Hello,
This is my first post, so advanced apologies if this is a dumb or repeated question. Going to NYC for the first time and can't decide which hotel to stay at - either the Wall Street District hotel or the Millennium Broadway hotel (close to Time Square). We will only be in NY for 2 days (thu and fri) and would like to see the Statue of Liberty, Time Square, Empire State building and rockefeller center. Not interested in Museums. So, what would be a better location to stay? Wall Street hotel is ~$40/night cheaper but will the taxi fare to and from points of interest offset that price? And, what would be the best way to get around the city - a little fearful/overwhelmed by the subway and will likely use taxis frequently. Any suggestions on itinerary for two days? All of your help is much appreciated. Thanks.

$40/night (add another 20% for taxes) will cover a lot of taxis, if you need them, over 2 days.

You can easily get around NYC on the subway or city buses (which we prefer for the convenience of stops and the scenery).

The Wall Street District hotel will be closer to the dock if you're going to the Statue of Liberty.

You can always get a two-day pass on the hop on/hop off double deckers to get around to all the major sights during the day - and they are a fantastic way to enjoy the tall buildings and neighborhoods. The commentary is usually really interesting and amusing as well. Highly recommended, especially for first-time visitors.

I wouldn't stay in the Wall Street district. Streets around the NYSE are closed. There is no traffic. We stayed at Club Quarters in the Wall Street district and thought it was eerie. The streets are all but deserted after everyone goes home from work. NY should have traffice noises.

There's no reason to not take the subways. You can buy passes for unlimited use. They are easy to use, get a map at a window.

For your interests, I'd go with the Millennium. I've worked in the Wall Street area for years and agree that it is pretty dead at night. It will be inconvenient to go to your hotel to freshen up or rest before dinner. You will either take the subway or a taxi frequently for most of what you want to do -- except the Statue of Liberty.

The Wall Street area is my favorite area to stay in in Manhattan.

Lots and lots to do downtown (www.DowntownNY.com) but since you are a first time visitor, I'd probably stay at the Millennium.

Everything you mention apart from the Statue of Liberty is within a WALK of the Millenium Broadway which is in midtown west/Times Square. That would be the more typical location for a first time visitor. That's also why the Wall ST. Hotel is cheaper. But as you know there are loads of other hotels in midtown near the Mill. Broadway that could be cheaper so it shouldn't be such a black and white decision unless you've got some sort of package and can only chose these 2.

For a 2 day visit, stay in midtown which will be more convenient. Whether it's the Mill. B'way or some other option is up to you.

You might want to consider an overview tour so you can see a lot in a limited time. Nypartyshuttle.com and kingofnyc.com are both good tours. I wouldn't actually go TO the Statue of Liberty on such a brief trip since it's time consuming. You can take the free Staten Island ferry and pass by it, or maybe do one of the boat cruises. Depending on when you're visiting, the NYwatertaxi.com might be running too. (It's not currently)

The Wall Street area is very quiet at night, not good for eating and really not the best place for tourists. A $40 diference is so small versus the cost of a whole trip it isn;t worth considering.

DO NOT take cabs everywhere. Traffic in the city is awful, it will cost a lot and it will waste a lot of time versus the subway. but - assume you will do a ton of walking -esp if you're staying midtown - since most of what you want to see is within a very brief (no more than 20 minutes or so ) walk.

Also - reco Top of the rock versus Empire state Building - since the latter usualy has lines hours long - even if you have tickets in advance. TOTR has timed tickets, no wait - and also great views - including the ESB.