4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[BarbaraJ]

i have been mentioning for years how i'd like to go to new york and suggested it for our anniversary or when we were both 50.

Well he obviously was listening and said we should go next June for our 25th Wedding Anniversary.

its not 100% on as hubby works for GM and latest is a canadian company have taken over the Europe GM so we need to see what they intend doing but hubby seems happier.

I looked at Virgin but other than Florida with kids and Europe i haven't booked anywhere else in US and have no idea where to start really. I know people on here have mentioned going and wondered if they have any advice, where to stay/who with/how long etc?

[Lewis]

I'd be interested in this too.

We're looking to go in August for a few days and then go to Florida. I'm not sure who we will book with but have looked at Hayes & Jarvis, United and Virgin.

 

I saw somewhere that they're opening up the Statue of Liberty, the candle that she's holding, for the public to go in. But its only small numbers, 10 at a time I think I heard.

[stoice]

We flew with virgin and was actually quite comfortable (Important for a long haul flight) decent leg room and your own 'entertainment' screen. We stayed in the comfort Inn around the corner from the Empire state building so it was nice and handy. Nothing fancy but clean and you got a bagel/cereal/toast/do-nut type breakfast too.

(We then did a connecting flight to Vegas with US Air which was horrible - it was part of a two part trip for a group of us celebrating our 30th but that's another story) Basically we were on a tight budget so didn't want/need a fancy hotel - just a clean bed to sleep in after a day's sight seeing.

 

We got our ticket for Empire State building in advance in blighty - as it had no time limit as such, and also our SATC tour! but other sights were relatively fair in price. (I particularly liked the piano from the film 'BIG' in FAO Schwarz - and it's free!)

 

We went in winter and iceskated in central park. Lady Liberty was open but you could only go on her island, not to go up nto her crown. A terrorist risk? Don't know, but it was snowing so hard we couldn't see two feet in front of us anyway!

 

you wanna see my pickies?

 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2089949&id=530408693

 

Stacey xx

[BarbaraJ]

thanks for that , we won't be going anywhere else after i don't think but could look into that too, would love to see photos but got this:

This content is currently unavailable

[Ygerna]

I've flown with Virgin and have found them to be good, as are American Airlines. NY is fab. Vegas is exactly as I imagined it would be. LA was ok, but I would LOVE to go back to San Francisco. Its lovely.

 

You can do America really cheaply if you book your own hotels etc. What we did was book a flight and hotel from here for the first couple of nights and then after that we just used motels as we toured round (we went up the West Coast from San Diego to San Francisco, detouring to Vegas). Amazing.

[Olly]

New York is fab, and perfect for a long weekend - more than about 3 days though and I'd start to get tired of it, after all it's just a great big city when all's said and done, and I already live near and work in one of those!

 

I went about four years ago and booked through Expedia, can't remember who we flew with but it wasn't Virgin. We had a hotel near Times Square, chosen for convenience but it was quite good if a bit basic. Be warned, they don't have the good old 'tea-and-coffee making facilities' over there!

 

It's a great place to go, lots to see and do and a real variety - Ellis Island, Empire State Building, Central Park, Bloomingdales (although actually Lord & Taylor (? i think) was my favourite department store. I'd just get on Expedia and have a look for some options, for me it's always more important to have somewhere fairly central because you only use the hotel to change and sleep in, but some people like a bit more luxury.

[Redwing]

We have booked two holidays to New York using the Expedia site and have had a great time both times

 

The Rockefeller centre roof is a must - you get a better view than from the Empire State Building and its quieter

[Guest]

We somehow always fly BA to NYC which considering our one and only experience of Virgin is good. Accomodation wise we always go up near Columbus Circle - a spit from 5th ave, Central Park or Times Square. Remember MOST of the shops don't open before 10 am. Have breakfast in a diner and get dinner from a Deli - if you've had a busy day eating in your room is a nice way to chill and spend less!

