[THREAD CLOSED - SEE PART 2] Anything & Everything New York

jordan1978

Hi newbie here thought I share some NY tips, having just got back last week.

Booked flights on wefly.com for £290 return each way direct with France Airlines(partner with Delta Airlines) 2 mths b4 flying. Booked Super 8 Hotel on 59 West 46th Street Times Square – its between 5th and 6th Avenue. Small yes but comfy, paid around USD250 per night – considered cheap for a 3 - 4 star hotel in central Times Sq. Close to Broadway, Empire State Bldg, Macys on 34th, Rockefeller Centre, Hells Kitchen, Subways, Grand Central Station,Port Authority Terminal (Buses and Trains). Note theres internet room at the basement near the breakfast area free for guests. Not many ppl know.

From JFK to Manhattan, took the shuttle for $19 each way. We had big luggages for shopping (what else?) so decided against the metro. Took bus on return to JFK outside Grand Central Station. During our stay, we walked pretty much everywhere, soaking in Manhattan in glorious summer sun. Cabs are cheap if you want comfort (its all metered). We took the Subway going to Central Park ( it’s a damn long walk around 65th street), Soho, Greenwich, Wall St, Brooklyn and then walking the bridge.

Pay to go and see Statue of Liberty if u want. WE took the free Staten Island Ferry which of course goes past the statue, but a tiny speck.

For food, we had the classic hot dogs/kebabs on the road side and cafes. For dinner, we had proper sit down meals, plus tips of course. Choices are endless, just remember tips. With attractions, we booked tix online for Empire State and Rockefeller centre – simple. We did not get the hop on hop off bus, preferred walking.

Used combo cash for food and tickets, credit card for big purchases. If you're exchanging pounds for USD, do it in UK not in NY. In UK, rate was 1.92 at Foreign Exchange counter, in US it was 1.86 at banks, 1.76 at money exchange places. Makes a lot of difference. Check UK bank providers if they have US affiliates, to avoid minimise withdrawal ATM fees.

Shopping. Go straight to visitor centre at both Macys and Bloomingdales to get the 11% discount card with your passport. Barneys does not have it. Guys 501 levis are USD50 retail, about USD45 with discount. Tell me u can get that GBP25 on levis at Selfridges????? If you can go to Woodbury Common factory outlet – it has everything for everyone!! Discounted designer clothing for men, women, kids, sports goods, shoes, cosmetics, outdoors, luggage. Make sure u also get the discount voucher book as well – you wont be disappointed. Stock up on Ralph Lauren polo tops there if ur a fan. Prepare one day for this.Go to Port Authority terminal and book bus tix there, u cant miss the ppl standing on street corners selling them – don’t worry they’re legit.

Century 21 is another mega outlet, we went to one near Wall St. Ipods the cheapest in US compared to UK, about 50USD. Avoid Ipod stores they wont do deals, go to the resellers like Best Buy or any of the electronics stores. They’re everywhere. Haggle. We bargained with 2 ipods and some accessories, saved additional $40 in the process. Note the new ipods do not come with adaptor, as they are made to be charged by connecting the USB to the PC/Laptop. I just use my old Ipod adaptor.

With shopping, try to have a definite list of things u want to buy, otherwise u will be wasting precious time buying stuff on impulse and feeling the regret. There are sales everywhere and u can get carried away with buying too much due to strong pound even for guys. It was a military operation for both of us, hence we spent only 2 full days shopping (Woodbury Common 1 day, Macys and Dept/High St stores 1 day), and the other 4 days enjoying Manhattan for what it was. Key is preparation – tripadvisor, google, guidebooks. Worth the trip again? YES but not in summer.

LouBlue

We're all different, aren't we. :rotfl: Which is why NY has something for everyone.

Personally, the thought of spending 2 days in shops in NY - when you've gone all that way to see NY - no sireeee! And I wasn't keen on being freezing there when I went in Feb, but can thoroughly recommend end of May, late 70's, not humid at all and Central Park was heaven. :A

ssepple

Hi we are going to New York at Xmas :j (First trip to USA).

My partner and I have new Bio Passports but our Daughter 15 has older one (just before they were introduced!).
Is it best to get her a Visa or just get her a new passport (can you get a new passport before old one runs out?)

what do you experienced travellers think best?

Savvy_Sue

Given that DS3 is also 15 and I've worked through the questionnaire which says who does and does not need bio passport / visa and his passport is OK and is presumably the same vintage as your DD's ...

I think you are fine without a visa and with her current passport.

If I had time I'd link to the questionnaire but I've no idea where I found it (prob via a thread on this board though!)

It's machine readable, isn't it? That's the key thing.

ssepple

think so, will have to check - its not got the symbol on front that our ones have

thanks

Savvy_Sue

OOOH, missed the symbol on DH's new one! Will have to look! Have only seen the tiddly chip.

weeowens

Hi,we have had our dates for New York confirmed for early October.Its a competition win over 3 nights.
What I could do with is advice on hotels.The win was for two adults but we have offered to pay extra to take our six year old daughter.I think the flight will be about £350 rtn for her.We will have to stop in a 3star hotel so does anyone know of any good ones that BA/Virgin use that will not chrage too much for our daughter.We are trying to keep costs down to give us a bit more spending plus we've just shelled out fot three new passports.I really didn't know they were so much!!!!

M4RKM

check the cheap hotels in New York thread, and gather some choices, and present them to BA/Virgin..

M

bigfoot125

anyone hired a limo from airport to hotel,wonder what the costs are for this



cheers

Crabman

Hi bigfoot - regarding the limo (from a previous post):

markymoo wrote: »

nope, but limo's are expensive, at around $100, i've used them a couple of times, for a family, they're great.. but for $45 you can get a taxi, and they still hold 4 people and 4 suitcases if you get a minivan

if you want to prebook something, you could do a car service like carmel or telaviv!

Take a look at markymoo's Guide to Travelling in and Around Manhattan for other options