Page 1 of NEW YORK - Who`s Been - Recommendations Please!!

Hi All,

Off to New York on September 11th :/ and away for two weeks.

Can anyone recommend any nice hotels they`ve stayed at in New York and if they are advertised online? A good price being the big issue due to the duration of the stay!!

Recommendations for places to eat / day trips, etc. Know there`s the obvious placed, but looking for personal recommendations.

Also feel welcome to recommend any other places outside New York close by using public transport. No plan to hire a vehicle. Bit wary of driving abroad.

Also is it a good idea to go with an empty-ish suitcase to purchase clothes, is it any cheaper especially with it being New York?

Thanks All,

Chris :)

This item was edited on Thursday, 3rd August 2006, 11:26

Hi,

I lived in NY & Philadelphia for a few years. I can heartily reccomend Little Italy & Chinatown (NY) - really great atmosphere and yummy food. If you`re looking for nightlife then anywhere in the village is cool (after 10pm). You can also try anywhere along Bleeker Street - really great bars and food outlets at reasonable prices. If you head uptown to around 51st West you`ll see the NBC building and Rockerfeller Plaza. This is where they have the Christmas tree (don`t think it`ll be there in Sep though). Great place for ice skating and St. Patricks cathedral is just around the corner.

As for hotels i`d reccomend the New Yorker on 31st street (as I recall). It`ll be out of season so a telephone call or email may get you a bargain. It`s (literally) around the corner from Madison Square Gardens, Grand Central Station & the Empire State Building.

If you have the time get the Greyhound bus from NY to Philadelphia - only takes about 90 mins and used to cost $19 return. I`d reccomend you do shopping in Philly - loads of great shops and malls. You can visit the Liberty Bell, the Museum of Modern Art (famous for the steps that Sylvester Stallone ran up in Rocky - yes I did run up them on many occasions).

They also used to run day trips from NY to a huge mall called the King of Prussia in Philadelphia - it`s the second biggest mall in the US. I`d suggest you take an empty bag with you and fill it up. Be careful though as customs can sometimes get a bit arsy. It`s best to fill both bags with clothes and shopping. Keep all the receipts as you may need them when returning through customs.

I`ve attached some links for you which you may find useful. as I said I used to live there so feel free to drop me an e mail if you want any further info.

http://www.nyctourist.com/

http://www.philadelphia.world-guides.com/

http://www.kingofprussiamall.com/

Of course if you fancy a bit of gambling you can always try Atlantic City. There`s loads of excursions available.

http://www.atlanticcitynj.com/

Greyhound buses

http://www.greyhound.com/home.asp

Hope this helps. As I mentioned if you need any other info please feel free to drop me an e mail.

:D

Thanks for all those links mate.

I hope we can fill the two weeks.

How do I email you? If you can email me please ... I will drop you a message back.b

Thanks,

Chris

This item was edited on Thursday, 3rd August 2006, 14:40

Harry, if you click the user name in red you will be able to mail the user from the link at the top of the page.

Dr 42%er


It`s not easy being different. It`s not easy being cool....but somehow I manage....

first u luckey bugger second to go up the empire state building u need to queue for tickets then queue for the lift so buy your tickets online its www.esb.com i think it will save u a 2hour queue for tickets . statue of liberty is a must but since 9/11 they stopped people going inside the statue they have since relented but you will need a pass to go in they are free u can get one when u buy your ticket but they only allow so many in so go to www.batterypark.com and u can get one there if u miss the time on the ticket u have not lost any money or u can go to the souviner shop on the island explain to the guy on the till u did not know about the pass and u have travelled thousands of miles and it will be the highlight of your holiday grovel grovel grovel he has a few passes for people like us .last of all when u go to ground zero look at it turn around 180 degrees and u will see a store called 21st centuary it is full of cheap designer stuff u will have to rummage but theres bargains to be had there

I have not been myself but a mate says if you are going to Macys (sp) the go to the visitors center with your passport and you will get a discount card that gets you 15% off everything, even sale prices.

Dr 42%er


It`s not easy being different. It`s not easy being cool....but somehow I manage....

Quote:
www.esb.com i think i am missing something here because all i get is a sports site???



`i am going to live forever or die trying`

I lived in the Big Apple for 6 years and can enlighten you on the best of City that never sleeps.

Never stay in hotels, but these have been recommended for starters......

•Hotel QT. The newest hipster haven from hotelier Andre Balazs carries his trademark cool style. This one has a pool in the lobby with underwater music. Doubles at the 140-room Times Square outpost start at $175 with free breakfast. 212-354-2323; hotelqt.com.

•The Gershwin. Fun and funky, this hangout for creative types in Times Square features Picasso-style wall murals in rooms with art in every crevice. Prices for a basic room start at $99, but small rooms with bunk beds start at $40. 212-545-8000; gershwinhotel.com.

•Cosmopolitan Hotel. "Clean, comfortable rooms at a reasonable price" is the focus of this new, 105-room TriBeCa hideaway where rooms start at $129. Expect simple décor and a perfect location for walking to SoHo, Chinatown, Little Italy and Greenwich Village. 888-895-9400; cosmohotel.com.

My Favourite Restaurants are.....

•Sea Thai Bistro (Williamsburg, Brooklyn or 2nd Avenue, Manhatten). Fun, Tasty and Cheap. Williamsburg is the place to be at the moment, the bohemian crew have moved out of the Village and emigrated here. Sea is a cavernous warehouse with funky buddhas, lily ponds and egg shaped toilets (see it in the film Garden State). It`s fun to look at, but what really stands out is the food it can only be described as "Orgasmic" - everybody i`ve taken there has gone back, over and over again. Never been to the Sea in 2nd Ave.

•Peter Luger`s Steak House (Williamsburg, Brooklyn). Been around for years. Expensive, but worth it. They raise their own cattle and then serve it up one way. You don`t get a choice, but you don`t need to - it`s the best steak you`ve ever eaten.

•Grimaldis (Dumbo, Brooklyn). Great Pizza Joint, everyone knows. Down Under the Manhatten Bridge looking at downtown Manhatten. Cheap.

There`s too many to recommend - reply and tell me what you want to eat. I know my restaurants are Billyburgcentric, but honestly it`s the best place in NYC at the moment.

Hope this helps,

Novelty to the Rescue

This item was edited on Friday, 4th August 2006, 16:57

OK - I forgot - want to go shopping......

The biggest outlet mall (Woodbury Common - 220 Stores) in the States is in New York State, about 1-1.5 hours outside of the city. There`s special buses that run from Penn Station.

Everything you`ve ever wanted (Label Wise) at least 30% off (that`s at least) - i got a Gant shirt for £5 that they sell in New Bond Street for £65.

Check it out at www.outletbound.com

This item was edited on Monday, 7th August 2006, 17:04

You should also go to Century 21 for bargain clothes - it`s just across the street from the old World Trade Center site.