Everything & Anything New York City

cooking-mama

thatsfabulous wrote: »

http://www.nyctourist.com/map1.htm
The new yorker is the pale blue ' Midtown west' section.
Also just to check did you see my reply to your post about kettle in new yorker hotel a few weeks back? Just checking as you wont need to bring one with you, more space for shopping;)

Thanks everyone,
thatsfabulous,im gonna print off the map too,thanks for the link,and yes i did see your reply so im not going to bother with the hassle of a travel kettle now,thanks again.x

genieuk

I know this probably might sound silly to some, but what do you do about charging phones, ipods using hair straighteners etc. As they are 110v aren't they I know the pins are different also but we have travel adaptors etc from living in Germany for 6/7yrs.

Thanks in advance

melli_2

genieuk wrote: »

I know this probably might sound silly to some, but what do you do about charging phones, ipods using hair straighteners etc. As they are 110v aren't they I know the pins are different also but we have travel adaptors etc from living in Germany for 6/7yrs.

Thanks in advance

I've charged my ipod and my phone via an adaptor using my uk plug and that's been fine. But I've heard tales of hair straighteners exploding when using them via an adaptor

Lady_S

I have charged my phone and ipod no problem. Used my GHD's fine, although they are the multi voltage v4's or something.

phatbear

melli wrote: »

But I've heard tales of hair straighteners exploding when using them via an adaptor

tales being the key word. According to mrs phatbear her staighteners work but they don't get as hot as they do using them in the uk.

Savvy_Sue

genieuk wrote: »

I know this probably might sound silly to some, but what do you do about charging phones, ipods using hair straighteners etc. As they are 110v aren't they I know the pins are different also but we have travel adaptors etc from living in Germany for 6/7yrs.

check that European adaptors are OK, we now have about 3 different kinds and I think we had to buy new ones for the USA.

Our older phones did not charge in the rooms, for some reason, but the newer ones were fine. But we took a car charger because we were hiring a car for when we left NY, and the older phones were fine charging in that. I did ask before we left if cigarette lighter sockets were the same in US cars, and was assured they were. No help if you're not hiring a car, I know!

kaz0705

Hello,

Thought I'd come on and post as i've just come back from new york.

As my friend and have both been before we didn't bother with the main sights as we'd already done them so here's a brief summary of some possibly useful information :-)

We stayed at the Best Western Bowery. It's right in the heart of Chinatown and easy walking distance to all of 'downtown' (we easily walked down to south st seaport and then back up to... far up, probably 23rd st or so). We loved the hotel. It's all fairly new and we had the double queen room. Mark suggested (rightly, i suppose) that we were paying more than necessary for a hotel room but we definitely wanted a 2xbed room so figured the £240 (ish) each for the comfort was worth it. The breakfast was included (we booked directly with the hotel) and was standard fare: cereal, bagels (heated with cream cheese- yum), toast, a wee bit of fruit and muffins. They also had a proper waffle maker but, well, the batter wasn't up to much- i didn't finish mine.

the staff were helpful and gave some good advice for going out (east village, pretty much as highlighted on their free maps in reception). The hotel also included free wifi. So, overall, as we couldnt get twin rooms in any of the cheaper hotels recommended on here, I would definitely recomment this place. Also, the shower was amazing- a key thing i look for :-)

We were there during the third worst snowstorm NYC has ever seen (according to the guardian) so some of our plans were abandoned. For example, I was keen to do the cable car ride by Bloomingdales over to Roosevelt Island but the sky was so heavy with cloud and snow it seemed pointless. It's now shut for 6 months so hopefully will be open next time i go (in about 5 years!!).

The UN building is sut on weekends so I would advise checking opening times for anywhere you want to visit (rather than just have a photograph of a sign saying 'closed on weekends').

The Chrylser building has a beautiful art deco lobby which is worth popping in to see. And the whispering gallery just down the road in Grand Central is impressive (it really works!!)- it's the arch where the oyster bar is.

South St Seaport was a disappointment for me; A&F was nowhere near as big as the 5th Ave store and the whole area just seemed a bit... meh. Too sterile maybe? Likewise Century 21 is just like a MASSIVE TK Maxx. Not for the faint hearted!

However, we did managed a few bars along the way and that's probably where my key recommendations are:

Marie's Crisi, Grove St - a gay bar where any willing singers get up and sing showtunes with the pianist. I loved it; my friend hated it. I guess not for those who don't feel comfortable in gay environments and/ hate showtunes!

