razza699 Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 (edited) Im off to New York next week with the missus and I know alot of you on here are well travelled , was wondering if anyone had any recomendations of things to do/see whilst we were out there. Apart from the obvious big tourist attractions etc Edited April 6, 2011 by razza699 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ackey Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 Im off to New York next week with the missus and I know alot of you on here are well travelled , was wondering if anyone had any recomendations of things to do/see whilst we were out there. Apart from the obvious big tourist attractions etc Search OWTB and you might find my old post of suggestions... if it's not there let me know and I'll try remember what I said... it's been quite a while now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_balls Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 Went to all the normal thingy in my jigs, Empire State is well worth doing for the view but it dunt half get crowded, there's a viewing observation on the 102nd floor????? but apparently you can go even further up another 4 floors or something which I wish i'd have done. There's also an observation deck at the Rockafeller (Top of the Rock) that may be worth doing. That is where the ice rink is thats on all the movies, and the xmas tree and that, went in summer so they get rid of the rink then for obvious reasons, Central Park was class for chilling out if you get a nice day. Went to the World Trade Centre site and there's a small church in front of it, its got the gear that was recovered from the rubble, fire outfits equipment etc, very sombre but worth going to see. If you just wanna see the Statue if Liberty rather than go to Liberty Island and get off then you get The Staten Island Ferry which is free and goes within a few hundred yards of the statue, did that coz couldn't be bothered queueing. Somebody in Planet Hollywood recommended Coney Island, apparently there's loads going on there but again couldnt be bothered travelling there or finding out what it was all about. If you fancy being brave, take a trip up to the Bronx, there's a Zoo there and it's also where New York Yankees play IIRC. Times Square is really good, bit of Rubber necking time there and you can also get the hop on- hop off tour buses which take you all around Manhatten. Madison Square Gardens if there's a concert on or basketball game or something (do they play there??)..think they do but not sure. Mary Poppins on Broadway as well...class ;-) enjoy chief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 Im off to New York next week with the missus and I know alot of you on here are well travelled , was wondering if anyone had any recomendations of things to do/see whilst we were out there. Apart from the obvious big tourist attractions etc This includes some of my pictures and may prove useful. Schmap New York Guide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIKI1234 Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 If weather is nice the boat trip round Manhatton was good, tickets are on sale at most popular street corners. We went to see the Yankees which was good if you like baseball but dragged on a bit for somebody who doesnt know the rules. Empire state is good, like Alex said you can pay extra to go up a few more levels but the veiw looks the same when you are up another few flights and its indoor veiwing not like the observation deck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 The best view of New York is the one Superman has - take a helicpopter ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_balls Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 If weather is nice the boat trip round Manhatton was good, tickets are on sale at most popular street corners. We went to see the Yankees which was good if you like baseball but dragged on a bit for somebody who doesnt know the rules. Empire state is good, like Alex said you can pay extra to go up a few more levels but the veiw looks the same when you are up another few flights and its indoor veiwing not like the observation deck. I never knew that...glad I know because it annoyed me I didn't do it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafc0000 Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 Wrote this for a friend a while ago and I am sure I posted it on here at some point... Getting to and from the Airports in the New York is really easy. There is a set taxi fee of $45 each way to and from Manhattan including tolls. Do not forget to tip 10% plus about 1 to 2 dollars per bag. DONT NOT GET IN ANYTHING OTHER THAN YELLOW CAB!!! There are taxi marshals at the airport who will sort you out at the TAXI RANK... Do not get lifts off anyone inside the terminal.. Go to the CLEARLY marked taxi rank outside the terminal. Unless you fancy being robbed on your first day that is.. To get back to airport flag down a yellow cab off the streets or find a taxi rank like they have outside of macys who will flag one down for you for a tip... Again, only get in licensed YELLOW cabs... Most hotel rooms in NYC are small and I mean SMALL so dont be expecting much even if you have paid a lot Your not planning on staying in your room much anyway I would imagine We bought this