Hello,
Here is my trip report from our visit between 26th %26amp; 30th November. I have finally had a chance to sit down %26amp; write out everything that happened when we were there. I apologise profusely in advance at the sheer length of it %26amp; I have honestly tried to cut it down but there is so much to tell! Anyhoo, here goes鈥?
We were flying from Glasgow with Continental airlines %26amp; I must say we had a great flight with them. We were in the air bang on 9am as scheduled %26amp; arrived in Newark 20 mins early. No probs with customs so we picked up our luggage %26amp; then decided on a taxi or bus to take us to Manhattan. We opted for the taxi but next time I visit I would take the air train or the bus to Port Authority but as we weren鈥檛 sure of the city we took a taxi. Went to the dispatcher who told us how much it would be (not including tolls) then we were on our way. I didn鈥檛 realise how far away Newark was but it meant I had loads of time to gawk at the Manhattan skyline. My first sight of it is one I will never forget.
Arrived at our hotel after some seriously scary manoeuvring around the streets (taxi drivers have nerves of steel!!). We were staying at the Hilton Garden Inn Times Square on 8th Avenue. We were really impressed with the hotel, lovely staff, brilliant rooms %26amp; couldn鈥檛 have a better location. Once we had been shown our room %26amp; had a quick freshen up we ventured out....
Due to the 鈥楪oogle satellite images map鈥?of Manhattan I kind of knew my bearings a bit. Our first stop was a hot dog cart on 7th Avenue, our first taste of New York. Then we waked on, across to the Rockefeller Plaza. Unf the tree wasn鈥檛 lit at that point but the ice rink was there %26amp; all the other decorations were up so it felt all Christmassy! We watched the skaters for a while then walked to Radio City (or vice versa, cant remember now) then up 5th Avenue to Tiffany %26amp; Co. The first thing I wanted to get (apart from my hotdog) when in New York was a necklace from Tiffany. We didn鈥檛 have time to look around so we just headed straight to the floor we needed %26amp; I picked out my necklace. I got one for my mum for her Christmas too. Once we had done that we walked up to Central Park (stopping in front of the Plaza Hotel to watch those dancing guys). Central Park was ok; I was a bit disappointed by it though. I don鈥檛 know what I was expecting as it is just a park but it was really quiet %26amp; not much to see despite having my tour map. Maybe we just picked a wrong day. After we had been around the park we walked back to the hotel, via the social bar across the road for a few drinks, to get changed %26amp; head out for a look %26amp; get some food. We went to Times Square, god that place is totally crazy but so great at the same time!! It was then it hit me that I was actually in New York鈥?NEW YORK!!!! Aaaargh! We just stood there totally amazed at what we were seeing. We left there then went looking for somewhere to eat %26amp; ended up at 5 Napkin Burger. It was really nice, good sushi to start then nice juicy burgers. Once we had finished our meal it was like 2.30am back home so we were fit for bed.
Thur 27th- Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Up bright %26amp; early due to time difference so got ready %26amp; went out for some breakfast before going up to see the parade. We ate at Cosmic Diner, I had yummy pancakes %26amp; my hubby had eggs with ham, bacon %26amp; sausage then we took our spot for the parade. We headed up to beside Columbus Circle, it was soooooooo busy but we managed to get a good spot. We seen all the balloons (my fave was Snoopy) then left just before Santa came to get the subway down to South Ferry. Due to reading up on the subway guides on TA we found it really easy to use %26amp; get around. Got to South Ferry then upstairs %26amp; onto the Staten Island ferry %26amp; sailed past the Statue of Liberty %26amp; Ellis Island %26amp; took loads of photos. Had we more time, we would have liked to have visited Ellis Island.
After we got off the ferry we walked up Broadway %26amp; seen Wall St then across to ground zero %26amp; had lunch in a deli just off where they are building the new freedom tower. Didn鈥檛 stay there for long as it didn鈥檛 feel right, it鈥檚 not a tourist attraction鈥?people died there. The next plan was to walk Brooklyn Bridge but there was bitterly cold wind that day %26amp; we decided against it so we just walked straight up to Chinatown. Wow, it鈥檚 some place! Never seen so many jewellery shops in one place in all my life. Glad we went cause it has a great atmosphere %26amp; its fun just to walk around (didn鈥檛 buy any handbags!) looking at everything. We decided we couldn鈥檛 walk any further so took the subway up to 42ndSt to save our feet. On our way back to the hotel we bought bus tickets for the tour buses that were valid all weekend cause it was Thanksgiving. We got changed then went for our Thanksgiving dinner at Virgils. I was warned about this place but gave it the benefit of the doubt because my husband loves ribs. We were met with total chaos at the door %26amp; a very harassed (but pleasant) server who told us our table wasn鈥檛 ready yet %26amp; we鈥檇 have to wait for a few mins. We were booked for 6.00pm %26amp; were seated at 6.50pm. The starters were good but the mains weren鈥檛 as the ribs were incinerated. It was also really expensive but hey, we were on holiday. We had decided if we got finished our meal in time that we would take the night time tour around the city. Fortunately, even after our long wait, we managed to get out %26amp; get over to the bus stop to catch the bus. It was really great, it took us around the major attractions of Manhattan then over to Brooklyn where we seen some fantastic views. They were breathtaking %26amp; we got some fabulous photos. Again we were tired by the time we got to the hotel so early to bed.
