Trip report NYC jan 6-9 05
 

We returned from our long weekend in NYC and here is the report...We had a lot of help from this forum so we wanted to share our experiences.

We stayed in the Holiday Inn on 57th btw 9th and 10th. The location was great without a doubt but we were less than thrilled with the hotel itself. We had read that Tower A had been rennovated but when we asked about it upon checking in, we were told it was really Tower B so we took a room there and if this was rennovated, I would hate to have seen it before! It wasn't terrible or anything, but definitley nothing special. It was clean enough, but the housekeeping just did the absolute bare minimum...we put sandwhiches from the Carnegie Deli (more on that later) in the ice bucket on our first afternoon and found that they were still there on our last morning. IF any of you stayed there after us and you were hungry, I hope you enjoyed them :) The towels were cheap and the cups were styrafoam and plastic which is not that great when drinking tea or coffee. We also noticed a real shortage of electrical outlets which was inconvenient. Also, in the mornings the water was cold in the shower. My wife showered at night and didn't have any problems though. But enough about the hotel...

On our first afternoon, we checked in and went to walk around. It was cold and rainy but we bundled up and faced it. We went to Carnegie Deli for lunch and while the food itself is tasty and high quality, the prices!!! I know, I know, its NY. But come on. Its a very large sandwhich for like $13 not including tomato or cheese or anything other than meat and bread. It is a novelty I suppose and something to check off your list since its famous but beware! After that we went to Time Square and wandered around until it was time to go back and get ready to go see The Producers. We really enjoyed this show, although admittedly some of the imagery was verging on disrespectful (you'll know what I mean if you see it) but overall it was really funny and entertaining.

The next day was sunny but FREEZING cold. We bundled up again but added long johns this time and took the subway down to Battery Park to go to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. We had tickets for the 9:45 tour at the Statue of Liberty but by the time 4 of us got ready and then got on the wrong subway at first, we knew we were going to miss it when we go to the ferry. Even though they repeatedly say on their website that you can't exchange your tickets, they let us anyway. I guess they weren't fully booked due to the weather or time of year or something. The tour at the Statue of Liberty was not really a tour, it was just a certain time that they let you go up and they spent like 5 min telling us about the new torch she is holding and then they said enjoy the view. Nevertheless, you can't skip this attraction! Ellis Island was really great, they have a tour that lasts about 45 min that is very informative and interesting, and its free! After this, we walked around the financial district a little which is in the area of the ferries. Then we headed for the Empire State Bldg.

We read on this forum and elsewhere that it is a huge advantage to buy tickets ahead of time on the website. We didn't find this to be the case exactly. If anyone thinks our experience was abnormal, please tell me, I would be very interested to know! But what happened was, we got there and were told that even though we already had tickets, we had to stand in the line to buy tickets. We stood outside for about 30 min (could have been worse!) and then inside for about another 30 before we got to the ticket counter. We showed them our tickets again and they let us go ahead to security. But not before standing in all the previous lines. Th

Sorry you were disappointed in your hotel - but I have to stay it sounds like every other Holiday Inn I have ever been stuck in. They're not really known for being anything other than very basic.

Continuation of our trip report - pressed Post My Reply by accident!
Anyway, at the Empire State Bldg, they wouldn't even let us use the restrooms before standing in all those lines. We found the staff to be rude and we did not find that having the tickets already was any real advantage (saved us about 5 min). When we asked them what the advantage was, they said if anything it is a disadvantage because it means if you get there and decide the line is too long (which our friends did so we ended up giving their tickets away), you have no choice unless you want to kiss your money good bye. By the way, when we were staning in line outside, a staff member announced that from our position it would be another hour and 20 min but it ended up being only about 30! Not sure why...Typical NY service I guess, but the view was most definitely worth the hassle. It was beautiful at night.

That night we went to dinner and then decided to try a new comedy club we'd heard about called Laugh Factory. I don't know if it was just off-season or what, but I must say, it was some of the worst comedy we've seen. We get a lot of good acts here in Dallas and these were just terrible. One man actually left early because he was insulted by the Emcee's Irish jokes. And it only got worse from there. We paid $20/person plus there's a 2 drink minimum. It was the biggest waste of money on the whole trip. Maybe they're just not established enough and they'll turn it around but you are hereby forwarned.

