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Post by Not_Nick_H on Aug 14, 2019 13:53:44 GMT
I'm putting this out to the Oatie board travel experts and maybe any ex-pats over there for any tips. I'm visiting NY for 5 days next week with my two kids (two of us have "significant" birthdays this year, so I thought we'd do something a bit adventurous). - We're staying near Times Square, and potentially cramming alot in, but I just wondered if folks could recommend reasonable places to eat (kids are quite open minded - they want to try Deli's, "proper" Italian etc, good breakfast places). Got the usual list of clichéd places to see - Statue of Liberty, Empire State, WTC, Radio City, MSG. etc. Also doing the Museum of Natural History and Coney Island - plus tickets to a Mets game. I've been before to NY about 20 years ago, but just wanting advice on the best times to visit places etc. (I'm also aware it'll be hot there). Oh, and if there's a Stokie-friendly bar there, that'd be cool
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Post by Northy on Aug 14, 2019 14:33:15 GMT
Visit the Rockefeller centre instead of Empire state, so you can see the empire state from high up See what show is on at Radio City and look to go there and the nearby NBC studio tour ? Ellens stardust diner for something to eat, but get there early and prepare to queue There's also the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum down on the river )aircraft carrier, concorde, space shuttle and more) www.intrepidmuseum.org/and dont forget to go here joeallenrestaurant.com/ plenty of eateries around here on 46th, Bourbon Street Bar & Grille and stuff like that, sure youll get an Italian pastrami somewhere near there, it's called restaurant row.
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Post by elystokie on Aug 14, 2019 15:00:10 GMT
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Post by xchpotter on Aug 14, 2019 15:19:58 GMT
As mentioned above, get the City pass. Rockefeller over the Empire State is good advice too. The Intrepid aircraft carrier museum is ace. Statue of Liberty is well worth it. We also did Ellis Island which is quite moving as is 9/11....it’s incredible. A water taxi/ferry trip from battery park allows you to see the skyline etc.
With places to eat we found most of the real tourist places were full of chains you get over here. I wanted the American diner experience but couldn’t find it in the busy tourist locations and you probably need to go a few streets back to find it. One thing we did find was a bar set up like Cheers and there was a tele with every sport you could want...didn’t know where to look, but they keep offering you beer with a nice little paper place mat.
A horse and cart ride around Central Park is good too....if you don’t mind Irish Gypos as they seem to run the show.
We had 5 days there too and probably it isn’t long enough....I’d like to go back and go and explore a bit more, but a lot of the aforementioned stuff by others are iconic and must sees as a basic if you are going over.
Good luck....it will be fabulous and I’m sure you will enjoy it.
PS....Grand Central station and the underground market is well worth visiting too.
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Post by Not_Nick_H on Aug 14, 2019 15:26:55 GMT
Thanks guys. I've got the 3-Day New York Pass - which is one of the two popular ones I think. Someone else has mentioned doing the Rockefeller for the view so that's a definite. One other tip was skipping the Statue of Liberty as you just spend the whole time getting neck ache looing up at it. Better to get the ferry to Ellis island and you have a good view from there.
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Post by potterinleeds on Aug 14, 2019 15:31:09 GMT
Went last year for first time and loved it. We stayed in an Air BnB in Jersey City as was very reasonable and quick train connection to main areas. I hardly used the subway, as I walk a lot anyway and found New York to be all very walkable, but some cheap deals for weekly pass tickets etc. I would recommend in no particular order:
1. Trip to top of World One. Like the grumpy old man I am, I grumbled to the Grimsby Town fan in the queue behind us about this all being over-touristy, expensive etc. But the reveal at the top was breathtaking, and Manhattan was everything I had ever imagined it to be - monstrous, mythic, mind-blowing.
2. Chill out on the Sheep Meadow in Central Park for a few hours. There are some really good food trucks (proper vans, not the push-along carts you see everywhere) towards the top end of 6th Avenue, near HBO studio's HQ I think. Get some food there and then it's a short walk up to the S end of Central Park.
3. On a Sunday morning, get out early and walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to the Brooklyn Flea (flea / junk market). Not as cheap as Stafford car boot, but good for a look round, dramatic setting under huge railway arches, and plenty of bars / cafes about there. Go early because the bridge gets mega-crowded later on.
