The plan is all but complete, 4 weeks to go tell me what you think.
Sep 1st, 2009, 10:08 PM
#1
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The plan is all but complete, 4 weeks to go tell me what you think.
After much help on this site (wish I could name all the wonderful people who’ve helped me) I’ve pretty much finished planning our trip. Please have a read and let me know you think. Some of you will recognise some things that you have suggested to me, thanks again, it is so helpful.
We are a 46yr old couple and this is our 3rd trip to the states.
Depart Brisbane for LAX Oct 1st. B/class booked with points. We have an 8 hour layover but will be hoping to get an earlier flight to NYC if possible on arrival. If we can’t we will be arriving at about 1am on Tues 2nd. (I’ve got a confirmed late check in) Staying 5 nights at Tudor Hotel UN booked on pricline.com with a winning bid of $208pn Inc tax.
Want to see some shows, go to the Met, still to book a Tenement Museum tour and have reservations at Quest for Sunday brunch with Opentable.com (may change that yet). I’ve printed lots of restaurant suggestions and will take them all with me. Want to go back to Ground Zero St Pauls Century 21 and would love to eat at Les Halles. We ‘will’ walk the Brooklyn Bridge!
I have just booked the special Amtrak fare I found for NYC to Boston ($49) for our trip to Boston Oct 6. Staying one night Sheraton Boston, winning bid on priceline.com $120pn inc tax. As part of DH birthday gift (its today) I have booked a new Chevy Camaro for pick up Oct 7 drop off Oct 13. First stop Wells for one night, staying at the Holiday Guest House. Then we will drive to North Conway for 2 nights at the Green Mt Hotel & Resort. Next stop Stowe for 3 nights over the Columbus Day long weekend. Finishing up back in Boston to drop car and one night at Marriot Cambridge winning bid on priceline.com for $109.46pn Inc tax.
We hope to see some lovely scenery, historic towns, fall colours, covered bridges, eat great seafood & local apples and just ‘go with the flow’. (& maybe some outlet shopping).
Then it’s the train back to NYC for one night (still to book a room) we have tickets for A Steady Rain (so excited) and then the next day we fly to LA for the beginning of our West Coast adventure.
So what do you think? I’m pretty happy with it, thanks to all of you.
We are a 46yr old couple and this is our 3rd trip to the states.
Depart Brisbane for LAX Oct 1st. B/class booked with points. We have an 8 hour layover but will be hoping to get an earlier flight to NYC if possible on arrival. If we can’t we will be arriving at about 1am on Tues 2nd. (I’ve got a confirmed late check in) Staying 5 nights at Tudor Hotel UN booked on pricline.com with a winning bid of $208pn Inc tax.
Want to see some shows, go to the Met, still to book a Tenement Museum tour and have reservations at Quest for Sunday brunch with Opentable.com (may change that yet). I’ve printed lots of restaurant suggestions and will take them all with me. Want to go back to Ground Zero St Pauls Century 21 and would love to eat at Les Halles. We ‘will’ walk the Brooklyn Bridge!
I have just booked the special Amtrak fare I found for NYC to Boston ($49) for our trip to Boston Oct 6. Staying one night Sheraton Boston, winning bid on priceline.com $120pn inc tax. As part of DH birthday gift (its today) I have booked a new Chevy Camaro for pick up Oct 7 drop off Oct 13. First stop Wells for one night, staying at the Holiday Guest House. Then we will drive to North Conway for 2 nights at the Green Mt Hotel & Resort. Next stop Stowe for 3 nights over the Columbus Day long weekend. Finishing up back in Boston to drop car and one night at Marriot Cambridge winning bid on priceline.com for $109.46pn Inc tax.
We hope to see some lovely scenery, historic towns, fall colours, covered bridges, eat great seafood & local apples and just ‘go with the flow’. (& maybe some outlet shopping).
Then it’s the train back to NYC for one night (still to book a room) we have tickets for A Steady Rain (so excited) and then the next day we fly to LA for the beginning of our West Coast adventure.
So what do you think? I’m pretty happy with it, thanks to all of you.
