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My 1st trip to NYC

I just returned yesterday from my first trip to NYC and feel like sharing with y'all. I had such a great time--what a wonderful city!! Thanks to all the posters that I've gotten information from over the past 3 months. My husband gave me this trip as a Christmas gift, which was a terrific gift, needless to say. He purchased the trip through priceline.com (hotel and airfare combined) back in October, 2002. We stayed at the Radisson at Lexington and 48th (Midtown East). The hotel was not that great, but we made it ok. We arrived at Newark on March 22. This was my first experience with seeing so many guns and so much security in an airport (my home airport does not have this). WOW. I felt very safe, and this feeling continued in NYC, with all of the extra police presence and helicopters flying over the city. I'm running out of room, so on to the next post.

PART II: I won't go into details of everything we did while in the city, but I must say that I loved it all! We went to see Hairspray on March 23--it is SO WONDERFUL and FUN! I can see why it's always sold out. When it was over, I was ready to sit through it again. It's just that good!! I got my tickest to Hairspray from applausetickets.com. I found this place on google, and wasn't sure if I should take a chance with them or not. I'm so glad I did! I purchased their deal for dinner and a show and was able to get 2 tickets. When I tried going through ticketmaster, they were sold out. My tickets were in the balcony, but our seats were actually very good. Where I live, the theaters that show traveling Broadway shows are huge and the balconies are VERY high up. This was not the case in NYC, so no complaints with the seats. We were given a voucher for our dinner and had 5 retaurants to choose from. Applause Tickets sent us the "special" menus from each restaurant and we chose which one we wanted and made reservations. Each menu bascially consisted of an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert, along with soft drink, tea, and/or coffee. We chose Cafe Nicole, which is very close to the Neil Simon Theater and ate there after the Sunday matinee. The food was fine and the service was excellent. I highly recommend going with this company if you can't get tickets to the show you want. I thought I was prepared for all the walking we would do in NYC, but my legs and feet were so sore every night. In spite of this, I couldn't wait to get going again each day. We often took the subway (we used the Metor Fun Pass--$4.00 for travel all day) but sometimes took a cab when we just couldn't walk anymore. I must admit I held on tightly in the cab and prayed it would be over soon--ha! ha! I had the best bagel from Hot and Crusty Bagels! We ate New York Pizza from a place called Patsy's--very good! Service was not so good, but this was the only place where we had poor service. I went to Macy's since I love to shop--wow--it's big! It was good to get off the 1st floor as quickly as possible so that we could get away from all the perfume. We took the subway to Brooklyn and walked back across the Brooklyn Bridge--wonderful views of Manhatten. We went to Times Square and Rockefeller Center several times. I was so excited to see the ice rink still up, but we didn't skate. I had a feeling my legs would collapse on me after all that walking. We went to Central Park and walked through some of it. We also went to the MET. That's yet another great place in NYC; I loved seeing the Van Gogh's and Monet's since they're 2 of my favorites. Overall, I had a blast and found New Yorkers to be friendly and kind. This was a fantastic trip! We also went to Ground Zero. Even though it's been over a year, I still found myself teary-eyed and extremely sad when I saw it. I'm glad I had the chance to pay my respects. What a great country we live in, and I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to see New York City. I hope to visit again one day.

What a great, upbeat report. Glad you enjoyed our city...and more important, that you conveyed your joy so effectively!

Great help! We are making our first trip to NYC this August. Sounds like it will be a blast. Only concern I have is the cab ride from the airport. Wife gets extremely car/air sick, especially if in the back seat, do they allow people to sit upfront? Not use to cabs here in Iowaay... haha. of course, she will be already motion sick by the time we leave the airport so a wild cab ride might do here really in. Any suggestions? she has tried all the medications, still gets sick -- just need to find best way for her to get to Rockefeller Center from LaGuardia.

4K, there are airport shuttles that run from each airport. These are buses and/or vans. Not sure if that is better than a cab for her, but it is an option. Reasonably priced and they drop you near Grand Central, which isn't too far from Rock Center. Figured I'd throw it out there for you.

4khansen, We did not use a cab to get from the airport into NYC. We took a shuttle van from Newark--it's called Super Shuttle and they are blue. We read about them ahead of time in some of our NYC information and just followed signs in the airport to the transportation area. I'm sure they are at La Guardia too. The cost for 2 was $36.00 plus tip. The shuttle picks up a full load and then drops everyone off at the various hotels, so it can take a little while to get to yours, depending on where you are in the drop-off. Actually, I didn't think it took that long and I was happy to see some of the city as we drove around. My first experience seeing Ground Zero was when we drove by, twice, dropping some people off at the Embassy Suites. Regarding your wife's car sickness--the front seat on our shuttle bus was empty, so that might be a possibility for her. For our return trip to the airport, we tried another option-the Olympia bus. We chose to walk to the pick-up station since it was around Grand Central Terminal and not far from our hotel. The cost for 2 was around $20.00. We had an early flight so we were at the bus stop by 6:30 that morning and left shortly after that. Our trip back to the airport was fairly fast and there were only 4 other people in our bus. Your wife could easily sit in a front seat on one of these buses (assuming it's not full when you get there). The bus was very nice and clean with comfortable seats. I actually thought the bus was nicer than the shuttle van, but you won't get picked up and dropped off directly at your hotel. You could easily take a cab to/from the bus station to your hotel and the cabs weren't that expensive. I should add that we had a pilot-case each, so we didn't have lots of luggage to haul around. One more option (sorry this is so long) is a car service. You call one of the car companies and make arrangements to be picked up at the airport, at the hotel, etc. We orginally intended to use a car service (Carmel 666-6666) to get us back to the airport from the hotel and the cost was $36.00 for two, plus $8.00 in tolls (not sure about tip but I bet it's not included). We also found a coupon in a tourist information book for $4.00 off. We changed our minds and went with the bus instead b/c we were ready very early that last morning and I wanted one more NYC bagel from the Hot and Crusty Bagel in Grand Central Terminal! Plus, we saved about $20.00. One last thing (I promise)--you should be careful about using a cab to get from your hotel back to the airport b/c it may be very expensive. I believe the cabs have a flat rate FROM the airports to the hotels (plus tolls) but they meter you from the hotel to the airports. So, that could be very expensive. I hope you and your wife have a wonderful trip--it's really a fabulous city!

