NYC Trip Report -- Oh, what a week!
Aug 11th, 2003, 03:05 PM
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NYC Trip Report -- Oh, what a week!
Just returned from six nights in NYC with the family. Thanks to all the Fodorites for their help on these boards!
First Day -- Midwest Flight from Omaha, connecting in Milwaukee to LaGuardia. Great connects, lousy weather! Went from 45 minute layover in Milwaukee to 6.5 hours, whew. Ended up arriving at LaGuardia at midnight. Weather delayed flights for 2 hours out of LaGuardia and Newark and that pushed the rest of the world and all flights back and back and back.
First New York cab ride into Rockefeller Center was speedy to say the least and only $14.80 plus tip. Arrived at the Hilton Towers around 1 a.m. very cordial clerk named Ann treated us well and gave us a corner room on the 19th floor, which we requested hoping the room would be a little larger (this was a Priceline vacation, so we didn't have our hopes up too much, but was pleasantly surprised).
Second Day -- acclimated ourselves to midtown, the subway and busses. We purchased NY Passes which included 7 day unlimited MTA transit, this is a very good deal, especially for first time visitors. We felt that we could go into museums, etc. and not worry as much as to whether we shouldn't have spent the money or if we preferred to leave in one hour it was ok, no big deal. Our teens enjoyed Madame Tussauds today. Very expensive without the NY Pass though. Walked through Central Park, did a little shopping at Century 21 and visited Ground Zero.
3rd day -- Today was the day I drove the kids nuts with tours! Started with trying to get on the Today show at 7 a.m. you really need to be there by 6:30 a.m. to have any chance at all at a front row position. You may be able to wiggle your way to the front in a couple of hours, but don't bet on it, some people do leave. Saw Willard Scott and Matt Lauer up close, its fun and something to stop by and see for a bit, just don't plan on seeing much if you are short.... From there the NBC Studio and Rockefeller Center tours start across the street, very convenient for that. Each are about an hour and included in the pass. We also did the Radio City Music Hall tour which I liked, and again very close to the area. Went on the Circle Line 2 hour Harbor lights cruise that evening at 7 p.m. An easy bus ride along 42nd Street to the port. This was the highlight for my wife, the boat tour not the bus ride...
4th Day -- We arranged for a Big Apple Greeter today and had John Borders take us around Manhattan, toe the Tram to Queens etc. and to a neighborhood restaurant on the Upper East Side, near the restaurant as we walked, out of a building came Michael J. Fox and strolled between us until he quickly got into a waiting vehicle and drove off. Not something I see everyday
. The greeters are good, just have a plan for them and I think you will enjoy. That evening we had 1/2 price tickets to Rent that we found on the net. Good play, a bit loud for my tastes but the kids enjoyed it, whether they understood the plot or not.
5th Day -- Ellis Island and Statute of Liberty this morning then headed to Little Italy/Chinatown and South Seaport areas. Lots of walking and sightseeing! Went to Times Square area in the evening for supper at John's Pizza.
6th Day -- Left about 10 a.m. for Yankee Stadium as I wanted to see Monument Park before the game. This was alot of fun seeing the park and the game, sitting in the cheap seats at the very top of the stadium was quite an eye opener and steep, did I say steep? whoa. Subway goes right from Rockefeller Center to the stadium, works very slick. On the way back stopped for a short tour of the Museum of Natural History before it closed at 5:45 p.m. that Saturday. Free admission after 4:45 p.m. Then we took the Hansome Carriage ride through Central Park for $34.00 for 20 minutes, fun and something we always thought of doing as a true NY experience.
6th Day -- Late flight out of LaGuardia at 7:30 p.m. so had the day to explore again, kids and wife wanted to shop, so they took off for Macy's and Manhattan Mall area and I wanted to go to Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park and the zoo. The Met is extraordinary and especially enjoyed seeing the building itself. Ate lunch in the museum, kind of pricey, but my afternoon out on my own....
Central Park Zoo is very well kept, if small, a nice relaxing place to be in NY.
Things I would recommend for first time visitors:
1. NY Pass with Metro card included
2. Stay midtown, use Priceline and Biddingfortravel.
3. Don't try to do too much in one day, your feet will hurt...!
4. Talk to the people, no way are they rude -- I found NY'rs to be among the most pleasant of any place I've traveled, it was a great experience.
5. Food is really not that expensive, unless you choose to spend alot. Lots of standard fast food around and the carts on the street are really cheap and the food runs the gamut. Pizza places are reasonable and varied, which is nice. We only walked out of one place because the name of the place was a "Diner" but the cheapest entree was $24.00....
