Everything & Anything New York City

M4RKM

janelski wrote: »

Ok guys, could you have quick look at itinerary- not set in stone just a rough guide sat arrive newark 1pm ish so taxi hotel affinia gardens upper east side, drop bags get subway cards, find somewhere to eat wonder around times square see the lights ?esb

sun- staten island ferry see sol, south st seaport, over brooklyn bridge

mon- world trade center, memorial musuem, stock exchange, financial district, century 21, along to china town

tues rockefeller centre totr, chrysler building, grand central station, un buildings, st patricks cathedraul

weds-little italy, soho,greenwich,chelsea, - evening tickets for wicked

thurs- central park need to be back at airport for 445
shopping along the way, have plotted on map musuems if have spare time, any major glitches or anything left out that should include, any advice greatly received

jane

Hmm.. where to start. No there are no major glitches, but I am going to shuffle things around, and suggest new things too. Some days are spot on, other days seem a bit underplanned, and you can get more out of your holiday.

Your first day is ok, but I'd swap things around. Head to Empire State Building first, and then when it is getting darker walk through Times Square, as the photos look better at night. However, both empire state, and totr are always weather dependent. No point doing stuff if it's raining and cloud, so some spur of the moment shuffling might be in order.

Sunday I think that you've got about 3 hours filled, and a lot of the day empty. bear in mind as you'll be probably early to bed on Saturday, you might be up early today (I normally am!). So, as Staten Island Ferry takes an hour, South Street Seaport, there isn't much around there however it is kinda scenic, so won't take long to wander around the area call that another hour, you've got a lot of the day left, so here's some ideas.

IMO, Walking TO Brooklyn is the wrong way around on the bridge. Get the Subway through to Brooklyn, and walk BACK into Manhattan. From there, you're at City Hall Park. Take a left and head down to Wall Street, you can easily do the Charging Bull. it'll be much quieter around the Financial District too at a weekend, but you can get a good feel for it. From there, you can walk through to Century 21, and see the progress they're making at building the freedom tower - it is just a building site right now, but it's getting exciting that this year the memorial garden will be opening.

So, now you've done all your Monday plans on Sunday, you have a free day. What to do on Monday? Well, you could easily do TOTR, and then get a museum fix at MoMA, this is a dual ticket giving you a bit of discount too! From there wander to see St Patricks Cathedral, and a bit of shopping on 5th Avenue, there is Saks, and plenty of other shopping opportunities in the area.

Tuesday can be shuffled slightly, and add some more in too, Grand Central, Chrysler and the UN are on your list, but I wouldn't do them in that order. There is a great food hall in Grand Central Terminal, so if you start at the UN, and walk back through, get an early lunch at Grand Central. Then maybe hop over to Brooklyn to do part of Prospect Park and walk from Grand Army Plaza down into Park Slope, that's quite scenic, and also you will see some lovely brownstones, and get away from the mayhem of Manhattan. In Park Slope, and maybe stop for a beer at High Dive, or The Gate, and then up to Coco Roco for amazing Peruvian Chicken - http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/coco-roco/ - You can easily get back into Manhattan from there too for. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

Wednesday - I'd start with Chelsea, maybe go to Chelsea Market, and head up onto the High Line, and walk that down to Gansevoort Street. From there you can walk down to the village, and mooch around looking at the shops, and getting a bit lost. You could do Bleeker Street, and get some pizza for lunch at Johns of Bleeker Street - a true NYC classic, then Head to NYU area, and Washington Square Park, before heading south, and wandering through SoHo, and into Chinatown. Blink, and you'll miss Little Italy, it isn't really there any longer, and only a few restaurants are left, soley catering to the tourist trade.

Thursday Central Park is beautiful, and what i did was to start at East 90th Street, and then walked through the park zigzagging around, over to Strawberry Fields, saw the Dakota building, and finished at the Apple Store on 5th Avenue. That took about 3 hours. From there you're back on 5th Avenue, so can easily wander around some of the shops. Get some lunch nearby, or maybe try the BBQ in Times Square at Virgils. It's highly recommended and probably the best restaurant in Times Square. If you need to be back at the airport for 4:45, you probably have to leave at 3:30, so your holiday to NYC is now over.

