New York

[Scarlett]

I have been thinking a lot (okay, fantasising!!) about visiting New York. I have always wanted to travel to USA and would love to see all of it! But you have to start somewhere. Can anyone recommend a what to see/ hotel/airline/travel/ holiday package as I'm a bit of a luddite when it comes to online holiday searches. I would be travelling from either London or the south.
Thanks

[VHG]

You might get more replies if you give the impression you have done SOME work in preparation for this trip.

Seems you want us to find out everything for you.

Go into Google and do lots of searches on phrases like "Visiting New York" or "Trips to New New York" or "New York Tourist" that sort of thing.

Here is one site I found after about 5 seconds of searching

http://www.nyctourist.com/

[VHG]

Plus look on the web sites for common airlines, like Virgin or BA.

Here is the Virgin "New York" page

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/ourdestin ations/usa/flighttonewyork.jsp

[Scarlett]

You misunderstand me, sorry: What I want to know is your experiences. Have you been? What did you do? What was it like from your experience? Did you arrange it yourself or through a travel agency etc?

[spudqueen]

Well I've been and arranged it all myself through the internet. I booked flights and hotel. I flew Continental to Newark (you don't have to fly to JFK, though obviously you can do), and then I booked the Milford Plaza Hotel through a hotel website (can't remember which one). The hotel was in a great position, just one block from Times Square. It's situation meant that we were able to get a bus from Newark to the Port Authority Bus Station, from where we could see our hotel!

A good starting point would be to buy yourself a good guide book, I recommend A Brits Guide To New York. But if you're really not sure about booking all this stuff yourself you can book through a travel agent.

[Eve]

Hello :)

Oh yes, went end of August and loved it and want to go back!

We did...

Thurs - got there late (with time diff), yellow cab into the city and had dinner in Time Square at Bubba Gumps (from Forrest Gump). Found a bar where we got some great advice from the barmaid.

Fri - found a fantastic diner for breakfast, gorgeous food and they do all the proper pancakes and waffles and amazing omelettes.

The to Empire State, very quiet as early (saw the ridiculous queue later!). Fantastic view!

Then took barmaid's suggestion and walked up the top half of 5th Ave, looking at all the fab shops, in St Patrick's cathedral, Trump Tower, Tiffanies, up to Central Park. There's a little zoo and children's zoo there so did those and had a wander then walked back down the other side of the park where all the flashy apartments are where the stars live.

Evening we went to the Top of the Rock (Rockerfeller Centre) - absolutely amazing seeing it all lit up at night.

Saturday - Walked down the other half of 5th Ave - long walk but we walked through the fashion district, soho, Little Italy (fantastic lunch al fresco on Mulberry St), China Town, then went to the World Trade Centre cite then down Wall St to the Staten Island Ferry and took that to see the Statue of Liberty then back and on the subway back to Time Square.

[Eve]

Sunday - Did the tour buses, you can get multi tickets for different time frames so we did the downtown loop, Brooklyn tour and got off and walked back over the Brooklyn Bridge then continued on the down town then did the Uptown and Harlem (shows you were the stars live round Central Park) then the night tour where they take you round downtown all lit up and to the Hulton Ferry landing for the New York skyline at night.

Monday - was Labour Day so went to the sales in Macys (but like Debenhams really - bargain levis though!) then more shopping, Time Sq for on street bargains (knock off bags and watches and pashminas, ridiculously cheap!) and 5th Ave back up to Central Park for a horse and carriage ride then off to the airport.

Are you on Facebook as got loads of piccies on there.

[Scarlett]

Wow that sounds brilliant! I will get myself a book tomorrow and do some reading up. Jenna- thanks! I'd love to see the pics! How can I link up on facebook without posting my details on here.. Hmm.

[Eve]

I was trying to think that too!

Have you got any other ABers on yours who I might have we can get to suggest us haha :)

I have most of the usual ladies on here and some of the guys.

[jno]

Scarlett, the simplest way would be to start with the smallest guidebook - there are lots, but perhaps the Berlitz guidebook. That should give you all the basics, except perhaps where to stay. There aren't any really cheap hotels in Manhattan (and manhattan is where you want to be, probably midtown) but you could hunt through all the hotels and user reviews on http://www.tripadvisor.com. For the sights, Jenna's posted an excellent list.

There's not a lot of difference between airlines but search for the cheapest flights on your dates here
http://www.skyscanner.net

[Scarlett]

Hmm, no I don't have any other AB mates on facebook sadly!
How about you email your email to here:

[email protected] and I will do a search!

[Eve]

Done :)

[time2fly]

Have a look here:

http://www.uknetguide.co.uk/Travel/Holiday-Dea ls/New-York/

these deals are updated all the time and if you click on the things to do in New York link you will see loads of activities and the price of things...

hope this helps.

[dawndevil]

went to new york in april for 10 days was great want togo back have posted info before on these links
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Travel/Question 622830.html
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Travel/Question 614207.html

get a good travel guide with a map in it found the website
www.virtualtourist.com very useful just search for new york and you'll find lots of useful tips and some lesser known tourist attactions too i also googled film and movie locations new york and i was able to track down what i wanted to see without going on a tour

enjoy!

[mayankgates]

New York Travel Guide Check this link for best New York Travel Guide

[rcl1]

My recommendations would vary depending on the time of year you go.

Oct-Dec:
Definately look in Macy's and Blooming Dales. The Christmas displays are amazing. Also go ice skating in Central Park (the Wollman rink). See the massive tree in Rockerfella Centre (there is ice skating there, but its a very small rink).

Spring/summer:
Definately go and see some of the many sites in Central park such as the Central Park Zoo (you can do this in winter, but there is more to see in the warmer months). See the 'Imagine' memorial in Cental park which is by the entrance/exit which comes out by the Dakota building where John Lennon was killed.

Antime:
Empire State building (go early to avoid ridiculous queues)
Any of the museums (guide books will recommend some that are to your taste eg art museums, natural history etc).
Hard Rock Cafe if you are a music fan. Lots to see and a great atmosphere.

To be honest, there is so much to see and do that you can't really go wrong. Have a great time.

[jno]

time to stop fantasising and start planning, Scarlett?? You can do it, you know!

[rcl1]

oh and don't forget the Statue of Liberty. I would advise going to Battery Park to get your tickets and to get the ferry across (again go early to avoid the queues). If you want to actually go into the Statue, i would recommend booking this before you travel, or getting your tickets on the first day you arrive as they only allow small numbers to go in and tickets go very quick.