Everything & Anything New York City

PurplePow

After going to New York for the first time last year (September 2010) I've been eager to go back ever since! I fancied going at Christmas time so I've booked to go the week before Christmas for 4 nights. Got a good deal, £750pp for flights and the Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square hotel. I didn't really want to stay on Times Square (I found it too crowded and too 'touristy tacky' when I went last year) but the other hotels around the same price weren't as nice looking so decided to go for it. Can anyone suggest any nice places to eat around here? I didn't stick around to eat there last time, mainly looking for cheapish breakfast places such as deli's so I can grab something on a morning, and a nice pizzeria? I don't do many 'nice' meals in NY as I prefer to spend my money on the shopping and sightseeing

Also I wondered if anyone could give me some tips for New York at Christmas time! Any nice places to go especially near Christmas? I managed to get most of the main places to see last time (Statue of Liberty, Top of the Rock, Highline Park, Chelsea Market, Grimaldi's, walking across Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Central etc) so looking for some other ideas too. Thinking of doing a 'food tour' this time!

phatbear

GemmaC25 wrote: »

and a nice pizzeria?

Johns pizzeria on w 44th st and 8th Ave is pretty good, service is so so but the food is good and its not silly expensive.

I know its not quite what you asked for but dont totally dismiss food in and around TS, I highly recommend virgils and dallas bbq for steaks and all things meaty, and the prices are good too.

PurplePow

phatbear wrote: »

Johns pizzeria on w 44th st and 8th Ave is pretty good, service is so so but the food is good and its not silly expensive.

I know its not quite what you asked for but dont totally dismiss food in and around TS, I highly recommend virgils and dallas bbq for steaks and all things meaty, and the prices are good too.

Thanks I'll take those into consideration

Savvy_Sue

GemmaC25 wrote: »

After going to New York for the first time last year (September 2010) I've been eager to go back ever since! I fancied going at Christmas time so I've booked to go the week before Christmas for 4 nights.

Just remember it will be cold. Very cold.

PurplePow

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Just remember it will be cold. Very cold.

I'm prepared for the cold (I hope!). Is it a lot more colder than the North of England? I'm also expecting snow!

rubyroo

Hi all just a quick trip report that I hope helps someone as I got loads of great advice on here by reading/posting. This was our 2nd time in New York so we tried not to repeat the same things we did last time. We went 28th May til the 2nd June and stayed at the Hotel New Yorker on 8th Ave and 34th. We got a room upgrade by emailing in advance that it was my 40th birthday and on checking in by mentioning it again we got a further upgrade to a corner Empire State Building view room on the 37th floor, the view was breathtaking and they also gave us a free coffee machine for the room with sachet pods. We went to Joe's pub on Lafayette to see Michelle Shocked which is a great intimate venue where you can book tables. We also pre-booked the Big Apple greeter who met us at our hotel and took us around Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Heights. It was Memorial Day weekend which we hadn't realised when we booked so many of the shops had sales on and at Maceys we got an extra 10% off with our passports too! We had a great meal at Kum Gang San in Korea Town. We went to ShakeShack for the best burger I've ever tasted and then used the TKTS booth to go and see Avenue Q which was very funny quirky musical. We got orchestra seats for 40% off and the queue only took about 30mins. We went to Chelsea to walk the High Line Park and then to Soho and 5th Avenue for shopping! Anyone looking for Pandora beads the only shop we could find was SohoGem on West Broadway in Soho and it was much cheaper. We got 7 day subway passes and used them every day definitely worth it even though we were only there for 4 1/2 days. To and from JFK we used the Airttrain to Jamaica and then the subway in, which took about 1hr 15mins much cheaper than the other options and very straightforward. Our hotel was right next to the subway entrance and we only had to take the cases up one short flight of steps. We got the Staten Island ferry just before sunset and then came back straight to see Manhattan lighting up. Did TOPR at sunset too pre-booked it in the morning no queue and we went straight in on timed entry. On our last day we went to the boathouse in Central Park and had coffee but cancelled our lunch reservations as the menu was overpriced and disappointing for vegetarians so we went to Zabars deli instead and got a picnic and H&H opposite for bagels. We had the best holiday! :j hth

greenface

great report thanks tell us more about your time on along the high line . Never done it but its on my to-do list .How long (time & distance)how busy is it and how accessable for prams and wheelchairs etc. ? Glad you enjoyed NYC .

PurplePow

greenface wrote: »

great report thanks tell us more about your time on along the high line . Never done it but its on my to-do list .How long (time & distance)how busy is it and how accessable for prams and wheelchairs etc. ? Glad you enjoyed NYC .

We went on Highline last October. We went in the morning time and it wasn't busy at all, barely around around really! It's not too long, however I understand the second part is opening next week. I really enjoyed it, and I recommending going into Chelsea Market afterwards

rubyroo

greenface wrote: »

great report thanks tell us more about your time on along the high line . Never done it but its on my to-do list .How long (time & distance)how busy is it and how accessable for prams and wheelchairs etc. ? Glad you enjoyed NYC .

hi greenface there are lifts at some points so very accessible although you'll have to go one way and back again. there are also toilets and baby change next to the lift. it wasn't very busy but we went on a tuesday morning there were some 1st or 2nd grade school groups visiting but compared to central park, brooklyn bridge etc very quiet. it would be perfect for buggies/wheelchairs as it's all level surface once you're up. There are also interesting art installations along it. We ambled along and spent about 1hr going up and down and sitting but could be done much quicker! probably a mile in total going up and down again? hth

M4RKM

The HighLine is awesome, and easily accessible for all. As of next week phase 2 opens, which makes the highline over double the length than before, taking it from Gansevoort Street, all the way up to 30th Street.

There is currently lift access at 14th and 16th Streets, however the map on the website hasn't been updated yet as to what lift access will be in phase 2, however I'm sure this page will get updated very soon. http://www.thehighline.org/about/park-information. However, looking at the last picture of the plan around 30th street, (link - http://www.thehighline.org/blog/2011/03/01/construction-update-30th-street-cut-out) there looks to be lift access as well as stair access there. 14th to Gansevoort is only around 2 - 3 blocks so not much of a double back.


I'm definitely going to be heading across to the High Line again, absolutely adore the project, and it really is a work of art. Phase 2 looks amazing too, some photos are on gothamist.

M