Reply With QuoteWe did one of the shark speed boat rides- fantastic and got nice and close to the Statue-
Highline defo
Top of the rock at dusk- beware its very small up there and crowded
I'm off to NYC next week for my wife's 40th (although 3 years late!!!). We're landing Friday lunchtime and leaving Monday 6pm flight.
We're looking to do something Friday afternoon, Sat Morning/Afternoon, Sun Morning /Afternoon and then Monday morning - i.e. 6 activities, leaving the evenings free for food and drink!!
So far having read these threads -
http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...highlight=york
http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?331017
We have come up with the following
9/11 museum
Top of the Rock - what would be the best time? Late pm for the sunset, do you just turn up or have to book?
Walk the Highline
Staten Island ferry for a view of the Statue of Liberty - is that still free? Is Ellis Island worth a visit?
Central Park - our hotel is near Carnegie Hall, and therefore near CP, so I'm sure a wander round the park would be good
Grand Central Station
Is it worth doing a city tour by bus? Hop on, Hop Off? I've heard stories of waiting for a bus and then when one arrives it's packed and you can't get on.
We'd also like to have a nice meal one evening - nothing too 'posh', any recommendations?
She's also like to sample some cocktails etc, again any recommendations?
We did one of the shark speed boat rides- fantastic and got nice and close to the Statue-
Highline defo
Top of the rock at dusk- beware its very small up there and crowded
I always do one or two tours with these:
http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/new-york-tours/
We really enjoyed the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), although may not be your "thing" it is really accessible- our kids quite enjoyed it.
Top of the Rock at sunset is incredible.
Don't plan too much and walk. Manhatten isn't that big and you'll discover more on foot.
Recommendations can be useful but it's really nice to make your own discoveries too.
If you are considering going to museums many offer free admission at certain times.
https://www.nyc-arts.org/collections...-what-you-wish
Take the ferry to staten at night, your return to manhatten is then benefitted by the illuminated skyline. I found ellis island very interesting. Bus tour was good,you cover a lot of ground and informed comment from the guides, no problems with capacity when i went.
For the limited time you have planning will be key, i went to see a show, oysters in GCS helicopter over the river, tons to do and see.
If you're both carnivores I can suggest either Peter Luger's (Brooklyn, but very easy to get there) or Keens in Manhattan.Originally Posted by badger1
http://www.keens.com/
https://peterluger.com/
You'd need to book now for either.
Circle Line tours do a boat trip around the island - narrated by a 'real New Yorker' - a good sit-down for a couple of hours and some sights you wouldn't usually see (like the sewage works!). Not stupid money either. Check the weather though.
Top of the Empire State is by far the best thing!! Go on your first morning (you'll be up early) and book the 0800 express elevator. You'll be first ones there.........
Last edited by afcneal; 11th May 2017 at 13:07.
p.s. Most can be booked in advance and saves a lot of queueing. You get a QR code on your phone if preferred.
Cheers for all the suggestions.
We're planning on trying to walk as much as possible, maybe a couple of subway trips.
Looks like we've got most things covered!
check the weather forecast on weather.com. Bad weather: visit the museums etc., good weather go with the ferry to Ellis Island, go to Central Park (the Boat House) etc. New York is versatile.
Just noticed your post. A few observations/recommendations if I may...
Seeing where you are staying, if you fancy a real NY Deli sandwich and NY Cheesecake experience get yourself to the Carnegie Deli, arrive early or they'll be queuing down the street. I can thoroughly recommend a Pastrami on Rye with pickles as well as the baked New York Cheesecake, you may need a doggie bag too! http://carnegiedeli.com/
You mentioned cocktails for the wife and a bit of a bus tour, you could combine the two with the 'Sex in the City Tour', I did it as the wife fancied it but it was actually quite good fun and ticked off the bus tour and cocktails.
We covered most of NY on foot, but we do like a good walk, we jumped cabs twice in the five days we were there and sadly didn't explore the subway but did check out Grand Central Station.
Top of the Rock is good, but no feelings on best time of day.
The City Library was quite a nice little time filler and quite an interesting building.
A Broadway show is a must in my opinion too.
Enjoy!
