The Avalon Hotel?
 

Has anyone stayed at the Avalon hotel? I found a great rate but I've never been to New York so I have no idea what to expect.<BR>

Hi Melissa:<BR>A friend of mine stayed there last july in a junior suite. He liked it and I was pretty impressed. It is a few blocks away from the Empire State Building and Macy's. Bus and subways lines real close too. Have a great time and thanks for coming to visit!

Thank you Annie! Do you have any suggestions on where to go, what to do, where to dine?

Melissa:<BR>When are you going to be here? Do you have a particular budget? Let me know....we'll help you plan a great trip!

Hi Annie!<BR>We are arriving 2/16 and leaving 2/19. It's kind of a last minute trip so we don't want to spend too much. No Broadway plays, we want to do some sightseeing but also mix in with the locals. Some things on our list: WTC site, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, walk around the neighborhoods, Central Park, etc. We're from Chicago so I don't know if we need to go up in another tall building, although An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle are 2 of my favorite movies!

I had some family members stay there in December. They loved it. I hear the coffee at breakfast (continental b'fast is included w/ room) is excellent.

Melissa&gt;<BR>Wow quick trip!!! <BR>There is a thread going here about WTC tickets, check it out.<BR>You are right down the street from Empire State Building in one direction and Macy's in the ohter.<BR>While you are downtown at the South Street Seaport getting you WTC tickets, check it out. It is one of my favorite place. Walk to the Feryy Terminal and take a free ride on the Staten Iskand Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. Dont'get off in SI, just stay on for the return trip. The ferry is quite busy during rush hour so avoid it before 10 AM. The ferries run every 30 minutes after rush hour and every 20 minutes during rush hour. Please while you are dowtown, patronize a few stores and look around for a small place for a nince lunch. These businesses are really hurtung for your business. The banks, etc are closed Monday. Anything else? Probably a hundred more things...I'll keep posting as I remember.

Melissa,<BR>You mentioned that you were interested in Ellis Island. For information go to: http://www.ellisisland.com/intro.html if you are going to the museum plan on spending at least 4 hours there, it is fascinating! Annie has already left you some great advice, but let us know if you think of anything else you want to know about.

<BR>oops!<BR>lots of typos was typing as fast as I was thinking....

Should we get off the ferry and tour the Statue of Liberty or is that still closed? Also, which neighborhoods should we choose to tour? I love Italian food, so any suggestions on where to eat would be helpful. By the way, thanks for all your input!!

Melissa:<BR>Looking forward to your expertise when I make my trip to Chicago ;)<BR>The ferry for the Statue of Liberty is different than the Staten Island Ferry. The Statue is still closed but the island is open. I suggest the Staten Island Ferry because you get a great view of the Lady plus the Manhattan skyline on your return trip is a jawdropper even more so since 9/11. I am going to leave the food suggestions to others. You will not be too far from Little Italy. Maybe a search here will give you some insight. Be sure to get a MetroCard when you arrive for bus and subway fare. Exact change otherwise $1.50 a trip. More info on MetroCard use and maps you can print out is www.mta.info. Good Luck! <BR>iU

<BR>found some info in Little Italy for you

Annie-<BR>I would be more than happy to help you plan a trip to Chicago! Please keep your ideas coming.

The Avalon has some very nice rooms and the location isn't bad. ESBldg. is within walking distance. The only problem we had with the hotel was that the chef walked out in a huff one day and so we couldn't get the free breakfast we were promised. The hotel staff were generally polite but I didn't find them particularly helpful. New York, though, is a wonderful city to visit and I wouldn't not go back to the hotel. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions! I'm getting ready to pack my bags for a wonderful trip! <BR>Melissa