Thinking about planning a surprise NYC trip for dh and I...

[Blondy876]

Our anniversary is coming up (well, not till May) but I am thinking about going to NYC for a couple of days. I want to see a bit of the city, go to a Broadway show, stay in a nice hotel and eat at nice places. I have never been to NYC so I could really use some advice. Do I have to get show tickets way in advance or can I get them that day? How much do they cost and where do I buy them. What are some nice places to stay? I want to be in a central location because I am planning to take the train into the city so we won't have a car. Any advice you can offer would be great, thanks!!

 

[princesspumpkin]

Great idea, NYC is a lot of fun. First, sign up at Broadwaybox.com to receive e-mails of discounted tickets. Average regular prices for Broadway shows are between $60-100. Same day, as well as one day before, discount tickets are available in Timees Square at a place called TKTS. There are popular shows (Lion King, Wicked) that almost always sell out and offer hardly any discounts. Staying in Manhattan is expensive, plus the rooms can be a bit small. Average prices for a 3* or 4* hotel will be between $300-$500 (on average). You can priceline them. Popular hotels in Manhattan (you can get a taxi from the train) are The Sofitel and The Banjamin. There is a Ritz Carlton and a Hilton, too. Good luck!

 

[princesspumpkin]

Gramercy Tavern is a nice restaurant, too.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Great idea, NYC is a lot of fun. First, sign up at Broadwaybox.com to receive e-mails of discounted tickets. Average regular prices for Broadway shows are between $60-100. Same day, as well as one day before, discount tickets are available in Timees Square at a place called TKTS. There are popular shows (Lion King, Wicked) that almost always sell out and offer hardly any discounts. Staying in Manhattan is expensive, plus the rooms can be a bit small. Average prices for a 3* or 4* hotel will be between $300-$500 (on average). You can priceline them. Popular hotels in Manhattan (you can get a taxi from the train) are The Sofitel and The Banjamin. There is a Ritz Carlton and a Hilton, too. Good luck!

Good advice!

If you are doing a show, order them before you get there and get good seats! If you're coming to NYC for an anniversary trip, you probably don't want to wait in a long line at TKTS for seats that aren't all that great anyway. Pay full price and do it right!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Gramercy Tavern is a nice restaurant, too.

This woman knows what she talking about!! Gramercy Tavern is my favorite restaurant in the city and not to be missed!!!

 

[anewvance]

Oh I'd say go for it! We went there on our honeymoon and enjoyed every bit of it. We had tickets for Rent from my inlaws but we bought tickets to Titanic the day of the show (we bought ours at a ticket kiosk in the Twin Towers though) and got a pretty good deal. I don't know alot about prices as my inlaws paid for everything on our trip except that 2nd Broadway show. But they originally paid $175 a night through a travel agent for a hotel in Time Square but something about the reservation got messed up 2 days before we went and got put in a gorgous room at the Plaza.. for only $175 a night!!! But we walked by the hotel we were supposed to stay at and for $175, it was very very nice. I also suggest an evening dinner cruise, it was really nice.

 

[bekkiz]

I highly, highly reccomend the Library Hotel. It is right around the corner from Grand Central, and if you don't want to take the subway, it's about a 10-15 minute walk to Times Square/Broadway.

I loved it beacuse it was a) really nice and romantic b) it was out of the hustle and bustle, so very relaxing c) the hotel provides breakfast, snacks throughout the day and wonderful rooms and sitting areas throughout the hotel.

It's not cheap though--it's the most I have ever paid for a hotel (Around 300/night) but we did get upgraded to a suite, so that was nice.

We have a big trip diary, with loads of pictures of the hotel. It also has all of the stuff we did--shows, restaurants, sites:
http://www.adamlyon.com/trips/ny2004/

Here's a direct link for pics, as the link from the trip diary page doesn't seem to be working!
http://www.adamlyon.com/gallery/v/Vacations/ny2004/

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

You also might want to try On The Ave. It's a hip boutique hotel in the 70's and Broadyway. It's only a block away from the subway and the Upper West Side would allow your daughter to get out of the hustle and bustle of Midtown and actually get a little sleep at night. When we have guests come to town, we usually put them up there. You'll find that they typically have rooms for around $150/night.