Trip Report NYC Thanks, Thanks
May 16th, 2006, 06:14 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trip Report NYC Thanks, Thanks
My husband and I just returned home from NYC last Sunday. We spent 4 nights at the Radio City Apts on West 49th St. and couldn't have asked for a better place. The person from the UK is planning to stay there and wanted a report. I would stay there again without hesitation! When you walk out the front door you turn to the right to Rockefeller Center ( 2 minutes) and turn to the left to Times Square.(5 minutes) It was clean, the staff were friendly and the best part was the price.
I'm not going to go through what we did on everyday but it was our first time in NYC and we did the "touristy" things.
Some suggestions and hints.... Try to go early for the Statue of Libery Ferry. If it is a long line for the ferry have one member of the family line up for tickets at Castle Clinton and the other in the ferry line. I didn't realize you could do that but the ranger or warden walking around said that to be in this line you need to have a ticket or waiting for someone who is getting the tickets.
If you are short of time stay on the ferry and head straight for Ellis Island. The pictures of the SOL will be just as good from the ferry as from in front. We had tickets for the Observatory Tour. Not really a tour and you only went up to the feet. The elevator wasn't working and my husband climbed 156 stairs with bad knees.
At Ellis Island I strongly recommend the audio tour. The information is great and this way you won't get lost and will see everything.
We did the first tour of the day for the NBC Studio Tour. Not much going on at 8:30 am but then again not as many people in the group. If you want to see more of the Saturday Night Live set go later in the week when the sets are up and people may be rehearsing.
Went to the Empire State Building at night (10 pm) and maybe a 5-10 minute wait. Easy to find a spot for pictures all the way around. We bought tickets ahead on line and would suggest that if you are going in peak time and peak season.
Top of the Rock Observatory was fantastic!! We did that on our first day as the weather was great. I think as more people hear about it, it will become busier.
Any shuttle out of the airport is fine. We just asked for the next one to leave as the prices were fine. A bit of a ride but seeing the city for the first time it was fine. There was a couple from Germany who had a paid voucher and seemed to be having a hard time making the girl understand it was previously arranged.
We did the 48 hour hop on and off Grayline tour and found it helpful for first time visitors. The guides in the bus were amusing and full of information.
We saw the Broadway show Dirty Rotten Scoundels and bought tickets online from one of the discount sites. Not quite 50% off but worth it as we had first row balcony.
I know Carnegie Deli is for tourists but we really enjoyed it, talking to the people at the other tables and definitely the best cheesecake ever!!! We shared a sandwich which was plenty for both of us.
UN Tour was great and we walked there from our hotel in the morning. You defintely must wear good walking shoes. After the Empire State Building we walked from 34th St. to 49th St. at 11 pm and felt very safe. Still alot of traffic and people walking around.
I was very impressed with how clean the city actually was.
We didn't see too many people asking for money but we know that every major city has that challenge of the needy and homeless.
We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and loved the view!!! Take the hop on off bus over the other bridge and ask the guide which stop to get off to walk back to Manhatten. The view and the pictures were great.
All in all a wonderful holiday and we will be going back. You can't see it all the first time (4 nights) and I want to thank everyone who asked and answered over the past winter. I have read all the posts and it helped make our vacation a great one.
We paid our respects at the WTC site and the chapel. You think you realize the enormity of it but really you don't. I really had no desire to shop after that.
We thought something was going on at the NYSE as there was a SWAT Team there but later someone said they are there all the time as a deterrent.
Would highly recommend NYC as a trip destination for children and adults alike. Plenty to do for everyone. Next time we will see more of the neighbourhoods although we did walk through Chinatown with all the wonderful smells.
Thank you Fodors for providing this site and for those who answer our neverending questions. You really do make a difference.
Thanks, Thanks.
I'm not going to go through what we did on everyday but it was our first time in NYC and we did the "touristy" things.
Some suggestions and hints.... Try to go early for the Statue of Libery Ferry. If it is a long line for the ferry have one member of the family line up for tickets at Castle Clinton and the other in the ferry line. I didn't realize you could do that but the ranger or warden walking around said that to be in this line you need to have a ticket or waiting for someone who is getting the tickets.
If you are short of time stay on the ferry and head straight for Ellis Island. The pictures of the SOL will be just as good from the ferry as from in front. We had tickets for the Observatory Tour. Not really a tour and you only went up to the feet. The elevator wasn't working and my husband climbed 156 stairs with bad knees.
