stenasajo

Thank you to everyone again.

I am happy to say that after a lot of going round and round ... we now FINALLY have both airline reservations and Hotel reservations.

I made reservations at the Blakely Hotel. The two room suite is 500plus square feet with two bathrooms. For price, room size and availability for our dates, they were the best. Second time around, I won't feel so completely lost as to all of these details.

Now that the two main reservations have been made, I am getting a lot more excited about the trip.

I am going to reread all of the show and shopping and restaurant suggestions.

thanks!

mclaurie

I'm glad you're sorted and I think the Blakely is an ideal location for a first visit. You're within a walk to theaters and shopping while not being right in Times Square. It's a small hotel and you will perhaps feel more like you live here than a tourist.

I didn't know the Blakely had suites with 2 bathrooms though. Are you sure? I'll also mention some who are light sleepers have complained about late night/early morning garbage truck noise there. If any of you are light sleepers, maybe bring ear plugs.

Maison is a French brasserie about a block or two away that's open 24/7. It's not outstanding, but good, basic and convenient. La Bonne Soup, also about a block away in the other direction is good for inexpensive lunch/dinner.

Le Bernardin is considered the best seafood restaurant in the city and also only a block or so away from you. It's quite pricey but they have a more affordable prix fixe lunch that's terrific if you're looking for something special. In fact, many of the finer restaurants have more affordable lunches and would be a good way to try a number of upscale restaurants and also still have $$ for shopping and theater.

nytraveler

Agree Le Barnardin is the best sea food in the city. Sea Grill at Rock Center is also excellent and has nice views of the skating rink - depending on dates.

For either you need advance reservations.

If you go to menupages.com you can see actual menus with prices as well and diner comments.

eznmomma

Mu daughter and I have done the New York thing many times and with an open mind have had the best luck with shows and restaurants. We have gotten last minute tickets both at the box office and at TKTS. To save time definitely try to get your tickets early, but if you can't get what you want, go to the box office when it opens on the day you want. I got orchestra 3rd row tickets to Wicked that way and also to In the Heights (warning on the latter - if you have a choice don't sit stage right, you miss a lot of the action - we were able to change our seats at intermission). Also I wouldn't rush to TKTS when it opens. The line moves quickly so arrive after it starts to move. There is also a visitor center on 7th Avenue in Times Square that sells tickets, some at a discount. There are hundreds of great restaurants too, but the ones near theater get busy so make a reservation and if you can't get the reservation you want, sometimes if you just show up when they open, you can get seating. I found most restaurants leave a table or two open. NYC is big and the best recommendation is to plan your travels so you don't do too much traveling up and down the island.

As for museums, you can't go wrong with the MET, but check out the special exhibitions and hours. Sometiimes you can get good deals, special performances and reduced crowds at off times.

Enjoy!!

tmenyc

The Best Western in Long Island City is very reasonable...and most people don't know that it's 1-2 subway stops from midtown Manhattan.

stenasajo

Hi All!

I just wanted to thank everyone for your input. I am in New York with my girls and we are having a wonderful time.

We ended up staying at the Affinia 50 AND WE LOVE IT!!! The "room" is over 800 sq. ft and is almost as big as my first apartment. It is amazing! The Affinia is one of the few hotels that actually has two queens rather than doubles and they are honestly one of the most comfortable beds we have ever slept in. Each of my girls commented that they want mattresses like these.

I can't rant and rave enough about what a wonderful hotel this is.

As for our itinerary? We are a little "A LOT" hectic ... attempting to go two or three directions at once ... but hey, we're on a learning curve. We had a late lunch/early dinner at Balthazar. I think I took the prixe of ordering one of the yummiest things on their menu. I had a french version of a Hungarian meal. Their Chicken Paprikash was soooo good. Their bread and butter ... yum yum yum... Reminds me sooo much of my time in Europe.

Canal street... overwhelming to say the least. I enjoy bargain shopping, but ... canal street is not my idea of fun bargain shopping. Interesting for sure, but not to shop.

more later ... I just wanted to pop in to thank everyone for their participation here. The only internet that interests me this weekend is to keep popping in here to get the best advice I have found connected to travel.

THANK YOU ALL!

stenasajo

starrs

It sounds like a great trip!
Enjoy!

dina4

Have fun!
Can't wait to hear more!