New York in June
Discussion
Apologies in advance, i'm sure all these questions will have been answered many times before but in the absence of a working search function...
My girlfriend and I are going to New York for 5 days in June. (We'd) she
would like to see a Broadway show but it appears to be pretty expensive. Are there box offices near to the theaters as there are in Leicester Sq. which sell discounted tickets or is it a case of having to pay full price direct from the theater??
Any recommendations for places to eat? Traditional American, burgers, hot dogs, pizza. Where's best?
It'll be our first time in the U.S, so is there anything we need to be aware of? Tips? Tricks etc?
Thanks!
My girlfriend and I are going to New York for 5 days in June. (We'd) she
would like to see a Broadway show but it appears to be pretty expensive. Are there box offices near to the theaters as there are in Leicester Sq. which sell discounted tickets or is it a case of having to pay full price direct from the theater??Any recommendations for places to eat? Traditional American, burgers, hot dogs, pizza. Where's best?
It'll be our first time in the U.S, so is there anything we need to be aware of? Tips? Tricks etc?
Thanks!
I think there used to be box offices in the middle of times square (on broadway) that sold tickets really cheap. The queues were huge so we were told to go early. It was a very long time ago though so not sure if it's changed. We just did the general tourist things when we went, up the empire state at night, ice skating in central park.
And tips and tricks. The food tends to be better off the beaten track and whatever you do, don't jaywalk.
ETA – Ice skating probably not a good suggestion for June
And tips and tricks. The food tends to be better off the beaten track and whatever you do, don't jaywalk.
ETA – Ice skating probably not a good suggestion for June
Edited by APanda on Saturday 19th May 22:41
Don't answer to anyone approaching you in the street selling comedy club tickets, tour bus tickets, empire state tickets, CD's etc, nobody. If you do engage with them expect a catch. The palm restaurant on 2nd avanue or the one on 50th and 8th, bloody expensive but massive portions and great steak. Olio's (I think) on Christopher street is a nice Italian place too, planet hollywood for breakfast aint bad either. For evening entertainment anywhere above 59th or below 14th get you out of the tourist bars. I'm not sure about the theatre tickets, what I do know is I saw a huge queue for the tickets on times square, so I would find out when they go on sale and get there early. If your planning on seeing lots of things, the New York Pass is a good investment.
There still is a discount ticket place in Times Square - http://www.tdf.org/TDF_SupportPage.aspx?id=97. The queues are quite big but not too bad really, there is another outlet downtown which is quieter if you can find it. I was there last June and we got Billy Elliot tickets for $35, the discounts are generally good.
This webcam watches times square : http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/
When it pans to the right you can see all the big advertising screens, in front of them is a wedge shaped structure with TKTS written on it. Thats where you go to buy discount tickets for shows. You may queue for a few hours and you'll get offered whatever they have for that night. They have another counter/shop too, I don't remember where.
If you aren't too fussy about food and want to do the american thing right on times square you'll find a variety of places to eat. Greenwich village area is more renowned for eateries though.
Tips ?
Well, erm tips.. 20% is pretty much the minimum - taxis, meals, drinks.
NYC is kinda weird, people do jaywalk at crossings, some states have a law against it, not sure if NY do but it seems no-one pays much attention
Make sure you get your ESTAs done.
In general (even in NYC) you'll find Americans polite and helpful. Manners cost nothing as the saying goes
Far as NYC goes, I assume you are landing at JFK ? Taxis have a mandated fare to take you to Manhattan, exit the terminal and go to your left. With tolls it comes to around $50, so lets say go for $60 with a tip. To return to the airport we asked a concierge in the hotel to book us a car and it was more or less the same money.
If you are landing at Newark the above still applies AFAIK.
Be aware that the Statue of Liberty is currently closed for renovation. You can still get the ferry to it from Battery Park, $12 I think ? the same ferry takes you to Ellis Island, nothing further to pay once landed.
