I am wondering where in NYC I should look to have a caricature done. Are there any specific areas to key in on? How can I size up the artists and pick a good one?
Friday, March 30, 2012
I'm coming back!
I%26#39;m so excited, I booked my tickets this evening and I%26#39;ll be returning to NYC in October, although for not as long as my last trip. I haven%26#39;t quite worked out my itinerary yet, but I%26#39;ll probably spend about 8 days in the city. I%26#39;ll be in the US for a total of 5 weeks but I have other cities I%26#39;m visiting, but definitely don%26#39;t want to rush my time in New York!
Now onto the task of deciding on accomodation....!
I'm coming back!
Very exciting HM. When were you last here?
I'm coming back!
Good !!! Welcome Back !!!!
March/April 2007 last time. Wanted to come last year but I had a lot going on so I took a trip closer to home last year.
Nice one!
Did you get a good deal on the airfare?
Yes I did. I booked with Air NZ, I%26#39;m actually flying into San Francisco and making my way around before I get to NY. I paid about $1900, which I think is very good.
Great price, happymeal! Now you can start counting the days.
And October is such a nice month to be here!
I hope so! It was just slightly chilly in April, I think it will be warmer in October.
Not sure if it%26#39;s best to book accommodation now, if I%26#39;ll get the best prices being an early bird or wait awhile.
Because my trip is a few weeks I have to be a bit more budget conscious.
If you see something you can afford now, book it and then keep watching. You can always cancel if a special comes up.
You%26#39;re enough of a regular to know about
www.travelzoo.com
www.quikbook.com
and their specials. ;)
Hi happymeal, that was a great price for the US ticket! Especially in October! Just a question - was that for the Perth to San Fran tickets only or was that including other flights in the US?
Kateoz - I%26#39;ve never heard of Quikbook, but I have been looking at Expedia, Priceline, Wotif, etc.
But I did have a look a few moments ago on Quikbook and they had a rate for Flatotel for the king room at $150! That is so cheap, have you booked with Quikbook before?
The only thing is it%26#39;s a king bed, and really I would want two beds, but I could always request a rollaway or if not, I suppose I could share the bed.
Caa-azz - the $1900 fare was just PER-SFO. The internal flights will be additional. I did a sample Airpass itinerary, approx US$1000 but even then it%26#39;s still cheaper all up than other fares I%26#39;ve seen. Singapore Airlines was $3300 just the US fare.
New Location for NYC Marriage Bureau in Manhattan
While it is common to speak of ';getting married at City Hall';, in New York City the place where one obtains a marriage license (for any wedding, whether civil or religious), and where one may have a civil wedding conducted by an official provided by the City, is not City Hall, but is instead the office of the City Clerk%26#39;s Marriage Bureau.
There are five separate Marriage Bureau offices, with one in each borough, and they may be used interchangeably (for example, you can get the marriage license at any one of the five, regardless of the borough in which the wedding is to take place, and you can also get married at any one of the five, regardless of where in NYC you obtained the license.) For many years, the Marriage Bureau for Manhattan had been located in a cramped and dingy facility in the Municipal Building, across the street from City Hall Park. However, effective Monday, January 12, 2009, there will be a NEW LOCATION for the Manhattan office of the Marriage Bureau.
As of that date, all Manhattan functions of the Marriage Bureau will move to a new office on the ground floor at 141 Worth Street. Where the heck is that? Well, the building is better known as the Lefkowitz State Office Building, at 80 Centre Street; ';141 Worth Street'; is the address on the door on the south side of the building. Worth Street, by the way, is the street that runs along the north side of Foley Square, and that ';141 Worth Street'; doorway faces the New York State Supreme Court building (that is, the New York County Courthouse) at 60 Centre Street across Worth.
The closest subway stop is the complex that is made up of Brooklyn Bridge station on the #4/5/6 and Chambers Street on the J, M and Z. If you are coming from the 4, 5, and 6, use the exit that is near the back of a downtown train, or the front of an uptown train -- that is, the exit that makes you go downstairs first, and that leads toward the M, J, and Z trains. If you go all the way through that passageway, you will come up in Foley Square. Look across the street, and you will see courthouses with columns. The tall courthouse on the right, with the gold pyramid on top, is the Federal courthouse at 40 Centre Street. The one to the left of that, with the long flight of stairs, and the motto about the ';true administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government'; carved into it, (hey, isn%26#39;t that the courthouse from ';Law and Order';? yes, it is...) is 60 Centre. The street to the left is Worth Street, and the building across the street, cater-corner to the northeast corner of Foley Square, is 80 Centre street/141 Worth Street.
New Location for NYC Marriage Bureau in Manhattan
Very helpful, GWB.
New Location for NYC Marriage Bureau in Manhattan
Great information! Especially about the location of courthouse steps in L%26amp;O. I had thought the steps were at the Brooklyn courthouse, because I was told so by a Kings County A.D.A. Guess you cannot always trust lawyers!
To all the Newly Weds to be !! Some more info in the NY Times.
nytimes.com/2009/鈥?/a>
JFK to Penn St station via subway
Hello,
Just after a bit advice for travelling from JFK to Penn St Station. Flying into jfk from london on sunday 3 may and will arrive at 11:30am.
Just want to know how easy/how to get to penn street by train as im guessing it will be a lot cheaper than getting a cab? Travelling across the US in May and trying to keep it to a budget, we%26#39;re staying at hotel 31 which doesnt seem that far from penn street to walk.
Thanks in advance
JFK to Penn St station via subway
Take the airtrain to jamaica plain, and then get on subway, or even better take the LIRR train to PENN also available at jamaica station.
LIRR is a lot quicker, more comfortable and worth the extra couple of dollars.
Airtrain = $5 and LIRR = $5.50 (subway = $2)
JFK to Penn St station via subway
Thanks for that, that should save me a few dollars
If you really want to ave money, you can take the A subway train all the way from JFK To Penn Station, it will only run you $2, but it%26#39;s a pretty long ride, well over an hour.
Don%26#39;t you still have to get the Airtrain to the A station?
I haven%26#39;t done it that way for a long time, as it takes FOREVER.
No, you can take the airport tram (free) to the Howard Beach subway stop.
Best romantic restaurant?
I%26#39;m going to be in NYC over Valentine%26#39;s day and I was looking for a restaurant that has a romantic feel, great food and not extremely expensive...if anyone has any recommendations i would really appreciate it!
Best romantic restaurant?Le Zie- Italian
http://www.lezie.com/
Philip Marie - American
www.philipmarie.com
The Place-
www.theplaceny.com
Best romantic restaurant?Just be prepared that you had better book very early since the places are very crowded and a lot of restaurants in NYC will jack up a %26#39;special%26#39; fixed price menu just for the happy occasion.
King%26#39;s Carriage House:
Photo (click to enlarge)
greatrestaurantsmag.com/NYC/鈥?/a>
A few reviews:
www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp鈥?/a>
I too can%26#39;t muster much enthusiasm about going out for a V-Day dinner, and to compound matters, the 14th is a Saturday this year. Would you consider making another night the special celebration of your love for each other?
Thanksgiving Lunch or Dinner
We just made our reservations for Thanksgiving 2009. I know I am way early but could I get recomendations for a good place for lunch or dinner. We will have my wife and I and 3 kids(16,22 %26amp; 24) Looking for a tradional dinner unless I get a better recomendation.
Thanks!
Thanksgiving Lunch or Dinner
There is a nice round-up of possibilities in this thread;
tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k877305-鈥?/a> Christmas_New_Year_s-New_York_City_New_York.html
You%26#39;ll see I posted a review of my family%26#39;s 2006 dinner at Savoy. We liked it so much we returned the following year, were lucky enough to again receive the large table near the fireplace -- and again were able to add to ';celebrity sightings in NYC'; list being compiled by the out-of-town teens/young adults :-)
Truly, very special dinners we%26#39;ll always remember.
http://www.savoynyc.com
Tipping Manhattan
If everyone in Manhattan stood at say.....1st Avenue....would Manhattan tip???
Sorry bad sense of humour....just couldn%26#39;t resist!
Tipping Manhattan
Maybe 15%. perhaps more for exceptional weight.
Tipping Manhattan
I think all the bedrock might prevent it. You know what they say, %26#39;Schist happens%26#39;
Hotel Suggestion
Hotels are running great deals in NYC this weekend, so I need your suggestions on which one to stay at:
The Benjamin
Omni Berkshire
The Alex
The Michelangelo
New York Palace
Pros/Cons/Opinions...which one would you stay at?
Any other suggestions?
Thanks so much!
Hotel Suggestion
The Omni would be my last choice of those you%26#39;ve listed; the hotel is nothing special although the concierge staff there is terrific. The Benjamin is definitely a cut above, but I%26#39;m not raring to return there... probably because rates were quite high when we were there %26amp; I didn%26#39;t feel like we got much bang for our big bucks.
FWIW my first choice of the remainder: the Palace, primarily because it%26#39;s the one of the 3 that feels most like a classic NYC hotel to me, I like the room decor (the settee seating in the Alex%26#39;s rooms is not at all comfortable imo); your tastes may be different.
