New York - things to do
Discussion
Going in early September with 3 mates (all 62 yo), for 6 days. We're probably doing 9/11 museum, USS Intrepid, Empire State, Rockafeller, poss Ellis Island and some skyscraper climb thing. We're staying at Times Square, so I know it's all typically touristy and expensive but it's a bit of a one-off for our delayed 60th birthdays.
Anything else anyone can suggest as we have a fair bit of time there? Also any other general tips?
Anything else anyone can suggest as we have a fair bit of time there? Also any other general tips?
I love NYC and have been 13 times, I'd make the following points.
Don't bother with Ellis Island unless you have ancestors who made the trip, it really is set up for that only.
If you want to actually go up Lady Liberty remember to book in advance and get your tickets on the mainland, you can't just pitch up.
If you have to choose between Empire State and Top of the Rock, do the Rock, the views are much better.
Smith and Wolensky for a fantastic steak dinner (not cheap but worth it)
Do the circle line cruise round Manhattan Island
ride the subway, it's clean, reliable and (east side not withstanding) goes most places you'd want to do.
If you're an art deco fan there are some amazing lobbies that you can just walk into and one or two slightly less well known tours that will go behind the scenes of some amazing buildings,
Grand Central terminal is amazing and well worth some time
Obviously at least one broadway show - buy your tickets same day from TKTS, you'll save anything up to 50%
If you can give a little more idea of what you're all into then I'll look back over my previous trip reports and made some more suggestions.
Don't bother with Ellis Island unless you have ancestors who made the trip, it really is set up for that only.
If you want to actually go up Lady Liberty remember to book in advance and get your tickets on the mainland, you can't just pitch up.
If you have to choose between Empire State and Top of the Rock, do the Rock, the views are much better.
Smith and Wolensky for a fantastic steak dinner (not cheap but worth it)
Do the circle line cruise round Manhattan Island
ride the subway, it's clean, reliable and (east side not withstanding) goes most places you'd want to do.
If you're an art deco fan there are some amazing lobbies that you can just walk into and one or two slightly less well known tours that will go behind the scenes of some amazing buildings,
Grand Central terminal is amazing and well worth some time
Obviously at least one broadway show - buy your tickets same day from TKTS, you'll save anything up to 50%
If you can give a little more idea of what you're all into then I'll look back over my previous trip reports and made some more suggestions.
get a tour from Big Apple Greeter
free and they will tailor it to suit you
https://www.forbes.com/sites/margiegoldsmith/2021/...
I did it in 2013 and it was brilliant
free and they will tailor it to suit you
https://www.forbes.com/sites/margiegoldsmith/2021/...
I did it in 2013 and it was brilliant
AlRaven said:
Going in early September with 3 mates (all 62 yo), for 6 days. We're probably doing 9/11 museum, USS Intrepid, Empire State, Rockafeller, poss Ellis Island and some skyscraper climb thing. We're staying at Times Square, so I know it's all typically touristy and expensive but it's a bit of a one-off for our delayed 60th birthdays.
Anything else anyone can suggest as we have a fair bit of time there? Also any other general tips?
Cycle tour of Central Park good, Guggenheim museum, Top of Rock better than Empire State, Katz diner, We went to a baseball game.Anything else anyone can suggest as we have a fair bit of time there? Also any other general tips?
+1 for the Highline & end at Intrepid (well, near enough for government work)
Ellen's diner for a musical brunch
The fire department museum for a really good (and less busy...) history of how New York developed. Their section on 9/11 is just heart stopping.
Ellen's diner for a musical brunch
The fire department museum for a really good (and less busy...) history of how New York developed. Their section on 9/11 is just heart stopping.
Took the kids a couple of years ago - we landed at JFK the day after Sully landed in the Hudson. Visited Empire State, Macey’s and Times Square, then walked the rest to see the UN building, Flat Iron building, Trump Tower, Rockefeller Centre, Central Park, Chinatown, Little Italy and Battery Park. Everywhere is instantly recognisable from films and TV shows!
We didn’t leave Manhattan - we were only there for two nights - but if you’re into sports and going in September it might be worth checking out either the NY Jets or Giants NFL teams to see if they have a home game.
We didn’t leave Manhattan - we were only there for two nights - but if you’re into sports and going in September it might be worth checking out either the NY Jets or Giants NFL teams to see if they have a home game.
We did a walking tour, which was truly excellent, finishing up for the evening in a little bar (more of a pub really) where we had many more drinks with people we met on the tour.
Also went to little show at the Comedy Cellar - that was excellent too.
For me the stand out was the 9/11 museum. Incredibly well done and very difficult not to be deeply moved by the experience.
Also went to little show at the Comedy Cellar - that was excellent too.
For me the stand out was the 9/11 museum. Incredibly well done and very difficult not to be deeply moved by the experience.
Done three different food tours, great fun and opportunity to meet other people and try different food
https://www.foodsofny.com/
https://www.foodsofny.com/
Get an attractions pass as it'll save you a few quid, you can also use it to get Big Red Bus tickets which you can hop on and off when visiting places. They're an open top tour bus so you get some really good info when you're travelling about.
Try and plan your days and group things you want to do by area so there's less travelling about.
Give The Edge ago at Hudson Yard, it's a new outdoor viewing platform and it's ace.
I'll also second the Circle Line cruise, it's included in most attraction passes and it's really good and shows you a lot of NYC you probably didn't know existed.
Top of The Rock is awesome at night on a clear day so this worth going up in both daylight and night time, first thing in the morning is good too as it's nice and quiet.
I'm heading back in December, can't wait!
Try and plan your days and group things you want to do by area so there's less travelling about.
Give The Edge ago at Hudson Yard, it's a new outdoor viewing platform and it's ace.
I'll also second the Circle Line cruise, it's included in most attraction passes and it's really good and shows you a lot of NYC you probably didn't know existed.
Top of The Rock is awesome at night on a clear day so this worth going up in both daylight and night time, first thing in the morning is good too as it's nice and quiet.
I'm heading back in December, can't wait!
Wacky Racer said:
A Trip to Coney Island is good if you have the time.
Chrysler building is magnificent.
There are several open top bus tours, you see a lot of stuff you would otherwise miss such as Brooklyn and Harlem.
I have been twice and made sure on the second time we did the bus tours outside of Manhattan. Less busy, and great to see the other area's like Harlem, and Brooklyn. Chrysler building is magnificent.
There are several open top bus tours, you see a lot of stuff you would otherwise miss such as Brooklyn and Harlem.
I agree with the missus next time we will spend more time in Brooklyn, and maybe catch a Net's game.
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