US Holiday

[SonOfScray]

3 weeks today until I leave



3. Is it worth heading to some of the other boroughs of NYC? I think I'd like to check out Brooklyn & the Bronx, but is it worth the time? I know I definitely want to go to Coney Island. And how about Harlem? Is it possible to do a walking day starting at the south end of Central Park, walking up, through Harlem and back down?

We spent most of one day in the Bronx, it is worth it IMO. Yankees Stadium, Bronx Zoo, Botanic Gardens can all be done pretty easily. The Zoo was dead when we went in early Dec, it was brilliant having it to ourselves.

Go down to Coney Island, for sure. We walked over the bridge, which in itself is a must do thing, then walked into Brooklyn and caught the train down to Stillwater Ave. Nathan's Famous hot dog, walk along the boardwalk, NY Aquarium, it was just a beautiful day down there. Cold, like 0 degrees, but sunny. Most of the attractions are actually closed but there is plenty to see / do.

For mine those two ventures out of midtown were the most fun. A nice change of scenery, more opportunities to experience real food / shops rather than the franchises in Midtown etc. A bit more of an adventure on the Subway etc.

 

[monty1104]

Thanks for that, sounds like a great couple of days. I definitely think I'll wanna escape midtown for a bit.

I'm the kinda guy who gets more from just wandering around than anything else. Being able to wander different neighborhoods will be fantastic.

 

[jo172]

Am going over for the first time ever in a few weeks. Someone want to give me the details of tipping and sales tax?

 

[Leslie_Chow]

Am going over for the first time ever in a few weeks. Someone want to give me the details of tipping and sales tax?

Sales tax is around 7-8% but it varies. Tipping is a pain to start off with, but easy to get use to. Just google tipping and there's a few useful guides on who to tip and how much

 

[Del35196]

Am going over for the first time ever in a few weeks. Someone want to give me the details of tipping and sales tax?

Tipping is simple- if you want service, then tip. If you dont want service, then dont.

People from Aus tend to bitch and complain about tipping, but it's what they do, and if people want to go to another country then its expected that you comply with them.

The biggest tip for me is at the bar- TIP TIP TIP! As you will be going back for more drinks, bar tenders will remember if you tip or not. Works both ways really, they get more money, and we get better service.

Basically you tip min $1 per drink, or instead of having a wallet full of coins, which will happen, just throw them in the jar and everyones a winner. After all your on a holiday, may as well enjoy it, and for the sake of a dollar here and there, it will mean the difference between ok service and good service.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

And the hotter the bird, the bigger the tip.

I usually give the bell boys $5 for the lot and waiters I just chuck in $10 for a main meal and a $5 at lunch time.

 

[jo172]

How about Vegas?

 

[WALL-e]

And the hotter the bird, the bigger the tip.

A barmaid on Sixth Street, Austin almost sent me broke.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

How about Vegas?

Same I guess.

Tell you in 2 weeks.

Heading for Vegas on boxing day.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

A barmaid on Sixth Street, Austin almost sent me broke.

Yep - a waitress from South Beach did the same. However, got her number and closed the deal. So it was worth it.

 

[jo172]

Same I guess.

Tell you in 2 weeks.

Heading for Vegas on boxing day.

Ha, you beat me by 5 days! Enjoy

 

[WALL-e]

Yep - a waitress from South Beach did the same. However, got her number and closed the deal. So it was worth it.

Precisely.

I don't have an issue tipping bar maids as you get service for it. Plus the good lass' give you freebies along the way.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Ha, you beat me by 5 days! Enjoy

ha ha I plan to. You to. You landing NYE or NYD?

Been advised by ODNB (i think it was him) to stay away from Vegas New Year Eve as its a nightmare.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Precisely.

I don't have an issue tipping bar maids as you get service for it. Plus the good lass' give you freebies along the way.

Ever done the Hooters birthday deal? Sit you on the chair and dance around you?

(we had a 14 year old with us, so we couldn't go any further - you know what I'm saying)

An Aussie mate of mine did and picked up easy that night with very hot waitress.

 

[jo172]

ha ha I plan to. You to. You landing NYE or NYD?

Been advised by ODNB (i think it was him) to stay away from Vegas New Year Eve as its a nightmare.

Jan 2nd, sloppy lazy Maths on my part

LA for NYE, should be different!

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Jan 2nd, sloppy lazy Maths on my part

LA for NYE, should be different!

Yeah - we're doing Disneyland for New Years Eve.

Should be good, also been advised the Disneyland fire works on New Years Eve are some of the best in the world. Wait and see i guess. but with the family, so should be good.

 

[WALL-e]

Ever done the Hooters birthday deal? Sit you on the chair and dance around you?

