US Holiday

[Shell]

Yeah, should have rephrased those to '1 time was too many' - found it terribly boring, but had to concede one day to my dad, given theme parks aren't his thing.

Yeah, Spiderman was fantastic - the line was hideous though. Then again, they all were.

Hahaha yeah, iirc it was one of the last days of my trek america. Nothing else to do, so I just went along with the crowd.


And dude. Two word for you- actually i got a few more. Fast. Passes. And the "singles only" queue. Most of the time we went in that queue, I ended up sitting next to my mate anyway. So go figure (and we got on the ride in like 20 mins or less. )

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Can't believe anyone who actually has been to New York can say this

Things to do in New York for free:

The High Line - the newest people watching place in NYC now that stage 2 is open
Chelsea Market.
Central Park ( for gods sake - how much entertainment do you want !!)
Times square at night
Metropolitan Musuem of Art (best art museum in the world) is a donation and they don't give a rats in you choose "no donation"
The New York Public Library on 42nd street as a fantastic exhibition on premanently in the ground floor space. Use the free internet there as well.
Bronx zoo - if zoos are your thing is free on Wednesdays.
Staten Island Ferry - free both ways for a great view of the Statue of liberty.
Hire a bike for $30 a day and ride the Hudson river bikelane all the way down the hudson through to Battery Park and around to the Brooklyn bridgeand back - great entertainment.
Walk over the brooklyn bridge ( or ride) and go to brooklyn heights promenade for the best view of manhattan.
South Street Seaport
Big Apple greeter service - free tour with a local.
June to August - free outdoor movies in Bryant Park in 42nd street.
Free Kayaking on the hudson at numerous piers in the warmer months
Go down to Wall street and go to The Museum of American finance - it is free to enter between 10 - 11 am
Musuem of natural history is suggessted admission and they really don't care if you choose not to pay.
Museum of modern Art - free on fridays after 4pm.
If you go to a baseball game you can get a free cruise to the game from the south street seaport - it will take about an hour and offers great views of manhattan, brooklyn and queens as you cruise up the east river. The beer is cheap as has a real party atmosphere.
If you are in the village on a Wednesday or thursday night go to Cafe Wha and see the best house band in NYC for free plus you will visit one of the most historic music venues in the city.

Subway and bus pass is $29 a week or $8.25 a day and is the best deal in town.

The see NYC passes do have an advantage but they will make you see what they have to offer rather than what you want to see. Why would you do both the empire state and the top of the rock - oh yeah, to get the value of your card back.

But hey if going to NYC and seeing Madamn Taussauds is your thing then go right ahead.

Whatever floats your boat.

We get it peejay, you spend a lot of time in New York and nobody elses experiences count in comparison.

For those that don't want to take me literally, the things that your normal garden variety tourist would probably want to see if you are only spending a few days in New York, usually will cost you money.

For a first timer, your would see Empire State Building, because it is iconic. You would go to the Top of the Rock because the views of Central Park are spectacular and it too is iconic.

Most of NYC is iconic and for those that do not have the luxury of spending several weeks in New York every couple of years, many of the things that you would want to see first time WILL cost money.

When I return to NYC, I don't necessarily plan on revisiting those things, and instead want to do more local activities, but myself, my family and many other people who went to NYC or want to go to NYC, unfortunately those typical tourist spots are high up on the list. They cater to tourists perfectly, you don't have to have a lot of local knowledge to get to them, and you can knock off many of them in quick fashion, which is ideal if you are passing through New York in a few days.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

What are people's thoughts on domestic flights in the US? We flew Delta from LA to Florida and back last time - horrible, horrible flights.

Caught US Airways (who also have Mesa Airlines flying under their banner), Jet Blue (the best domestic airline in US), Air Tran, and American Airlines.

Air Tran seemed a little rougher than the others. Different sounding engines that had me concerned until the second flight using them when I realised it was normal, and landings were way rougher. No seamless decrease of air speed I found, sort of surge, back off, surge, back off and then more of a jolt on landing.

Of course, it could have just been bad luck.

