Everything & Anything New York City

Jazzking

Hi folks,

Looking to surprise my good lady wife for her 30th for a few days in NYC in December, probably 18-22nd or 20-24th but not sure if the current flights/packages I'm finding are the best? I know December's peak time and I was sorely tempted to book something in the Oct half term but I'd really like it to be special for her birthday so should prob splash out a bit (within reason!)

Kayak's showing return flight from Manchester (my preferred) into JFK direct for £429 pp with KLM (code share with Delta) which looks better than most I've seen, but would then have to book hotels for the 4/5 nights we're there.

Lots if the packages I've seen only are running until end Oct, are there likely to be better Xmas deals later in the year?
Expedia is showing a few deals for about about £700 each inc hotels, like this in Jersey which although is a way out from Manhatten has good reviews and we wouldn't mind hopping on a train or ferry into town now and again

As you can probably tell I'm only just looking into this and will try and find time to read through the many previous comments on this thread but if anyone can offer any advice, or of the prices I'm looking at are unrealistic I'd be very grateful!

:oThanks!:o

Mic2904

In 24 hours I will sit in the plane flying over to NY... Cant wait! :j

Every Minute feels like a few hours

5 days NY and after NY we fly down to Florida :j

Dave_Z

cooking-mama wrote: »

Can anyone tell me if i would be able to use my Halifax debit card(visa electron) in the ATM's in New york?
Also is the exchange rate realy 1.44 at best?..only 4 weeks to go,gonna get a prefilled travel card(but want to take my bank card in case of emergency--volcano etc )Dunno wether or not i should buy my travel card now,or hold off to see if the exchange rate improves

I normally book some currency from Thomas Cook to collect at the airport. They give decent rates and you don't have to pay until collection (so no nasty debit/credit card fees). Book for a currency card (travel passport i think it's called) on their website now and if the rate goes up, then just do another booking. When you get to the airport, give them the reference number for whichever booking has the best rate.

kah22

Hi guys I'm heading of to NY at the end of the month. First time and really looking forward to it.

While doing my research I came across a resource, whose address I've long since forgotten - yes I know I should have book marked it Anyway it was a resource that let you see the plane you were travelling on, where the windows were, the more leg room, doors etc were and how if you were booking in online you could use this as a guide to select the most appropriate seat for yourself or your party.

I'm travelling by continental airlines and I'm not to sure if the resource just applied to them or to other airlines

The info is a bit scattered but anybody come across this before if so point me in the right direction.

I'm looking forward to a show on Broadway :j

Kevin

dmg24

kah22 wrote: »

Hi guys I'm heading of to NY at the end of the month. First time and really looking forward to it.

While doing my research I came across a resource, whose address I've long since forgotten - yes I know I should have book marked it Anyway it was a resource that let you see the plane you were travelling on, where the windows were, the more leg room, doors etc were and how if you were booking in online you could use this as a guide to select the most appropriate seat for yourself or your party.

I'm travelling by continental airlines and I'm not to sure if the resource just applied to them or to other airlines

The info is a bit scattered but anybody come across this before if so point me in the right direction.

I'm looking forward to a show on Broadway :j

Kevin

www.seatguru.com is an excellent resource. If you have a more specific question, there is a forum on Continental on https://www.flyertalk.com.

northwest1965

kah22 wrote: »

While doing my research I came across a resource, whose address I've long since forgotten - yes I know I should have book marked it Anyway it was a resource that let you see the plane you were travelling on, where the windows were, the more leg room, doors etc were and how if you were booking in online you could use this as a guide to select the most appropriate seat for yourself or your party.

