Hello, I am travelling to NYC in May 2006, and am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for me. I am from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and it's my first time visiting the Big Apple.
I am planning on staying at the WJ hotel in Manhattan, has anyone heard of this hotel? I understand it is very small, but supposedly clean.
Like I said, any suggestions for me would be great!

For starters, read the infor under destinations for NYC. There's tuns to do depeneding on your interests. How long will you be here? Do you like theater, concerts, museums, shopping, fine dining, exploring interesting neighborhoods, sports, etc?

I don't know of that hotel. Where is it located? Are you on any particular budget?

I think it is the washington jefferson or something like that near or in hells kitchen area.

It depends on what area you want to be in for your interests, if you don't mind walking (which you can do a lot of in nyc) but I don't know of anyone personally who has stayed there.

Other than that, precious posters advice is right on, put 'new york city' in to the search bar under US and read through numerous threads with great info and then ask specific questions geared to your interests, budget, etc. You could go to NYC every year for a month and not see everything in my opinion - and there are plenty of things that aren't often included in 'usual tourist itineraries' like the Tenement museum,etc - or reasons for choosing the Frick vs. Met if you need to narrow down museums, beautiful churches other than St. Patricks, architecture buff, but all that narrowing down is based on your loves: modern art, historical sites, shopping, a desire to visit the varied and different neighborhoods of the city - east village, west, soho, etc, etc......so much to do and see !

After you read some of the other threads, then I think you are better able to decide if you want to divide your time with say, a one day of major sites in the city, one to roam and soak in a neighborhood, - or you might say No, I am never the type to just roam a neighborhood, I want an itinerary of the 20 things I must see in x amount of days, and I am the type that may not return and want to be sure I see the 'major known sites'

then come back with some more specific questions or for opinions.

oh I meant "previous poster" but maybe she/he is precious too

I just noticed today the Washington Jefferson is suddenly promoting itself and the WJ. Reviews on tripadvisor are somewhat mixed.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html

If this is a "done deal" you should be fine. If it's changeable/cancellable, there are probably better options. The brand new Holiday Inn Express would be one. Also small place and small rooms but slightly better location imo and everything's new.

Many people like to do a hop on/off bus tour to get acclimated. In May, that should be a good idea (since views are on the upper deck of an open bus.)

Plan to see at least 1 show. Playbill.com lists what's on and also has some discount offers if you register there (for free.) Broadwaybox.com also has discounts w/o registering.

If you tell us more about your interests, we can steer you in the right direction.

Sugest you check out tripadvisor.com for guest reviews of the hotel. It gets reviews that are not too bad for a budget hotel - the main complaint is that rooms and baths are tiny - but that's what you get in NYC unless you spend much more. There are a couple of other complaints you may want to read for yourself.

The location is reasonable - not that far from subway and buses are handy. The neighborhood is basic.

If you provide more info on yourself, interests and budget - as well as what you want in restauratns (budget, cuisine and atmosphere) - after looking at a couple of guides - people can help a lot more.

I'm from Canada also (southern Ontario) but I've been lucky enough to visit NYC a couple times a year for the past few years. I'll be heading to NY in May as well and am in the process of putting together an itinerary for that trip. I'd be happy to share it or one of my past itineraries with you if you let me know how many days you have to work with. If you have a few days I find it most important to settle in one area of the city per day - making for the least wasted time. I certainly don't end up following the plans completely but it really helps to plan out an area for each day and then leave yourself free to enjoy the unexpected. That way too you can be sure to plan out the days when museums are closed, be in busy, fun areas like Washington Square Park on weekend days when you'll likely see street performers, etc.

For your first trip be sure to set aside at least a half day for Central Park - fun to start at the south end and then exit midway onto Fifth Ave to do some window shopping. I also love heading to City Hall Park and then walking the Brooklyn Bridge (usually both ways but you can train it over and then enjoy the views by walking back to Manhattan). The Circle Line Wheels and Water package is also good for an overview of the city. Very touristy and the bus tour guides aren't consistently informative but being in the open top buses allow you to enjoy the wonderful architecture from a different perspective and also help orient you to the city.

Just let me know if you'd like me to post any of my itineraries or I could also e-mail to you directly.

You're going to love NY!