pass the couple of times we have been and we found it very useful. http://www.newyorkpass.com/ I am not convinced it actually works out all the much cheaper but what it does do is stop you from saying "is it worth $15 dollars each to do x,y and z" and instead you just swipe your card and do it. Changes your mindset and we found we was doing more stuff through having it. Your choice though. The best thing about the pass is you get to jump the ticket queues in a lot of instances. I will explain more later. The pass also resets itself every 24 hours. So you can do everything once every 24 hours. Sights / Attractions Empire State Building :- If you do anything you want to do this and you want to do it three times as well and dont forget your camera!!!... Go up during the day... Again during sun set and again at night (times square is amazing from the sky)... Each experience is really worth while (this is where pass comes in useful). If you buy your pass you get your tickets from the newspaper shop near by (its explained in the guide). You can also by pass the main queues further by using your pass to visit the New York Skyride on the second floor. The guy scans your card to enter the simulator but instead just puts you in the main queue for the lifts Its awesome.... and you get up quicker. Either way, by having your tickets already you should get up quicker. You will have to keep your eyes peeled on the day. Top of the rock "Rockafella centre" - Go to the top of the Rockafella centre in one of the fastest lift you will ever go in. Its express up 80 floors or something and it has a glass roof and light show on the way up. Its awesome... And the view is even better... Looking down south towards the Empire State... Well worth it... For both the above... If you get a clear day head for these two!!! Dont wait as NYC can cloud over.... Rockafella centre - the Rockafella centre itself is worth a visit. It contains a ice rink, fantastic cafe, shops and has the famous Christmas tree and walk way of angels. but I dont think the tree will be up when you are there which is a shame. A nice treat is to have Breakfast in the Rockafella cafe which over looks the ice rink. Very nice but pricey... Well worth it... Museums of science & natural history (near central park) - This place is truly awesome and it is so big you could spend a week walking around the place. Has everything from Dinosaurs to a full size sperm whale lol Go see... not sure if it is included in the pass.... Central Park - If you get a nice sunny day you can spend most the dear exploring Central Park. Its great!!! Alice in wonderland statues, Strawberry Fields, base ball pitches and the Huge lake in the middle... It can very romantic.. You can get a Horse Ride around but its expensive and is not very good... Times Sqaure - Night of day the place is crazy... Tons of shops and restaurants... and of course lights!!! Climb the red steps in the centre to get a fantastic photo... Broadway Show - We saw Spamalot at the Sherbet Theatre and had a great night. Book tickets before you travel otherwise you could miss out... NBC Studio Tour - One of the things you probably would not do without having the pass. We had a great couple of hours on the Tour and got to see where they Film Saturday night Live and the Today program which is the main NYC breakfast show. As well as a full tour of the NBC studios... Well worth it... Helicopter Ride - Lots of fun but expensive... You get to see NYC from the air.. Its good but if your stuck for cash I have a better suggestion... Bateaux New York Dinner Cruise - http://www.spiritofnewyork.com/ba/index.jsp This was a truly awesome night!!! Get dressed up in your best suit and the lady in her best dress... Three course meal, dancing and New York City from the river at Night. Its awesome. Its also sails out to the status of LIberty so you can see it close up at night. You get to see NYC as you do in the films. Get the Romance package for the best seats and Champagne. Checks its actually Champagne and not sparkling wine though, we had ours changed Book before you travel!!! Its seems more expensive then when we was there but this really was worth it. Grand Central Station - I cant describe what a great site this place is. There is also the biggest and best food court you will find in any train station in the world New York Public Library - Great building, well worth a visit. Spot the locations they filmed Ghostbusters China Town - Its like being in China!!! Seriously... If you spot someone who is not Chinese they are a tourist Little Italy - Used to be huge now its about three streets long... Still worth a visit... Financial District - Walk the gloomy streets where no light reaches down because of the Sky Scrappers... Visit Wall Street... Noho / Soho - Street Sellers / Lots of restaurants... Nice for a Sunday day time walk about... Ghostbuster Firehouse - You have no doubt noticed I like Ghostbusters so I visit to the firehouse was high up on my list It really is worth the trip. They have the GB2 sign in the fire house. The lost someone in 9/11 from that fire house and their is a plaque on the wall. Which is a little sad. http://www.bigwaste.com/photos/ny/ghostbusters/firehouse.shtml Ellis Island / Status of Liberty - Never been but if your going on the dinner cruise probably worth not bothering as you will see the