new york

[Raging Bull]

hi has any one been to new york, im going over there in a few weeks time...and never been is their a do's and don't list...thanks

[LizzieJ87]

I'd reccomend the Staten Island ferry, you get a great view of the Statue of Liberty and the ferry trip is free.

Have a look into the 'New York Pass', you get loads of discounts and freebies with it, including reduced prices for the tourist buses. We used those instead of the subway and taxis to get around.

If you want to go up the Empire State building, go early in the morning. The waiting times at peak times of day are horrendus!

I went in the middle of December the last time I visited and it was SO cold! Lots of snow but being outside for a long time was unbearable.
You'll have a brilliant time though!

[loopy lass]

if you want to go inside the statue of liberty, book in advance, they only let a limited amount of people in per day.

WATCH YOUR CAMERA!!!!!!!!!, although we always felt very safe our camera was taken out of my husbands trouser pocket in the subway, he was pushed in the back as a distraction and never felt a thing!

don't use the toilets in central park - you won't be alone!!

don't wear a green top if you go inisde the empire state building, when they take your photo it is against a green screen behind you which means your photo will have a floating head, i know from experience but it did make us laugh.

take the train across the brooklyn bridge and then walk back at dusk, the skyline photo's are wonderful.

have a great trip, it's one of the best cities i've been to.

[ladyalex]

We had a wonderful time there last year at about this time. It is cold, though.
Agree about going up the Empire State building. It's a super view of the whole city. Do go early, we went at the start of out stay when we were still working on British time, so getting up early wasn't a problem.
If you are going shopping, go to the customer services of the big stores (Macys, Bloomingdales etc) take your passport with you and they will give you a discount card. From memory it was about 16% off, so well worth asking for.

it depends what you like, but we took a really interesting walking tour of Grand Central Station. I know it sounds unlikely, but the tour guide knew an awful lot of New York history and told it very well.

We also found New Yorkers pleasant and polite to a man/woman. Never felt threatened in any way....but then we did stick to the main routes.


Have the most wonderful time. I am so envious.

Ladyalex

[spudqueen]

When I went my friend and I did:
Day we arrived - Macys and Times Square
Day 1 Staten Island Ferry, Wall Street, Ground zero, helicopter flight, Greenwich Village, Little Italy, China Town
Day 2 Central Park, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Empire State (at night)
Day 3 Shopping on 5th Ave, Grand Central Station, St Patricks Cathedral, a show on Broadway
Last day Rockefeller Center and a trip up to Top Of The Rock (the top of the Rockefeller Center) from which you get the best views of the Empire State.
I then went again last year and this time, though I did some of the same things I also: walked across the Brooklyn Bridge; went into the lobby of the Chrysler Building; visited the the Natural History Museum (the one that features in Night At The Museum) and had Sunday brunch in the revolving restaurant in Times Square.

There's nothing like getting a good guide book (I recommend A Brits Guide To New York) and making up your own itinery. Have a fantastic time.

[JoolsTwo]

I agree with every thing above so I can't think of anything to add but, you can book your trips up the Empire State Building and The Rockafeller Centre online before you go, It's much easier. I would also suggest doing one during the day and one at night.

I loved New York and intend going again as soon as I can. I'm very jealous. :-)

I hope you have a wonderful time.

[JK2]

I did the 3 hour boat trip around the whole of Manhattan Island and you get great views of the city. It is a really easy city to find your way around because of the grid system of the streets - except in Greenwich Village which is laid out more higgledy piggledy.

[jno]

the round-Manhattan boat trip is great but only once a day at this time of year (returns just as sunset is hitting the West Side buildings) so you might need to build the afternoon around it.

[hollie1586]

definatly buy tickets for the sightseeing tour busses! you can be picked up and dropped of anywhere as many times as you like! the best way to get about!

the empire state is a must

madam tussauds

ellis island

times square

and you obviously have to have a new york bagel and cream cheese!!

[Dee Sa]

I cried at the commentary on Ellis Island and on the tour all the guides are descendants of immigrants who passed through EllIs Island, far more interesting than the Statue of Liberty.
You will have a great time, but I noticed there is no eye contact with people in New York.
Ask anything at your hotel desk,they are really helpful, we wanted to go shopping in Paramus[pronounced PERAMBUS] in New Jersey and they worked out a route for us via the Port Authority [ which is their name for the bus terminal] even told us where to get a sandwich whilst waiting for our bus.
have a great time.
ps if you want a good steak house try the one in the Marriot Marquis hotel on Times Square, the restaurant actually overlooks the Square and the steaks are really really good.

[dawndevil]

i' m going soon too found these might be useful to you they were to me now have a list as long as my arm LOL!
www.tripadvisor.co.uk
things to do and tips download a pdf guide of things to see and do
and virtualtourist.com