The next day we went to brunch at a place called Popover Cafe on Amsterdam and 87th and it was great! They specialize, of course, in popovers and they make all kinds of interesting sandwhiches with them as well as many breakfast dishes. It was a cute place where lots of locals go so it wasn't overly touristy. A great place. Then we went to the museum of natrual history and that was of course wonderful. Its huge so as everyone says, decide what you want to see and focus on a few areas unless you have literally all da or more. There is a free tour where they walk you around and give you the highlights, I think it was a good overview to decide what you want to see more of. Also of interest: When we got there there was a very long line but we realized that if you only want tickets to the museum and not packages and special exhibits, there are machines sort of like ATMs that saved us a lot of time. After we got a bit overwhelmed, we walked around central park until the sun went down and then down 5th avenue. We ate at a chinese place on 57th btw 5th and 6th which was very good but not amazing. It was called Joe's something, not a typical Chinese restaraunt name but hard to forget I guess. Then we went to see an off-broadway show called Slava's Snowshow. It was mimes/clowns and parts of it were boring and slow but the ending makes it all worthwhile - I won't spoil it but I will say it made every adult in there feel like a kid again. Really great!

After the show, we went to little Italy to a place for pastries and coffee - the name is escaping me but I know we had the cab drop us off on the corner of Grand and Mulberry/Mulbury and it was right there. If anyone really wants the name, let me know and I will try to find out. It was wonderful.

The last morning, we walked through central park a little more and took a carriage ride which was nice. We ate at another over-priced place where the food was only decent, and we headed for the airport.

Overall, it was a great weekend. We obviously missed a lot and in part, it was because we were traveling with another couple with a totally different style of travel. We are die-hard, see-it-all, you can sleep in at home types while they were looking for more of a break.

I'm happy to answer any questions anyone has, and happy traveling!

NYtraveler,
You are absolutely right about Holiday Inns...I read some really good things about this one but I should have known better! There are nicer Holiday Inns, but they are all siblings I guess.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. A few comments...at the Carnegie, it's not uncommon to SHARE those sandwiches. Sorry if we didn't warn you. They do charge for sharing, but you can ask for extra bread and actually make another proper sandwich, so then you're talking about a delicious sandwich for ~ $7.

I have heard others report arriving at the SOL after their allotted time (it's not uncommon for tourists to get lost/delayed) and have never heard of anyone being turned away. So for others reading this, if you "miss" your entry time at the Statue, unless it's too late in the day before closing, you will most certainly be allowed up.

But I've never heard about having to stand in line with pre purchased tickets at the ESB. And if you arrive at ESB and don't like the look of the line for the elevators, you can come back at any time. Don't know what happened to you there.

It sounds like the chinese restaurant was Joe's Shanghai on west 56 st. This is part of a local chain and they're known for their soup dumplings.

Glad you enjoyed your trip despite the hotel.

Sounds like you went to Ferrara's for the pastries?

Yes, It was Ferrara's! Thanks! Its a great place.

We had exactly the same experience with pre-purchased tickets at the ESB. I don't think we would have preservered if we hadn't already bought them.

i used to live a 1/2 block from popovers (87 betw amsterdam and columbus). i miss it!

glad you had a nice time.

:) kari

I am glad you had a great time. I went to the ESB with pre-paid tickets last month and had no probelms at all. I went straight up to the line that got you on the elevator. I am so surprised at what happened to you. I saw signs posted that said where to go with prepaid (and people on this site told me what to do) so I was ready. For your experience with some of the NY service you recieved, well I recieved fantastic service and the people were so kind and friendly. Everyone I met from Subways to people on the street were helpful and courteous. Loved them!
Better luck next time.

