New York In November...

[Smowball]

Want to go for a week mid November. Anybody been? Recommendations of places to stay, visit etc??

[Smowball]

Will do. Am getting flustered trying to find hotel - there’s thousands!!

[237SJ]

Go for the area that you want to stay in. NY isn't cheap

[jno]

I've done the Manhattan circle line in November and it was gorgeous; but no, don't go out on the water if it's too cold.

[Smowball]

Any recommendations for areas ??

[campbellking]

Many outdoor ice rinks to skate on - very enjoyable.

[jno]

depends where you want to go and what you want to see. Manhattan's not huge and you can get round easily enough in buses (not very quick), the subway or just walking. The most popular area is round Times Sq but for that reason it's also the most expensive. If money's an issue, as it very well might be because it's not a cheap city, just find yourself the cheapest place you can that's within reach of a subway station. You might want to try a seven-day Metro card

http://web.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm#7day

You could also stay in Brooklyn, for instance and take the subway into Manhattan every day; it's not far and rather cheaper (at least it used to be).

[Smowball]

I was looking at Times Square purely because that’s what springs to mind

[NoMercy]

Peter Luger Steakhouse in Brooklyn - well worth the taxi fare.

[mazie]

Morning Smow. My SiL lives in Manhattan. I'll ask her for recommendations if you like. Hotel or self catering?

[Smowball]

Ooh Maizie really?? Hadn’t really thought. Hotel I guess??

[mazie]

I've just spoken to her about an hour ago.. I'll email her later and let you know when she gets back to me xx

[Smowball]

That would be amazing!

[jno]

there's an Outback Steakhouse on West 23rd; they're fab.

https://www.outback.com/menu/steaks

[Smowball]

Looks amazing jno!

[Cloverjo]

If you like oysters go to the bar at Grand Central Station.

The Algonquin is a lovely hotel. Lots of history to it.

[Tilly2]

Go to Grand Central station anyway. It is an amazing place. I love it.

[Eve]

I stayed at the Roosevelt, beautiful hotel but the room was very small and not as grand as the hotel itself, did for us but we were only there for a few days and only there to sleep. It was quite close to Time Square and near a great diner called the Red Flame which was brilliant.

If you want to go up the Empire State Building, go early. Queues can get big and it takes quite a while to get up there as you go up in stages and through quite a bit of security with scanners and such.

The top of the Rockerfeller Center at night was great to see everything lit up. We also went to the Hulton Ferry landing to look back to see the skyline all lit up, it was part of an open topped bus tour. We did a load of the bus tours, it was really warm then though, likely very cold in November. The guides are brilliant, you get to learn so much more than walking around yourself. There was a special night one.

We didn't want to bother with Ellis Island so just got the free Staten Island Ferry over and back to see the Statue of Liberty.

Have lots of low denomination notes around with you and get someone to fill you in on what tips are expected for what before you go so you are aware. We thought we gave a generous tip to a taxi driver and were told quite abruptly that it wasn't enough!

Where are you flying in to? We flew in to Newark and the taxi rank was great as it had marshalls who agreed the fare before you got in the taxi, we also had to pay the toll for getting in to New York. Was great to go in a proper yellow cab.

[Smowball]

Well this is the thing Eve - I’m booking the flights today. Half say JFK and half say NEWARK. Is there much of a difference/ preference??

[jno]

this seems to be a few years old so I don't know if transport information is up to date

https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/3457/new-york-airports-jfk-vs-ewr-newark

[Eve]

I think JFK is closer but can be more expensive. We got a better deal flying in to Newark. It's some years ago now though.

It cost about, if I remember right, $80 for the cab to the hotel. I can't remember if that was factoring in the tip and toll though. We were told that there is a minimum percentage you are meant to tip taxi drivers. We used a hotel car to get back to the airport.