6. If you are going less than 10 blocks take the bus, you will see more than the subway and quicker to get off and on.
7. Have fun and everyone around you will too!
8. If you like bagels, juice, rolls, coffee etc for breakfast there are street vendors everywhere, for less than $2.50 you can have a simple continental breakfast on the run or sitting on the street corner watching the world go to work.
First Day -- Midwest Flight from Omaha, connecting in Milwaukee to LaGuardia. Great connects, lousy weather! Went from 45 minute layover in Milwaukee to 6.5 hours, whew. Ended up arriving at LaGuardia at midnight. Weather delayed flights for 2 hours out of LaGuardia and Newark and that pushed the rest of the world and all flights back and back and back.
First New York cab ride into Rockefeller Center was speedy to say the least and only $14.80 plus tip. Arrived at the Hilton Towers around 1 a.m. very cordial clerk named Ann treated us well and gave us a corner room on the 19th floor, which we requested hoping the room would be a little larger (this was a Priceline vacation, so we didn't have our hopes up too much, but was pleasantly surprised).
Second Day -- acclimated ourselves to midtown, the subway and busses. We purchased NY Passes which included 7 day unlimited MTA transit, this is a very good deal, especially for first time visitors. We felt that we could go into museums, etc. and not worry as much as to whether we shouldn't have spent the money or if we preferred to leave in one hour it was ok, no big deal. Our teens enjoyed Madame Tussauds today. Very expensive without the NY Pass though. Walked through Central Park, did a little shopping at Century 21 and visited Ground Zero.
3rd day -- Today was the day I drove the kids nuts with tours! Started with trying to get on the Today show at 7 a.m. you really need to be there by 6:30 a.m. to have any chance at all at a front row position. You may be able to wiggle your way to the front in a couple of hours, but don't bet on it, some people do leave. Saw Willard Scott and Matt Lauer up close, its fun and something to stop by and see for a bit, just don't plan on seeing much if you are short.... From there the NBC Studio and Rockefeller Center tours start across the street, very convenient for that. Each are about an hour and included in the pass. We also did the Radio City Music Hall tour which I liked, and again very close to the area. Went on the Circle Line 2 hour Harbor lights cruise that evening at 7 p.m. An easy bus ride along 42nd Street to the port. This was the highlight for my wife, the boat tour not the bus ride...
4th Day -- We arranged for a Big Apple Greeter today and had John Borders take us around Manhattan, toe the Tram to Queens etc. and to a neighborhood restaurant on the Upper East Side, near the restaurant as we walked, out of a building came Michael J. Fox and strolled between us until he quickly got into a waiting vehicle and drove off. Not something I see everyday
. The greeters are good, just have a plan for them and I think you will enjoy. That evening we had 1/2 price tickets to Rent that we found on the net. Good play, a bit loud for my tastes but the kids enjoyed it, whether they understood the plot or not.5th Day -- Ellis Island and Statute of Liberty this morning then headed to Little Italy/Chinatown and South Seaport areas. Lots of walking and sightseeing! Went to Times Square area in the evening for supper at John's Pizza.
6th Day -- Left about 10 a.m. for Yankee Stadium as I wanted to see Monument Park before the game. This was alot of fun seeing the park and the game, sitting in the cheap seats at the very top of the stadium was quite an eye opener and steep, did I say steep? whoa. Subway goes right from Rockefeller Center to the stadium, works very slick. On the way back stopped for a short tour of the Museum of Natural History before it closed at 5:45 p.m. that Saturday. Free admission after 4:45 p.m. Then we took the Hansome Carriage ride through Central Park for $34.00 for 20 minutes, fun and something we always thought of doing as a true NY experience.
6th Day -- Late flight out of LaGuardia at 7:30 p.m. so had the day to explore again, kids and wife wanted to shop, so they took off for Macy's and Manhattan Mall area and I wanted to go to Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park and the zoo. The Met is extraordinary and especially enjoyed seeing the building itself. Ate lunch in the museum, kind of pricey, but my afternoon out on my own....
Central Park Zoo is very well kept, if small, a nice relaxing place to be in NY.
Things I would recommend for first time visitors:
1. NY Pass with Metro card included
2. Stay midtown, use Priceline and Biddingfortravel.
3. Don't try to do too much in one day, your feet will hurt...!
4. Talk to the people, no way are they rude -- I found NY'rs to be among the most pleasant of any place I've traveled, it was a great experience.