For the Skyscrapers the Empire State Building and "Top Of The Rock" at the Rockerfeller center are your picks, we did both and it was well worth it - Empire State does not get a great view of central park, likewise top of the rock can't see the Chrysler Building very well. £20-30 each. Top of the rock sell "sunrise/sunset" tickets that let you go up twice in the same day, its open until very late (as is Empire state).
Central Park is obviously a place to go visit, We were there in January so not much was going on but I understand it gets busier in summer months. You can get horse and carriage rides if thats your thing, look around the south end of the park around Columbus Circle and the top of 7th Ave. There is a zoo there, we didn't go there though. Note the park is big - we walked around for 3 hours, stopped for a coffee and just about got halfway up !
At the western end of 46th St you'll find USS Intrepid. The missus probably wont find it too interesting but shes a great ship to look around. Lots of aircraft there too.
Shopping all down 5th Ave, but keep your eyes open - one of our party wanted UGG boots and found a shop on 7th Ave, pretty much half the price of the exactly same boots here.
Subway system easy to figure out, one side of the street goes uptown (North), the other downtown (South). Just match up the letter of the train to your destination station and thats it..
Ground zero you can visit, its free, you can go online and book tickets which may be a good idea. There is a museum there now, wasn't open when we were there, I don't know if there is an entry charge for that.
Just spend some time walking around, I loved it and want to go back soon.
My Pics from NY: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hotrods/sets/72157629...
USS Intrepid: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hotrods/sets/72157629...
When it pans to the right you can see all the big advertising screens, in front of them is a wedge shaped structure with TKTS written on it. Thats where you go to buy discount tickets for shows. You may queue for a few hours and you'll get offered whatever they have for that night. They have another counter/shop too, I don't remember where.
If you aren't too fussy about food and want to do the american thing right on times square you'll find a variety of places to eat. Greenwich village area is more renowned for eateries though.
Tips ?
Well, erm tips.. 20% is pretty much the minimum - taxis, meals, drinks.
NYC is kinda weird, people do jaywalk at crossings, some states have a law against it, not sure if NY do but it seems no-one pays much attention
Make sure you get your ESTAs done.
In general (even in NYC) you'll find Americans polite and helpful. Manners cost nothing as the saying goes
Far as NYC goes, I assume you are landing at JFK ? Taxis have a mandated fare to take you to Manhattan, exit the terminal and go to your left. With tolls it comes to around $50, so lets say go for $60 with a tip. To return to the airport we asked a concierge in the hotel to book us a car and it was more or less the same money.
If you are landing at Newark the above still applies AFAIK.
Be aware that the Statue of Liberty is currently closed for renovation. You can still get the ferry to it from Battery Park, $12 I think ? the same ferry takes you to Ellis Island, nothing further to pay once landed.
For the Skyscrapers the Empire State Building and "Top Of The Rock" at the Rockerfeller center are your picks, we did both and it was well worth it - Empire State does not get a great view of central park, likewise top of the rock can't see the Chrysler Building very well. £20-30 each. Top of the rock sell "sunrise/sunset" tickets that let you go up twice in the same day, its open until very late (as is Empire state).
Central Park is obviously a place to go visit, We were there in January so not much was going on but I understand it gets busier in summer months. You can get horse and carriage rides if thats your thing, look around the south end of the park around Columbus Circle and the top of 7th Ave. There is a zoo there, we didn't go there though. Note the park is big - we walked around for 3 hours, stopped for a coffee and just about got halfway up !
At the western end of 46th St you'll find USS Intrepid. The missus probably wont find it too interesting but shes a great ship to look around. Lots of aircraft there too.
Shopping all down 5th Ave, but keep your eyes open - one of our party wanted UGG boots and found a shop on 7th Ave, pretty much half the price of the exactly same boots here.
Subway system easy to figure out, one side of the street goes uptown (North), the other downtown (South). Just match up the letter of the train to your destination station and thats it..