Hotel Suggestion
All but the Michelangelo are on the east side if that matters to you. What are you coming to do? If all the prices are the same, I%26#39;d go for the Palace just b/c it%26#39;s the most opulent of the bunch but not necessarily the best rooms. That really depends on what kind of room you%26#39;d get at each. The Benjamin and the Alex are suite hotels so you might have more space and a kitchen if that appeals to you. The Michelangelo is closest to Times Square and theaters if you plan on going. The Westin also has a special on travelzoo if you are going to the theater.
Hi nywhiz-
I%26#39;m just looking for a great impressive room. Just coming in for the weekend and bumming around.
I%26#39;m not sure how impressive the rooms will be at any of these. I know at the Palace there%26#39;s a good chance of at least a view. The bathrooms at the Michelangelo are supposed to be relatively large but no views there.
There are some amazingly good prices on quikbook for this weekend. It really depends on what you like- a great room in a lesser hotel or a basic room in a fancier hotel and whether you prefer classic or modern. The Cooper Square Hotel has just opened and has some good reviews already.
tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60763-d1149402鈥?/a>
There are some prices on quikbook too good to be true. I%26#39;m assuming if you%26#39;re from NJ you know the city well and maybe staying downtown would be fun. Hotel on Rivington on the lower east side also looks like good prices.
The Royalton has a special for $169/night with a room with a round soaking tub.
www.royaltonhotel.com/so/zoo6.asp鈥?/a>
If it matters to you, the standard rooms at the Benjamin don%26#39;t have kitchenettes; square footage of those rooms and their studio suite -- and the less pricey rooms at the Alex -- will be less than the base rooms at either the Palace or the Michelangelo.
Bet you feel lucky to have such an array of nice choices for the weekend!
How many people are you looking to house at one of these hotels? Are you looking for suites or single rooms?
It%26#39;s just going to be me and 2 friends, so I%26#39;m looking for a room with 2 double beds.
Yes, I%26#39;m from NJ and come into the city once or twice a month. Just looking for variety and it seems I%26#39;m always staying at the same 2 places. I figured with some of the amazing rates I%26#39;ve been seeing, I would try something new.
The need to accommodate 3 people narrows the landscape a bit. Looks like Travelocity would be your best bet: it%26#39;s the only one of the major consolidators showing availability for rooms with 2 beds at the Alex ($299/night, 400 sq. feet) %26amp; the Palace ($280/night, 360 sq. feet); 1-bedroom suite with sofa bed at the Benjamin would be $340/night for 550 sq. ft. As I recall, the sofa bed in our suite at the Benjamin wasn%26#39;t super-comfy to sit on, but we didn%26#39;t use it for sleeping so I can%26#39;t comment on that.
The link on Travelzoo for the Benjamin%26#39;s super promo rate permits you to book a studio suite for 3 people at $249/night (the 1-bedrooms are not available on that deal), but I would call the Benjamin to clarify the room set-up for 3 people. The floor plan indicates there is no sofa bed in the studio suite, the bed itself may only be a double rather than a queen, and the kitchenette cuts into the space (~350 sq. ft) that would otherwise be available for a roll-away.
There are still some good deals on quikbook for this weekend for a room for 3. A couple of 1 bedroom suites are under $300/night. Not sure whether you%26#39;re men or women or what ';bumming around'; you plan. The Gansevoort is a cool trendy hotel in the meatpacking districe with a good rate for a double double too.
Restaurant reccs...sorry.
Sorry guys! I did have a big list but have had to scrap a couple of the restaurants due to the poor exchange rate/expensive menu/credit crunch.
I need a place for breakfast on a Sunday morning under $10 per head, there are 6 of us so need to be able to easily get a table in the Times Square and surrounding area. Staying at the Wellington.
Also need a place for dinner one night. Around $30 a head not incl drinks. Maybe Italian, American or TexMex? Also in the same area. Thanks!
Restaurant reccs...sorry.
For a group of you for dinner I like Carmines - not the best Italian in the world but lovely comfortable atmosphere. They do family style dining so one main will do for about 3 people. www.carminesnyc.com
Restaurant reccs...sorry.
You should be able to get breakfast around that price somewhere like the Cosmic Diner.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cosmic-diner-new-york
If you%26#39;re willing to travel a little, head to Little Poland for a great cheap breakfast:
www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp鈥?/a>
For dinner, I quite like Havana Central (Cuban) for a cheap dinner in the TS area:
havanacentral.com/mambo/index.php鈥?/a>
Or Maria Pia for Italian:
www.mariapianyc.com/media/websitemari.html
Breakfast for under $10/person will be tight and depend on what people order. It%26#39;s easy to find eggs/bacon or waffles/pancakes for ~ $7-8 but when you add coffee which is now $2 and tax and tip it will come in over $10. The closest good but affordable place is probably Lou%26#39;s Cafe on 6th ave %26amp; 53 st.
menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp鈥?/a>
The City Light diner on 10th ave. is much cheaper and also a schlepp probably out of your way.
menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp鈥?/a>
Agree with kateoz that if you head down to Little Poland or Little Veselka
www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp鈥?/a>
those are also good value for breakfast.
For dinner, there are quite a few places with pre theater and/or prix fixe dinners for $20-30/person for 3 courses. You might want to get out of Times Square/midtown for a change if you%26#39;re not going to the theater.
Just another thought - I also quite like the Edison Cafe for a reasonably priced breakfast at the bottom of the Edison Hotel:
www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp鈥?/a>
Thanks for the suggestions! Cosmic dinner looks great for breakfast and we will definitely check out Carmines. How many people would one portion of food serve there? Seems fantastic value for money - any must try dishes on the menu?
Any Help With Itinerary Most Welcome
Hi Everyone
Last Year My wife (Lyn) and I took what was to date our holiday of a life time to America. Our fabulous journey took in Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Bryce and Zion National Parks, Death Valley, Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite, San Francisco, Monterey, Cambria and Los Angeles 鈥?we loved our trip so much that this year we have already booked our flights to visit New England the first 3 weeks in October.
When planning last year鈥檚 trip to the US I spent a lot of time speaking to TAs who provided us with invaluable information that made a real difference to the quality of our holiday experience.
So I am back again to ask again for your time and help.
We have done a little research so far but the only thing that is set in concrete is the flights 鈥?we fly into Boston on the 30th September 2009 and fly out of Washington on 22nd October.
Our main objective is to see the beautiful countryside in the fall 鈥?so scenic drives are our number 1 priority 鈥?we really enjoyed the coastal drive between San Francisco and Los Angeles last year and Lyn would like to include another coastal drive on this trip. We also want to see the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia.
So as usual we have a very packed schedule to fit in 鈥?as with last year we appreciate that we will not be able to do justice to all the lovely places that will be available but as with our trip last year it was better to get a glimpse of some of the most stunning scenery that America has to offer than to miss it all together.
This is a very, very rough first draft of a proposed itinerary:-
Wed 30th September 鈥?Boston
Thursday 1st October 鈥?Boston
Friday 2nd October 鈥?Boston to either Camden or Warren Island or Islesboro Island Maine 鈥?220 miles 4.5 hours
Saturday 3rd October 鈥?Camden or Warren Island or Islesboro Island
Sunday 4th October Camden or Warren Island or Islesboro Island to Moosehead Lake 鈥?100 miles 3.5 hours. Taking in the scenic Lakes and Leaves drive on Route 15
Monday 5th October Moosehead Lake
Tuesday 6th October - Moosehead Lake to Lincoln (New Hampshire) 鈥?/p>
Moosehead to Bingham 40 miles 鈥?30 mins (or is this the Lakes and Leaves drive)
Bingham to Albany 鈥?163 miles 鈥?3 hours (via Jackson)
Albany to Lincoln - 37 miles 鈥?1 hour - (Kancamagus Scenic Highway 鈥?New
Hamp taking in the Sabaday Falls)
Wednesday 7th October 鈥?Lincoln to Williamstown
Lincoln to Woodstock 鈥?92 miles 鈥?2.25 hours
Woodstock to Killington - 20 miles 鈥?25 mins (Vermont 鈥?Scenic Drive)
Killington to Williamstown - 82.miles 鈥?1.75 hours
Thursday 8th October 鈥?Williamstown
Friday 9th October Williamstown to Narragansett
Williamstown to Shirley 鈥?100 miles 鈥?2.25 (Massachusetts 鈥?Mohawk Trail)
Shirley to Woodstock 鈥?55 miles (1.25 hours)
Woodstock to Lisbon 鈥?35 miles 鈥?1 hour (Connecticut 鈥?Route 160)
Lisbon to Narragansett 鈥?37 miles 鈥?1 hour 10 minutes
Saturday 10th October 鈥?Narragansett
Sunday 11th October Narragansett 鈥?New York
Narragansett to Westlery 鈥?25 miles 鈥?40 minutes (Rhode Island Coast Scenic Drive)
Westerly to New York 鈥?145 miles 鈥?2.75 hours
Monday 12th October 鈥?New York to Baltimore
New York to Philadelphia - 102 miles 鈥?2 hours
Philadelphia to Baltimore 鈥?102 miles 鈥?2 hours
Tuesday 13th October Baltimore to The Rockfish Gap
Baltimore to Front Royal Virginia鈥?107 miles 鈥?2 hours (start of Skyline Drive)
Front Royal to Rockfish Gap (Skyline Drive)102 miles 鈥?2 hours
Wednesday 14th October - Rockfish Gap
Thursday 15th October 鈥?Rockfish Gap to The Rocky Knob Cabins
Rockfish Gap to The Rocky Knob Cabin (Blue Ridge Parkway) - 160 miles 3 hours
Friday 16th October 鈥?The Rocky Knob Cabins
Saturday 17th October 鈥?The Rocky Knob Cabins to Lauda 鈥?260 miles 4.5 hours
Sunday 18th October 鈥?Lauda
Monday 19th October - Lauada to Atlanta 鈥?149 miles 3 hours
Tuesday 20th October - Atlanta 鈥?Washington (Flight $160 each 1.5 hrs flight)
Wednesday 21st October - Washington
Thursday 22nd October 鈥?Fly home Washington to Heathrow
As I say this is all very provisional at the moment and anything and everything is up for change 鈥?but as you know you have to start somewhere.