 

[Freakie]

I flew United, Delta and Jet Blue back in Feb. United were okish nothing to write home about, Delta's planes felt old and well past their use by date and Jetblue were great!

 

[dales.girl38]

Hahaha yeah, iirc it was one of the last days of my trek america. Nothing else to do, so I just went along with the crowd.


And dude. Two word for you- actually i got a few more. Fast. Passes. And the "singles only" queue. Most of the time we went in that queue, I ended up sitting next to my mate anyway. So go figure (and we got on the ride in like 20 mins or less. )

Yeah, fast passes are great, but you can only get one per hour or something. We never make full use of them though - always get caught up with everything and forget. Single line queues are a great idea, especially for locals who have been on the rides heaps - for ones where we want (or might want) to buy a photo though we can't. On our '99 trip we got the most hilarious photo of all time on the Jurassic Park ride, has gone down in family history.

Caught US Airways (who also have Mesa Airlines flying under their banner), Jet Blue (the best domestic airline in US), Air Tran, and American Airlines.

Air Tran seemed a little rougher than the others. Different sounding engines that had me concerned until the second flight using them when I realised it was normal, and landings were way rougher. No seamless decrease of air speed I found, sort of surge, back off, surge, back off and then more of a jolt on landing.

Of course, it could have just been bad luck.

I flew United, Delta and Jet Blue back in Feb. United were okish nothing to write home about, Delta's planes felt old and well past their use by date and Jetblue were great!

Cheers guys, I think I'm going to push for Jet Blue if we can - I read on the other thread that they were good. We chose to pay a few hundred dollars more to go V Australia again to LA rather than United who had the cheapest fare - last time we went we got bumped from premium economy to business on the way over and bumped from economy to premium economy on the way back - was glorious, won't get that luck again though with 4 people!

 

[Shell]

Yeah, fast passes are great, but you can only get one per hour or something. We never make full use of them though - always get caught up with everything and forget. Single line queues are a great idea, especially for locals who have been on the rides heaps - for ones where we want (or might want) to buy a photo though we can't. On our '99 trip we got the most hilarious photo of all time on the Jurassic Park ride, has gone down in family history.
!

Lol, the Jurassic Park ride. Sitting next to me on that was this little kid- they absolutely lost their shit at you know what part- they were hysterical, crying, haha.

I even had to keep reminding myself "its not real, its not real".

Loved that ride.

 

[Hard Ball Get]

I know it's not much, but it's all we have time to do - between 4 jobs in the family and me doing a summer semester at uni, we're pushing it as it is. It'll be my 7th time in the States by the age of 20, don't need to do the Everglades, Kennedy Space Centre etc. this time, once is enough for those things. I'm not complaining.

Ah yes, my mum and dad are big tea drinkers and they've had a bit of trouble in the past with getting a decent one! I learnt to not order iced coffee, because it's the most bitter tasting drink I've ever had.

We'll spend one day at Universal (the Sunday, as it will be busier) and then IOA on the Monday. Last time we went it was the 4th day the Wizarding World of Harry Potter had been open, so it was just beyond insanely busy. Took an hour and a half to do ANYTHING. Even the rest of the park was busy with people who had been at Harry Potter. I much prefer IOA to Universal. Really hoping this time won't be anywhere near as busy - it won't be school holidays for them this time, so should be fine on the Monday.

Going to do the Hulk ride and probably the Rock'n'Roll one whose name I can't remember at the moment as well...didn't do those last time.

7 times in 20 years!
Damn that's awesome! I thought I was lucky enough going twice.

 

[peejay]

We get it peejay, you spend a lot of time in New York and nobody elses experiences count in comparison.
For those that don't want to take me literally, the things that your normal garden variety tourist would probably want to see if you are only spending a few days in New York, usually will cost you money.

For a first timer, your would see Empire State Building, because it is iconic. You would go to the Top of the Rock because the views of Central Park are spectacular and it too is iconic.

Most of NYC is iconic and for those that do not have the luxury of spending several weeks in New York every couple of years, many of the things that you would want to see first time WILL cost money.