Statue then. Otherwise probably worth it. You can actually get one of the tourist boats as part of your pass if you want to see it on the cheap Madison Square Gardens Tour - You get a tour of the whole complex including Nicks and Rangers locker rooms. Very interesting if that sort of thing is your thing. I would love to go watch Rangers play there. Maybe next time Fifth Avenue - Great window shopping If you can afford anything then I take my hat off to you Macy's - Visit Macys for brilliant bargins! and a great shopping experience! Its HUGE!!!! Go to the one on Broadway.. Take your passport with you to get 15% off... You need to go to the customer service desk to get your visitors discount voucher http://gonyc.about.com/od/shopping/p/macys.htm Herald Square, between 34th and 35th on Broadway Restaurant Recommendations: Virgil's Grill - Our favourite restaurant in New York. First class service, big honest food... Not a dress up place... Rib and towel type place... http://www.virgilsbbq.com/ ESPN Zone Cafe - Typical American Bar Food... Nachos, Wings, Burgers... But they are MASSIVE potions... Three floors... Top floor is best where they have TONS of big screens showing American Football, Baseball and Hockey... Go on the day of a big Game for the most fun Defo go at night not day... http://www.espnzone.com/newyork/ Hells Kitchen - Went here for the wife's birthday last year. Went to the trouble of putting a candle in her desert when I ask them to which is good for new york!! Nice food, nice atmosphere... Book to grantee seats We just called in and got lucky... http://www.hellskitchen-nyc.com/ No need to dress up but you should be wearing nice shirt and jeans etc... Tavern on the Green - One of the most expensive and famous restaurants in New York. Was in Ghostbusters (the scene where the dog thing chases Rick Moranis through the park to the restaurant. God I am sad... Its expensive and it didn't live up to its reputation and I would not go again... Still its was nice inside and it is romantic... You have to book in advance.. and you must dress up... Suits etc Expect to pay £400.... http://www.tavernonthegreen.com/ Bread - Hidden away in Little Italy / Soho... Hard to find to be honest but a great little Italian place where real new Yorkers go... They usually play reggae music... Which is weird... The food is nice and has a home made feel http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/bread/ Rockafella Centre Cafe - Expensive but really nice. Go for an early breakfast... The eggs are nice... http://www.patinagroup.com/restaurant.php?restaurants_id=18 Hot Dog Stands - You MUST and I mean MUST try a hot dog from the hot dog stands. I dont like the Pretzels... Dunkin Doughnuts - Doughnuts and Coffee... No better NYC breakfast General Advice Taxis are good... Reasonably cheap but make sure you know the street and avenue you want.. aka 41st and 5th,... Most taxi drivers do not speak much English... Always tip!!! Underground rocks! Will take you most places you want to go and fast... You can get daily / weekly tickets etc which are probably a good idea... Beware that not all ticket machines take cards... Most take coins... Tipping Restaurant - Always look to tip!!! People REALLY do not get paid a lot in NYC pretty much everyone lives off tips. Check your bill to see if the tip has been added to the bill automatically (this happens a lot around times square but not elsewhere). Don't confuse this with city tax. If the tip isn't on the bill you should tip 15% as a matter of course or 20% or more if you have enjoyed the service. 10% at the very very least (if your pissed off for some reason). I have only ever once not tipped once and I got in a blistering row. The arse still didn't get his tip mind you... He was that bad... Tipping Bars - On the bar their is usually a plate. After ordering a round of drinks stick a 1$ or 2$ bill down... You will continue to get served and not ignored... If their is not a plate just stick it on the bar... Considering the current exchange rate... I would be putting down a $1 and not $2 Rudeness - Don't take it personally The service and attitude of people working in NYC is generally short snappy and some what rude Specially in restaurants.... Welcome to being a New Yorker for a couple of days Its just the way New Yorkers are.... This is a very SHORT guide to NYC I have probably missed off loads of awesome things but I have probably covered the main ones. Invest in a guide tourist guide and trust it and you should not go to far wrong If you do anything you enjoyed and it wasn't on the list then let me know for my next visit!! Have a great time!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ackey Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 Quick list I posted a while back: Empire State Building Statue Of Liberty / Liberty Island 30 Rock Building Radio City Tour Flat Iron Building All the Bridges to/from Manhatten Central Park 5th Ave Central Station Times Square Museum of Natural History The Met or The Guigenheim (how the hell you spell that I don't know) Ground Zero/Ground Zero Museum Wall Street Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opinions4u Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 There were some cracking responses I got on a similar thread that you could search for. Although I think Ackey and 0000 were the main contributors. Still not gone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIKI1234 Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 I never knew that...glad I know because it annoyed me I didn't do it... It annoyed me i payed the extra $15.00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
