NYC with an 18 year old!

Hi

Taking my son to NYC for his 18th in Feb - been a few times before with my sister on shopping trips but as that%26#39;s not his scene - well apart from the Apple store any suggestions on suitable places after we%26#39;ve done Empire, the Lady and Central Park etc

he%26#39;s not really a cu;lture vulture but will do smallish museams.

Ps is it possible to visit Niagra Falls in a day - coach or train?

NYC with an 18 year old!

The American Museum of Natural History, on Central Park West, is interesting to the 18-year-old boys I know. http://www.amnh.org/ Go to the museum%26#39;s planetarium for the space show.

NYC with an 18 year old!

What is suitable for your son depends a great deal on his tastes. Waht does he like?

The distance between New York city and Niagara Falls is a bit more than the distance between London and Aberdeen in Scotland -- except the train service between London and Aberdeen is much better. Would you consider Aberdeen a place that you could visit in one day?

Note that the drinking age in New York is 21. Regardless of how he might celebrate at home, he may not legally order, purchase, or consume beer, wine, champagne, liquor, or alcohol of any kind at any pub, club, restaurant, grocery store, or liquor shop here.

waytogonyc, There was a recent post here on Niagra Falls in a day, Yes, it can be done with a flying round trip one day tour.

Niagara Falls is not an easy day trip and February is not really the time to do it.

Niagara Falls is a seven hour drive from New York City however we have an excellent low-fare / high-quality airline called jetBlue, they have nine nonstop flights a day from JFK to Buffalo, very reasonable airfares. Delta, Continental and others also fly the route on Regional Jets.

I think Gray Line offers a one-day tour, they pick you at some ridiculous hour of the morning, throw you on a plane (whatever they can get the cheapest), take you from the airport to the falls, back to the airport and back home at some late hour. And they charge what sounds like highway robbery (except they organize it and that is worth it to some people).

If you%26#39;re going to do it, you can book your own airfare to Buffalo and simply get a taxi from Buffalo Airport to the falls or rent a car and drive yourself, it is only a 25 - 30 minute drive from Buffalo. It%26#39;ll be frigid up there in the winter but they don%26#39;t shut the water off (j/k)

Let us know if you have any questions.

The NYU and Columbia University neighborhoods are great for young people. There are great coffee shops like Gizzi%26#39;s Coffee Shop on 8th Street. You%26#39;ll find places like Bagel Buffet, Gray%26#39;s Papaya, Insomnia Cookies and other places your son might enjoy.

Ask lots of questions, you%26#39;ll get lots of answers.

The NYU area (union square) is a really cool place to hang out.

Check out Max Brenner%26#39;s Chocolate by the Bald Man- Great Restaraunt with an all chocolate menu.

Hi

We took our teenage son and daughter last summer and our son particularly enjoyed the Natural History Museum (especially the space part) and they both were fascinated by the Bodies exhibition - so was I.

He also loved open top bus tour - but this may be a bit cold in February. Top of the Rock was popular - good view of central park.

Hope you have a good time.

take the staten island ferry....cold but free and great views. also intrepid air and sea museum. ice skating in central park. niagra too far in february.

Okay. (Cracking knuckles) Here is what I think (and I am sorry, as always, I have much to say on the matter:

First, I know you said he is not too big on culture or big museums, but please, please consider taking him to the Metropolitan Museum of Art; it is on the opposite side of Central Park from the Museum of Natural History. Before he turns his nose up at the prospect of dusty rooms filled with paintings, inform him that there actually is plenty for him to see and be adamant about going: the rewards shall be great if you do. The Met features, for example, a full permanent exhibit of Arms and Armor, including its centerpiece, a group of knights on horseback, fully armored, charging into battle, and descriptions of warfare at the time (this ties in nicely with medieval lore, so think Arthur and Guinevere!) In the Asian section of the museum he can go back in time to the time of the Japanese shogun: there are several samurai figures in full gear, a few kitana blades, and he can read all about the real code of the Samurai, and the customs of the Imperial court (includes some rather interesting liner notes about geishas, so careful not to make the boy blush;)

The Metropolitan also carries a newly restored section of Greco-Roman art: remember, these two cultures worshipped blood, guts, and glory. The Roman swords are sure to be a hit with him as will things like real Roman chariots and busts of some actual rulers of Rome (some, like Caligula, were bloodthirsty.) As for the amphoras, tell him not to be too bored if you decide to go: many of them tell stories from Greek myth and from Homer%26#39;s Odyssey or Iliad.

If he prefers stuff that is of a non-macho nature, take him to the museum%26#39;s very large exhibit of Egyptian Art: the centerpiece of this is a real temple, The Temple of Dendur, that the museum saved from destruction when Egypt built the Aswan Dam and rebuilt on spot; you can even see the graffiti on it in Greek and later Arabic. It is located in a part of the museum that has a huge window overlooking Central Park and it is truly amazing to behold: it was my favorite as a child and it STILL holds a place in my heart. Other parts of the collection include posessions of Hatshepsut, Tut, and Cleopatra, and LOTS of mummies. NONE OF THE ABOVE ARE COPIES!!

For a great Broadway show, I would recommend trying to get tickets to Avenue Q, a parody of Sesame Street. I am aware that this plays in London, but there are some differences into how the original production is scripted (some of it is actually a little bawdier, but absolutely HILARIOUS: you haven%26#39;t seen anything until you%26#39;ve seen their parody of Cookie Monster!) It is truly one of the best tickets in town that I have seen for a long time and it is a great way to spend an afternoon. If you cannot get tickets to Avenue Q, try getting tickets to a television taping-I recommend Late Night with Conan O%26#39;Brien (http://www.nbc.com/Footer/Tickets) Conan is one of the top rated prime time shows, and it is a guarantee that your son will spot a celebrity or two here (it is similar to Graham Norton in format.)

For other things, I would take him to Chinatown: it is a good place to stop if you are heading back from the Statue of Liberty as it probably shall be on the way to the hotel anyway. Chinatown, I should tell you, will look and feel NOTHING like the one in London. Why? Because New York%26#39;s Chinatown is much larger than London%26#39;s, it bears a resemblance in local culture and looks more like Shanghai or Xiamen than NYC, and its immigrants are very recent (there is a portion on East Broadway where all signs are in Chinese, seldom English.) If you come here you will see old Chinese men playing Xianqi in the square making bets and their wives doing Tai Chi in the park, where wooden cages with swallows in them hang. Here, electronic stores sell little gadgets for a fraction of what they retail uptown, some of very good quality. Here, markets sell things like dried goji berries and (of all things) chicken feet, and other foodstuffs that are as exotic as they are weird: Chinatown is the only place I know where whole buckets of frogs are haggled over and sold before they are butchered, one by one.

On the food end of things, Chinatown would be perfect for lunch: unlike London%26#39;s Chinatown, residents in New York%26#39;s Chinatown come from several different areas of China, like Fujian, Guangdong, and even the borderlands between China and Vietnam. What this will translate to will be a much broader variety of foodstuffs to eat (chicken feet and frogs aren%26#39;t normally served in the restaurants, relax.) You will get to taste dishes that are usually more authentic than you%26#39;d expect, like buddha-jumps-over-the-wall and whole, crispy Peking duck, or jasmine teas. If you are fortunate enough to try it, go for dim sum from one place and try Vietnamese pho noodles in another: they are fabulous dishes. Or how about Zuipaigu, wine marinated spare ribs?-delightful!

Take him to dave and busters or ESPN Zone for a few hours. he can play video games. That will make him happy. Trust me I have an 18 yr old boy and NO WAY would he go to any art musuem. At this age it is all about them.

He may like the wax museum as well. I agree Chinatown would be okay to do. A must is to visit times square and go by MTV as well as the hard rock and planet hollywood restaurants.

A trip to the site of wtc might be good as well.

Have you decided on any place to eat?

I%26#39;d recommend enlisting your son%26#39;s input. Get him involved in the planning, since eighteen-year-old Londoners I%26#39;ve met tend to be hipper, edgier, and more worldly than their American counterparts. Can anyone here recommend a travel guide aimed younger travelers? Have him do a bit of reading, and bookmark anything that looks cool or interesting.

If he%26#39;s into music, have him check out the listings on TimeOutNY: http://www.timeout.com/newyork/

Don%26#39;t know that I%26#39;d recommend the Wax Museum, only because London has the original Madame Tussaud%26#39;s. He might enjoy the ';Bodies'; exhibit, though.

Consider a pizza tour.....

Slice of Brooklyn

http://www.asliceofbrooklyn.com/

Scott%26#39;s

http://www.scottspizzatours.com/

.....or one of Fat Dave%26#39;s Food Tours:

http://www.famousfatdave.com/

www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php鈥?/a>

I%26#39;d suggest the Brooklyn Bridge walk, but only if the weather%26#39;s not too cold.

Don%26#39;t be afraid to cut him loose for a few hours one afternoon, armed with a few good maps and a MetroCard. Thousands of kids move to NYC every year to attend university, so he%26#39;ll be perfectly safe, and finding his way around town will be fun. Pick a time and place to meet up later (by the clock at Grand Central? At some East Village intersection?) then send him on his way.

rent rates for central pa

Where do I stay? Everything is so expensive :(

3 of us aged around 25 plan on staying in NYC for a week.

I%26#39;m not sure which street or location would be best and everything seems SO expensive.

