Everything & Anything New York City

M4RKM

frames1_uk wrote: »

thinking about buying an Explorer Pass from smartdestinations.com. Does anyone who's been think it's worth it? We're going for 5 nights in August and want to do all the usual tourist things. Thanks

Nope. The only pass that I recommend is the Go Select Pass. This one is where you choose the attractions that you want to see, and you get a substantial discount.

All the other ones, include attractions that are nothing to do with New York, and are overpriced, and there to make it look like you're getting huge mad savings.

Doing some research, I've normally always beaten the other passes on price, by using online discounts, or the pay what you wish scheme.

M

curlygirl1971

TwinkleTwinkle wrote: »

Hi
I am off to NYC, 2 weeks today! For 2 weeks
Just wondering if visiting Washington whilst we are there is doable in a day and if so, is there a cheaper train service than Amtrak to get there? had a look at the buses which are soooo cheap but take quite and few hours.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

We did Manhattan to WDC last year. When I booked the train tickets, I did so via a link on the offical Washington DC tourism website - there was an offer on at the time for % saving on fares, so you could check that for a current promotion link?. I also noticed that train fares were cheaper if you booked a couple of months in advance - they went up nearer the time.

There are escorted day tours from Manhattan to WDC but seriously - I don't think they are really worth consideration. They are marketed as full day tours but realistically you would spend most of the time travelling and only about 4 hours actually in DC.

I've been twice to WDC - one over night stay and a 3 night trip. It's a really interesting place and very diff to NY - I would wholly recommend going for more than a few hours. Sounds odd but I really enjoyed the Memorials. Georgetown is really nice for a wander round.

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is currently under refurb. That's one of the famous points if you're doing a whistle stop tour.

Another option is to go to Philadelphia for the day - it's about an hour away and also cheaper. See Independance Hall, Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House. A highlight of our day there was surprisingly the Eastern State Penitentiary. We got the hop on hop off bus round Philly - it wasn't as good as the Manhattan service - less frequent but handy for getting around.

If getting the Train out of Manhattan to either WDC or Philly then you'll be going from Penn Station - it's huge and can be very confusing. Make sure you get there in plenty of time to orientate yourselves.

Have a great trip whatever you do.

TwinkleTwinkle_2

Thank you so much for the advice :beer: We are getting very excited now! I will check out the DC website

bb69

Hello

Off to NYC again in 9 days - woo hoo 17-22. I booked flights yesterday and now need to find a hotel.

I had emailed the Gansevoort Park Avenue for prices and they stated as a returning customer they would give me a discount which turned out to be exactly the same as whats being advertised on their website which was a shame. Then I asked for a further discount and the total is still the same as whats on the website. It just looked less when the broke it down per night. A real shame as it was lovely there.

Ideally would love the Gramercy/Murray Hill area as have stayed there before. And a dream would be to stay at the Setai for a decentish rate

Would love a place with a kitchenette mainly for the copius amounts of water we will be drinking no doubt! Budget $500 or less per night including taxes per room (2 rooms - with 1 and 2 people - Ideally a suite for them) a balcony would be nice too.

Anyone used price line before where you blind bid for hotels? Or anyone know any secret deals (or not so secret on an open forum ha ha). I have emailed a couple of hotels to ask for best prices.

Thanks for any suggestions

emmarox05

Hi, has anyone ever done the 'Food On Foot' tours? Any recommendations or things I need to know? How much money do you spend while on the tour? Cheers

greenface

No but off to google later . sound right up my street

frames1_uk

are there any specific places to look for print off vouchers/coupons for anything at all in New York City. I do love my coupons.
I also wonder if the foursquare AMEX app works there, I've certainly made use of it in the last few weeks here in the UK.

M4RKM

frames1_uk wrote: »

are there any specific places to look for print off vouchers/coupons for anything at all in New York City. I do love my coupons.
I also wonder if the foursquare AMEX app works there, I've certainly made use of it in the last few weeks here in the UK.

FourSquare is built in NYC. Amex have been doing special offers for the past few years in the USA, whether the offers work on a UK billed card, I wouldn't know.

Reminds me I must register my Amex with 4sq so I can get some freebies.

M

watpoae

I'm flying back from La Guardia (via Pittsburgh) and I'm just planning the public transport back from Manhattan.

Google maps says that the best way is to get the Q train to Astoria then the M60 bus to the airport.

Is this the best way? Also, am I able to use my metrocard on the bus or will I have to pay extra?

Secondly, I'm going to be visitng MetLife stadium at Meadowlands, NJ for an NFL pre-season game. Both the NJ transit website and google maps say the best way is to get the subway to 42nd st port authority terminal then a bus to the stadium.

Is this bus ok to get after the game or will it be too busy? Is there a way of getting a train back to manhattan / hoboken instead?

Thanks all.

greenface

Where are you staying watpoae ?