Note to '4khansen" - if you request it, I believe most cabs will allow one person to ride up front during daylight hours coming from the airport. The cabs do not go particularly fast coming in from LGA as most of the ride tends to be in heavy traffic. To Rockefeller Center from LGA should run $25 or less INCLUDING tolls but not including tip. I did LGA to Port Authority earlier this week (a longer trip) and it was just over $25 with tolls included. Try to get one of the newer cabs - most at LGA will be of this variety - they look like the other yellow cabs but have about an extra 6" - 8" of legroom in the back. I think they're as smooth a ride as a Towncar. Note to "Lee4" - just curious... how much was the package deal for tix and meal voucher?

Owen, I ordered my tickets/dinner package several months ago, so I don't recall the exact amount, but I believe it was around $120.00 for the 2 show tickets and voucher for dinner for 2 (give or take a few $$). I do recall that it was less than the price of 1 orchestra seat ticket for Hairspray, and again, it was the only way I could get tickets for Hairspray for the time of my visit. I'm sorry for not having the specific amount, but I hope that helps a little.

The cab drivers will allow you to sit upfront. A member of my family also gets carsick in the back seat and the cab driver was very accommodating.

Cab drivers will always let you sit up front. If they have a problem with it, go in a different cab!! I would also look into the shuttle, though. Probably less expensive anyway. Have a great time.

Thanks for the information about the cabs etc. We do have 4 people with the kids... so I assume a cab from the airport will be the best option as far as expense and if they let her sit up front. We will look into the best way to get back to LGA.:) Super information from all of you.

Please talk to me about the Radisson Lexington. I am staying in a deluxe suite, do you thank would improve matters. i was sad to hear it was ehh ehh. Fill in the details. Should I rebook elsewhere?

Try calling a car service like Tel Aviv (212.777.7777) Tell them you absolutely need a big car with a very smooth driver. From newark it's about $50, from La Guardia about $30. They'll give you a confirmation number and you can just call when you get your bags and they should be outside. I must say that sitting in the front seat of a cab does nothing for people who get car sick. Cabbies are terrible drivers and you'll be jerking all the way to the hotel. Only now and then are there smooth rides!! don't mean to put a damper on your travel plans but I want to be honest here. Tell the car service it's imperative that they hook you up with a comfortable car (most are lincoln towncars which will cut down on bumps) they're usually good at making accomodations. have a fun trip!

i would just like to say how enjoyable it was reading your report on your trip to New York. I went there for the first time at Christmas from England and went through most of the things you were relating - bunions on my feet from walking, until the fourth day when we decided to risk the underground(and wished we tried it the first day there), the $4 subway pass(a real tip for tourists), awe at the size of Macy's(we spent 8 1/2 hours shopping 14.00 - 22.30 and forgot about dinner), feelings of security because of the high police prescence, and lastly feeling teary eyed when at ground zero. What can I say I can't get New York out of my mind which is why I'm on this sight now reliving memories and picking up tips for my next holiday. My friend said the holiday was great the only downside was that we didn't really find the time to talk much. She awoke one morning at 5am needing the toiletbut held it for 2 hours as she knew if she woke me up we'd have to get up as I was always raring to go and do everything, see everything. I think my 3 highlights were Central Park(beautiful), Radio City Music Hall(fabulous art deco theatre), 'Century 21'(near ground zero) great for designer bargains(recommended by a New Yorker).

To Lee4, I was thrilled to read about your recent trip to NYC as I was there for the first time last month too. I was reading the NYC postings and had to reply to yours as we were at the March 23rd matinee of Hairspray too! We sat in the last row of the (left)Orchestra and really enjoyed the show. I purchased our tickets at the theatre on Saturday March 22 for $100 each, you got a great deal as yours included dinner. We were lucky enough to get backstage after the show and talk to some of the actors, we had a photo taken with one of the actors (not Harvey but my friend spoke to him backstage). Did you stay after the show and wait for the actors to come out the side door? We got really close to all of the actors there and got some good photos. I can hardly wait to go back for visit #2. My trip was a last minute decision as my friend was attending a conference for her work and suggested I go to NYC with her for a little girl fun. My husband thought it was a great idea and bought me my plane ticket 3 days in advance. It was the best last minute trip I have ever taken and am planning my return trip with my husband(hopefully soon). We stayed downtown and it was ok but too far away from the action of uptown. Could talk all night about how great NYC was!!! It is a must see for everyone.