Trip Report- NYC- Dec-8-13
 

Happy Holidays everyone.
Forgive any mistakes on this trip report for it is my first.

Arrive in NYC and head for our hotel the Westin Times Square. Asked for a room high up with a view and recieved a great one with a view of not only the ESB but the SOL and a protion of Times Square. We had the club level which was over rated and not worth it.
Went to Ben's Deli for late lunch and it had the best cole slaw I ever had-yummy!
Later we head to our first show -"700 Sundays" starring Billy Crystal-excellent!! Loved it! Then off to Babbo for abut the best meal I had in NYC. Great food and atmosphere.

Woke up late, and just headed down town to check everything out. We went to Macy's for a crappy lunch. But enjoyed the shopping, bought umbrellas it was pouring outside. Basically just walked around and loved looking about. Spent the day goofing off. Then went to what I think is the best show on Broadway "Wicked". Words cannot do it justice. We sadly compared all the other shows to this one. Then off to the Blue Fin. Good food, but very different. Took one of those bike carts in the rain, very fun!

Today we went to the MOMA. Tourist mistake number 456 do not tell the cab driver you are going to the metropolitan museum of art when you are really going to MOMA. Bad tourist! I was so mad at myself. Anyways pre bought my ticket and am soooo glad I did. It was wonderful. Then we walked up (not sure) 5th Avenue or Park Avenue?? Where Trumps Tower is. Got ots of pictures and saw Willam Defoe(boy is he short) and then headed to Tiffany's and Bergdorg Goodman to "Look". Then off to Lincoln Center for our tour but not before we ate at "Ollie's". It was great for the price.

Our tour at Lincoln Center was wonderful and one of the highlights of our trip. We saw the nutcracker being practiced. It was a great tour. Then we went to see "Little Women" good but slow. It needed a little umph. Then to Becco's for a wonderful meal. The pumkin ravioli excellent!

Next day we headed down to the WTC site and then over to Century 21 for some great Christmas deals. Finished off our morning with a trip to Battery Park and a Hotdog. Then headed to some pizza place by our hotel for lunch. Then to see "Hairspray" this show was sooo much better then I thought. We even stayed after to get the entire cast to sign my poster and grab some pictures. So much fun!! Walked in a crammed in line by Rockefeller Center (my friends wanted to go on a Sat night-hello it was very busy!)to see the skaters and the tree. We did not see much except for people. Then went down by Union Square to do some shopping and grab dinner at Mesa Grill. I thought this place was good but not worth the money or the hype. The table next to us actually had something fall on there table and hit there food. And the waiter acted like it was nothing. Strange. Another great day though in NYC.

For our last full day we slept in and then headed to SOHO to check it out. Loved it again. The streets there and in the Village are fun, and so cute. I love all the walking. Then off to see Avenue Q, which in my opinion is very over rated. I liked it but I thought Hairspray and Wicked were much better. But is was entertaining. We then headed over to the ESB to listen to our tour at the top. Cold but so informative. Went to dinner at the Garage in SOHO??? It had some great jazz music and good food at reasonable prices. Then back up to Central Park for a carriage ride and check out the Plaza Hotel. As you can tell we were cramming a lot into one night. We started walking down to Serendipity and thought it would not be crowded. It was a 2 hour wait and people were waiting-CRAZY!!! I thought it was nuts but the walk was so nice. All those gorgeous Christmas windows ahhhhhh...

The next day I was the only one that wanted to go do a few things. So I took the NBC tour at Rockefller Center, bought some things at the American Girl Place for my 9 year old and then headed to the NBA store where I met someone named Daryl Dawkins or Dawson or Chocolate Thunder. He was so nice and gave me some good basketball advice for my sons.
Then we qucikly packed and headed to luch at Ben's Deli one more time. Yummy!

We had our car pick us up at 3:10 and our flight was out of JFK at 5:35. I guess I thought we had enough time-WRONG missed our flight and got to spend another night but this time in Queens.