Be very grateful for your comments 鈥?have I missed any 鈥榤ust sees鈥?
Thanks in advance
Ray
Marriott Marquis- suprise-need help
For Christmas my husband wrapped up an apple for a present for me--what ??? A suprise trip to New York.
The hotel was picked for me-Marriot Marquis on Broadway.
1) I%26#39;m in a panic since I see breakfast for 2 at the Marriott will be about $60. So, where can I get a nice hot eggs and bacon type breakfast for Dennys%26#39; prices?
WIthin 2-3 blocks walking distance.
2) Us there a convenience store nearby to get some supplies for the room? Beer, Soda, bottle of wine?
I have a small travel size cooler.
Marriott Marquis- suprise-need help
As soon as you step out of the Marriot Marquis front door you are in Times Square. There are plenty of places to eat in NYC so there is no need to eat at the hotel unless you go up to the revolving restaurant for the views of Times Square. I%26#39;m sure others will recommend you places to eat at a reasonable price. I do hate hotels not having a fridge to use. Have a nice trip, I could do with a present like that.
Marriott Marquis- suprise-need help
Relax and breathe deeply. :) You%26#39;re going to have a great time. Right across from the side of the hotel on 45th st. is Junior%26#39;s, a deli that serves breakfast. It%26#39;s not the cheapest but it is very close. Here%26#39;s a list of other places that are nearish. The Red Flame, the first on the list is considered best in the area I think
menupages.com/restaurants.asp鈥?/a>
There are dozens of small delis and the local chain of DUANE READE drugstores on almost every other block carry sodas and probably beer. For wine you need a liquor store.
There%26#39;s a place called the Europa Cafe at 7th Ave %26amp; 43rd Street (it%26#39;s part of a local chain). You can check their menu on menupages or at the company%26#39;s website (europacafe.com). I%26#39;ve never eaten there, but it looks fine from the outside (I walk past it on my way from/to Penn Station whenever I go to NYC for a show).
Hi Cardsfan - got back from 6 nights at the Marriott Marquis this morning - you will love it. Be sure to try the View out for cocktails [don%26#39;t bother with the buffet] also the broadway lounge onthe 8th floor has fab views of Times Sq.. Agree with everything the other posters have said and can add that there is a fab tiny bagel shop close to Carmines restaurant [next street parallel to Juniors] at very cheap prices. There is a coffee making machine in the room but we wished we had brought a travel kettle with us for making tea/hot choc. There is an ice machine on each floor. Hope this helps.
Could you please check y my trip plan for one day?
We will be in New York for a week with our 11 monts old baby and I ty to make a plan.We are going to stay at Woogo which is located 240 west 73rd street.I plan for Thursday first Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour after that if the weather conditions is ok walk on the Brooklyn Bridge and than see the New York Stock Exchange building after that guided tour in Federal Reserve Bank of NY,see the Ground Zero and shopping in Century 21 Department Store.Is this plan achievable in one day with 11 months baby?
Melike T眉z眉m
Could you please check y my trip plan for one day?
if you are going to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, then that%26#39;s a huge chunk of time right there, even before considering the federal bank tour and everything else.
If it was me (and that%26#39;d just be me, so no baby to consider!), I%26#39;d not attempt that much in a day. I%26#39;d maybe do the Liberty / Ellis, pay respects at Ground zero, and go to Cent21 (as it%26#39;s so close). Then maybe leave the other stuff for another day. You alawys end up walking so much when you are in New York, more than you expect, and after a few hours, you need a break!
Could you please check y my trip plan for one day?
It would take you almost half a day just to travel and walk around SOL and Ellis Island. You can do a whistle stop at Ground Zero and NYSE. Walking the Brooklyn bridge would take another half hour. Not sure about the tour at Federal Reserve. Century 21 closes late but you should be pretty tired by then. It is feasible to achieve all that in one day but it will be difficult and makes it even worse with a 11 month old. You should really spread it over 2 days.
If you did the free SI ferry with just seeing from a distance the Statue and Ellis Island, it may be possible, but its a long day, especially with carrying a baby.
%26gt;%26gt;We are going to stay at Woogo which is located 240 west 73rd street%26lt;%26lt;
If you read previous posts, Woogo is a company not recommended at all. I would urge you to reconsider you accommodation plans and find something else.
I was going to say that I hope you%26#39;re joking about WooGo. If you%26#39;re not being scammed, you%26#39;ve booked an illegal apartment that you%26#39;re not guaranteed will even be available.
The fire department has placed a stop work order on this building, so they%26#39;re already well-aware of the illegal activity there:
鈥yc.gov/bisweb/ComplaintsByAddressServlet鈥?/a>
If you have your heart set on visiting the SOL and Ellis Island, please buy reserved timed tickets! We had regular tickets and stood in line for almost 5 hours!
You should really consider breaking your plan up into 2 days!
Good luck with your accommadations-I hope you didn%26#39;t fall victim to a scam!
I booked this Hotel via expedia:I couldn%26#39;t understand the problem with this hotel.I read the reviews.There were pleasent and unpleasent people.But it is same with all hotels.
Expedia is a clearing house. Pay for advertising and they will put your hotel up there.
Have you searched the NYC forum threads for Woogo? There are pages of references screaming out for people to avoid anything to do with them.
I went to Ellis Island and I it took about 1/2 a day.
I agree with kickice -- Statue, Ellis, 9/11 and Century is a FULL day.
Enjoy NY.
Traveling NY from the West Coast
Has anyone ever traveled to NYC, Cooperstown and Niagara Falls on vacation? My wife and I are celebrating our 25the Anniversary in May. Hoping to find the easiest way to plan a vacation to the Empire State. We would love to see all three venues. Any suggestions are welcomed.
Traveling NY from the West Coast
May is a good time, it%26#39;ll be after the snow.
There are two ways you can do this. You could plan to fly from California to Buffalo NY, get a rental car and spend a couple days at Niagara Falls. You can drive from Niagara Falls to Cooperstown, spend a day or two there. From Cooperstown you could either drive the rental car to a suburban location outside the city, return the car and take public transportation into Manhattan or if you%26#39;re feeling adventurous, drive right into the City and return the car after checking into the hotel. At the end of the trip you%26#39;d fly back to California.
Alternatively, you could do this same scenario in reverse.
You could book a roundtrip ticket to New York and then drive roundtrip to Niagara Falls. You could see Cooperstown in one direction and spend a couple days in the Finger Lakes region in the other direction.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Who's familiar with Spain?
I only ask because if you are, will you check out my post here and offer your advice? The Spain forum isn%26#39;t nearly as full of help as good ol NY...:
tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187427-i42-k24458鈥?/a>
Who's familiar with Spain?
Hi, Dave. I%26#39;m not an expert, but I spent a summer in Spain in my youth, and have been back only once (about ten years ago) for a driving trip.
Have you been to Spain before? If not (and even if so) be sure to allow time for Madrid - art, history, and food (!). Toledo is ';touristy';, but worthwhile; the view from across the river still recalls El Greco. I think you mean ';Granada'; (not ';Grenada';) with the historic and breathtaking Alcazar palace of the Moorish kings.
Spain is easily driveable, and the paradors are lovely. You will be able to fit a lot into a relatively short trip. I suggest that you buy a good guide book and enjoy the read. Keep us updated on your itinerary as it develops.
Another suggestion - Try posting on the UK forums. Lots of Brits vacation and own vacation properties in Spain. They are very helpful across the pond, and there is no language barrier!
Who's familiar with Spain?
It sounds like you need to spend as much time in Barcelona as possible, especially judging by the latter part of your post.
What%26#39;s interesting you about Zaragoza? I would rather spend more time in the Andalusian countryside, but that%26#39;s just me. There are many fascinating agricultural tours in the area (not a tour group, but living on a farm and only helping out if you feel like it), if that%26#39;s something that would be interesting to you for a weekend. After Barcelona, you might enjoy riding a bike down a quiet road into a small town.
