The most important thing we found was........go out intending to be out for the day......don't plan any returns to the hotel during the day it wastes too much time.... The Twin Towers site is very moving, every tourist must do the Empire State building & the Statue of Liberty (not sure it it is all open as it wasn't when we visited.... Take a half empty suitcase & buy stuff there to fill it (removing any price tags before travelling home) Ignore the fact that so many people carry guns & that the cops treat everyone like dirt......just go & enjoy it
We are going in December also. Staying in UpperWestside on the recommendation of someone at work (along with other things as well). As a poster said earlier get your liberty tickets sorted as when we booked about 3 weeks ago, in between looking and booking, which was the day after, 2 days of time slots had gone (this is to go up to the crown, and both were weekend days). We are getting a City Pass when there which also goes to the SoL just doesn't have the crown option. It gets you into the Rockefeller, American History Museum (of Night at the Museum fame), and many other things. We are also doing a pizza tour as jnr is with us, so i thought that could be good (I'm sure he will moan). The Broadway show we are going to see is Wicked, which was seen by someone else i know who said it was fantastic.
Got to take a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Do go to the Dakota building and pop into Central Park ( strawberry fields). For me the MOMA was crap and even though it's included in Ur city pass give it a miss. We went to Radio City and that was fantastic.... Enjoy every minute.
Get a metro card for the tubes! It's a great way to get about & miles cheaper! It's great walking about but it really does knacker you out!
Use the Gray Line hop on hop off bus tours - they are really informative and there's always a guide that will give you lots of information about buildings etc. We went up the Empire State Building at night as the views around Manhattan at night are spectacular. Wall Street, Soho, Central Station, Central Park, Rockefeller Centre, Statue of Liberty. There's the High Line which is a 1.5 mile park built on an elevated dis used section of railway. Broadway show - there's a ticket booth on Times Square that sells spare tickets for shows that night at hugely reduced prices (what can I say Yorkshire born and bred) There a shopping outlet in New Jersey (An hour's coach journey from the port authority coach station) Woodbury Common, I reluctantly agreed to spend a morning there - we were still there at 9pm!! - it is massive. The discounts are even better than you'll find in and around New York - So much so my Mrs had to buy another bloody suitcase!! http://www.newyorkcity.uk/woodbury-common-premium-outlet-center-new-york/ It is one of my favourite cities.
Some great advice on this thread and its making me slightly jealous that I'm going to Miami this year for Xmas instead of New York like we did last year. The one guarantee is that 5 days won't be enough, you'll absolutely love the place and will be booking your next trip as soon as you get home, it really is one of the best places on earth.
The city pass was good value for money I found. Also has extra things you can do of an evening if you need inspiration.
If you are intending to go inside the Statue of Liberty, stay at the back of the boat when crossing over. You will be first off and first up the steps. Restaurant tip would be Tribeca Grill. Like a few have already said, wrap up, have space in your luggage for purchases , and you'll have an apsolute ball.
I was referring to security guards etc in just about every tourist attraction, many stores, banks etc not the public..........took us some getting used to
We are getting a town car from JFK to our hotel in Upper West Side, again because someone said it was the easiest option for three of us with shed load of cases. Has anyone used any firms that have been good? I have looked online but you never know who is reputable or who isn't. I asked the hotel we are staying with if they had any recommendations but they didn't come back with anything.
Lord it over the yanks constantly, e.g. "Pfft, this would've been on time if we still ran the show" And "What are you saying? Trash can? It's a rubbish bin. We gave you the English language please use it" Or "I've got keks that are older than these buildings" You're welcome.
New York City is both the greatest and the worst city in the USA. It's a great place to visit. Heed the advice of those who said to book as many things in advance as possible. Popular tours, landmarks, broadway shows, etc. sell out or will have long lines for tickets. Don't spend your vacation waiting in a line. I'll be up there on December 4 to attend the St. Louis Blues vs New York Islanders NHL game. It's an annual trip to see the Blues play in an opponents rink. If not for that I'd have no interest in Brooklyn. Manhattan is where most of the fun is.
