New York, New York!!

[Astrid]

Wasn't sure whether to put this thread on this board on here or Trip Planning - so if I've got it wrong Important Mod People please move away!

Well, exciting news is I'm definately going to book up New York for 4 nights for either December or early next year, so I want to pick your brains ....

Do you reckon I'll be better off booking flight and hotel separately? I've got some good hotel tips from the US Board. Where is the best place to look for flights to New York? What about packages, any tips on the best companies to use?

Anyone out there been to New York and have some good sight-seeing tips and ideas for good places to eat?

Ooo, this is a bit exciting, almost makes up for me not having a WDW holiday to plan!! I'm going with my friend, Wendy, so hopefully we'll have a great time - look out New York!

Thanks!

Astrid x

 

[SMAX]

I took my wife to New York for our wedding anniversary as a surprise (without the kids). I did get a mega deal on the flights at £219 return with BA and got a free upgrade to PE on the return.

We stayed in the Milford Plaza, which is just off times square in the heart of the theatre district. It was well placed to get around. You could walk to the Empire State Building and there was a Subway entrace just outside the hotel.

Maceys is just down the road too.

We stayed for 4 nights. And got to see the Empire State Building, The Statue of Liberty, the Twin Towers (Very Sad for us now), and visited Maceys and Bloomingdales a few times etc.

Grand Central Station is also spectacular, as is central park.

Have fun and get a good deal.

 

[Kevin Stringer]

New York is wonderful Astrid.

I agree with Simon, make sure you go into Grand Central Station, it's spectacular.

Take a trip on the Statten Island Ferry. You just get off and then get straight back on again for the repeat trip. It goes past the Statue of Liberty and has the most wonderful views of Manhatten. Whats more, it's free!

The bus tours are very good for seeing everything and getting to know a little of the history. They do a South and North tour. Both are very good.

If you going to go up the Empire State Building then get there very early or else you will have to wait for ages. Whatever the wait, it's well worth it.

Central Park, Wall Street, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge .... it's just all unforgetable. You'll have a great time.

Kev

 

[SpottyDog]

You lucky people!!

As one who was Yankiephobic just 3 short years ago, that's sayin something. I envy you yer trip ,BB and know it'll be a great one for you and Wendy.

Make sure yer go December though. It would be such a shame to go and not see them trees in Time Square.

Happy plannin.

Dave and Valerie

 

[Bwalker]

Sounds wonderful!

Do let us know where you are going to stay and I'll get back to you with the good "local" joints for food

Looking forward to hearing more about your trip plans .......

Aloha Stitch,
Lorraine

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Astrid - LUCKY YOU! What a fantastic trip - especially ready for all the Xmas goodies over there, looking and buying

A x

 

[lisag1]

Ooh you lucky thing!! Christmas in New York is gorgeous. Don't forget to go skating at the Rockerfeller Centre, go see a broadway show (can recommend Les Miserables) followed by a meal at the Rainbow Room.

For hotels I can recommend both the Warwick Hotel and the Omni Berkshire Hotel, but you may want to try Priceline.com and bid for one. We got a great deal using Priceline for our trip to Boston this year. Paid approx £80 per night and rack rate would've been £222/night.

Lisa

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Gutted - you've made you're decision then, my room at DISCon will be lonely without you

 

[BONZO]

I am not jealous......I am not jealous!


LOL

 

[Enright78]

Try the Drake Swissotel on Park. lovely rooms and some deals available.

Things to do

the Ballet at Lincoln center

Carriage ride in central park (cheesey but romantic)

the Russian Tea rooms

The Village

Just walking around!

Breakfast at a diner

Have a brilliant time!

 

[FiFi]

We stayed at the Waldorf Astoria and it was absolutely fantastic. Check the prices as it is not always as expensive as you think it will be. We also had dinner at the Windows on the World in one of the Twin Towers restaurant which was really special at the time, even more so now

Drop into one of the pizza places in town and get one of the biggest slices of pizza you can imagine along with a bottomless mug of coffee..... Yummy

Liberty Island was fun - especially climbing up the statue!