24hoursfromtulsehill Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 This makes me want to go there. Correction. In fact, it makes me feel like I've been there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
help_shiny Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 (edited) go and watch a baseball game. Mets preferably, because they're the good guys but if they're not at home the Yankees will be. Go to Lombardi's and get a pizza. Intrepid Museum- who wouldnt want to wander about an aircraft carrier? Bubby's in Tribeca for brunch. Picnic in Central Park. Check out some of the lovely lovely bars - all wood and glass and open until 4am. Dont go and sit in a booth, sit at the bar and get talking to some natives. If your missus likes a bargain let her go to 'Century 21' which is down towards Wall Street - unless you're mad dont go with her. Staten Island Ferry - free, great views, takes you past the Statue of Liberty. Wander around the neighbourhoods in downtown - so much nicer than Midtown. Greenwich Village,SoHo etc. And dont worry if you dont even do a quarter of what you planned, there is so much to do there that you'll never do it all and it's a great excuse to go back. And back. And back etc etc edit - forgot something about drinking. If you sit at the bar give them a dollar tip every time they serve you. When you get to enough for a drink they then buy you a drink (effectively giving you your money back). It's called the buyback and is a nice touch and introduces a friendly vibe to proceedings. They're your buddy now. Then tip them when you leave. 2nd edit - I once did that in Chicago and we ended up getting free drinks for most of the night from the owner. Sometimes it pays to tip ;-) Edited April 6, 2011 by help_shiny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorrro Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 Im off to New York next week with the missus and I know alot of you on here are well travelled , was wondering if anyone had any recomendations of things to do/see whilst we were out there. Apart from the obvious big tourist attractions etc Why the hell have you upboated your own post? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_balls Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 (edited) go and watch a baseball game. Mets preferably, because they're the good guys but if they're not at home the Yankees will be. Go to Lombardi's and get a pizza. Intrepid Museum- who wouldnt want to wander about an aircraft carrier? 2nd edit - I once did that in Chicago and we ended up getting free drinks for most of the night from the owner. Sometimes it pays to tip ;-) Chicago...controversial BUT best place ever for me...enjoyed it more than NYC even...just!! Glass sky walk in the willis (sears) tower, unbelievable...legs went!! and Nightime with a glass overlooking chicago up John Hancock Tower...unbeatable. anyway sorry razza thats way off topic tell us more about Intrepid Museum...that sounds class!! Edited April 6, 2011 by alex_balls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razza699 Posted April 6, 2011 Author Share Posted April 6, 2011 (edited) Why the hell have you upboated your own post? I went through a load of my posts and made um positive to see if it impacted on the reputation on your profile, Ive since found out it does . At least I have good reputation for myself Edited April 6, 2011 by razza699 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oafc88 Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 I would add my experience but it is pretty much covered by what everyone else has said or did, and by reading things did a lot more than what i had, though there are one or two pointers i'll give that seemed to be missed and hopefully others can elaborate on. With seeing a broadway show there is a ticket office just off Time Sqaure (i think) that sell fairly cheap tickets for some of the bigger shows that would normally cost an arm and a leg. Understandably this place gets rammed, and there was a massive queue when we went to check it out and that was before it opened, though if you really want to see a big show but want to see it for cheap then queue up here and try to get there really early to get a decent place in line. Me and the two Aussie girls i were with decided to go to the actual ticket offices of the shows to check for tickets and any cheap ones which i think they do but they are matinee tickets mostly. We ended up going for Spamalot and paid about 30-35 dollars for a night show. We were high up but it was still a good view and i was just happy to say i'd done a broadway show. There is also the UN building. We went there and it was just shutting for the day and it looked like you could do tours so that might be worth checking out unless someone says otherwise. Though you probably won't i think i remember being told don't go to the north side of Central Park at night as its pretty dodgy apparently and always get a taxi home at night if you can. We stayed in a hostel which to be fair was