New York - 4 Nights

Josh

Josh

Josh

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The wife wants me to take my lad (18) to NYC for a 4 night break, she doesn't fancy it so I've been assigned.

This is very much in the planning phase so no dates or times etc but I gather that winter in NYC is pretty expensive? It'll be our first time in the USA so on the agenda is full on tourist stuff, what's the best things to do to get the proper NYC tourist experience?

Guessing:
Central Park
9/11 Memorial
Times Square
Empire State Building
Broadway
Statue of Liberty (been told to just do the Staten Island Ferry?)

I'd like to stay in Manhattan (or somewhere central) so we're close to things to do due to the length of stay, would be nice to catch a Broadway show, go to Katz's Deli, see the Flatiron Building, Lego stores/s, Ghost Buster firehouse, and maybe walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Essentially, I'm looking to max out 4 days (maybe 5?) and do "NYC" so that it's a bucket list type trip.

Anything I need to be aware of, should do, defo shouldn't do etc? I'm not breaking the bank for the trip but I'm also not trying to skimp on it. Budget and spending money for a usual tourist trip would be great!

Ta
 
The Empire State Building is not great, Top of the Rock is better and you get to take a pic of the ESB. The trick is to book a tour around sunset time, and near the tour end, you get to go to the observation deck, which is cheaper and easier than booking just the observation deck at the most popular times (or even if sold out).

I'd go to the Statue of Liberty, if you get to the port early you can usually get a free ticket to go to the top area, and you can get some nice pics being up close.

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Been to NY twice, 10 years apart, both times got the new york pass for 4 days, which covers pretty much every touristy thing you may want to try and then some others.

Best bet is to work out the bits you definitely need/want to see and then plan your days around certain parts of the island, ny isn't big but getting around can be time consuming, stressful and an offence to the senses on a packed subway train :D

Observation towers - I've gone up ESB during the day and do top of the rock at sunset/night time. The edge is worth going up during the day, this is better if it's bloody cold as it's more sheltered and protected compared to ESB.

Boat Tour, grab one of the Cruise lines tour around the island, great to see from a different view point rather than looking up at anything. Combine this with the intrepid and growler as they're all over this way.

Times Square you'll probably end up walking through numerous times, if you want to see a show, just grab something cheap from the tkts stand here, you can book in advance if you want to see something in particular, but i've managed to get $25 same day tickets with a less than 10 minute wait both times for Chicago and Mary Poppins, no matter what you see the production will obviously be top notch.

If you get the ny pass do some walking tours, they are a great way to fill up a few hours and see some of the lesser seen sights. last time we did the highline tour (worth visiting alone) and the marvel/dc one and both were great, despite it being absolutely freezing.

Get to Burger joint at Le Parker Meridien too at some point.
 
If you are mainly circling the tourist spots, look in to the New York Pass. It's over 10 years since I visited but it definitely saved me a chunk of money.

I'd recommend walking The High Line - a fabulous piece of urban regeneration. It starts in the Meatpacking District near to Chelsea Market. It's a different way to see New York and from the end of the line at Hudson Yards, it's around 15 minutes stroll to the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier. The space shuttle Enterprise pavilion is onboard, as well as some interesting craft like a Lockheed A-12. The USS Growler sub is berthed adjacent too, which you can also board.

Super way to spend half a day, and off the core tourist trail too (or was).
 
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Here's a fun day plan which includes a few things you haven't listed so far and lets you see a view different areas of new york from Midtown to Downtown

Grab a bagel at Liberty Bagels Midtown for breakfast
Get an 8am slot at The Edge for some awesome views of Manhattan. It gets busy later in the day but if you arrive early you'll almost have it to yourself for a little while
Take a trip up The Vessel - just a cool building/structure which doesn't serve any purpose except for looking nice
Walk The High Line down to the meatpacking district - this is a disused railway line converted into a gardened footpath and lets you walk a couple of miles without crossing any roads
Visit Little Island, a man made island with a park/garden
Lunch at Chelsea Market - Los Tacos No1 does some amazing tacos
Walk down through Washington State Park through to Soho and get a cheesecake from Eileen's Special Cheesecake
Head down to the 9/11 Museum. You can stop at Mmuseumm on the way which is a quirky little exhibition.
For dinner, head back up to John's of Bleecker street for a pizza. The tomatoes here are incredible.
Finish the day with some stand up comedy at the Comedy Cellar

One thing to bear in mind is that the US is very strict on "underage" drinking, so your son will need to be teetotal for the trip
 
A few alternative suggestions too, depending on your interests:
  • Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is near to Central Park. Or the Metropolitan Museum of Art is in Central Park.
  • If you are in to music, there's a diverse selection of venues and genres. It'd be an experience going to an old style jazz joint. Sadly I visited with 3 women who don't give a fig about music!
  • Williamsburg - part urban chic, part flea market, vibrant. I stayed in nearby Greenpoint and enjoyed wandering around this area and walking up the river from Williamsburg Bridge - different perspective of New York without the crowds. Some cracking pizza joints in the vicinity. May not be worth a visit if you are further afield though.
  • If visiting Statue of Liberty, then go to Ellis Island Immigration Museum too. It's nearby and a short stop on the ferry.
 
Staten Island Ferry - free boat that goes past the Statue of Liberty and you get a good view of the south of Manhattan.

Also, a helicopter tour gets you a great view of the whole island.
 