 

To do list for my next visit is

 

A walk in Central Park (I always do this)

5 mins in FAO Swartz (lots of fantastic cuddly toys to see but not much else except the piano and not a patch on Hamleys)

Free internet in the Apple Store (next to FAO Schwartz and also open 24 hours)

Stroll down 5th Avenue - window shopping

Stop at Starbucks frequently

Top of the Rock - never done this but have done Empire state twice

Century 21 - "New Yorks best kept secret" great discount store opposite Ground Zero - also opens at 7am when everything else is shut!

Canal Street - because I NEED another fake handbag - and it's an interesting experience

Grenwich Village - because that's on the list EVERY visit and NEVER happens

Maybe the helicoptor trip but that's pricey - James would love it though

A theatre trip if we can get something good at the TKTS booth that James will like (only show I've ever seen on Broadway was Phantom!)

 

We are going to get a Big Apple Greeterthis time and ask to see some child friendly stuf. We don't bother with Liberty - everyone says it's not a great trip just go on the Staten Island Ferry. We don't need to take the ferry as we sail right past on QM2 - as we leave NYC!

 

The main thing to do is soak it all up and ENJOY every corner you turn you will see something familiar. It's a wonderful city - I'm totally in love with the place, hence my repeated summer visits!

[BERTIE MCSQUIRTY]

i went to new york for my 40th birthday in february.

we flew via delta airlines and stayed in the lowes regency hotel near central park and it was great.

 

just to add to what has already been said

 

we bought a 3 day tour on a sight seeing bus, where you hop on hop off at various locations, it was well worth the money.

 

we also bought show tickets to watch chicago on the day of the show from tkts office near to the port, they were half price.

[theherd123]

New York, New York - so good they named it twice!

 

Love the place!

 

OH & I stayed at Le Parker Meridien

http://www.parkermeridien.com/index1.php

 

Brilliant hotel in a great location.

 

Things to do.

 

Get the A train over to Brooklyn and then walk back over Brooklyn Bridge and watch the Manhatten Skyline rise up before your eyes.

 

Central Park - wonderful early in the morning as you see real New Yorkers doing their thing and we always saw loads of BBoys practising before hitting the subways later in the day

 

Grand Central Station - been in so many movies you just have to go.

 

Food - you can eat almost anywhere you like, any cuisine 24 hours a day!

 

You will need good walking shoes as you will walk miles!!! Forget the killer heels unless you are off out for a meal at a restaurant near to your hotel.

[Sam Palmer]

We spent a month in America last summer - 3 and a half week road trip Denver to San Francisco via the National Parks, then flew to New York and finished off with 3 days there.

We planned the itinerary and booked the whole trip ourselves on the internet.

Flew Continental Airlines to Newark, NJ- roomy, food included, plenty of drinks, good inflight entertainment.

Stayed at the Holiday Inn, Midtown, 57th Street. Breakfast not included in NY hotels, but diners everywhere. Well placed to walk in all directions, Central Park and Museums, Harbour, Times Squre, Empire State Building, though it is a lot of walking, so take comfy shoes!

New York is just brilliant, we all loved it. We bought 2 day New York Passes www.newyorkpass.com - you pay the one price, we bought them online here, then picked them up from the Planet Hollywood shop in Times Square- and they cover entry to a load of places for 2 days once activated.

The Guggenheim Museum is a beautiful building and it makes you feel dizzy as you walk back down from the top, round and round the spiral pathway!

The Empire State Building was a big let down. It was being totally restored internally last summer, so you couldn't see any of the Art Deco for scaffolding in the entrance and there are endless queues that join other queues, in gloomy areas where they are putting in aircon. Eldest son said it was the biggest waste of 3 hours of his life. When we finally got to the top, it was packed like sardines and hard to see anything.

Top of the Rock, however, is fantastic. It has timed tickets, has recently opened, is clean and spacious and has a few observation decks - and, you can see the Empire State Building from there.

Radio City Music Hall, near the Rockerfeller Center, is the most beautifully restored Art Deco building and interiors and has very knowledgable guides.

