Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - NYC Trip Report

My mother, sister and I traveled to NYC last week from Mon – Thurs. Although the weather was very chilly for April, we still had a great time.

Hotel:
We stayed at the Affinia Gardens Hotel (E. 64th Street). It was fabulous. We got a one room suite. The room was huge for NYC standards. We had a full kitchen, so we were able to by breakfast and snack foods at the Food Emporium around the corner.

Day One:
We arrived at LGA around 1 p.m. and took a taxi into Manhattan (about $25). We were checked in early and decided to drop our bags and head out into the city. We thought we’d take a walking tour up Fifth Avenue and over to Times Square and back. This was a really long walk, but we took in a ton of sites. We stopped at Lindy’s for lunch/dinner. This was a waste. It was ridiculously overpriced. The food wasn’t bad (including the cheesecake that we got to go.) For some reason, I thought that I had heard about this place as being somewhere to go, but I think that I was wrong. Stopped at Bloomingdale’s for some shopping. (Bought nothing).

Day Two:
Today, we were brave and took the subway. It was difficult to figure out at first, but we got the hang of it (by the end of the trip), it was easy. Went to Battery Park to get a glimpse of Lady Liberty. We thought about taking the Staten Island Ferry, but it was really windy. Walked over to the South Street Seaport to get tickets from the TKTS booth. Got “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Walked over to the WTC site and stumbled upon the new museum. We signed up for the walking tour with two women that were directly affected by Sept. 11th. (One woman's cousin died and the other women's husband was killed on the 86th floor of Two One.) It was very interesting, but emotional. I don't think that I really realized how big the area was until I saw it. It was a very moving experience. You really have to decide if you are ready for it. Grabbed a pretzel for lunch. Walked up to Canal Street for some shopping. Took the subway back to clean up for our show. Stopped for pizza on Lex Ave. I think maybe it was called Billy’s. It was before the 63rd St. subway station. Very good. Roamed around Times Square for some tourist shopping. “The Drowsy Chaperone” was wonderful. I highly recommend it!!!! Took a taxi back to hotel.

Day Three:
I had a business thing. My mother and sister took subway down to Wall Street and went shopping at Macy’s etc. After my business, we went down to the Empire State Building to get a view of the city at night. We got there around 6 p.m. No real lines. I was surprised. It was a great last view of the city as it grew dark. Stopped at the Heartland Brewery in the lobby for dinner. It was very good. Moderately priced and great food. Took taxi back to hotel.

Day Four:
Woke up early and checked bags with hotel. Took subway down to Rockefeller Center. Shopped a bit on Fifth Avenue and walked back to hotel. Took taxi back to LGA. This drive took a different route with a toll (?). So the fare was closer to $30.

I don’t have many recommendations for restaurants, because we didn’t really stop to eat. We walked way more than we needed to, but I have to admit that I was hesitant about the subway. Once I figured it out though, we could have used it the entire time – but a little (a lot) of exercise never hurt anyone!
We had a great time. I think I will be more prepared for my next trip!!!

Best parts:
Definitely “The Drowsy Chaperone.” The WTC museum/walking tour. Chinatown shopping.