New York break at xmas for wife's 40th

phatbear

Visa waivers or esta's need to be applied for before you fly, at least 2 weeks before:

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html?_flowExecutionKey=_c256B3E57-2686-6700-912E-CD8D2DEB9EE2_k4F39C388-2AF6-04F6-608B-14C1F6F31120

they are free but if you dont have one, for both you and the Mrs, you wont be allowed into the US.

phatbear

The other consideration is the trip may be reasonable but when I took Mrs Phatbear to NY for her 40th the actual spend was pretty high, but worth it of course, had to put that as she trawls these forums

mikeopvc

phatbear wrote: »

The other consideration is the trip may be reasonable but when I took Mrs Phatbear to NY for her 40th the actual spend was pretty high, but worth it of course, had to put that as she trawls these forums

Wise move phatbear! I'm sure you mean it anyway;)

I know it won't be cheap to live out there at that time of year even if it's only for 3 or 4 days, this is why I'm giving myself plenty of time to save up the spending money.
Just need to get a good deal on the trip first.

So when did you go then? Can you reccomend a good place to stay, eat, shop etc.

phatbear

Her b'day is in sept and we stayed as the belvedere hotel, which was very nice, on each occasion we have stayed in NY we always use different hotels so it feels a bit newer each time, if that makes any sense.

Food wise its soooooooooo broad a subject and it depends on you, Mrs Phatbear loves steak so her birthday meal was at Juniors for steak and their legendary, but poop in my opinion, cheesecake, add to that getting her name in lights on broadway and a diamond ring it was an expensive trip.

At the mo the only place I would not recommend is the Raddison Martinque, which reminds me I must write a trip report for here and trip advisor, location was amazing but room was small, toiler over flowed twice and Mrs Phatbear had a mouldy pastry on our penultimate day.

Shopping again is personal, i have a thing for macys and tj maxx for bargains but it depends what you want to purchase.

I would suggest you pop on to the NY forum and start reading theres lots of info there and we are all quite friendly, but it would help if you knew what you wanted to achieve on your trip.

mamabear_2

I personally, although also stayed at the Radisson Martinique, WOULD recommend it. And although your toilet adventure sounds fascinating Phatbear you may find a toilet brush works wonders!
The location is top banana so if you want to be near the subway and Macys it is perfect, also as it is halfway down Manhattan you are kind of central which makes walking an alternative option. At the end of the day you just sleep there so as long as it is clean and within your budget, save your money for gifts for her special day.
In my stay a yellow cab was only used to and from the airport so I would suggest buying the weekly Metro card on the first day which I think was $28. well worth it and a fraction of the amount I paid on my first trip where I got cabs everywhere.
Try looking at Trip advisor and see the top hotels in New York, seeing other peoples opinions is always a good way of coming to a decision.
All I would say is 40th Birthdays are always difficult to judge so going away and having a lasting memory is so much better than a party. I will never forget my 40th and my man made me feel like the most important person in the world. I'm sure your wife will love it
On another note, Lights on Broadway, diamond rings, and plush restaurants phatbear you are such a smoothie Mrs Phatbear is such a lucky laydee!
:rotfl:

mikeopvc

mamabear wrote: »

I personally, although also stayed at the Radisson Martinique, WOULD recommend it. And although your toilet adventure sounds fascinating Phatbear you may find a toilet brush works wonders!
The location is top banana so if you want to be near the subway and Macys it is perfect, also as it is halfway down Manhattan you are kind of central which makes walking an alternative option. At the end of the day you just sleep there so as long as it is clean and within your budget, save your money for gifts for her special day.
In my stay a yellow cab was only used to and from the airport so I would suggest buying the weekly Metro card on the first day which I think was $28. well worth it and a fraction of the amount I paid on my first trip where I got cabs everywhere.
Try looking at Trip advisor and see the top hotels in New York, seeing other peoples opinions is always a good way of coming to a decision.
All I would say is 40th Birthdays are always difficult to judge so going away and having a lasting memory is so much better than a party. I will never forget my 40th and my man made me feel like the most important person in the world. I'm sure your wife will love it
On another note, Lights on Broadway, diamond rings, and plush restaurants phatbear you are such a smoothie Mrs Phatbear is such a lucky laydee!
:rotfl:

Agreed, I'm not going to even try and match that phatbear.
I mean a trip to New York is quite something but lights on broadway and a blinkin DIAMOND RING, OMG I do hope my missus doesn't get sight of this thread and start getting her hopes up:p

*pinkie*

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Bear in mind that New York is VERY cold at that time of year. Why not consider Rome?

Yes its seriously cold! Well into the minus' and it will prob snow. I ve been in January and even though it looked nice because of the snow, it was a nightmare to get around. Only sidewalks on the main streets are gritted so on the sideroads its like an ice rink. I like to rush around New York like a mad woman, seeing as much as possible in a short time, and this really slowed me down.

Having the hat, glooves, scarf thing bugged me after about 3 hours of being there. Its a pain when you are shopping and constantly taking clothing off/on as its warm in the shops.

Starrystarrynight

We went to NY on Boxing Day 2008 and I loved seeing all the decorations, the trees covered in fairy lights, the huge Xmas trees at Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center.
It was freezing cold but gloriously sunny. Our river cruise was bone chilling but fantastic :-)
Have to say, though, I've never seen so many people crammed on to the pavements along 5th Avenue!
Don't forget to take your wife bargain hunting in Century 21 :-)
Can't remember who we booked with on that occasion, but the second time we went was booked on the United Vacations website.

mamabear_2

without sounding sensible you could always wrap a new york guide book up for her bithday and put the tickets inside and book for the following week. that way she will have time to prepare and get the things us lady's like to take with us and you will probably get a better deal on the cost as it will not be in peak time. she will b more relaxed as she will have time to sort the children out and will also get time to spend christmas with everyone.
As a woman I would prefer to do it after then that way it feels like a 2nd birthday but also you havent excluded the kids on the day of her actual birthday aswell.

richardw

Have been for New Year's and the weather was wet with hailstones and very cold, absolutely awful, it's much better in spring/autumn.