Dave, there are a lot of knowledgeable people on Spain on the Fodors.com Europe forum.
www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2 In particular, there%26#39;s a woman named Maribel who has lived in Spain and is extremely helpful. She also has her own guide and info here
http://www.maribelsguides.com/
and will put a trip together for you if you want.
My stepkids go to Barcelona/Sitges quite frequently because one of their cousins owns an apartment there. PM me if you want more details.
I agree if you like art, Madrid is a must. I would also consider going to Bilbao to see the Guggenheim there if you like modern art. Happy planning.
In my opinion Galicia and the Basque country are both essential places to visit. The celtic culture in Galicia is something else and the cathedral at Santiago de Compostella is an amazing site. Galicia has a rugged coastline and features awesome seafood.
The Basque region is amazing, it is home to possibly the finest food in the world, particularly pintxos, small bitesize creations available in virtually every bar. Best sampled in Bilbao or San Sebastian.
I could happily live the rest of my life and never return to the crime ridden septic tank that calls itself Barcelona.
Where in Spain? Sent my 16 year old daughter last year and had great advise on the TA forum. Madrid, Toledo, Malaga, and Barcelona forums were great!
';I could happily live the rest of my life and never return to the crime ridden septic tank that calls itself Barcelona.';
Where is this coming from? Barcelona is an incredible, beautiful city if you%26#39;re willing to leave Las Rambla.
I have been to Barcelona many times and have indeed left the Ramblas. On the last two visits alone 3 of my travelling companions have managed to find themselves on the recieving end of robberies, non of them on the Ramblas.
Hi nycdave, We have driven through Spain a few times, and I enjoy driving as well. First check out the viamichelin web site, great for maps, driving distance and times and scenic driving.
viamichelin.co.uk/viamichelin/鈥?/a>
';';'; I can swing a trip as long as 2 solid weeks. The places most appealing to me so far are:
- Barcelona/Sitges
- Grenada (I love history)
- Zaragosa
- Galicia
- Basque region ';';';
September has long days and you can take advantage of later sunset time to make driving distance. With two weeks, you can do a loop from Madrid, Barcelona or Malaga, all non stop cities from NYC. The places you want to see are spread out all over, so you could also start in Malaga, head north to Madrid, via Toledo, and then come south to Barcelona, via the Basque country and Zaragosa, this will save some driving time.
Some places to see which may be very enjoyable.
Near Grenada, Cordoba and Seville. In the Pyranee area, Pamplona. You could drive both in the Spain Pyranee or the France Pyranee. Along the France coast near Spain, check out Collioure, very beautiful coastal area, and in September , many people still swim. Near Barcelona are Girona and Figueres.
salvador-dali.org/museus/鈥n_index.html
idealspain.com/pages/鈥astles.htm
Have a great time and if you need any info just ask !!!
American Airlines sale
Very good prices London - NYC. 拢255 direct
These prices do not seen to show up on other on line agency sites so check the AA website
American Airlines saleWhen do you have to book by and when can you go?
American Airlines saleBA %26amp; Virgin are also having sales at te moment.
If I remember correctly Virgin fares at 拢259 book by 27th Jan :D
check www.aa.com for details
What seems to be good about the AA deal (compared to BA and Virgin) is that the headline sale prices are usually for midweek and inconvenient times whreas the AA prices enable us to fly out from Lon in teh morning and catch a flight back from NY in teh evening. The AA flights also cover teh Easter period.
Boo Hoo - I have already booked BA!
Thanks Carhirer !! Great fares to many cities in Europe !!
I have already booked by flight with Virgin on the sales fare departing in September for Boston then coming back from JFK. I%26#39;m taking the early evening flight from JFK. Took the early early morning flight last time I was in NYC and had to leave the hotel at 3am, never again doing that.
Hi there,
Does anyone know if you have to pay for checked in baggage on domestic US Flights, im flying AA from La Guardia to Miami after 3 nights in New York.
Thanks
Craig
I booked my flights for late Sept with Virgin for 拢278 and the flight times are excellent... leaving heathrow at 2pm and then leaving NYork at 9.35pm. Cant wait to go now!
here in the Netherlands flights are dropping.
I booked my AA/BA flight to NEW YORK via www.ebookers.nl for only 371 euro per ticket (AMS-EWR via LHR and JFK-AMS via LHR)
Affinia Dumont or Westin Times Square?
Hello to all:
I had orginally posted for suggestions/experiences in trying to decide between the Westin and Affinia Manhattan. I need to make a correction as I just learned it%26#39;s actually the AFFINIA DUMONT.
We%26#39;re a couple in our late 20%26#39;s, and will be spending 4 days in NYC. This is our 1st time actually staying in NYC as we%26#39;ve only done short day trips in the past.
Thank you so much!!
Affinia Dumont or Westin Times Square?
The Westin is a modern skyscraper in Times Square with views and near what most consider ';the action.'; If you plan on doing a lot of theater, it%26#39;s a good location. It%26#39;s a regular traditional hotel.
The Affinia Dumont is in midtown east in more of a real neighborhood where people live (but also lots of shops and restaurants). The hotel is a bit like an apartment building (although it is a hotel with daily maid service etc.). Most rooms have kitchens and a bit more space than the average hotel room. The higher floors also have some nice views. Both are very nice hotels and you can%26#39;t really go wrong with either. It just depends on whether you want to feel like a tourist (Westin) or more like a local (Aff. Dumont) but in a hotel.
Affinia Dumont or Westin Times Square?
Thank you so much NYWHIZ !!
Manhattan Hotel
We will be visiting New York in November - can someone please help me out with a hotel choice - was thinking of booking Confort Inn for location or Affinia Hotel again for location - this is going to be a shopping trip so will not be in the hotel long - any suggestions appreciated.
Executive lounge , level, club, canapes, open bar, breakfast
Hi all,
I have tried searching through previous posts using the words in the topic heading, and have found a couple of hotels that offer Executive accomodation/dining ( NY Palace and Hilton Broadway - I think )and of course the Casablanca, which we stayed in 4 years ago.
Can anyone else suggest hotels in Manhattan that offer this type of stay.......
dedicated check in
dedicated lounge
breakfast included
snacks, tea/coffee available all day
evening drinks with canapes
I know that eating and drinking is not a problem in NYC, but we have experienced this type of accomodation before, and it can be very useful, relaxing and special.
Funny enough, we have done this at Intercontinental ( Hong Kong) and Jumeriah ( Dubai ) - but neither of their hotels in New York offer this.
thanks in advance
Dave
Executive lounge , level, club, canapes, open bar, breakfast
The Sofitel does this. Very well, I might add. I can%26#39;t guarantee they do in NY, but I am pretty sure.
Executive lounge , level, club, canapes, open bar, breakfast
I know the Westin offers this but the reason I know is many people complain that the premium price you pay for it is NOT worth the money. The club level rooms are on lower floors than regular rooms (strange but true) so views may not be as good and the upcharge for the b/f and snacks is more than most think it%26#39;s worth. That said, there%26#39;s a special offer for them right now
hotels.travelzoo.com/new-york-hotels/514676
There are several other hotels in the same chain as the Casablanca that offer the same amenities as the Casablanca:
the Elysee
the Library
the Giraffe
Imo all these other hotels are nicer than the Casablanca. They are all considered boutique hotels though so no dedicated separate check in etc.
hkhotels.com
I typed in ';luxury hotel'; in the search box and found these posts which might help:
tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k418612-鈥?/a> Help_with_luxury_hotel-
tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k1297611鈥?/a> Best_LUXURY_Hotel_near_TS_TD_or_SoHo-
tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k2124589鈥?/a> Luxury_all_suite_hotel_near_central_park-
tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k840369-鈥?/a> New_York_Hotel_One_night_of_luxury-
Sofitel in Manhattan doesn%26#39;t, but both Ritz-Carlton hotels offer ';club level'; accommodations with the dedicated lounge offering multiple food %26amp; beverage presentations throughout the day and into the evening; in my club-level experiences with R-C properties elsewhere, they do a superb job with it. If it matters to you -- and it sounds like you will take advantage of it more than most guests, the R-C%26#39;s offerings are more expansive and varied than any of the other hotels mentioned so far in this thread.
The rates at the Ritz-Carlton Battery Park (downtown) are almost always notably lower than at the Ritz at Central Park, and its weekend rates often reflect an appealing discount.
The Marriott Marquis has 2 concierge levels, and Embassy Suites down in the Financial District has full breakfast and manager%26#39;s drinks each evening, similar to Casablanca.
The Hyatt by Grand Central offer club level rooms, with several food ';presentations'; daily, except Sat-Sun.
Prices are decent..and I like a good Hyatt. Haven%26#39;t stayed myself, tho.
Thanks for all the responses, just wading through the Hotels websites for information. Liked the look of the Broadway Marriot but doesnt do the concierge level at weekends !!