clean and well kept but was a fair way inside Harlem (Note: don't leave the booking of accomadation to two girls, Aussie ones at that) so ours was fairly a given to get a taxi home every night but i'd still reccomend to do that if your hotel is a fair distance away and near a dodgy area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_balls Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 I would add my experience but it is pretty much covered by what everyone else has said or did, and by reading things did a lot more than what i had, though there are one or two pointers i'll give that seemed to be missed and hopefully others can elaborate on. With seeing a broadway show there is a ticket office just off Time Sqaure (i think) that sell fairly cheap tickets for some of the bigger shows that would normally cost an arm and a leg. Understandably this place gets rammed, and there was a massive queue when we went to check it out and that was before it opened, though if you really want to see a big show but want to see it for cheap then queue up here and try to get there really early to get a decent place in line. Me and the two Aussie girls i were with decided to go to the actual ticket offices of the shows to check for tickets and any cheap ones which i think they do but they are matinee tickets mostly. We ended up going for Spamalot and paid about 30-35 dollars for a night show. We were high up but it was still a good view and i was just happy to say i'd done a broadway show. There is also the UN building. We went there and it was just shutting for the day and it looked like you could do tours so that might be worth checking out unless someone says otherwise. Though you probably won't i think i remember being told don't go to the north side of Central Park at night as its pretty dodgy apparently and always get a taxi home at night if you can. We stayed in a hostel which to be fair was clean and well kept but was a fair way inside Harlem (Note: don't leave the booking of accomadation to two girls, Aussie ones at that) so ours was fairly a given to get a taxi home every night but i'd still reccomend to do that if your hotel is a fair distance away and near a dodgy area. WHAT A LAD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
help_shiny Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 here's the Intrepid's website http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/ Really worth a visit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razza699 Posted April 6, 2011 Author Share Posted April 6, 2011 Cheers for all the responses. I will mull through them after Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rudemedic Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 Most of what I did has been said apart from an open top bus tour which was actually very good as it took you to places you wouldn't normally go (like Haarlem and the Bronx). Oh and go shopping- its a lot cheaper than here. The food in NYC is pretty good even when I went to Planet Hollywood it was good for what it was. My Mum swears by any restaurant listed in Dorling-Kingdersley and to be fair they have all been really good whenever I've gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_ragg1984 Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 I never knew that...glad I know because it annoyed me I didn't do it... I did it. Think the observation deck is the 86th floor. Another $15 got you up to the 102nd floor, which was behind glass. Really not worth the extra money. You are easily high enough at 86 floors, and you end up with reflection from the glass on any pictures you get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_ragg1984 Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 If you are on 8th Avenue, and you see a bakery near 30th St proclaiming to have the "worlds best cheesecake", don't fall for it. It was nice, but I have had better. A bit further up 8th Avenue (around 33rd/34th, nr MSG) there was a Irish pub/restraunt. In there I had the best steak ever. They should have claimed it was the "worlds best steak" because it was awesome. And the waitress was fit as f**k. I wish I could remember the name of the place so I could recommend it properly. Don't venture too much further up 8th Avenue though, it gets pretty seedy! (Well it did when I went about 5 years ago). Don't get in a taxi and ask him to take you to 110th St because you want to walk through the park... the driver will look at you like you are crazy (and it would be a stupid thing to do. Trust me.) Go to the Disney Shop on 5th Avenue. It had a Mr Potato Head pick n mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueJazzer Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 Ive done both the Empire and Rockerfella observation decks. I'd do Rocker cos that way u get Empire in your photos! The subway is ace once u get a handle on it. However, u miss loads of stuff that u would see walking about. Take comfy shoes, cos u'll be doing loads of walking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusoe Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 For a decent old-school bar, you can't go wrong with McManus' on the corner of 7th Avenue and West 19th Street, or the Ear Inn on Spring Street. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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