Thanks for that - I had spotted the Deli on Google Maps so having a recommendation is great. Just taken a look at the menu!!
I'll mention the Sex in the City tour!
Looks like the deli is now shut
http://carnegiedeli.com/news_and_eve...carnegie-deli/
I can also suggest the following:
• http://www.foodsofny.com/greenwichvillage.php - This was really enjoyable.
• Get down to Greenwich Village and have a wonder.
• Also check out Soho, Little Italy and walk the Brooklyn Bridge.
Lastly, if a group of street guys offer you a cd, don't take it, it's a scam and they will intimidate and extort cash. Just walk on. They tend to hang out around Times Square. The CD is blank but they will say otherwise and take your money. That's the only thing I came across that was a bit scary in NY.
Have fun!
Greenwich village restaurants are generally consistently quite good (quality and value), pizza in Brooklyn under the bridge before walking back across the bridge to manhattan (the park by the bridge offers great views across to manhattan as well). Hiring a bicycle is a good way to get around and see Central Park in a relatively short space of time. Ellis Island is interesting and worthy of a visit. Seeing a show on Broadway is a good experience if you're happy to have dinner early or late. We did top of the rock first thing in the morning and it was far less crowded which made for a more pleasant and enjoyable experience. Views are great, and better than the Empire State Building, but not as iconic of course.
Beast Boat ride in the morning then walk the Highline but stop off at Chelsea Markets
Carneigies shut permanently in December but was closed along time before that.
Greenwich Village is good- do a food tour. http://www.foodsofny.com we've done one three times. Greenwich Village/ Chinatown are going tours.
Traditional Jewish deli http://www.barneygreengrass.com great breakfasts
Get subway to Brooklyn - breakfast at Clarks https://www.clarksdiner.com/store80/restaurant.php and then walk back over bridge
oh and surprised nobody has mentioned https://oneworldobservatory.com and the 9/11 museum and memorial
Last edited by craig1912; 11th May 2017 at 21:10.
Every time we go we have to go to http://www.carminesnyc.com/ for dinner. It's just of Times Square, but be warned it's a family style Italian place, so one dish is enough to feed 4!
Empire State Building was cool too
We enjoyed lunch in Bryant park several days
Last edited by lewie; 11th May 2017 at 21:07.
Stay away from Times Square as it's chaos and full of tourists, it is worth going to at night to see the lights though and if you do go pop into Jimmy's Corner which is a dive bar owned by Mohamed Ali's old coach. He still works / drinks in there now.
Must do's for me as a tourist are: -
Walk the High line
Central Park by bike
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
9/11 museum
A decent steak somewhere - we went to Wolfgangs
Breakfast in a diner - cheap and cheerful nothing fancy
USS Intreprid Aircraft Carrier (I've still not been yet) - there are a load of planes on here including the Blackbird and Concorde
Just walk around along unless its raining (avoid cabs and use Uber as it's cheaper) and then find a nice bar for a couple of drinks, don't plan to much around bars as half the fun is finding random ones on your route.
Buggeration! That's a shame, I went a few years ago and had found it by Google search of 'best cheesecake in NY'. As a Deli it was everything I had hoped it would be. Don't worry they'll be 100's more like it I'm sure.
I was there in November for ten days, we did an awful lot!
Check out http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/new-york-tours/ - we did about four tours and they were really very good, the central park ones especially. You just tip at the end so the guides really do care about the quality.
We thought lots about a 'view' ended up going to https://oneworldobservatory.com/ rather than Top Rock or Empire - so much room, modern and in the 911 complex which means you are close to the two museums and tribute. The lift ride up to the top is great in itself something like charlie and the chocolate factory hahaha.
Definitely check out this place https://54below.com/ we had a superb evening there with great performers, in a really class environment (speakeasy in style) - for the holiday that was THE night out and thats saying something when we had seen Wicked, Radio City Hall, etc. We had the blue table for two on the seating map - which was amazing. Depends what's on though.
We managed to booked access to Liberty Crown, check the website NOW (https://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm) as they sell out months in advance, you might get lucky. but it's a stunning thing to do look out from her crown! Ellis island is definitely worth visiting, we were there a good couple hours, the audio guide was very informative without being heavy.