I have a brochure from my travel agent and everything seems to be AT LEAST AUS $400 per night even for the cheapest oldest hotel.

I really really don%26#39;t like old hotels. Some in NYC even have haunted-looking wall paper etc.

Is there something that would feel clean, comfortable, modern or refurbished, at an afforable rate?

I am used to staying in around 4 star hotels but I%26#39;m afraid I may not be able to afford to do so in NYC.

Is Brooklyn a good and Safe location to be staying? I just found an affordable Brooklyn Holiday Inn Express (what is appealing is its newly built).

HELP! Don%26#39;t know what to do!

Where do I stay? Everything is so expensive :(

Since you%26#39;re fairly young and, since you%26#39;re on this website and hence have access to a computer, why don%26#39;t you use the internet and sites like Google.com to find travel information and sources?

Why rely on a last-century paper brochure from a middleman, when about 90% of the civilized world now books travel and lodging directly from a home computer?

quickbook.com

travelzoo.com

kayak.com

http://www.cheaptickets.com/

There are deals to be had.

Secondly, it%26#39;s clear you need some basic education about NYC, so you need a guide book and a map. (you can get those for FREE, again, on the internet and from your automobile club). Brooklyn used to be a city unto itself. It%26#39;s big. It%26#39;s not just a neighborhood.

Thirdly, you can learn all about geography, safety, subways, etc., by reading our FAQ ';sticky'; at the top of this forum.

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k1948627鈥?/a> FAQ_Frequently_Asked_Questions_for_NYC-

Do some research.

Finally, you need to give us more specifics if you want us to give you specific recos. What%26#39;s your exact budget ceiling and when are you coming here?

Where do I stay? Everything is so expensive :(

Since hotel rates fluctuate, giving us the dates of your anticipated visit would help us be helpful to you. Also, what kind of room/sleeping arrangements are you envisioning -- e.g., are you 3 planning to split up into 2 rooms or will 2 of you be sharing a bed?

Hi Bianks ... first thing I%26#39;d do is have a look at Quikbook - www.quikbook.com and then sign up for their email alerts. They have 72 hour sales of hotels every now %26amp; then which are really good value and send weekly emails. You can then check here on TA the reviews to see photos etc of the hotels they are offering.

I%26#39;m sure the local experts would like to know when in the year you%26#39;re planning on visiting NY and also your budget so they can help some more. Good luck.

Oops I must have been slow typing ... there were no responses when I started - sorry for the repeat!

Looking over your previous posts, I have to say that I%26#39;m not quite sure why you%26#39;re coming to NYC at all. This city is many things, but clean/comfortable it is not. Least of all the sort of hotels in the low price range you%26#39;re looking for. This is an old city, and if you%26#39;re bothered by ';haunted-looking wall paper,'; I imagine there%26#39;s plenty more you won%26#39;t care for.

Yep, I see I inadvertently cross-posted too, but I trust queensboulevard understands how that happens. Bianks, another good online resource is the Frommer%26#39;s website; they post much of their guidebooks%26#39; content online -- and it%26#39;s free, and updated much more frequently than the guidebooks in the library %26amp; bookstores. Here%26#39;s the portal to the NYC section; take some time to scroll through the many pages:

www.frommers.com/destinations/newyorkcity/

You might also enjoy spending some time on the Not For Tourists - New York%26#39;s website.

http://notfortourists.com/NewYork.aspx

Although I think purchasing their guidebook makes more sense than printing it off on your home computer, they do make downloads available for a modest fee:

Bianks, hopefully this will be of some help - we just got back from NYC, and had quite a nice stay at the Wellington Hotel, which is on 7th Ave. at 55th Street. Yes, it is an older hotel, but very clean and well kept - the staff was great, and best of all, the prices were right! Our room averaged $180 per night, which is a steal in NYC. There were no refrigerators or coffee pots in the rooms, but there was a restaurant on site, a Starbucks right across the street, and several small stores nearby where you can purchase anything you need (water, snacks, etc.). The best part about the hotel is the location - it is within walking distance to everything! Central Park is 2 blocks north, Times Square about 5 - 6 blocks south, and Rockefeller Center about 4 - 5 blocks over. I made my reservations through their website, www.wellingtonhotel.com - hope this helps!!

We will be visiting in mid-April.

I%26#39;m not sure on our exact budget as regardless or not, we want to visit the city, so if it means we have to pay a little more, so be it. But I want the best value for money, as anyone else would. Say around AUS $300-$400 per night at absolute MAX on my conditions below-

It is really important to me that we feel safe in the area and that the room is clean and if possible, modern or refurbished.

The sleeping arrangments don%26#39;t bother us, singles or double beds.

Though I am doing my own research, I will probably get my travel agent to book the final thing. I%26#39;ve heard of people having their credit cards charged incorrectly and so on, so that may be a way to avoid being ripped off.

AlicePalace - I hope for my room to be clean/comfortable, not the city.

How much research have you done? Keep in mind that your travel dates influence hotel rates. Today A$400 = US$281. Is that amount what each person can afford per night or does A$400 have to cover all three of you per night? Take a look at these hotels and websites.

Pod Hotel http://www.thehotelnewton.com/

Chelsea Star Hotel http://starhotelny.com/index.php

Chelsea Lodge Suites

Hotel Newton http://www.thehotelnewton.com/

www.chelsealodgesuites.com/gardensuites.html

http://new-york.hotelscheap.org/

鈥itysearch.com/bestof/winners/budget_hotel

Bianks - In the FAQ sticky linked above is this discussion on safety, which will help you readjust your expectations:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k1504171鈥?/a> Crime_fear_and_safety_a_collection_of_posts-

Also, I wouldn%26#39;t worry too much about cc problems booking online. Our entire trip to Ireland in November was set up using the internet to search and find a car, hotels, flights, dining etc. We booked via travel websites and also directly via emails to hotels. No problems whatsoever.

If you%26#39;re really that worried, tell your cc company what you%26#39;re doing in advance (you should tell them anytime you travel anyway, so they don%26#39;t call you 17 times asking about weird purchases and restaurants).

Heck, AMEX called my spouse when she bought 2 pairs of very expensive shoes in one day!

taxi from armory to Great Northern

Anybody have a ';guesstimate'; on the taxi fare from Armory Square to the Great Northern Mall?

taxi from armory to Great Northern

My guess would be around $25.

NYC Hotels/Activities with 16 yo girl

Hope someone can recommend hotels and/activities for a weekend in February. I%26#39;m taking my daughter for her 16th birthday and would like ahotel that%26#39;s sem-reasonable (for NYC). I%26#39;ve visited the city often but would appreciate any tips about where to stay, things to do etc. My daughter enjoys fashion, music, history. Thanks for your input.

NYC Hotels/Activities with 16 yo girl

This is a collection of trip reports from parents with teens. You can get lots of great ideas:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k473200-鈥?/a>

You should also read the sticky at the top of the forum page. Lots of information!

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k1948627鈥?/a>

After that, if you have more specific questions, please come back and people will be happy to help!

NYC Hotels/Activities with 16 yo girl

Go to travelzoo.com where you%26#39;ll find lots of hotel specials for Feb. weekends.

Broadwaybox.com

will have discounts for some shows if you%26#39;d like to do that.

You might check what%26#39;s on exhibit at the metmuseum.org

in the costume dept. FIT (fashion institute) has an exhibit.

www.fitnyc.edu/aspx/Content.aspx鈥?/a>

Parsons school of design may too. If she%26#39;s a fan of Project Runway, let her research where she wants to go.

Lots of places for history from the Museum of the City of NY to the NY Historical Society, Tenement Museum, Ellis Island.....

What kind of musci does she like?

6 more sleeps

So excited, six more sleeps and I will be in your beautiful city, can%26#39;t wait!!!!

What%26#39;s the weather like in New Jersey at the moment please?

6 more sleeps

Hi!

You must be sooo excited! Here is a link that may help you

wunderground.com/cgi-bin/鈥?/a>

Enjoy your trip!

M

6 more sleeps

Thanks M,

Really appreciate the link.

this works

bring my computer to Belize?

Am I insane to bring my laptop with me. I do like to blog about my trips - but wondering if it%26#39;s safe and worth the schlep?? I do plan to go to Placenia and then travel to the ruins and jungle.

bring my computer to Belize?

not a clue...perhaps the Belize forum would be more helpful...

bring my computer to Belize?

I%26#39;ve brought my laptop to rougher places! if you%26#39;re staying in a moderate to decent hotel, it will probably have a safe. If you%26#39;re doing more of the backpacker/hostel or low end hotel trip - I%26#39;d at least bring a pacsafe.

if you%26#39;re staying right at Tikal the electricity goes off early so it probably isnt worth it.

When I travel to Belize, I%26#39;m schlepping my fins, so have to check a bag. I usually lock all valuables in my bag if there%26#39;s no safe, and have never had a problem in 3 trips to the country. My concern is usually the other guests or break ins - no worker with a valuable job is going to risk it over your laptop!

I never bring computers with me on trips..not because of safety but because I spend too much time on them at home. Not having one forces you not to.

It also helps with internet addiction, once back home it%26#39;s a good ten minutes before I check Perez to see what I missed.

ever since I got a photo storage device, I stopped schlepping mine too. But, when I was out at Lighthouse Atoll for a week, I was envious of the guy with the laptop and DVDs!