4. Even if art is not really your thing (or of you get a rainy-ish day), I'd still recommend the Met just for the sheer scale of what can be seen, plus ace views from the rooftop terrace with a cool drink on a sunny day. The Met tickets last for 3 days so you can get into all three museums if you wish, making it good value. I really enjoyed the Met Cloisters at the north end of Manhattan Island - full of high-end medieval artefacts, beautiful gardens, again quite chilled out and a massive contrast to the main parts of the city. Natural History Museum is good too, plus you can do 'Night at the Museum' location spotting in there. Because I'm arty-farty, I went to the American Museum of Folk Art and the Nicholas Roerich Museum (transcendental Himalayan paintings), not everyone's cup of tea I know, but there are plenty of other smaller places worth seeking out.
5. Walk along the High Line. Gives you a different view on the city, can dip your tired feet in the water or rest them on the grass, plus lots of places to get off and eat nearby.
6. Just have a wander around central and lower Manhattan and see what you come across. I felt very safe in New York all the time I was there, plenty of cops about everywhere, found everyone to be friendly. Also I was surprised at the relatively low numbers of visible beggars and homeless (and I'm not pretending that there aren't thousands that you don't see) compared to places like Los Angeles, for example.
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Post by salopstick on Aug 14, 2019 15:31:33 GMT
I went in April for 5 days. I bought a city pass which got me into Empire State Rockafella Liberty island 911 museum. Amazing Met museum
Although liberty island is near 911 it’s worth getting your liberty island tickets early and getting the subway to be first in the queue next day
Walk everywhere you can as you see more. We walked the 8 miles to 911 from Times Square through all sorts of places then on to Wall Street area and over the Brooklyn bridge. Subway back to empire and that was a whole day. Kids ages may dictate
Top tip. Don’t eat around Times Square at night. If you don’t visit places like little Italy and Chinatown in the day make a point of going there for your evening meal.
Central Park after the met is a great walk for the afternoon if it’s nice weather.
You will need subway cards. Buy the unlimited week long ones.
Ignore all the people trying to get you to spend your money on the street esp round Times Square. However the food vendors for lunch are great.
Took me over 2 hours to clear immigration with my esta. Security queues for the likes of rockafella can take a while
Get one of those prepaid top up mastercards for your spending
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Post by salopstick on Aug 14, 2019 15:32:13 GMT
Visit the Rockefeller centre instead of Empire state, so you can see the empire state from high up See what show is on at Radio City and look to go there and the nearby NBC studio tour ? Ellens stardust diner for something to eat, but get there early and prepare to queue There's also the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum down on the river )aircraft carrier, concorde, space shuttle and more) www.intrepidmuseum.org/and dont forget to go here joeallenrestaurant.com/ plenty of eateries around here on 46th, Bourbon Street Bar & Grille and stuff like that, sure youll get an Italian pastrami somewhere near there, it's called restaurant row. Ellen stardust’s is great. Better go for lunch low. Shorter queue to get in
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Post by bathstoke on Aug 14, 2019 15:39:06 GMT
Visit the Rockefeller centre instead of Empire state, so you can see the empire state from high up See what show is on at Radio City and look to go there and the nearby NBC studio tour ? Ellens stardust diner for something to eat, but get there early and prepare to queue There's also the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum down on the river )aircraft carrier, concorde, space shuttle and more) www.intrepidmuseum.org/and dont forget to go here joeallenrestaurant.com/ plenty of eateries around here on 46th, Bourbon Street Bar & Grille and stuff like that, sure youll get an Italian pastrami somewhere near there, it's called restaurant row. Ellen stardust’s is great. Better go for lunch low. Shorter queue to get in The whole idea of queuing for food infuriates me. There’s a pizza restaurant in Bath that will not take bookings on Fridays or Saturdays, so that folk have to queue. It’s free advertising.
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Post by bathstoke on Aug 14, 2019 15:41:37 GMT
Mate of mine went with his wife & kids last year. They hired bikes & cycled round. He filmed some of it & it looked great fun.