I'm not necessaily an apologist for the Carnegie Deli...but, for $13 I assume you didn't order pastrami or corn beef, which I would guess run over $15. If it was Pastrami or Corn beef, you shouldn't expect tomatoes or cheese...ech! Also, since the amount og meat is huge, the price per sandwich is not that much more than buying it by the pound. If it was turkey, then i guess you should get lettuce and cheese; BUT, next time don't order a turkey sandwich at a corn beef joint...when in Rome....

I don't know, but from reading your trip report, it doesn't really sound like you had all that great of a time. Everything you mentioned sounded so-so to bad except for the pastries, where you couldn't remember the name. I've been to NYC several times and always come away with wonderful experiences. Sometimes they aren't what I expected, but this is NYC, you can't expect it to be like it is in Kansas.
If I'd never been to NYC and read your report, I'd never go.

I have to agree with bbjj109 - maybe it was the couple you were traveling with - but I don't think you had a very enjoyable time in NYC at all, and that's a shame! It's the most fabulous city in the world.

It seems like the positives were the view from the ESB and some pastries. I'm from the midwest and really enjoy a chance to go to NYC. You mentioned a carriage ride in Central Park, but did you ride the subway or try to figure out a city bus route to get to a destination? That's part of the fun. Your choice of hotels was fine because you knew from the getgo what you were getting yourself in for by booking the Holiday Inn.

And your comments RE "The Producers." I'm just glad you didn't go to see some of the other choices of productions. I can't think of anyone who has seen a movie since the 60's who would call some of the imagery as "disrespectful." And yes I have seen it - twice in New York and once in St. Louis. What part was disrespectful - Nazis, gays, little ole ladies, bilking people out of money, costumes? No I don't understand, "You'll know if you've seen it."

Believe me, you did NOT have a good time in New York, or even an OK time. I don't want to be overbearing because of what I perceive as your values, but you need an attitude adjustment or to spend your vacation money going somewhere you know you'll enjoy yourself.

I haven't reviewed the "help" you received from this forum but it must have been lousy, or you didn't follow it, or you didn't need it because of your preconceived notions.

As for me - I'm looking forward to May and my next trip to NYC.

Where do people get off telling others whether they've had a good time or not? Arikson77 gave a honest report of their experience. Too bad if you don't like it!

"I don't want to be overbearing because of what I perceive as your values, but you need an attitude adjustment "

What the heck kind of comment is that???!!!

Arikson, thanks for your report, and for including the pitfalls that will save others from similar mistakes. Glad you had a great weekend!

I just reread your original report, and fail to see why others concluded you had a bad visit. If a few things weren't perfect so what; if we want perfection in our travels we should all go to the plastic world of Disneyland. For a long weekend you saw 2 shows, went to a comedy club, ate in little italy, rode a carriage in central park, did museums etc. Sounds llke a great time to me. Hope you didn't take my little essay on the Carnegie deli as casting aspersions on your whole trip. Hopefully the "critiques" you received won't keep others from sharing their experiences.

Did you try the gelato at Ferrara's? It is delicious! Does anyone know if they still serve gelato in the winter? I've only been in NYC in warm weather months.

Arikson, sounds like you enjoyed the Statue of Liberty...makes me want to try that next time, as I have only seen her from afar.

I have done the ESB twice. The first time, we stood in line to buy tickets there--took about 2 hours to get to the top after standing in several different lines, the longest of which was the ticket-buying line. The 2nd time I went we prepurchased our tickets. Despite the rumours of a terribly long line to get in (I am assuming to buy tickets), we went straight up, only waiting in line for security. So much easier the 2nd time!! Sorry your experience wasn't the same.

Some of you must have read a different trip report than what I'm reading. What makes you say they had a miserable time just because she honestly admits they "missed a lot" -- who doesn't in New York? Some say they seemed to not like anything. Huh?

The trip report I read includes:

the view at ESB "worth the hassle. Beautiful at night"

the "great Popover Cafe"

the "wonderful museum of natural history" where they wandered until left overwhelmed. That's bad?

Slova's Snowshoe which was "really great". There's nothing wrong with admitted it started slow or was a bit boring in parts. It's the final assessment that is important.

the "nice carriage ride".

I must agree that The Producers is very disrespectful to Nazis. Is that a bad thing?