After dinner there is nothing to do but drink - and those divers go to sleep at 9pm on a late night!

also, as much as I love my storage device, I%26#39;m coming home with crapier photos! Something to be said for ability to upload onto the laptop every night and reshoot what didnt come out, instead of gettting home to discover what looked great on the 2x2 LCD screen is out of focus! When shooting underwater, propensity for out of focus even greater. I%26#39;m definitely schlepping my laptop to my next trip - underwater photography in the Yucatan in tiny towns with nothing to do at night!

Eva:

I%26#39;m going to Belize in February, would my work Blackberry work there? I really don%26#39;t want to bring it and I am not bringing my laptop (I mean it), but whenever I am away from the office something invariably blows up.

software

Over night parking

I%26#39;m trying to find a place to park for 3 days and 2 nights so that I can take the train into NYC. I%26#39;m coming from the east so along ANY of the following lines will do: Main %26amp; Bergen; Main; Montclair-Boonton; Morristown; Gladstone; Raritan Valley. I%26#39;ve searched through the stations at NJT (I%26#39;m almost blind) and I%26#39;m not coming up with anything very concrete! There has to be at least ONE private overnight parking facility at/near ONE stop along ONE of these lines =:o Thanks

Over night parking

What about Metropark at Iselin? How many are you and why are you so anxious to park and ride in?

Over night parking

2 riding in, 5 riding out. My past experiences with parking garages, in the city, have led me to commute in when possible.

The Ramsey 17 station on the Main-Bergen Line has a brand new indoor parking garage w/ plenty of space available to the public at very very fair prices.

The Harriman, NY station also seved by NJ transit has plenty of great parking..I think it still is around $3.00 a day (free on weekends). Less frequent train service by NJT, but if you plan ahead it is not a bad ride into NYC.

You can look for parking in Manhattan on

bestparking.com

and can reserve spaces on

iconparking.com

Before you jump at parking outside the city, think about price of transportation for 2 + 5 when you leave and taking luggage on the train.

Thanks all, found a parking spot, we have a plan!

Hotel Name

Firstly, Happy new year everyone.

I need some help trying to remember a hotel name.

The first time I had a mind blowing experience in NY was Nov %26#39;98 with a normal Minolta 35mm camera.

Although I%26#39;ve had the photos in a protective album they are starting to fade a bit in the corners.

I%26#39;ve decided to make a book of the photos using iPhoto.

What I need is the name of the hotel I stayed in but I%26#39;m having problems sorting that part out.

I stayed on west 45 street between 8th and 9th ave and the hotel was directly facing a strip club.

Is it wrong that I remember the club and not the hotel?

Using Google Earth the hotel is The Aladdin.

Is that right?

Hotel Name

You stayed at the Aladdin and lived to tell about it?

newyorkology.com/archives/2007/05/aladdin_ho鈥?/a>

The strip club, incidentally, is called Private Eyes. Just in case ChipperTex is reading.

Hotel Name

Hey Crans,

Thanks for that.

Yes I did live to tell the tale.

Nothing will ever beat the New Yorker Hotel.

IMO of course.

All you need is a place to sleep at night but that hotel was a last minute place to stay.

I remember the other 6 I%26#39;ve stayed at but not the aladdin.

Wonder why?

The Milford Plaza is at the corner of 45 st. %26amp; 8th ave. Does that sound more familiar?

Hey nywhiz,

Thanks for the reply but crans gave me the answer.

I stayed at the Milford in Dec %26#39;01.

Another nice hotel.

What can 18yr old girls do in evenings?

We have two 18yr old girls coming with us on our trip to NYC in April, seen as there 18 and won%26#39;t be able to drink in NYC. What can they do in the evenings, as they won%26#39;t want to be hanging around with us all day.

they like general girl stuff, shopping etc.., all the shops will be shut after 8pm onwards, what can they do?

What can 18yr old girls do in evenings?

theater, comedy shows, live music, movies, later dinner, manicure/pedicures at cheap nail salons

some stores are open til 9 or 10

if the weather is good they can walk around and look into people%26#39;s apartments (this is particularly good to do in neighborhoods with lots of brownstones, or new all glass buildings like the one on 18th and 7th)

What can 18yr old girls do in evenings?

What evening said. Basically, they can do anything except go to clubs, though there are a few 18+ clubs (Webster Hall, for instance) that they could go to if so inclined.

What are the rest of you planning on doing at night?

thanks, could you recommend any specific live music venues that would be good? preferably cheap or free ones anything under $15

can they go into dance clubs, or do you have over 21 to get into dance clubs?

Most clubs are over 21, yes, but I mention some all-ages venues on this thread:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k2109272鈥?/a>

(Be sure to check the fine print about the days in question, though, as some clubs will change age requirements based on the performance, etc.)

thanks, on evenings we%26#39;ll be doing things like ESB, times sqaure, the brooklyn bridge and late dinners.

i really want to go to madison square garden, and see something.

i have been looking at the dates on the offical site, and the knicks, rangers are both playing, but none of us our really into sports though i would love to say i have seen a knicks game at the garden.

there is another show on, its a circus show the ';Ringling Bros. and Barnum %26amp; Bailey: Zing Zang Zoom';, has anyone ever heard of it? is it any good?

we%26#39;ll be in NYC 8-15 April

How about a drag show at Lucky Cheng%26#39;s? It%26#39;s hilarious. You need to call first and advise them you%26#39;re under 21.

heard of it, why, isn%26#39;t that The Greatest Show On Earth???? Seriously, Ringling Brothers Circus should be good....I think I would google it to see if it would be to your liking. I am guessing Zing Zang Zoom is this year%26#39;s name for the yearly circus!!

thanks i googled it but i only came up with sites to buy tickets off.

I appreciate your dilemma, they just have to accept that they are not legal and know that they will still have a great time.

I was with a 15 and 17 year old last summer. We had a ball, shopping was great, and some evenings to remember e.g.

going up the TOTR late at night,

drinks in the Hard Rock Cafe

A couple of really good shows (look for discounted tickets)

A good chinese meal in Chinatown

Cafe Wha - Sunday night and I think Weds was free, but it was good quality music and a great

atmosphere, check it out on You tube first,

shopping in Times Square - M and Ms store was compulsive for my 17 yr old was really good fun

The comedy shows are a good idea - I might also have gone to Blue Man Group show, but we ran out of days. Too much to do.

Oh and walking Brooklyn bridge would have been great, but we had a thunderstorm situation just as we reached the bridge. That is a definite for next time - with lots of memory on the camera.

They will be able to get themselves around without you - for shopping and touring around by day. I would be aiming them in vague directions of shops and sights and giving instructions for getting back by taxi if you don%26#39;t think they can cope with subway - and then meet up in the evening for a meal.

Have fun

A Trip Report: By ChipperTex - (INTRO)

We just returned from another great trip to New York. This marks our 5th consecutive year to visit and our second in December. We covered a lot of ground in such a short time. For example, I logged closed to 20 miles running (yes running) visited all 5 boroughs (slept in 2 of them), used my metrocard 38 times (I counted) and crossed over the Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queensboro Bridges on foot. I also developed a “like” for beer brewed in Brooklyn, potato knishes and a “love” for black and white cookies. (I ate 11 in 6 days). I was reminded constantly how lucky we are to have the knowledgeable regulars here on the forum that help make our trips so great and how cool New Yorkers really are. Similar to last year, as opposed to a chronological report, I have chosen to just include highlights and observations that we made/experienced during our 6 days. I will post my report soon as well as describe my second encounter with a “Lotuspath”. Again, thanks to all here on the forum that continue to make my trips to NY great.

chipper

A Trip Report: By ChipperTex - (INTRO)

WOW...sounds like a great trip...I always hesitate going when it%26#39;s cold!!! waiting for the details!!

A Trip Report: By ChipperTex - (INTRO)

Right off the bat, let me just set the record straight. I never ever meet anyone from Texas in my entire life. I don%26#39;t know anyone that goes by the name Chip or Chipper or Chipperoo or Chipster or the Chipmeister. In fact ..... Chipper who?

uh huh.....we%26#39;ll see about that!!!!!

Don%26#39;t leave out the McD%26#39;s Angus Burger in your restaurant highlights!

I too had my first black and white cookie this week. Then I had my second a few minutes later when I took my wife%26#39;s from her.

Woo hoo! A Chipper/LP trip report is upcoming! 2009 is already looking up.

Did LP look out for you in the big city? I was worried, so I asked him to. I hope he took good care of you and showed you more than just Hooters this time.

I too am looking forward to the Chipper/LP saga continuation. Please, don%26#39;t listen to the producer/director, just tell the story.

I just hope you thoroughly disinfected yourself after your LotusPath encounter.

Looking forward to it chipper.

Sorrie to be a freakie Aussie girl - but what on earth is a black and wite cookie? And where should I look for the best?

KangaGirl !! Black and white cookies in 2009. Zaro%26#39;s are very good, GCT.

www.zaro.com/page/ZBB/PROD/gift_baskets/BWD

Advice -- Help me show my foreign friends a great time!

Hey there, fellow TA%26#39;s! I%26#39;m really excited -- one of my friends I made on a previous trip to Hungary is coming to visit the US for the first time next month! He%26#39;s traveling with his boss, and one more friend, and I want to make sure they have a great time. They%26#39;re starting in NYC (and flying back out of here), and will be here at least 4 days before taking off to see other cities (Boston, DC, Chicago). I already have my hands full trying to figure out something for the inauguration for them, but I never thought I%26#39;d get stumped thinking of what to show them in NYC!