Josh said:
This is very much in the planning phase so no dates or times etc but I gather that winter in NYC is pretty expensive?
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is this for next year then? What is your total budget for the whole thing per person, or in total, since that will dictate some of the things you'll do, places you'll stay etc.

EDIT: Also with only 4 nights, you'll need to nail the flight times and departures to avoid wasted time/money due to jet lag and early departures, and lining it up for optimal holiday use (if this affects you)
 
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Journey said:
is this for next year then? What is your total budget for the whole thing per person, or in total, since that will dictate some of the things you'll do, places you'll stay etc.

EDIT: Also with only 4 nights, you'll need to nail the flight times and departures to avoid wasted time/money due to jet lag and early departures, and lining it up for optimal holiday use (if this affects you)
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Probably next year yeah, it was only told to me last week so lots to figure out beforehand.

No idea on budget tbh, I’ll have to try and price up some flights and hotels to get a general idea. Not scrimping doing 1* hotels but also not 5* luxury. A nice middle ground would be good, I’m inside an hour from Heathrow and Gatwick so flights can be easier, just need to min/max the times.

Thanks for all the replies so far, very interesting.
 
Flaevius said:
A few alternative suggestions too, depending on your interests:
  • Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is near to Central Park. Or the Metropolitan Museum of Art is in Central Park.
  • If you are in to music, there's a diverse selection of venues and genres. It'd be an experience going to an old style jazz joint. Sadly I visited with 3 women who don't give a fig about music!
  • Williamsburg - part urban chic, part flea market, vibrant. I stayed in nearby Greenpoint and enjoyed wandering around this area and walking up the river from Williamsburg Bridge - different perspective of New York without the crowds. Some cracking pizza joints in the vicinity. May not be worth a visit if you are further afield though.
  • If visiting Statue of Liberty, then go to Ellis Island Immigration Museum too. It's nearby and a short stop on the ferry.
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Greenpoint, Williamsburg, yeah really nice chilled areas, my brother lived in Greenpoint for about 3 years. Nice vibe there.
Where did you stay in Greenpoint? When I stayed at my brothers I only remember one hotel just down the road, forgot the name of it now though.

Having been so many times In the past I tended to like the non busy areas and venture out a bit more, like taking the train to Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, Bear mountain, Coney Island.
 
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Showboat said:

Intrepid Museum

Experience the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, the first space shuttle Enterprise, and other pieces of history at the Intrepid Museum.
intrepidmuseum.org intrepidmuseum.org
Walking around an aircraft carrier is pretty cool!
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Agree with this - good fun, cool to see for sure.

Also I'd do either Top of the Rock OR The Edge instead of Empire state building.... Much better views.

9/11 Museum /Pools of Remberance is very somber but interesting to go and see.

Get the free Staten Island ferry - across and back - you get fairly close to Statue of Liberty if you don't want to spend the time actually going to it.

Great city but can be VERY expensive these days... Not a cheap 4 day break for sure. Flights are even costly these days.
 
Worth pointing out there must hundreds of flights per day - BA alone flew there from London 15 times a day pre-pandemic. It gives you a lot of choice price-wise but a good idea can be to get an early morning flight. It means you get there midday-ish NYC time and still have half a day to explore and tire yourselves out.

Also, get the subway from the airport into Manhattan - easiest method there is.
 
Penfold101 said:
Also, a helicopter tour gets you a great view of the whole island.
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I agree!

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https://www.flynyon.com/ is the one i used. Their social media channels usually have discount codes but i paid full whack for a half hour flight. Totally worth it though.

EDIT

Just noticed that on their website they have the book now schedule later with 70% off.
 
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Go full tourist and stay near to Times square. We were in NJ across the river and a commute every day got annoying.
High line was awesome.
Intrepid is cool and nearish to the end/start of high line and "the Edge" building.
Don't under estimate the size of the city it really is big.
We did WTC and freedom tower in the evening at sunset was cool and good view of lower Manhattan.
Empire state building in the fog was silly.
The edge scared the @#$& out of me.
I can't even remember top of the rock bit the building is amazing.
Staton island ferry was "flavourful" in fact a lot of NY is shouty and in your face/busy.
Cos of time restraints I might skip Elis island it's awesome but a lot of time.
Brooklyn bridge was fine but so busy the Dumbo area was cute good spot for food, anywhere is good for food.
China town was same as any china town but bigger.
Katz's was fine if you gonna do it do it.
I wish I did more Brooklyn.
Central park is huge realistically just clip the bottom south part with John Lennon and the cliche bits you've always seen on TV. You could spend 2 days in the park.
Don't buy hotdogs for $5 from vending carts. Rip off.
Don't go to any supermarket on Broadway $15 for a can of deoderant :p
I wonder how the place is now with Trump.
Trump tower is kinda near south central park if you want a funny picture.
The subway is busy. Don't be scared but don't look too much like a tourist. I'm from London so I got a kinda big city boy attitude but NYC humbled me a bit on sheer size.
Winter can be really freezing there not sure I'd risk it in December/January
Same as summer can be 30+oC which I personally would hate.
Ny pass is perfect if you get your monies worth.
My revolutvcard got cloned somewhere on my trip so keep an eye open.
It's a crazy city 4/5 days will deffo get you to a lot of tourist traps :)
Just be prepared to hemorrhage money and enjoy it. Lol

Shows. I saw back to the future and harry potter.
I was utterly disappointed with bttf because I'm a huge movie fan it didn't work for me.
Harry potter was excellent... And I'm a grown man....
Tbh see what you want it's all good.

Look out for 9/11 squirrels
 
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