Trip to New York

[Madabouttigger]

Hi, Im thinking of Taking Mr M to New York for his birthday. Can anyone please tell me if we go in May will it be warm but not hot? How many days should I consider booking for to give us chance for a good look around?

Any other hints and tips appreciated.

Thanks

[Tonish]

May should be a great time to visit. i've never been there at that time, usually it's August (too hot in the city) or late November when it's cold so I guess May would be just right.

Personally I think four days is about right - although there's plenty to see, it's compact and you can wizz through all the major tourist stuff fairly quickly. I've only been as a tourist twice, the rest of the time it's business so straight in and out. As Mrs T is a shopper I give her two months to save up and she blows it all in Tiffanys, Saks and Barneys very quickly, which leaves us with enough time to see the sights.

Try to go up the Empire State late in the day, just before it gets dark, then you get the benefit of seeing the view both daytime and nighttime. I think Ellis Island is just the best tourist attraction anywhere - doesn't appeal to everyone, but if you have family history of emigration, it's a very moving experience and will take half a day. You can check out your family name and see when your relations arrived. Take one of the hop on/off bus tours round the city, which will get you round all of Manhattan with decent commentary, and the boat trips are also enjoyable.

Allow yourself time just to stroll about looking up, and sit for a while in Central Park watching the world go by. I like the Guggenheim, and wandering around the Village in the evening.

It's a great place.

[ellie]

I am sure Mr M will enjoy a visit to the Big Apple. Its a wonderful city and we fell in love with it when we visited it. I think 4 or 5 days would be good - we did not have time to visit Ellis Island or the Statue of Liberty and we really wanted to do that.

We had a very moving tour of the 9/11 site by a lady who had been in one of the towers when it was hit. It is something our family will never forget.

We also hopped on the free ferry one evening which took us past the Statue of Liberty, a wonderful sight lit up.

We queued for about 3 and a half hours to get to the top of the Empire State Building. It was a bit like the queue at Disney except there was nothing to do but hop from foot to foot. They kept telling us we were about half an hour from the top, but in reality it was hours. But it was well worth the effort of waiting though our feet were killing by the time we reached the final elevator. The view from the top is truly stunning.

There is so much more we want to see and do that we would love to return. Hope you have a great time, and enjoy seeing all the sights. If you have time then do take a 5 day break - we could have done with more than 4 days.

[Madabouttigger]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Tonish
May should be a great time to visit. i've never been there at that time, usually it's August (too hot in the city) or late November when it's cold so I guess May would be just right.

Personally I think four days is about right - although there's plenty to see, it's compact and you can wizz through all the major tourist stuff fairly quickly. I've only been as a tourist twice, the rest of the time it's business so straight in and out. As Mrs T is a shopper I give her two months to save up and she blows it all in Tiffanys, Saks and Barneys very quickly, which leaves us with enough time to see the sights.

Try to go up the Empire State late in the day, just before it gets dark, then you get the benefit of seeing the view both daytime and nighttime. I think Ellis Island is just the best tourist attraction anywhere - doesn't appeal to everyone, but if you have family history of emigration, it's a very moving experience and will take half a day. You can check out your family name and see when your relations arrived. Take one of the hop on/off bus tours round the city, which will get you round all of Manhattan with decent commentary, and the boat trips are also enjoyable.

Allow yourself time just to stroll about looking up, and sit for a while in Central Park watching the world go by. I like the Guggenheim, and wandering around the Village in the evening.

It's a great place. [/quote]Hi Peter thanks for your reply, I was considering a few days in New York then flying down to Sanibel Island for a week of R & R. Have you every done this? If yes which airport did you fly into?

Thanks for your help,

Diane

[shockey]

I agree that May is the best time of year in New York - I worked there for 3 years, so saw it in all weathers. Apart from the things people have mentioned: a walk across Brooklyn Bridge to see the skyline, lunch in the Carnegie Deli, Time Square at night. NYC (at least Midtown) is a very walkable city - I never tired of walking round gawping at skyscra pers from the bottom up. You can take a walking tour with a local, an entertaining way of seeing bits of the city that many people miss. Don't expect to see it all on a first visit (you'll be back), don't expect it to be like the rest of America, don't be put off by the brusqueness of some New Yorkers (you have to be assertive to survive there) and don't expect it to be cheap.

Martin

http://www.onlinefloridavillas.com/florida-vacation-rental-1834.aspx

[Katys Grandad]

Jetblue fly direct from JFK to Fort Myers Diane. Recommended!

[Madabouttigger]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
Jetblue fly direct from JFK to Fort Myers Diane. Recommended!
[/quote]

Hi Phil - thanks for that - bet you can guess what I'm planning! Well it is my holiday too....[msnwink]

[njstringer]

We recently did 5 nights In New York. Loved it. We managed to see most of the main tourest things, but will be going back again.

We flew internally with jet Blue, they were super and they have a new terminal at JFK.

Nigel

[steph_goodrum]

Obviously I dont know Mr Ms tastes but the Intrepid Sea Air and space museum is well worth a look round. We combined it the day we did the Circle line Cruise which takes you round the Island. Made a good day out.

[Madabouttigger]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by steph_goodrum
Obviously I dont know Mr Ms tastes but the Intrepid Sea Air and space museum is well worth a look round. We combined it the day we did the Circle line Cruise which takes you round the Island. Made a good day out.
[/quote]

That sounds right up his street - Ill look into it, thanks for thr tip.

Diane.