Actually, I%26#39;ve got a fair number of things already picked out. My friend is a fashionista in the extreme, so we%26#39;ll be making all the relevant trips to the shopping meccas (woodbury, c21, soho, 5th ave). I%26#39;ve got nightlife covered (how do you think I met him? ;-)). Also have some of the basic tourist things down:

SI Ferry (statue of liberty)

Brooklyn Bridge

Grimaldi%26#39;s pizza

Ground Zero (from my office on the 31st floor overlooking it)

MoMA

Metropolitan Museum

Broadway Show

Times Square

Hoboken riverwalk (brunch, view of the city)

SoHo shopping

Bryant Park/NYPL

So, my fellow TA%26#39;s... what am I missing? What are some other ';fundamentals'; my young, fashionable, Hungarian friend (and his friends) might enjoy seeing? I%26#39;d specifically like some advice on:

-Best Chinatown dim sum (if we don%26#39;t do dim sum, I have my restaurants, but just in case).

-TOTR or ESB? I think they might have their hearts set on the ESB, but what is the case to be made for TOTR?

-What%26#39;s *THE* best way to visit Central Park? What do visitors find most ';iconic'; in the winter? My usual route is columbus circle-bethesda fountain-strawberry fields - exit.

-I%26#39;m picking them up at JFK and driving them in... any good ideas to include on a short ';driving'; tour? I usually do Tribororo to FDR, down to the battery, up the west side to about 59th and then down broadway and 7th... Any ideas for inclusions/improvements?

Advice -- Help me show my foreign friends a great time!

you know the Loehmanns on 7th Ave and 17th men%26#39;s dept? its pretty decent compared to the other discounters - targeted to all the fashionable men in the neighborhood. There are also a few good small men%26#39;s boutiques on the side streets between 7th and 8th.

my regular dim sum is HSF - its still packed with mostly Chinese people but small enough that the carts come before the food gets cold. And they have smaller tables if you dont want to share with strangers. If its packed, I just go to NY Noodletown down the block for shrimp dumplings in soup, baby pig over rice, or salt baked shrimp.

also, I%26#39;m not sure how it is for men, but Armitage Ave in Chicago is THE shopping street!

Advice -- Help me show my foreign friends a great time!

How about a little Hungary in NYC.

http://magyarhaz.org/index.php?%26amp;menuid=10

Don%26#39;t forget an evening in Greenwich Village. Lots of great restaurants to choose from. Otto, Bar Pitti, lots of trendy new Asian places. 8th Street now features Bagel Buffet, Gray%26#39;s Papaya, Insomnia Cookies, 8th Street Wine Cellars (at 28 West 8th Street) and Gizzi%26#39;s Coffee. Everybody I%26#39;ve personally introduced to 8th Street Wine Cellars has returned, it is such a charming place and very New York City. This will also put you in the heart of the NYU campus.

I am a big fan of walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and exploring the Brooklyn neighborhoods including Brooklyn Heights, Carroll Gardens and Park Slope. Great restaurants from Smith St. and Court St. to Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue in Park Slope, the real New York City.

I love walking into Central Park from Central Park South (59th) and meandering up to Wollman Rink. Then up to Bethesda Fountain and over to Central Park West near the Museum of Natural History.

You might also consider the following four places for breakfast. Clinton St. Baking Company, Friend of A Farmer, Amy Ruth%26#39;s (love it) and Central Cafe (Pershing Square).

If you have time for dinner in Flushing I always enjoy taking people out to Flushing when time permits.

My favorite drive in from JFK is the Belt Parkway to one of the lower Manhattan bridges, it is a little out of the way but it affords a nice view.

Chinatown Brasserie in Little Italy is great for stylish dim sum and Little Italy is a typical place most tourists want to see. For a more traditional Chinatown spot, Jing Fong is supposed to be good. If you go to Chinatown for dim sum, go early in the day. Most start serving it around 10-10:30 and that%26#39;s when it%26#39;s freshest.

I think the 59th st. bridge or as FFMiles says, one of the downtown bridges like the Williamsburgh are more exciting as a way into Manhattan. What time of day are they arriving? Where are you headed in Manhattan?

I think you%26#39;ve got loads planned for just 4 days.

MoreFFmiles, I completely agree with your driving route suggestion. Most visitors are so eager to get into town, that they miss out on some of the great views getting in. Anyone arriving at night, especially on a clear one, with a little time to spare, would have a great scenic entry driving the Belt into the Battery Tunnel or over the Brooklyn Bridge. To see the Parachute, Verrazano, Statue of Liberty and the Skyline is fabulous. Great idea !!

Everything you have planned sounds great, but I personally got serious goosebumps, almost like a deja vu, walking into Grand Central Station. Amazing!

Isn%26#39;t it funny how weird it is when we actually become the tour guides? Panic sets in!!

I think the list and suggestions are great. Def add Grand Central (when you got to Bryant Park/NYPL) and the Village (tour of Christopher Street, the library/ex-prison, Sheridan Square.)

Since you work downtown and are taking the SI Ferry, I%26#39;d add some NYC historical sites, like Customs House exterior, Cunard Building exterior, the charging bull, Trinity Church, Wall Street, Federal Hall, St. Paul%26#39;s Chapel, etc.

I%26#39;d also add Barney%26#39;s and Barney%26#39;s COOP to your list. If they want to see more luxury items, go to Madison Avenue.

From JFK, depending on time of day, since you%26#39;re going to take a toll bridge anyway, take the Queens-Midtown Tunnel. You can%26#39;t beat that skyline view before you go down into it.

Another great view is on the Kosciusko Bridge on the BQE, but I%26#39;m not sure how to fit that into your drive, unless you take the WillyB into Manhattan, but that might not make sense for your purposes.

(BTW, nycdave, I sent you a PM. Did you get it? Check your junk mail.)

Thanks for the advice and suggestions, everyone! Now I%26#39;m putting together a list of websites he should check out and/or have handy before his trip. I figure it%26#39;s important to cover some of the basics, like transportation (hopstop and mta.info), weather, emergency, and cell phones. If anyone has any other ideas let me know.

Also, if anyone wants to check it out, I made this interactive googlemap for my friend... obviously not even close to including everything I might, but a good start, no?

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms? ie=UTF8%26amp;hl=en%26amp;msa=0%26amp;msid=107450663830734080507.00045ef7bacbe0ca2fd3e%26amp;ll=40.761569,- 73.964172%26amp;spn=0.001046,0.001717%26amp;t=h%26amp;z=19

(might need to delete the spaces in there i put in to avoid the 140-character cutoff)

Comments always welcome and appreciated :-)

btw qb, yes I just did... so sorry, things have been chaos for me the past few weeks...

Very impressive map Dave. I was informed this morning, fyi, that HSF has closed. ;(

this works

hosting services

tips for buying basketball tickets??

Hi all, im going to NYC at end of jan and would like to see a basketball game, where is the best place to buy tickets on a limited budget?? any help would be greatly appreciated.

tips for buying basketball tickets??

Ticketmaster is the official seller. You are best off buying them there. There are a range of prices depending on where you sit. Select %26#39;will call%26#39; and just pick them up from the box office when you get there.

tips for buying basketball tickets??

i agree we got ours from there....but if you can try and pick them up a good few hours before the game if you%26#39;re in the area of course - it can get rather busy.

We wanna go to the Knicks V Celtics game on Sunday but tickets seem to have sold out :-(

My friend said she got $10 tix outside MSG from a tout,so as naughty as that is I may be forced to do just that cos I fly home next Sat and I really wanna see another game before I go!

I%26#39;d advise you either get them from Ticketmster or just go to the booth yourself at MSG and get them before the game to avoid the crowds on the day.

www.travelzoo.com has had special offers for cheap tickets (usually a code to use when booking at the Ticketmaster site). This is for the Knicks, who I assume you are talking about. You can sign up to receive their email sent to you each week

Another option is the New Jersey Nets, they play in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey, they are easy tickets to get.

Another possible option is college basketball

鈥stv.com/sports/鈥tjo-m-baskbl-sched.html

thanks for the info guys!!

thanks bobbyc, you have been more than helpful.

A word of warning about buying from touts....we saw a family turned away with counterfit tickets.

If your game is not likely to be a sell-out I would advise buying through an exchange site or similar...only because tickermaster charge so many add-ons. We ordered ours through razorgator, worked out about $15 per ticket cheaper (I think we also used a discount code which got us free delivery). They dont ship to the uk so we sent them to our hotel. Because they use Fedex we could track the tickets so we knew exactly when they would arrive at the hotel (so we could call them). Incidently, they were delivered 14 hours after ordering them, and they came from Miami!!

If you want a few beers whilst in MSG you better start saving up.....$8.75 a pint!

New yorkers I need your advise!

I have just agreed to my wifes request of 20 years that we should visit New York in december when it is all Christmasee. To be honest I have always wanted to visit the place but was a bit reluctant to give up our summer vacation to do it.(we love florida)

Anyhow its now booked we arrive in NYC on dec 6th for 7 nights and we cannot wait.

However I would like to surprise my Good lady by adding a 2 or 3 day tag on trip to somewhere new for us. Maybe a flight of 2 to 3 hours from jfk?