We avoided the Hop on n Off. Subway, taxi and Uber - Uber is REALLY worth using for NYC - saved a fortune over standard taxi prices.
The Highline is amazing and is probably an hours walk, we visited Intrepid (aircraft carrier https://www.intrepidmuseum.org/) then on to Highline. If you do go to Intrepid make sure you pay extra for Concorde - that was really good.
We avoided the tourist cruises. Statue of liberty is run by state ferries and are only carrier allowed to dock. Other companies just circle it as you said. However check out East River Ferry, https://www.ferry.nyc/routes-and-schedules/ standard commuter ferry, get on East 34th and go all way to Wall Street, we actually got off at Dumbo then walk back into Manhattan vis the Brooklyn bridge - great photos!!! do this actually!!!
I could go forever, but time to stop.
One very important thing... BOOK as much as you can beforehand, don't rely on getting tables, tickets or entry to anything just rocking up on the day as you will waste so much time! nearly everything we did we had reservations for. Oh and whatever you think looking at maps... Manhatten is HUGE! comfy shoes, and if google maps say it a ten minute walk double it at least for crossing intersections and avoiding volumes of people!
Last edited by T1ckT0ck; 12th May 2017 at 09:48.
Guys,
Thanks for all that info - a few more ideas. We've now booked 911 and also Top of the Rock for 7pm so should get the sunset. Will look at some of your suggestions later.
Had this tried on me a couple of times. In fact I hated Times Sq because of all the cons going on.
Agreed and only walked through it on the way to a drum shop and to visit the Citizen boutique but yes, I hated it as well.
A lot of it has already been said, the high line is great and stop off at Chelsea market en route.
I've done Top of the Rock to watch the Empire State light show at night and one world trade centre, both good but one world trade centre is incredible!
Ellis island is a good trip on a nice day, I preferred the Staton Island ferry, stop for a beer in the terminal and get the next one back.
Use the subway to get around, it just works and gets you where you need to be.
People have mentioned Broadway shows, I've never been to one but did go to Radio city music hall, really good.
Something I though I'd hate but really enjoyed was Ellen's Stardust diner, I went for breakfast, you had to wait but it was worth it. A lot of the staff end up on Broadway.
New York is fun, enjoy it!
For a no frills, authentic New York diner experience with everything that you'd expect including cantankerous elderly local clientele that you can tell have been going there for decades, Sunset Diner in Brooklyn is good. They also sell huge boxes of donuts to take out, for only a few dollars. Coffee isn't great though, so stick to a fresh fruit juice.
The new One World Trade Centre gives a better view than the rock in my opinion. The experience is great.
An early walk from central park to the Trade Centre followed by a walk to see the bull and on to the ferry for the statue and Ellis island is a good workout. If followed by a walk on the high line and beer in the Village.
I did that and my step counter was 36k at the end of the day.
Carnegie Deli may have closed, but you can still have that NY Deli experience. The Pastrami Queen is on the corner at 78th and Lexington, you can get there through Central Park if you like or via the Subway to 77th St., and you won't be missing a thing. Great place. http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2013/...ami-queen.html
Somebody else mentioned Keen's, and its also one of my guilty pleasures. I eat there as often as I am able, and always the Mutton Chop. Its pretty fantastic. http://www.keens.com/AboutKeens/Mutton/
I haven't been on it, but I hear that the audio tour that is put on by Grand Central Station is pretty good. I can understand why, its a very cool place. http://www.grandcentralterminal.com/info/tours.cfm
One of the cooler things about Grand Central has always been a Speakeasy bar called the Campbell. It closed last year, but if you visit you may be in luck. I heard it was reopening some time this month (supposedly May 1st, but it seems they missed that date). https://www.timeout.com/newyork/blog...-in-may-031417
Your hotel is also walking distance from the Aaron Faber Gallery, just in case you left your watch at home. http://www.aaronfaber.com/
Last edited by jcm3; 13th May 2017 at 16:40.
We went last year you can buy a book of passes this will get you in to all the top attractions, it was good value saved quite a bit.
We also used this site, again was good as they are volunteers from New York so you get to see things you wouldn't know where there!
