kellie14

We're coming to NYC next year and our flight arrives from Phoenix at 8.14pm. I'm assuming after baggage and taxi to Manhattan, check in etc, it will probably be around the 10-10.30pm. No doubt we'll be a bit wired and still running on Mountain time despite our early morning (driving from Grand Canyon to Phoenix to fly to NYC), but I'm still thinking we'll probably want to head out and get a small taste of the city.

We're staying at The Casablanca so I'm thinking that a bite to eat, drink and a walk of Times Square may just do it, but does anyone else have any ideas that might whet the appetite for this amazing city?

Cheers

Kellie

P.S. Please be kind, have made the journey over here from TA after not so nice experiences :/

nytraveler

I would a bite and a walk would be enough - you'll probably be beat.

However, if you want more to do there are a bunch of things:

Staten Island Ferry - runs 24/7 and you can do a RT in little more than an hour - great views of the skyline on the way back

Check ESB an TOTR to see their hours - they may well be open after midnight.

If you want to explore a neighborhood an area like the east village - with lots of rests and clubs will be interesting.

NeoPatrick

The new Hyatt Times Square opens in January. I have high hopes for their 52nd floor lounge. That will be very close to you. Are you looking for drinks or music? Family or just adults? What night of the week and when exactly?

NeoPatrick

After driving, flying, and taxiing all day, I think the LAST thing you'll want to do is more transportation to another area. Why on earth would you do that? You have the right idea in sticking to the glitz and energy of Times Square that night!

HowardR

I agree with Patrick. I'd stick to the are around your home base that first night. His idea for going to a lounge for a drink sounds like a good relaxing idea! Maybe a stop of the Marriott Marquis with a view of the Times Square area might also fill the bill.

kellie14

We're arriving mid October on a Friday night travelling as 4 adults.

I'm thinking of sticking pretty close too, I think I'll be wired enough to be in NYC, but too beat to venture out of the immediate few blocks.

Thanks for the bar recommendation HowardR any food recommendations for a quick bite - Junior's???

NeoPatrick

Kellie14, now I'm confused. Are you talking about October 2014? In your first post you said "next year". Just checking.

Howard, I agree about the Marquis, but frankly over the years the view has dwindled as more and more buildings now tower above it. I walked by the new Hyatt on 45th yesterday and it does indeed look like their sky lounge is going to tower over the other buildings in the immediate area! Still, the Marquis is a nice alternative.

I'd recommend Juniors if you just want cheesecake, but otherwise I've found their food no better than most typical diners. I'm trying to think of a good alternative for just a quick bite -- or more substantial food without it being a "big deal" place. If you just want a drink, I might head to Sardi's upstairs bar (NOT the dining room) where you look out to Shubert Alley and get great drinks and perhaps split a super club sandwich or other bar food. The food is secondary and pretty expensive, but hey, you're in New York! It's SARDI's!

kellie14

Well that's awkward lol, was trying to discreetly sneak past that my trip is still 14 months away but I swear there's method to my madness...

My sister-in-law and brother-in-law are considering travelling with us and we're flying to see them in a fortnight and the 'trip' is likely to be a hot topic, she asked me to put an itinerary together so we could talk about it. I'm sure she didn't mean the lengths I've gone to, but once I started, NYC got under my skin :/

Our trip looks like this so far:

Saturday - leave Australia
Saturday - arrive Vegas stay at the Bellagio
Sunday - Vegas
Monday - Vegas
Tuesday - Vegas (my 40th) renewal of wedding vows
Wednesday - drive to Grand Canyon stay at Bright Angel cabins
Thursday - Grand Canyon
Friday - drive to Phoenix fly to NY stay at The Casablanca
Saturday - NY
Sunday - NY
Monday - NY
Tuesday - NY
Wednesday - NY
Thursday - NY
Friday - NY / return to Australia evening flight
Sunday - arrive in Australia

NeoPatrick

LOL, Kellie, I've heard of advance planning, but "what will we do at 10:30 PM 14 months from now?" is possibly a new record!

Still it sounds like a great trip. Have fun.

starrs

The bar at the top of the MM is a good idea.

If you are hungry, you could walk to the West End Café.

If you want to see a show, check to see who's on. There will probably be a 10pm or 10:30 pm show -
http://www.westbankcafe.com/beechman_theatre.html

Located within the WBC lies the Laurie Beechman Theatre. This charming & comfortable 100 seat cabaret venue boasts state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems & has been the home of some of the Hottest Broadway & Cabaret performers for over 30 years

Or just walk around Times Square for a while. Most of the hotels there have nice lobby bars you can stop in for a drink or a bite to eat. One of my favorites is at the Muse -
http://www.themusehotel.com/new-york...estaurant.html

TC

Late night...I like the post theater buzz at Joe Allen's on Restaurant Row (46th). You never know who you'll see dining there after the shows.

If the weather is good, take a pedi-cab to the Dream Hotel and have a drink on the roof. The view is spectacular.

Walking around Times Square is a lot of fun. You could then drop into the Renassiance Hotel bar for a drink. They overlook Broadway. We've laughed at lots of street action from their windows.

Elizabeth

Go to the Time Out NY website and maybe locate a couple of comedy clubs near your hotel, then see if they have something that would appeal to you that night. Or check out the cabaret listings - Under 54, or something like that, is a great room, and you can eat, drink, and see a shortish show.

West Bank Cafe on West 42nd St - just W of 9th Ave -- keeps its kitchen open pretty late, people eat there after the theater and I've seen celebs there (you know not to talk to them, right?). Moderate prices - it's one of the places the cast will go after a show. Also look on Yelp for late night places in the theater district -- late night in that area is great I think, you really remember how much of the life of the neighborhood is all the people who work on all the shows.

And you have time to think about it all - dreamy!!

starrs

I ate at the West Bank Café yesterday and the food was delicious - as usual.

maitaitom

Here is our 2011 NYC trip report (with photos). It might give you some ideas of places to see and some restaurant ideas, too. Have a great time.

http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...City_2011.html

doug_stallings

If you wanted to do something more than just walk around Times Square, you could easily walk over to Rockefeller Center (about 10 to 15 minutes away) and see Top of the Rock, or down to the Empire State Building. I prefer the former, but if you go after 11, the ESB may not have a huge line. Both are open late and are great things to do to orient yourself to the city if you aren't too tired.

There are multitudes of restaurants in the Times Square area, and I can't recommend anything in particular more than a year out, but there are certainly places right on 43rd Street. Most of the restaurants serve until midnight and can be very busy after the shows let out between 10 and 11. If you walk further west, as Elizabeth suggests, there are less touristy and less expensive options. There are few good places around Rockefeller Center that are open that late, but the plaza will be buzzing at 11. Or if you stick closer to your hotel, many stores in Times Square are open until at 11 or midnight.

dvlish

I'm still trading through all the posts but if I might recommend spending 1 less full day in Vegas and an extra day in NYC. Vegas gets old, fast! I go relatively often and even when going with newbies 2 full days is more than plenty! Just wanted to throw that out there since you are planning so far out. Even w your vow renewal you can see all if Vegas in 2 days and even see a couple of shows. Have fun!

oh2doula

I have to agree with dvlish - Vegas can be done in couple days - its basically one super long street - two if you go to Fremont (which I would recommend) but NYC - so much more to see and do.