5. Food is really not that expensive, unless you choose to spend alot. Lots of standard fast food around and the carts on the street are really cheap and the food runs the gamut. Pizza places are reasonable and varied, which is nice. We only walked out of one place because the name of the place was a "Diner" but the cheapest entree was $24.00....
6. If you are going less than 10 blocks take the bus, you will see more than the subway and quicker to get off and on.
7. Have fun and everyone around you will too!
8. If you like bagels, juice, rolls, coffee etc for breakfast there are street vendors everywhere, for less than $2.50 you can have a simple continental breakfast on the run or sitting on the street corner watching the world go to work.
Aug 11th, 2003, 03:15 PM
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Great report! I've only been to NYC once and it was a short trip. Reading your report makes me want to hurry up and get back there! And, I know what you mean about the feet hurting...I've never experienced sore feet quite so badly, yet I managed to keep walking!
Aug 11th, 2003, 03:25 PM
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Great report! Sounds like the Hansens made the most of their week despite the rough start.
I just want to add that if the New York Pass doesn't fit your itinerary, you can get just regular transit passes that allow umlimited bus and subway rides, $7 for one day or $21 for a week, they're sold in virtually every subway station.
I just want to add that if the New York Pass doesn't fit your itinerary, you can get just regular transit passes that allow umlimited bus and subway rides, $7 for one day or $21 for a week, they're sold in virtually every subway station.
Aug 11th, 2003, 03:35 PM
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Nice trip report, very busy week!
My husband and I really like NYC. We were just there in April for easter weekend and it was nice. The weather was good (high 60's).. We may return for a mini weekend next month, but if not, we will defintitely return next spring. Its a city I think we will visit annually (at least once a year) if not twice.
Glad you all had a great time!
My husband and I really like NYC. We were just there in April for easter weekend and it was nice. The weather was good (high 60's).. We may return for a mini weekend next month, but if not, we will defintitely return next spring. Its a city I think we will visit annually (at least once a year) if not twice.
Glad you all had a great time!
Aug 12th, 2003, 04:22 AM
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We go up to NYC frequently from DC as my daughter is up there now. Summerfest has wonderful free concerts in Central Park. I use travelzoo.com to get hotel deals and have stayed in great places. TimeOut publishes a good book with restaurants listed by neighborhood and price range. Our "find" this trip was the Skylight Diner at 402 W34th Street. (Not far from Penn Station) We had dinner Sunday night before driving home (we even scored a free parking space on 34th St, but that was just good karma) for $34 including tip. Very good food (think half a roast chicken with walnut/apple dressing, or grilled salmon with veggies) and that included a glass of wine, and a beer!
Aug 12th, 2003, 04:40 AM
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Great report! Makes me want to go! We've only been the NY once and it is time to go again. Forgive my ignorance but is Midtown close to Times Square? I would like something very central in order to be able to walk to the theater, central park, etc.
Aug 12th, 2003, 04:53 AM
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I think most people would say that Times Square is IN Midtown. The northern boundary of Midtown is 59th street, since it forms the southern edge of Central Park (along the park, it's called Central Park South).
Get yourself a map of Manhattan, preferably one that shows key tourist attractions, this will help you immeasurably in choosing a hotel and planning your itinerary. Here's a start:
http://www.aaccessmaps.com/show/map/manhattan
Get yourself a map of Manhattan, preferably one that shows key tourist attractions, this will help you immeasurably in choosing a hotel and planning your itinerary. Here's a start:
http://www.aaccessmaps.com/show/map/manhattan
Aug 12th, 2003, 04:57 AM
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4khansen - glad you had a great trip to my former home (I'm in DC now).
fussy - as a NYer, I can say that the stereotype about mean, rude NYers will fade when the same stereotype fades about Parisiens (whom I also found to be wonderful)! In other words, when pigs fly.
cd - Times Square is in midtown Manhattan.
Karen
fussy - as a NYer, I can say that the stereotype about mean, rude NYers will fade when the same stereotype fades about Parisiens (whom I also found to be wonderful)! In other words, when pigs fly.
cd - Times Square is in midtown Manhattan.
Karen
Aug 12th, 2003, 07:34 AM
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No slight intended to NJ as I've been lving there happily for close to four years now (although I'm relocating due to job requirments) but..... I sometimes think the "rude NY'ers" stereotype was most likely based on a certain core group of NJ folks who are in NY and it's presumed that they are "NY'ers". I'll hasten to say that NJ is a great state with lots of wonderful people but I've run into more pushiness, rudeness and related behavior in NJ that I ever have in Manhattan.
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