Everything & Anything New York City

bobobrussel

Hi, I want to plan a trip to New York for September 19th 2013. Not only is this my wife's 40th birthday but also our 10th wedding anniversary. As neither of us have been abroad for almost 20 years, I would like to make this experience a magical one for my wife and was hoping someone could recommend a hotel which a) would give her that WOW factor when we first walk in through the doors and also b) be a pretty decent hotel. Ideally, I would like to stay central to Manhattan around the usual spots such as ESB/5th Avenue/Time Square. My budget for a 4 night/5 day trip would be around £2000 for the two of us. I know it's asking a lot but any help would be much appreciated.

greenface

my best hotel was The Westin Times Square . Rooms and bathroom very large some stunning views the higher the better. We were on 44th floor.

emmarox05

Unsure about how much money to take, I'm going for 7 days but I've got a NY Pass so don't need to put aside money for museums and stuff. No meals at hotel so need to take that into account. TIA.

M4RKM

bobobrussel wrote: »

Hi, I want to plan a trip to New York for September 19th 2013. Not only is this my wife's 40th birthday but also our 10th wedding anniversary.

As neither of us have been abroad for almost 20 years, I would like to make this experience a magical one for my wife and was hoping someone could recommend a hotel which a) would give her that WOW factor when we first walk in through the doors and also b) be a pretty decent hotel.

Ideally, I would like to stay central to Manhattan around the usual spots such as ESB/5th Avenue/Times Square. My budget for a 4 night/5 day trip would be around £2000 for the two of us. I know it's asking a lot but any help would be much appreciated.

Manhattan itself is Central, though some parts are further away from some attractions than others. Apart from the fact that it is the centre for tourists, what is your reasoning for staying near Times Square? 5th Avenue is about 12 miles long, so that's not an area that makes it easy to stay as such.

Firstly, it is a bit early to be looking for a holiday for this time next year. Flights go on sale 330 days ahead, however, hotels are more of the issue, as they're EXPENSIVE this time of year. I'm assuming that the £2000 budget is just for flight and hotels. You're on a reasonably tight budget, if we say £450 per flight, that leaves you £1100 for the hotel, which should be doable. That works out to be $370 a night, so you should be able to get something reasonable, but we don't know until they go on sale, which won't be for another 6 months.. 9 months if you want the deals.

emmarox05 wrote: »

Unsure about how much money to take, I'm going for 7 days but I've got a NY Pass so don't need to put aside money for museums and stuff. No meals at hotel so need to take that into account. TIA.

Well, NY Pass might have made you spend more than you needed, but how much money you take for a NYC holiday is entirely subjective.

Depends on how much you eat and drink, and how much you want to spend on things are, depends how much you spend. I do a fair bit of beer exploration when on vacation, and budget around $250 per day, and I eat reasonably, not expensively.

That said, I end up spending around $30 for a decent lunch with a few drinks, and $75 for a decent evening meal with a few more drinks.

If you cut out the drinks, you can eat like well, but sensibly. Budget around $10 for breakfast, $20 for lunch, and around $30/$40 for an evening meal, however, if you go to a decent restaurant and have a 3 course meal, then expect to pay up to $100. It really is entirely up to you how much you pay for eating.

Onto spending money generally, you say you've got an NY Pass, that at least covers entry into the tourist attractions, but a lot of what NYC has to offer, is free, and no NY Pass is needed. So you could have probably saved money by planning what you wanted to see and take advantage of coupons, offers, promos, free times, etc. Firstly, you'll need a MetroCard to get around and this is $29. This is the best way to get around, as it is quick, easy, and includes Subway and Buses in all of New York City.

Other than that, without knowing what you like, and what you're actually going to do, it's hard to explain how much money you take.

M

becky_rtw

Morning all!

Going to NY in 8 days for my 6th (I think) trip, but my OH's first...

Soooo we are staying with my friends as usual in UES/Harlem border and have Mets tickets, dinners, drinks, some stuff in the day planned like racing a mile!

I am just wondering if there is anything new touristy wise or anything a bit more off beat?

I have done the usual stuff quite a few times such as:
TOTR, Staten Island Ferry, 5th, HighLine, Times Sq, Accomplice etc.,

Now I am wondering about slightly more out of the way stuff, but we are pretty busy so out of (stuff I haven't done list):
Cloisters, New York Transit Museum, Coney Island, taking a day trip to the Hamptons (I have been to North Fork before), or something else I am not sure what to pick.