Ground zero you can visit, its free, you can go online and book tickets which may be a good idea. There is a museum there now, wasn't open when we were there, I don't know if there is an entry charge for that.
Just spend some time walking around, I loved it and want to go back soon.
My Pics from NY: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hotrods/sets/72157629...
USS Intrepid: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hotrods/sets/72157629...
Was in NY recently. As above, get your discounted tickets (sold on the day for that evening only) from the TKTS building on the North end of Times Square. Although the queues are big they move fast once the selling starts.
Learn how the Subway works before you go. Buy a 7-day pass to save money, otherwise it's $1.50 per journey to any destination.
Make sure you have some good walking shoes!
Avoid touts on the street selling you "fast access", "discount", "avoid the queue", "licenses advanced ticket discounts". They are invariably NOT cheaper. Had the forsight to avoid them when doing some of the sights (Empire state/Libery & Ellis Island) and saved quite a bit by using the official route.
Some of the large stores (eg Macys) have a discount card for out of town visitors. Just go there first with your passport/ID and you get a card to show when you pay. You get around 10% off, plus some sale prices (but not always in addition to the sales prices).
Getting a cab is easy. Manhatten cabs now all have card payment slots (as well as annoying TVs with looped adverts). On arrival at your destination your price comes up on the screen, select your tip, swipe your card and jump out. Job jobbed.
If you want to visit the 911 memorial, book your free entrance ticket now.
Learn how the Subway works before you go. Buy a 7-day pass to save money, otherwise it's $1.50 per journey to any destination.
Make sure you have some good walking shoes!
Avoid touts on the street selling you "fast access", "discount", "avoid the queue", "licenses advanced ticket discounts". They are invariably NOT cheaper. Had the forsight to avoid them when doing some of the sights (Empire state/Libery & Ellis Island) and saved quite a bit by using the official route.
Some of the large stores (eg Macys) have a discount card for out of town visitors. Just go there first with your passport/ID and you get a card to show when you pay. You get around 10% off, plus some sale prices (but not always in addition to the sales prices).
Getting a cab is easy. Manhatten cabs now all have card payment slots (as well as annoying TVs with looped adverts). On arrival at your destination your price comes up on the screen, select your tip, swipe your card and jump out. Job jobbed.
If you want to visit the 911 memorial, book your free entrance ticket now.
Tipping is the main area where Brits fall foul in the US. It's expected everywhere, like it or not.
In restaurants, 15 - 20% is the norm, unless service is already included in the bill.
Tip well in bars - supposedly this is $1 a drink - but say "and whatever you're having" and you'll be amazed at how generous the measures become.
In restaurants, 15 - 20% is the norm, unless service is already included in the bill.
Tip well in bars - supposedly this is $1 a drink - but say "and whatever you're having" and you'll be amazed at how generous the measures become.
Crafty_ said:
Be aware that the Statue of Liberty is currently closed for renovation. You can still get the ferry to it from Battery Park, $12 I think ? the same ferry takes you to Ellis Island, nothing further to pay once landed.
Statue of Liberty has been open for the last 18 months. You can get tickets to go up to the crown, but you'll probably need to book in advance.Ellis Island is well worth a look. I didn't fancy it, but was coerced into going, and was glad I did.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/11/statue...
Article Dated August 2011
"The Statue of Liberty will close for a year at the end of October as it undergoes a $27.25m (£16.8m) renovation that will make the interior safer and more accessible, US interior secretary Ken Salazar said."
They are ripping out the insides to re-work the staircases etc.
I was there in January, you can't even get in to the pedestal. The gift shop/cafe is open though (of course).
As you say its worth going anyway for Ellis Island.
Article Dated August 2011
"The Statue of Liberty will close for a year at the end of October as it undergoes a $27.25m (£16.8m) renovation that will make the interior safer and more accessible, US interior secretary Ken Salazar said."
They are ripping out the insides to re-work the staircases etc.