When I return to NYC, I don't necessarily plan on revisiting those things, and instead want to do more local activities, but myself, my family and many other people who went to NYC or want to go to NYC, unfortunately those typical tourist spots are high up on the list. They cater to tourists perfectly, you don't have to have a lot of local knowledge to get to them, and you can knock off many of them in quick fashion, which is ideal if you are passing through New York in a few days.

getting a bit narky aren't you ? No need to get personal. I am sure you had a great time in NYC and good for you but not everyone is travelling with an extended family so their expectations will be different.

All i said was that NYC does not need to be expensive. And i stand by it.

For the record my advice to anyone on a first time visit to NYC and was spending 4 days there would be to not spend every moment trying to see something because you may well miss the things that there are to see.

Absolute musts (that require payment) are the Circle line tour - the 3 hour one - its a fair chunk of time but it will show you so much and help you decide what things you want to see whilst you are there. Doit on day one for maximum effect. Also i would do one of Empire state or top of the rock.

These are the only two attractions that i would say are must do's. The rest depends on what your thing is. Shows, Museums, people watching, sport, dining, shopping - all great in the city.

My shopping tip is a place called Burlington Coat Factory ( not a coat factory)
6th Avenue and 22st. This place is a bargain and is far less congested than century 21 down near ground zero.

Also if you want to see a broadway show don't line up at the tkts booth at Times square - there is one near the south street seaport ( it was the one the used to be at WTC). It opens at 11am therefore 4 hours before the times square booth and the lines are much shorter.

Get something real out of your NYC visit and use the subway or public buses insteading of sitting on tour buses all day. You can get all the info the tour buses give you out of any guide book - a couple hours of reading can save you a couple of days of being taken where others want to take you, but hey that is true of any destination, its just that the public transport in NYC is so good and so easy to use.

Anyway i think the main thing is that we agree that it is agreat place to visit.

 

[peejay]

7 times in 20 years!
Damn that's awesome! I thought I was lucky enough going twice.[/QUOTE]

The thing is almost nobody only goes to NYC once - so there is almost another chance to do stuff that could not be done the first time. As i mentioned in my other post there is so much to NYC best to concentrate in what your interests are do that well.

I mean if museums and galleries are not your trhing for example don't go to them because someone says you have to them in NYC because they are the best.

I mean that would be a waste of time if they are of no or little interest.

 

[Shell]

I dont think NYC is all that great.

Chicago > NY.

The only reason why I'm going there twice is cause my trek finishes up there. Will stay there probably no more 2 nights, wander around, and then gtfo of there to my friend in Florida.

But thats just me....

 

[peejay]

I dont think NYC is all that great.

Chicago > NY.

The only reason why I'm going there twice is cause my trek finishes up there. Will stay there probably no more 2 nights, wander around, and then gtfo of there to my friend in Florida.

But thats just me....

I can understand the Chicago love - its my second favourite city in the USA ( well equal 2nd with Boston).

Has a lot going for it - very slick but i just don't think you quite get the variety that you get in NYC.

Horses for courses hey.

 

[Shell]

I can understand the Chicago love - its my second favourite city in the USA ( well equal 2nd with Boston).

Has a lot going for it - very slick but i just don't think you quite get the variety that you get in NYC.

Horses for courses hey.

I just found NY too cramped, too smelly, and just trash everywhere...

But yes, there are good points too- For one thing I cannot speak more highly of the New Yorkers. I found them to be very friendly and helpful to us dumb tourist.. unlike another nationality out there *coughBritishcough*.

And the museums n stuff like you said were great, and there are tonnes of stuff to do for free. Like I said, I'm just gonna wander, see everything again and go. Suits me.

 

[peejay]

I just found NY too cramped, too smelly, and just trash everywhere...

But yes, there are good points too- For one thing I cannot speak more highly of the New Yorkers. I found them to be very friendly and helpful to us dumb tourist.. unlike another nationality out there *coughBritishcough*.

