New York... Any tips

Aiadi

Hi everyone. going to New York next week and would be really grateful on some money saving tips especially when it comes to the various visitors' attractions. Any guidance appreciated. Thanks to all in advance.

Robothell

There's loads of free or cheap stuff to do in NYC if you look for it. For example, go to the half price ticket booths in Manhattan for same day tickets to the Broadway and off-Broadway shows. Queues can be big so I recommend going about an hour before they go on sale. You can get into the audience of the Dave Letterman show by entering the ballot on the website (http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/) or, if you go down early on the same day you can get tickets at the theatre. Also look at http://www.fodors.com/wire/archives/001288.cfm and http://www.clubfreetime.com/new_york.asp for some pointers.

Sorry about the annoying links but my work PC blocks the little buttons on me!

Anachem

Have to say taking the staten island ferry past the statue of liberty has to be the best freebie in new york. Just go past all the queues for the circle line trip at battery park. The ferry port is not well signposted but just watch where the orange ferries are heading back, to find it. The international guest discount card at macy's is also worth getting for shopping with cheap but wonderful food found in the cellar . I've just got back from new york last week thanks to delta and moneysaving expert. You'll love it bur remember your gloves. Its freezing there. one other tip. Try for a big apple greeter. We had one for a few hours. Its free and they take you to some hidden gems that tourists never see!

Aiadi

Many thanks guys for the great tips. much appreciated.:beer:

lizzie_dripping

Also - it's far easier to walk from place to place than you might think. We didn't get any cabs when when we last went (apart airport to hotel and back) and walked everywhere.

LB1985

When I was there in December, I got a New York Pass (see here), which was about $120 or so (special offer at the time). I definitely think it was worth getting, as we got our money's worth - for example three (yes, really...) trips up the Empire State Building, so it was possible to get the great view by night and day - plus when a staff member saw us holding our passes, they let us bypass the queues! It might be worth looking at the list of attractions included on the website to see if it's worth investing in one.

Have a great trip!

rjm2k1

Just been there and can give a few tips:-

1. JFK Airport is horrible, they may be nice to you on the way in, but horrible on the way out. Don't bother turning up on time to check in for your flight back, turn up late and get escorted past all the mugs who turned up 2 hours early and queued to check in. If you get duty free on the way back, they don't let you take it with you, they deliver it to the gate just before the flight (assuming the flight isn't delayed or cancelled, in which case it's probably pot luck as to whether or not you actually get it at all)

2. The helicopter tour is good, but don't pay for the $120 version, just go for the $60 version as you'll all end up on the same helicopter anyway!

3. Don't bother going to see the USS Invincible (or whatever it's name is), which is usually docked at the west of the city, it's not there, it's away being re-furbished only they don't tell you that anywhere!

4. Definatly goto the top of the rock, I actually preferred this to the empire state, but then, you do get a view of the empire state from there.

5. Walk, new yorkers don't seem to be able to do anything without a cab, but everything is fairly near by, or get a week pass for the subway.

Tappy

Couldn't agree more about JFK it's not very nice. We had to wait for the best part of an hour to get through customs. When we finally got to the customs officer he was very off with my partner because she was of asian origins but has a UK passport. He asked her a stupid amount of questions and treated her as if she was an illegal immigrant.

The best money saving tip I can offer is to buy the Citypass (https://www.citypass.com) it's $53 and gets you:
The empire state building (including audio tour - very interesting)
The Guggenheim museum (including audio tour)
The 2 hour circle line cruise (awesome views of the city and statue of liberty)
The Museum of Modern Art
The National History museum with Space show (huge museum, lots of fun)

We wanted to do three of the attractions anyway so this saved us $10 straight off. We decided to also do the others (which we probably wouldn't off otherwise) and they were all really good. In total it saves you over $50.

lily_the_pink

I would also recommend city pass - though would go for one of the shorter cruises as I found 2 hours on a boat tedious (there is some sort of speed boat trip that runs in spring and summer which looks good).

The subway system is great (and you dont have to pay £3 deposit for the metro card unlike london's oyster).

There is a revolving bar at the top of the Marriott in Times Square - open to non hotel guests (there is a dress code but I cant remember what). You can eat there too. Great view even though not particularly high (for New York).

There is a reconstruction of the blue train in Bloomingdales - set price lunch menu and there is some sort of freebie thrown in with the City Pass. Great if you are stuck around that area at lunch time (they do a late lunch too). (Le Tren Blue is the name of the restaurant in case your french is not up to much).



There is a load of stuff on this thread from a few months back

(before blindman logs on and posts something sarcastic about using search engines )

tightasagnats

I lived in NYC as a wee thing. I think the best free thing is Central Park - it's beautiful and there's always something going on to have a look at - skaters, performance - and it's where real New Yorkers hang out. Also, walk around the East Village, fascinating place with lots of cheap eats.

IMHO forget South Street Seaport, horrible tourist trap. ANd check out this site: http://www.freenyc.net/
Have fun! It's a great city...

Aiadi

Can't wait now. Thanks again people.:cool: :cool: :cool: