[Archived] New York/boston

[Glenn]

I'm dragging this 2008 topic back up because it looks like I'm off to NY for the first time in December.

I think I've got all the usual stuff on my list (Liberty Island, Ellis Island, Cruise around Manhattan, various museums, broadway show, 5th avenue shopping, WTC, flatiron, Chrysler, Empire Estate, Rockerfella, trip around central park etc) but anything less ordinary I should be looking at, I'm thinking sports (but I'm told getting NFL tickets is very hard, are baseball/basketball/ice hockey on in December), I'm also looking for anything geeky or even TV/film related (stuff like diner at Katz's Deli, visiting the Ghostbuster Fire House etc) or just plain cool.

I've stuck pins of a google map here of all the stuff I'm considering.

Ideas ?

[stuwilky]

We're in the same boat (possibly...) for our 10th wedding anniversary in a year or so.

We went 10 years ago as well, and from that trip would recommend Liberty helicopters, which from recollection was somewhere near 34th Street on the East River (possibly Pier 5? Pier 6?)

It was pricey, but great fun!

[T4E]

Glenn - I went in December just passed, went to a NY Rangers game at MSG. Probably more fun than when we saw the Knicks. There's pics on my Facebook. You may struggle to get tickets (try the MSG box office, you can do a tour of MSG which I would highly recommend, it departs from the Box Office area) - if thats sold out try here http://www.thegarden.com/tickets/ticket-exchange.html. Basically season ticket holders that trade their tickets. Also works for Knicks games. December is outside of Baseball season.

As far as the TV thing goes, you could do the NBC studio tour (it departs from upstairs in the NBC store at Rockefeller).

The NBC and MSG tours along with pretty much everything you've listed above tourist wise is available on the NY Pass. Get one here - http://www.newyorkpass.com.

I love New York!

[Tom]

We're going for 4 nights next Friday for our wedding anniversary, I been twice before but she never has.

I'm thinking of going to Grimaldis just off the brooklyn bridge as its meant to be some of the best pizza around and I love my pizza

Can't wait

[T4E]

Oh...........Maxxi's steakhouse on 19th...........amazing.

[Hughesy]

Tim I recommend you check out another site too.

20 pages of info here

[RoyRover]

I absolutely love New York and plan to live there in the future. I'm sure I've been there nearly 10 times. When I went to university in Virginia, I used to go up there all the time to visit my family. I spent Thanksgiving and St Patrick's Day up there which was just brilliant. I was there last summer for a week, after doing a tour of the States and it never gets old. I was over in Virginia last week for 10 days, and I flew into Newark, New Jersey to catch my flight home to Belfast. I had a five hours to kill at the airport, so my cousin and his wife who live in Jersey City came out to the airport, picked me up and took me for dinner in the city. Even though I've seen the skyline of Manhattan 50 times or more, seeing it from across the Hudson the other night, all lit up, it's something that you get bored of. I'm going to mention the same things as everyone else to do while you are there - Ellis Island, Liberty Island, Ground Zero, Wall Street, Empire State, Battery Park, tour of the NBC studio, Rockafella Plaza, shop on 5th Avenue, go to Macy's at Hearld Square as it's the biggest shop in the world apparently, tour of Radio City, Times Square, Hard Rock Cafe, take a trip out to Hoboken, the Apple Store on 5th Avenue, the MoMA, watch a game at Madison Square Gardens, take in a show on Broadway, walk the Brooklyn Bridge. I've done it all over the past couple of years and they are all worth doing. Some other things that are definitely worthwhile are walking around Central Park (during the day), as it is one of my favourite places on earth. You won't believe that such a quiet, peaceful and green place exists in a place like Manhattan. Last year, I took the the Staten Island ferry out to Staten Island from Battery Park. It's a free boat ride that gives you a great view of the Statue Of Liberty. Once you get to Staten Island, you have now reason to stay, so just jump on another boat that will take you back and you will have a great view of the skyscrapers of the Financial District as you sail back there.

When friends of mine have gone to New York in the past, all they've wanted to know from me is where is Abercrombie and Fitch and Macy's! And even though midtown is great, with all the skyscrapers, shops and nonstop movement, the temptation is to stay there. However I find that the districts in lower Manhattan are a lot less congested and cooler (both in temperature and in what's there). Places like SoHo, Hell's Kitchen and the Meat Packing District are brilliant and have plenty of shops and sights to keep you busy. Little Italy and China Town are also near by and are great fun to walk through. You get a real feel of the history of place like Little Italy. China Town is great for a bit of counterfeit shopping! My sister has picked up a couple of what she says are perfect imitation Chanel handbags. There will be people stopping you in the street or outside shop fronts asking you quietly if you want any of these things. If you do, they'll take you into a shop and at the back, they have hidden doors, which lead to rooms full of counterfeit handbags! The reason I did this was because my little sister didn't want to do it alone and although it may feel dodgy, it's fine and it's a bit of thrill once you've got what you want!

I've never made it out to Brooklyn or up to The Bronx, but again, I'd say that they are well worth going to and would give you a different look at New York. In terms of hotels, most decent places in Manhattan are going to cost no matter what. You're best bet is looking a Holiday Inn type place. In terms of getting into Manhattan from JFK, a few years ago I took the Metro all the way out to the airport (and then getting an air train to the correct terminal). It was something like $7, compared to $45 in a taxi. I can't remember the name of the where I got on exactly, but it was a huge Metro station right beside Madison Square Garden (it probably was the Madison Square Garden station!). It takes about 45 - 50 minutes to get into the city, but I'm sure you'd be looking at that in a taxi, especially in Manhattan traffic. I find the underground system in New York to be very complicated, but if you ask at the station or research what line you need to take before you jump on, it's not that difficult. Once you get into the city, you can always grab a taxi or get another metro to where you are staying. I found doing this very fulfilling, because if you can do this, you can do anything! As for tipping, the only thing that I would tip for would be in a restaurant or a taxi. There's an unwritten social rule of tipping scale of 15 to 20%. I would throw in an extra $5 dollars or so with a meal and in a taxi, I would just give $2 or $3. Don't worry about tipping people in working in shops or grocery stores.

I've only ever been to Boston once and remember very little about it, apart from skyscrapers in the city centre and the tram/metro from the suburbs where I was into the city. I remember it being a nice city, not nearly as intimidating in size as New York. I was quite young when I went there, so I can't remember many of the activities or sights. The trial through the city is fun and seeing Fenway Park was good too. I just remember there being a nice laid back feel to the city, where you could wonder around and enjoy the sights, without having to do very much at all.

[Rovermatt]

In terms of getting into Manhattan from JFK, a few years ago I took the Metro all the way out to the airport (and then getting an air train to the correct terminal). It was something like $7, compared to $45 in a taxi. I can't remember the name of the where I got on exactly, but it was a huge Metro station right beside Madison Square Garden

Penn Station. JFK is all the way out in Queens. The Air Train take you from JFK's terminals to the Sutphin Boulevard metro station. From there just hop on the metro taking you all the way to Penn Station (which is, as RoyRover correctly points out, part of the enormous Madison Square Garden complex). You'll then find right yourself right in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Simply reverse the journey to get back out to JFK.

As advised above don't just stick to midtown and uptown. The lower districts of Greenwich Village, Soho, Tribeca and the Meat Packing District are fantastic. Even Wall Street and Battery Park down on the tip of the island are great for a stroll.

NYC is ace. Enjoy.

[T4E]

Penn Station. JFK is all the way out in Queens. The Air Train take you from JFK's terminals to the Sutphin Boulevard metro station. From there just hop on the metro taking you all the way to Penn Station (which is, as RoyRover correctly points out, part of the enormous Madison Square Garden complex). You'll then find right yourself right in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Simply reverse the journey to get back out to JFK.

If you go in to Penn wander across to the Irish pub on the corner behind MSG - lovely barmaids and Newcy Brown on tap

[RoyRover]

If you go in to Penn wander across to the Irish pub on the corner behind MSG - lovely barmaids and Newcy Brown on tap

I went in there looking to get scalp some tickets to see my beloved Buffalo Sabres v the New York Rangers. The barmaids were indeed lovely.

[RoyRover]

Penn Station. JFK is all the way out in Queens. The Air Train take you from JFK's terminals to the Sutphin Boulevard metro station. From there just hop on the metro taking you all the way to Penn Station (which is, as RoyRover correctly points out, part of the enormous Madison Square Garden complex). You'll then find right yourself right in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Simply reverse the journey to get back out to JFK.

As advised above don't just stick to midtown and uptown. The lower districts of Greenwich Village, Soho, Tribeca and the Meat Packing District are fantastic. Even Wall Street and Battery Park down on the tip of the island are great for a stroll.

NYC is ace. Enjoy.

