Trip to New York
 

I will be travelling to New York in Jan 2011 with my son. I plan to spend about 5 days there and I need a safe and cheap accommodation. I hv been to NY but this will be the 1st for him. My main itinerary is to visit the premium outlet in NY and of course do some sightseeing. I will then go to Kansas as he will be attending university there.

Is Woodbury premium outlet worth going? How far is it from the city as I do not hv any transport and will need public transport. Can anyone adv me how I can get there?
How about Atlantic City? HOw far is it from New York City and how do I get there by public transport?
Any adv will be grateful....

"I need a safe and cheap accommodation"

What are the exact dates, your bedding requirements, and nightly budget in USDs?

"Is Woodbury premium outlet worth going?"

Not in my opinion, but I HATE shopping. Many recommend shopping in the city, where discount shopping can also be found. Century 21, Loehmanns, Filene's Basement, for example.

"How about Atlantic City? HOw far is it from New York City and how do I get there by public transport?"

You can find out how far by using mapquest and such. I imagine a bus or NJ Transit are options.

With all due respect, aren't there outlets all over this country that you can spend your first visit to NYC seeing the city?? I recommend you stay in NYC and take in all its sights.

Hmmm. Is this a troll?

I will be there from 10th Jan and I need a twin bed or 2 double. As for budget....USD 150? or less? I dont mind hostel/motel. It is just a plce to sleep. Tks for the response

Look into the Larchmont Hotel. It's a great location.

As far as Atlantic City or Woodbury Commons...neither are worth it, especially given there is so much to see and do in NYC. There are many places within the city that have deals as good as, if not better, than an outlet mall )and true, similar outlet malls are all over the country, all with much of the same merchandise).

As far as Atlantic City, unless there's a specific show, or you really like to gamble, I don't see the point. It's for the most part...dumpy...

Luckily the time you are coming to NYC is one of the cheapest times for hotels. Try to book something cancellable now, but you can probably find very good deals on nicer hotels for the same price a couple of months in advance. Try Travelzoo then

Woodbury Common, while not my style, is not like other outlet malls. It is much bigger and has many designer outlets that aren't found elsewhere. Look at the list of stores and if you think you'd be going for the high end merchandise (Zegna,Balenciaga, Chanel etc), it may be worth it. Don't bother for more mainstream brands

Keep in mind that the outlet center is huge and all outdoors, so January isn't the best time to go. And it's about an hour or more outside NYC so if the weather is bad here, it may be even colder/snowier etc up there.

There are buses to Woodbury Common, which is one of the largest and best outlet malls in the U.S. Most leave from the Port Authority bus station (look at the Woodbury Common web site for names and links). By your post, I'm guessing you're not from the U.S.? Well, Woodbury Common is a huge destination for foreign travelers. I see people arrive with giant, empty suitcases and fill them over the course of the day. But what everyone is telling you is true; it's better for top-end designer brands. While there are dozens of more mainstream outlet stores, it's an affordable option if you really desperately need to buy everyday clothing, but not worth going for that in my opinion. But if you want an Armani Black-label suit or Prada dress shirts, you will find no better place in the northeast. If you don't like the bus schedule, it's possible to take a Metro North train to Harriman and then call a taxi for less than $10 each way.

I would certainly skip Atlantic City. Not only will your son not be able to drink or gamble (unless he is 21), there will be virtually nothing else to do on a cold and frigid January day, and you have to travel 3-plus hours to get there. If you do insist on going, take the train. A special express train (called Aces) goes to AC on weekends only.

I think your budget is pretty slim, even for January, but it might be doable. You might get more for your money on Priceline. But if you are looking for hostel-like accommodations, stay at the PodHotel (bunk beds in a shared-bath room are the cheapest options). The Larchmont is nice, but it has only doubles or singles (NO TWINS). I think the Union Square Inn would be a better choice for you. It's a tad over your budget ($159), but it's one of the lowest-priced options in NYC. In January, however, you may find a deal on Hotels.com or as I recommended earlier, on Priceline (esp. if you choose a 3-star hotel).

Atlantic City is a dump - and in January doesn;t even have the redemming feature of the beach (you would freeze).

Woodbury Common is good only if you want designer (cap D) discounts. (It can be reached easily by bus, it;s true - but it's a full day bus tour - and you must haul everything you buy around a large outdoor mall in the cold - and possibly snow.

If what you want is discounts/sales you will do just s well in Manhattan - either at regular stores or at local discounters. But - if you're counting on buying winter clothes you should be aware that much is sold out by then (they ordinarily bring "holiday" wear out after Christmas and cruisewear in January. the winter clothes left will be a bargain but VERY picked over.