At Ellis Island I strongly recommend the audio tour. The information is great and this way you won't get lost and will see everything.
We did the first tour of the day for the NBC Studio Tour. Not much going on at 8:30 am but then again not as many people in the group. If you want to see more of the Saturday Night Live set go later in the week when the sets are up and people may be rehearsing.
Went to the Empire State Building at night (10 pm) and maybe a 5-10 minute wait. Easy to find a spot for pictures all the way around. We bought tickets ahead on line and would suggest that if you are going in peak time and peak season.
Top of the Rock Observatory was fantastic!! We did that on our first day as the weather was great. I think as more people hear about it, it will become busier.
Any shuttle out of the airport is fine. We just asked for the next one to leave as the prices were fine. A bit of a ride but seeing the city for the first time it was fine. There was a couple from Germany who had a paid voucher and seemed to be having a hard time making the girl understand it was previously arranged.
We did the 48 hour hop on and off Grayline tour and found it helpful for first time visitors. The guides in the bus were amusing and full of information.
We saw the Broadway show Dirty Rotten Scoundels and bought tickets online from one of the discount sites. Not quite 50% off but worth it as we had first row balcony.
I know Carnegie Deli is for tourists but we really enjoyed it, talking to the people at the other tables and definitely the best cheesecake ever!!! We shared a sandwich which was plenty for both of us.
UN Tour was great and we walked there from our hotel in the morning. You defintely must wear good walking shoes. After the Empire State Building we walked from 34th St. to 49th St. at 11 pm and felt very safe. Still alot of traffic and people walking around.
I was very impressed with how clean the city actually was.
We didn't see too many people asking for money but we know that every major city has that challenge of the needy and homeless.
We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and loved the view!!! Take the hop on off bus over the other bridge and ask the guide which stop to get off to walk back to Manhatten. The view and the pictures were great.
All in all a wonderful holiday and we will be going back. You can't see it all the first time (4 nights) and I want to thank everyone who asked and answered over the past winter. I have read all the posts and it helped make our vacation a great one.
We paid our respects at the WTC site and the chapel. You think you realize the enormity of it but really you don't. I really had no desire to shop after that.
We thought something was going on at the NYSE as there was a SWAT Team there but later someone said they are there all the time as a deterrent.
Would highly recommend NYC as a trip destination for children and adults alike. Plenty to do for everyone. Next time we will see more of the neighbourhoods although we did walk through Chinatown with all the wonderful smells.
Thank you Fodors for providing this site and for those who answer our neverending questions. You really do make a difference.
Thanks, Thanks.
May 17th, 2006, 05:58 PM
#8
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jilliansmom thanks for your report it was me who asked for the lowdown on Radio City Apartments and your report has been reassuring about the apartments and I look forward to a pleasant stay in late September.I am actually from Australia and have picked up some good ideas from your report I also have booked the 48 hour hop on hop off tour and am seeing Spamalot so again thanks
May 18th, 2006, 12:11 PM
#9
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am originally from New York. Reading your report was very nice. We go back every few years and go to the theatre, dinner and other NY things we like to do. I am so glad you found NY safe, I always have said it was, but you have so many people that are afraid. I became very home sick when I read your report and if I wasn't going in June I would have booked a trip... Thanks.
May 22nd, 2006, 10:45 AM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Few other tips I forgot to mention. Someone told us to go the the 3rd floor in Tiffany's. (less expensive and more "gift ideas". We didn't have time to go.
If you take the subway to Battery Park for the ferry to SOL and Ellis Island make sure you are in one of the first five cars. Apparently some of the cars during rush hour don't go to the last stop. We were OK by chance but a couple had to change cars. They announce it but it can be difficult to hear.
Things to do next time in NYC.
1. CNN Tour
2. River Cafe dinner
3. Another Broadway Show
4. Spend more time in Central Park
5. Public Library
6. Museums.
If you take the subway to Battery Park for the ferry to SOL and Ellis Island make sure you are in one of the first five cars. Apparently some of the cars during rush hour don't go to the last stop. We were OK by chance but a couple had to change cars. They announce it but it can be difficult to hear.
Things to do next time in NYC.
1. CNN Tour
2. River Cafe dinner
3. Another Broadway Show
4. Spend more time in Central Park
5. Public Library
6. Museums.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Attnymom
United States
38
May 14th, 2008 06:00 PM