(we had a 14 year old with us, so we couldn't go any further - you know what I'm saying)

An Aussie mate of mine did and picked up easy that night with very hot waitress.

haha, never been to Hooters, may have to get involved next year when I head over. I've been informed my a mate that picking up strippers is relatively simple in Vegas.....

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

haha, never been to Hooters, may have to get involved next year when I head over. I've been informed my a mate that picking up strippers is relatively simple in Vegas.....

Yeah, but why would you want to?

With all due respect to them - 1) they are strippers, 2) they would be filthy, 3) they would be potentially prostitutes anyway and 4) if you can not pick up anything of value with the Aussie accent, you're not really trying, or some ugly ****er.

Therefore, going for the strippers can be left to Charlie Sheen and his winning ways.

Basically, their is so much quality in Vegas - it's not funny. Kid, candy story = winning.

 

[dales.girl38]

Yeah - we're doing Disneyland for New Years Eve.

Should be good, also been advised the Disneyland fire works on New Years Eve are some of the best in the world. Wait and see i guess. but with the family, so should be good.

We did exactly that in 2008 - Rainforest Cafe at Disneyland for Dinner, then saw the fireworks. They go for bloody ages, but are very good.

 

[monty1104]

2 weeks now! (yes im slightly over-excited)

Managed to book tickets for Trail Blazers @ Lakers and Celtics @ Bulls. While I'm not a huge backetball fan, I'm stoked to be able to go and see probably the three biggest teams in the NBA.

Is there anyone here who has been to both Europe and USA over winter that can give me a comparison of the temperatures? Having been to Europe, I think I know what to expect for a majority of the time, but will I need shorts for places like Miami/NO/LA? And how cold does NYC/Chicago get? And yes, I have looked up weather websites, but IMO it can be misleading. 20 degrees in one place is different to 20 degrees in another (given factors like windchill and humidity).

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

2 weeks now! (yes im slightly over-excited)

Managed to book tickets for Trail Blazers @ Lakers and Celtics @ Bulls. While I'm not a huge backetball fan, I'm stoked to be able to go and see probably the three biggest teams in the NBA.

I'm going to wait until I get their and then scope what games are the best and what tickets are available before deciding what game to go to.

Due to the lockout, i'm expecting a fan backlash and get better tickets for cheaper prices than you normally would. Last NBA lockout, some NBA teams were selling match day tickets at basically half price to get people into the stadium.

Is there anyone here who has been to both Europe and USA over winter that can give me a comparison of the temperatures? Having been to Europe, I think I know what to expect for a majority of the time, but will I need shorts for places like Miami/NO/LA? And how cold does NYC/Chicago get? And yes, I have looked up weather websites, but IMO it can be misleading. 20 degrees in one place is different to 20 degrees in another (given factors like windchill and humidity).

No to Europe so can not make the comparison but in Miami and LA during the day you will be able to easily wear shorts and a T shirt if it's anything above 20 D (68 degrees fahrenheit) because of the humidity and topical weather however, at night - after dark, expect it to get cold, Australian winter cold. So jeans and jumpers should be fine.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Been advised by ODNB (i think it was him) to stay away from Vegas New Year Eve as its a nightmare.

I don't think it was me, although I may have read that myself. I could imagine it being absolute chaos though.

 

[Leslie_Chow]

Anyone going to be in New York new years?

Looks like everyone will be on the west coast

 

[peejay]

Thanks for that, sounds like a great couple of days. I definitely think I'll wanna escape midtown for a bit.

I'm the kinda guy who gets more from just wandering around than anything else. Being able to wander different neighborhoods will be fantastic.

Get down to FiDi (financial district) and walk around the streets around Stone street - some great bars and cafes down there.

East Village is great - Lonely planet has a good walking tour - ditto west village.

Also walk (or take train over brooklyn bridge) and go to Brooklyn heights which is immediate right once you cross the bridge - go at dusk for the show stopper view of the downtown manhatten skyline. Walk the streets near the promenade for the best collection of brownstones in the city.

 

[skzm]

East Village is great - Lonely planet has a good walking tour - ditto west village.

East village is definitely worth checking out - plenty of good places to go, blackhound on 2nd does awesome cakes to take away and frank near 5th st is good italian..was there tonight.

The walk across the brooky bridge at sunset is a good tip - here's a photo we took in october...http://goo.gl/YUr51

Due to the lockout, i'm expecting a fan backlash and get better tickets for cheaper prices than you normally would

Hopefully - that said I have been looking at Celtic v Knicks for Xmas day and cheapest I've seen on stubhub has been $150+ for 3rd tier...

And how cold does NYC/Chicago get?

Depends on where in Europe - but cold....you'll need scarf, beanie, and gloves. I survived last winter without wearing long johns, but most people reckon you need 'em...