Circle Line River Cruises are good too. We did an evening one-Manhattan with the sun going down and all the lights coming on and another one on a speedboat out to the Statue of Liberty and under the Brooklyn Bridge. Both very different, both enjoyable.

All these can be done on the New York Pass. It was hectic trying to fit all those things into the time we had on the Pass, but it made us use our time well and even see a few things we might not have considered.

Hope this helps. It was nice to remember it all again!

[stoice]

thanks for that , we won't be going anywhere else after i don't think but could look into that too, would love to see photos but got this:

This content is currently unavailable

Oh sorry, don't know what happened there. Is this any better? (*Crosses fingers*)

[craftyhunnypie]

Oooo that last photo makes me want to cry - it brings back memories of very very sad times. I loved New York - but hated the company I was with (shudder).

I plan to go back there one day with my hubby. He has never been - perhaps I will really appreciate it with someone who truly loves me.

I remember very clearly going up the twin towers. The Empire State building was great, but the very top bit was closed due to bad winds.

Statue of Liberty isn't that impressive when you see it in the flesh.

I loved the malls & Central Park was lovely - a park in the middle of the hustle bustle.

Everyone talks about the Bronx, but it's actually Brooklyn these days where you have to watch your back! Some dodgy alleyways about.

Everyone seems so happy - from top business men to toilet cleaners. The food is very very big & fattening.

I only ever had odd days in New York City, as I lived in New Jersey for a while - that was very nice, very green & some lovely national parks. Watch out for bears on the highway - I saw a car stop , wind their windows down & feed some young black bears! ..Nutters!

We got skunks (poooo) , porcupines & racoons in our garden.

I then took the greyhound bus to Montreal , Canada - where I lived for 3 months. It called in at Niagara. You must visit Niagara!

I also liked Maine - on the journey to Canada - lots of sort of lakes with small islands, houses on the lakes with jettys & mini hovercraft type things.

There must be allsorts to do in America. Just look at some of those waterparks & massive rollercoasters. Don't stick to all the touristy stuff!

 

Emma.x

[KimmyCustard]

OH and I went for a week last Feb, it snowed on our second day and made the trip even better!

 

Saw The Statue of Liberty, Rockerfeller Centre (and iceskating!), Chinatown, 5th Ave, Central Park, helicopter ride (brilliant!), Ground Zero, Century 21 store, Empire State Building, Times Square, Flatiron building, saw Phantom on Broadway, walked and ate and ate and walked!

 

We went for a week 'cos there is so much to see and do. We booked the flights (with Virgin - excellent) and the hotel (The Belvedere, 319 W 48th St) seperately and saved approx £400 on the price quoted by Thomas Cook. Price of the hotel included a buffet breakfast which was delish, room was very comfy and warm with a view of the city.

 

Have a great time, its a great place to visit.

 

Kimmy

x

[pat_m]

I would strongly advise checking the reviews for your hotel on tripadvisor before booking (www.tripadvisor.com). It's not so good for choosing a hotel, from scratch, as there are so many to choose from in NY, but great for making sure you don't end up in a dump. We stayed in Hotel San Carlos which was lovely, I would recommend it, a bit more personal than some of the big chains.

Tripadvisor also has some good advice on places to visit, and some walking tours, too.

Pre-book a boat trip to include the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

We visited the Lower East Side Tenement Museum which we really enjoyed. there are some great cafes just round the corner too.

We enjoyed the Radio City Music Hall tour - my husband is desparate to go back to go to their Christmas show!

We flew with BA in economy which was absolutely fine - plenty of legroom.

[sadietoo]

Mostly people have covered everything ....only other advice from own experience is...don't pre - book empire state building..you need to pick the weather as it's often covered in cloud...if like me you are scared of heights..go in the evening when it is dark...

My daughter and I thought the subway was horrid...all low ceilings and nasty....but the buses are an absolute breeze to use... they either go up and down, or East West/ West East across the grid of streets.You can't go wrong and you'll see a lot more !