New York

[Binky]

I am due to stay in New York for three days at the end of this month. Does anyone have any ideas for things that I must see? Also, has anyone taken a horse drawn carriage around Central Park? What is the best way of travelling from JFK to the Grand Hyatt Hotel (next to Grand Central Station) at 22:00 at night? Thanks.

[Grimalkin]

I always recommend going to the revolving bar at the top of the Marriott in Times Square for a cocktail - even the ride up in the lift is an experience.

When we went we just came out into the terminal and there are lots of phones in cubicles with a direct line to various taxi firms. Was $35 +tip if I remember correctly - I think the drivers often try to swindle you, so try to keep your wis about you.

[chazza]

Must see - the little church beside ground zero - an amazong story and very moving!

[spudqueen]

I've not been to New York, YET, going in December! Yippeeeeee!!!! My friend and I have drawn up a list of things WE want to do/see (not necessarily the same things you'll want to do): Macys (biggest department store in the world), shopping on 5th Ave, Central Park, Metropolitan Museum, Go up the Empire State Building (I think you can see the Chrysler building from the top), Times Square, Wall Street, Staten Island Ferry past The Statue of Liberty, The Ice Rink at the Rockefeller Centre. and a helicopter trip over Manhatten. Any time left over and we'll add Chinatown, South Street Seaport and Grand Central Station.
I've bought 'A Brits Guide to New York' which seems full of useful information and tells you all the different ways to get from the airports to Manhatten etc.
Might well take Grimalkins advice and go for a cocktail in the Marriott - hope they do Singapore gin slings!

[luckystrike]

Here is a link to a question which I answered on NYC not so long ago.

I was there last Christmas and it was brilliant.

When we were in Central Park there were loads of horses and carriages about, but we prefered to walk.

When you come out of the arrivals terminal there will be a queue for yellow cabs. Just join that and a few minutes later you'll be on your way. Journey time to Grand Central is about 45 minutes, and the total cost was a $45 flat fare, plus about $10 for taxes and tips.

Hope the linked answers help!

[indieanna86]

How much spending money do yo think should be taken to NY? I plan on going next year. I don't plan on coming back with an extra suitcase full of shopping, I just want enough money to eat, see sights, taxis etc (and maybe a new pair of jeans or something, heehee!)

[stevie_c2it]

The Staten Island Ferry is a great way to see the NY skyline at night (Take the subway from the hotel downtown, allow roughly an hour for the trip), go early afternoon (no need to get off the ferry), that way you can see the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty etc in daylight on the way out, and on the return leg you get to see the NY skyline lit up just like in the movies!.

Central park on a sunday afternoon to watch the skaters while enjoying a footdog from the nearby vendors.

Rockerfell centre in the evening to enjoy the crowds and lights. P.S Don't miss seeing a show on broadway, you can either buy cheaper returns from the booth in Time Square (not generally the top shows though) or buy in advance (ticketmaster.com) and collect from box office.

Tip if you go up the Empire State building, take a warm hat (its really, really cold on the observation deck in December) and rent the headphone set which gives you a fantastic insight into how NY has developed and explains what your looking at.

Enjoy!

[blueeyedlass]

id tell you to do the 2 day bus tour ( not the greyline the city tours) and you also get a boat ride on the circle line tour included in the price out to see the s.o.l , we went on a horse carriage ride it was good just to say you have done it but to be honest you didnt get very long and it costs about $45 with tip. the st pauls chapel next to the ground zero site is very interesting to see but very sad as is the actual gz site. go shopping in century 21 directly opposite gz its excellent ( especially kids clothes), do all the usual touristy bits empire state ( amazing and so peacefully quiet up there) go to grand central is awesome just to see all the people scurring about at peak times , get cheesecake in juniors ( central ) its amazing ( and if you could post me a piece thank you lol ) and if you are going to see a broadway show use the tkt booth in times sq but dont go in the afternoon you will be queued for hours go about 30 mins before the show starts you will get tickets straight away then have time to walk to the theatre. i was in new york 2 months ago so if you have any other questions feel free to ask . oh and we used the supershuttle mini buses to get to and from jfk and we booked this through the internet.