As for a hotel you cannot use Priceline since all it promises is accommodation for 2 - and many hotels in NYC have all rooms with just 1 double bed. I would start looking now for internet specials for January - and don;t focus on twins - which are quite rare - but just rooms with 2 beds.

One option is to go now to the web site of the Newton on the upper west side. It;s a great neighborhood and while the hotel is budget, it was recently redone, is very reliable and is right next to to an express subway stop. It has double double rooms - 2 double beds and the price for 2 people is only about$120 per night for the random Jan nights I looked at. They had a similar deal running for this fall (naturally at much higher prices) and the rooms were booked up very quickly. (I had noticed it and reco'd to another poster - but the rooms were gone 4 months out - so now is not too early - it;s not a big hotel.)

You could look for other deals now - and if you see something decent book it now - once they are gone you will be stuck with what is left.

Go to maps.google.com and type NYC to Atlantic City NJ and you'll see how far it is. There are buses from Port Authority and if intend on gambling some of the casinos may have free buses on certain days. There are outlet stores in AC if you're serious about going although I can't imagine why.

As for outlet malls & NYC, most locals would tell you not to bother since there's plenty of discount shopping right IN Manhattan like Century 21, Loehmann's etc. But for visitors, the appeal of going to one place with a lot of stores is a real draw. Jersey Gardens is much closer and might be better for middle of the road brands. Woodbury is really best (if at all) for high end designer stuff like Chanel, Gucci etc. which you don't find elsewhere. But be warned, Woodbury is not enclosed and at that time of year could be pretty unpleasant without your own car. Given that Jan. is a great time for sales in the reg. stores anyway, I can't see the sense of it.

As for a hotel, $150 is pretty low for a room with 2 beds but if that's not an issue, you should be able to find something by bidding on Priceline. In the meantime, I'd book something cancelable if/when you find a hotel/price you like.

TQ for all the great advices! I guess I will skip Atlantic City and Woodbury then!
I am from Malaysia and Malaysians love your outlet as brands like Nike, Addidas, Guess, Coach, Timberland...etc are pretty expensive back here. My purpose is to buy clothings, especially winder clothings for my son . Since nytraveler mentioned that it will be pretty hard to find winter clothes, can anyone suggest where I can get some ? I sincerely thank all of you for your help. It sure will help me plan better.

In January Century 21 (Church and Dey St. Manhattan) will almost certainly be selling very high quality brand name Winter clothes. I bought a Kenneth Cole pea coat there this past winter and a Joseph Aboud over coat 3 years back as well as countless sweaters over the past decade working downtown. The shoe store will also have as many Addidas, Nike and Timberland as you could possibly desire at very good prices (but check for slight defects prior to purchase).

You might also be able to catch a really sweet sale at Macy's since in January, they may be looking to off-load their Winter stock to make way for Summer. Check online.

You're making a very good decision skipping AC and Woodbury.

TQ chadnycity....for the tips. Appreciate very much.

Jan. is a great time to find bargains in NYC and it will all be winter clothing. In addition to Century 21, Syms which has 2 locations is very good for men's things and Macy's & the other dept. stores will all have sales. As a visitor, when you go to Macy's, Bloomingdales and Lord & Taylor, if you register first at the customer service desk with proof of your permanent address (driver's license or passport) you'll get a 10% discount on top of whatever other discounts there are. Jersey Gardens is another outlet mall much closer to Manhattan that will carry the brands you want if you don't find what you need in Manhattan (but I think you will).

As for hotel, there is a sale at the Roosevelt hotel if you use the rate code tweet on the hotel's website. Go for the biggest room. I would book a cancelable backup reservation somewhere else too as I think the hotel might be for sale and you never know what new owners will decide to do.

Look here too:

http://www.eurocheapo.com/newyork/

Ten10 - The brands you are naming are basic - not designers, going to Woodbury would be a waste of time and money - you will get sales on all of them in Manhattan. In Jan there will be a lot of winter things left - but very picked over - you may have to compromise on color or style- since they need to move it out quickly for the spring stuff.

Hi Mclaurie.....I took your adv an chk out Roosevelt with the code "tweet" and the rate I got for Deluxe King/2 bed for 4 nites is nett 560.20. But it says "Tweeter room only"
I dont know whether it means no breakfast as the room should come with buffet breakfast. You hv any idea?
If I dont use the code"tweet" I cant even get a room for the date I want! Tks

Hi Mclaurie....sorry..I think it did come with breakfast.