Free as well but we made a donation.
http://bigapplegreeter.org
If you are doing Central Park, we really enjoyed the cycle tour. You can cover a vast area in a shorter period (2-3hrs) and the guide is usually good.
Balthazar was great for breakfast and SoHo good for drinks later.
We enjoyed a cracking night in Greenwich, went for pizza, craft beers and then to the basement comedy club which is renowned for big names turning up unannoucened if you like comedy.
Enjoy
Any recs on hotel?
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For top of the rock i recommend the bar just a floor or so below instead. Called bar 64 or something, has an outdoor viewing balcony and its free - well you have to get a drink.
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We stayed in the SoHo Grand, but as it was our first time in New York, it Was probably wasted on us. If you haven't been before, I think you would be better off north of SoHo, towards Central Park, as we spent every day heading north to visit the spots discussed in this thread. If going back and having done the tourist spots already, I would definetly recommend the SoHo Grand.
We too did the cycle tour- 4 hour - brilliant - it can be got cheap through groupon
Last edited by lewie; 14th May 2017 at 09:03.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions they've all been great.
One thing we need to do is to sort out our transfer from JFK to Carnegie Hotel.
Can anyone tell us the easiest way, happy to pay for a taxi if easier but will we just be sitting in traffic? Is there a train/subway? We won't have too much luggage, a 'wheely' case and a couple of rucksacks.
Also, how long does it generally take to get through immigration?
It's a fixed fare from JFK to the Island - was $40 when I went but may well have gone up. Cabbies can only charge the set rate. If it's early afternoon, it's about 30 mins. Immigration - allow an hour!
As others have said it's a fixed price into Manhattan, but I think 1 he for immigration is kinda hopeful, last couple of times it's been between 1.5-3hrs 😧
We've always used Dial 7 - first time they turned up in a streached limo even though we'd ordered a town car. Always been reliable although a little more expensive than a yellow cab.
I think it's closer to $60
It looks like $45 not including tip or toll
Lots of good suggestions here but to reinforce the point, make sure you walk Brooklyn Bridge
I got that advice a while ago and thought yeah, whatever, then did it. Get a subway to one of the stations on the Brooklyn side then walk back over onto Manhattan. The views are stunning and it's easy to then follow on to walk down by the riverfront to the end of Wall Street (there is another Tiffanys there which is stunning) then up to the 9-11 memorial. Or across to pick up the Staten Island Ferry
We went to an NBA game at Madison Sq Garden and the atmospere was electric. Also saw Jennifer Hudson on Broadway
Walking is the way to go and occasional subway. It is so congested cabs take forever and you miss so much compared to walking
November 2016: Taxi JFK to BRoadway paid $70 including a tip (fixed rate + tolls + tip).
When we went back we used the subway (E Train $2.75 each) to Sutphin Blv then changed to the Air Train ($5 each) which stop at all JFK terminals - was REALLY easy AND with luggage.
We were nervous of doing the train (in reverse) on arrival but if we ever went back we definately would as it's so easy and clearly signposted from and to JFK.
Look at the Airtrain Website or You Tube video for step by step guide.
Hidden bars, great fun, very cool.
https://www.thrillist.com/drink/new-...eakeasy-hidden
- Top of the Rock they did a Dawn to Dusk ticket so you can go at each time of the day.
- Ellis Island was an interesting place to visit as it has all the immigrant story mapped out.
- Grand Central visit the restaurants underneath as one of your meal stops.
- B&H camera store is an experience in itself
- For a Broadway show try for a Rush ticket on the day. Turn up at the theatre concerned early morning and queue for that days if you want the cheapest going.
- Last time we just took the subway from and to JFK. It is really easy and you can preplan the route and make sure you get the fast subway once off the Sky train. It is also worth working out if a subway pass costs in and buy it at that point to maxmise the benefit. If nothing else it makes it a lot quicker to use the system during your stay.
- My wife thought Katz deli was a shithole but it is one of the things to try :-)
- For the rest I think other posts have covered most things.
Roosevelt Island in the East River is nice too (when the weather is fine, that is). You can get there by cable tram; nice feature.
Menno
If you want a great view go to the Whitney museum - great art and the walk between floors offers an amazing panoramic view.
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