Penn Station! Thanks Matt. Yeah, it's a really easy journey and cheap too. It does take a while, but as I said, it would take you just as long and probably longer in a cab. The day I did it, I was in a bit of a rush to get out to JFK and only had 4 hours until my flight and was really worried that I wouldn't make it. I contemplated getting a taxi, but the traffic in Manhattan is that bad that I'm convinced that I still be stuck there! On top of the taxi fare, you have to pay for the toll bridge there and then the cost of it coming back for the cab driver. Once you get into Penn Station, the place is so big that it does take a bit of effort to drag your bag through the place and up and down steps, and the places is roasting hot, but I wouldn't have a problem doing it again. It's better than the alternative of sitting in cab, stuck in the middle of Manhattan, not moving anywhere for literally 30 minutes at a time and clock watching. Greenwich Village is awesome as well. The neighborhoods in and around NYU are fantastic. Washington Square is at the heart of Greenwich Village and a place that I love to walk through or sit and watch the world go by.

In terms of places to stay you could always check out Hosteling International. I had the same reservations about staying in hostels, but when I lived in Virginia, I went up to D.C for a few days to meet up with some friends and stayed in one of their hostels and it was fine. I shared a room with my friends and some other travelers and it wasn't too bad at all. Last summer I went to San Francisco for a few days by myself before meeting up with brother and sister in Chicago. I stayed in one these hostels and booked a private room for five or six nights and it was fantastic. I had a room with a sink and just used the communal toilets and showers. But you can get a room with your own bathroom at an extra cost. I could come and go as I pleased, didn't have to worry about people going through my things and stealing stuff. I had a locker in my room and borrowed a padlock from reception and kept all my travel documents, iPod, watch, money and important stuff in it. The place was superb and was pretty cheap in comparison to a hotel. I would suggest that you look at these, because they really are very good. The one in Manhattan is uptown and it would only be a short ride to midtown on the tube. And believe me, after a day spent in the mayhem that is Manhattan, being able to escape to a quiet neighborhood where you can chill out is very welcome.

[Tom]

We're staying in the Hilton Garden Times Square and flying to Newark with Continental, I think we'll get the train to Penn Station then make our way to the hotel.

Not sure what to do about theatre tickets whether to get some now or go the a TKTS booth. Also we're tempted to go to a Comedy club but not sure which one.

Anyone have any decent restaurant recommendations for a nice meal on our anniversary but not at silly prices? Last time I just went to a couple of Steakhouses (Ruth Chris was one) which were OK but nothing earth shattering.

We don't have much of a plan but I want to walk through chinatown and Little Italy this time as I havn't before also I want to go to Grimaldis then walk over the Brooklyn bridge.

[RoyRover]

We're staying in the Hilton Garden Times Square and flying to Newark with Continental, I think we'll get the train to Penn Station then make our way to the hotel.

Not sure what to do about theatre tickets whether to get some now or go the a TKTS booth. Also we're tempted to go to a Comedy club but not sure which one.

Anyone have any decent restaurant recommendations for a nice meal on our anniversary but not at silly prices? Last time I just went to a couple of Steakhouses (Ruth Chris was one) which were OK but nothing earth shattering.

We don't have much of a plan but I want to walk through chinatown and Little Italy this time as I havn't before also I want to go to Grimaldis then walk over the Brooklyn bridge.

For tickets go to The Time Square Information Center. That's where I got my tickets a few years ago when I went to see Spamalot. My sister wanted to get tickets for Wicked I think last year and even though they had them, they were like $150 or something. It's hard to find a nice place in Manhattan to eat that isn't ridiculously expensive. You say that you want to go to Little Italy and China Town. Well if you are down that end of the Manhattan, you should definitely go to the surrounding areas of SoHo, Greenwich Village, Hell's Kitchen and the Meat Packing District. They are really nice areas, with great history, is a change from the madness of midtown and you'd be sure to find a nice place to eat in one of these places. Some of the restaurants around Little Italy look fantastic, just can't remember the costs.

[T4E]

I went in there looking to get scalp some tickets to see my beloved Buffalo Sabres v the New York Rangers. The barmaids were indeed lovely.

Erm.........that wasn't in December was it? I was in there that day, before attending the game!

[RoyRover]

Erm.........that wasn't in December was it? I was in there that day, before attending the game!

No, no! It was two or three years ago now.

[T4E]

Ah right, that would have been weird! Your Sabres won 3-2 by the way

[RoyRover]

Ah right, that would have been weird! Your Sabres won 3-2 by the way

That would have been weird. I had one of those small world experiences a few years ago. When I came back from university in Virginia in the summer of 2007, I had to go to Kalamata in Greece for my cousins wedding. While I was staying at the hotel, my parents started talking to a nice couple from Holland who were also staying at the hotel. I was introduced to them and I remember them looking at me strangely. My best friend at university in Virginia was from Holland too and I mentioned this to them. They asked where he was from. I told them Alkmaar. They said that they lived near to Alkmaar. I told them he used to play for AZ Alkmaar reserve team and the Dutch national youth team and he had a brother who played for Heerenveen. They asked his name and I told them, Matthijs Maruanaya. They then started laughing and told me that they knew my friends parents and a few weeks ago, my friends mum had sent people in her email contact list, photos of her son Matthijs and telling them how he was getting on with his football scholarship at Virginia Commonwealth University. I was in one of the photos with him and that's why the Dutch couple were looking at me strangely because they recognised me from the photos.