Thanks again
Dave
Dave
The New York Palace is just the best hotel if you want an executive lounge - we go a couple of times a year, for long weekend breaks, the food is great, the concierges are brill and if you shop around the prices at weekends aren%26#39;t too bad! When we go there we eat out occasionally but most of the time the lounge offers all we need - breakfast, lunch, cocktails (champagne)and canapes (actually they%26#39;re a lot more than just nibbles)then desserts and liqueurs. Much better and more refined than Jumeirah Beach hotel in Dubai, been there too!
I have to be honest and say that US executive lounges are pathetic compared to international lounges.
For the Hilton 6th ave the evening canapes are boring and you pay for drinks.The contrast to say the Hilton Kuala Lumpur is chalk and cheese.The lounge in NYC is also a zoo at times.
Hilton Times Square does not have an exec. lounge.
So really dont expect your international experiences to be mirrored in NYC.
Thanks all,
drron - thanks for the insight, I think I was coming to that conclusion myself and was wondering if I had got my priorities wrong in looking for a hotel in NYC.
teddygirl - the Palace seems to offer the best experience of this level, thanks for that. We stayed at the Mina a Salam, Dubai ( Fantastic place ! ). Also, like your avatar - but dont think yours and mine would get on.
regards
Dave
quikbook hotels
Hello guys,
has anybody used quikbook hotels before?
Any feedback grateful.
where do you reccommend to book rooms where you dont have to pay up front?
regards
Brian
quikbook hotels
Quikbook.com is very reliable and most reservations there don%26#39;t require prepayment. Make sure it says ';book now pay later.';
If you%26#39;re traveling in the next 3 months you should also look on
travelzoo.com
as you might find some better deals to book directly with the hotel that also don%26#39;t require prepayment. Just remember the prices don%26#39;t include hotel tax which is an additional 15%/
quikbook hotels
I am extremely happy to have found quikbook.com. I%26#39;ve used them several times now and have gotten great bargains at great hotels. One instance I could only get a Thurs. night at a specific hotel on quikbook and called the hotel to see if we could also stay friday night and would they honor the thursday night rate...they were happy to do so. This hotel was listing rooms at 509 a night and we got it for 160 for both nights.
I used them and then ended up needing to cancel. Went fine. Just note they are not open on the weekend to call, and to cancel I needed to call them. Lucky I had two days before the check-in on Monday to call to cancel.
I even called to get a lower price when I noticed the price went down and they rebooked at the lower price, no questions.
I would use them again.
I%26#39;ve used quikbook 2x in the past 6 months; easy peasy, safe and reliable. you can sign up for email notices on the quikbook site and also on travelzoo for good hotel deals.
cheers guys,
I think I just got myself a bargain. 7 nights in december at the affinia Manhatten for 195 bucks a night. 449 on the hotels web site. Thanks for the re-assurance. bring it on!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brian.
congrats! I look at it this way...any decent place under 200.00 in NYC is a bargain to me. Of course we are not talking shared bath ones, which I myself would not even consider.
Not even George Clooney Elizabeth ?
Thanks for the post, Brian. I just made a reservation through Quikbook for the Affinia Manhattan for December 2009 also. $195 is an excellent price for this hotel at one of the most expensive times of the year.
i have used them more then a 100 times over the last 15 years and they are very good. In the NY market most of the reservationist have been to the hotels they book and can offer insight
Is there any way to get a nonsmoking room through Quikbook? Is the Affinia Manhattan a nonsmoking hotel? Their rates are great through Quikbook, but we require nonsmoking rooms. I will also need five rooms and can only book four through Quikbook. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
Dear all tripadvisors,
I would like to say a very BIG THANK YOU to all the kind help I%26#39;ve got from this forum! I wouldn%26#39;t be able to plan my itinerary for my 1st NYC visit in November 08 without the help of the kind tripadvisors here.
My experience with NYC was a really good one (except the cold!!) From my trip, I met many many friendly New Yorkers! They would come to me asking me if I need any help when I was checking out the NYC map. This not happened once but twice - once on the train and another time along the pavement.
I also met a lady walking her dog in front of the Federal Bank of Reserve and my kids played with the dog. When I complimented that her dog was very friendly, she told me (and I quote) :';This is New York!'; :)
cheers!
Thank you!
No...thank YOU!!
The Manhattan Bridge
Is it worth walking this? I%26#39;ve walked the Brooklyn a few times now and am thinking this bridge would provide different photo ops for me. But it%26#39;ll be the first time my mum%26#39;s been and I dont want her to miss out. Opinions please? oh and is it easy to find the path to the Manhattan Bridege (unlike the Brooklyn Bridge!!!)
Thanks
Louise
The Manhattan Bridge
Hi Louise
I%26#39;m considering walking to Brooklyn on the Manhattan Bridge then back on the Brooklyn Bridge later that day. Is your mum up for that? On second thoughts, are you up for that? ;)
As Chipper noted, walking the MB gives you the same benefit as going up TOTR - you get to see the BB (ESB) in the shot!
The Manhattan Bridge
How about walking Manhattan bridge to Brooklyn then walk the Brooklyn bridge back to Manhattan. No one will miss out.
I%26#39;m also going with my sister who (quote) %26#39;doesn%26#39;t do walking%26#39; so I was contemplating just walking to the middle of whichever one and then back again...
i definitely walking the Brooklyn Bridge, but also considering the Manhattan aswell.I know i have read it somewhere but how long does it take to walk both bridges at a leisurely pace?
It took me about half an hour to walk Brooklyn bridge including some stopping for photograph opportunity. I guess it would be about the same for Manhattan bridge.
To get on to these bridges, to start the walk, are there stairs to enable pedestrians to climb up at the shore line or do you start walking say 1/4 mile back, where the access road starts?
You start walking about 1/4 to 1/5 of a mile before the start of the water. You can%26#39;t climb up right near the water.
The Manhattan Bridge is nice, it affords nice photo ops of the Brooklyn Bridge.
There are fewer people on The Manhattan Bridge but it is nice.
Remember to make time for the DUMBO neighborhood (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass)
Let us know if you have any questions.
The Manhattan Bridge is the Rodney Dangerfield of New York bridges - It doesn%26#39;t get any respect. Sandwiched between the scenic Brooklyn Bridge, and the Hipster Highway that the Williamsburg Bridge has become, it%26#39;s just an ordinary bridge [with an extraordinary entrance on the Manhattan side.
The M Bridge is far less scenic that the Bklyn Bridge. It is also noisier as the train rumbles over it. There is really no comparison between the 2 bridges. But, bikers love it because the bike path is better segregated from the walkers than the problematic bike path on the B bridge.
Also, the prior poster was right. Make sure to spend some time in DUMBO after you cross whichever bridge. A great neighborhood to discover.
On the Manhattan side, the walkway of the Manhattan Bridge is very easy to find. It is right there at Canal Street and Bowery, just north of Chatham Square. On the Brooklyn side, however, it gets a bit more obscure; you will exit near the corner of Jay Street and Sands Street. You wil actually, however, be very close to one of the Brooklyn entrances of the Brooklyn Bridge (the bridges are at angles to each other, and so even though they are not close in Manhattan, they are quite close in Brooklyn)
To get there, walk down Jay Street (towards the water) one block to Propsect Street, and turn left. Go three blocks to Washington Street/Cadman Plaza East (it has two names) and turn left again. In the stone wall of the structure of the Brooklyn bridge that is right there you will see an entrance to a stairway -- go up that and you are on the Brooklyn Bridge. However, before you do that, you might want a bite first. You could continue down Washington Street towards the river two blocks to Front Street. Turn left one block to Main Street (you will be in the heart of so-called ';DUMBO';, by the way), and turn right. At the end of the street, at #1 Main Street, is the Brooklyn branch of Bubby%26#39;s. It has decent food, and a great view to enjoy while you eat it.
Can I make it? Travel time by cab from Times Square to LGA?
I%26#39;m interested in seeing a 2:00 pm show Sunday. Playbill.com says the run time is two hours and 30 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.
I have a 6:00 pm flight out of LGA. Considering it%26#39;s a Sunday do you think the traffic would be horrible? Assuming I got out of the show on time at 4:30 could I make it to LGA by 5:00 pm?
Will the theater hold my luggage in the coat room so I could catch a cab right after the show?
Any tips or advice or am I just cutting it way too close?
Can I make it? Travel time by cab from Times Square to LGA?
The theater will not hold your luggage, and you are cutting it too close.
Can I make it? Travel time by cab from Times Square to LGA?
Hmmm that totally stinks! I thought I remembered it only taking 20 minutes when I was there last, but I just can%26#39;t remember for sure!
I REALLY wanted to fit another show into my schedule! Is there any faster way to LGA besides cab?
it could take 20-30 min or one hour and 20 minutes. i dont know of any faster way and you still have the luggage issue to to deal with. and there%26#39;s no guarantee you%26#39;d find a taxi immediately
on a sunday night you could be in deep doo-doo if you missed your flight. you%26#39;d need to be prepared to go on standby and hope you got on another flight or stay in a hotel and take a flight in the morning.
personally i dont think a show is worth the stress you might encounter.
plus many airlines and a cut-off time for luggage checkin and gate check-in.
The only place to leave your luggage would be at your hotel or at a luggage storage place like
http://www.schwartztravel.com/home.html
But this will not allow you enough time to get to the airport after the show.