I'm travelling by continental airlines and I'm not to sure if the resource just applied to them or to other airlines

I'm looking forward to a show on Broadway :j

Kevin

Was it this?
http://www.seatguru.com/

What show have you got booked?

ess0two

Just back from 8 nights,weather extremely hot,good flights each way with Air France.
Did TOTR/central park walking+cycling+zoo/coney island funfair+aquarium/walked Brooklynn bridge/USS intrepid museum/Nat history museum/shopping/Madam tussauds/liberty,ellis island/ground zero+wall st areas/Chinatown(got a cracking Omega seamaster,plus misses got handbags etc,bit dodgy at night,lol)/little Italy+plus loads more,will come flooding back when i sort the pics.
Stayed just off TS at Novotel TS,good location although hectic at times.
Ate in loads of places,though fav was Hard rock cafe,reasonable prices also.
Prices reasonable except for beers etc,ranging between $3 (cheapest i found) upto $9 TGI Fridays,average was $6 in most places,pricey all the same.
Deffo go again just not in the summer season,quite awe inspiring at first,though i'll be first to admit personally 8 nights too long.
Travelled everywhere on 7 day Metro,easy once you get the hang of the lines/uptown+downtown directions.
Also bought New york pass months previously,deffo value for money for us.

Forgot big thumbs up to Cosmic diner for brekkie and meals,vey good value and quality.

reallynicegal

currently in bed fighting off my jetlag, had fantastic trip and found "murphy's mule" and bus tours best way to get about. hotel was great, and only complaint would be excessively noisy air con in my room. will add more when i awake hopefully .

northwest1965

We're getting married in NYC in October at City Hall (well 141 worth street Marriage Bureau). I need a romantic restaurant for lunch recommendation please

Bananasplit

Got back last Wednesday after 3 days in NYC. Had a great time and surprisingly came home under budget!
Stayed out in Long Island City, but only a few stops from Central Park.

All the info on here was great, so thanks for all your help!
We got there last Saturday evening and had a ridiculous wait for luggage at La Guardia (flew up from Dallas after 10 days in San Antonio) which meant we finally got to our hotel 2 hours after we landed. Just went straight to sleep.
Sunday we went on the Staten Island Ferry and had a wonderful time seeing the SOL. After that we walked up through Battery Park and up Broadway. Crossed at Liberty park (?) to the WTC tribute centre, via the demonstration about the proposed mosque, that was interesting to say the least.
Tribute centre was incredible (if that's the right word), it was $10 I think for an unguided visit. Went to the memorial preview centre afterwards and saw what it will be like when completed next year. It will be amazing I think.
After that we walked over to the Brooklyn Bridge and then got the subway up to Grand Central. Quick look round before walking over to the Rockefeller Centre. Was going to go up but it started to rain a bit so whilst it was light we wandered up 5th Ave to FAO Schwarz. Just got inside before it started to absolutely belt it down :rotfl:. Lasted for an hour or so and then we went back to The Rock.
View was incredible. Loved it.
Went back to TS and had tea at the Hard Rock. Headed back to the hotel at about 9.30, 12 hours after leaving!

Monday started with a walk around Central Park. Well most of it anyway. The place is beautiful.
Then went down to Union Square for a specific shop . Ate lunch in the park there (lunch was from the whole foods store there. yum.), then we walked across to 5th and walked all the way up to past the Rock. So from 15th ish to about 50th. Past the Flatiron and the ESB. Lovely walk, if very tiring. Bought some souvenirs and ice cream along the way.
Tea was at the Planet Hollywood at TS, which was ace! After that was bed time. Again it was about 9.30 after leaving hotel at 10ish! Ouch!

Tuesday we checked out but left bags at about 10am and then headed for a few hours at the Natural history Musuem. (We're not huge history people but wanted to do this). That was really it before we had to go get our bags and head to JFK for a lovely (not) night flight back to Manchester.
We flew with AA, who were really good to us. Outbound our flight from Chicago to San Antonio was cancelled due to some weather. They put us on a flight to DFW and then because we'd flown from Manchester they paid for our hotel over night. They then connected us from DFW to SAT in the morning. So we arrived 12 hours late. I have no compaints about either out or inbound and would fly with them again.

In summary NYC was ace and am already planning my next trip. Solo I think!