The Sabres won 3-2 when I saw them too. Won it in OT.

[Rover Down Under]

I lived in NY but it was about 12 years ago so things have changed a bit, most notably the skyline...

There are all the obvious places to go but it's what you do that will be most memorable. I would recommend a day in Central Park either rollerblading or biking, watching a movie being made (there's pretty much always one on - I saw Die Hard 3 and Godzilla being made, very interesting), go and watch a movie (to see how annoyingly obnoxious Yanks are in the cinema), go to a comedy club in the Village, go to Limelight (if it's still going!), the view from the top of the World Trade...oh wait it's gone, buy something in Macys, walk up and down Wall Street in a nice suit shouting into a mobile "Sell! Sell! Sell! For the love of God sell!" at about lunchtime and watch all the brokers run back to work, keep a tally of how many girls say "Oh I just LUUUURVE your aahhhcent", keep a tally of their phone numbers, watch a Premier League game in an Irish bar, give cookies to a homeless guy and NEVER use the salad bar at a restaurant.

[Tom]

I lived in NY but it was about 12 years ago so things have changed a bit, most notably the skyline...

There are all the obvious places to go but it's what you do that will be most memorable. I would recommend a day in Central Park either rollerblading or biking, watching a movie being made (there's pretty much always one on - I saw Die Hard 3 and Godzilla being made, very interesting), go and watch a movie (to see how annoyingly obnoxious Yanks are in the cinema), go to a comedy club in the Village, go to Limelight (if it's still going!), the view from the top of the World Trade...oh wait it's gone, buy something in Macys, walk up and down Wall Street in a nice suit shouting into a mobile "Sell! Sell! Sell! For the love of God sell!" at about lunchtime and watch all the brokers run back to work, keep a tally of how many girls say "Oh I just LUUUURVE your aahhhcent", keep a tally of their phone numbers, watch a Premier League game in an Irish bar, give cookies to a homeless guy and NEVER use the salad bar at a restaurant.

But trust me on the sunscreen...

[Tom]

We're thinking of doing a boat tour in NY has anyone done one and have any experiences of them?

[Mc Love]

I've only ever been to Boston once and remember very little about it, apart from skyscrapers in the city centre and the tram/metro from the suburbs where I was into the city. I remember it being a nice city, not nearly as intimidating in size as New York. I was quite young when I went there, so I can't remember many of the activities or sights. The trial through the city is fun and seeing Fenway Park was good too. I just remember there being a nice laid back feel to the city, where you could wonder around and enjoy the sights, without having to do very much at all.

Boston is brill. Stayed in the Lenox (right in the heart of the city) got good deal on Hotels.com It really is a fantastic city.

Definitely go on the duck tour (QUACK QUACK)

[Rovermatt]

We're thinking of doing a boat tour in NY has anyone done one and have any experiences of them?

The Staten Island ferry takes you from Battery Park at the bottom tip of Manhattan to Staten Island. The route is across Hudson Bay and affords excellent views of Ellis Island, Liberty Island, The Brooklyn Bridge and the financial district. Staten Island's a bit of a dive so you simply get off at the terminal over there and hop on the next ferry going back to Manhattan. It'll be about 45 minutes all in. Oh yes and it costs $0.00 to do it.

[speeeeeeedie]

The Staten Island ferry takes you from Battery Park at the bottom tip of Manhattan to Staten Island. The route is across Hudson Bay and affords excellent views of Ellis Island, Liberty Island, The Brooklyn Bridge and the financial district. Staten Island's a bit of a dive so you simply get off at the terminal over there and hop on the next ferry going back to Manhattan. It'll be about 45 minutes all in. Oh yes and it costs $0.00 to do it.

A very good shout this one. Try and get a ferry just before it goes dark. You'll see 2 different skylines.

[Tom]

I'm booked on a NY waterways tour now, $30 each for a 90 minute tour plus Top of the Rock tickets, which isn't bad seeing as they are usually about $20 each

[Tom]

Well typically it's gonna absolutely pour down this weekend, nothing can be done though so we'll just have to make the most of it