Fri 28th
We went for breakfast to Caf茅 Metro beside Rockefeller Plaza where I had my first NY bagel with cream cheese, mmm! We were on our way to Top of the Rock when we passed the Rockefeller Plaza %26amp; there was a concert on. We believe it was Barry Manilow but weren鈥檛 certain %26amp; didn鈥檛 stay to find out. We got our money off coupons for the Top of the Rock from the guy in the plaza %26amp; went up. The views from there are AMAZING. Although it was a sunny, blue-sky day, it was a bit hazy so the views weren鈥檛 that clear but compared to Empire State Building it was still fantastic. No queues, 3 floors of observation decks %26amp; hardly any people?!? This place isn鈥檛 well-advertised in guide books %26amp; really should be. We stayed there for a while taking lots of photos, it was a wretch having to come down. After that it was on to Grand Central Terminal, New York Public Library then Bryant Park. We watched the skaters there (weren鈥檛 brave enough to have a shot) seen the tree %26amp; had a look around all the Christmas market stalls. After that we went back to the hotel %26amp; got lunch from the supermarket/deli next to the hotel then we jumped on the uptown bus tour that took us up through Harlem. It was really interesting but we never got off at any of the stops as we were running short of time as we had tickets to see The Lion King at night. Went to Ciro Trattoria across from the hotel for a meal, it was just ok. The food was nice enough but it wasn鈥檛 very hot. We got out in plenty time so went to pick up our tickets from Will Call, we then found we had time to spare so went for a drink before taking our seats for the show. The show was absolutely brilliant, you HAVE to see it! When the 鈥榓nimals鈥?came down the aisles I honestly could hardly contain myself. When they were singing The Circle of Life at the start I had goosebumps %26amp; a tear in my eye, it was just fabulous! Once the show was over (boo) we had decided that we would go for dessert to Juniors. I went in the revolving door to the caf茅 %26amp; came straight out again, it was packed so we went for the next best thing鈥?take out. I had a slice of original, my husband had strawberry shortcake or something %26amp; we got a hot chocolate from Starbucks %26amp; took it back to the hotel to eat. In bed after midnight which was a first!
Sat 29th
Shopping day!!! We decided that Friday would be too crazy to go shopping so we went on the Sat. It wasn鈥檛 as bad as I had expected. We went for breakfast to the deli/supermarket next to the hotel then walked up %26amp; started off at FAO Schwarz, we were a bit early in heading out %26amp; it was the only place open. Soooo cool, got a teddy for our niece %26amp; a cuddly comforter for our not yet arrived niece or nephew. Then we went up to CK store %26amp; worked our way down to DKNY, Levis, Bloomingdales, Fossil, Saks, Abercrombie %26amp; Fitch etc. Got loads of stuff! We had loads of bags so decided to go back to the hotel to drop them off before continuing but on our way, we passed Carnegies Deli so had to go in for one of their legendary sandwiches. We must have stood for about 20 mins to get a seat. It reminds me of a school dinner hall %26amp; the place is such a fire hazard, I鈥檓 surprised it hasn鈥檛 been shut down. There were buggies %26amp; wheelchairs all over the place including in front of the fire exits! The sandwiches are so huge you can鈥檛 actually pick them up %26amp; eat them %26amp; they are really expensive. For its legendary status I wouldn鈥檛 rate it very highly, others would disagree I鈥檓 sure! It was good to go for the experience though. We dropped the shopping bags off at the hotel then decided to walk down to the Empire State Building. It was the start of what turned out to be a nightmare experience. TWO hours it took us to get to the top %26amp; to be honest it really wasn鈥檛 worth it. Disorganised chaos is the words that spring to mind %26amp; rows upon rows of queue ropes. The place is a joke, every time we thought we were nearly there we were met with yet more queues %26amp; more delays. I was really looking forward to getting up %26amp; seeing Manhattan at night but the time it took getting up totally spoilt it. The sheer amount of people on the one viewing platform makes it impossible for you to get a good look at the city %26amp; take your time admiring the views. Worst part of all was, because it took so long to get up we could only stay for about 20 mins otherwise we would have been late for our dinner reservation at Maze by Gordon Ramsay. Our plan was to have a few relaxing drinks before we went but that never