I know this is a long post, really just giving you a few extra ideas to get a bit more out of your holiday. Hope it's helped.


M

M4RKM

Vikki_74 wrote: »

Thanks for that. Good to hear they're not too bad as Aer Lingus do look like they might be a good option for us.

Had previously been looking at AA but the direct flights from Manchester are on a 757 which has an 3 - 3 seat configuration...I could get over having no seat back TV etc as it's more a convenient way to pass a bit of time than an essential to be honest, but the single aisle planes and having to sit in the middle of my 6'2" husband and a stranger does not make for a pleasant flight IMO! The only other option with AA is changing at Heathrow which means we should be able to get on one of the 777's they fly to to JFK, much nicer, but I hate Heathrow, especially since we'd have to get across from T5 to wherever AA fly out from...T3?

I don't really care who we fly with, but the likes of Delta & Continental are not coming up with any decent prices for September as far as I can see, and as for the non-US carriers i.e BA or Virgin, forget it. We want to fly back from Chicago rather than a straightforward Manchester - NYC return which I think is probably restricting our choices somewhat.

With the Aer Lingus flight though, I'm a bit confused over the immigration issue so hoping you can clarify. I had assumed you were talking about clearing immigration at Dublin on the return trip, but have just seen someone on another post here saying you clear US immigration there...that makes no sense as you're not in the US, but perhaps I'm missing something?! Any ideas?

One thing to bear in mind with Aer Lingus, is that they are trying to be a Low Cost Carrier now, rather than a Full Service Carrier, so a lot of things are extras, and cost money. I personally wouldn't fly with them.

Now, onto the 3/3 config planes. I don't mind them, and having to sit next to a stranger? god forbid they actually talk to you?! It's not that bad. I'd much prefer flying from Manchester direct, than change ANYWHERE as things can't go that wrong. Your luggage won't be missing due to it not making your connection, you won't miss a connection because of a delay, and so on and so forth. larger planes are more likely to take off and land in bad weather, than smaller planes which are used for the short hops.

Now, if you're doing a multi city trip, make sure you're actually searching for that. The other option, is to plan flying in and out of JFK/EWR, and then booking as a separate ticket from NYC to Chicago. Low Cost airlines like JetBlue do have fare promos and this might work out cheaper. Just ensure you get an early morning flight out of Chicago back to NYC though so you're not rushing too much!

Now, US Immigration is based in Shannon and Dublin. You do the fingerprints, and photo there, they'll swipe your passport, and you're basically in the USA. The area of the terminal though is dull, boring, and nothing in it once you've passed through. I know you're not actually in the US, but it does save a bit of time. However, your total flight time from leaving Manchester to getting to NYC is still over 10 hours, because you're having to change, again, i'd still look at a direct flight. However, nobody flys a widebody jet from MAN - NYC. You have to change. Options are US Airways into Philadelphia, or KLM via Amsterdam. Direct options are Continental, Delta, and American Airlines. No other airline flies direct, and if you see the likes of KLM, BA, or United, they are just codeshares of the aforementioned.

M

willstewart

Agree with the Brooklyn Bridge comment. Better getting the subway to Brooklyn and then walking back towards Manhattan. Better views that way and you can come off the bridge and head over to the WTC site and Century 21 from there. As said, the WTC is a building site and you'll see pretty much nothing of it unless you're high up. Always the fire dept museum etc there though.
Another popular pizza place on the Brooklyn side of the bridge but can't remember the name. Not sure how it compares to Johns - took me a while to find this place as can never tell W from E!

I did the Staten Island ferry just before my flight. Had to check out at 12pm so left my luggage at the hotel, popped over to Times Square for some touristy tack and lunch before getting the subway to the ferry. Wasted an hour and a half going to SI, popping outside the terminal to take photos and then travelling back. Best to try and get on one of the larger ferries such as the JFK as these have more decks and plenty of room outside to take photos.

Murray's bagel shop on 6th and 14th is pretty good. Large bagels with plenty of fillings + drinks etc. Popular place. Went there most days for breakfast even though it was nowhere near my hotel!

