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

safetyelf

Caught up with your thread as I'm planning a return trip to NY this Autumn and thought I'd add my 2p.

I've only been the once, the November 2005 and I fell in love with the place even though it was bitterly cold. I remember popping into GAP for a couple of sweaters, "Do you want the wrapped sir?" No thanks, I'll be wearing them!

I certainly did NY on the cheap, though I stayed in a decent hotel (£60 a night), what was the Crowne Plaza down by the United Nations. For those that want single beds, this had two queen sized beds in the room. It was reasonably central and very easy to find, the Chrysler Building and Grand Central Station were just down the road.

Nights out, well it was my 40th so again I treated myself prior getting tickets for consecutive nights to see U2 at Maddison Square Gardens, and a trip to BB Kings Blues Club 2 see some great music there. I also managed to fit in an American Football game, but balked at the prices for the Basketball, which I kinda regret now. The helicopter trip was amazing, though it was stomach churning, especially when the pilot banked hard to turn 180 over the baseball pitch.

To keep the costs down while there, I managed to cap the eating and drinking costs by eating out of the local Deli's, great breakfasts with as much coffee as you could drink which kept me full until early evening. I'd then eat at the food court on Grand Central Station (you wouldn't eat at a station over here would you?) where you could get great tasting food and a drink (American Snack Size = British Meal) for $5, and there's a great choice from about 40 different stalls.

I walked pretty much everywhere (I averaged nearly 20 miles a day), only taking the subway downtown for the helicopter flight. I love architecture and there's no city with better architecture than NY, and I didn't want to miss any of it. Even walking back from MSG after midnight, I never felt threatened, even when I got completely lost and had to ask a big guy for directions "I love your accent sir, let me show you the way".

It would be nice if the exchange rate improved between now and then, but never mind, I'll be going anyway

M4RKM

Baseball in November is very rare, and only happened in 2001, and will happen officially again in 2009... just in case anyone is expecting loads of baseball in November!

EDIT - i read the above as baseball not basketball.... gah!

the season starts a week into April, there exists the possibility for a World Series Game 7 on Nov. 5, 2009 -- if the postseason schedule follows the 2007-08 procedures.

That would be the latest finish to any season in Major League history. The only previous case of official November baseball was in 2001, when the regular season was suspended for a week because of the September 11 attacks and the Diamondbacks beat the Yankees in a Game 7 classic on Nov. 4.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080916&content_id=3488537&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb



and a queen sized bed is bigger than a uk double bed - just - and there are plenty of options for rooms like that, normally sleeping up to 4 people.. (aka the cosmopolitan etc etc )

i stand by my comment that twin beds are very rare in NYC

costingbunny_2

Off to NYC at end of March 09 for my third visit. Booked Delta as BA no longer go direct from MAN. Was flying at 12.00 but just had email that the flight has changed to 14.00 which is a bit of pain as it reduces the time in NYC.

Done all tourist stuff on previous visits and this one is to celebrate a 10yr anniverary. Booked into Embassy Suites in cheapest room but advised them it is an anniverarsy holiday and hoping for a cheeky upgrade.

Want to see some live music this time round - nowhere fancy as me and him are scruffs and like to drink beer and wear jeans:beer:. Been adivsed of the Wah Club in Greenwich - anyone been? Know of the Rodeo bar but read somewhere that it is a bit 'local'?? would it be scary local??

Any feedback welcome.

PS - also gonna hire bikes and cycle over Brooklyn Bridge - anyone done this?

M4RKM

costingbunny wrote: »

Off to NYC at end of March 09 for my third visit. Booked Delta as BA no longer go direct from MAN. Was flying at 12.00 but just had email that the flight has changed to 14.00 which is a bit of pain as it reduces the time in NYC.

*panics*

i'm gonna check to see if my flight has changed...


the 29th March the flight changes to 2pm. At least it is still a direct flight....

costingbunny_2

markymoo wrote: »

*panics*

i'm gonna check to see if my flight has changed...


the 29th March the flight changes to 2pm. At least it is still a direct flight....

Sorry for inducing any panic! :eek:Got email confirmation of my changes this morning. Couple of hours difference is OK and the flight back is still at 10.30 at night so get practically all of that day in NYC.

becky_rtw

Mind you both my Delta flights landed an hour and a half early - took 6 hours rather than said 7.30 so perhaps they are adjusting the times...

veggie4life

Monday 16th Feb is drawing closer

what does everyone think of this ?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-York-City-Notebook-Moleskine/dp/8883708067/ref=cm_lmf_tit_11_rsrssi0

HGLTsuperstar

phatbear wrote: »

I'm sure I should start the vast majority of all my posts with this line but here goes.

I dont want to be rude but the answer to 2 of your questions took me approx 2 mins on google/wikipedia:

NHL season, regular season, runs from 1st week in Oct to Mid Apr then stanley cup playoffs from Mid Apr to start of June.

NBA season October 28, 2008 – April 15, 2009.

And feedback for the hotel:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60763-d93338-Reviews-Hotel_Beacon-New_York_City_New_York.html


Mr B

So sorry for troubling you Mr B. As I said, I have already checked tripadvisor but I, obviously mistakenly, valued the opinion of individs in this forum.
Please accept my most humble apologies.

M4RKM

HGLTsuperstar

not being arsey or anything here, but there are only a finite number of people who FREQUENT this thread, and have experience with New York. there are plenty of people who come here, ask questions, take advice, and never return to share their experiences.

So, with this finite number of people, it is impossible for us to stay at every hotel in New York, and there seems to be a nice list now, of MSE hotels, dare i say, which are as follows (feel free to add more!)

1 - Cosmopolitan Hotel
2 - Pod Hotel
3 - Affinia 50
4 - Radio City Apartments

These are the 4 off the top of my head, i know people have stayed at, and would have been able to answer about. there are others that crop up regularly, but, the one you asked for hasn't been seen before.

Personally, i won't reply to a thread, saying no idea, or you could have loads of threads saying no idea.. it doesn't mean it hasn't been read, or we're ignoring you, it probably means we have no idea..

and i do support the whole concept of google, especially when asking for dates of something as HUGE as US Sports...

Just my opinion

M

M4RKM

veggie4life wrote: »

Monday 16th Feb is drawing closer

what does everyone think of this ?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-York-City-Notebook-Moleskine/dp/8883708067/ref=cm_lmf_tit_11_rsrssi0

never seen it.. i use this and swear by it for a repeat visitor (probably not that good for a first time visitor though!)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Not-Tourists-Guide-York-City/dp/0981488706/ref=pd_sim_b_3


and, in 28 days time, i'll have landed, got through immigration, customs, got my taxi to the hotel, checked in, and by 4.21pm NYC time, (9.21pm uk time) i'll be in a pub having a pint no doubt (if the plane lands on time!)

M