Chris

I've got a two week trip which I have planned for ages. Flying into Newark on Saturday (15/9). I was going to go to Boston and DC as well by train.

Should I cancel? I am so disappointed. Are the American people so much in the doldrums that they would wish the annoying tourists away?

My greatest sympathies.

Philip

Thank you for your sympathy.

I would suggest that you watch the news to see if it is possible for you to make the trip. All airlines in the US were grounded on Tuesday and will slowly return to service. You also have to realize that there will be heightened security and maybe some closings around the country in the next few weeks so you must analyze whether you will be able to fully enjoy your visit.

As of now (Wednesday) many of the inroads into New York City have been closed. Probably the majority of New York City south of 14th Street will either be closed or on limited schedules (including the Statue of Liberty) for the remainder of this week.

We will happily welcome you to our country and hope that you enjoy your visit whenever you decide to visit us.

juli

I can sympathize with your dissapointment, but you also have to be sypathetic to those around you. I live in the area and had plans for a big night out this weekend in inlight of what happenened it just feels wrong and I still feel unsafe being there.

Could you really go enjoy yourself in 3 areas that have been devastated by this horror?
If you can you might want to just pospone your trip.

I am not sure what country you are from, but we are in the doldrums. There is not one person in the metro area that doesnt know someone who is lost, injured, or has a horrifying story of what they saw. You need to understand that the last thing NY ers care about right now would be to make you feel at home and make your trip a great one.

Sharon

I can only imagine the impact this tragedy will have on all who live in the best city in the world, NYC. We have plans to spend a week in NYC at Thanksgiving. Any early feel on what one can expect for the city by that time?

Chris

I agree that the last thing that would be on the American people's mind is to entertain any tourists. Of course I didn't mean to imply that my disappointment is anything of importance considering the great human tragedy and suffering and apologise if I sounded a bit insensitive. It was not my intention.

I followed the news avidly yesterday from and in fact, they told us to go home early. Some of us tried to ring colleagues who had gone out to NY for meetings.

I have never been to the States before and it has always been my dream to go and visit your great country. It seems like now is definitely not a good time. Perhaps another time.

hamlet

My opinion is that if you can get to NY, you still have an opportunity to enjoy infinite aspects of New York now and in the weeks to come. Yes this area has been attacked and is suffering, but being the city that never sleeps, it is still alive and open (so to speak) for everyone who wants to enjoy it. Of course be aware that while you may experience several inconveniences regarding tourist attraction closings, transportation, etc. you also may witness and participate firsthand the effects of the great tragedy which is not pleasant but could add to your life and vacation experience in other ways.

Howard

Whoa! Yes, as a New Yorker (hell, as a human being) I'm angry and worried, and yes, it's a very sad time, but I don't think "doldrums" is the right word.
Should you come? A tough question to answer. Obviously, New York will not be the same this weekend as it was last weekend. Perhaps you shouldn't because it probably won't be the New York you want to see....but then, will it ever be that way again?
I live right outside NYC, and it sure as hell bothers me that I can't just pick up go into the city, as I'm used to doing at a moment's notice. Sure, that loss is nothing compared to the great tragedy that has befallen this area. I mourn, I grieve....but I also know that we are resilient and we are survivors!

Christina

I live in DC and I think you can visit here and see things okay. From viewing the news, I cannot imagine sightseeing in NY at this time, but in DC things are not disrupted as much as there was no damage except at the Pentagon; the rest of the city's transportation system etc are fairly back to normal (metro system is running, just not Pentagon stops). The museums & monuments were closed yesterday, of course, but I think are open again and def. would be by Saturday. I think Amtrak is even running again (check on that) which is the easiest way to get from that area into DC in any case. Now I see you were planning Boston and DC, I think that would be fine. This is a good time to visit DC and the weather is perfect right now; these events will be permeating the news and atmosphere in this city, of course, as you'd expect but I think that could make your visit interesting in a way from a historical viewpoint.

Dave

I'm a NYC resident, and my advice is: COME!!! While you may not be able to get to visit Wall Street, there's so much to see here -- Central Park, the Museums, the theater, the Bronx Zoo -- all of which are far from the tragedy. We mourn for our loved ones (as do all good people), but life must continue. Your visit here will be worthwhile.

chris

Hey, thanks for the encouraging responses. I am vacillating between cancelling and not cancelling. If Heathrow resumes flights to the States and my flight is not cancelled, I am quite enthusiastic about going.

My husband and I thought we could cancel and use our leave in Europe but I feel that there is no where that I want to go to as badly as the States!

al

It's now Wednesday, a little after 11. The airports are closed, as are the Geo. Wash. Bridge, Holland and Lincoln Tunnels and others. Manhattan is off limits below 14th St. There's talk of the NFL canceling their games this weekend, along with MLB and college football. The theatre is canceled "until further notice". My advice is not necessarily "cancel" your trip, but postpone it if you can. If you can't, go ahead and come but be prepared for heavy delays everywhere for the next few weeks. Keep in mind that one regular plane crash would've been a disaster -- we've just had 2 and the leveling of 2 110 story buildings. The city right now is a mess. Sirens and emergency vehicles everywhere.

