New York New York

[stu67]

In and out of NYC all the time due to business, we have an office at 450 Lex.

A good tip if you are planning a trip and have kids is the annual "Fleet Week" normally around the end of May? Loads of Navy ships moored up including normally one of the "big" carriers and you can go on tours around them for free. I took my son over when he was young and we got guided around the George Washington aircraft carrier, he loved it. I was impressed myself at the scale of it compared to something like Intrepid.

[NowWatchThisDrive]

We've decided that we're probably going to swerve the full 9/11 Museum tour and take the kids to see the open air memorial, as some of the exhibits, while doubtless enthralling, may be just a little bit too intense for my youngest - hopefully the right call! It's looking like an Intrepid visit is going to take its place, which I'm happy enough with as I haven't been there since the Space Shuttle bit opened.

[djsmith74]

NowWatchThisDrive said:

We've decided that we're probably going to swerve the full 9/11 Museum tour and take the kids to see the open air memorial, as some of the exhibits, while doubtless enthralling, may be just a little bit too intense for my youngest - hopefully the right call! It's looking like an Intrepid visit is going to take its place, which I'm happy enough with as I haven't been there since the Space Shuttle bit opened.

Probably best. The open air memorial with the infinity pools and survivor tree is still quite the emotional hit, without having to experience the 9/11 museum tour, which is quite harrowing at times.

[andyjo1982]

Checking back in, we go 6 weeks on Thursday, and its starting to come round really quickly now.

I know its been covered, but best/most reliable place to book transport from Newark airport to lower manhatten recommendations please?

Thanks

[Bannock]

If you want the absolute cheapest from Newark to Lower Manhattan, then it's a NJ Transit bus to Newark Penn station followed by the PATH train the World Trade Centre. Couple of dollars each that way.

Next up in cost terms is the Newark Airport Express Shuttle Bus:

https://www.coachusa.com/airport-transportation

Sadly yellow taxi fares aren't fixed from Newark to Manhattan as they are from JFK, so your best bet if you want a private direct transfer is booking a cab in advance or take a chance with the meter fare - I'd guess that's going to be $80-100.

[andyjo1982]

Bannock said:

If you want the absolute cheapest from Newark to Lower Manhattan, then it's a NJ Transit bus to Newark Penn station followed by the PATH train the World Trade Centre. Couple of dollars each that way.

Next up in cost terms is the Newark Airport Express Shuttle Bus:

https://www.coachusa.com/airport-transportation

Sadly yellow taxi fares aren't fixed from Newark to Manhattan as they are from JFK, so your best bet if you want a private direct transfer is booking a cab in advance or take a chance with the meter fare - I'd guess that's going to be $80-100.

Yeah, we'd like to book a private transfer, was expecting $100-125.

[davek_964]

I booked private transfer in advance (basically the taxi option in Booking.com) - from JFK, which was something like $85. It wasn't much more than the fixed taxi price from JFK, and just seemed simpler (although the taxi driver was supposed to meet us inside the terminal, but didn't).

[sherman]

4 weeks for us. We are planning on the subway from JFK. If we get it right we will come out about 200 yards from our hotel.

[GCH]

sherman said:

4 weeks for us. We are planning on the subway from JFK. If we get it right we will come out about 200 yards from our hotel.

Unless the the local is running express because it's a weekend, or there are no downtown trains because of track work, or the F is running on the C, or the E is running on the B... whole host of potential for that *not* working as planned

[The Gauge]

andyjo1982 said:

I know its been covered, but best/most reliable place to book transport from Newark airport to lower manhatten recommendations please?

We did mid town to Newark airport by Uber for about $75, but that was because we had a flight to catch that we couldn't afford to miss, so set of extra early in a cab. I did research the New Jersey train which looked quite simple to catch from Penn Station, but found the Uber suited us,

[The Gauge]

sherman said:

4 weeks for us. We are planning on the subway from JFK. If we get it right we will come out about 200 yards from our hotel.

I think the Long Island Rail Road train is the fastest option, I researched catching it to Penn Station but due to landing late in the day, having luggage for 3 people, and it being very hot we got an Uber instead for about $70

I pre loaded the Uber app onto my phone, linked my Chase bank card and Halifax Clarity credit card to it, so it was ready to go before ewe left the UK

[sherman]

GCH said:

sherman said:

4 weeks for us. We are planning on the subway from JFK. If we get it right we will come out about 200 yards from our hotel.

Unless the the local is running express because it's a weekend, or there are no downtown trains because of track work, or the F is running on the C, or the E is running on the B... whole host of potential for that *not* working as planned

We get there on a monday afternoon and it should be direct from Jamica street to 7th avenue on the E line.
I see no point in wasting $150+ on a taxis when the subway seems to be just as quick.