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Post by salopstick on Aug 14, 2019 15:54:26 GMT
Thanks guys. I've got the 3-Day New York Pass - which is one of the two popular ones I think. Someone else has mentioned doing the Rockefeller for the view so that's a definite. One other tip was skipping the Statue of Liberty as you just spend the whole time getting neck ache looing up at it. Better to get the ferry to Ellis island and you have a good view from there. Liberty and Ellis island was great. There was so ring special about being yards from the base of the statue you have seen on telly for years. Viewing 200m away from a boat is not the same. The Ellis island immigration centre is very good if you like the history of it
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Post by iancransonsknees on Aug 14, 2019 16:16:42 GMT
I'm putting this out to the Oatie board travel experts and maybe any ex-pats over there for any tips. I'm visiting NY for 5 days next week with my two kids (two of us have "significant" birthdays this year, so I thought we'd do something a bit adventurous). - We're staying near Times Square, and potentially cramming alot in, but I just wondered if folks could recommend reasonable places to eat (kids are quite open minded - they want to try Deli's, "proper" Italian etc, good breakfast places). Got the usual list of clichéd places to see - Statue of Liberty, Empire State, WTC, Radio City, MSG. etc. Also doing the Museum of Natural History and Coney Island - plus tickets to a Mets game. I've been before to NY about 20 years ago, but just wanting advice on the best times to visit places etc. (I'm also aware it'll be hot there). Oh, and if there's a Stokie-friendly bar there, that'd be cool Another recommendation for Grand Central Station here. Highly recommend using this as a way to walk around and avoid some ground level hustle and bustle too: www.thehighline.org/I'm off to Chicago, Portland and Toronto at the end of the month so any advice would be welcome.
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Post by alsagerstokie on Aug 14, 2019 16:26:17 GMT
Ellen stardust’s is great. Better go for lunch low. Shorter queue to get in The whole idea of queuing for food infuriates me. There’s a pizza restaurant in Bath that will not take bookings on Fridays or Saturdays, so that folk have to queue. It’s free advertising. I take it uve not had said Pizza then?
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Post by bathstoke on Aug 14, 2019 16:34:24 GMT
The whole idea of queuing for food infuriates me. There’s a pizza restaurant in Bath that will not take bookings on Fridays or Saturdays, so that folk have to queue. It’s free advertising. I take it uve not had said Pizza then? Yes, We just went on a Sunday 🍕
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Post by thevoid on Aug 14, 2019 16:37:46 GMT
Bet they haven't got a Wetherspoons or a Greggs though.
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Post by Northy on Aug 14, 2019 16:42:06 GMT
I'm putting this out to the Oatie board travel experts and maybe any ex-pats over there for any tips. I'm visiting NY for 5 days next week with my two kids (two of us have "significant" birthdays this year, so I thought we'd do something a bit adventurous). - We're staying near Times Square, and potentially cramming alot in, but I just wondered if folks could recommend reasonable places to eat (kids are quite open minded - they want to try Deli's, "proper" Italian etc, good breakfast places). Got the usual list of clichéd places to see - Statue of Liberty, Empire State, WTC, Radio City, MSG. etc. Also doing the Museum of Natural History and Coney Island - plus tickets to a Mets game. I've been before to NY about 20 years ago, but just wanting advice on the best times to visit places etc. (I'm also aware it'll be hot there). Oh, and if there's a Stokie-friendly bar there, that'd be cool Another recommendation for Grand Central Station here. Highly recommend using this as a way to walk around and avoid some ground level hustle and bustle too: www.thehighline.org/I'm off to Chicago, Portland and Toronto at the end of the month so any advice would be welcome. Oh yes, forgot about Grand central its worth a visit
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Post by butlerstbob on Aug 14, 2019 17:14:57 GMT
Thanks guys. I've got the 3-Day New York Pass - which is one of the two popular ones I think. Someone else has mentioned doing the Rockefeller for the view so that's a definite. One other tip was skipping the Statue of Liberty as you just spend the whole time getting neck ache looing up at it. Better to get the ferry to Ellis island and you have a good view from there. I did 6 days last December with a lot covered by the great info above, 4 things that I would personally recommend are - as said above rockefeller center in the day gives you great views of Central park and the Empire state building, Empire state at night as its just fantastic in the dark, also this cruise was absolutely fantastic and you get really close to the Statue of Liberty and its here www.circleline.com/sightseeing-cruises/best-of-nyc also we had breakfast at the Empire diner which featured in Home Alone, it's over in Chelsea near the High line, great food and not too expensive. There is so much to do and see in NYC you will have a fantastic time.
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Post by mattyd on Aug 14, 2019 18:29:59 GMT
There's a theatre museum in Times Square where they will upload your picture and put a message on and display it for a few seconds on the iconic screen and the message ticker beneath it in Times Square. Free as well, takes about 30/40 min for your pic/message to appear, but its a great quirky little touristy thing to do, and a good photo shoot.
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Post by mattyd on Aug 14, 2019 18:31:56 GMT
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Post by stokemark on Aug 14, 2019 19:46:32 GMT
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Post by musik on Aug 14, 2019 20:51:47 GMT
The Original Soupman (259A West 55th Street and 8th Avenue),
he is said to actually exist. If you are Seinfeld fans there are free tours.
