US Holiday

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Family has just booked tickets from here to Florida (via LA), we're going to fly up to New York for a couple of days as well. This is for Feb/March next year. I'm so excited - never been to New York before.

Any tips on what to cram in for a quick trip to New York?

Depends whether you want to walk the streets and soak it up, or see as much as possible.

You can get New York passes for 1,2,3 or 5 days that allow you access to many things. We got hop on hop off passes with it.

You can get an uptown tour, downtown tour and city lights tour done in a day and see all of Manhattan and part of Brooklyn. You will be on an open bus for a long time though but can get off one, do something and wait for the next.

I did a cruise around Manhattan (using the card), under the bridges, past the Statue of Liberty, went for 3 hours. Or you can do a shorter cruise or even a speed boat trip around the main sights on the Hudson or skip over and walk around Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Well worth it. We then did a Ground Zero Walking Tour (again free on the card).

You must go to the top of the Rockefeller Center to see the Central Park views during the day, and go up the Empire State Building at night (open until 12-1am or so). They also have a NYC simulator ride on the second floor of the Empire State Building. All of this on the card. Can do the Museums, Central Park Zoo, so many different things. Just be prepared to be walking and travelling from one to the other. 3 days would be better, 4 if you want to shop. To absorb what is it like to be a New Yorker, you would need weeks though, and you will definitely leave wishing you had more time regardless.

Oh and go to Time Square and Madame Tussaud's, again on the card.

http://www.newyorkpass.com/

That's the problem with NYC, everything costs to go and see so this card is a good investment.

 

[WALL-e]

That pass is epic ODN, will likely be using myself when I go over.....though it should include free drinks at a club

 

[dales.girl38]

Thanks so much for that! The New York pass looks great, especially the tours, I will definitely do a bit of research on that. Anything that saves us from using cash all the time is always worth it.

I'm going to try and push for a 3 day stay, I wish it was going to be a longer trip, but with my parents work it's really all we could get (9 days total). It will be my 7th trip to the States, so I've done my fair share of travelling, but New York will be so different.

Thanks again for all the information - this is the first time I'm having to do a lot of the research (and pay my own airfare!), so I want to make it as incredible as I can.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

That pass is epic ODN, will likely be using myself when I go over.....though it should include free drinks at a club

Actually, Uncle Sam's Tours who do the Ground Zero Walking Tours also do some sort of Bar hopping tour, where they take a group of tourists out to various clubs, using their contacts to get through the door, and they totally take advantage of free drink offers. I think you can choose one of their tours on the NY Pass but not sure how well you will do with free drinks if you are not paying them directly.

Anyway, click on the Uncle Sam's site, subscribe to their emails. The guy running it is full of ideas and thoughts about the best way to see NYC.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

A few things have been taken off and a few added it seems.

Bound to be tours in here you like.
http://www.unclesamsnewyork.com/index.aspx

Many pub crawls too.

 

[WALL-e]

Stay wining ODN

 

[tammy0005]

I have just started planning my big USA trip for May 2012 and all the info on here is great. Thanks.

Plan ATM
San Fran
Los Angeles
Las Vegas
Grand Canyon
Orlando
Washington
New York
Niagra Falls
Michigan (have some people to visit)
Chicago.

Doing it on a budget and with my female cousin. Been talking about it for ages so it will be great. I lived there when I was a kid for a year but soo much more excited about travelling and visiting now i'm older (25). Keep up the great posts as they have helped me heaps

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Also check this thread as it is stacked with info.
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=728527

 

[Shell]

I have just started planning my big USA trip for May 2012 and all the info on here is great. Thanks.

Michigan (have some people to visit)

Hey I worked at a Girl Scouts camp in this tiny town called Linden in Michigan. Ann Arbour is a fab town. Go to Detroit if you're brave enough, lol. Their baseball stadium is pretty good tho.


PS. I Chicago.

 

[XFactor1979]

Ive heard that there isnt much to see in Miami, its also a rough place to go to as well (captured on that tv show Dexter)

New Orleans is a place to go to apparently, but it hasnt been the same since Hurricane Katrina.