Any suggestions so I can spring a surprise?

Cheers guys

Brian

Liverpool (but blue)

New yorkers I need your advise!

I always spell advice wrong when it matters.!

New yorkers I need your advise!

You could fly to Niagara Falls easily within a couple of hours. How romantic, eh?? The Canadian Side is much nicer IMO, so don%26#39;t forget to check on passport/visa requirements if you choose to go there.

Trip Report 24th - 29th December

Well, I am back in Scotland after a very eventful trip and would like to share a few highlights (in no particular order, just as I remember things).

Firstly, for those of you that were following the saga of my missing suitcase, it turned up on the Wednesday (we had arrived on Sunday) at the Affinia 50, BA actually sent it to the wrong hotel because we were still in Philly at the time and guess what, they had even messed up the surnames on the luggage. We have a serious complaint to write to BA with! But I was pleased to be reunited with my belongings.

Very pleased with the Affinia 50 hotel, huge room, comfy bed, good shower, friendly staff and good location - what more could you ask for. No free breakfast there anymore, it is $14.95 pp. We did not partake at all.

Took in most of the sights including the Radio City Spectacular which was better than I expected, excellent production and well worth it to get us in the Xmas spirit. Those Rockettes can really kick precisely! Saw the Tree at Rockefeller Center, watched the skating and went to the Top of the Rock with short lines which was a bonus. Was dark by the time we got there so couldn%26#39;t see Central Park but seeing the ESB lit up was cool. Popped into St Patrick%26#39;s for a look, we saw the line here on Xmas Eve for midnight mass and it stretched the entire block and right round the corner.

Walked the Brooklyn Bridge which was excellent as it was a lovely clear day and then visited Century 21, where I lasted about 10 minutes before nearly passing out, it was so busy! Looked in on Ground Zero and then headed to see Wall Street, the NYSE and the Bull.

Wandered through Chinatown, noticed here there is not so much fake stuff being sold on the street as the last time we were there but everyone shouting at you for handbags, handbags, handbags and I guess go through to the back of their stalls. Wandered Tribeca, but was disappointed with this area, obviously quite residential and we didn%26#39;t stay long.

Also walked through Central Park on Xmas Day which was nice as it was a lovely day and saw the Fountain and Strawberry Fields.

Walked down Mulberry Street through Little Italy and had my first ever Canoli which was delicious and then explored Greenwich Village, Bleecker Street etc. for the obligatory Magnolia cupcake (which really aren%26#39;t that good, they are so sweet and sickly!).

Finally, we took in a movie near the Lincoln Center, had lunch at Zabar%26#39;s and watch the Dolphins V Jets game at Meadowlands and visited the Time Warner building and shops within.

We also watched Hairspray which was excellent and saw All My Sons. I thought this was a really excellent play and you really realise how in a serious play like this in quite a close theatre, the actors have no room for fluffing or messing lines and I have to say each and every one gave a fault free performance, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

We ate varied and plentiful food including steak at Del Friscos which we thought slightly overpriced and slightly disappointing but I guess you are paying for the location. Christmas Day brunch was at Normas which was good but very busy and service very slow. Dinner at Tao was excellent although they kept us waiting way beyond our reservation time and Xmas Day dinner at Park Avenue Winter which was absolutely delicious and a lovely choice. Rosa Mexicano was good and especially liked the table side prepared guacamole but what kind of Mexican restaurant doesn%26#39;t serve a frozen margarita?! Cheesecake at Juniors, drinks at The View ($7 cover charge per person after 9m) and a few nibbles and deli stuff here and there from Dean and Deluca and Whole Foods pretty much ticked all the boxes for New York eats.

Did my last minute shopping at Saks and Macys on our last day before heading home and I treated myself to a Marc Jacobs bag in Saks.

I would also like to add that during my trip I became very ill and I won%26#39;t go into too much detail other than to say the Affinia organised a doctor to come and visit me on Christmas Day. I was eventually diagnosed with Bronchitis and needed antibiotics and other medication but the service was amazing considering it was Xmas Day. The visit and meds cost $600 but our travel insurance will cover it and as soon as I started taking the antibiotics, I began to feel much better.

Overall, apart from the suitcase debacle and felling ill, we had a fabulous time. We have now been to Manhattan twice and feel that we kind of know our way around pretty well now including all the different neighbourhoods. We used the subway loads and only went wrong the very first time when we just jumped on the first train that came along but it really is quite easy to use. Everytime I saw a sign for Queens Boulevard, I thought of a certain expert on here with the same name!! We used cabs quite a bit and they really are good value for money.

We did find NYC to be very expensive, I%26#39;m not complaining just commenting and obviously it was very, very busy and crowds were very hard to deal with especially around Times Square and Rockefeller Center. At first you%26#39;re trying to be quite polite and say excuse me and sorry and by the end you%26#39;re just barging past people and shouting under your breath, keep moving people, keep moving!!

Overall, apart from the suitcase saga and my felling ill, we had a fabulous time, it really is a great city - who knows when we will be back!

Trip Report 24th - 29th December

I%26#39;ve been waiting to hear about that bag. Glad it finally turned up and also happy to hear your Xmas dinner at Park Ave Winter was good. Not sure about the frozen marg. at Rosa Mex. I know they do serve them. Happy New Year and thanks for the report.

Trip Report 24th - 29th December

Welcome home! sorry about your case! United lost my case on my last trip to the US, in Chicago, my onward flight to SFO was cancelled so they booked me on a flight to Oakland? I was like, where? Anyway, I never saw my case again but United gave me compensation money to buy clothes and I claimed money from my insurance co.

The Affina sounds pretty nice, and big rooms too.

I%26#39;m heading off in 4 weeks time and staying at Hyatt Grand Central. Is there anywhere or anything you would avoid doing/seeing. To be honest with you I have been to Manhattan before but was not touristy just chilled out in the village and chelsea. I have to play tourist this time around as my friend has never been to the US and is over excited!

Oh no soo many people, it will be like London%26#39;s Oxford Street, gets to you after a while and the locals get fed up with the tourists.

Happy New Year.

PS I am flying BA, were flights ok or were seats crammed.

Cheers

Craig

Craig,

BA is fine, seats not too crammed and good movies now - all the in flight entertainment is totally on demand so you watch what you want when you want which is cool. If you%26#39;re flying down from Aberdeen for a connecting flight, you will go through the new Terminal 5 which has it pros and cons - baggage handling being a con! But it is good not having to transfer to other terminals and you can get your luggage checked right through to NY. But it does feel somewhat disorganised at various security check points and constant asking for your documents / boarding passes etc, I think they still have a few issues to sort out.

Sounds like you came to NYC with a plan and had a nice trip, despite a couple of bumps in the road...

Everyone says nice things about the Affinia, I have noticed.

I want to see that Christmas show someday. Park Avenue Winter---I%26#39;ll have to look into that...

UN Millenium Plaza or Le Parker Meridian (Central Park)

I was wondering if anyone could tell me which hotel is better (they cost about the same)UN Millenium Plaza or Le Parker Meridian?? Thanks

UN Millenium Plaza or Le Parker Meridian (Central Park)

The Le Parker is more centrally located. Closer to the subway.

UN Millenium Plaza or Le Parker Meridian (Central Park)

This is about the 4th pair of comparisons you%26#39;ve posted about. Why not just tell us when you%26#39;re coming, what kind of hotel you want and what you want to pay? The Parker Meridien is a better location and probably considered a nicer hotel. It is usually more expensive than the Mill. UN Plaza.

i din\t realize that I had to check with you to see what I can post! Thanks for the help!

Which Short Term Rental Agencies are Legit?

Can someone provide me with a list of those short term rental agencies in NYC that are legit? How can you tell if they are scams? We have used W57 Group and were satisfied. So how do we know who should be trusted?

Thanks!

Annah

hair cutting

Billy Elliot Rear Mezzanine Seating

Hi

I%26#39;ve been looking at purchasing tickets for a Broadway show and came across what I think seems a bargain - tickets to see Billy Elliot on a Friday night for $41 ($49.50 with charges added). The tickets seem to be central but right on the back row (rear mezzanine row G seats 1 %26amp; 2). Has anybody who has been to the Imperial Theatre sat this far back and if so could you see? I don%26#39;t want to waste my money, if the seats are terrible I%26#39;d rather pay the extra however if I do get these it means I%26#39;ll probably be able to see another show (if I can fit one in).

Thanks in advance,

Teapotty

Billy Elliot Rear Mezzanine Seating

When I was a little girl my parents got back row tickets for lots of shows. You could hear everything but it was pretty hard to see.

I just saw Billy Elliott and it is a show where seeing the dancing is more important than hearing the singing IMHO. I think for this show you would be better off sitting closer. It is not really a bargain if you don%26#39;t get to see what%26#39;s happening easily.

Billy Elliot Rear Mezzanine Seating

I%26#39;ve not seen the show yet (first week of Jan.) but someone posted how tight the seats are in the Mezz. I would agree with the previous post. Last row of mezz sounds too far back.

Thanks for your responses guys, I%26#39;ll go for better seats I%26#39;d be gutted if I couldn%26#39;t see it.

I%26#39;m glad my choice of seating has thrilled you TraderJosephina, mind yout I suppose somebody as bitter and twisted as you doesn%26#39;t have many friends they can share the joys of Christmas with so i suppose you have to get your thrills where you can!