There is no faster way to LGA than a cab. It takes me 20 minutes to LGA from the East side of Manhattan at 6.30am; you have to allow at least 30 minutes from the Times Square area on a Sunday afternoon.
Unfortunately I don%26#39;t think you can make this work.
Ugggg! You guys are probably right. It%26#39;s likely I wouldn%26#39;t even enjoy the show that much anyway looking at my watch and stressing out the whole time!
Maybe I can work it out to come in on Thursday instead of Friday and fit one more show in that way! There is simply never enough time to fit everything in is there???
Thanks for the advice!
I may be wrong, but it seems that when a show lets out, everyone wants a cab at the same time and it takes a while to find one. Sorry, but I can%26#39;t imagine this working out very well for you.
chipper
August Osage County
To anyone that has seen this show...I want to see it when I come back to NYC, and wanted to know if sitting in the front row is too close, or should I opt for a few rows back? Thanks for any input!
August Osage County
Further back is better--the set is vertical and you need to see it all.
August Osage County
A few rows back. I was in the 4th row and it was great - I have a slight hearing problem so for dramas I like to be up close, but not too. The stage is raised so if you%26#39;re in the first row you have to tilt your head back, not to mention get hit with flying green beans :)
Great, thank you. Row D is available also, so I will go with that.
:)~
I sat in the mezzanine and thought the seats were perfect - you could see the entire set without having to constantly turn your head back and forth, but we could still see the actor%26#39;s faces. Great show - enjoy!
I sat front row, sore neck, slightly obscured view.
Row D sounds a good choice.
we sat first row in the Mezz and thought the seats were perfect. You got an overview of the whole stage
show was excellent
Get the cheap tickets upstairs. You need to be able to see the entire stage and the theatre is small so you have a good view no matter where you sit upstairs.
I had tickets near the aisle on the floor and for entire scenes I couldn%26#39;t see the actors.
By the way I HIGHLY recommend this play. Excellent performances.
Toffa, do we get a trip report?
Hi kateoz
Will do this weekend. Have been flat out catching up at work卢
flights to Naples Italy
Does anyone know of any NON Stop flights from Ny to Naples Italy? 1bull
flights to Naples Italy
American was doing it in early %26#39;08 but i think they have been cancelled...but do check because if demand picks up, they may resume
flights to Naples Italy
Thanks, Carol L.W......I%26#39;ll check on this. 1bull
Try eurofly, spring and summer, select days of week only. Have a good time.
www.euroflyusa.com/US/operativo.asp鈥?/a>
Getting from JFK Airport to Manhattan
Hi there I am travelling to New York for the first time in Feb (Soooooo excited!!)
What is the best way to get from JFK airport into the City, there will be 5 of us %26amp; we will be staying at the Hotel Metro.
Many Thanks in advance.
Caroline x
Getting from JFK Airport to ManhattanAll the answers you could possibly need on this are on the FAQ sticky at the top of the forum.
Getting from JFK Airport to ManhattanCaroline - This question is asked very frequently and you%26#39;ll find it in the FAQ%26#39;s
I prefer to take the JFK AirTrain, it is by far the fastest and most economical way during rush hour when traffic is heaviest. I take my luggage and I%26#39;ve never had the slightest issue or concern.
Some people prefer to take a taxi, the fixed rate is $45.00 plus toll and tip but you never know whether you%26#39;ll have to wait for a minivan taxi and whether they%26#39;ll get all the baggage and five people in. Two cabs will cost almost $120.00 split five ways, that is alot of money (to me at least).
You could arrange for a van / people carrier with a company like Dial 7 or All State Limo. You can check their prices.
After I%26#39;ve been sitting on an international flight for eight hours I need to stretch my legs, I don%26#39;t want to sit for another hour squeezed into a taxi stuck in traffic. I get the JFK AirTrain to the Long Island Rail Road, it puts me in New York Penn Station in 40 minutes and then you are a short walk from the Hotel Metro.
There is a ten ride AirTrain ticket for $25.00. It only allows four swipes at a time so unfortunately you%26#39;d still have to pay the full $5.00 fare for the fifth person each time but that is still $35.00 roundtrip for five people. The LIRR is an additional $5.25 per person (off peak weekday). LIRR is less expensive on the weekend ($3.25).
Essentially you can do a JFK roundtrip for about $17.50 per person on public transport.
Let us know if you have any questions.
Hi there,
Am also coming to New York for the first time in June and staying at the Hotel Metro.
Have decided to use the Airtrain to Jamaica based on the great information I have read on here but am unsure as to whether to get the Long Island Railroad into Penn Station or to get the Subway using the F line into Herald Square.
The reason for asking is that husband and I don%26#39;t mind walking to hotel from subway with luggage but wondered which subway station is easiest to use with regards to stairs and distance to hotel metro which is at 45 W35th Street.
Sorry Caroline to hijack your post but seeing as you are going to the same hotel I thought the answer to my question may be of interest to you as well.
Many thanks
Marie
i personally would do the Long Island rr. i think it would be less stairs to deal with. LIRR would def. be more money but less hassle.
The Long Island Rail Road (and yes, it really is spelled Rail Road, and not Railroad) will leave you at Penn Station. You can exit from the LIRR concourse up an escalator to 34th Street just west of Seventh Avenue (ask any MTA cop you see where the escalator to 34th and Seventh is.) The address you gave is on 35th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, which is about a five minute (at most) walk: up Seventh (walk against the direction traffic is driving) one short block to 35th Street, turn right and cross Seventh, continue one long block to Sixth/Broadway/Herald Square along the side of Macy%26#39;s, and then cross Herald Square to your destination.
There is a huge subway complex under Herald Square, and there is a way to get there from Jamaica by subway without any more stairs than the intial entry(the E to Queens Plaza; change on the same platform for the V; ride towards the rear of the train and get off at 34th Street; take the elevator to the mezzanine, and then the other elevator to the street) but I don%26#39;t recommend it with a lot of luggage.
Thankyou to both of you for your quick response to my question. Having never been to New York before it%26#39;s good to be able to ask people who live there for their inside knowledge.
Am so excited about coming because New York is one of those places in the world that i always hoped I would be able to visit and now I am coming for 4 nights with my husband for our wedding anniversary.
Think we will get the Long Island Rail Road into Penn Station since it is not too far from the hotel and sounds like it is a bit more comfortable if you%26#39;ve got luggage.
Thanks again
Marie
Marie - No problem. The good news is that virtually everybody speaks English, there are tons of signs and lots of people in uniforms whose job is to help steer people in the right direction. You%26#39;ll be in very good hands.
I prefer the Long Island Rail Road because it is so fast, frequent, the trains are clean, comfortable and have rest rooms (toilets).
The subway is fine too. It takes a little bit longer. You can sit on the subway, I ride the subway every day, I take my luggage on the subway between New York Penn and either home or the office. The Long Island Rail Road is just quicker and easier really. You can use your unlimited ride MetroCard on the subway.
The Rail Road is $3.25 on weekends (City Ticket), $5.25 off peak and $7.00 peak. Peak Fares are charged during business rush hours, on any weekday train scheduled to arrive in NYC terminals between 6 and 10 AM or depart NYC terminals between 4 and 8 PM.
Note that if you decide you want to arrive at 34th St. / 6th Avenue / Herald Sq. on the F train you have to do the following. Jamaica AirTrain to the E train. Get off the E train at either Forest Hills or 74th St. / Jackson Heights and wait for the F train to arrive on the same track following the E train.
What Not To Do On the Subway (Part I of many)
So on my way home from work tonight on the #1 uptown train, a young French speaking couple started counting their money from their wallets....and he had over $300!
A gentleman sitting nearby said to them ';put your money away, don%26#39;t do that here'; The woman said to her companion ';c%26#39;est illegal a New York';........I said...';non, ce n%26#39;est pas illegal, c%26#39;est stupide';
I think they were Canadian from their accents (definitely not Parisian).......Yes, New York is a very safe city, but do not count your cash in front of a large subway audience, people
What Not To Do On the Subway (Part I of many)
To pick up on what Carole said: Why is it stupid? Am I going to get mugged???
No, probably not. But you will probably then put the wallet with that cash back into a pocket, or a purse, or (and this is likely, if you are stupid enough to have been counting the cash like that in the first place) a backpack. Any pickpocket who happens to be anywhere nearby will now know exactly what you have, where you have it, and that you are probably more than a little oblivious to your surroundings. Bye-bye, wallet...
What Not To Do On the Subway (Part I of many)
Indeed! I certainly would not count my money on Paris Metro! They must come from a very safe place.
no place is that safe!!
New York is no different than any place else. Don%26#39;t flash cash. In any city most folks will ignore you if you do anything so niaive. But a few folks might see you as an easy mark. Count your money in your bank or in your room.
Just one more stupid thing that a non New Yorker does!! Like I said in my trip report, I think people leave all their common sense and manners back home! It%26#39;s almost as if they think they are at Disney and not in a real working city!
I was shocked by the actions of a lot of people! This is just one more thing that doesn%26#39;t suprise me!