And yes, if you go a page back, you can see a few movies I have made for my visits to certain places

You cant go everywhere though, i wanted to go see Mt Rushmore until I realised I was completely and utterly skint

Mt Rushmore is a controversial monument, if you read into the history of the site it is rightfully owned by Sioux people of North America but the European Americans carved it out of disregard (and arrogance) to the rights of the Native Americans

Anyway (continues aimless rambling tirade) Mt Rushmore is a difficult place to get to, try to get there via a tour across America from Los Angeles to New York or Chicago (which encompasses a visit to the Joshua Tree, Arches National Park (Utah) , Grand Canyon, Alberqueque (the place where Breaking Bad is made) and Rushmore is on route to your way there

Mt Rushmore is not in the state of Washington (contrary to misconstrued belief) it is in South Dakota, the same state as Deadwood (yes, that fabulous hbo cowboy tv show)

Mind you, if youre in Chicago, you are actually close enough to get to Mt Rushmore

Bottom line: After all that, youre going to have to work and save up for a while again to have that comfortable monetary buffer zone for your life

[/aimless rambling tirade]

 

[FootyJunkie]

Ive heard that there isnt much to see in Miami, its also a rough place to go to as well (captured on that tv show Dexter)
[/aimless rambling tirade]

Tend to agree. Spent a week there in the 90s, mainly because of its name. People seem to think its like an east coast version of L.A., but besides getting a tan at the beach, boat cruising in the Atlantic, going to see the NFL Dolphins or NBA Heat, and night clubbing, there's really not a whole lot more on, I think. Happy to be wrong though... might give it another go in the near future, maybe for just a few days before some Caribbean cruise.

 

[XFactor1979]

Tend to agree. Spent a week there in the 90s, mainly because of its name. People seem to think its like an east coast version of L.A., but besides getting a tan at the beach, boat cruising in the Atlantic, going to see the NFL Dolphins or NBA Heat, and night clubbing, there's really not a whole lot more on, I think. Happy to be wrong though... might give it another go in the near future, maybe for just a few days before some Caribbean cruise.

I'd rather go to South America or Central America rather than go to Miami - if I had the choice

I met a few people on my travels in hostels talking about adventures in South and Central America, they were absolutely skint from the experience, but it was a hell of an adventure

South America for the most part is actually quite cheap and affordable (except for the Machu Picchu which is a 300 buck trip) but you really need to have an extensive knowledge of Spanish to get by. and the other double whammy is the biggest country of South America (Brazil) Speaks Portuguese, so you have to double up even more. and NO they are not going to try speak English just to accommodate the gringo

Other things to know about South America or America in general : keep your money in three places, because youre going to get robbed regardless: but carry menial money with you in your supply when you get held up, then another stash somewhere in another place, and then another stash somewhere else

 

[dales.girl38]

Also check this thread as it is stacked with info.
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=728527

I love all the 'but what if there's a drawn Grand Final?' etc. comments!

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

I love all the 'but what if there's a drawn Grand Final?' etc. comments!

That was funny. I was in Hollywood and got to miss the fallout from the Pies flag, while the poor Pies supporter was forced to find somewhere in Anaheim to watch it and celebrate virtually alone.

 

[XFactor1979]

I watched a meaningless match in the shute shield (the local rugby union competition in Sydney) for the AFL grand final replay

but no, I love to travel, it gives you perspective of the world

^ Although for that to happen you would probably have to go somewhere which is not as fortunate as you

 

[peejay]

Depends whether you want to walk the streets and soak it up, or see as much as possible.

You can get New York passes for 1,2,3 or 5 days that allow you access to many things. We got hop on hop off passes with it.

You can get an uptown tour, downtown tour and city lights tour done in a day and see all of Manhattan and part of Brooklyn. You will be on an open bus for a long time though but can get off one, do something and wait for the next.

I did a cruise around Manhattan (using the card), under the bridges, past the Statue of Liberty, went for 3 hours. Or you can do a shorter cruise or even a speed boat trip around the main sights on the Hudson or skip over and walk around Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Well worth it. We then did a Ground Zero Walking Tour (again free on the card).

You must go to the top of the Rockefeller Center to see the Central Park views during the day, and go up the Empire State Building at night (open until 12-1am or so). They also have a NYC simulator ride on the second floor of the Empire State Building. All of this on the card. Can do the Museums, Central Park Zoo, so many different things. Just be prepared to be walking and travelling from one to the other. 3 days would be better, 4 if you want to shop. To absorb what is it like to be a New Yorker, you would need weeks though, and you will definitely leave wishing you had more time regardless.

