We are coming into LGA and headed to the Barclay-Intercontential in Midtown East side. Would you recommend a car service? I see such mixed reviews on Carmel. Are there other services or is Carmel OK? Also in other big cities I love walking tours. What tours or neighborhoods would someone recommend on Friday afternoons or Saturday? Thank you!

LGA is very close to Manhattan and it's just as easy to take a taxi (if you're 4 people or less). It will be about $30. If you tell the driver to take the 59th st bridge (aka Queensborough) you won't pay a toll and you'll get a great view.

If you want a car service, Carmel and Tel Aviv are the 2 most often used and charge similar to taxi prices for their basic sedans. Reviews are mixed b/c drivers own their own cars so auto (and driver) quality varies.

Crown limo and Bermuda limo are more upscale cos. that will charge more, but also usually send better cars. They also have more stretch limos.

For walking tours there are dozens of options. Bigonion.com does several that are popular including a Greenwich Village eating tour. Foods of new york is another good co.

If you're into architecture and history, the Municipal Art Society does some wonderful tours.

You can also do literary tours (the village and elsewhere)

Here's a website with links to lots of these.

http://gonyc.about.com/od/toursbr/

Don;t know what you've heard about Carmel or other car services - but they are just that (a phonable replacement for taxis). That's why they charge the same as taxis.

If you want a real limo company (like businesses use) with pristine, new cars - they're much more expensive.

For your trip I would think a taxi is the simplest.

We used Carmel in NYC in August.

If the driver had been drunk it would have made sense - his driving was that bad! Bouncing off the side guards in the tunnel and swerving into oncoming traffic.

And the car was terrible - wheezing, sputtering and rattling - I was surprised we didn't end up on the side of the road brokendown.

Never again!

I've never had anything but a Town Car with Carmel. I've used them tons and never had a problem.

I'm shocked to hear that they have problems.

If you're arriving LGA at a non-rush time of day, a taxi is usually quicker than a car service (because the taxi line is non-existent or very short).

But if you'd prefer a car service or are arriving at rush hour, I've used Carmel a thousand times and never had a problem. www.carmellimo.com

If Carmel is booked, I use Tel Aviv and, again, have never had a problem.

Regarding walking tours, pick up a copy of Time Out New York magazine. In it you'll find all kinds of tours, including too-much-fun scavenger hunts (you scavenge for knowledge, not things). One of my favorites is:

www.watsonadventures.com

Enjoy NYC!

You guys are so awesome to reply! We are leaving this coming Friday. So excited!

Probably to late for you, but -

There is a new, very cool do-it-yourself guided walking tour with a GPS device - it can be found at:

www.cityshownyc.com

For a guided walking tour:

www.bigonion.com