';What Not To Do On the Subway (Part I of many)';
Ah ..... so you say ..... ';Part one of many'; ..... oh man I can just picture the direction this thread will be going. So let me just anticipate ahead and short circuit your next comment now;
NO, ladies it%26#39;s not okay to %26#39;undress me with your eyes%26#39; while riding the subway. NO .... no ..... no ..... no ..... no. My wife really does tend to frown upon this type of behavior.
Lotuspath! You are sooo funny! I did find myself staring at a few people while on the subway! I hope I%26#39;m not the focus of one of Carol%26#39;s posts! :)
Kayeen - I actually think it%26#39;s hilarious when people snore on the subway. It always makes me laugh. Usually at least one or two other fellow travellers start cracking up, too, and laughter on the subway is always a great thing.
Inexperience counting cash, YES, stupidity, who knows, we must be understanding here, people watching is fun, snoring is laughable unless its me missing a stop for the seventh time. Love those trains.
caricatures
I am wondering where in NYC I should look to have a caricature done. Are there any specific areas to key in on? How can I size up the artists and pick a good one?
caricatures
You will find artists doing caricatures almost everywhere. Go as far away from Time Square as you can and you will get a great caricature for a fraction of the price of in TS!
caricatures
That is great advice thanks so much!
thank you lotuspath or your welcome....we maineiacs are very resourceful
I did enjoy all the tripadvisor resolutions!
If you could do anything...
I am coming to NYC for a visit in April (17-22). It happens to be my birthday (28yrs) whilst I am there and I want to do something special. So my question to you is, what one attraction/show/restaurant would you visit on your birhday in NYC?
Thanks
If you could do anything...
Last March I was in NYC and it was also my birthday.
My wife booked a table at Per S茅 and had dinner there. Then we had a drink at The Mandarin Oriental bar and before we walked to the Jumeirah Essex House where we were staying, strolled a bit in Central Park at night.
It was the most expensive birthday ever but I had a wonderful time.
If you could do anything...
It all depends on your budget. One of the things that I think is especially nice to do on a special occasion is to go up to Rise, the 14th floor lounge at the Ritz Carlton Battery Park, it is a very elegant / refined experience. The lounge has panoramic views of New York Harbor. At night the Statue of Liberty is all lit up and so are the passing Staten Island ferries, very nice.
I%26#39;d walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at Sunset and dine at the River Cafe. Note that this is not a ';budget'; restaurant.
Everytime I go to NYC I walk across the Brooklyn Bridge! Love it! Even took my 82 year old mother one time! IMHO - that is a must do!
I agree with the River Cafe. Was there on 29th December for my birthday and the view just blew me away. The food was gorgeous, yes it was expensive but your only 40 once right???
I went to NYC in September last year and the highlight of my trip was probably a helicopter ride with liberty helicopters. It was only 12mins but the views were just amazing. I%26#39;m planning on doing it again when i next go back.
Upon arrival into JFK or Newark I would book a Stretch Limo, what a luxurious way to arrive in Manhattan. I loved having a drink at The Royalton and The Hudson is supposed to quite cool and trendy.
How about a $24 lunch at Asiate at The Mandarin Oriental? Or a five course meal at the Culinary School. I am going to give this a try in 3 weeks time on our trip to New York so I%26#39;ll be writing a wee review.
Enjoy!
Cheers
Craig
On my birthday we took a helicopter ride which was great, then went to a comedy club on the evening, sure what ever you do youll have a great time.
Sport tickets
Hi
I am going to be in NY City next year on the 1st and 2nd of May, I would love to go to a broadway show one night and a sporting match the next night. How do I find out what sports are on and get tickets?
Sport tickets
May is the beginning of the baseball season. It%26#39;s also the end of basketball season but our teams may not still be playing at that point.
Our main ticket website for all sports is Ticketmaster
www.ticketmaster.com
Some folks have reported on this forum that Ticketmaster%26#39;s website is finicky. Try making your search as broad as possible (all prices, all seats) to see what%26#39;s available.
Baeball: NY Mets at Shea Stadium in Queens - the 2006 Eastern Division Champs!!! Woooooo!
www.newyorkmets.com
NY Yankees at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx.
www.yankees.com
Basketball - if still active: NY Knicks (at Madison Square Garden) and NJ Nets.
www.thegarden.com
www.njnets.com
www.nyknicks.com
(they have a seating chart that lets you see views from different vantage points.)
Sport tickets
Seasons, teams, stadia and arenas:
BASEBALL - April to October
Mets (Shea Stadium, Queens)
Yankees (Yankee Stadium, The Bronx)
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL - June to early September
Brooklyn Cyclones - (Mets farm team)
(KeySpan Park, Coney Island, Brooklyn)
http://brooklyncyclones.com/
Staten Island Yankees (Yankees farm team)
(Richmond County Bank Ballpark, St. George, Staten Island)
http://www.siyanks.com/
FOOTBALL (American) - Septermber to late Janurary/early February
Jets (The Meadowlands, NJ)
http://www.newyorkjets.com/
Giants (Giants Staidum, The Meadowlands, NJ)
http://www.giants.com/
MEN%26#39;S BASKETBALL - October to June
New York Knicks (Madison Square Garden, Manhattan)
New Jersey Nets (Continental Airlines Arena @ The Meadowlands, NJ)
WOMEN%26#39;S BASKETBALL - May to September
New York Liberty (Madison Square Garden, Manhattan)
http://www.wnba.com/liberty/
SOCCER (FUTBOL, FOOTBALL)
New York Red Bulls (Gians Staidum, The Meadowlands, NJ) (New stadium to be built.)
http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/t107/
ICE HOCKEY
New York Rangers (Madison Square Garden, Manhattan)
http://www.newyorkrangers.com/
New York Islanders (Nassau Coliseum, Long Island)
http://www.newyorkislanders.com/
TENNIS:
U.S. Tennis Open - July
(Billy Jean King US Tennis Center, Flushing Meadow Park, Queens)
http://www.usopen.org/home/default.sps
HORSE RACING:
Aqueduct Raceway (Queens)
http://www.nyra.com/index_aqueduct.html
Belmont Raceway (Elmont, Long Island)
Belmont Stakes - late May
http://www.nyra.com/index_belmont.html
Oops!
Hockey season is September to May.
Soccer-Futbol-Football season is April to October
Where to eat near your game?
Check out this handy webpage on Urban Spoon
urbanspoon.com/p/鈥ports-Venues.html
As always, check individual venues for current hours and prices. Also, read reviews on:
menupages.com
yelp.com
newyork.citysearch.com
Hiya I will be in NY from 2nd Feb to 9th Feb is there any sporting event on? I have had a quick look through the above and it appears everything is out of season. thanks
';Hiya I will be in NY from 2nd Feb to 9th Feb is there any sporting event on? I have had a quick look through the above and it appears everything is out of season. thanks';
What exactly did you look at????????? it%26#39;s both hockey and basketball season.
www.nhl.com (look for the Rangers and Devils schedules)
www.nba.com (look at the Knicks and Nets)
well I am in NYC from Feb 4-11, and I can tell you that in that week:
NY Rangers play LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks at MSG.
New Jersey Devils play at least 2 games at their new arena.
I%26#39;m sure the Knicks have home games.
And NY Titans have a home game too (but I concede -that may be after you have left!)
There is always sport in New York!
I wouldn%26#39;t count on hockey in May. The New York teams would have to be in the play-offs and you%26#39;d have to buy tickets from a scalper.
Feb, on the other hand, would be a great time to see hockey.
Folks, let%26#39;s check the date on the original post: it%26#39;s well over a year ago. Melbournechick has come and gone. The current discussion from Natalie99 deals with next month. Natalie, check the links you have been provided; you will get all the information you could want about professional sporting events in New York.
hi Many thanks for all your advice, going to try and get to either an ice hockey or basketball game as there appears to be a few on in the week we are over. What is the best way to buy tickets, can we get them on the gate before the game? or is it best to book before online? We are staying at the Jumeria Essex House near central park which is the closed and easiest to get to, had a look on the nicks and rangers websites and they are both at maddison sq gardens, is this easy to get to by public transport (subway) thanks
Nice hotels in theater distict
We going on an impromptu trip to New York on Jan 17th for two nights for my 12 rear old daughters birthday. She wants to see Mary Poppins. I%26#39;m looking for a nice hotel like The Palace Hotel relatively close to the theater district. The Palace said only four to a room and we have two adults and three children. She loves the grandness of the Palace. Their rates were only $280.00 per night so my budget would be less than $300.00 per night.
Nice hotels in theater distictThe first place that comes to mind is the Doubletree Suites on Times Square, but it lacks the ';grandness'; of the Palace. On the other hand, you can get a suite with two double beds and a sofa bed in the living room (and it%26#39;s within your budget).
