New York, New York

[dannyrose]

Perhaps not the right place for this but I just had to share this with someone........

.......oh my god Im going to New York. Always wanted to do the 'Apple' and as this year see's my 40th year on this planet, I just had to take the plunge. We (wife and two daughters) are going on boxing day (yes I know its a long way away!!) for four nights, so back on New Years eve (boo hoo).

Anyone got any experiences they want to share, recommendations on eating out, places that I just MUST do apart from the obvious ones.

Thanks for letting me get that one off my chest...now where is that calendar......

Mark

 

[UKDEB]

You won't be disappointed, Mark - it's just like it is on the tv. We fly out on 29 December for my brother's 40th birthday celebrations. He wants to be in NY on New Year's Eve and we're then going on to Orlando.

The big surprise bonus for me was Grand Central Station. We nearly didn't bother as we were only there for 3 days and there's so much to pack in, but it's an amazing place and definitely worth a visit.

 

[signtalker]

You will love new york i was lucky enough to be working out there in feb 2001, do the empire state building at night, and obviously the statue of liberty(however this was soooo much smaller than i imagined it to be!!).
Planet hollywood is excellent in times square for eating, excellent service and the portions are HUGE!!!.
On madison avenue there is a great place , that does the best breakfast bagels(cant remember the name!).

To chill out try central park, on one of the horse drawn carriages, and if youre a john lennon fan, visit strawberry fields memorial site.

Jules
(dont forget to ride in a yellow cab,thats an experience in itself!)

 

[Claire L]

Mark,
Where are you staying?
We were there in Feb and Grand Central Station is something else. It has a lovely food court area and an even better fish restaurant called 'The Oyster Bar'.
The Empire State is a must do, both daytime and night. Also try to fit in a helicopter trip as you get a really good view of everything in Manhatten.
The Statue of Liberty is closed - due to security reasons - to walk up but you can still visit the island and also Ellis Island where the Immgration Museum is, this is very interesting and gives good views of Lower Manhatten.
Central Park is so beautiful in the snow and you seem like you are not in the city. There is the ice rink there which looks like fun especially on a Sunday morning when all the kids re there and they play musicto skate to - I didn't risk skating as we went there on our last morning and didn't want to be injured for the flight home!
A visit to Ground Zero is a must just to pay respects and to grasp what it is really like, you don't imagine how large the devastated area is until you see it.
If you are into musicals then there is plenty to see on Broadway, we saw Mamma Mia! and it was excellent although more expensive than in London its nice to say you have seen a Broadway show.
One word of warning take warm clothes preferaby ski type jackets as New York can get very cold, it was -9 in Feb with wind chill of about -12 (Celsius)!!!
Hope this helps you decide on a few things to do and oh I nearly forgot you must visit Macys as it is just so huge.
Have fun planning.
Claire
PS. Sorry if my post got a bit long but there is so much to talk about as I love NY.

 

[WDWfan uk]

... I'll pop this onto the UK Community Board

....... We went for the first time last October and Astrid went in December so I shall try to find our earlier threads for you

 

[Muppet]

We are going to NY for the first time also this year.

We arrive on NYE and stay for 4 nights. So excited...........

 

[kazzie]

Danny,

What a great way to treat yourself for your 40th,you'll have fantastic time: I would buy a good guide book you'll get loads of info from there.

We are going in October,Me and DH have been before but we're taking the teens this time.Is that right about not being able to walk up the Statue of Liberty? That is the one thing they both really wanted to do,how disappointing Can you still get off and walk around it?

Thanks

 

[Claire L]

Karen,
Regarding the Statue of Liberty in February it was closed for walking up due to security risks and personally I don't see that will change in the near future although you can still go ono the island and walk around the base. In my opinion as you are there for at least an hour to an hour and a half in colder times of the year this would be too much. Ellis Island on the other hand is well worth a visit as the museum is very interesting and at least in the winter you can stay nice and warm. My advice is to get to the boat early as it does get busy, especially with the security check prior to getting on ie its basically the same as the airport -walk through metal detectors and xray machine for bags etc to go through.
Claire

 

[UKDEB]

The Statue of Liberty was closed when we went in March 2000. We did go over on the boat, but we queued for ages and it was freezing cold. If you choose to go to Ellis Island, you will get quite close to the Statue of Liberty on the boat.