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Post by NassauDave on Aug 14, 2019 23:40:57 GMT
Bet they haven't got a Wetherspoons or a Greggs though. No, but Pret are all over Manhattan now.
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Post by alsagerstokie on Aug 15, 2019 11:59:13 GMT
I take it uve not had said Pizza then? Yes, We just went on a Sunday 🍕 Marks out of 10?
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Post by bathstoke on Aug 15, 2019 12:27:08 GMT
Yes, We just went on a Sunday 🍕 Marks out of 10? Well they’re never as good as in Italy, although I’ve never been to NY, but they do a great basil pizza rather than a tomato base, which is authentic. This is them:- www.theovenpizzeria.co.uk/
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Post by neworleanstokie on Aug 15, 2019 23:03:35 GMT
I've lived/worked in NY for the last 10 years (Upper Side) Here's my top picks:
Do's: Met Museum of Art MoMA Yankee stadium W Village Central Park Roc Center Goldstar App Uber Yellow cabs - download the Arro and and Curb apps Subway but not during rushour 911 Museum Sit and watch the world go by do 1/2 what you planned to do Ellis Island (not Statue of Liberty)
Don't Empire State Building Any type of chain : TGIF etc. Horse drawn carriage - we are trying to get them out of the city Stop on the sidewalks and look up Open a map on the street Century 21 Times Square - walk through it then gtf out of there
Thanks for visiting and remember to always tip 15-20% in restaurants!!!! ps be ready for sticker shock at today's exchange rate $1.20/GBP
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Post by werrington on Aug 16, 2019 9:04:32 GMT
We stayed at Hotel New Yorker not far from Times Square and adjoined to the world famous Tick Tock diner
I must admit I went up the Empire State and it was fantastic, a good tip is get there early and I mean early as it gets really busy....we went at 8am and went straight in but when we came out at around 9:30 it was rammed
Also split your trip into the quarters of Manhattan to make sure you see everything rather than crisscrossing it
The subway us an excellent way up get around what is a fantastic city with the twin towers museum on the site of it very emotional
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Post by harryburrows on Aug 16, 2019 10:03:41 GMT
Must see is fanellis cafe in prince st soho . One of NYs oldest bars , original tin ceilings etc . PJ clarks bar and grill on 3rd ave is worth a visit . Angela's Deli on 6 th ave is great for breakfast we stayed on Central Park south and is was 1/4 the price of our hotel and just round the corner . Boathouse restaurant in Central Park is nice as well
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Post by Not_Nick_H on Sept 3, 2019 11:44:39 GMT
We stayed at Hotel New Yorker not far from Times Square and adjoined to the world famous Tick Tock diner I must admit I went up the Empire State and it was fantastic, a good tip is get there early and I mean early as it gets really busy....we went at 8am and went straight in but when we came out at around 9:30 it was rammed Also split your trip into the quarters of Manhattan to make sure you see everything rather than crisscrossing it The subway us an excellent way up get around what is a fantastic city with the twin towers museum on the site of it very emotional Ah, the New Yorker - famous final resting place of under-appreciated scientist Nikola Tesla. That was on the list of places to go, but we didn't get time.
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Post by Not_Nick_H on Sept 3, 2019 11:53:36 GMT
Cheers for everyone's input. We did a lot of stuff we wanted to, but not everything - can you ever in NY?. Some clichéd stuff, some original stuff, kids enjoyed it which is the important bit. IMG_0871 by , IMG_0845 by
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Post by Dresden_scfc on Sept 3, 2019 19:03:32 GMT
I've lived/worked in NY for the last 10 years (Upper Side) Here's my top picks: Do's: Met Museum of Art MoMA Yankee stadium W Village Central Park Roc Center Goldstar App Uber Yellow cabs - download the Arro and and Curb apps Subway but not during rushour 911 Museum Sit and watch the world go by do 1/2 what you planned to do Ellis Island (not Statue of Liberty) Don't Empire State Building Any type of chain : TGIF etc. Horse drawn carriage - we are trying to get them out of the city Stop on the sidewalks and look up Open a map on the street Century 21 Times Square - walk through it then gtf out of there Thanks for visiting and remember to always tip 15-20% in restaurants!!!! ps be ready for sticker shock at today's exchange rate $1.20/GBP Hi, just curious about you not recommending staying around times square and going to the empire state building? I'm going New York in December so just wondering, thanks.
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