Nice hotels in theater distictCheck out the London hotel. It%26#39;s all suites just north of Times Square and very trendy and elegant. It will likely be over $300 for 5 people. I don%26#39;t think it%26#39;s reasonable to hold to a Palace price that doesn%26#39;t accommodate your party. There are not that many hotels with rooms for 5. The Michelangelo which is nearby and more traditional might also have a suite that would work. Most rooms with 2 double or queen beds don%26#39;t have enough floor space for a roll away and/or fire codes prevent them from having that many in a room. You%26#39;re really limited to suites or getting 2 rooms. I also mentioned the AKA Times Square in your other thread.
There%26#39;s no real reason to stay in or near the theater district as long as you%26#39;re near a subway that goes to Times Square (heart of the theater district), and most if not all subway routes do. The subway is fast, safe, clean and will be fun for your daughter (my kids loved it the first few times they went on it)
You could even stay in Queens and be in Times Square in 20 min
inexpensive & romantic place and parking question
So mom%26#39;s gonna pay for my bf and I to go up for Valentine%26#39;s Day (she%26#39;s awesome, isn%26#39;t she?).
First, he and I are both summer people so anything outdoors-no matter how romantic, will be ruined for us. I%26#39;m looking for a bar/pub/restaurant that%26#39;s quaint to eat and or get a drink and not expensive. As far as food, nothing crazy, he%26#39;s pretty plain. We do both like italian alot. I went to Arturo%26#39;s last weekend and it was great, but a little too loud/crowded and not exactly the vibe I%26#39;m going for. Location isn%26#39;t really an issue, we can take the subway or cab. Any other romantic ideas other than food are also welcome. He%26#39;s only been to NYC once. We will probably do TOTR day %26amp; night (last time we did ESB at night) and I def want to go to the Museum of the City of NY.
Parking. We are staying at the Wall St Inn (William St by Broad) and will be coming on Sat and leaving Sun. Usually we park in the garage. But when I was there last, the kid working in Starbucks was talking about how the parking rules don%26#39;t apply on weekends and he parks on the street. How exactly would we go about doing this without getting towed/ticketed? I can read the signs, but I just want to be certain. It would be much better to walk a little ways rather than pay $70 for parking for the 2 days.
Thanks!!
inexpensive %26amp; romantic place and parking question
That is very nice.
Street parking on Sunday is easier than Saturday. You just have to drive around and read the signs.
You can also park at MetroPark (NJ Transit station) and take the train in.
In the East Village, on East 4th St, I%26#39;m a big fan of In Vino, it is a charming little Italian restaurant.
What budget are you playing with? Babbo and Del Posto are two very expensive Mario Batali Italian restaurants.
Have you had a look at www.yelp.com?
inexpensive %26amp; romantic place and parking question
I%26#39;m thinking $30 per person. But we could always go someplace less expensive to eat, then just get a drink somewhere expensive after.
From their website, In Vino looks really cool. Thanks for the suggestions!!
Ah ..... to be young and madly in love. For anything on Valentines day you should book immediately. Also keep in mind that a lot of places have special %26#39;Valentines Day%26#39; fixed price menus which could be out of your price range so check it out when making the reservations. If you like Italian then you might try calling %26#39;Lupa%26#39; it%26#39;s Mario Batali%26#39;s less expensive Italian restaurant (he also owns Babbo).
Lupa
170 Thompson St
Btwn Houston %26amp; Bleecker Street
Phone: 212-982-5089
Fax: 212-982-5490
Hope this helps
NYC is where my heart is
I arrived home yesterday and am unsure how to go about writing my trip report, I%26#39;ll post it in the next couple of days.
The 7 days and nights I spent in NYC were amazing, I don%26#39;t think I can do it justice with mere words. All of my expectations were met and more. If possible I would live there in a heartbeat. I had so many positive experiences and not a single negative. I have nothing bad to say about your glorious city. I ate, drank, walked and subwayed all over Manhattan and as promised made it into a little part of Brooklyn for a day. The wedding went perfectly and the venues were outstanding. To the people of New York I salute you. So friendly, warm and caring.
Finally a big thank you to all the TAs who helped make my trip what it was. You know who you are.
Gerry x
NYC is where my heart is
Looking forward to hearing all about it. Remember we like details; short is not always sweeter.
(I know a girl with a gorgeous handbag who saved $100 because of you - did you get there yourself?)
NYC is where my heart is
Hey Kate,
I%26#39;m glad you put it to good use.
Yes I made it to Century21 and bought some really nice shirts. Apart from them I didn%26#39;t see much I liked though I can be quite fussy. I preferred the smaller stores in LES and Greenwich Village and I found a cracking little store called Modish in Havemeyer st in Brooklyn. Urban Outfitters had some excellent bargains, especially on sneakers. I bought two pairs for myself and two pairs for friends.
Hey Gerry,
First ill say - lonvin the profile pic!!!
Glad you had a good time in Ny, im heading there 7 weeks today!!
Ive never been before and obviously want to do all the normal tourist things - anything you could recommend??
Ali
IMHO
-keep reading the posts on this site-they alone are invaluable,
-get out of Midtown,
-you must use the subway,
-eat at local delis,
-if the locals warn you it%26#39;s gonna be cold then wrap up warm,
-shop, shop, shop
-be prepared not to sleep much-far too much to do,
-if you make an itinerary leave some free time-you never know what%26#39;s gonna come up
You%26#39;re going to have a great time so when you get there just relax and go with it.
Gerry
Cheers Gerry,
Im starting to plan it just now!!
Where did you fly into???
Edinburgh to Newark with Continental, I would thoroughly recommend them.
We%26#39;re flying into Newark, how did you get into the city?? People have recommended the bus others have said train to Penn Station.
I know the bus goes to Grand Central, and thats where i really want to end up, we%26#39;re putting our luggage in at a storage place near there as when we arrive in NYC we want to see some of the city before heading onto where we%26#39;re staying as we%26#39;re staying with relatives just outside the city - want to make the most of our time there.
Did you get to the Parlor?
I had a car pick me up because a friend was also on the flight, we had lots of luggage and it was both our first time in NYC.
Regarding your plans I%26#39;m not the best person to ask, there are much better informed people on this forum. The only thing I would say is depending on what time you%26#39;re flight arrives, do you want to sit on a bus, in traffic, after a 7+ hour flight?
A pre-arranged car is reliable and offers you the chance to really relax after your flight.
I hope this is useful.
Hey Puddey,
No I didn%26#39;t get to The Parlour, however I did go to Jack Dempsey%26#39;s and about a dozen other Irish bars.
Gerry
Where to watch 2009 6-nations rugby in Manhattan
Hi
We%26#39;re visiting New York in February %26#39;09 for my other half%26#39;s birthday (he has no idea we%26#39;re going!!) He%26#39;s a rugby nut so can anyone recommend where to watch the matches on 14th February please?
Many thanks in advance
Magster
My head hurts from searching!!! Help NYC hotels
Can someone please tell me what is a goos 3-4 star hotel near times suare (not IN TimesSquare) for my husband and I for my 41st birthday, I thought last year was my last birthday but alas, I%26#39;m still here and older.(no i am not dying) Want nice room but not real expensive. I%26#39;m sick of researching, I don%26#39;t know who to believe anymore.
My head hurts from searching!!! Help NYC hotels
hello
My head hurts from searching!!! Help NYC hotels
Try posting this in the New York City forum instead of this all of New York one.
Ann
Neighborhood to visit?
We are coming tomorrow from Boston to spend an afternoon/night in the city. We realize it will be snowy so would like to concnetrate on one particular neighborhood. Any suggestions for pubs, shops, laid back nightlife all in walking distance? Any help or tips will be much appreciated!
Neighborhood to visit?The West Village, which would also give you the option to meander into Soho or along the Hudson, which may look nice in a snowstorm.
Triathlon stores
Hi there
I am visiting NYC in December. My hotel is close to the Empire State Building %26amp; I will be staying 4 nights.
I am interested in buying some new triathlon clothing. Can you let me know if there are any triathlon stores in NYC please?
I would also like to know if there are any good cycle or running stores in the area.
Hopefully I can go shopping as well as all the sightseeing.
Thank you
Triathlon stores
Make sure you check out Paragon Sporting Goods...Broadway near 18th street...worth the walk and/or subway ride....
Triathlon stores
City Sports on 5th ave b/n 35 %26amp; 36th, just above the Empire State Building.
I checked out Nike Town on 5th Ave. they had some running gear in there. I was hoping they offered a gait analysis but they dont! Only during the NY Marathon.
NY Running Co. in the Time Warner Center is pretty good- they are knowledgeable and very nice. They will order what they don%26#39;t have from their other locations within a couple days if you are looking for something specific. A number of running clubs leave from there on various evenings if you are looking for a group to run with on your trip
I would recommend SBR Multisport (on 57th or 58th off 8th avenue) or Jack Rabbit (right off union square) for anyone looking for tri gear in NYC. Paragon is good as an all around sports store, and they do have tons of running gear.
Hi, We walked miles to get to Paragon and was very disappointed. I wanted running shoes and clothes. They had a poor selection in my opinion and unfortunately it was the only store we visited where the assistant was not at all helpful. It may be better for triathlon gear?? I also thought they
were a bit on the expensive side. Sorry
Thanks everyone for your help. We managed to find the stores you recommended %26amp; they were great.
Thank you
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