[maggie01]

We went in December several years ago. We did a boat trip to see the Statue of Liberty. The ice skating at Rockafella Centre. Macey's for shopping. We went up the Empire State Building. Had a helicopter ride over Manhatton (that was a bit scarey).Took a show in on Broadway and had a meal in the Restaurant -Tavern on the Green, Central Park. We had a great time and I'm sure you will too. Christmas is a great time to go. We were lucky that the weather was fairly mild. Have a good time!

[spudqueen]

indieanna - as I said I've not actually been yet, but we're budgeting $100 a day for food, sightseeing etc, can let you know in a few weeks if it was enough!

[pega]

HAVE been to NYC seven times... was there in May the best way from JFK is a bus to grand central and it will also take you to Hotels. There's so much to see in NY and a good way is on foot subway and buses are OK buses only take coins for fare. The little church that chazza mentions is St Pauls where Washington attended and they now have all the artefacts from ground zero, also trinity church next to ground zero is of interest, and the impressive St Patrick's Cath on 5th ave and St Thomas's on 5th are well worth a visit. Battery park has some interesting facts a glass war of all messages from vetiam war , staten ferry is good and the other round trip around the island and to liberty statue, Broadway shows some good ones there now I saw Rent last visit been a long running and was good chicago was a disappointment as mentioned tickets cheaper at booth times square near the watch shop, theatre tickets 65-100 dollars. Food you will never lack in NYC lots of deli's to help yourself and a good meal for around 7dollars, and breakfast for 4 dollars, coffee 2dollars, macy's not so good to eat and expensive. but lots of places for a meal. a good view over city from Rockerfeller bar. There will be information at Hotel and what's on Grand central station is certainly worth a visit and lots of places to eat there and a nice market mall, its a great place need to keep your wits about you and crossing the roads....as I say so much to see and I know the city very well, It will be cold, Have a great time I may go in the new Year My Friend (a tony winning)actress opened in a play last week but only a short run as will be filming the next spiderman movie but would love to go but the winter months not so good....

[pega]

HAVE just seen your staying at Grand Hyatt thats a lovely hotel next to grand central and chrysler building the bus from JFK would be ideal, just a few steps from bus stop to hotel, and only 27 dollars return the buses run regularly but as others say could get a cab.

[jno]

they've just (last week I think) reopened the viewing platform on top of the Rockefeller Centre, which is said to be great. Wrap up, can get very cold in NY this time of year (though not invariably).

[Binky]

Thanks for all your suggestions guys!

Pega, the bus you recommend from JFK to Grand Central Station, where do I get if from at the airport? Is it run by a particular company? Can you give me a clue as to how I will recognise it?

Thanks

[pega]

Hi Binky It may take sometime to get through passport control they now take eye picture and finger prints then there are a couple of more checks once you are through these you will follow exit out of terminal, I would ask someone for the bus to Grand Central before you leave the hall usually plenty of officials or police around or desks that have travel information. There is usually a man in a white shirt (but no doubt would have a coat on, he sells the tickets will tell you when it comes it like a coach the bus then goes to all the terminals and picks up it stops at end of terminals and usually a man gets on to sell tickets if you haven't got one checks tickets tears off outward part the tickets are like till receipts. the bus then goes straight to Manhattan, its quite a way and will stop in a side street facing grand central with the great statue of Hermes its an impressive building, walk straight up from the bus stop, cross over the road and your at your hotel a high rise building its a top hotel I throught about staying there but usually stay just a short walk from station at the Rooselvelt on madison/5th ave. you have made a good choice as very central for everything as you know from maps, and no doubt you have got a guide book. At the airport near the door usually some good leaftets of manhatten but the hotel will have a good supply and they will have a desk where you can get information and book any trips, the open top apple bus trip is great to see the whole city can hop on and off all day . you are not far from central park, just walk up 5th ave or can get bus or subway, and there's an excellent ,Macdonals on 57th street if I can help with any other information I will.