Anything & Everything New York (PART 2) - [please search thread before posting]

M4RKM

another point on the NYC subway..

if you think the actual proper map is quite odd looking and disorganised, maybe check out this map designed by people at kickmap.com

now, there isn't a great version online, but this one is the best i could find.
http://www.mensvogue.com/images/design/2008/06/KICKMAP.jpg

it looks a bit more like what us brits are used to with the london underground, so you can easily see what train you need to get for what station

also, if you have an iPod Touch, or an iPhone, you can get the NYC Kick Map on the itunes store for $1.99 (US Store) or £1.19 (UK Store)

Cheers

M

super_keen_money_saver

Wish I'd seen this thread before I went to NY 2 wks ago!lol..

Just a few bits to add (apologies if already posted):

Shopping

Head down to Century 21 (near World Trade Centre site - easily done by subway). It's HUGE! And is best described as the NY version of TK Maxx. Lots of lovely nine west, guess etc handbags too!

Outlet shopping in New Jersey is said to be cheaper than around NYC which might be worth checking out. Woodbury Common is an hour away (buses from Port Authority - 8th Ave & 42nd st) - but be warned in the current cold weather, Woodbury's even colder!

Sales tax is 8.35% - but isn't charged on all clothing (apparently it's on all clothing except jackets and shoes).

Macy's and Bloomingdales offer visitors from outside of NYC discount cards (11% Macy's, 10% Bloomies) which come in handy! Also bloomies offers a gift if you spend over $100 (go to visitor's centre at each to get the discount - along with some photo ID to prove you're from out of town)

For Abercrombie, be advised the 5th Ave store never has sales (as told to me rather snottily by the assistant) However, head down to South St Seaport (near Century 21 too!) and when clearance is on you'll be able to pick up bits cheaper here - (i saved over $50 by taking a $2 subway trip down there)

Accommodation

There's lots of hotels around 8th Ave and Times Sq area. We stayed at the Hampton Inn Times Square North (8th Av & between 51st and 52nd St) which was fantastic. The have free breakfasts, cookies (early afternoon), apples and hot drinks(24hrs). There are also 2 free intenet terminals to use for those who aren';t able to take adv of the free wifi. It's a short wlk to Times Sq and lots of broadway shows!

Theatre

Try TKTs booth - there are quite a few around the city. Times Sq is the most famous. Get there just before 2pm (opens at 3pm) for evening perfomances that day (this way you beat most of the queues) and for matinees before 9am (saturdays). We saw Mamma mia which was fantastic! (Great pizza place near the theatre called Familigia Pizza - apparently NY's no1 pizza place)

Natural History Musuem

The planetarium is absolutely fantastic in there - we learnt lots! The rest of the musuem is VAST! but well worth a visit!

Chinatown

In my opinion, not worth a visit (except maybe to eat). When we last went (in 2003) it was great - lots of bargains to be had. However, going back this year, most of the shops were closed (by court order or restraining order - according to the many notices around) and the items for sale were more expensive and choice was poor.

HTH

becky_rtw

Ooo Marky - that map is great - I'll remember that for next time!!!

Quassi75

markymoo wrote: »

what do you mean nowhere near the location? it will take you 8 minutes to get from Chambers Street to 34th Street.. i know, as i've done it many a time myself! i'm not just recommending it for the sake of it, I'm actually recommending it because i know IT WORKS!!!

everything is so close in NYC when you look at the subway. You've said you don't like the Penn Hotel which is the closest to one shop, so just stay anywhere, which is within your budget!

Sorry mate, what I mean is. As i will only be there from Friday to Sunday I need to be as close as possible to that one location. Within a couple of blocks. But I think i have found some cheap rates through the Radisson program (I work for a business corporate hotel agency ) And never knew that we also get discounts outside of the UK

M4RKM

kdowner wrote: »

Sorry mate, what I mean is. As i will only be there from Friday to Sunday I need to be as close as possible to that one location. Within a couple of blocks. But I think i have found some cheap rates through the Radisson program (I work for a business corporate hotel agency ) And never knew that we also get discounts outside of the UK

a couple of blocks walking distance is about 8 minutes, which is the same on the subway... i understand that you're only gonna be there a few days, but i'm 99% certain you're not going to spend 48 hours of your life in 1 store.

Jump on subway, do shopping, 4 hours tops! jump back on subway, and you're in TriBeCa, which is much more fun than madison sq garden areas, it has better bars, restaurants, and even has some greenery within walking distance with battery city park, and then hop on the staten island ferry..

there is more to new york than shopping, and even though you're only going for a short trip, you gotta make the most..

i want to go drinking down on the LES, but, i stay in various different places, on the basis of that I want to see what they have to offer..

but, it's up to yourself, i just don't see the appeal of staying in a hotel, so close to 1 store, but there is so much more than NYC has to offer..

Good luck with your radisson hotel, from my experience, they ain't as good in NYC as they are in the UK... kinda dated...

M

M4RKM

becky_rtw wrote: »

Ooo Marky - that map is great - I'll remember that for next time!!!

personally, i'd download it and store it somewhere on your computer.. you never know when it won't be there any more..

M

M4RKM

super_keen_money_saver wrote: »

Theatre

Try TKTs booth - there are quite a few around the city. Times Sq is the most famous. Get there just before 2pm (opens at 3pm) for evening perfomances that day (this way you beat most of the queues) and for matinees before 9am (saturdays). We saw Mamma mia which was fantastic! (Great pizza place near the theatre called Familigia Pizza - apparently NY's no1 pizza place)

hi.. thanks for that..

TKTS down at south street seaport doesn't get half as many queues, so you don't have to get there really early...
also.... Familigia Pizza... aaah.. it's a chain, and is suprisingly the no1 pizza place in whatever city it is located in... much like dominos, pizza hut..

plenty of good pizza places around that are proper NYC pizza places though!!! i'll do a review once i come back!!

M

Quassi75

Thats the thing, I've been to NYC about 11 times now, and believe it or not. I am going just for the purpose of 1 shop And I have done the touristy things so many times now, know some of them of by heart..lol... Might go for the Radisson. But the Holiday Inn's, Marriotts and Hilton also offer good agent rates. So might try one of them.. Still investigating the options.

Also not into drinking much but love sports. So Maddison Sq. would be an excellent location if there's a game on.

And for £350 for a long weekend, it's probly cheaper then having a weekend on the town in London..

M4RKM

suprisingly, it is my 11th trip to NYC in about 5 weeks time, so i know what you mean about going back to the same place.

i've done plenty of the touristy things, and if you can get a good rate on a hotel, go, i'm staying at the Affinia 50 for my next trip, and i love sports to, and still contemplating about going to see a hockey game at MSG.

with such a good public transport system, IMO there isn't a need to stay so close just to one place... i'd rather travel on the subway, and blend in with everyone, and the subway is the best show on broadway in my opinion!

M

LouBlue

markymoo wrote: »

personally, i'd download it and store it somewhere on your computer.. you never know when it won't be there any more..

M

I just have, thanks for that.