Overall our tirp was awesome!! I wish I had went on my Tenement Museum walk instead of Avenue Q, or took the Staten Island Ferry out to the see the SOL closer. But everything else was perfect.
I want to thank all of those Fodorites that gave me fantastic advice!!! I would not have nearly had such a great tieme without you all. Hope this report was not to boring, remember my first time. Thanks again.

Momof5: I'm exhausted just reading your report :) You really DID pack a lot into your visit.

I tried several times to get a reservation at Beccos but to no avail. It sounds like you enjoyed the food but I wonder...how was the service?

Thanks for the great report!

Mom of 5 -- so glad you posted a trip report! Sounds like you had a lovely time.

I have questions:
--How long was your wait at the ESB?
--You didn't say much about Serendipity --did you leave because of the wait? Or did you end up eating there anyway? By the way, we were quoted a 15 minute wait there and actually waited about 45 minutes. And the service was the worst I have ever had. Ever.
--What did you think of the NBC tour? I wanted to do that last time but had never talked to anyone who has done it. Wasn't sure if it is worth it??

Good report! Glad you had so much fun. You made me want to go back already!

Thanks for the sompliments. We really did try and see everything but to tell you the truth there was a lot we chose not to do. We had tickets to Elis Island and then saw the people waiting forever on the boat and chose not to. I am not much into waiting in line for anything also had that walking tour we missed and I really wanted to see Little Italy but got lazy. I am a person who likes to pack eveything into the first few days and then relax the rest of the time. SO there are a few regrets.

At the ESB I had bought (again) my tickets ahead. So I went in and just had to wait for the elevator. We waited about 20 minutes on a Sunday around 5:00. The line moved pretty quickly and boy was it worth it. Even thought it was very dark it was beautiful. Make sure to get the audio tour it was sooooo worth it.

Also bamakelley we did not eat at Serendipity. No way was I waiting 2 hours for Ice Cream. I will tell you that a guy who pointed us int he right direction to get there said he had eaten there a few times and the service and food have gotten worse over the years. Outside of the place the lady told me she had been waiting 1 hour and was told she would wait 30 minutes and she was mad. Maybe next trip. I also liked the NBC tour. It was quite short I did expect more from it but it was good. I saw what I wanted to see the SNL studio. They give you a brief glimpse of the history and then showd everyone to the Dateline studio, SNL and Carson Daly Show and Nightline with Brian Williams. I wanted to see Conan O'Brien place but to no avail. Like I said short about 1 hour but good. To be in the stidios was a lot of fun. I went first thing in the morning not crowded at all. I learned a lot of stuff for my $17.00 (i think). When you go ask your concierage about it they gave my a coupon with a few dollars off. Overall the Lincoln Center one was much better. Hoped this helped and thanks again.

Great report Momof5. You DID do it all. I agree with you on the line thing. Next time you should come when it's not so crowded. Was there a big $$ penalty for getting a plane the next day? Hopefully not. IMO don't feel bad about missing Little Italy. You can do it next time in 2 minutes flat (unless you come when the San Gennaro festival is on which is fun!).

Sounds like you had a great trip. Could you tell me where Ben's Deli is?

Also where is Babbo? What kind of food do they have and price range?

We will be in New York in March, for only one day and overnight. I am looking at places we might consider to eat while there.

Thanks a lot

Dottie, Babbo is Italian (babbonyc.com)

I'm telling you, in just one night, go to the River Cafe. You won't be sorry.

Momof5

Great report - well done.

I also am interested in how the airline handled you missing your flight and which airline?

Where did you stay the additional night?

Sandy

Momof5,
I am also wondering about what happened with your flight? We will fly out of JFK also. I don't want to miss my flight. Was it traffic that slowed you up?

Mclaurie,

Tell me more about the River Cafe. Is it an easy cab ride away from the times square area? That is where we are staying. What kind of food and price range? I am assuming it is along the Hudson river.Do you happen to know the address?

