New York organised mini break?

[Hilary]

I'm looking for a short break trip to New York that's escorted. i.e. we fly out and are taken around the 'sights' etc. in an escorted group. I thought this would be a safe and easy way to make sure we get to see all the main areas, and I think I could cope with being herded around if it's only for a couple of days

Any suggestions?

 

[shellbell]

Sorry no suggestions but i hope you have a great time. We would love to do New york.

 

[Frances999]

No suggestions I am afraid - but is it really necessary to go with an escorted group? Obviously it's completely your decision and if that is what you are interested in then just ignore this. Personally, I would want the freedom to explore my own chosen sites at my own chosen pace. New York is very accessible and it is easy to get around. It's also very safe - certainly no less safe than London in my opinion. I wouldn't want to pay extra to be part of a typical tour group offering limited freedom for our own interests/exploring.

Regardless of what you choose, I hope you have a wonderful trip. New York is a magnificent city.

 

[KayleeUK]

Hilary Did you read Mike Jones' New York trippies? They were great

 

[Hilary]

is it really necessary to go with an escorted group?

I may re-think the whole thing and go independently - at the moment I can't find any tours anyway, so my hand may be forced! It was just a thought as it seemed an easy option, however, the fact that there may not be too many (if any) organised trips does seem to indicate that there's no market for them because of the ease of doing it yourself! Youngest DD went with college earlier in the year, so I was thinking I might follow her itinerary.

I must admit the idea of an escorted trip did conjure up a picture of herd of beige pensioners ...

Kaylee, I confess, I don't remember Mike's trippies, so I will head off to read them now!

 

[Nubbedy]

Hilary,
I agree that you don't really need an organised tour. If you get the 48 hour Gray Line hop on hop off bus pass you will be driven to all the main sights and then can get off and back on as you please, plus you will pick up on all the atmosphere as you go around. With a bit of research and careful planning (and that's what DISers do best!) you can plan your own itinerary, with room to be more flexible. The Gray Line route is available on their website and helps with planning.
I have to second Kaylee's comments about Mike Jones' trip reports - they are excellent - the guy has a future as a travel writer.
Have a great time - whatever you decide. New York is my favourite ever trip (but I haven't been to WDW yet!) - I'm really jealous of you.
Sara.

 

[Nubbedy]

Just wanted to add that even though we no doubt stood out as tourists I felt completely safe in New York, so I wouldn't worry too much about that. Just be as sensible as you would anywhere else.
Sara.

 

[Lisash]

We've been twice now and always feel perfectly safe. I would also recommend the Gray line bus tours the guides on the bus are very informative and take you around all the main tourist sites. We were there over Easter this year and used them. I still have the booklets with the routes etc in them and if you want to pm me your address I'll be happy to post you one so you can get an idea of how they work.

 

[Hilary]

Thanks for all your encouragement!

I'm a long way off booking anything at the moment, but I know all too well what 'just browsing' can lead to

Lisah, thank you - I may take you up on that offer if I book anything soon

 

[tashasmum]

We did New York last october and are going again this summer for a couple of days. In my opinion i would not like to be herded around. We managed to see everything we wanted to in those few days, it is a great place.The people were so friendly and we did not feel threatened at all. Enjoy.

 

[UKDEB]

Manhattan is very compact and the grid system makes getting around very easy. I would recommend staying somewhere in midtown - that way most places will be within walking distance or a short taxi ride.

 

[Deedee]

Hilary i am so jealous i deperately want to go to NY but can't get DH to go, he keeps wanting to go back to that place in Orlando!!!! Our friends went last year and they booked a lot of trips with a company called seligo hope this helps.

 

[Strommie]

Oooh, NY is one of my favourite places It is very easy to navigate around, and like others have said, the Gray Line bus tours are great for getting around and seeing lots of the sights Me and my mum last went at Christmas 2004 and we did all the bus loops and really enjoyed it

 

[Chilly]

I went a couple of years ago at the end of Feb through www.lastminute.com, it was really cheap and the weather was great. We walked everywhere apart from getting the subway down to get the ferry to Liberty & Ellis Island.

 

[Hilary]

Thanks for all the suggestions - I feel much happier about doing an independent tour with all the great advice.

I think I must have got so used to the 'comfort-zone' of an Orlando trip that I wasn't confident about doing something different (only momentary though )

 

[florida sun]

Hilary, trip to New York sounds wonderful, I would love to go someday

 

[Minniespal]

Happy Planning ~ I'm sure you will have a fab time.

 

[Chicago Girl]

Hi Hilary,

Another option would be to request a Big Apple Greeter. This service is free and it only last from two to four hours. Here’s more info, Big Apple Greeter

 

[juliebro]

Came across this thread by accident and and it's been really helpful. We have booked to go to New York for 6 days in October to celebrate DS's 18th birthday. None of us have been there before, but we are soooo looking forward to it!

Julie

 

[WDWfan uk]

Hi Hilary - just adding my "voice" to the go independently group!

I do not know how organised tours work, but seeing New York at a group pace or from the inside of a coach would spoil it!

On one day we had a car come to take us around before the wedding we attended, and I found it so frustrating - I could not see the buildings properly nor could he stop where we wanted him to stop.

I don't know if you can find my posts about our trip on the search ( ages ago now!) - but I would stay in Manhattan itself where you can get to some places walking and we took an open top bus - you could get on and off as you pleased at various places and there was a guide giving a running commentary on the sights as you passed them.

We walked miles and visited lots of places and never felt that we were under threat or unsafe in Manhattan.