Well as far as seats are concerned, I have heard mixed reviews about the Rear Mezz, however the Imperial is not a very large theatre, and you will still be able to see the show well even from back there. Another option are looking from the limited view seats on telecharge as sometimes people don%26#39;t know about these so they aren%26#39;t sold as quickly, if you go mid orchestra on the right you really won%26#39;t miss THAT much and the seats are 81.50. If you want more details about some seats you can check this thread out: friendsofbilly.com/FriendsF/viewtopic.php鈥?/a> and ask any other questions.

this works

Am I being stupid

Hi All, My question is probably stupid and I apologise if it has been asked a million and one times. I did look up the FAQ%26#39;s section but maybe it is in my interpretation. ';A taxi between JFK and anywhere in Manhattan - in either direction - is a fixed $45 plus $4.50 tolls and tip.'; So that means that getting back to the airport will be $45 plus toll and tips if I hail a cab from the hotel? Thank you all for your help.

Am I being stupid

lk !! You are not stupid, because I am no longer sure if there is a flat fee to get to JFK, and I live here and taxi there, and pay the meter. so maybe, I will learn something today as well. The sticky info appears to be different on the return to JFK. Someone will hopefully clarify !!!

From the Sticky !!!!

Taxis: If you have had a long flight, and you probably did if you are arriving at JFK, it is probably best to take a taxi instead of dragging your luggage around on public transportation. A taxi between JFK and anywhere in Manhattan - in either direction - is a fixed $45 plus $4.50 tolls and tip. It%26#39;s worth it! Follow the signs to the taxi queue. Wait in line and the dispatcher will get you a car. Please take only official, yellow NYC Taxis. Never accept a ride from anyone who approaches you at the luggage carousels or outside the terminal. This is illegal. They are unauthorized and most likely scams.

From other sources :

Taxis: $45 flat fare (plus tolls) to any Manhattan location. Taxis are available outside of every terminal and there is typically a taxi stand where you will be directed to a taxi. For destinations outside of Manhattan, consult the TLC Fare Guide. You may also want to familiarize yourself with the Taxi Rider%26#39;s Bill of Rights. There is no additional charge for luggage and rates are based per car, not per passenger (up to four passengers). To return to JFK from Manhattan, taxis will charge you the metered rate, plus any applicable tolls.

Am I being stupid

Many thanks for your reply. I was a bit worried as to post as I know people get fed up of repeatedly answering the same questions.

I seem to remember that when I was there 5 months ago it actually advertised the $45 fare on the side of some cabs. I caught a cab from midtown to JFK in peak hour (on the day before the 4th July holiday)which involved a lot of time simply sitting in traffic, but the cabbie honoured the fare. I chose to tip more for the bags and inconvenience, but this was my choice.

As well as the stickies you can confirm at the nyc.gov/html/鈥axicab_rate.shtml site which says:

For trips between (to and from) Manhattan and JFK International Airport, the flat fare is $45.00 plus any tolls using Rate Code 2 on the meter. Surcharges will not be added.

If passengers request multiple stops, the flat rate of $45.00 will be collected at the first stop in either Manhattan or JFK International Airport, and the meter will be activated at Rate Code 1 (standard city rate) for the remainder of the trip. The metered fare should be collected at the last stop, from the last passenger.

All trips between JFK International Airport and New York City destinations other than Manhattan will use that standard metered rate.

The site also gives examples of fares for other desinations.

Thank you. That is another item added to the itinerary. I%26#39;m getting so excited. Only another 5 weeks and I will be in NYC for the first time...

Hi there. We did pay around the $60 from JFK to our hotel which was fine. But just be careful on your return trip. We ordered a taxi from the hotel concierge for a specific time. A ';fancy'; 4 x4 arrived, not a yellow taxi, which we took but as far as I can remember it cost us over $70 or more. Now I know thats not too much more but maybe we would have been better hailing a yellow cab ourselves? Still, it was nice to have the security of having a taxi ordered by the hotel.

Urban - what were your ';other sources';? They are outdated.

millie - the reason it was not a flat $45 is because it was a car service (livery service) and not a yellow NYC cab.

You can%26#39;t phone for a NYC taxi. You only hail them from the street.

Anyone is is ';calling'; for a taxi is calling a private car service.

Lastly, if you use a BRIDGE WITHOUT A TOLL, there is NO ';4.50 toll'; charge. So, you will have no toll to pay if you use the FREE Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge or Queensborough-59th Street Bridge.

(Oh, unless Gov. Paterson gets his way and imposes tolls on those crossings! Ha!)

Sorry mollie for mistyping your name!

Here%26#39;s more from the FAQ ';sticky'; about taxis:

HOW DO I HAIL A TAXI? Taxis and rental cars:

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60763-s304/New-York-鈥?/a>

YES, taxi to and from JFK and Manhattan is a fixed price of $45 plus any toll and tip.

I have literally just returned. When I left the Hotel, the bell hop said it would be $50 plus toll %26amp; tip, I said I thought it was 45. He mumbled something about it being different on the return journey. I was too tired to argue.

Anywho, the really interesting and funny Iranian cab driver had $45 on the meter when we got in. So I%26#39;m not sure what the bell hop was up to.

The toll is not $4.50. If the cab has EZ-Pass (which he should), the toll is $4.15, and the driver is required to pass the discount on to you. If the cab does not have EZ Pass (which would be odd), the toll is $5.00.

Most cabs from JFK will take the Midtown Tunnel, which has a toll. Since the cabbie keeps none of the toll, he is not taking the tunnel to make more money, but because it is the shortest route to midtown. If one is going to anything by Battery Park (e.g., the Riz Carlton), the Battery Tunnel is the fastest route, and it also has a toll. The toll-less Queesborough (or ';59th Street';) Bridge works best for the upper east side; the toll-less Brooklyn Bridge is a possibility for some downtown hotels, especially those in the area of the South Street Seaport.

Brooklyn's Carroll Gardens

I am looking at rentals through vrbo.com and have found a brownstone in Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn. Does anyone know what this neighborhood has to offer and what subway lines/stations it is near? Thanks.

Brooklyn's Carroll Gardens

It%26#39;s a lovely neighborhood of family oriented rowhouses, with restaurants, quirky stores and coffee shops along Smith and Court streets. Many people would consider it some of the best of classic Brooklyn. The Bergen and Carroll Street F stations are in the neighborhood.

That%26#39;s a lovely and pretty convenient place to stay - and you%26#39;ll get a feel for real New York middle class life - but you have to be VERY wary of those VRBO rentals. There are many people on this board who have been taken by scam artists offering fake rentals on sites like that - often to the tune of more than $1000!

Brooklyn's Carroll Gardens

Carroll Gardens is a thoroughly gentrified former part of Red Hook. I believe Smith Street is considered (one of) its major thoroughfare. It is a relatively quiet neighborhood, but with lots of nice restaurants, etc.

It is predominantly serviced by the F line (6th Ave line in Manhattan until Midtown where it hangs right and goes out to Queens). The F can be crazy crowded during rush hour, as it is a major Park Slope train, but I always found it to run quite regularly. The G also has a stop or two in Carroll (including its southern terminus) and then runs north through downtown Brooklyn, Clinton Hill, Williamsburg, Greenpoint and into Queens. The G is, in my opinion, the worst train in the city, as it runs sparingly.

I%26#39;ve never lived there but did look at a few apartments there at times. It seems to be on the higher priced side of the Brooklyn rentals market.

As you may know from reading this forum, legit apartment vacation rentals are few and far between. Scams are popular, even on legit websites like VRBO, because they don%26#39;t conduct due diligence on their users.

Can you give us an address and price range so we can try to size up if it%26#39;s legit or not?

Thanks.

How about a link to the page on vrbo? I have not been in contact with the owner, although a member of my traveling party has.

http://www.vrbo.com/166520

Thanks for assistance.

Well, it certainly does not sound as wildly unlikely as some of the obvious scams do. It is clear from the details that the subway station in question is Carroll Street, and the park referred to is the one between Carroll and President.

When you google the phone number listed it comes up as:

Access NYC Realty

Calabrese, Joe joe@accessnycrealty.com Work : 212-645-3311 x12 Mobile : 917-596-9629

accessnycrealtycom.verizonsupersite.com/home/

But that%26#39;s not to say its legit or not. Just what I found from a quick search.

He also seems to be listed as maybe doing construction work on 284 PRESIDENT Street which would be carroll gardens.

nyc.gov/html/鈥ob082507.xls

I just booked that property for the first week in April! I never thought that it could be a scam! Could you please notify me with any news on this listing?

What news could there possibly be here? You either got scammed or rented an illegal apartment- cancel it.

People will really never learn, and I really think the mindset is that so long as they get a good price to heck with the neighbors who are forced to live next to an ILLEGAL Flop House.

If you found this web site to ask this question, you could have and should have looked at this web site and read the hundreds of posts on why renting apartments in NYC is almost always illegal, is rife with scams and hurts NYC residents. So, this ';how could I know'; is pure and utter bull.

ds lite repair quickly!

Hi Im in Manhattan for 5 days next week-bringing my son%26#39;s broken Nintendo DS Lite. Anywhere I can get it repaired quickly in Manhattan? Thanks

ds lite repair quickly!