[Madabouttigger]

I've booked the flights, got a relly good deal with Virgin and am now looking for a Hotel. realise this is a difficult one, but any recommendations??

Diane.

[Anthony Brook]

Hi Diane, I have been to New york a few times but not for 15 years. We have just booked to go back as part of our summer holiday before we go down to Florida.

I have stayed in The Waldorf a couple of times and also The United Nations Plaza. On our next visit we are staying at a Kimpton Hotel- 70 Park Avenue, which is a reasonably priced 4 star. We have a room for the 4 of us at £135 a night including all taxes and service charge.

Booked our internal flight from La Guardia to Orlando (closer to Manhatten than JFK) for £63.

I have been in May and the weather was just right. Unfortunately, due to school holidays we are there at the end of July this time. I am expecting it to be very hot.

[kitch50]

Hi
We have stayed at the Belvedere on 9th and 48th Street which I would highly recommend, it had its own little kitchenette with a mircowave, fridge, kettle etc which we found really useful and we have also stayed in the Wellington on 7th and 57th Street next to Carnegie Hall. A must do to eat is the Carnegie Deli the original home of the New York Cheesecake, all the stars go there to eat, hundreds of photographs of famous people with the owner Sandy all over the walls, looks quite grubby from the outside but there is always a queue to eat there. It is where the locals go to eat. The pastrami sandwiches are to die for....HUGE. I am so jealous, after FL, New York is my favourite place to visit.

[njstringer]

We stayed at a hotel in Times Square, which was okay but not brilliant, so I wont recommend it as the rooms were very small. What I would say though, is its worth checking out the additional taxes you need to pay - I believe it can vary from hotel to hotel. We had a baggage tax, an occupancy tax, a city tax (which I think is standard) plus 2 other taxes. In total for a 4 night stay we had over $200 in additional taxes.

[Madabouttigger]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Anthony Brook
Hi Diane, I have been to New york a few times but not for 15 years. We have just booked to go back as part of our summer holiday before we go down to Florida.

I have stayed in The Waldorf a couple of times and also The United Nations Plaza. On our next visit we are staying at a Kimpton Hotel- 70 Park Avenue, which is a reasonably priced 4 star. We have a room for the 4 of us at £135 a night including all taxes and service charge.

Booked our internal flight from La Guardia to Orlando (closer to Manhatten than JFK) for £63.

I have been in May and the weather was just right. Unfortunately, due to school holidays we are there at the end of July this time. I am expecting it to be very hot.[/quote]Hi thanks for your post, who did you fly with on the internal flight? £63 is a very good deal!

Thanks<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by kitch50
Hi
We have stayed at the Belvedere on 9th and 48th Street which I would highly recommend, it had its own little kitchenette with a mircowave, fridge, kettle etc which we found really useful and we have also stayed in the Wellington on 7th and 57th Street next to Carnegie Hall. A must do to eat is the Carnegie Deli the original home of the New York Cheesecake, all the stars go there to eat, hundreds of photographs of famous people with the owner Sandy all over the walls, looks quite grubby from the outside but there is always a queue to eat there. It is where the locals go to eat. The pastrami sandwiches are to die for....HUGE. I am so jealous, after FL, New York is my favourite place to visit.[/quote]Thanks Wendy, we have booked the Belvedere on your recommendation, it was on my short list but your response helped my decison making.

Thanks for all you help, main flights now booked and New York Hotel sorted too. Now onto the the best bit, looking for that special something on Sanibel Island, hoping to get flights into Fort Myers so should be too far to drive. Any one know where the nearest Walmart is?? thinking of shopping before going onto the island.

Thanks

Diane.

[Anthony Brook]

The flight is with Jet Blue. 23kg of free luggage each too which is rare for internal flights.

[Katys Grandad]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Madabouttigger
Thanks for all you help, main flights now booked and New York Hotel sorted too. Now onto the the best bit, looking for that special something on Sanibel Island, hoping to get flights into Fort Myers so should be too far to drive. Any one know where the nearest Walmart is?? thinking of shopping before going onto the island.

Thanks

Diane[/quote]Follow the signs from the Airport to "Beaches" or "Sanibel & Captiva" and you pass a 24 hour Walmart (on the corner of Six Mile Cypress and US 41) and no fewer than 3 Publix on the 35 minute drive to the Sanibel Causeway.

[Madabouttigger]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Madabouttigger
Thanks for all you help, main flights now booked and New York Hotel sorted too. Now onto the the best bit, looking for that special something on Sanibel Island, hoping to get flights into Fort Myers so should be too far to drive. Any one know where the nearest Walmart is?? thinking of shopping before going onto the island.

Thanks

Diane[/quote]Follow the signs from the Airport to "Beaches" or "Sanibel & Captiva" and you pass a 24 hour Walmart (on the corner of Six Mile Cypress and US 41) and no fewer than 3 Publix on the 35 minute drive to the Sanibel Causeway.[/quote]I can always rely on you Phil, thanks for the info. Planning the Sanibel trip this weekend - this is the part I'm really looking forward to. Have been looking at some of your suggestions and am now spoilt for choice. What are your predictions for the £ v $ - noticed you haven't updated the postings recently? [msnwink]

[Madabouttigger]

Just booked the flights from New york to Fort Myers with Delta, the process was so complicated as some airlines include taxes, some don't, some include luggage some don't. But regardless after spending ages trying to work it out there was only $10 difference between the top 3 airlines!!!!

Next to book the accommodation on sanibel - the part of the holiday I'm really looking forward to.


[msnsmile2]