Saks of 5th Avenue do some lovely lingerie!

I bought some beautiful pearl earrings in Maceys too.

And don't forget to get your nice big Bloomingdales paper carrier bag for all your goodies!

To be quite honest, we just walked a heck of a lot and absorbed the atmosphere.

We loved it there - it is so different to any other city in the world. BTW, you will get neckache looking up at the skyscrapers though

 

[lisag1]

I've just thought of another thing to do!!

Window shop or actually buy at the Jewellery Quarter. Wow you should see some of the rocks there!!!

My hubby treated me to my eternity ring whilst we were in New York, first we looked in Tiffany's but I wouldn't have got as much rock for my money In the end we hoofed it to the jewellery quarter and I got a lovely 5 x 0.5 carat diamond eternity ring which is gorgeous. A bit of a bargain aswell as diamonds tend to be cheaper in the states.

I agree with Fiona, it's lovely to just walk and soak in the atmosphere especially around Christmas when all the decorations are up. Americans certainly go to town at Christmas and it always looks really festive
.
Lisa

 

[Sue's Mum]

From all the suggestions, it sounds as though your going to need more than a few days!

 

[BevS97]

not much more to add, except you can get half price theatre tickets from the TCKTS booths in times square - you have to queue up on the day of performance, but it's quite good fun, as everyone is chatty and there are street performers around.
We got tickets to see Miss Saigon and sat in a box (not the best view, but so cool to be in a box!)
we are also strollers - and we like the bus tours.
The staten island ferry is cool, as is the UN, although you need quite a lot of time if you are going to do a tour.
Best of all though - the shopping! Don't miss FAO Schwartz for the kids Christmas Pressies - it makes the one at Pointe Orlando look tiny.

Bev

 

[kazzie]

Astrid,

That will be fantastic Can't add any more on the info bit as you've been given all I know!

Would like to say I stayed in the Metro hotel,it's in the Virgin brochure.I would highly reccomend it and it's where I willl definitely stay when I get to go again

 

[richard3330]

Hi Astrid,

We are also going to NY for our wedding aniversary in October. We booked a package deal with Virgin and used FVClub cards to get discount. We are only going for 3 nights though.

I'll right a trip report when we come back,

Richard

 

[KayleeUK]

Can't help - but what a great trip you will have

kaylee

 

[UKDEB]

Astrid,

There always seem to be good deals around for flights to NY. When we went in 2000, we paid about £200 with BA to include all the airport taxes, etc. I've recently had an e-mail from Virgin offering flights for £225, so you should be able to get something fairly reasonable if you shop around.

We stayed at the Omni Berkshire, too. It's in a great location between Madison and Fifth Avenues and we got a good price through Hotel Reservations Network. Manhatten is really compact and you can walk almost everywhere if you want to, although getting cabs is easy-peasy.

I agree with the comments about Grand Central Station. We almost didn't bother, but I was absolutely enchanted with it and we spent ages there. Of course my expectations of it were nil and so it was always going to be good. Yours will be off the scale now and it will be a disappointment!

 

[Astrid]

Wow!! Thanks for all the great replies everyone!

I've made a note of all the hotels you've mentioned and now have a pile of brochures a mile high sitting in my living room! I've also noted all the 'must sees' (including Grand Central Station), Wendy and I are going to get together over the weekend and sort out dates etc and I'll keep you posted!

lisag1 - I've looked at the Priceline site but haven't used that before so it looks a bit scary at the moment - but I'll go back there - any tips?

Richard - Look forward to your trip report

Lorraine - Worry not, once my flights are booked I'll be quizzing all you over the other side of the pond for all your bright ideas!!

Dave & Val - Think it's just got to be before Christmas hasn't it, but dates are dependent on Saints fixture dates (now there's a scenario I'm sure you're familiar with!!)

Shaun - So glad you're not jealous

Everyone else - keep up those tips, it's just so exciting and I really appreciate them all!

Astrid xx