 

[Mousecrazy1]

Hi, Remember me? Mousecrazy1 Here!, Anita to all my friends.
Just needed to add to this thread, we are going to NY in Oct 03 for the first time and i will be there for my 40th b'day also!!any information will be most welcome, What weather can i expect in Oct? have i missed passed threads? Thanks

 

[dannyrose]

WOW guys, thanks for all your responses and ideas. Claire we are staying at the Novotel near Times Square and as for the Ice Scating, my girls are definately up for that one. Anita, what is it about NY and 40th birthdays, have a great year.

We definately want to do Empire State and a night visit sounds a great idea. Not sure about the Helicopter tho!! wot scared me......

Also a must is Ground Zero and Grand Central. Also thinking about Carnegies Deli, it was featured in one of my all time favourite films (here's a clue - look at my id). Its my youngests 11th birthday whilst we are there too, so she's up for a shopping trip I think. Perhaps 4 days just isnt long enough!!

Thanks again guys

Mark

 

[Claire L]

Mark,
Being near Times Square means you are ideally situated for getting around. As for restaurants there is such a choice around there that you won't be stuck for a meal or two
As you say four days is not enough as we were there four days and we said we could have done with two or three more!! At least though you get a real taste of NY and its a good reason to go back!!
Just a quick note the yellow cabs are a great way to get about not too expensive and you get from A to B without going by C.
Claire

 

[WDWfan uk]

....... well I've found a couple for you to look at - I was also searching for Astrid's trip report but the Search was disabled mid-search!



Exhibit One!



Here's a thread about hotels

 

[UKDEB]

The Carnegie Deli is a real slice of NY (or at least it seemed it to me, New Yorkers probably wouldn't agree!). The sandwiches are huge, as is the obligatory bucket of dill pickles. Be prepared to queue and don't be drawn by the huge signs outside the deli on the opposite side of the street which ask why you are standing in line when you could be eating there!

 

[Astrid]

How fantastic Mark - You'll have a fantastic time, I went in December last year and can't wait to go back.

As Deb says Grand Central Station is a must see, quite the most amazing place. The Empire State Building at night - go on a weekday and the queues are far shorter - is awesome even though I suffer badly from a fear of heights!

Just walk around and take in the sights and sounds, we didn't try the skating but, as Claire says, the rink in Central Park looked lovely - preferred that one to the one at the Rockefeller Center.

Go to Macy's and Bloomingdales and don't miss out Bergdorf Goodman for some real old world shopping charm.

I managed to find my trip report from December if you're interested: Astrid's New York Trip Report - Thanks Shirley for trying to find it!

Have a brilliant trip!

Astrid

 

[kazzie]

Whereabouts is Carngie's Deli please?

Anita when are you going in October?

 

[UKDEB]

Carnegie Deli is on Seventh Avenue at West 55th Street (about 12 blocks up from Times Square).

 

[dannyrose]

Thanks again guys. Astrid thats a great trip report, short enough for me to read (lol) but full of useful information. I saw the Ice Rink on TV the other day and I too was suprised that it looked so small!! Hopefully we will get into Central Park for the Ice Scating.
All those shops worry me, the though of my wife with all those credit cards..makes me shudder just thinking about it


We are flying into Newark, are taxi's the best way in?

Oh and by the way....only 260 days to go.....

Thanks again

Mark

 

[Mousecrazy1]

Thanks for the thead and trip report. i'm wishing the months away so its that much closer!
Karen- we fly out on 23 Oct( my b'day is on the 24th)I really want to say that on my 40th b'day i went up the empire state building, so if you see someone wearing a 40 badge and a great big smile it must be me!! Regards Anita

 

[Mousecrazy1]

Thanks for the thead and trip report. i'm wishing the months away so its that much closer!
Karen- we fly out on 23 Oct( my b'day is on the 24th)I really want to say that on my 40th b'day i went up the empire state building, so if you see someone wearing a 40 badge and a great big smile it must be me!! Regards Anita