In sort, come if you must but it would be better if you could see us at our best instead of during our darkest days.

Leone, glad you're o.k.

queenvee

In Mayor Guiliani's (NYC) press conference this morning, he encourages all New Yorkers to follow their normal routines, so that the terrorists don't win. He suggests that instead of sitting inside today, New Yorkers should go outside, maybe shop, visit family/friends and do anything else they would normally do. The city wants to show that their spirit is not broken and that the city has not been brought to a standstill by this act. The city is definitely open and all city services - including public transportation - are functioning as normal (except South of 14th Street). I think you should come to NY - in addition to doing typical tourist things, you'll have the unique opportunity to see New York and New Yorkers in a different, positive light. And it would help New Yorkers to know that international support and tourism hasn't been scared off by the terrorists.

Theresa

If any city can come together at a time like this, it will be NYC. It will be interesting to see if normal holiday festivities (ie:, parade, decor, tree) take place this year considering the recent events.

rqf

Postpone or not is a decision you have to make. If you do decide to visit there will be plenty to keep you occupied in the city north of where the Trade Center was located. As indicated in another note, the Mayor, at a press conference this morning, suggested New Yorkers get out of the house and about. At 1pm I was walking along Amsterdam Avenue on the Upper WEst Side. It would appear that people were following the Mayor's suggestion. The streets were full of people and all restaurants along the route were jammed with people especially those with outdoor dining facilities. Some restaurants had lines of people waiting for a table. I am reasonably certain the main topic of conversation was the Trade Center horror but people are resuming normal activities.

Elizabeth

If you come here (Manhattan), I suggest you come in the fullest possible consciousness that you are coming to a city that has suffereed an unimaginable attack that is seen by many as an act of war.

We've lost 200 of our firefighters, including our fire chief and a deputy. I don't know how many people we've lost in the WTC, but it will be in the thousands.

At the moment gaiety and celebratoriness seem inappropriate, as they would in the wake of any loss of life. The city is in mourning and it has come nowhere near the full realization or the bottom of it.

If you don't expect something different, it might be okay.

Joy in VA

Come! Send me an email if you will be coming to DC. Washington IS open for business, you can see lots of great stuff. Except for the area around the Pentagon, Virginia is unscathed too, lots of stuff to see & do. This is a BIG country. Yes the tragedy is awful and affects us all - but the vast amjority of the country is just fine, though mourning.

Ellen

I tried to get on with my life today, as per Rudy's request. A bit tough after a sleepless night. I was greeted on the street by the stench of burning electrical wires, melting metals, whatever. Bad enough to bring tears to your eyes and give you a raw throat. All the hardware stores and hospitals are depleted of nose/mouth masks. We have resorted to rolled up bandanas tied across our faces. There are 10 UPS semi-trucks lined up in front of my building awaiting clearance to deliver supplies downtown. There are very few flowers left at the grocers. The morgue around the corner is jam packed with family members desperate to find loved ones. 1st avenue is shut down from about 38th to about 5 blocks past the UN (as far as I could tell).

There are, however, many people trying to get back to normal--lunching, blading, drinking. But, I really think they are just trying to keep busy. Because you can't cry anymore than you did yesterday. Because they don't know what else to do. Because they need to see other people, to see life. Come to NY if you will, but by the weekend, as more deaths are confirmed, you can expect to see smiles that are only there masking the sorrow. Life is moving on, but it is anything but 'as usual'.

ann

Chris,
People are devastated and in shock all over the country. But I can't imagine a
more horrific place to visit right now than NY. If you were already planning to see Boston and DC, why don't you go there first, and then towards the end of your trip, see what people are saying about NY.

NY and its spirited people are well worth experiencing. But give them some time to heal first. jmho.

Cathy

Chris- I am from Boston and think you could enjoy a nice time here as the weather is perfect and there is lots to see. Though people are obviously upset about the events of the last 2 days. The problem is that the airport is till closed and will not reopen until over 2000 cars are towed from terminal B where they located the terrorists car with books and video's about flying a commercial plane. They have surrounded the Copley Westin 2 times today, sent in bomb squads and closed off part of the area. They have determined this is the hotel the terrorists (or their helpers) stayed. They are also stopping trains that have left Boston and a few arrests have been made. So...certainly not the level of devastation in NYC or DC yet activity. Many people were sent home yesterday most people went to work today. I think the suggestion to start here and go to NYC and DC at the end of the visit would be a good one. or do Boston and other New England states- plenty to see. Best Wishes either way.

Marcie

I'm not sure which country you'd be coming from but if I were you....I would cancel and come at a later date. These are wonderful cities and you wil not be able to appreciate them under the current devestating circumstances.I'm sure you understand that you would not be visiting at an opportune time. Cancel and come when you can get around and actually see things, meet some great people etc.