New York or London for my 21st?

iammarmite

Me and my Mum have started discussing my 21st birthday. For several years I have wanted to go to New York- original plan was to go for my 18th and that never happened and I was a little upset.

Mum has just been and said I will be put off by the walking- I am quite overweight and I do have Cerebal Palsay (mild) which doesn't help things and that taxis are overpriced, and get the subway is pointless as you miss everything (which I guess can't be too wrong)

This is what we will do:

New York:
-Premimum economy flights, mid price/quality hotel- something like a Premier Inn probably.
-Sightseeing- empire state, TV tour, Sex and the City tour, Statten island ferry, Ground Zero etc
-Shopping.

It isn't am impulse thing that I have decided- its been several years of wanting to go. Work out some of the things I will buy for my birthday and could myself a couple of hundred buying them over there...but I am attracted by the sightseeing too

London:
-Posh hotel- talking the Ritz, Savoy etc for 2/3 nights
-Harry potter tour on the way home
-Shopping
-Nice meal at the OXO tower/Gordon Ramsey restaurant.

We go to London 3/4 times a year- so it won't feel "special" and like a treat for my birthday.

She is said she is happy either way but i'm not too sure what to do

Opinions?

Reviews of New York please? Especially the sites I have mentioned above.

richardw

New York, seems you really want to go there.

C_Mababejive

You MUST go to NYC. If walking is an issue,arrange some sort of transport i.e maybe one of those motorised scooters or similar? NYC is head and shoulders above london.

Sambucus_Nigra

NYC every time.

If you plan your days so that you are seeing things in the same general area, then you can just walk at your pace, in your own time.

And get a bus ticket - you can hop on and off as and when you want. Work out which buses go up/down or left/right and plan your day round them. Probably the best bus stops in the world to hang around just waiting with a camera in your hand. Just brilliant.

We haven't been for about 3 years, since the start of the recession and are planning to go back next year - we said we would wait until the recovery before going back as so many shops had closed down [including our favourite restaurant], and it was a bit sad to see it being run down, but hopefully things will have changed again and new businesses sprung up in their place.

You've made me all excited again, gonna get the OH to set up flight checkers to start scouring for cheap flights. See you there!

piglet74

got to be new york!

rorylando45

Personally I really like the NYC subway, you see some real characters down there. Don't let it put you off, it's fun and cultural and safe if you use common sense1

Doshwaster

Wow, that's a generous birthday present. I think for my 21st, I had a trip to the local pub.

If you want to make it a special event then it really does have to be NYC. You can go to London any time.

malkie76

I'm off to NYC in a few weeks for a long weekend. Already been on holiday this year (Australia), but felt like a late year treat. (redemptions in first class with BA)

Premimum economy flights, mid price/quality hotel- something like a Premier Inn probably.

Have you got any avios or virgin miles ? If you buy PE flights with BA or VS you can upgrade to business for a modest amount of points (iirc it'll be 20k avois pp return upgrades). NYC is one of the easiest routes to find upgrade seat availability as there are so many flights on this route.

It will certainly make your trip more memorable.

Also, if its a special holiday you might want to consider paying for a better hotel - but thats a personal thing.

Lastly, consider buying a flight+hotel with BA or VS as you can save money on buying separately, and often get great hotels at a discount. Can't comment on VS, but BA recently changed their system to allow you to upgrade flights if booked with a hotel.

claire16c

Go for NYC!

And use the subway! Your mum is right there's a lot of walking but thats what the subway is for! I dont know what she means you dont see anything - thats why you come out of the station....? No different to using the tube in London.

Definitely do the SATC tour its really good!

cinderfella

Well London of course. The more times the better. Never tire of the history or the entertainment.
NYC - a waste of time & money, unless of course you really want to go there - then that is different !:j

Faith177

I went to NYC for my 21st & I loved it (& have been back since)

The subway isn't that bad tbf and you don't miss a lot really. The buses are cheap and easy to use.

Staten Island Ferry is very cool and just by the termiunus on the Staten side is a beautiful 9/11 memorial.

The Statue of Liberty is great if you get there earlier enough you can get a ticket to go up inside.

You can walk as much or as little as you like really.

Good tip get the City Pass from a travel agent it has most of the top attractions and you save quite a bit.

Go and have a fantastic time!