Thanks alot for any info.

River Cafe is in Brooklyn under the Brooklyn Bridge, at the corner of Old Fulton & Water Street. It is on the East River, and has a fantastic view of downtown NYC and the harbor. It's a subway ride (plus a 4-block walk)from Times Square on the A or C train. Or about a $15 cab ride.

It's quite expensive, so I've never eaten there even though it's just a couple blocks from my home.

Momof5 I was one of the people who followed your trip planning, it's great to read your report and see what a wonderful time you all had. Your hard work paid off! The Garage in Soho sounds like fun, was the music low enough so you could easily have a conversation during dinner?

Happy New Year!

I rode on Delta Airlines and they were nice. Here are the details (I am a detailed person) arrived freaked out at JFK. The counter lady told me that she could get me on my flight it has not left yet if I left my luggage. Stupid me I said "okey I guess it will be on the next flight right?" She told me no that when I left it I LEFT IT. Huh? Just leave me bags? She said yes no bags. Okey that was not a option so then she told me she could get me out at 5:30 the next morning. No additional charge because I used points to travel. But he last leg of flight was a paid ticket and that would cost me another 100.00 to replace it. The counter girl told me to pisk up the Delta courtesy phone and see if I could talk them into gving me a free flight. SHe says it works 50% of the time. Well not this time. So it cost me $100.00 ticket and the hotel (Raddison Airport Hotel)and food.

As far as getting to the airport we ledt around 2 hours and 15 minutes early and it wasnot enough time. The traffic was terrible. A snails pace for at least a hour. I could have walked faster. My driver si=aid for a 5:30 flight I should have left at 2:30. Another thing that the next day we noticed took forever was the security. I have never been to such a slow one. I have traveled a little and never waited more then 5 or 10 minutes but this ine had one line and it took at least 45 minutes to get through. Seriously I was shocked! If I could have made it to my plane I think I still would have missed it. Lax was so fast compared to JFK. I do not mean to sound like I am complaining. I really am not take all day as long as I and everyone else gets home safely. I was just surprised at the length of time it took. And that it was 1 single line instead of 4-5.

Margie the Garage was great. You could sit on the floor where it was a little louder or up stairs where we easily had a great conversation & a great steak and could hear ourselves think. The place is so cute and they had a upsidedown Christmas tree ahhnging over the band. My hubby loved this place and the surrounding area was cute. There si a subway entrance across the street to. And it did not break my bankbook to eat there.

Thanks again and I hope you each have many safe travels and many great stories to share. Now it is time to take all the kids to Disneyland next month it is there turn for a vacation.

The NBA Store on 5th Ave. is my son's favorite store in the world.

We tried to eat at Serendipidy when we went up in mid-Dec, but there was 1 hour wait for a table. They just published a cookbook. Y-day I made their famous Frozen Hot Chocolate - it is very good!!

Glad to hear you had such a great time. NYC is such a blast.

For anyone flying home out of JFK - Momof 5 did not run into anything unusual. Security in NYC is rarely if ever - 5 or 10 minutes. Times up to 45 minutres are routine. And from midtown to JFK you need to leave yourself an hour at the minimum. The cabbie was correct - for a 5:30 flight 2:30 is the absoute latest you should leave the City if you want to have a good chance of making your flight.

Sorry - hit post too soon.

For details on River Cafe - which I highly reco for the view and food - check http://www.rivercafe.com. The basic prix fixe dinner is - I believe - about $75.

Thanks for the heads up, on allowing enough time to get to the airport. Is the traffic as bad on the weekends?

I don't live in the City anymore but if I did I would be on that Airtrain (www.airtrainjfk.com, I think) whenever I needed to get to the airport. I would take the Long Island Railroad from Penn Station and get on the Airtrain at Jamaica station. 35 minutes from Penn Station to JFK.

nytraveler as usual you are right. I guess I read somewhere 2-21/2 hours would be fine. So I learned my lesson.