Holiday in and around New York!!

[Meg]

Has any body any ideas how to go about this. It is a friends 40th and we are thinking of going there. I
already have a friend who I would like to see who lives is Maryland.
Would we be better doing a "trip" or doing it ourselves??

[Meg]

[kentishchloe]

We sent my in-laws to NY for a few days to celebrate M-I-L's 60th - I'm sure my OH sorted it out himself, booked flights, hotel etc. seperately. Can't remember much about details (was in 2001) but they flew BA and stayed at the Waldorf Astoria, and it didn't break the bank; some canny deals I think.

The timing, however was unfortunate - we gave the 'gift certificate' to them on September 1st 2001 for the trip the following spring - and we all know what happened ten days later :'(
They did go however and had an amazing time - hope you have a great trip.

[Derekthefox]

I can't help, but wish you a wonderful time anyway  :D

Derekthefox :D

[BAGGY]

Oooh me, Oooh me.  I went a year or so before 9/11.  There was a heatwave and no one was allowed up the statue of liberty or the empire state as it was soooo hot.  Do try to take the touristy open top bus.  They do a downtown and an uptown tour and you can get off where you want then get back on again.  It is very cliche and all of the conductors are 'resting' actors and if you get a good one they are really interesting.  Take the ferry to manhattan island - it's free and as it leaves on the way back stand at the back of the boat.  Great piccy shot.  Time square is ok - there is the little red kiosk (or something like that) that sells Broadway tickets for that evening at a reduced price.  Buy an I 'heart' NY t shirt and look like a tourist.  Oooh there's loads to do.  And you can eat all day - yay!!!!  And we didn't do the art museums or anything like that.  Grand central station is cool.  Shall I go on ?

[Mrs Ava]

I have done it twice, both times myself.  The first time we managed to get a good deal on our flights, then got the bus from Newark to Manhatten - not ideal late at night, but we survived.  Then cab from the bus depot to our hotel - the Essex House on Central Park. Didn't have to pay as a lovely work colleague had an appartment within the hotel and we stayed there. Fabulous views over the park and a very nice hotel indeed.  Quite traditional.

Second time got another great deal on the flight, but had a limo from Newark to Manhatten, courtesy of the company  ;D.  This time we stayed in a fab hotel in SoHo called the SoHo House, very trendy and fabulous!  Managed to get a very good deal on our room so it really didn't break the bank.

Do all of the touristy things!  We were lucky as this was a good few years ago, so went up the twin towers, but you must go up the Empire State, and don't forget the Chrysler, which to me is a much more beautiful tower.  Horse and trap ride around Central Park, that toy shop....can't think what it is called, from that daft movie with Tom Hanks....'Big' where the piano is on the floor....5th Avenue and all the great shops, then downtown, SoHo and Greenwich Village, all the trendies and some great weird, wonderful and wacky shops!  Time Square is very impressive, oh and Grand Central Station.  A trip on the subway is an experience.  We went to a party in the Rainbow rooms at the Rockefella centre, and that is where the outdoor ice rink is at this time of year.  Fab fab fab fab fab!  Most jealous....when the kids are older, or that money tree I am trying to grow starts to fruit, I will have to take my darling.

[Yellow Petals]

And dont forget to try expedia.co.uk  they have some fabulous deals.  They also do combinations of hotel and car hire or flight and hotel or flight and car or all three - or just the one! 

[Yellow Petals]

when the kids are older, or that money tree I am trying to grow starts to fruit, I will have to take my darling. [/b]

Ahem....and who did you go with the first two times then, eh? eh? eh?  nudge nudge....say no more......  ;) :-X

[joji]

If you do go Maggie. Can you please do me a big favour?
I have always wanted a good pic of the balto statue in central park. Could you get one for me please or a post card of it ?  :)

[Mrs Ava]

ahem...well YP....ahem.....blush....blush......another man!

[lorna]

Can only  agree with what others have said. Went in 1992( me,husband, son, daughter-in-law and grandson) We went to visit Lorna Jnr who was nannying out there. Didn't have to find Hotel as we were invited to stay with  Lorna's employers. John(son) and family found an excellent motel. Boy oh boy do they eat. I climbed to the top of the Statue of Liberty on my 40th wedding anniversary. Went to top of  Empire State Building. If I remember rightly the first lift goes to 86th floor then second one takes you to top .which I think is the 102nd floor. Because Lorna was working we didn't have as much time in New York as we would have like. New York is a wonderful city.
We went fly/drive.

[undercarriage plan]

I've been to New York!! Well...Newark Airport actually...got taken off plane from Atlanta and held in little office....very embarassing..... their mistake, mind you, well mine to, but more theirs....  held for couple of hours... then bundled on next plane home.... all a bit surreal really......sorry! And if you go, don't visit the little office in Newark, is really badly decorated.. ::) ;D
Lottie

[lorna]

Lottie. It could only happen to you!!!!!!!! ???

[undercarriage plan]

Was awful, Lorna, was only passenger kept on board.....everyone left the plane looking at me worriedly, had 2 men stood either side to prevent my escape!!! Felt like right crim, never been so terrified, well barr the incident with the clippers...  ::) then escorted off!!!! Never again..... daft internal flight system they have.....

[moonbells]

Have been to NYC a few times now. First two times with work and then to visit friends I made on trip 2!

There are all sorts of little places you don't get to see unless you know about them. For instance, most folk know about the Metropolitan museum of Art in Central Park. Fewer know that there's an annexe of this called the Cloisters uptown, where Manhattan is parkland and has fantastic views of the Hudson Palisades and the Washington Bridge.  There are medieval-inspired gardens and the Cloisters itself is a classic example of pilfering of European religious buildings by Rockefeller, with pieces of various cloisters shipped to the US and rebuilt.
http://www.metmuseum.org/Works_of_Art/department.asp?dep=7
They run shuttlebuses (or used to) between the Met and the Cloisters.

Then there's Wave Hill - in the North Bronx. I'd never have dreamed that part of the Bronx is the most exclusive area, with huge mansions and this amazing house and garden overlooking the river.  Trouble is you need a car to get there, a good taxi driver or a local friend!
http://www.wavehill.org/gardens/

moonbells

[Meg]

Ta everyone. We are not going till August but always good to hear what othr peple think. So Joji love to take the picture but you will have to remind me! Just so excited half the fun is planning and thinking about what we might do ;D