Always Coney Island if you want to waste a morning (looks dodgy enough during the day so wouldn't want to risk it at night). Out of season at present so is a complete dive (although does it look any different in season?). Nice beach and bit of a boardwalk. Takes about 45 mins from Times Square with a good 25-30 stops.

Some things don't really change a lot. i.e went to NYC for the first time in 1999 and went into Toys R' Us. Animatronic T-Rex dinosaur there and it's still exactly the same 11-12 years later! The big wheel has been there for at least 4 years as well. Then again, been up the WTC which I'll never have the chance to do again; been inside the head of the Statue Of Liberty which is now closed off etc.

M4RKM

I like the idea of Coney Island in season, but the only reason to go out of season would be to get a hot dog from nathans. Other alternative things to do would be to go see the Panorama at the Queens Museum of Art, which is a nice trip out as well up to the World Fair site. Remember binoculars though for the panorama!

Lucy1973

Another popular pizza place on the Brooklyn side of the bridge but can't remember the name. Not sure how it compares to Johns - took me a while to find this place as can never tell W from E!


Grimaldi's.

phatbear

M4RKM wrote: »

Get some lunch nearby, or maybe try the BBQ in Times Square at Virgils. It's highly recommended and probably the best restaurant in Times Square.

Virgils is the mutts doodahs only downside is the portion size of the starters they are HUUUUUGE but I always have to have a portion of train wreck fries, I always feel like im in NYC when i've been to virgils and had bacon and pancakes at stage door deli by the wtc site, on the bbq front in times sq area I can also highly recommend dallas bbq, however at the weekend it's usually packed and quite noisy.

Mr M when are you in NY as you know im off to san fran from 14th to 19th of March but I may be stopping off in NY on the 19th for a few days as the UFC is in NJ, i remember we are gonna miss each other in san fran but didnt know if you'd be in NYC from the 19th onwards?

M4RKM

phatbear wrote: »

Mr M when are you in NY as you know im off to san fran from 14th to 19th of March but I may be stopping off in NY on the 19th for a few days as the UFC is in NJ, i remember we are gonna miss each other in san fran but didnt know if you'd be in NYC from the 19th onwards?

I'm in San Fran from the 2nd to the 6th, and NYC 6th to the 10th. I'm back in the UK before you even leave. Weather is looking nice in SF though right now!

janelski

Thank you for all geat ideas and comments, have noted them and sure will help us get most out of trip, 5 nights def not be long enough!
jane

costingbunny_2

Lucy1973 wrote: »

Another popular pizza place on the Brooklyn side of the bridge but can't remember the name. Not sure how it compares to Johns - took me a while to find this place as can never tell W from E!


Grimaldi's.

Grimaldi's - just another good reason to venture to Brooklyn!!!Pizza as big as your head!!!!!!

M4RKM

Now, I see stories all the time when airlines change schedules, and how people always say they're stressing out. Well, here is just what has happened to me.

I'm surfing around today, and decide to just check my flights, I've had an inkling for sometime that something isn't right when the flight is no longer showing on delta.com and when I tweeted them they said the flight was full, so, I log in, and realise that Delta have cancelled my direct flight to JFK, and routed me on the 2nd March via Atlanta of all places, and getting into JFK at 12.25am.

OK, not good, my flight for SFO leaves at 7.15pm so I'd miss that. Anyways. I get on twitter (I do like to twitter, my username is the same as my handle here), and get straight onto @DeltaAssist who do help people in instances like this, and have a direct message conversation with them about my flight changes.

The logical flight to take, would be one landing in JFK at around the same time, and that means leaving my local airport Manchester, at 6.05am, going to Amsterdam first. My 26 hours worth of travelling wasn't that appealing in the first place, but increasing the travelling by 4 hours making it a total of 30 is even less so.

So, I propose, that I fly out on the 1st March on the 6.05am flight, getting into JFK at 1.05pm. I then depart JFK on the 2nd March at 7.15pm on JetBlue flight to San Francisco.

BONUS NIGHT IN NYC!!!! Yes, I know it'll cost me more, and I need a hotel, but c'mon, who seriously wants to travel for 30 hours. This way I actually get 24 hours in NYC, which helps a bit, as I'll get to a bonus museum. I could stay in Long Island City, and the hotel room would only cost $79. Not decided on that one yet

M