Everything & Anything New York City

M4RKM

LeeHarry wrote: »

M4RKM - I'm not discounting a restaurant just because of the foie gras, normally if that's on the menu then the rest of it is posh food I wouldn't like. No budget, as I said it's wifey to be's 30th & the 1st night of our honeymoon so if I can't spoil her then there's something wrong! I guess i'd be looking at a decent grill of some sort or posh burger.

Posh Burger - Try a Kobe Beef Burger at the Old Homestead Steak House.

Grill? Not posh, but I'll say it again - Fette Sau in Williamsburg does great brisket, ribs, and BBQ Baked Beans. Not posh, but if you like wholesome food, you'll be fine.

Posh food, without the poshness - try places like Tribeca Grill or David Burke Townhouse....

M

ghdgirl

Thanks for the heads up, was going to book the shuttle-looks like I have been saved! I am fling into Newark and staying at the Warwick which I believe is near st Patricks cathedral. Thanks again!

M4RKM

GreenSaints wrote: »

Hey,

I know you said you wouldn't stay at an apartment - but I got an email from the owner and for 7 nights when we want to go will be $598!

I don't know where this is though - is it really a safe neighbourhood?

Is the area safe? Probably, if you're sensible. Is it CONVENIENT - No. It's an area of Brooklyn called Bed Stuy, which is a good 30 minutes away from Manhattan, if you factor in the walking to the subway, the waiting for the subway, and getting the subway.

It is a residential neighbourhood, with plenty of people who live and work in NYC. There are no tourist attractions nearby, and you are reliant on the subway to get to places. Nothing is really within walking distance. I've been to NYC numerous times, and not once have I thought that I wanted to vist this neighbourhood. I've visited areas of Brooklyn, and areas of Queens, and trawled many many streets in Manhattan, but Bed Stuy just isn't on my radar.

I've had a quick glance in my Not For Tourists (NFT) Brooklyn and will quote some of the things it says about the area.

Transportation - While the A/C, J and G trains run along it's edges, much of Bed-Stuy is left wihtout direct access to any trains, requiring you to hop on a bus or seriously hoof it in order to get to the nearest subway station, Hey, at least parking is never a hassle

Essentials - "Do-Or-Die Bed-Stuy" has become softer since the days of Do the Right Thing. Historical housing continues to attract the eyes of the real-estate savvy yupsters.... ..... Take-out joins still sport bulletproof windows, as a reminder that this isn't Fort Greene just yet.

I'm always dubious about these too good to be true things. You'll probably have to pay fully upfront, not on a credit card, giving you zero protection. It will be paypal or a bank transfer, so if when you get there it is not as advertised, or it has been closed down for not being safe, and adhering to fire codes, then you really have no come back. I would not stay in an illegal apartment rental, it is as simple as that. Hotels are designed for tourists, I get my bed made every day for me, my room is cleaned, and I don't have to pay a deposit to stay there, and hope I get it back after they've cleaned.

There are hotels from as little as $99 a night in New York City. I would seriously reassess your budget, and look to stay in Long Island City in Queens. You're 1 stop into Manhattan, there are a good number of hotels to choose from, and if you book it, you pay on checkout when you've had a good stay.

I'm not sure if I'm going to convince you, so this is the last I'm going to say on this matter, as I'm planning my next holiday, and I'm going to damn well enjoy the luxury of a hotel!

M

M4RKM

ghdgirl wrote: »

Thanks for the heads up, was going to book the shuttle-looks like I have been saved! I am fling into Newark and staying at the Warwick which I believe is near st Patricks cathedral. Thanks again!

Easy this is. Yes you will have to do a bit of lugging your suitcase up and down the stairs if you follow these instructions, or I'll give you the hints on the easy cop out too!

From Newark you want to get to the AirTrain. This will take you to Newark Liberty Airport station, and there you can get an NJ Transit train to New York Penn Station.

Careful here, you don't want to get off at Newark Penn Station, make sure you go get off at New York Penn Station.

Now you're in Manhattan. This is where you can carry on being cheap, and hop on the subway for the final leg of your journey. You get the E Train from 34th Street Penn Station (you'll walk through the station to the New York Subway, and from there, find the platform for the E train heading Uptown/Queens). You'll then get off the train at 7th Ave 53rd Street Station, and you're 2 blocks away from your hotel

OR

Now you're in Manhattan, you can leave the train station at 7th Avenue, and join the queue for the taxi's, and you'll state your destination as 54th Street and 6th Ave. This should cost you around $10 for the journey, plus a tip.

So, what do you think? easy?

