New York Recommendation Please

[Muck]

My sister is going to visit NY mid this year. Does anyone have any advice?

First off about hotels, is it worth going for somewhere central or do taxis make it pointless. Are there particular ones anyone can recommend as nice and good value for money?

What about tourist stuff? Good restaurants, shows or attractions?

[HalfSugar]

I stayed in the Affinia 50 which is on East 50th. Good location, good rooms, good price. Can't really fault it.

As for things to do - just do everything that is expected, it's all good stuff. The view from the Rockerfeller Centre is as good as the view from the Empire State Building plus you get photos with the Empire State in them so I recommend bird's eye viewing from up there to avoid the massive queues.

Ground Zero is very humbling, she must go there and see the scale of it

[Dave B]

I have stayed at the Waldolf and the Hudson in midtown (a little spendy). The Hudson was right across from the main subway line that runs N/S though Manhatten and on the south end of Central Park. Some people at my office stay at the Millenium near Time Square and I guess that is cheaper.

If you want, I can ask people that I work w/ over the phone that live there.

I would recommend getting a good map of the subway and plan to use it. There are times when you just wont be able to get a cab for an hour or so around dinner time.

Pop into the Woolworth building and check out the gargoyles.

Mesa Grill (Bobby Flay's restaurant) is still one of my favorite meals ever. The Metro Museum of Art is pretty amazing, and free if you dont want to give a recommended donation.

See what broadway shows are in town and see if you can score a 1/2 price ticket the day off at the TIX (I think) place in Time Square.

[MJJ]

Last time I was in Ny my wife talked me into a bus tour. It worked out great- there was a loop around the city w/ stops every block or 2. You could get off at any stop and see an attraction or grab a bite then get on the next buss. There was a new bus every 5 or 10 minutes and a 1 day pass was pretty cheap (maybe $20?) We bought our bus passes in times square- you can't miss the sales offices. Made it really easy to get around the city and take in most of the sights in a day, we used the 2nd and 3rd day to go to some museums and explore Central Park (you could easily spend a day in the park and only see a fraction of it.)

Great restaurants in NY, and the 'street food' (slice of pizza, hot dog, etc) might be the best in the world...
If you are into shows, there is nothing like a show on/off Broadway.

[Muck]

I think the hotels that looked nice were:

• Westin New York
• The Hudson
• Roosevelt Hotel
• Le Parker Meridien
• Jumeirah Essex House

I picked these out because they were on special offers on Virgin, the chances are it will be something similar but different ones will be on offer closer to the time.

The view from the Rockerfeller Centre is as good as the view from the Empire State Building plus you get photos with the Empire State in them so I recommend bird's eye viewing from up there to avoid the massive queues.

Cool will pass that tip on.

Ground Zero is very humbling, she must go there and see the scale of it

Yep I think that’s definitely worth a visit.

If you want, I can ask people that I work w/ over the phone that live there.

That’s cool mate don’t go to any hassel.

I would recommend getting a good map of the subway and plan to use it. There are times when you just wont be able to get a cab for an hour or so around dinner time.

Is it safe? It’s just going to be my sister and her daughter.

Mesa Grill (Bobby Flay's restaurant) is still one of my favorite meals ever. The Metro Museum of Art is pretty amazing, and free if you dont want to give a recommended donation.

I don’t know about the museum but will add the restaurant to the recommended list.

See what broadway shows are in town and see if you can score a 1/2 price ticket the day off at the TIX (I think) place in Time Square.

How much are they usually? Or does it depend on the show?

Last time I was in Ny my wife talked me into a bus tour. It worked out great- there was a loop around the city w/ stops every block or 2.

Humm that sounds like a really good idea, I’ll mention it to her. Very flexible and good value for money.

Central Park (you could easily spend a day in the park and only see a fraction of it.)

Is there anything in particular worth seeing/doing in the park?

[MJJ]

Central Park (you could easily spend a day in the park and only see a fraction of it.)

Is there anything in particular worth seeing/doing in the park?

Central Park is it's own little world-
<depending on the season> you can hang out in the meadows and catch some sun, watch a soccer/baseball/football game, jog around the paths, people watch, listen to a concert, ride in a horsedrawn carriage, rent bicycles....
The park is massive and has some of the better attractions/museums on the edges- I've always had a lot of fun wandering through it and going /w whatever adventures I found.

[Dave B]

The subway is very safe all around Manhattan. A 4am train might be different, but that is just common sense.