And the museums n stuff like you said were great, and there are tonnes of stuff to do for free. Like I said, I'm just gonna wander, see everything again and go. Suits me.

If you are at a loss to do things at night - head down to McDougall street in Greenwich Village go for a wander along that street and turn into Bleecker - you will get a great non times square night experience. And it's only about a 10 buck cab ride from the square or take the subway to the washington square stop A,C,E,B,D,M lines from times square.

 

[Shell]

If you are at a loss to do things at night - head down to McDougall street in Greenwich Village go for a wander along that street and turn into Bleecker - you will get a great non times square night experience. And it's only about a 10 buck cab ride from the square or take the subway to the washington square stop A,C,E,B,D,M lines from times square.

I'm a chick PJ.

And will most probably be by myself in NY.

So I shall do my wandering during the daytime.

 

[nicky]

getting a bit narky aren't you ? No need to get personal. I am sure you had a great time in NYC and good for you but not everyone is travelling with an extended family so their expectations will be different.

All i said was that NYC does not need to be expensive. And i stand by it.

For the record my advice to anyone on a first time visit to NYC and was spending 4 days there would be to not spend every moment trying to see something because you may well miss the things that there are to see.

Absolute musts (that require payment) are the Circle line tour - the 3 hour one - its a fair chunk of time but it will show you so much and help you decide what things you want to see whilst you are there. Doit on day one for maximum effect. Also i would do one of Empire state or top of the rock.

These are the only two attractions that i would say are must do's. The rest depends on what your thing is. Shows, Museums, people watching, sport, dining, shopping - all great in the city.

My shopping tip is a place called Burlington Coat Factory ( not a coat factory)
6th Avenue and 22st. This place is a bargain and is far less congested than century 21 down near ground zero.

Also if you want to see a broadway show don't line up at the tkts booth at Times square - there is one near the south street seaport ( it was the one the used to be at WTC). It opens at 11am therefore 4 hours before the times square booth and the lines are much shorter.

Get something real out of your NYC visit and use the subway or public buses insteading of sitting on tour buses all day. You can get all the info the tour buses give you out of any guide book - a couple hours of reading can save you a couple of days of being taken where others want to take you, but hey that is true of any destination, its just that the public transport in NYC is so good and so easy to use.

Anyway i think the main thing is that we agree that it is agreat place to visit.

Thanks peejay!!!

I'm travelling to NYC in September and staying 3 weeks (extremely excited)

As well as galleries, museums, shopping, gigs, bars etc I want to run around central park every day - because I can and will definitely do some of your suggestions.

I'm booking accommodation from airbnb and don't know if I should try and stay in the lower east side (i've been there before and really liked it) or upper west side or something similar with good access to central park (going for a morning jog there every day thrills me).

 

[peejay]

I'm a chick PJ.

And will most probably be by myself in NY.

So I shall do my wandering during the daytime.

Oops.

If by yourself better play safe but if it were two girls i would still recommend McDougall - it is in the heart of the New York University area so lots of young single people walking around.

But i understand your point.

 

[Shell]

Oops.

If by yourself better play safe but if it were two girls i would still recommend McDougall - it is in the heart of the New York University area so lots of young single people walking around.

But i understand your point.

Hahaha, dont worry about it.

After 28 days of trekking across America, living out of a tent, etc etc, I am fairly certain I will be tucked up in bed by 8pm each night in NY.

 

[skzm]

...something similar with good access to central park (going for a morning jog there every day thrills me).

Hard to beat running in the park. Might be worth checking out www.nyrr.org to see if they have any scheduled runs in the park while you're over - they are pretty organised, and have a great atmosphere - usually at least a few thousand runners.

 

[nicky]

Thanks for the tip skzm but I actually much prefer to run on my own.

