itinary in new york

Steve_xx

chipfire wrote:

D o you know if this discount is common in the States, which prsumably is related to sales tax, or is it just Macy's?

Just Macy's as far as I know. It's not really a sales tax relief as the sales tax is, I think 5%, in New York. Other states have differing amount of tax and some may have no tax on sales. Here's the latest:

New York City Sales Tax-Free week begins Monday, January 30th and runs through Sunday, February 5th. Periodically throughout the year, the governor designates various one week blocks to be sales tax-free for purchases of clothing and footwear (and items used to make and repair these items). Shoppers won’t have to pay city or state sales tax on any clothing and footwear items as long as the price is under $110. Jewelry and watches, handbags, umbrellas, pet items, and sports equipment are not exempt from tax during this period. Eligible items purchased on line or by phone are also sales tax exempt.

homealone_2

Steve_xx wrote:

The Trump Tower is a better alternative to going up the Empire State Tower ads there arre seldom any queues there. The Empire State can be a nightmare.

do you know the cost of going up the trump tower? also the bus company am thinking of booking the five hour sightsee tour with offer tickets to other sites such a empire state building for $18 approx and say it elimates all queues? dont know if this good deal as i dont know how much is it to go up anyway!

homealone_2

recyclingbox wrote:

Oh yeah,
don't bother paying the extra for going right to the top of the empire state. There isn't a great deal of differnce in 20 floors when you are already hundred odd up!! The queues will be long so get their early, you could spend hours up there if you wish, nobody hurries you along!!

do you mean that i can go half way up free?

martindow

I suggest going up the Rockefeller Centre
http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/ODTStatic/site.htm
rather than the Empire State. Less queueing and you can see the ESB and Central Park. Best to go at dusk so you see the city light up.

For travelling about you can get fun passes that give you a day's unlimited travel on subway and buses for only 7 dollars a day
http://www.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm#unlimited
You can buy them at any subway station where you can also pick up subway and bus maps.

recyclingbox

homealone wrote:

do you mean that i can go half way up free?

no you have to pay extra for the last 20 floors or so. and as i say when your on the 88th floor (the main viewing platform - the bit where the building starts to narrow) another 20 floors doesn't make a lot of difference!

JoeyG

I think you'll find the tower to go up is the Rockefelle Center

Its not right next to the Empire State, its a good 8 or so blocks away, but less queues, and as i understand it, just 1 floor lower than the Empire State... saying that, Trump tower is definitely worth a look, not an awful lot to see there though.

If you are at all into gadgets, I would recommend F.A.O Schwartz... its a toy shop, but its very cool, and you can pick up some great gifts there

alison74

homealone wrote:

i am going with hubby to new york next month for 4 nights three days and would love to know from all of you that have visited new york before, with this duration of a visit what would your itinary be? ps better mention will be in wheelchair for most of time there (may manage short walk)

Further to everyone's advice, I would wrap up WARMLY. I just came back from New York a few days ago and it was FREEZING. There was a high of minus 2 one day and I wanted to cry as at night and with the windchill it was even colder :eek:


I read with interest about the sales tax relief on clothes only being on for a week as when I was there in November and again a few days ago, no where was charging sales tax on clothes which was great . My New York friend said it was to encourage people to buy in New York rather than across the water in New Jersey where the tax is lower.

The cheap tkts booth at Times Square is under construction and has moved to 48th and Broadway. The Flat Iron building STILL has scaffolding on it as of a few days ago, but may be clear when you go - check on the thr www.tripadvisor.com New York forums before you go, so you don't waste a journey downtown and can't see it.

Also............ I post a lot about New York and there used to be a place at the visitors centre where you could get your picture taken and then it appeared on an advertising board on one of the big screens. HSBC stopped doing it, but I saw this time that Toys r Us will put you face on their big screen outside for a few dollars (so you can say you've appeared in Times Square !!) and the Hersheys factory does a scrolling message one aswell. It's fun to see yourself up on a huge screen.

I have also PM'd you a few other things re accessibility in NYC

alison74

Further to my other post

IMHO, Top of The Rock is better than the Empire State building if you only had time to do one of them. From there you get to look downtown to see the Empire State and up town over Central Park.

BUT, the ESB is the ESB and is iconic to New York and it might be weird going home and saying that you didn't do it. You are going in 'off season' New York which is still busy, but more than bearable for tourists. It's the cold at the top of either of them which is going to be a nightmare (great ramp access at both)


Milford Plaza is VERY central and stones throw from Times Square. I stayed there years ago, very busy hotel as it's used by flight crew but does the job.

As for Woodbury Common - the topic of should you / shouldn't you has been discussed to death on this forum (do a search) and I wouldn't bother if you only have a few days in New York - the prices in town are much better than they used to be. I first went to Woodbury Commons in 1994 when outlet shopping was exciting, but now (last visit 2001) it's nothing much different from what you find at home. With the dollar being so weak at the moment, the deals you get in town will be just as good without the hassle of getting there.

Steve_xx

homealone wrote:

do you know the cost of going up the trump tower? also the bus company am thinking of booking the five hour sightsee tour with offer tickets to other sites such a empire state building for $18 approx and say it elimates all queues? dont know if this good deal as i dont know how much is it to go up anyway!

Sorry, I meant to say The Rockefeller Centre, not the Trump Tower.

homealone_2

martindow wrote:

I suggest going up the Rockefeller Centre
http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/ODTStatic/site.htm
rather than the Empire State. Less queueing and you can see the ESB and Central Park. Best to go at dusk so you see the city light up.

For travelling about you can get fun passes that give you a day's unlimited travel on subway and buses for only 7 dollars a day
http://www.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm#unlimited
You can buy them at any subway station where you can also pick up subway and bus maps.

do you remember how much it costs to go up rockefeller centre? not sure fun pass will work for me as will be in wheelchair alot of the time. can use crutches on good days if i dont go too mad, was thinking of going on tour of ny with partybus shuttle service for $60 each?