This is the forum for New York State. You will get more responses if you repost your question to the forum for New York City, found here:

tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g60763-i5-New_York鈥?/a>

ds lite repair quickly!

thanks I will do that

nintendo repair in Manhattan

Hi Im in Manhattan for 5 days next week-bringing my son%26#39;s broken Nintendo DS Lite. Anywhere I can get it repaired quickly in Manhattan? Thanks

nintendo repair in Manhattan

probably cost as much to repair as to buy a new one in Duty Free on the way out

nintendo repair in Manhattan

just found these guys 鈥ahoo.com/info-45711073-miami-computers-new鈥?/a>

might be worth emailing them with details of the fault and asking how much they charge

posters for sale

Theatre Tickets.... How Much???

Hi, can someone advise.. I am trying to budget for a trip to New york in May and I would like to see a broadway show - when I look on the websites, tickets are 拢100 plus?? Is this right?

Are theatre tickets cheaper if I buy them from a booths on the street? and if so, do you know how much ?

Thanks in advance

Theatre Tickets.... How Much???

Are you looking to see a musical or straight play? Are you looking to see a sold-out show that is never discounted (wicked) or a show that may have discounts (see www.broadwaybox.com or www.tdf.org for TKTS booth options)?

I bought discount tickets to a musical last week at TKTS (the official half-price ticket booth) for $57.50 US each.

Theatre Tickets.... How Much???

NO tickets should be 100 pounds. $100 dollars, yes, depending on the show. YOu can get discounted tickets to a lot of shows. To get an idea, go to

broadwaybox.com

and see which shows are currently discounted. You can also get same day tickets for many shows at the TKTS booth. Info at

tdf.org/tkts

If you have to see something like Jersey Boys, Wicked, Lion King or Billy Elliot, you%26#39;ll have to pay full price (~$125/ticket) and buy them well in advance.

Every show has an official seller-either telecharge.com or

ticketmaster.com

Every show has it%26#39;s own website with links to the official seller.

Yours is a popular question. There%26#39;s an FAQ ';sticky'; at the top of this forum. In it is this page re: discount theater tix:

BROADWAY! Discount tickets and theatre etiquette: Never pay full price and turn off that cell phone!

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60763-c1146/New-York鈥?/a>

Could someone please advice where can I fnd the FAQ%26#39;s? I do not see it anywhere on this forum. Please, let me know should I stroll through e.g ';Things to do';

Thank you

Oh well, now I can answer to myself; it is on the top of the Forum topic box. Easily found when you take a look at the right place!

Yum Cha suggestions

Hi all,

having an absolute ball in your fabulous city.

We were hoping to go to Chinatown for a yum cha on Sunday and thought the wiz et la might have a good suggestion for us.

Will post a proper trip report when we get home but for now its off to Central Station for oysters and the whispering gallery.

Thanks in advance,

Kath

formerly nycb0und (Leaving the mac at home seemed like a good idea at the time! Wrong)

Yum Cha suggestions

If you search for ';dim sum'; you%26#39;ll find many, many recommendations. Since yum cha is Cantonese--I think!--you%26#39;ll probably be happiest at a Cantonese place, like Cantoon Garden:

www.yelp.com/biz/cantoon-garden-new-york-2

Yum Cha suggestions

Thanks Crans, we will give that a go,

Kath

I have no idea what yum cha is. There was a restaurant called Yumcha but it%26#39;s closed. If it%26#39;s dim sum, Jing Fong, HSF, Sweet%26amp; Tart, Golden Unicorn are the go to places.

Wiz, in Melbourne it%26#39;s yummy (mostly steamed, althuoou some fried)things on trollys.Like a Chinese version of Tapas. Is that what dim sum is here?

Kath

Yes.

Btw, Whiz, HSF is closed:

www.zagat.com/Blog/Detail.aspx鈥?/a>

No!!!! this is very bad news. Dare I say it, but I am going to have to try the places I%26#39;ve resisted because of the names/style - Dim Sum a Go Go and Chinatown Brasserie?

Yes, do say ';dim sum'; if you mean things going past on rolling carts, and the bill added up based on how many dishes you get.

Jing Fong is great if you get there early (say, 11:00-11:30), but if you get there late (1:00) a lot of the food will be cold. I was not overly impressed by Golden Unicorn. I used to like (although have not been in a while, and so cannot say they are still there!) the Nice Restaurant on East Broadway.

Im wondering if the new place will be the same staff, just different owners? Or updated name?

I%26#39;ll give Jin Fong another shot, but I am really fine with ordering off the menu at Noodletown. I must have just ';known'; because I picked up a bunch of frozen dim sum at Hong Kong Supermarket last weekend.

Thanks all,

we will give one of the suggested ones a go and report back.

Loved Grand Cenrtral Staion (Terminal?) Strange stepping into such a familiar space that you%26#39;d never been in before!

Had delicious oysters and loved the whispering gallery.

Off to Liza at the Palace...What a city

Kath

this works

Rockefeller Tree/ Store Windows

A little late, I agree, but are the displays still up? Planning on Sat, the 3rd? Thanks, d

Rockefeller Tree/ Store Windows

You%26#39;re good. The tree is up through the 9th, I believe; windows through Sunday the 4th.

Rockefeller Tree/ Store Windows

We just walked down 5th Avenue today, right around sunset, and the windows were great! Still massive crowds, though.

Bergdorf-Goodman%26#39;s windows were AMAZING! Especially at night. Take your time and check out the details, even the small dioramas.

The jewels and watches in the windows of Cartier and Wempe were brilliant.

The north side of the Henry Winston Building is a little bit of hidden whimsy.

Oops! It%26#39;s the HARRY Winston store, not ';Henry.';

Thanks for all the info! Will be on our way this after noon!!

Penn station to 6 west 32nd street

Would this distance be walkable or would we need to take a cab? Thanks

Penn station to 6 west 32nd street

Very very walkable cant be no more than 5 minutes stroll away

Penn station to 6 west 32nd street

The big escalators from the mezzaneine in Penn Station will bring you up to 32nd Street and 7th Avenue (ask any police officer to direct you to the 32nd St. / 7th Avenue exit near the Duane Reade and the Zaro%26#39;s Bakery)

Directly across 7th Avenue you%26#39;ll see a bunch of City buses getting ready to start their run. You can take the bus two stops to Fifth Avenue or you can simply walk.

The walk will take approximately five minutes. 6 West 32nd Street is between 5th and 6th Avenues. There are some excellent Korean restaurants on the block.

Go to

maps.google.com

At the top in the box type

Penn station nyc to 6 west 32nd st. nyc

Click search maps

You%26#39;ll get a map with driving instructions. Then click from by car to walking. Voila.

New York to Toronto

Hi

We are in the very early stages of planning a trip to the East coast of America. There are a few things we would like to do around Toronto before heading south on the east coast. Can anyone help me with suggestions of the most cost effective way of travelling from New York to Toronto? We were thinking of flying into Toronto and the driving down to Miami to fly out, during a four week trip. We were told mixing Canda and US is not cost effective way when flying from Australia.

Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks,

Kim

New York to Toronto

Kim - The challenge you are going to run into is that if you try to hire a car (rent a car as we say) in Toronto and return it in Miami, well, it is a Canadian registered car. I realize you can%26#39;t drive from Melbourne to Auckland (I%26#39;ve flown Trans-Tasman) but it would be a similar concept. They wouldn%26#39;t really want the car returned in Auckland, another country.

What you can do is you can make Buffalo your airport and car rental location for Toronto.

jetBlue and several other airlines fly frequent daily flights between New York and Buffalo. Buffalo is about an hour and a half from Toronto and it is significantly more cost-effective.

You can take a rental car from Buffalo to Toronto. You can take the same car to Florida and potentially pay much less. In the autumn months you can usually get pretty reasonable rates to return cars in Florida because they need more cars in the Northeast in the summer, fewer in the winter, the opposite in Florida.

You can do a Sydney - New York / Miami - Sydney *or* you could do a Sydney - Toronto / Miami - Sydney. If you started in Sydney I%26#39;d suggest flying to New York before picking up the car as you really don%26#39;t want a car in and around New York City.

Any questions, just ask...

New York to Toronto

Thanks for your speedy reply. We did think this could be a problem. But you have given us something to consider, as I said only very early planning so we will add that to the mix and see what we can come up with.

Thanks again.

Hi,

Is the Maple Leaf train an option to consider from New York to Toronto the cost on the website says $369 for 4 adults?

Thanks Kim

We flew with Porter Airlines back in the summer from Toronto to New York. They fly from downtown Toronto rather than Pearson airport. I think we paid about 50 Canadaian dollars each one way. Excellent service.

';Is the Maple Leaf train an option to consider from New York to Toronto the cost on the website says $369 for 4 adults?';

The train is not reliable. LAN is a new airline that flies b/w Toronto %26amp; NYC for about $100/person one way, so not much more than that train price (unless that was a roundtrip fare) and infinitely easier. Use kayak.com

for flight info.

networking

Visit between Christmas and New Year - Highlights

This was our second visit to NY and it was just as good, if not better, than the first. A big thanks to all those who contribute. I love this forum!

These are some of the highlights that made this year%26#39;s trip great

-Foods of NY tour of Chelsea Market and Meatpacking District: We had Curt as a tour guide and he was great fun. Loved the area. The Lobster Place had amazing clam chower and lobster rolls. Ronnybrook Milk bar served chocolate milk that tasted like the real deal you got as a kid.

