Page 1 of Going to New York... advice?

So we've booked to go to NY in April.  Never been before so looking for some advice on things to do, things not to bother with, when to do things etc.
There seem to be various options on certain things too - CityPASS?  Worth it?
Seems quite expensive - but not sure what's covered at this point so it may be a good deal depending on what we plan on doing.
We're staying right by Times Sq too so will need transport to/from airport.  May be able to sort something out through the hotel there.
Over to you guys..

Ste

I *think* there used to be fixed prices for Taxis to/from the airport? Though yellow cabs are very different from black ones, sometimes they don't know where they are going (the knowledge? lol) and they can drive quite fast.

Guggenheim is interesting, Central Park is next to it as well I think? Empire State and Statue of Liberty are also must sees. And a diner, any diner!

Oh and tipping is expected.


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This item was edited on Sunday, 7th January 2018, 13:47

Thanks.
I've been to America a few times so know about the 'culture' and tipping etc.

Ste

a few years since were there, but get a bus pass, hop on/off as much as you want... Manhattan is walkable, if you dont mind all the people.

Broadway... catch a show
Empire State worth a trip up
Ground Zero an absolute must
Statue of Liberty - dont bother just take Statton Island Ferry back and forth

Eat away from the main streets... there are some great New York eateries, just go where the cabbies and local go!

Hershey Store... but dont buy it, its horrible the Americans really dont know how to make chocolate, M&M Store...

If you go to Macy's and most of the big department stores tell them you are from the UK, show your passport and you get the Local Taxes deducted.

And don't forget our resident Ella is just a bus ride away in Brooklyn!

This item was edited on Sunday, 7th January 2018, 14:11

Quote:
marksparks999 says...
"Broadway... catch a show
Empire State worth a trip up
Ground Zero an absolute must
Statue of Liberty"
Broadway. Still not done it (expensive)
Empire State is a must but you get way better views from The Rockefeller Centre. My suggestion would be The Rockefeller in day time and The Empire by night.
Ground Zero. Pay for the museum, it's worth it.
Statue of Liberty? Yeh but you're in New York y'gotta.

Airport to Times Square try Dial 7 and book it before you go.
You have to do a Yellow cab just to say you've been in one but make it a short trip in town.

Hersheys is what you'd get if Sauron made chocolate

If you're doing Central Park just come out of the bottom corner down fifth and blow a Raspberry at Trump Tower.

Have fun.

EDIT: Not done a city pass but the Subways work fine and they're everywhere. Like every city break though you're gonna wear out some shoe leather.



Snaps

This item was edited on Sunday, 7th January 2018, 15:44

Cheers all, keep 'em coming.
We all enjoy walking so that's not an issue.
Somebody else mentioned that although the Empire State gets all the attention the Rock is taller and gives a better view too.
How does the whole 'Ground Zero' thing work and how long should you spend there?

Ste

This gives you details of Ground zero museum and other NY attractions...

https://www.getyourguide.com/-l2613/?cmp=ga&campaign_id=826841664&adgroup_id=48005680968&target_id=kwd-311075086009&loc_physical_ms=1007336&match_type=b&ad_id=216087354712&keyword=%2Bground%20%2Bzero%20%2Bentry%20%2Bfee&ad_position=1t2&feed_item_id=&placement=&partner_id=CD951&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4qnT_sDG2AIV4Z3tCh0z1A6lEAAYAiAAEgKtPfD_BwE

We went for a week for our Honeymoon in May 2014 and then went back for a few days last month to see it at Christmas (awesome but glad it wasn't the first time we were going as it was sooooo busy in Times Square / Rockerfella compared)

Anyway, taxis to/from the airport are a fixed price at around $60 so would recommend using the Airtrain to Jamaica station then the subway as it'll be a hell of a lot cheaper. The website rome2rio.com is great for telling you where to get on/off. Getting around definitely walk (one of the best things is just walking around and seeing everything) and use the subway as it's by far the cheapest method - you pay once when getting on so can go as far as you want for the same cost.

You can get a Three sim card over here for your phone for £15 (you need to unlock your phone and use the sim card once over here) which gives you 15GB of data and 1000 mins/texts to use in any country so would definitely recommend that so you can use google maps to find where things are easily.

Things to do (I'd recommend to book these in advance as much as possible and you'll probably be better off booking everything separately and save money compared to the City Pass). Oh and remember to take photo ID with you all the time as you need it for some things like Statue of Liberty.

One World Observatory - this is new but is amazing and offers a 360 view of the city from the highest building. I'd recommend doing this in the day and would say it's better than Rockerfella though that is very good too

Empire State Building - do this at night, it's open till the early hours but pay the little extra for the fast pass ticket and you'll skip hours of queueing

Statue of Liberty - definitely do this, the tickets include the ferry and aren't expensive at all

Helicopter ride - it's not cheap but offers a great view of the city

Movies tour - these are great, take around 3hrs and take you round the city on a bus showing you locations from the movies such as the Ghostbusters fire station, Friends apartment building etc

Madison Square Garden - if there's something on that you want to watch (we saw a basketball game)

Central Park - it's a huge area to walk round, there's a zoo too but it's only small

Ground Zero / 911 Museum - I'd recommend going first thing (book tickets in advance) and allowing a morning for it

The High Line - an old train line that you can walk around to see the city (would take around an hr to walk it all)

If you've got extra time Coney Island is cool to visit (especially if you watch Mr Robot) - the rides will be closed but it's surreal going to a beach! Getting the subway costs like $3 and takes an hour to get there from Manhattan.

And if you're staying in Times Square take some ear plugs and ask to stay on the highest floor possible if given the choice ;)

FAO Schwarz has a Muppet Workshop, where you can get your own Whatnot made in your image

No, I haven't been drinking

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This item was edited on Monday, 8th January 2018, 11:53

As I was gutted to find out, FAO Schwarz closed in 2015 :(