Everything & Anything New York City

shinhead

BaggieBoy wrote: »

In New York late July and looking at booking this for us as i've always wanted to do a helicopter tour and some of the other things look good as well. http://www.citysightsny.com/tourpage.php?item=AATLHTBA

Is the helicopter tour worth it? Anybody used the "hop on hop off" buses and have any comments?

as M4RKM SAYS :Hop on Hop Off buses are slow going but if you have not been to the big apple before it is a nice way to see Manhattan and they do give you some great info but its down to taste
the sub way is very cheap and easy to use

never did the hele tour

BaggieBoy_3

Thanks for the replies. Do kids pay on the subway or is it free like the London Underground?

M4RKM

It's based on height. The info is here .... http://www.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm ...

44" or 3ft 8inches, or 112cm if you speak all modern.



Additionally, the NYC subway does not have zones like London, and also is much much cheaper for a week than London. $29 (£18ish) each for unlimited rides for 7 days is an absolute bargain, that is Bus and Subway.

In comparison, Zone 1 and 2 only is £27.60.

Savvy_Sue

Vikki_74 wrote: »

Just to chip in with my 2p's worth - I have been asked for ID when making even relatively small credit card purchases in the US (a pair of trainers from a small outlet shop and some bits and bobs from Target on our last trip in particular come to mind), so if possible it's best to keep something with you just in case.

I always keep ID on me when I'm in foreign. I think that the UK may be unusual in not requiring ID to be carried.

shedsounds

Just got back from trip across the USA and everywhere when using debit or credit card I had to show other ID whether relatively small or large purposes, didnt make any difference

novamc

shinhead wrote: »

as M4RKM SAYS :Hop on Hop Off buses are slow going but if you have not been to the big apple before it is a nice way to see Manhattan and they do give you some great info but its down to taste
the sub way is very cheap and easy to use

never did the hele tour

we used the hop on hop off buses the first time we went (i think we got a 3 day pass) and although i enjoyed the guides after the first day but i found it pretty repetative and time consuming by day 3.
you do get to see the sights you maybe wouldnt jumping on the subway.
id also take into account the weather! many of the busses are open top and theres nothing worse than sitting on an open top bus in the rain!
But ive made the decision the next time i visit nyc (Im hoping its real soon!) im being brave and using the subway instead. i was a little unsure of the subways my first time round but wish id have given them a go. i also think the cost of a weeks ticket really good value!

M4RKM

shedsounds wrote: »

Just got back from trip across the USA and everywhere when using debit or credit card I had to show other ID whether relatively small or large purposes, didnt make any difference

I must have a trustworthy face. Never needed ID for small purchases on my card. Maybe it's the places I go...

greenface

M4RKM wrote: »

I must have a trustworthy face. Never needed ID for small purchases on my card. Maybe it's the places I go...

Boozers and t1ttybars dont need ID just your card :cool:

M4RKM

greenface wrote: »

Boozers and t1ttybars dont need ID just your card :cool:

haha. you're so funny i cannot stop laughing. If i were a youth i would probably type LOL or ROFLMAO but i am too old for that.

Oh my sides hurt. stop it now, you are just too funny

</sarcasm>

Pee

Just got back and sometimes we got asked for ID with a credit card and sometimes we didn't, but it was always signing - on an electronic screen quite often, but sometimes the slip - and it didn't seem to be related to the cost of the purchase. The first time we were asked we didn't have ID and the manager overrode it - it was about $22 - but she and the assistant were shocked we did not have ID and most concerned should the police stop us or we had an accident that noone would know who we were.

We did the hop on hop off bus as it was our first trip and the frequency was great. We went for the city sights rather than gray line, but there were lots of both. A couple of times they were full and we had to wait for the next one.

The guides varied lots - some were really good and full of moneysaving tips and useful facts. Some were annoying and they did keep saying how important it was to tip for a good service which I didn't like. One bus driver - out of about 18 - was really bad and that ride was jolty, the rest were really good although the low branches could be a problem. Also you always had to go upstairs, which might not suit evryone. One guide told us the Guggenheim would be shut as it was Tuesday, but in fcat it shuts on a Thursday. Another gave us a great tip about Dave's for cheap levi's. (This was a great tip for me as they were cheap, but I'm pretty sure they were old or outdated stock - fine for me as I was buying for older men who wouldn't have wanted the latest styles, but maybe not for everyone.)
Also did well at T J Maxx and Marshall's and liked Forever 21.

You are right thought that I spent a lot more time sightseeing and a lot less time shopping than I expected.

The queue for the Empire states building was less at about 10 pm and I think later than that would be even better. It doesn't close until about 2 am with the last trip up after 1 (I think 1.15, but check this before you go.) The Rockerfeller has a better view, as you can see the Emprie State Building from there and that was a lot less crowded.

Had some great cheap food in a deli where the clientele was half tourists and half locals.