Sep 2nd, 2009, 02:50 AM
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wow, you've done a great job on everything. I'm looking forward to Ginger Gold apples at our local NH farmstand. DS and family are spending this weekend in the White Mountains with their new pop-up camper. Don't be surprised to see local seafood inland. Did you take a look a the Great Vermont Corn Maze in Danville VT? It's good exercise. We spent a couple of hours before taking the emergency exit. It's funny when you keep passing the same people going the opposite way. We ate at the Miss Lyndon Diner. Saw some good looking fried clams but I don't think we tried them. I hope to visit the Tenement Museum in late September. Also going on a Chelsea Market tour with friends. We loved Boston's North End culinary tour and DH and I went on the Chinatown tour earlier this year.
You are going to have a great time!
You are going to have a great time!
Sep 2nd, 2009, 03:50 AM
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dfrostnh, I'm also a fan of Ginger Gold apples 
aussiedreamer, it sounds good to me too apart from the 8hr layover in LAX (I hope you can get an earlier connection). Good idea to be out of Boston over Columbus weekend. Will you take the Duck tour? You can book in advance online.
aussiedreamer, it sounds good to me too apart from the 8hr layover in LAX (I hope you can get an earlier connection). Good idea to be out of Boston over Columbus weekend. Will you take the Duck tour? You can book in advance online.
Sep 2nd, 2009, 06:11 AM
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Sounds like a great plan, the Wells Diner in Maine is a great place to try local food (their lobster pie is amazing!).
I've heard the brunch at Ouest is very good, we've only eaten dinner there. Try to snag a reservation at Eleven Madison before you leave, it's a really incredible meal (for a splurge).
That's great about A Steady Rain, we have tickets for November and am very psyched to see it!
We just stayed at the Sheraton Boston a couple of weeks ago on our way back to NY from Maine, it's in a great location with lots of restaurants and shops within walking distance. We had dinner at a really good Indian restaurant - Mela, which was really reasonable ($45 for two people, app, soup, two entries plus tandoori, desert and tea).
We'll be in Stratton over Columbus Day, the fall foliage this year should be spectacular, especially after all the rain this summer.
If you need any more advice, let us know!
I've heard the brunch at Ouest is very good, we've only eaten dinner there. Try to snag a reservation at Eleven Madison before you leave, it's a really incredible meal (for a splurge).
That's great about A Steady Rain, we have tickets for November and am very psyched to see it!
We just stayed at the Sheraton Boston a couple of weeks ago on our way back to NY from Maine, it's in a great location with lots of restaurants and shops within walking distance. We had dinner at a really good Indian restaurant - Mela, which was really reasonable ($45 for two people, app, soup, two entries plus tandoori, desert and tea).
We'll be in Stratton over Columbus Day, the fall foliage this year should be spectacular, especially after all the rain this summer.
If you need any more advice, let us know!
Sep 2nd, 2009, 08:55 AM
#6
Sounds like a great trip!
We had an unplanned overnight in Wells, and I stopped at the nearby bookstore. I found some books that I collected and mentioned that I had read the obit of a nearby author. He asked if I were a fan...and then disappeared for a bit. He returned with books from the author's own study. She invited him in a few weeks before she died. I bought some of her own titles and books owned by her with inscriptions to her. It was such a thrill! I'm very fond of Wells
Can't wait to see what NYC hotel you pick!
We had an unplanned overnight in Wells, and I stopped at the nearby bookstore. I found some books that I collected and mentioned that I had read the obit of a nearby author. He asked if I were a fan...and then disappeared for a bit. He returned with books from the author's own study. She invited him in a few weeks before she died. I bought some of her own titles and books owned by her with inscriptions to her. It was such a thrill! I'm very fond of Wells
Can't wait to see what NYC hotel you pick!
Sep 2nd, 2009, 12:31 PM
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thanks guys for the vote of confidence. Its all because of the great advice here. We will have a look at the Maze, can't wait for the apples I'm actually not a big fan, weird I know, but DH LOVES apples. Les Halles just looked like something we would enjoy, lots of choices from what I can tell.
As for which hotel I will "pick" I am hoping to win one on priceline BUT I've been bidding over the last week and so far no go.
You've really proved to me that lots of planning and questions (as long as you actually take the advice on board) really makes for a great trip. Now I need to spend a bit of time 'tweeking' the West Coast.
As for which hotel I will "pick" I am hoping to win one on priceline BUT I've been bidding over the last week and so far no go.
You've really proved to me that lots of planning and questions (as long as you actually take the advice on board) really makes for a great trip. Now I need to spend a bit of time 'tweeking' the West Coast.
