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

costingbunny_2

can confirm that the backseat videos are really good on Delta - We had around 10 films to chose from - Quantum of Solace, Doubt, Changling, Madagascar 2, together with loads of other telly. They have pause buttons as well which I didnt realise which is handy for when you are eating or nip to the loo! other tip with Delta is that you can change your seats at the last minute before you leave to check in - this way you can see if any seats are free (seats are 3-3) so if you are a two, you can book in on a row with a free seat so you can stretch out. Have a good hol! I went once in November and there was a heat wave!!!

blindman

Cheap New York (well New Jersey :rolleyes:) accomodation.

This may work for some if not for others.

Using the info in this thread Cheapest was to stay at Holiday Inns

the Candlewood Suites in Jersey city is coming up at $61 (+ tax)per night

These rates are for weekends, the weekday rate is $121!

I've stayed there a few years before and it still gets good reviews

It's relatively easy to get into NYC from there and the area is safe.

Of course you could go with Priceline and get the Hyatt at Jersey city for $71+tax

thatsfabulous

costingbunny wrote: »

can confirm that the backseat videos are really good on Delta - We had around 10 films to chose from - Quantum of Solace, Doubt, Changling, Madagascar 2, together with loads of other telly. They have pause buttons as well which I didnt realise which is handy for when you are eating or nip to the loo! other tip with Delta is that you can change your seats at the last minute before you leave to check in - this way you can see if any seats are free (seats are 3-3) so if you are a two, you can book in on a row with a free seat so you can stretch out. Have a good hol! I went once in November and there was a heat wave!!!

Thanks alot. Flown with BA last time sadly stopped that service now but not too bothered about food, will just bring my own its more the movies and programs we would like so this sounds great.

Just debating between dates:
13-18th Nov
or
20th- 25th Nov
26th is thanksgiving though, can anyone confirm that the shops/ attractions will all be open the day before thanksgiving?? Im a bit worried that they may shut 25th??

thanks

mksting

Hi all, Have been reading every page of this thread and lots of the previous New York thread. Have picked up a lot of useful information for our first trip to New York in June. Have a couple of questions though that I'm hoping someone will be able to answer.

We are staying at The Salisbury Hotel, 123 W 57th St just opposite Carnegie Hall. Does anyone have any experience of this hotel?

As we only have 3 1/2 days there, we would also welcome your advice on how best to spend our time.

The itinerary that we have come up with is as follows
arrival day - probably free from about 17:00 so thought a stroll to Rockerfellow centre to get our bearings and for top of the rock.
day 2 - Statue of liberty, ground zero, wall street, Brooklyn bridge
day 3 - Empire state building, grand central station, times square, theatre in evening
day 4 - central park, shopping and if time a yankees game in the evening.

Does this look ok? Not really sure how long we will need at each place or how long to get from one to the next.

Any suggestions or comments very welcome.

Thanks

zxrmatt

Hi Guys

Off to NYC next week with the family. Just wondered the best/cheapest way for 6 of us to get from JFK to Hotel in Manhattan?

Fixed fare of $45 doesnt seem bad, but there will be 6 of us so we will need 2 cabs. Are there other vehciles at airport that will take 6 of us and any ideas on price?

Thanks

suziedoc_2

Been lurking on this thread for a few months now as off to New York on 11th December for 8 nights with the other half, flying with Continental from Glasgow and staying at the W Hotel on Times Square, paid £1200 each but I'm sure it will be worth the expense :D.

Have managed to pick up some great tips and advice from people on here, so thanks everyone!!!!

uzubairu

aussiedogga wrote: »

I'm off to NY tomorrow morning with the other half and some friends for 6 nights. Scored the bargain flights through the expedia.com.au error 6 months ago for £140 return

Absolutely pumped about it. Thanks for all the great tips of this website, it is so helpful that people share their experiences and advice.

Thanks to all and will try to write a trip report upon return!

I'm off in 3.5 weeks with OH courtesy of the same offer/error and paid the same price (flying from Manchester).
Staying at the Beacon Hotel and can't wait to go.

Have a nice time.

uzubairu

josie wrote: »

Very easy to get the subway from JFK. We've stayed at the New Yorker twice and the entrance to the subway is almost at the front door - it's right on that intersection and it was on the "A" train line, which goes direct to JFK. You can look here to see if it goes near your particular hotel.

We usually buy a week's subway pass anyway, so it means a "free" (well, included) trip both to and from the airport, and being a big shopper that means all the more dollars for me to spend. Not sure I'd do it for somewhere that involved changing trains tho, esp if you've a lot of luggage (like I have on the way back...)

Don't know why you think a taxi would be "horrendous" tho??

Been to New York 5 times and only used a taxi on the first trip.

Takes just as long to use train/subway and costs a lot less (so more spending money and fun).

aussiedogga

OK, just got back yesterday morning from a week in NY over Easter. I'd like to write a long trip report but will just give you my opinion of the The Great, The Good and The Ugly.

The Great
Top of the Rock - No explaination needed
Dillons Comedy Club (www.dillonscomedyclub.com) - Go to a 'promotional show'. Call up and leave your RSVP on their voicemail and turn up about half an hour before the show starts so you can be the first in the door to get the best seats at the front. $20 got us a show and unlimited drinks (pretty much anything, even shots!) during the show. We tipped our waiter about $6 each at the start and she looked after us really well and we always had 2 drinks sitting in front of us and walked out drunk. Really good quality comedy too! I can't recommend this highly enough if you are looking for good value. You can thank me later for this tip. :beer:
Canal Street - If you are looking for ''cheap '' designer handbags and similar items, when you are offered handbags by the Asian ladies, say yes and follow them to a ''secret location''. Remember to barter - about $25-30 per bag is good from what we were told.
Ice Hockey at Maddison Square Garden, or any other sport at MSG.
Central Park - no explaination needed

The Good
''The Cottage'' chinese restaurant (corner of 77 St and Amsterdam). Spend $10 each on food and get ''unlimited'' white wine. Sure the wine wasn't brilliant and it was definitely low alcohol (saw the box said 9%) but hey, we ordered just over $10 each food and had a great time. Very busy and they do try and speed you up so you don't drink too much, but either ways its great value and excellent food.
Best Western Bowery Hanbee Hotel - Sure we got a promotional rate of $89 per night so anything would be good. But it had breakfast included, excellent service, super clean, and great location. We loved being in Chinatown as there is plenty of excellent good value food around and less tourists.

The Ugly
Statue of Liberty - do not, I repeat NOT, waste your time going inside the Statue of Liberty! The security is ridiculous and will take you hours. Perhaps go to the Island on the ferry because its nice to wander around, but don't bother going inside. The whole experience makes you feel like an animal being led around a paddock and into an abatoir.


These are the main points that stood out to me. Sure we did lots else of course, but these are the main points I felt I would tell others about it they were going to NYC.

GRIGGSY

Finally finished reading this thread, but I think I am far too confused now to post anything. I will be back in the morning