I was there in January, you can't even get in to the pedestal. The gift shop/cafe is open though (of course).
As you say its worth going anyway for Ellis Island.
Crafty_ said:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/11/statue...
Article Dated August 2011
"The Statue of Liberty will close for a year at the end of October as it undergoes a $27.25m (£16.8m) renovation that will make the interior safer and more accessible, US interior secretary Ken Salazar said."
They are ripping out the insides to re-work the staircases etc.
I was there in January, you can't even get in to the pedestal. The gift shop/cafe is open though (of course).
As you say its worth going anyway for Ellis Island.
That's as bad as our roads repairs! Lay a new one, then dig it up a week later. It was ony open a year after being closed for ages. It's Health & Safety gone mad...Article Dated August 2011
"The Statue of Liberty will close for a year at the end of October as it undergoes a $27.25m (£16.8m) renovation that will make the interior safer and more accessible, US interior secretary Ken Salazar said."
They are ripping out the insides to re-work the staircases etc.
I was there in January, you can't even get in to the pedestal. The gift shop/cafe is open though (of course).
As you say its worth going anyway for Ellis Island.
Thanks for all the info, some great advice. Especially Crafty!
ESTAs are sorted, albeit a bit last minute. We totally forgot about these. Still a fortnight before we go so it wasn't too late.
We're staying at a place called Yotel which is on West 42nd and 10th. It's around 3-4 blocks from Times Sq. Am i right in thinking that's easily walkable?
We've booked a tour which does all the major sites, plus a boat trip to Staten Island. Booked our tickets for Ground Zero online, which is free.
Is there much to see and do over the river in Brooklyn/Queens etc?
Airport transfers are all sorted. I think we fly in to JFK but fly out of Newark. Is that quite normal? Any tips for dealing with the jet lag?
Is it easiest and cheapest to get around on the subway rather than taxis?
Again, thanks for all the replies.
ESTAs are sorted, albeit a bit last minute. We totally forgot about these. Still a fortnight before we go so it wasn't too late.
We're staying at a place called Yotel which is on West 42nd and 10th. It's around 3-4 blocks from Times Sq. Am i right in thinking that's easily walkable?
We've booked a tour which does all the major sites, plus a boat trip to Staten Island. Booked our tickets for Ground Zero online, which is free.
Is there much to see and do over the river in Brooklyn/Queens etc?
Airport transfers are all sorted. I think we fly in to JFK but fly out of Newark. Is that quite normal? Any tips for dealing with the jet lag?
Is it easiest and cheapest to get around on the subway rather than taxis?
Again, thanks for all the replies.
Yotel looks quite funky from the outside, 10 mins walk from times square, tops. Head east until you get to 7th and then go north - you can practically see it from there, especially at night.
We only went to Brooklyn to walk back over the bridge to Manhattan so can't really help you there. On our way from the airport we came through Astoria and Queens, I didn't see anything of interest really..
Jet lag - just be prepared to be up early on your first morning there, we were up and walking in the snow in Central Park by 7am ! Usually up early when in Florida too.
Subway is easy - you can buy a metrocard which is sort of "pay as you go", you can top it up later if needs be. I think it was 20cents cheaper per trip using that card than paying for each journey. We didn't use taxis at all and only used the subway to get from our hotel (basically at the bottom of central park) to get to Battery Park to get the boat to Liberty & Ellis Island and then again the next day to get to ground zero.
Its dead simple to work out, you'll find a map of Manhattan in your hotel lobby that will have subway stations marked on it. Work out the nearest station to where you'd like to go - it'll have a number or letter against it. Simply get on one of those trains. Stations on one side of the street go downtown (south) the other side go uptown (north).
Take a look here: http://www.aaccessmaps.com/images/maps/us/ny/manha...
So lets say we are in times square and want to go to Battery Park, all we need to do is jump on a downtown red no. 1 or 9 train. We don't want any other red train because they go across to Brooklyn.
