Everything & Anything New York City

Bean_Counter

Hi,

I was hoping that someone might be able to help with the following queries about my impending New York trip.

1. Is it worth buying tickets in advance to see attractions? I can understand it for Statue of Liberty where you have to book and Top of the Rock where there might be long queues. I would also prefer to buy in advance if we could avoid long queues, Is it worth it for Ground Zero, Museum of Natural History etc?

2. We will be there for Columbus Day. Is it worth seeing the parade or are there areas to avoid as being too busy?

3. I will be there with my 15 year old daughter. Apart from seeing a show or going to the cinema, any suggestions for something to keep us entertained for a couple of hours of an evening?

Thanks in advance.

Savvy_Sue

3. Catch the free Staten Island Ferry to go there and back after dark. Lovely night time views. There were also firework displays on SI which were very clear from Battery Park.

Saint_Chris

Hi
the only 2 things that we booked before we went was the 911 museum, we did the 9.00am slot, and I was glad that we went early, we spentn over 4 hours in there, then when we came out, we went over to the world tower trade centre and paid and went straight in, and saw the views from the top, we never pre booked this as you don't know how low the cloud will be on the day your their or if it is raining.
Same with going up the esb, we booked at our hotel an hour before we decided to go up, which was around 7.00pm
we did also book a trip round the sol, we did not want to get off nor go up the lady herself, we was more than happy to view from a distance, but we was very close up, I also didn't want to do the free staten island ferry, as my friend said it's ok, so we booked a tour, it was an hour long, and left from pier 16 I think, we was sat upstairs and our guide Patrick, was fab, we went up the river and all the time, he was talking and giving us information, then we went infront of the statue and our boat turned around, we have some fab photos, then back down the river.
I so wish I had walked the Brooklyn bridge as the sun was setting, but we got out timings wrong, we got the subway to Brooklyn, had pizza in grimaldis, and in ice cream we sat looking out at the wonderful view, but it was only 5.30pm and it was 90deg, it would have meant sitting there another 3 hours, and it was too hot, so we walked the bridge and did something else at night.
Go to the rooftop bar at the hotel affinia Shelburne, you get brilliant views of both the esb and Chrysler building.
you can spend quite a bit of time on a night in times square....although I couldn't wait to get out of that place...
go to tripadvisor and look at the questions at the right hand side of what to do in ny, and free things to do in new York.

papi34

“
Hi

Can anyone advise what it is like to visit NYC as a family of 4 (children aged 5 & 10) in the month of February. We are limited as to when we can visit due to holiday restrictions with our work and the alternative is August when the cost is more than double.

We can handle the weather being cold but I would be interested to know if the weather is really bad whether attractions shut . We would probably wish to avoid being hotel bound.

Thanks

Caz3121

marias1981 wrote: »

i booked through expedia and on my confirmation under the hotel it states 'The price you selected DOES NOT include any applicable service fees, charges for optional incidentals (such as minibar snacks or telephone calls) or regulatory surcharges. The lodging facility will assess these fees, charges and surcharges upon check-out.'

Does that mean im gonna be stung by charges when i check out? I didnt budget for this and i read all the small print before i paid. Confused!

if you don't eat the snacks out the minibar there will be no charges for that, don't use the phone and you won't get charges for phone calls....

SW17

papi34 wrote: »

“
Hi

Can anyone advise what it is like to visit NYC as a family of 4 (children aged 5 & 10) in the month of February. We are limited as to when we can visit due to holiday restrictions with our work and the alternative is August when the cost is more than double.

We can handle the weather being cold but I would be interested to know if the weather is really bad whether attractions shut . We would probably wish to avoid being hotel bound.

Thanks

If you are not actually there during a snowstorm (or just as bad, flying in/out during one), it will be pretty cold and windy, but should be ok. This question came up a few months ago, see my previous reply below, you can also look at the posts near it (approx #7613-7618 of this thread)

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=68102095&postcount=7618

Obviously less risk of snow in August, but NYC has different things to appeal at different times of year.

rorylando45

Hi all,

I am going to NYC from 28 Nov - 5 Dec with my partner. It falls just after my birthday and as a birthday present my parents have kindly offered to pay for us to do "something special" whilst we're in New York. Does anyone have any ideas? We've already got tickets for an NBA game, and a Broadway show.

Thanks for any suggestions!

burnoutbabe

I am also off there at that time.

I've booked Statue of Liberty Crown tickets, only available from 1st Dec onwards.

bluenoseam

rorylando45 wrote: »

Hi all,

I am going to NYC from 28 Nov - 5 Dec with my partner. It falls just after my birthday and as a birthday present my parents have kindly offered to pay for us to do "something special" whilst we're in New York. Does anyone have any ideas? We've already got tickets for an NBA game, and a Broadway show.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Perhaps a helicopter flight or a meal at one of New York's finest eateries?

m4ndygriffiths

Hi All,

Following our transatlantic cruise on 20th September 2015 we will be arriving in NY around 9a.m. on 27th September, staying at the Grand Hyatt Hotel until 1st October with a flight back to the UK at 11p.m..

With this in mind and the fact that I am travelling with my Partner (53 yrs) and his Mum (sprigtly 82 yr old) how best would you suggest we spend our visit in NY in order to maximise our time there?

I have visited previously in 2010 however they have not, I am happy to go to the usual tourist things and see them again.

What will be the best mode of getting around? Last time I used the blue hop on hop off bus.

I would like however to do the horse and carriage around Central Park.

My Partner's Mum oves the theatre so a show will definitely be on the cards, is TKTS the best place to obtain tickets at bargain prices?

What are your views on the helicopter trips?

Assistance in organising the trip would be most appreciated.