M4RKM

laplandmad wrote: »

Hi, please forgive me if these questions have been asked before but I need advice for a trip to New York in early December.
We are a family of 3 (2 adults and 10 year old) and are taking our daughter to NY as a surprise for her 10th birthday. The last time I went to Ny was in 2000 and after reading this forum things seem to have changed a lot! I stayed in the Philadelphia Hotel opp Madison Sq Gardens - it was ok.
Any advice on the following would be appreciated:

Which airport to fly into - we live in the Midlands so can fly from Birmingham, Manchester, Heathrow.
What kind of price should we expext to pay for 3 flights?
Hotel - where to stay and price. I have no idea of hotel prices but would like a 3 or 4 star standard that is walkable to places or near to a tube. Budget is not a great issue.
Finally what to see apart from Statue of Liberty, Empire State, Ground Zero (I would like to go here as I did go up the one Twin Tower), Central Park and Rockerfella Centre, Broadway show.
Restaurants - suitable for a 10 year old but not just burger places etc.

Sorry if these questions have been asked before.

I wouldn't stay at the Pennsylvania Hotel nowadays, as it's scheduled for demolition when all the paperwork and plans go through as they're wanting to build another superskyscraper there. Therefore, the hotel owners are not updating it, and it will probably only get a bit grottier. Also, there ain't much in the area too. Maybe more towards Times Square, there are newer hotels, and the flashing lights etc are sure to excite your daughter. Check out the Hilton Garden Inn for one. If you want to be somewhere quieter, and you want a great hotel, then the sky is your limit. Early December will be expensive, because everyone wants to see all the lights, and NYC getting ready for Christmas, For a room with 2 beds in, you really will be looking at $250 a night, however, it is slightly too early to start looking, as some hotels have not released their rooms, and others, it will be a standard rack rate. The Hilton Garden Inn i stated is charging over $400 per night for a room with 2 beds in right now, so that's £266 per night.. or the less scary £88 per person, per night (which is just simple mathematics).

Anyway, onto the Flights. budget £400-£450 each, unless you can bag them in a sale, more if you want to fly from Birmingham or Manchester, Heathrow is always the cheapest.

Hope that points you in the right direction of your potential budget, I don't try plan too many things, so get your flights and hotel nailed, and just keep leafing through some guidebooks. Once you've got things booked, you can then start thinking about restaurants.

lady1964 wrote: »

Hi,
Husband & I starting to plan our trip to NY leaving London on 22/2, arriving around 1.30pm at Newark, staying at the Westin in Times Square, leave on BA flight back to LHR on Friday 25/2 at around 6.30pm.

A few things we've agreed on that we want to see/do are:
Top of the Rock
Statue of Liberty, but unsure whether to just get the Staten Island Ferry or go an organised trip
He'd like to visit Madison Square Gardens
We think it might be worth visiting the Ground Zero memorial and/or museum, not sure yet.
A short time at Central Park, if that's possible to spend a short time there
Take in a Broadway Show
Shopping
Dinner at Greenwich Village in a recommended restaurant.

My questions are:
Is it worth getting City Passes for us? Probably not is the answer but would like confirmation
Would the best way to get around be on the Subway?
We'll have a few suitcases, would it be easier to get a cab from Newark or are there other options with several pieces of luggage?
Are there any other suggestions of 'must do's' that previous visitors or locals can recommend that aren't on my list?

Thanks very much in anticipation.
Lady1964

Hi there.... I personally don't think it is worth the City Pass regardless. You end up chasing tourist attractions, and miss the beauty of New York, which is New York itself. What you've got on your list right now, will probably take 2 days at the most if you plan it right, and keep things geographically located, so you have plenty of time to do other things.

Is the best way to get around the subway? Without a doubt. it is simple to use, cheap (at $29 each per week), and runs 24/7.

If you have a suitcase each, you can still use public transport to keep costs down, however, if you want a taxi, what I would recommend is a prebooked car service from the likes of Carmel or Dial 7. Carmel have $4 off vouchers for pick ups from the airport, and these do work out cheaper than getting in a taxi.

As for other must do's. Well this is where it gets subjective, because for me, a trip to NYC isn't complete without a visit to the Museum of Modern Art. I'm a member, and adore this museum. However, some people just don't like museums, and you might not want to go. What are your likes and dislikes, and then we can probably point you in the right direction for things to do that you will enjoy.

beeza wrote: »

Ok, here's a question, dress code?

I can slouch around Manchester and its footballer's wives suburbs in jeans, shoes and a shirt. What is expected in NY? Are Bars and restaurants different in their fussiness?

Well, you're better dressed in Jeans, Shoes and a Shirt that I am when I'm on holiday. I do Jeans, Trainers, and T-Shirt. Shabby Chic is still fashionable and you just end up blending in with the locals.

Now, if you want to stand out like a tourist, I'd recommend wearing a bum bag, and have some kinda ill fitting baseball hat that isn't a NY Baseball / Football team. Also, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk and getting out your fold out map, you sure will attract the wrong kind of attention from the locals going about their daily business.. <-- that means i'm having a laugh and a joke!!!!

