New York

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Anyone done a New York helicopter tour? Any recommendations? Do's and don't? Actually any general top tips for New York would be greatly appreciated!

New York Pass is amazing - gets you into lots of top attractions for free. Can buy for various number of days. Ellis Island is another amazing place but does eat a lot of time. Good restaurants - Bryant Park Grill and the rotating restaurant at the top of the Marriott in Times Square.

Greenwich Village is great for mooching round.
I second Bryant Park Grill, also Bar 65 in Rockerfeller Centre surprisingly good.
Flatiron area...Eataly is great

Thank you - we're not there for too long so have to accept we can't do everything but it's so hard to decide what to prioritise!

How long are you staying and what time of year?

May i recommend going onto sight seeing pass com whether you choose to go through them or not you make an account you can download so much litreature also it allows you to make an itinerary and read about a lot of attractions it isnt every little thing but it allows you to read a lot in one place. Were currently planning our new york trip

I know...so much to do! We had 7 nights there...going back next year to carry on where we left off!

Avoid restaurants where you need to queue up to get in - they are hyped up just for tourists. Best tip we were given plus the pizza.

Book time slots for attractions.

Hell's Kitchen area for restaurants is great. Saccos pizza - if you want something light. Looks uninviting. Best pizza in New York !

High line. Chelsea market. I loved.

Mooch round Greenwich , soho and Chelsea. During the day and night.

China town the food is authentic and the place is mad.

Go on a train ride. It's a different world.

Bryant Park is lovely - near central station.

Staten Island Ferry, walk or cycle across Brooklyn Bridge. Always tip 20% for food.

If you’re going up ESB then I’d suggest first thing- we went at 8am on our first full day when we were still on uk time and walked straight up.

Alternatively or as well, if you do one of the viewing platforms (ESB, top of the rock, one world) at just before sunset you’ll get both a day and night view- best to book for this and we did this with top of the rock.

Even if you’re not interested in sports it could be fun to go to a Yankees, nets or knicks game just to get the experience- Americans do sport very differently and I enjoyed the Yankees game we went to despite neither knowing nor particularly caring about baseball.

You can do the free statten island ferry to see the Statue of Liberty but one of the best days we had was visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis island, the latter museum was really interesting. Look into it and see if it’s something you’d like to do- if so pre book a ticket.

I found the NYC forums on trip advisor helpful while planning.

We did a bus tour and I think a walking tour would have been better. Free tours on foot offer loads.

Thanks all. We're only going 3 nights in September but will be child free!

Following because we are going at the end of the month for 5 nights!

Make the most of being child free and go to lots of attractions late in the evening or when everybody else if having dinner. Lots of places are quiet between 7 and 8.

I've done a couple of helicopter flights over NYC. I really enjoyed them. Night time is great for the lights but day time is better for having a handle on the locations. It was years ago so can't recommend a company.