[GCH]

sherman said:

GCH said:

sherman said:

4 weeks for us. We are planning on the subway from JFK. If we get it right we will come out about 200 yards from our hotel.

Unless the the local is running express because it's a weekend, or there are no downtown trains because of track work, or the F is running on the C, or the E is running on the B... whole host of potential for that *not* working as planned

We get there on a monday afternoon and it should be direct from Jamica street to 7th avenue on the E line.
I see no point in wasting $150+ on a taxis when the subway seems to be just as quick.

I agree entirely. I'm just saying - as a new yorker that takes it often - that the subway is often screwed and doesn't always run as planned, and there are a lot of service changes happening right now, particularly at weekends and at night, but not exclusively. Just be aware is all.

Edited by GCH on Tuesday 24th October 20:31

[soupdragon1]

Last day for me today, day 5. Stayed 4 nights at Marriott marquis and a fantastic hotel, good sized rooms and really comfy beds.

We booked through Ahotel from Instagram. Was £2k on booking.com but we got it for £1.8k from them (2:adults, 2 kids) so worked out at £112 pp per night

Not only a great price, we also found that we got lots of extras. The WiFi was included and the resort fee of £30 per night was also included already. As another bonus, you get a free excursion for each night and as we did 4 nights, we got 4 excursion tickets (1 each) and we used that for the big bus tour.

All in, about $500 worth of extras. That was a pretty nice surprise so I would recommend investigating Ahotel.

Also, we booked our go city pass through attractiontix.co.uk and £555 for for of us which gave us 7 excursions which works out at £20 per excursion. Bargain really. Was $800 on the gocity website so quite the saving using attractiontix from the UK.

Because we got the big bus for free from the hotel, we also used it on the go city pass, so 2 days getting around without needing taxis or tubes.

Still managed to knock out 20k steps most days though lol

[Sun1]

Myself and the wife are flying into New York on the 15th December for 4 nights from Chicago on the return home.
We'll be staying somewhere in Manhattan, probably close to the flatiron building

Probably end up doing the usual touristy stuff.
Empire state building, Rockafeller centre, Chrysler Building, Statue of Liberty, 5th Avenue, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.

Might even do some ice skating (although I'll probably do that in Chicago)
I'm aware of how cold it will be, but It'll be Christmassy so that'll be fine.

Could do with some pointers and tips and places to eat/drink.

[Greendubber]

Sun1 said:

Myself and the wife are flying into New York on the 15th December for 4 nights from Chicago on the return home.
We'll be staying somewhere in Manhattan, probably close to the flatiron building

Probably end up doing the usual touristy stuff.
Empire state building, Rockafeller centre, Chrysler Building, Statue of Liberty, 5th Avenue, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.

Might even do some ice skating (although I'll probably do that in Chicago)
I'm aware of how cold it will be, but It'll be Christmassy so that'll be fine.

Could do with some pointers and tips and places to eat/drink.

How deep are your pockets?

[Sun1]

Greendubber said:

How deep are your pockets?

I'd rather keep it closer to frugal than "take my money"
I've never really been one for the lavish lifestyle.

[djsmith74]

Sun1 said:

Greendubber said:

How deep are your pockets?

I'd rather keep it closer to frugal than "take my money"
I've never really been one for the lavish lifestyle.

If you’re happy to pay for pizza a slice at a time, or eat at one of the fast food places, then you can get away with not spending too much on food. If you want a sit down meal then NYC can be expensive (depending on your viewpoint). We had a casual meal at Smith Restaurant, and we were touching $100 for two main courses and a couple of drinks each. Your best bet is to wander off the main strips and see what takes your fancy - we came across a small ramen place that did cracking bowls for around $15. There’s also TimeOut Market over Brooklyn Bridge that is pretty good value and you get plenty of options.

[satans worm]

For the best cheap eats i would suggest K town and got a place called 'Turn table chicken jazz' (google it they have 2 places in Ktown, one 'hidden' k town style one on the street)
Order wings only half spicy half soy plus a beer tower, your sported for about 40usd for 2 for the best fried chicken your ever eat (add kimchi or curly fries if you want more)

Ramen is also a cheap eat (unless you start hitting the apps as well and Saki) Momosan on Lex near grand central is a god one, maybe 18usd for a bowl of delicious warm food, perfect for dec

also Los Tacos no 2 by grand central is extremely good and cheap (USD10 each)

Basically, New York has it all for food, its easy to spend loads, and get average food, but its also easy to get tasty cheap things such as pizza, a complete pie for 25usd for 2 people etc

[andyjo1982]

We fly out to NY 3 weeks today.

Missus gave me a list of places to book for food, and so far, we've got breakfasts booked at Bubby's and Sarabeths, and dinners booked at Lil Frankies and Le Pecora Bianca. Sure they wont be cheap, but look nice enough on Insta. $12-15 for an orange juice though