-Campbell Appartment at GCT: what a gorgeous place to have a drink, especially with the Christmas decs. Loved their Prohibition Punch!

-Wicked: just loved it. even the husband enjoyed himself!

-Intrepid: think it%26#39;s a must for the boys out there with any interest in the military/planes. But pick a warm day to visit - we froze on the flight deck New Year%26#39;s Day!

-Fed Reserve Tour: a stunning building inside and it was kind of cool to see where the gold was kept. No charge for this. You can%26#39;t just turn up though, you have to book your tickets online, in advance.

-Tenament Museum: this was mobbed - get your tickets online to be sure you can take the tour you want. We did the last ';Getting By'; tour of the day and it was really informative and enjoyable. History of the building was quite something and I think it was great touring it at night - tons of atmosphere.

-Katz Deli: I knew it would be busy, but I had no idea it was going to be the mad house it was. Still, we managed to find a seat and had the best pastrami ever!

Jimmy%26#39;s Corner Bar/PDT (Please Don%26#39;t Tell)/Ear Inn: Jimmy%26#39;s was good. Friendly bartender and the husband enjoyed the boxing memorabelia. Bit of a dive bar I guess, but that%26#39;s it%26#39;s charm. Really needed to make a reservation in PDT, but didn%26#39;t. Turned up and got as far as the phonebox,only to find out they were full. Was happy just to find it really - one for next time! Lots of character going on at the Ear Inn. Thought it was a bit of a rock spot, so was surprised to turn up and find a jazz trio playing sunday night! ha ha!

Walking Tour of GCT - good guide and very informative. Would recommend.

Terra Blues: Much busier than when we visited last year. This place was heaving and Michael Powers put on a great show.

Cafe Freda - great Mexican food and Margaritas. Had a lovely meal there New Year%26#39;s Eve and had such a good time we didn%26#39;t make it to Central Park for the fireworks.

It%26#39;s too bad it is all over but we had an amazing trip. We walked our socks off and met some great people. Thanks New York!!! :)

Visit between Christmas and New Year - Highlights

Sounds great Mary. Where did you stay in NYC (and where do you live in the Cotswolds?)

Visit between Christmas and New Year - Highlights

Thanks for the happy recap and congrats on a successful return visit! Where did you stay?

Glad you liked the Ear Inn. It%26#39;s funky.

Did you get a chance to pop in to Economy Candy?

Wow Mary!

it looks like you guys did everything I didn%26#39;t. Maybe next year we should flip flop. I really wanted to see the Intrepid but ran out of time. Glad you enjoyed your trip.

Chipper

Thanks for sharing! You mentioned a few places I am going to add to my list! :)

You sure did a lot, great reco%26#39;s for other, even us locals!

Whiz - it really was a great time! Thanks for your help with Hotels. I did make a reservation at the Milburn, but ended up cancelling it once I had a rough itinerary. So much of what we wanted to do and see was Downtown so I thought Washington Square made the most sense. Turned out to be a good little hotel and I thought it was great value. I love the area around Bleeker/Cornelia St, so it really was a perfect spot to stay. Can%26#39;t complain either that it was 5 minutes away from Joe%26#39;s by the slice! :) We live in the Broadway area, which is I think about 25 miles away from Great Tew.

Queensboulevard - thanks. I didn%26#39;t think it would be as good as the first visit but it was! It%26#39;s little tips like the Ear Inn that really do make the trip.

Chipper - I think you had better put the Intrepid first on your list for your next visit. You%26#39;ll love it! Ok, it%26#39;s not Hooters, but maybe a potential meet up with Lotus on the next trip?? :)

Stephintampa %26amp; NYCgirl - this forum was the souce for most of what we did for both our trips to NYC. You should see the number of saved posts I have in my trip folder! Hope you have a good trip Steph!!

Glad to hear you liked the Washington Square. You have a good memory. ;)

Cab fare JFK - Midtown Manhattan... 4 Adults?

I have noticed on other threads that a cab fare from JFK to manhattan is a flat rate of $45 + tolls + tip.

... Would a yellow cab fit 4 adults plus luggage (was hoping to restrict the wife to just one bag!)

This would prob work out as cheap as the shuttle but much more convenient.

We are 1st time visitors and can%26#39;t wait.... 3 weeks and counting!!

Thanks in advance for any help

Cab fare JFK - Midtown Manhattan... 4 Adults?

Avoid the shuttles. Avoid Super Shuttle. Avoid Go AirLink. Avoid.

Taxi for four people, yes. Ask the Mrs. to avoid bringing too much luggage. Four suitcases should fit in the back of the taxi.

Do *not* accept a ride from anybody in the airport who asks you whether you need a ride / need a taxi, walk past them, ignore them, do not ask them how much, do not ask them any questions, just proceed directly to the taxi rank where you%26#39;ll find a uniformed dispatcher and line of yellow taxi%26#39;s.

$45.00 plus toll and tip, $60.00. They accept credit cards now.

Alternatively we have a great rail link however if you prefer to take a taxi, go for it. Taxi will take you door to door for a fixed price and you%26#39;ll get everything in the boot.

Have a great trip, feel free to ask us lots of questions.

Cab fare JFK - Midtown Manhattan... 4 Adults?

If each of you brought just one suitecase (and a shoulder bag for your lap in the cab), the fare from JFK to your hotel would be $45 plus toll %26amp; tip. It%26#39;s a great price when you divide that by four! Taking a taxi would be cheaper and more convenient than using Super Shuttle at $19 pp plus tip.

much appreciated. have only just found out I am going as was a 40th birthday surprise from my wife so I fear alot more posts may be coming your way. thanks again

Tell the dispatcher that you need a mini van taxi. It will have more room than a sedan. You may have to wait a few extra minutes, but it will be worth it for comfort.

But if Trumpylad requests a mini van, then his wife will be able to bring *more* luggage ... something he%26#39;s trying to avoid. =o\

Trumpylad - happy birthday in advance! Where will you be here?

In the meantime, check out the FAQ ';sticky'; at the top of this forum for the most popular queries. At the bottom of the FAQ are trip reports, mostly from first-timers. Steal an itinerary!

queensboulevard - thanks for the birthday wishes but I%26#39;ve had my birthday...... christmas day (my poor mother!)

we will be in NY around the end of Jan, thanks I will take a look at some itineries.

Do you expect any snow in the next 3 weeks?

We don%26#39;t know for sure about the snow but this seems to be a good year for it. It just seems to be a little colder and we seem to be having more storms this year than in the past two winters. The last big snowstorm was February 2006 but we%26#39;re expecting that if it is going to happen again in this decade it will be this winter. We%26#39;ll just have to wait and see, we%26#39;ve been unable to get a definitive answer from our meteorologists in the local media.

We%26#39;ll keep our fingers crossed for snow in late January.

nice hotel near The Commons

Several couples are going for a winter wine tasting weekend in Ithaca soon. Which hotels are closest to the Commons (thought that would be good for dinners, etc.) that are nice, clean and modern?

nice hotel near The Commons

There%26#39;s a Holiday Inn off Cayuga and a Hilton Gardens in the downtown area.

I do not believe there are a great deal of restaurants on the commons (Simeons comes to mind and when I%26#39;ve been there it was good. Madelines also - which I%26#39;ve never been to.) Many nice restaurants in Ithaca (Moosewood is famous and I use to enjoy it...but it has been many years)... you may want to investigate and expand beyond the commons when considering restaurants.

www.downtownithaca.com/enjoy/dining.htm

nice hotel near The Commons

I have to respectfully disagree with the previous poster; there are several restaurants in/around the Commons. I like ';Just a Taste'; for dinner and ';Lost Dog Cafe'; or ';Viva Taqueria'; for lunch but there are many other good options for all meals.

this works

help when i come to new york

hi all will be going to new york with in the next 8 weeks!! is there anyone that can show me where to go and maybe hang out????

help when i come to new york

you could try getting a Big Apple Greeter, google it to get the website, i%26#39;m not sure how far in advance you have to book them, but people have had great experiences with them.

Big Apple Greeter, is a volunteer program, where native NYers take you round a part of NY that interests you, free of charge!

help when i come to new york

it%26#39;d be worth you searching these forums for trip reports, especially solo trip reports, that%26#39;d give you a load of suggestions of places you can go.

New York is a city that is ideal for a solo traveller, and really, you don%26#39;t need someone specifically to show you around! What interests you? Do you intend to go to any sporting events, you into bars, pubs, theatre? All sorts of places can be good ways to meet up with people.

Our collection of trip reports from solo travelers:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k474427-鈥?/a>

a big thank you

My wife and i would like to say thank you too all the great people we met in our 4 days in new york . to many to mention .... and we will def be back thanks again new york we had a ball

a big thank you

That%26#39;s great! What did you do? We love details and reviews.

a big thank you

Well to start with we walked for miles just taking in the atmosphere.We were in a few bars including The Parlour the people in there made us very welcome.As for eating we hd a great steak in Frankie and Bennies on w 45th.We also liked juniors although we never got to try the cheescake as portions were too much for us will def try next time.All in all we just loved New York and are saving hard for a return trip

Where did you have your Xmas meal???

We went to Juniors tho we didnt have a traditional meal unless you count ribs as a xmas dinner lol and they were delicious

My wife has just pointed out to me that the restaurant in w45th is Frankie and Johnnies great steak and atmosphere

garlic off skin