That one isn't the best of maps, the ones you get in the hotel lobby is better as it shows more detail. The maps also help because they overlay on to a road map (unlike a london underground map), so if someone gives you an address you can easily find it.
We only went to Brooklyn to walk back over the bridge to Manhattan so can't really help you there. On our way from the airport we came through Astoria and Queens, I didn't see anything of interest really..
Jet lag - just be prepared to be up early on your first morning there, we were up and walking in the snow in Central Park by 7am ! Usually up early when in Florida too.
Subway is easy - you can buy a metrocard which is sort of "pay as you go", you can top it up later if needs be. I think it was 20cents cheaper per trip using that card than paying for each journey. We didn't use taxis at all and only used the subway to get from our hotel (basically at the bottom of central park) to get to Battery Park to get the boat to Liberty & Ellis Island and then again the next day to get to ground zero.
Its dead simple to work out, you'll find a map of Manhattan in your hotel lobby that will have subway stations marked on it. Work out the nearest station to where you'd like to go - it'll have a number or letter against it. Simply get on one of those trains. Stations on one side of the street go downtown (south) the other side go uptown (north).
Take a look here: http://www.aaccessmaps.com/images/maps/us/ny/manha...
So lets say we are in times square and want to go to Battery Park, all we need to do is jump on a downtown red no. 1 or 9 train. We don't want any other red train because they go across to Brooklyn.
That one isn't the best of maps, the ones you get in the hotel lobby is better as it shows more detail. The maps also help because they overlay on to a road map (unlike a london underground map), so if someone gives you an address you can easily find it.
Just a couple of things to add to the above.
You may find it useful to write a list of the things you want to see and do, find their addresses and then look at a map. You'll probably find that things group together in clusters so will allow you to plan days around being in various areas. Sounds weird but it'll make sense if you do it.
If the queues at the TKTS booths in Times Square are too much then they also have booths at the South Street Seaport which are less busy. You'll also find Century 21 down there which is somewhere your partner will probably want to go.
There are so many excellent places to eat it's ridiculous.
My current personal favourite is a place down by the Flatiron building on 5th Avenue called Eataly. It's a bit hard to describe but it's a department store full of Italian food with restaurants in it. You can float around grazing on samples and hopping between restaurants.
http://eatalyny.com/how-to-eataly
Food trucks are undergoing a renaissance and you can get some good stuff out of them, so if you see one try it. Not the ubiquitous street carts though. All you'll get from those is sick.
If/when you see a Gray's Papaya then defintely stop for a Chili Dog and Papaya juice. Even if you're not hungry.
Another combination which sounds like it shouldn't work but does is Korean Barbecue. There are quite a few places doing that, Miss Korea BBQ is close to where you're staying and is pretty good.
Mexican food is also something you should try. Again, loads of places to choose from but I can recommend one which my jaded New Yorker friends were particularly keen to take me to on Cinco de Mayo this year:
http://www.molenyc.com/
Have fun!
You may find it useful to write a list of the things you want to see and do, find their addresses and then look at a map. You'll probably find that things group together in clusters so will allow you to plan days around being in various areas. Sounds weird but it'll make sense if you do it.
If the queues at the TKTS booths in Times Square are too much then they also have booths at the South Street Seaport which are less busy. You'll also find Century 21 down there which is somewhere your partner will probably want to go.
There are so many excellent places to eat it's ridiculous.
My current personal favourite is a place down by the Flatiron building on 5th Avenue called Eataly. It's a bit hard to describe but it's a department store full of Italian food with restaurants in it. You can float around grazing on samples and hopping between restaurants.
http://eatalyny.com/how-to-eataly
Food trucks are undergoing a renaissance and you can get some good stuff out of them, so if you see one try it. Not the ubiquitous street carts though. All you'll get from those is sick.
If/when you see a Gray's Papaya then defintely stop for a Chili Dog and Papaya juice. Even if you're not hungry.
