New York advice needed!!

[IH1]

Hi everyone!

I need some advice and I thought I'd start here as hopefully some MINI2ers can help me!

I've always wanted to go to New York and I may finally be able to this year!

As I don't know many people who have been there, I need as much advice as possible. I've looked on the internet for reviews of hotels but because I don't know the area and what attractions are where, it's very confusing!!

Any help would be greatly appreciated and would give me a start!

I wanted to go at Christmas but this is usually very expensive, so when is the best time to go? It has to be from June onwards and I want to go for a week. What are the best cheaper hotels to go to? I want to see Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Times Square etc so I'm not sure what hotels are near here?

How much are hotels, airports, attractions etc?

What's the nearest airport to go to as I know there are three but once again I'm not sure of locations? What's the best way of getting around New York?

Is there anything I should definitely see while I'm there?

Any thoughts on the atmosphere/people of New York?

As you can see, I need all the help I can get!!

Thanks for all your advice

Inga

[jamski]

Strange post for a Mini website, but good use of your recourses I guess! I went about 18 months ago and is absolutely amazing.

I stayed in the Novotel in Times Square, the views from the restaurant were amazing, the food was fab, and the room perfectly comfortable. To be honest I can't remember how much it was though. As for which airport to go to, I went to Newark, and it's a half hours cab to manhattan island. I think the airport you go to will be determined by which airline you use, and which airport you go from here. I would say the best way to get around is either walk, or if it's a long trip then cab, or of course hire yourself a Mini! Cabs are really cheap and you see New York while your travelling, unlike using the underground.

The people are really friendly, people say they are fake, always asking how you are, but at least they ask, and aren't rude, makes a change from here if you ask me! I found walking around less threatening than London. In the week we were there I think there was 1 person who you would try and avoid walking by in the street. I see more than that on the way to London! The one thing I would say is stay away from the underground and Central Park after dark. We were told that and is probably a good idea.

What to see, well you have all the main bases covered there. Times square is amazing, great place, I think The Statue of Liberty was the most surreal place to go, so iconic, to actually see it is unreal. You have to go early to be able to actually go up it, as they only let a certain amount of people go up per day, so an early start that morning! I think there's another tall building open to people too, one of the Trump towers maybe, around Rockafella Centre I think, may be worth a look. And of course if you want to there's Ground Zero, not every one wants to see it though. There are also bus tours that take you round all the film and tv spots, where various things have been filmed. Friends, Sex and the City, Ghostbusters, Crocodile Dundee, to mane a few!

Shopping is a must, trainers and high street brands are great, I found designer labels are still quite expensive though. H&M, Gap, that sort of thing are much cheaper than here. When to go? Well do you want it hot or cold? They have both in big extreams. Personally I would like to go when it's cold, kinda this time of year would be good, you may even get lots of snow! But I would imagine the summer opens up lots of opportunities, nice long days in Central Park would be fun!

Well I could go on, but that's probably enough to keep you going. Hope some of it helps! Please ask if there's anything else and I'll try and help.

[Cape Cod MINI]

Visit NEMINI - Index
Lots of good Peeps right there in and around the city who can help out.
Have fun.

[S-Driver]

Here's some websites:

NYC.gov
Times Square Cam - EarthCam
MTA Home Page

JFK airport has a new elevated train that goes directly to Grand Central Station so that would also be an easy trip to make

30 Rockefeller Plaza has an awesome view from the roof top of mid-town. No fences in the way............they have thick plexiglass walls to look through. Get a clear day and it's amazing.

Take a Circleline cruise around Manhatten Island

Visit the Hayden Planetarium

The Bronx Zoo is nice (get there via Metro North)

Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge

Take a helicopter tour ($$$)

You can even walk the whole coast line from one side of mid-town to the other (I've done it by bicycle)

Take in a baseball game at Yankee Stadium, it will be gone next year.


Hopes this helps a little.......

[FLyinace2000]

I take The CIty for granted. I live about 25 minutes away when there is no traffic (which is NOT often). Come in April and go to the internation auto show. Go to "Rain" is nice Thai restaurant on 82nd street. If you like gin order a "White Rain". best drink ever. o year

HAVE FUN

[yellowmininy]

Circle Line is one of the best known sightseeing tours, though it's been about 40 years since I was on it!
Circle Line New York around Manhattan sightseeing tours

Here is the AirTrain website- the train from JFK into Manhattan.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey - Kennedy Airport

I have also taken the shuttle buses into Manhattan that go to either Penn Station (34th St) or Grand Central (near 42nd St).

I haven't taken the AirTrain yet, since it's new, but I did take the subway from near JFK years ago- I think only the brave used to riding the subway would do that normally. (Didn't have much luggage, and it involved walking through parking lots to the subway station.