*phew*

laplandmad

M4RKM wrote: »

I wouldn't stay at the Pennsylvania Hotel nowadays, as it's scheduled for demolition when all the paperwork and plans go through as they're wanting to build another superskyscraper there. Therefore, the hotel owners are not updating it, and it will probably only get a bit grottier. Also, there ain't much in the area too. Maybe more towards Times Square, there are newer hotels, and the flashing lights etc are sure to excite your daughter. Check out the Hilton Garden Inn for one. If you want to be somewhere quieter, and you want a great hotel, then the sky is your limit. Early December will be expensive, because everyone wants to see all the lights, and NYC getting ready for Christmas, For a room with 2 beds in, you really will be looking at $250 a night, however, it is slightly too early to start looking, as some hotels have not released their rooms, and others, it will be a standard rack rate. The Hilton Garden Inn i stated is charging over $400 per night for a room with 2 beds in right now, so that's £266 per night.. or the less scary £88 per person, per night (which is just simple mathematics).

Anyway, onto the Flights. budget £400-£450 each, unless you can bag them in a sale, more if you want to fly from Birmingham or Manchester, Heathrow is always the cheapest.

Hope that points you in the right direction of your potential budget, I don't try plan too many things, so get your flights and hotel nailed, and just keep leafing through some guidebooks. Once you've got things booked, you can then start thinking about restaurants.



Hi, Thanks for that. Is it best to book flights and hotel together or get a flight first and then find a hotel?
Is there any difference price wise between Newark & JFK and which is the easiest to get to NY from?

Thanks again.

lady1964

Hi M4RKM,

Thanks very much for your help so far, it's a great start.
Husband thinks we can get public transport from Newark to our hotel, I think we'll have 3 suitcases between us plus a hand luggage bag each, I would rather not get trains/subway after a long haul flight from London and think it would be cost effective in terms of ease and comfort to get a car - not to mention my back!!
As for likes & dislikes, my big like is shopping but I'm having to compromise and do less than I would probably like. Hubby would like to see Madison Square Gardens, not sure I do, but that's my compromise!
I don't like museums, nor does he so that's not for us.
The Beast speedboat ride looks good, but maybe too cold in February?
I like people watching, so happy to sit somewhere, have a drink (tea or cocktail, time of day dependent).
As we have only 2 full days, plus from mid afternoon on our arrival day and another half day before our flight back, I'm not sure at this point if there'll be much added to our plans already, but if there is, I'll be sure to come back to you for more advice!
Thanks again,
Lady1964

lady1964

Hi again,
We're staying at the Westin Times Square so looking for ideas of where we can go for breakfast that's close by. We'd like somewhere we can get a good cooked breakfast, bacon, eggs, sausages, that type of thing, something that'll set us up for several hours while we walk and walk and walk!
I have no idea of what to expect to pay, in London, going into the smaller streets off main streets, we've paid approx £8 for a full cooked breakfast with tea/coffee, I guess that's about $12/$14 maybe?
Suggestions of places we can do this would be much appreciated.
My other question is about smoking. I'm a smoker and understand that it's a filthy habit and all that, but it's a habit and I'm looking for somewhere where I can smoke inside - probably as rare as hen's teeth - or outside, which is what I'm used to in England. Do smokers huddle in doorways in NY, do bars/restaurants have outdoor smoking areas for us anti-social beings? This is more for evenings when eating/having a drink somewhere.
What do visitors/locals do in terms of smoking on the street? Are there wall ashtrays, do people use the street for their cigarette butts?
Thanks very much in anticipation.
Lady1964

greenface

laplandmad wrote: »

Hi, Thanks for that. Is it best to book flights and hotel together or get a flight first and then find a hotel?
Is there any difference price wise between Newark & JFK and which is the easiest to get to NY from?

Thanks again.

There is no better way you have to try all ways if your booking seperate i would suggest booking flight first as prices are sometimes much different day to day and as there are only a few planes going over the pond every day. There are billions (and i mean billions ) (about 800 billion)well lots of hotels within all budgets and areas. Look through expedia/ last minute .com / Travelzoo /travel agents etc for combined bookings . Try the airlines own website for deals or fly . com or virgin / Hotel connexions opodo for rooms try all but make sure its a safe website and a solid booking.
M4rk great to see you back regular at the moment your knowldege and info is great and straight I am learning so much for my next visit still from here. after reading and contributing for nearly 4 years

bb69

lady1964 wrote: »

Hi M4RKM,

Thanks very much for your help so far, it's a great start.
Husband thinks we can get public transport from Newark to our hotel, I think we'll have 3 suitcases between us plus a hand luggage bag each, I would rather not get trains/subway after a long haul flight from London and think it would be cost effective in terms of ease and comfort to get a car - not to mention my back!!
As for likes & dislikes, my big like is shopping but I'm having to compromise and do less than I would probably like. Hubby would like to see Madison Square Gardens, not sure I do, but that's my compromise!
I don't like museums, nor does he so that's not for us.
The Beast speedboat ride looks good, but maybe too cold in February?
I like people watching, so happy to sit somewhere, have a drink (tea or cocktail, time of day dependent).
As we have only 2 full days, plus from mid afternoon on our arrival day and another half day before our flight back, I'm not sure at this point if there'll be much added to our plans already, but if there is, I'll be sure to come back to you for more advice!
Thanks again,
Lady1964

I am interested in the beast too.. It opens from May onwards which is a shame