 9/11 museum is a "must see". It's tragic, solemn and very moving. The audio recordings taken from the Fire Department radio channels on 9/11 are harrowing and moved me to tears. You could easily spend five or six hours here.

Four nights is plenty so divide up the stuff you want to do and have a loose plan on your places for the day. Hard to give a list of five (yeah really) stuff to do as there's so much to do and it's subjective to taste. Mid January will be brutal though so make sure you wrap up as though you're going the Antarctic.

Defo do top of the Rockefeller Centre and time it for sun down so you can watch the lights across Manhattan come on, you get two sets of photos, in daylight and all lit up. Everyone heads up the Empire State Building but Top Of The Rock is better as you get a photo of the Empire State Building as you're not on top of it! Also get nice photos across Central Park.

Do your research, plan and have fun. Greatest city in the world.

Agree with all this. View from the top of the Rock is deffo better than that from the top of the Empire State; vital to split the city into areas and do one area each day.

If you're flying into JFK don't bother with a shuttle. Take the subway.

Yes. Very quick, pretty cheap. Much cleaner than british trains.

If you want some local food joints I'll put a list together for you, just let me know your food preferences. Don't book breakfast in your hotel, eat in a local diner like Ellen's Stardust diner or Hector's cafe - great experiences and good food.

We absolutely loved this place! Don't be put off by the queue, it moves far quicker than you'd think. http://www.ellensstardustdiner.com

@ianefc

https://www.tdf.org/nyc/8/Locations-Hours

South seaport is the one to goto, times square one is mayhem. Loads of bars and the restaurant on the pier. Might not be the best in winter to sit outside and watch the world go by though.

Yes! The TKTS booth at South Seaport is nowhere near as busy as the one in Time Square. We queued for maybe ten minutes... on December 23rd.

My top tips:

1) Walk everywhere. The streets are clean, there is a strong Police presence, everyone is friendly, the whole city is laid out in a grid so it's virtually impossible to get lost. And the architecture is stunning.

2) Bring tea bags. It's very difficult to get a decent cup of tea - if you're a coffee drinker however, you'll be fine.

3) Go see the New York Public Library and Bryant Park. Very pretty.

 

[glorydaze]

Wrap up warm its chuffing freezing in January. Oh and ice skate in Central Park.

 

[obc]

went once. but given my Boston roots, have a less than stellar view.

went as a kid, 10, with my dad, a nurse co-worker, and her 16yo daughter, bus day trip form Beantown. got my first kiss on the horse carriage ride. hooray.

got my cap stolen at Macys. Booo.

last memory of the city was as our bus was driving back away I saw a dude in a three piece suit get mugged, briefcase stolen and started chasing after the perp.

so be sure to get something stolen. it's like the NYC equivalent of going to the Lisbon.

 

[SerenityNigh]

What do you think @SerenityNigh?

Not a huge fan of New Orleans, but it definitely has enough to do if you enjoy it. There's no shortage of food and music and every sort of nightlife imaginable. If I were there a week id probably stay in the Garden District or another neighborhood. Boring things worth doing would include a Saints or Pelicans game and the WWII museum.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Me and the wife are looking at going to New York mid January next year for 4 nights, staying at a hotel called The Hotel Times Square (if anyone has stayed there)

I'm just looking for info on what would be the top five 'must do' excursions and what amount of $ would be needed for 4 nights, all activities will be pre booked and paid for.

Never been before, but really want to do the main attractions and sample the city itself.

Any info welcome.

Watch a match with the locals at Mr Dennehy's if able.

 

[SerenityNigh]

@chicoazul

Like the OP can't use Lonely Planet?

 

[SerenityNigh]

Think New Orleans will get done next summer for us, surprisingly the missus wants to visit it.

It's hot (humid) during the summer, if you can swerve that you'll enjoy it more.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Last time I went was with the girlfriend, absolutely loved it. But when I go back in October it'll be with the lads for a few nights - so likely to be a different outlook. Any recommendations on some good areas for nightlife?

Also, this sounds daft, but I must admit I struggled a little with the tipping lark, I mean I've been to other places in the States and not had a problem but with NYC prices I wasn't too sure. Never wanted to insult a waiter/waitress/bar tender but didn't want to over pay either...any 'tips'?

20% on meals if you enjoyed it. 15% is standard. In many places that is (or was) "double the tax," but now tax on meals is 9-10% or higher. Then there's stuff like cabs, doormen, bartenders. That can truly get a bit confusing even for a Yank like myself.