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

Lear

I am planning on going to New York for my 30th with my husband in July. We've got three children so I will have to start booking soon so I can arrange childcare.

Where am I best to book - a high street travel agent or online? I'd be very grateful for any suggestions or recommendations.

M4RKM

July can be unbearable with weather, it can get into the high 100s farenheit, and is really really really humid..

Might not be the best time to travel, though you can get some bargains.
up to you where you book, search around for deals, have a read at my "booking an NYC Holiday" the link is on page 1 of this thread

Lear

Thanks for your reply markymoo - it looks like a lot of hard work and effort was put into that link!

Really not sure what to do - ideally I'd love to spend my birthday (July) in New York but if the weather is that unbearable then perhaps it's not such a good idea. It will be my first visit so I'll be doing lots of sightseeing - doing it in high 100s farenheit seems like it might make it pretty uncomfortable!

M4RKM

i go for my birthday, luckily (or unluckily) mine is in march, so its either snow, and freezing cold, or just a nice spring like weather..

i think everything in NYC is air conditioned, apart from the subway platforms... the trains are, the cabs are, shops, restaurants, bars, and hotel rooms are...

so with that thought, you should be alright... but, if you hate the heat, you might find it a bit annoying, plenty of places selling water, so you'll buy them and drink lots..

i did september, and for a couple of days there, it was hot and humid, but i took it steady, wandered into the parks and squares, and sat down, watched the world go by, and enjoyed new york city, while supping my bottle of poland spring...


i found this on the BBC website

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/city_guides/results.shtml?tt=TT001090

might help in making your decision

costingbunny_2

ickledee wrote: »

Im just back from NYC and booked the budget hotel 'Milford Plaza' for 5 nights - it was so cheap, right at Times Sq and clean - was perfect for us.

Hi
Also stayed in Milford Plaza a couple of years ago, great location but dirty - we had to change rooms cos of an ant infestation! YUK. If I went back I would try to scrape a bit more money together I think as, although location is important, you can easily get anywhere on the subway

toozie_2

I've booked and paid for a trip through Tesco Deals in March!!

Now I'm going to pester people for everytime I can think of!

Apart from walking-which we enjoy, whats the cheapest way to get around, is there a daily bus/subway ticket?

If we wanted to go to the theatre, is there something like the TKS booth in Leicester Square, for 1/2 price tickets?

Is Woodbury Common the cheapest place for good clothes? Got two teenage girls in tow, who will want to shop 'till they drop.

Whats the cheapest of getting to Woodbury?

How much stuff can 4 of us can bring back through customs?

I'll go away and see what else I can think of!!!

Thankx in advance

M4RKM

i'll see if i can answer most of your questions

Apart from walking-which we enjoy, whats the cheapest way to get around, is there a daily bus/subway ticket?


$7a day, or $25 for a week... per person, i know the weekly one works on both the subway or the bus... read my getting around guide for more info on that...

you can also get a multi ride ticket, where you just load it with money, and you can all use one ticket, just keep swiping, buy so many rides get some free... dunno whats gonna work out cheaper...

If we wanted to go to the theatre, is there something like the TKS booth in Leicester Square, for 1/2 price tickets?

there are 2.... Times Square, which is busy and hectic, or South Street Seaport, which is quieter.. same prices at both places

Is Woodbury Common the cheapest place for good clothes? Got two teenage girls in tow, who will want to shop 'till they drop. Whats the cheapest of getting to Woodbury?

Supposedly cheap, never being, ask someone who is a girl
it does cost $39 on the bus to get there, return, EACH, thats a lot of money to get there and back IMO... depends how much you want to spend..

How much stuff can 4 of us can bring back through customs?


£144 in clothes, goods and gifts,

standard non EU allowances, so 200 cigarettes for over 18's, 1l of spirits, (again over 18's) and about 200ml of perfume.. so you really can't buy that much.... !!!

jinkssick

With the interest rate cut in America, should I be looking to getting my dollars NOW as I am going in April?

M4RKM

jinkssick wrote: »

With the interest rate cut in America, should I be looking to getting my dollars NOW as I am going in April?

Don't know, no one knows, maybe watch the exchange rates, see what they do... i'm going in March and i haven't got all my dollars yet...

SDP

Is Woodbury Common the cheapest place for good clothes? Got two teenage girls in tow, who will want to shop 'till they drop. Whats the cheapest of getting to Woodbury?

I went to woodbury common last friday, i suppose it does depend on what type of clothes you buy if it's designer then you probably would get some stuff, i was very disappointed and came away with 1 quicksilver t-shirt for my son and a Roxy skirt for myself, they were the only things i considered a bargain 14 dollars for both, but for the 39 dollar fare i wouldn't go back and consider it a waste of a very preciouse day, centuary 21 on the other hand was brill, it like our tk maxx you need to get in there for a bit of a rumage but bargains gallore, Zara on 5th had some good prices and bought some nice things in The Loft. had a fantastic 5 days and will definatly go again planning on taking the kids next time, fantastic city, I don't enjoy London but couldn't fault New York.