It comes with b/f. As I said, I've read the hotel MIGHT be sold so I'd book a backup that's cancelable just in case. Radio City Apartments is $154/night on quikbook.com for a studio with 2 double beds and is fully cancelable, no prepayment. I'd book that too.

Another option for accomodations is to check out is the Westside YMCA on 63rd, great location and I believe in your pricerange. - http://www.ymcanyc.org/ymca-of-great...k/guest-rooms/

It's very clean and I see all different types of tourists staying there (I work around the corner).

And, the sales in January will be much better than the outlets, you should do very well!

Tks for all the adv...

Since I hv 3 full days in New York, besides shopping, I would like to go sight seeing. I chk out a few company operating the hop on hop off but not sure one to use. Can anyone be kind enough to recommend me?

Do not do Hop On/Hop Off buses. You can see sights only from the roof (outside) and will freeze there in January - even if not get covered in snow or sleet. These are expensive and a very bad deal.

Much better to just pick out what you want to see and go. the subway is your friend - inexpensive, quick and goes almost everywhere - and trains run every 5 minutes or so. You should have choices available that are both indoor and outdoor - since you might get days that are mild - in the 40s - or days that are very cold (teens or 20s) with snow - when you won;t want to spend a lot of time outdoors - even with proper clothing (winter coat, hat, scarf, gloves and boots with non skid soles - for sidewalks that can be very icy and slippery).

TQ nytraveler....i will take your adv. IS it easy to get subway maps?

Getting a subway map is hit or miss. It's certainly easier at big, tourist filled stations. But you don't need it. There's a map in each station as well as on each platform and train car. If you buy a good guidebook (strongly recommended) most have subway maps in them.

Here's the online map:

http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

Hmmm. I have a wonderful little folding subway map. It says FODORS on it. It was a "gift" at one of the past Fodorite gatherings in NYC.

Doug and Neo, old subway maps are near useless since there have been major changes due to budget cuts.(as of late June 2010) Several lines have been completely eliminated for the fiorst time in most people's memory.

Of course, most lines are still there and maps can be useful for general planning, but for actual travel, it's essential to look at the most recent map and to look at schedule of station closing and track work that reroutes lines , especially on the weekend.

Quite a few bus lines have been eliminated, and many rerouted, have their hours shortened etc,. Again, essential for visitors to work with the most current information.

Per nyer's warning, many of the recent changes have to do with service outside Manhattan, but it still pays to check a new map and especially the service changes. I was surprised just last night to find that the M has been changed to a different color and route that caused confusion for many at the station where we got on.

Hmmm. I have a wonderful little folding subway map. It says FODORS on it. It was a "gift" at one of the past Fodorite gatherings in NYC.

It went the way of Katie.

<<I was surprised just last night to find that the M has been changed to a different color and route that caused confusion for many at the station where we got on.>> I was surprised last weekend to see an E train running through the 42nd St/Bryant Park station. The guy next to me just shrugged and said something about budget cuts.

These are the biggest changes, for the worse, in many years. I also no longer assume that all visitors to NYC stay in Manhattan so even changes to service in the "outer boroughs" is worth noting

And the V is gone.

The E train is running on F tracks b/c of track work. http://travel.mtanyct.info/servicead...thod=getstatus

Trains often run crazy routes on the weekends and sometimes during on weekdays from midnight to 5 AM due to track work.

These temporary chnages are often confusing for regular riders, let alone someone who is not familiar with the system.

There are usually paper signs posted in the subway stations and on the white boards behind the clerk in the booths indicating what to do. In Brooklyn, for example, these changes often include a bus transfer.

If you see people with orange striped vests ask them what is going on.

Thank you eveyone....for the adv about the subway. Sounds confusing. I will see how when I reach there. If anyone has better ideas how I can go around NY that won't cost too much, please help. How about the NY Pass?

Subway has some changes but is still by far the bet way to get around - esp in cold weather.

Not sure what yo mean by what about the NY Pass. If does NOT provide a way to get around the city. And for sightseeing it is very expensive and very rarely pays for itself - it's cheaper to go where you want and pay individual entrance fees.

If you prefer you can take city buses at the same cost as subways - but it will take 2 or 3 times as long to get anywhere.

The Red Roof Inn on 32nd street has rooms in January 2011 for about $135 a night. I've stayed there 3 times and always happy with it. It's a pretty good location, nice but small room, fair sized bathroom for NYC.

Tks nytraveler...NY Pass is the New York Pass for tourist. I think I will take your adv..the subway or the bus. I think I can manage.

Austin...tks for the accommodation tip. Will chk it out.