Oh and go to Time Square and Madame Tussaud's, again on the card.

http://www.newyorkpass.com/

That's the problem with NYC, everything costs to go and see so this card is a good investment.

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.

 

[XFactor1979]

New York is the city which has EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And Aussies who are confident in themselves meet their match in a place like New York

Which is not surprising given New York is home to:->

Edit : In New York smiling for some is a shown to be a sign of weakness, just so you know when you feel like a giggling idiot in the Big Apple amongst all those tough formidable types mentioned above

 

[peejay]

I'd rather go to South America or Central America rather than go to Miami - if I had the choice

I met a few people on my travels in hostels talking about adventures in South and Central America, they were absolutely skint from the experience, but it was a hell of an adventure

South America for the most part is actually quite cheap and affordable (except for the Machu Picchu which is a 300 buck trip) but you really need to have an extensive knowledge of Spanish to get by. and the other double whammy is the biggest country of South America (Brazil) Speaks Portuguese, so you have to double up even more. and NO they are not going to try speak English just to accommodate the gringo

Other things to know about South America or America in general : keep your money in three places, because youre going to get robbed regardless: but carry menial money with you in your supply when you get held up, then another stash somewhere in another place, and then another stash somewhere else

I have been lucky enough to never be robbed in the USA or South America - but being 196cm's probably does not put me in the target market. I take your point on the money dangers of south america but think you are stretching it a bit to include the USA in tha broad brush sweep.

I was in Brazil in 08 and with my phrasebook portugese got by. Guess it depends how much you are used to travelling.

 

[dales.girl38]

We've decided on 4 days (3 nights) in New York, which I'm happy with - still not enough, but it'll be a lot better than nothing. I also worked out that I can't do maths/time changes and the trip will be 11 days total.

So at this stage we're looking at 2 days at Universal/IOA, 4 days in New York, up to 5 days at Disneyworld or some of it just in Orlando.

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.

 

[camsmith]

5 nights in Florida? Cant knock one day off that and add it to NY?

I flew Delta from LA to NY... horrible flight that time too.

Flew Virgin Ameica back accross to NV then LA and they were much better. Staff that actually acted like they wanted to be there, comfortable seats/air con etc..

 

[dales.girl38]

Still considering it - there's 4 of us, so I don't get the whole say in it - I negotiated 2 extra days in NY than we were originally planning.

It's a matter of figuring out exactly what we want to do in NY and then making the decision. My brother hasn't done Florida properly and last time I got really sick and spent time in hospital (thank God for travel insurance), meaning we missed out on a lot as well.

 

[Shell]

We've decided on 4 days (3 nights) in New York, which I'm happy with - still not enough, but it'll be a lot better than nothing. I also worked out that I can't do maths/time changes and the trip will be 11 days total.

So at this stage we're looking at 2 days at Universal/IOA, 4 days in New York, up to 5 days at Disneyworld or some of it just in Orlando.

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.

11 days???? I dont/wouldnt go OS for less than a month, but thats just me. You'll still have a blast.


Rofl- my main memory of flying domestic flights in the US was of asking a flight attendant for a cup of tea. (All he had was coffee). He glared at me, went off, came back with a brown yuck cup of what was meant to be tea.

Other than that, they were okay, nothing special, but nothing terrible either. Least we didnt get flown into a building... /bad joke.


Btw- what parks you doing in Orlando. I cannot recommend Island of Adventure more.

 

[dales.girl38]

11 days???? I dont/wouldnt go OS for less than a month, but thats just me. You'll still have a blast.


Rofl- my main memory of flying domestic flights in the US was of asking a flight attendant for a cup of tea. (All he had was coffee). He glared at me, went off, came back with a brown yuck cup of what was meant to be tea.

Other than that, they were okay, nothing special, but nothing terrible either. Least we didnt get flown into a building... /bad joke.


Btw- what parks you doing in Orlando. I cannot recommend Island of Adventure more.

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.

 

[Shell]

Lol, the Kennedy Space Centre. I found that, extremely, extremely boring.


Woot IOA. Hulk ride was my favourite. Even better than the duelling dragons coaster imo. And Spiderman 3-d ride FTW.

 

[dales.girl38]

Lol, the Kennedy Space Centre. I found that, extremely, extremely boring.


Woot IOA. Hulk ride was my favourite. Even better than the duelling dragons coaster imo. And Spiderman 3-d ride FTW.

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.