happened, we had to rush back to the hotel to quickly shower %26amp; change then rush up to the restaurant. Luckily our table wasn鈥檛 quite ready so we got to sit at the bar %26amp; relax with a nice glass of wine. The meal itself was delicious, went for the 6 course tasting menu %26amp; couldn鈥檛 fault any of it. The beetroot with ricotta was exceptionally good, as was the branzino. We were really looking forward to going there so were glad that we weren鈥檛 disappointed. Went for a few drinks to Faces %26amp; Names bar next door then back to the Social bar across from the hotel. We got ID鈥檇 at both bars which I found hilarious as the door staff were younger than my husband %26amp; you鈥檙e lucky if you get ID鈥檇 if you are 18 going into a bar back home! Later again that night, it was after 1am before bedtime :-O
Sun 30th
Going home today, sob. It was raining too, NY must have been sad to see us go! We went for breakfast to the deli/supermarket again then to M%26amp;M鈥檚 world, Hershey鈥檚 then down to Macys for a finally shop before going back to the hotel to collect our cases %26amp; head to the airport. We thought about taking the air train there but as it was raining so hard we took a taxi. Wish we had taken the air train because the taxi was so expensive, but not to worry. Our flight left an hour late but that was due to the vast amount of air traffic at the airport %26amp; we landed (after a horrendously bumpy flight) at Glasgow just after 7.30am local time.
Couldn鈥檛 believe that we were home %26amp; that our trip had gone past so quickly. I had been looking forward to it for months %26amp; months %26amp; that was it all over so I was a bit sad when we got home but we had such an amazing time. I can鈥檛 begin to explain how much fun we had just walking around %26amp; taking everything in %26amp; I still love looking at all the photos we took. I wish we had more time so we could have seen Greenwich Village, American museum of Natural History, Ellis Island etc but there is always a next time eh?
That鈥檚 it my friends, don鈥檛 think I%26#39;ve missed anything out (haha)
The End
x
I'm back! And with a very long trip report (sorry!)Great report Sarah, I had been watching for a trip report from you as I know we visited not too far apart, I flew from Edinburgh with Continental and again found them excellent, I would also recommend the Airtrain next time, it was very fast, convenient and cheap.
Glad you had a great time, I know my fiancee and I did and cant wait to go again some time.
I'm back! And with a very long trip report (sorry!)Excellent trip report. I love the details about the various restaurants.
Brilliant trip report, Sarah!
Reminded me so much of my own trip last year, and I%26#39;m glad I%26#39;m not the only who got teary at the opening of the Lion King. It was truly a-ma-zing!
Glad you had a great trip,we were in nyc from 24-28th november,looking forward to our return this nov 20th(booked already!!)
Darren
Enjoyed your report, but was surprised to read that you weren%26#39;t impressed with Central Park! I have a feeling you did what I did on my first trip, which was to enter a tiny part near 59th St., not realizing that it was absolutely huge and what I saw was just the beginning. If you would have found Bethesda Terrace, the Boathouse, Belvedere Castle, Shakespeare Gardens or the beautiful Conservatory Gardens, there is no way you couldn%26#39;t have been impressed! Give it another try on your next trip, and do some exploring. It really is amazing.
Hi Sarah, Report if brilliant, I am going in 7 weeks for 6 days - cant wait!!! Did you have it all planned out before you went?
Any tips or pointers let me know!
Ali x
Thanks everyone for managing to read til the end!! Yeah I had my trip kinda planned out. We knew what we wanted to see so manged to bunch everything that was close together in various days. Still didnt have time to do everything though :-( Best thing I bought was a 2008 New York guide %26amp; posted heaps of questions on here.
Forgot to add a big thanks to Crans, NYWhiz, Al-NYC %26amp; all the other people who kindly answered all my questions.
Here is the link to my photos if anyone is interested?
www.photobox.co.uk/my/album?album_id=73060423
Many thanks sarahkScotland for a great report and the excellent pictures.
Whetted my appetite for our trip in October.
Wonderful report.
I am not surprised that you found Central Park ';quiet';. The quiet expanse of nature is highly valued by those living amidst the craziness of NYC.
Love your description of the food at Maze. I am eager to go there!
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