To ask for New York travel tips?

[ethelfleda]

DH and I are looking at planning a trip to New York. Problem is, we don’t know where to start!!
Whereabouts should we stay? Would 5 nights be enough? What is a ‘must do’ that’s also not too touristy? Not bothered about Statue of Liberty or Times Square - but do need to eat a hot dog from a stand and visit the museums!
What did you enjoy the most about New York?
Thinking of going next Autumn.

New York is my absolute favourite city in the world and I'm a repeat visitor.

Fly into Newark if possible. The journey from JFK can be awful and it's long journey by public transport. There's a train from Newark Airport that takes you to Penn Station in midtown in about 30 mins. Just he warned the international terminal on the way home is pretty dire!

Taxis are reasonable and the subway is easy to navigate but walking this the best way to see the city.

We try and stay in a different area each time we visit. We liked the Ludlow in the Lower East side and it's an easy walk over the bridge to Williamsburg which is a fun area to mooch around. Also a fan of the Lotte Palace if you'd prefer something more Centre located.

Food wise, there are so many fantastic non- touristy options. We love the secret burger bar at Le Parker Meridien, brunch at the Spotted Pig, Oyster Bar at the Ace Hotel, Eataly, Momafuku noodle bar. The epic queue at Dominique Ansell Bakery is well worth it. also check out Smorgasberg in Brooklyn. There are some great budget options in Chinatown. I've never been to the Gramercy Tavern but heard great things.

Another vote for the Whitney and MOMA. Visit the Public Library, eat pizza in Bryant Park just behind it. Just wandering around Central Park is lovely. You'll stumble across so much random stuff just by walking. Staten Island Ferry is a good alternative to the Statue of Liberty tour. Highline, Meatpacking District. I really liked the United Nations tour (we saw Kofu Annan standing in front of the General Assembly which was pretty mind blowing). Also take the cable car to Roosevelt Island.

It's a really safe city and surprisingly friendly.

In terms of guides, the Wallpaper ones have some good ideas. The Where Chefs Eat app is really good for food suggestions.

We adored Central Park(it’s so beautiful),spent a day there. Rented a boat and spotted turtles, loved the music, bought a picnic from Zabars( a must visit)was underwhelmed by Strawberry Fields( it’s covered in Instagrammers lying across it taking selfies), just loved wandering. I’m not sure I’d rent a bike as you’d miss so much.

Was underwhelmed by Brooklyn too although pizza at Juliana’s was lovely.

Loved the High Line and Chelsea Market, Statue of Liberty now has a new museum which we enjoyed and the island. Ellis was ok but the museum is very dry and could be better. Loved The Tenement Museum and Katz Deli( not to be missed).Loved The Met and the roof terrace. Also loved Carmines.

Get your tube ticket as soon as you get there for the week as you’ll save loads.I’f stay near everything as you spend a lot of time on the subway as it is. We stayed in Affinia Gardens and it was great.

If doing a show go to that specific theatre and buy

No - go to the half price TKTS booth in Times Square if your chosen show is for sale there - its the NY equivalent of the one in Leicester Square.

Im sure some of these have been mentioned but:

Cycle around Central Park
Walk the High Line
Dumbo is lovely and just over the bridge in Brooklyn (cobblestone streets and cute waterfront restaurants overlooking Manhattan)
Train to Coney Island - candyfloss, fairground, think old school seafront amusement park

If either of you like sport, we took in a baseball game at the Yankees stadium and honestly, it was so fun. Very chilled vibe (Section 132 has the most amazing food choices)

I went 2 years ago and it was the best experience; I would go back tomorrow if I could afford it!

I won't add many more recommendations as you've had loads so I'd just say enjoy yourself, visit and do as much as you can and take loads of photos! We got cabs everywhere as I wasn't confident on the subway and it was incredibly hot (went in July) but they were super reasonable. Everyone was really friendly, the natives love an English accent. One lady told me she had a cousin in Manchester and did I know her? Lol.

There really is no place like it.

@BendydickCuminsnatch we stayed at the knickerbocker as part of our honeymoon trip and it's amazing. Location is spot on and the staff are fab they sent us a bottle of fizz up when we arrived with some chocolates too which was a nice touch.

Really comfortable shoes!

It's a lot of walking

The Ride

This is so much fun to do, but book it up before you go, a bus tour with actors and dancers on the streets that interact with you as you go round. Hard to explain but brilliant!