Any help or suggestions welcome for more out of the way stuff, I can get anywhere by public transport (dont think OH would want to drive to be honest).

We have 5 days, not that bothered if there isnt anything, as sitting in bars drinking will fill that time anyway. NY is awesome on its own without ticklisting but just thought it would be nice to look at all my options.

Cheers

M4RKM

becky_rtw wrote: »

Morning all!

Going to NY in 8 days for my 6th (I think) trip, but my OH's first...

Soooo we are staying with my friends as usual in UES/Harlem border and have Mets tickets, dinners, drinks, some stuff in the day planned like racing a mile!

Mets?! METS! I'm not talking to you now... Mets! Shocking!

becky_rtw wrote: »

I am just wondering if there is anything new touristy wise or anything a bit more off beat?

I have done the usual stuff quite a few times such as:
TOTR, Staten Island Ferry, 5th, HighLine, Times Sq, Accomplice etc.,

Now I am wondering about slightly more out of the way stuff, but we are pretty busy so out of (stuff I haven't done list):
Cloisters, New York Transit Museum, Coney Island, taking a day trip to the Hamptons (I have been to North Fork before), or something else I am not sure what to pick.

Hmm.. New York Transit Museum isn't out of the way, it's in Downtown Brooklyn, and really easy to get to. If you like the subway, and you get to see old subway cards, learn about different tokens and metrocards, then it'll easily pass an hour of your time.

Other interesting places to visit. Head to the Queens Museum and see the Panorama, head through to MoMA PS1 for some contemporary art, or you could head to the Museum of the Moving Image (also in Queens).

becky_rtw wrote: »

Any help or suggestions welcome for more out of the way stuff, I can get anywhere by public transport (dont think OH would want to drive to be honest).

We have 5 days, not that bothered if there isnt anything, as sitting in bars drinking will fill that time anyway. NY is awesome on its own without ticklisting but just thought it would be nice to look at all my options.

Cheers

Bars? You say bars?

Have a complimentary Williamsburg Pub Crawl - http://m4rkm.com/new-york/williamsburg-pub-crawl/

There is a Manhattan one on my website too, and I must get around to writing a few new ones...

becky_rtw

Thanks M4RKM :j I knew you would have some good suggestions.

My friends are Mets season ticket holders I went to a 51s (minor league) game in Las Vegas and actually really enjoyed it. Doubt the Mets can be worse!

I've never liked Brooklyn, so havent spent that much time there (its a bit rough for me), but transit museum sounds good and tying in your bar crawl sounds fun too

Right time to start thinking about outfits! Weather check...

bleepandbooster

For a few years now I have always wanted to go the OCC shop, but I have never convinced the wife that she needs to go. We have seen a couple of the bikes on display a few years ago in NYC. Namely the Ice Hockey one in the NHL shop 6th Avenue and the Lincoln car one at Columbus circle shopping complex. They used to sell T shirts in one of the tourist shops in Times Square. But a trip up to Orange County is still on my wish list.

Cofion
David

M4RKM

becky_rtw wrote: »

Thanks M4RKM :j I knew you would have some good suggestions.

My friends are Mets season ticket holders I went to a 51s (minor league) game in Las Vegas and actually really enjoyed it. Doubt the Mets can be worse!

I've never liked Brooklyn, so havent spent that much time there (its a bit rough for me), but transit museum sounds good and tying in your bar crawl sounds fun too

Right time to start thinking about outfits! Weather check...

Rough? Brooklyn isn't rough. Manhattan seems rougher in places. Anyway. You can't really tie in a trip to the Transit Museum and Williamsburg, as they're totally different areas of Brooklyn and not the easiest to get to.. You could possible do it, but it'll be easier to keep Williamsburg to a good evening out, and downtown brooklyn to another day.

becky_rtw

17lbp wrote: »

Hi
Just booked a last(ish) minute trip to New York for my upcoming 40th next month
I am looking for recommendations for somewhere nice to have a meal for my birthday; perhaps something with a nice view/setting.
Thanks

I went to this place for my 30th earlier in the year:
http://emmgroupinc.com/restaurants/abe-arthurs/

No views, but the food was amazing!

I went to this place last year for a meal during the Xmas holiday season and it was brilliant and we had a "view" table (ask for it when you book):
http://landmarc-restaurant.com/

And I went to this place on the same trip on a snow day and got to sit in the Cheese Cave without booking:
http://www.artisanalbistro.com/new_about_artisanal_index.php

Which is AMAZING if you like cheese