The Gingerman on 36th- Absolutely essential if you're into beer in anyway at all. They're the American equivilant of The White Horse (Parsons Green) in London (which stocks 185 or so beers). There was a massive choice from around the world, they do tester options (think it was 4 5oz testers for $11) and the food is pretty good. They also do 'flight' options (take away) beer.... Dangerous all round but well worth it!

We also really enjoyed Burrito Loco on W 4st (?). Proper traditional mexican food, probably the best meal I had there.

I was also recommend several places for going out dancing that I never got round to (a wee problem with a lightweight American friend, The Gingerman and, erm, illness)... A bar we were in was playing general fun chart stuff (LAdy Gaga etc) and i was chatting to the barmaid about where to go dancing with similar music. She recommend Pianos (awesome apparently) and The Dark Room, both on Ludlow. As I said, we didn't make any place recommended but for mid-20s girls (and boys!) who fancy a dance, im guessing east village and LES is the way forward.

We had a lift from the airport and caught the train from Cranford (spent the first night with our friend there). They had a discount flyer there for the Rock and Roll Annex which had been highly recommended to me (but my friend wasnt so keen on RnR :-( ) so if anyone does fancy that and are coming through NJ at all, keep an eye out (it was $6 off so worth it, id imagine!).

Finally, we couldnt get a lft back to the airport so caught the train to Newark from Penn Station. Was $15 single but incredibly quick and easy. The trains came regularly, the airport is either the 2nd or 3rd stop depending on the train and then you get the airtransit to which ever terminal. EASY.

So those would be my 'must do's' along with the usual classics... The only other thing i would add is don't get carried away with an overnight flight. We got the 9.05 (?) and arrived about 9am UK time. However, the flight itself is only about 6.5 hours- once youve had a meal and watched a film (ok, i know you dont have to!) then there's really not much time for sleeping... Im still catching up! Also, there was talk on here previously about Virgin Prem. Eco...

I walked through there to get to economy and the main thing I thought, when i walked through again after the flight was that you can't put the arm rests up. I know that sounds silly but the economy section was pretty quite both out and back so i was able to put the arm rests up and spread out over several seats. If i was in Prem Econ I would be stuck with just my seat.

Again, haven't actually travelled PE myself so might change my tune if i ever do but it was just something i noticed!

Kaz

xxx

kaz0705

Oh, and sorry, for Beer lovers (and foodies) the Whole Foods store on Bowery and E.Houston is AMAZING. We only discovered it on the final day as was trying to find local beers to take home to my boyfriend. A MASSIVE selection of beers and absolutely mouthwatering food(inc a 'cantine'type area at the back).

Highly recommended:-)

niceday999

niceday999 wrote: »

We are heading to New york in less than 2 weeks - same time as M4rk...This is our first time and trying to arrange what we want to do and see. Not sure where everything is we are in New york for 5 nights and want to see as much as possible, def want to go sightseeing for some part of the day everyday.
We are staying slap bang in middle of times sq.

can someone advise me : -
Bus tour ( hop on/off maybe) as soon as we get there ( well in the first day anyway ) as suggested on here. which one ? do you pre book it online ?
Also going to get a 7 day metrocard when we get there.
Top of the rock
Staten Island Ferry
Central park
macys
Bloomingdales
Museum of Modern Art
Century 21 - opp ground zero
Grand Central Station
Brooklyn Bridge
Wall street
Ground Zero ( i know - nothing there )
Chinatown - maybe try Wo -hop ( anyone been ) ?
Little Italy
Greenwich Village ? or other area
New York Public Library -42nd street ? ( Not really into libraries )
Also daughter wants to do sex and the city tour which we can book online before we go.
Also thinking of eating at Virgils and Stardust Diner and Trattoria Trecolori around times sq
Also read about "Dont tell Mama" Cabaret in 343 west and 46th st. Def want to go there.
Also may try The View the revolving Restaurant. Does anyone know can you just go there for a cocktail as opposed to having a meal ?
What have i missed ?
So excited now.........

Mark ( i think it was him ) grouped these for me to see where all to do at the one time, for the life of me i cant find it and have read up and down all the threads...he may have pm'd me but dont have a pm either.....
can anyone maybe Mark (if he's not packing)
I know its not a lot over 5 days but my daughter has been ill so may well get tired after a few hours....
thanks agian and sorry for asking again....

Craig2108

Had a little search on what I'd like to find out but nothing too specific.
I'd like to go to New York. Is there a favourite season/time of the year that people like to visit New York?
I'd like to go to see what it has to offer. Empire state, Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, and other places..
Would it be best booking flights seperate or going with a operator?
I've been on Virgin, having trips range from £600 to £1100 in either August or next January per person.
Hope to see some helpful replies as their seems to be a lot of experienced people on here