Aduchamp1

I know the PA fascinates non-NYorkers, but unless you are in the mood to smell homeless urine, getting hit on by hookers, or need to go to the bathroom, dont bother.
It's full of baggers, hobos, drug dealers, pimps, etc.
____________________
Hookers and drug dealers are so Ratso Rizzo. Now they just have buses without a single clue as to which bay they are leaving from, where they are going, or at what time.

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ArtyJones

@ bmw732002 Thank you for the warm welcome! What part of Ireland did your relations originate from? Thank you for your input. Go raibh maith agat!

@ nytraveler Thank you, I understand it is going to be soo hot. Im very pale, and not that great in the heat so I will have to be flexible. Thanks for the heads up =)

@ POMAH Thank you, with your help we have decided that we will definitely go the Coney Island. Its seems like an interesting place and its only a subway ride away. BTW we are not going to Port Authority Station to have a look at it. Were only going there because we have to, to get to NJ.

Thank you all. Keep it coming. This is Fab. Thanks a million times over

bmw732002

arty-jones

Thank you for the warm welcome! What part of Ireland did your relations originate from? Thank you for your input. Go raibh maith agat!


From my fathers side a town called TUAM, Co. Galway

Johnboy2

Your list includes seeing some great forms of entertainment: a broadway show, a ballet or opera at the Met, however I think there is another form of real American entertainment that you are forgetting and that is a baseball game. You may want to consider seeing a Yankees or Mets game. The stadiums are fairly easy to get to, just take the subway. tickets can be purchased on stubhub.com. I would suggest going to a night game during the summer since the stadiums are open and the sun can be pretty hot midday. Just in case you wanted something different.

tomfuller

As an employee of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for over 35 years, I hope that no one confuses Philadelphia with all of PA.
Homelessness and hookers seem to be a problem all the way from NYC through Philadelphia. If you want to see what most of PA looks like, take the train to Harrisburg.
I have not been in NYC since October 2001 and don't intend to return.

hikrchick

I also would recommend Woodbury Commons over Jersey Gardens, if at least for the range and quality of the shops and the gorgeous environment. Jersey Gardens is in a very industrial area and is a closed mall; Woodbury Commons is like a shopping village at the foot of some lovely mountains. There's brick walkways and benches and yes, it's 100 percent retail/capitalism, but it's nice to have an ice cream or a soda sitting outside. Jersey Gardens is a madhouse. I live 20 minutes from there and I went once last year and never ever again. I've been going to Woodbury Commons for almost 20 years, since it was half the size.

Also, if you check this part of the Woodbury Commons website: http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet...urism.asp?id=7
it explains how to get there by public transportation and also has some online coupons. They are very used to having international visitors come to shop there.

You mention you are pale -- I would definitely suggest as your first priority, to go into a drug store like Duane Reade which is almost on every corner, and get the highest SPF sunscreen you can find, including a tube for your lips. The summer in NYC can be brutal. It would be a shame if you or anyone else in your group got a bad sunburn and had to skip activities.

Hope this is helpful.

ellenem

tomfuller,
"PA" was a reference the the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC, not to your state.

Elainee

Woodbury Commons get the most foreign visitors. Excellent shopping! It is the #1 shopping outlet in USA. Excellent bus transportation from NYC, and you get to see a bit of NY State scenery. Well worthwhile.

ArtyJones

Thank you all for your input.
One last question: When we arrive to our hotel in the evening we would like to go for a dinner together very close to our hotel (Omni Berkshire @ 21 East 52nd Street)
Any suggestions?
Thanks again, really really appreciated

ellenem

Type of food? budget?

doug_stallings

Actually, I do have a dinner suggestion very close to your hotel, but it's only good if you like steak. Go to Le Relais de Venise L'Entrecote, which is on the corner of 52nd and Lexington. It's a simple menu ... steak with delicious secret sauce and salad. There is (literally) nothing else available except for good and cheap wine and dessert. The price is $24.95 for the dinner. You can be in and out in under an hour if you want. I love going here ... it's a Paris restaurant with branches in a few other places like London and Bahrain.

ArtyJones

I know this is very broad but; reasonably priced to slightly expensive. Good quality food with nice service and atmosphere. Maybe something like Italian, Greek, Thai or American, even a steakhouse or Mexican. NOT CHINESE!!

Also we need it to be somewhere where we wouldnt have to reserve as we dont know exactly what time we will be ready etc. This narrows it down I would assume xD

bspielman

I strongly recommend The 21 Club, just across Fifth Avenue from your hotel, at 21W52, (212) 582-7200, http://bit.ly/iRqASE. This is a quintessential New York restaurant, a former speakeasy during Prohibition. Great, friendly New York service (read that, "professional"); very good food, though not the most trendy; and a historic dining room and bar.

They offer a $40 three-course prix-fixe, not including beverages, tax (8.875%) and tip (usually about 20%). (Just a reminder: Service is not included in most U.S. restaurants, except for large parties, usually six people or more, in which case a 15–20% tip is automatically added to the tab.)

You can get a 30% discount on your entire bill at "21," beverages and tax included (but remember to tip based on the pre-discounted bill), by visiting www.villagevines.com, creating an account there, then reserving through them (not directly with the restaurant) for a $10 booking fee. This really works; we've used villagevines often; they have a list of about 130 NYC restaurants that offer discounted dining, and many of them are significant places like "21," not merely second- or third-tier places struggling to get business.

bspielman

Our posts crossed. "21" is open until 10 on weeknights. Once you've reserved through villagevines, call the restaurant and explain your situation. They'll likely be very accommodating.

bspielman

Ooops, forgot you're across the pond. You can contact "21" via this link instead of calling: http://bit.ly/kMU9AC.

ArtyJones

@ Doug_Stallings Thank you, being Irish my diet consist of Beef and I do love a good meaty steak. Thank you, the location is prime.
Same to you bspielman. I will def check out both these restaurants =)

nytraveler

21 is a great NY tradition. but do be aware that there is a dress code - no jeans or sneakers - and men need jackets. No need to dress up in the "little black dress" but you do need to be presentable.

tomfuller

I do wish that people would not use 2 letter abreviations that are the same as states. Like the people who want to whale watch in Nebraska and not in New England. Union Station is the best place to come into or leave New York City by public transport.
There is a lot more to New York State than NYC.

sf7307

>>

I don't think there is a Union Station in Manhattan. Do you mean Grand Central?

ellenem

Union Station is in PA.