Sep 2nd, 2009, 04:43 PM
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aussie - sounds like a great trip! id love to visit Boston one day and all the way upto Maine - that will be our next trip!
we are off in 8days time! Sydney to NY for 2wks of exploring - cant wait!!
did you prebook Tenament? im having trouble getting into their tour section to book a tour?! weird
we are off in 8days time! Sydney to NY for 2wks of exploring - cant wait!!
did you prebook Tenament? im having trouble getting into their tour section to book a tour?! weird
Sep 2nd, 2009, 07:25 PM
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ac291 I've been having trouble too, thinking I may ring if thats an option.
hi again starrs, nah I think I've done it enough to keep trying, my last unsuccessful was $150usd, which is a worry. Not sure how high to go before I just look for specials. I've been going up in $5 incriments.
Gwendolyn thanks, its one of the ones I have printed off. Nice to hear someone else suggest it too. and we love Italian.
hi again starrs, nah I think I've done it enough to keep trying, my last unsuccessful was $150usd, which is a worry. Not sure how high to go before I just look for specials. I've been going up in $5 incriments.
Gwendolyn thanks, its one of the ones I have printed off. Nice to hear someone else suggest it too. and we love Italian.
Sep 2nd, 2009, 07:29 PM
#13
Okay. The closer you get to the date, the more likely you will get a successful bid. They may have not released the rooms yet.
Wait a minute! You're going to be there in October? That's a big convention month in NYC. I STRONGLY encourage you to book a room that you can cancel IF you get a Priceline room. Hotel rates are higher in October than one would expect.
Wait a minute! You're going to be there in October? That's a big convention month in NYC. I STRONGLY encourage you to book a room that you can cancel IF you get a Priceline room. Hotel rates are higher in October than one would expect.
Sep 2nd, 2009, 07:32 PM
#14
Yep. I checked my favorite moderate hotel that I can usually get around $100 and it's $199 for the first week of October.
I don't want to be an alarmist, but I'd book something NOW that you can cancel later. You may not have any success with Priceline in October. Truly. I'm serious. Please believe me
I don't want to be an alarmist, but I'd book something NOW that you can cancel later. You may not have any success with Priceline in October. Truly. I'm serious. Please believe me
Sep 2nd, 2009, 08:25 PM
#17
La Quinta Inn
Manhattan
17 West 32nd Street
New York, NY 10001
Phone: 1-212-736-1600
www.lq.com
Nothing fancy, but just fine. Clean. Free breakfast. Near Empire State Bldg, Madison Square Garden, Macy's at Herald Square. Rooftop bar. Small "business center" to print out airline and show tickets. Subway at the corner. Usually GREAT rates.
Be careful about Wicked now!
Manhattan
17 West 32nd Street
New York, NY 10001
Phone: 1-212-736-1600
www.lq.com
Nothing fancy, but just fine. Clean. Free breakfast. Near Empire State Bldg, Madison Square Garden, Macy's at Herald Square. Rooftop bar. Small "business center" to print out airline and show tickets. Subway at the corner. Usually GREAT rates.
Be careful about Wicked now!
Sep 2nd, 2009, 09:29 PM
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Thanks I'll have a look, at this stage $199 looks ok.
only kidding I too loved Wicked
(albeit only the Aussie version, which was very sad, as the very popular aussie actor who was playing the Wizard, died. I was glad I saw him as the Wizard, taking nothing away from the high profile actor who is now the Wizard. It was huge news here in Australia)
only kidding I too loved Wicked
(albeit only the Aussie version, which was very sad, as the very popular aussie actor who was playing the Wizard, died. I was glad I saw him as the Wizard, taking nothing away from the high profile actor who is now the Wizard. It was huge news here in Australia)
Sep 3rd, 2009, 04:35 AM
#19
I think I'd like the location more than your first location - if you are planning to use the subway that is. It looks like you will have 2 long blocks to get to a station. I like "short" blocks better than "long" blocks, but the interior looks VERY nice and you got it for about 1/2 price, so it is a deal.
Enjoy your trip! I've enjoyed reading your planning posts.
Enjoy your trip! I've enjoyed reading your planning posts.
Sep 3rd, 2009, 08:32 AM
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all the more Ginger Gold apples for me and sassy_cat! If you're lucky you will go thru an area where cider is being made. DH grew up on an apple orchard and the smell makes him swoon. But even the smell of a lot of fresh apples in an old barn is sweet. I didn't like apples so much until I went on a diet and now an apple and a cheese stick is my favorite mid-morning snack.