Another combination which sounds like it shouldn't work but does is Korean Barbecue. There are quite a few places doing that, Miss Korea BBQ is close to where you're staying and is pretty good.
Mexican food is also something you should try. Again, loads of places to choose from but I can recommend one which my jaded New Yorker friends were particularly keen to take me to on Cinco de Mayo this year:
http://www.molenyc.com/
Have fun!
So many things to do see, you barely scratch NYC in 6mths let alone a week. The good news is, you can have LOTS of fun wherever you are.
The newyork.citysearch.com website is excellent for bars & restaurants, reviews usually bang on the money. Have a look and pick a few places you like the sound of.
Tipping as noted is a must. If in doubt about how much, check the amount of tax on the bill & double it.
Some places I like (google em for info):
The Gingerbread Man (bar)
Keens Steakhouse (restaurant)
Bubby's Pies (breakfast, coffe, cakes)
Atomic Wings (hot wings)
Brother Jimmys (sports bars)
Spring St Natural restaurant
Balthazar (great romantic lunch spot, the missus will love it)
The Highline Park (best free attraction in NYC, bar none)
Fanelli (pub)
McSorleys Ale House (pub)
Ruby Foo's (restaurant)
Il Buco (restaurant)
Bar Vig (bar)
Sweet n Viscious (bar)
Re: getting around. Subway is ceap & quick. Familiarise yourself with the maps and the diff between Local (stop at every station) & Express (stop at the main interchanges) trains to cover distance fastest. Wear some good comfy walking shoes and don't be afraid to explore on foot. New York is a great walking city to build up an appetite. If you spend all your time in cabs and on trains you'll miss the vibe of the city that you only get on foot.
Be brave, get out of midtown, visit the upper west & east, Greenwich village, the meat packing district, TriBeCa, the financial district & seaport. I'll say don't waste time on a ferry, you lose half a day. You can pick an area and spend a morning/afternoon/evening exploring.
Have breakfast downtown, lunch uptown, dinner midtown... Then mix it up the next day.
At night don't be afraid to spread your wings. Use the same common sense rules that you do in any big uk city and you'll be fine. If in doubt, ask for directions/recommendations from your hotel concierge and in bars. You will get a lots of suggestions!
The newyork.citysearch.com website is excellent for bars & restaurants, reviews usually bang on the money. Have a look and pick a few places you like the sound of.
Tipping as noted is a must. If in doubt about how much, check the amount of tax on the bill & double it.
Some places I like (google em for info):
The Gingerbread Man (bar)
Keens Steakhouse (restaurant)
Bubby's Pies (breakfast, coffe, cakes)
Atomic Wings (hot wings)
Brother Jimmys (sports bars)
Spring St Natural restaurant
Balthazar (great romantic lunch spot, the missus will love it)
The Highline Park (best free attraction in NYC, bar none)
Fanelli (pub)
McSorleys Ale House (pub)
Ruby Foo's (restaurant)
Il Buco (restaurant)
Bar Vig (bar)
Sweet n Viscious (bar)
Re: getting around. Subway is ceap & quick. Familiarise yourself with the maps and the diff between Local (stop at every station) & Express (stop at the main interchanges) trains to cover distance fastest. Wear some good comfy walking shoes and don't be afraid to explore on foot. New York is a great walking city to build up an appetite. If you spend all your time in cabs and on trains you'll miss the vibe of the city that you only get on foot.
Be brave, get out of midtown, visit the upper west & east, Greenwich village, the meat packing district, TriBeCa, the financial district & seaport. I'll say don't waste time on a ferry, you lose half a day. You can pick an area and spend a morning/afternoon/evening exploring.
Have breakfast downtown, lunch uptown, dinner midtown... Then mix it up the next day.
At night don't be afraid to spread your wings. Use the same common sense rules that you do in any big uk city and you'll be fine. If in doubt, ask for directions/recommendations from your hotel concierge and in bars. You will get a lots of suggestions!
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