 

[Donstuie]

Can't believe anyone who actually has been to New York can say this

Things to do in New York for free:

The High Line - the newest people watching place in NYC now that stage 2 is open
Chelsea Market.
Central Park ( for gods sake - how much entertainment do you want !!)
Times square at night
Metropolitan Musuem of Art (best art museum in the world) is a donation and they don't give a rats in you choose "no donation"
The New York Public Library on 42nd street as a fantastic exhibition on premanently in the ground floor space. Use the free internet there as well.
Bronx zoo - if zoos are your thing is free on Wednesdays.
Staten Island Ferry - free both ways for a great view of the Statue of liberty.
Hire a bike for $30 a day and ride the Hudson river bikelane all the way down the hudson through to Battery Park and around to the Brooklyn bridgeand back - great entertainment.
Walk over the brooklyn bridge ( or ride) and go to brooklyn heights promenade for the best view of manhattan.
South Street Seaport
Big Apple greeter service - free tour with a local.
June to August - free outdoor movies in Bryant Park in 42nd street.
Free Kayaking on the hudson at numerous piers in the warmer months
Go down to Wall street and go to The Museum of American finance - it is free to enter between 10 - 11 am
Musuem of natural history is suggessted admission and they really don't care if you choose not to pay.
Museum of modern Art - free on fridays after 4pm.
If you go to a baseball game you can get a free cruise to the game from the south street seaport - it will take about an hour and offers great views of manhattan, brooklyn and queens as you cruise up the east river. The beer is cheap as has a real party atmosphere.
If you are in the village on a Wednesday or thursday night go to Cafe Wha and see the best house band in NYC for free plus you will visit one of the most historic music venues in the city.

Subway and bus pass is $29 a week or $8.25 a day and is the best deal in town.

The see NYC passes do have an advantage but they will make you see what they have to offer rather than what you want to see. Why would you do both the empire state and the top of the rock - oh yeah, to get the value of your card back.

But hey if going to NYC and seeing Madamn Taussauds is your thing then go right ahead.

Whatever floats your boat.

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant advice there

For my own NY leg I'd be hoping for up to a week, but my biggest concern there is accommodation, which can be rather pricey. The obvious goal is to spend as little NY time in my room as possible (morning jogs through Central Park would be a highlight), so I wouldn't be looking for The Ritz anyway. Just somewhere with a comfortable bed, a clean bathroom/toilet, laundry, no cockroaches, a tv and possibly web access, good location, but on a reasonable budget. Any suggestions?

 

[gimp!]

Staten Island Ferry - free both ways for a great view of the Statue of liberty.

Musuem of natural history is suggessted admission and they really don't care if you choose not to pay.

Wish I knew about both of these!!

 

[nicky]

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant advice there

For my own NY leg I'd be hoping for up to a week, but my biggest concern there is accommodation, which can be rather pricey. The obvious goal is to spend as little NY time in my room as possible (morning jogs through Central Park would be a highlight), so I wouldn't be looking for The Ritz anyway. Just somewhere with a comfortable bed, a clean bathroom/toilet, laundry, no cockroaches, a tv and possibly web access, good location, but on a reasonable budget. Any suggestions?

www.airbnb.com

www.craigslist.com

www.wotif.com

 

[peejay]

www.airbnb.com

www.craigslist.com

www.wotif.com

I used craigs list for my recent 3.5 month stay and got very lucky - $100 US a night in the heart of the West Village ( my friend who checked it out before i confirmed lived around the corner) - Perry street (cntr Bleecker) for those of you who know this area.

But i definetly will use air bnb when i go back for another 6 weeks next May.

The apartment lifestyle is DEFINETLY the way to go if you are staying say 4 - 5 days or more.

Happy to give any help or advice - just ask.

 

[nicky]

TBH, i'm struggling to find something available. I've found loads ranging from under $60 up to $150. Friends have had apartments to themselves and only paid less than $150 a night?

 

[peejay]

TBH, i'm struggling to find something available. I've found loads ranging from under $60 up to $150. Friends have had apartments to themselves and only paid less than $150 a night?

Hmm - just tried a few and you seem to be right - the upper west side places don't seem to be available for 3 weeks straight.

You could always split the stay between 2 places - that could be fun.

Also don't ignore downtown - below 14th st. The jogging trails along the hudson down to battery park are pretty speccy.