Have a cocktail at the top and fast tract the queues for One World Observatory, doesn't cost too much more than the usual entrance price.

We had the New York Pass and visited lots of attractions included in that.

Ellis Island is really fascinating, I did the add on hard hat tour of the hospital but even without that it was very interesting. We were staying in Jersey City, which is much quieter than New York and much cheaper. The Hyatt Regency is literally next door to the station and ferry, both of which will take you to Manhattan in a few minutes. The view of the New York skyline is stunning. You can also get the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty from the New Jersey side (an absolute bargain at $18, more to go up the statue).

American New Yorker here.

Thank you for deciding to pay us a visit! Let's hope the pound comes back a bit before you leave.

If you can afford it I'd try to stay in Manhattan to maximize your free time and have more things within walking distance. If you need to economize Jersey City and Brooklyn would be my second and third choices. The trains from JC are a bit more reliable than the subway.

Must sees would be the 9/11 museum (the whole thing, plan on 3 hours or so). Buy your tickets on line before you go and you'll enter through a much shorter queue.

Also the Museum of Natural History/Haden Planetarium, the Metropolitan Museum Art and the Central Park Zoo. The Getty Museum is worth a stop too.

Have a meal at Union Square Cafe:

www.unionsquarecafe.com/

It's lovely, fabulous food, nice neighborhood and not crazy expensive given the qualtiy. You'll need to book on line a couple of months ahead of time to get a table.

I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.

@20viona that’s reassuring! I can’t cope researching/booking holidays 😄 so I just leave it to DH - he usually does well! He’s off to New York on Sunday too lucky guy - work but he makes the most of it!!

The Frick

The backstage tour at Radio City is great fun and there is fabulous shopping at Rockerfeller Center. St. Patrick's cathedral is right up the street too on the 5th Avenue side.

www.rockefellercenter.com/shops/radio-city-stage-door-tour/

We did this with the DC's and it was really interesting. You get to see the costuming rooms, all of the stage engineering and they have a fabulous collection of historical memorabilia. And you get to chat up a Rockette (one of the dancers).

I have travelled extensively. However, New York is one of my favourite cities and I visit it often.
Other posters have given you great advice,
There’s so much to see and do in New York and New Yorkers are friendly contrary to what you may hear about them

One piece of advice, try to pay taxis with cash. If you use card to give a tip, the minimum amount is twenty percent of the fare rising to eighty percent.
Always check that the prices of anything you buy include New York tax ,
Have a great time.

We have just been, went in April. Stayed in the Stewart Hotel next to penn station, used the subway everyday. We bought the unlimited metro card, more than paid for itself whilst we were there.

We bought an explorer pass before we went - there are different levels so you can choose a varying number of excursions for your price level. It meant we could budget better before we went.

The walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to Dumbo is excellent, staten island ferry is great for seeing the Statue of Liberty - as others have said it is free so don’t get caught out by the people outside asking to see your ticket. Intrepid museum and circle line - harbour lights tour, wrap up warm though.

9/11 museum is worth a trip, but it is hard going. Ellis island is brilliant, didn’t think I would enjoy it so was pleasantly surprised. Natural history museum is also great day - you also don’t need to pay the price on the door, it’s a donation so you can pay as much or as little as you wish although you will pay for exhibitions such as the planetarium.

Take comfy shoes! Enjoy 😀😀

We are a friendly bunch and love our UK tourists but it's a busy working city so please try not to block the sidewalks unnecessarily. And please tip your servers according to local custom. It's an important part of their compensation.

That said, we're happy to see you and try to make your visit a good one. 😊

@Scotsrule we are booked to stay at the Stewart for Xmas was hotel ok ?

@CIT80 yeah it was fine. Bit dated in places but overall we had no issues. It’s near a fire station and the windows are not great so if noise bothers you take some earplugs - those things go all night!

@Scotsrule thanks I am hoping that we will all be so exhausted we will sleep through anything 😂

I can highly recommend Eric's New York (app or website)
I've been twice in the last 2 years and have consulted him both times for advice about hotels and sightseeing passes. Also booked yankees tickets via his site.
He will reply to a DM in a couple of hours

My recommendations would be:
9/11 museum
Use the subway, it's safe and fun and easy to get around
Walking tours (often free and you pay what you feel it's worth). We did the Brooklyn bridge tour and even the kids enjoyed it
Yankees game just for the experience
Central Park bike tour