New York... what to do?

Yeah, don't get a taxi from the airport, use the Airtrain to Jamaica station, we then got the E train to Manhattan. You can get a unlimited subway and bus ticket for your 5 days. We found this was such a good way to get around the big apple. When are you going and where are you staying
 
If you like music see what concerts or events are on during your stay........my mate saw ZZ Top in New York last year and loved it.......tickets were cheap and readily available, I usually find that events are far easier and cheaper to attend in the States :thumbsup:
 
There was 5 of us so we booked this company to take us to and from the airport, in case you don't want to get the train.

https://www.familyinnewyorktours.com/

If you want to go up the Statue you need to book in good time, 3months+ ahead.

New York pass also worked for us, saving money. Don't pay extra for speedy pass or whatever they call it though as you don't need it.
 
You might like to head straight to Macys Visitor centre on mezzanine level. They do multiple attraction deals and are very helpful and honest. Include tour bus as one of your attractions if you can, it's fantastic. Enjoy.
 
Oooh, my fave place....been there loads, last time was for 2 weeks a year or so ago.

Do top of the Rock at night. If you book the Empire State this time of year, it can be drizzly and foggy and you won’t see anything.
Visit Freedom Tower.
Hell’s Kitchen is amazing for food and dead cheap.
Definitely a carriage ride around Cebtral Park if you’re with the missus.
Be aware of scammers in Times Square.
If you have time, grab a show on Broadway.
I would get a cab from Newark/JFK, it’s a set price (75 dollars last time) plus tip, and it’ll be the only time you’ll use a yellow cab if it’s only a short stay.... no need to book one, there’s hundreds outside the airports.
Ask local New Yorkers for good bars/restaurants, they’ll be all too happy to tell you, and it avoids the overpriced places that the tourists use.
Drinking in NYC is expensive.
Macy’s is crap.
Don’t buy street food from the food carts, it used to be cheap but you’ll get ripped off good style now, last time I was there I had a heated argument with some food vendor who wanted 25 dollars for a hot dog when it should be 2 dollars.
Try a Philly cheesesteak. :thumbsup:
Chelsea village, little Italy and Harlem is well worth a visit....some great food there.
Get a 2 or 3 day hop on hop off bus pass if it’s your first time, they are invaluable, and you’ll learn about Manhattan.
Go to the meat packing district, great bars and cafes.
Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge into Brooklyn, there’s a bar/ Restraunt on the pier at the end( turn right and back on yourself, follow signs to Brooklin Bridge Park) and the views of Manhattan at night are stunning.
Walk back over at night.
Dont stop for guys selling cd’s, they’re a pain in the arse.
Visit the Bronx using the number 4 train.
Wear good shoes.
Beware when you get your bill at bars and restaurants, sometime the tip is included. Otherwise, budget 15% on top.
When buying stuff, NYC adds a city tax ( used to be 8%) on purchases, but you can get a card from Macy’s that says you’re a tourist.
Do the Staten Island ferry to see the Liberty. It’s free.
Go to a an authentic NYC diner for breakfast.
On the fly, you can get a slice off pizza and a drink for a dollar, handy to re fuel when walking.
Ellen’s diner is poo, and a rip off. Full of tourists and you’ll pay top dollar for crap food.
Go to the hotel where home alone was filmed, just opposite Central Park on the south side.
Don’t eat in Times Sq, but visit the NYPD there, it’s comical.
Take a camera.
Go down 5th ave at night, you’ll see break dancers/ performers in the street, it’s epic.
Visit Grand Central Station, and have a glass of wine or oysters at the bar when you go in. Expensive, but worth it.
I could think of a thousand things to do.... it won’t be your last visit for sure. :thumbsup:




There’s loads more, but that’ll be enough for 5 days.

Enjoy, it’s a brilliant city.
 
Well Maniac, New York eh ?
wretched-hive-of-scum-villainy-300x174.jpg
but my God it is so addictive !
You will love it ! I agree with all of what 1000rr says and his pictures are great. So evocative!
Alison and I got married on the 55th floor of the Empire State Building back in 2007 and we've been back every 18 months or so since then. Not bored of it yet and doubt I ever will be ! :thumbsup:
 
great photo essay :thumbsup: I'm not a fan of NYC but my wife loved it. To me it's like Toronto or Vancouver on meth. It's busy and eclectic and dangerous and lots of fun if you feel like being crazy. ENJOY, and be careful, scammers abound and of course as mentioned before... do not eat hot dogs off street vendors, they are crap. And oh yes, my wife took the Staten island ferry and a rogue wave almost capsized it at the terminal, fun things do happen in New York :rofl: She's fine and wants to go back..... :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
The Federal Gold reserves in downtown Manhattan is really interesting (& free) https://www.newyorkfed.org/aboutthefed/visiting

I echo pretty much what 1000r has put, I wouldn't say that Macys is crap though but in essence it's just like any large department store, the Circle line tour is good, gets you closer than the Staten Island ferry, or go one better & visit Liberty island, climb up through the statue & look out through the crown.

The 911 museum is amazing, very moving & tastefully done.

If you like your steaks then there's Keens http://www.keens.com/ great , but on the pricey side.

Something new which I've yet to experience, you can now have breakfast at Tiffanys http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41947444

Lastly, enjoy yourself, it's a great city & very addictive, this is unlikely to be your last visit.
 
Also worth a visit for a nice walk is the Highline, ex-high level railway line that's been turned into garden walkway.
https://www.thehighline.org/visit
 
We went 18 months ago. Got the 5 day pass which was decent value but it meant you spent those 5 days running around like a maniac when it would have been ideal to have a day relaxing. Got to do the high rises, Empire state, Rockerfeller, Freedom Tower etc.

We spent the last two days in Central Park just chilling and watching the day go by. There is so much to do. Drinking is stupidly expensive though at $8 for a small beer..... :o

You will love it but take plenty of money, I was amazed how much we spent.

H.
 
Been going for years, love it there, visit the Rockefeller and go to the top, night and day provide a different view of the city and a view of Central Park which you don't get from The Empire. Grey Line tour buses we've found the best company, buy tickets before you go ! Visit the statue it's incredible, wouldn't bother going up which is more expensive again ! Be prepared for an airport style security check to get onto the ferry ! You'll see the statue from the free Staten Island Ferry as some one else has suggested if you want to keep the cost down. If your'e staying near Times Sq, The Perfect Pint and the Playwright are great for food, drink and atmosphere in the night !
I could go on and on, it's amazing, have a great time !
 

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Awesome place

Went last year with the family after visiting my brother in Atlanta.

+1 on what everybody else has said but definitely wear good shoes and walk everywhere - you get a much better sense of the place

Definitely recommend walking the high line and the tenement museum. 911 is worth the visit but I found it very tough mentally - so be prepared

Enjoy
 
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