The Hudson had an awesome 2nd floor bar, great location and is frequented by celebrities (if they want to bump into and beautiful people). Rooms were small, but unless you are hosting a poker game, who cares.

Broadway shows are $100-200 normally, but 1/2 price tickets are usually available if you are flexible on show/date.

I am not a big museum guy, but the Met was incredible. Instead of an occasional Picasso or Matisse, there would be a whole room full of them.

[zinn0]

I went to NYC this past June. I stayed at the Marriott Downtown and it was very nice. Our room overlooked Ellis Island and when we were waiting for the elevator we could see ground zero.

I took the subway all the way from the Wall Street station all the way up to 161st in the Bronx, (yankee stadium, obv.) It was an hour ride. Was pretty safe, even though the black guy next to me kept trying to put his head on my shoulder.

I can't really recommend any really nice restaurants because it was just me and a friend and we were only in town to drink and watch baseball. PJ Clarkes in the World Financial Center building has probably the greatest hamburger I've ever eaten in my life.

Also, you must get some street food. I had both a pizza and a hot dog. From what I can recall, both were rather tasty.

Definitely check out Grand Central Station.

Also, if you are in Lower Manhattan, Alexander Hamilton's grave is just off Wall Street. I just happened to look up and notice it on the way back from the subway after the ballgame.

Of course, you probably have zero interest in seeing Alexander Hamilton's grave.

Have fun. We expect a TR complete with pics upon your return.

[zinn0]

ah, n/m on the tr...just now saw you weren't going.

[UrAteUp]

Ok think Sabrett hotdogs while there...they are the best hotdog on the market. You will find a vendor on every street corner in NY.

Tavern on the Green if you like upscale eateries.

Time Square is a must see. Go at night so you can enjoy the lights.

Rockafeller Plaza is another must see as Geno pointed out. You can go ice-skating there if you like.

5th Ave. send Sis down there to go shopping. There is over a mile of excellent jewelry stores.

Dave brings up a great point for shows. If you want to save even more money look into off broadway shows. They are generally easier to get tickets for and much cheaper. Again, there is a half price ticket place that offers excellent deals.

Parking is expensive. Be prepared to pay some premium prices for parking. When the wife and I went we paid $40 to park for 3 hours. Cabs are not cheap either though.

[Muck]

The subway is very safe all around Manhattan. A 4am train might be different, but that is just common sense.

Sorry I saw Midnight Meat Train recently.

The Hudson had an awesome 2nd floor bar, great location and is frequented by celebrities

Not to be confuse with the river/runway

I took the subway all the way from the Wall Street station all the way up to 161st in the Bronx, (yankee stadium, obv.) It was an hour ride. Was pretty safe, even though the black guy next to me kept trying to put his head on my shoulder.

As long as he didn’t ask you to spoon.

I think I’d like to watch a baseball game while there if I was going. I had the chance to see Brazil play Chile at home when I visit and part of me regrets not watching them.

Also, if you are in Lower Manhattan, Alexander Hamilton's grave is just off Wall Street.

That reminds me, do you find your money confusing? It’s all the same size and same colour (okay you add a little splash of pink on the bigger denominations). Plus I’m surprised Lincoln does get a note (checks Google) oooh he’s on the $5, I didn’t get any of those when I exchange my £’s.

5th Ave. send Sis down there to go shopping. There is over a mile of excellent jewelry stores.

Right….I think I will tell her there’s a lot of gang munders around there then

Parking is expensive. Be prepared to pay some premium prices for parking. When the wife and I went we paid $40 to park for 3 hours. Cabs are not cheap either though.

No chance she’ll be hiring a car so wont be a problem. Parking in all major cities these days is a nightmare.

[golddog]

Don't fly US Airways.

[Muck]

Are they the ones who crashed? To be fair to them the last news report I heard said it was a bird strike, which could happen to any plane. Plus they have pilots good enough to make emergency landings on water

[zinn0]

Muck,

I never carry cash. Ever. I'm 300 miles away from home right now and I don't have a single bill on me.

I always use a debit card. So much easier.

[Muck]

I can understand why you'd do that, although it’s more troublesome as a tourist since I imagine most banks will charge you for using your card abroad and commission on the currency change.

For large purchases I’d agree that cards are better to avoid the risk of carrying large amounts of cash. But for small transactions like buying a hotdog the card only option would be a bit impractical when weighed up against the risks.

Is New York really dangerous? Could she rent an assault rifle at the airport?