Tips need for New York Trip

[sleepyhorse]

Hi lovely people

Going to New York in a couple of weeks to help celebrate my friends 40th birthday - there are 3 of us mums going (yay no kids!!!) We are staying for 4 nights.

We are staying in Time square so very central. Want up make the experience really special and memorable for her!

During the day we plan to go shopping :-) (obviously!!!!!)Also Central Park is on the list amongst a few of the popular tourist attractions.

Want to organise a few surprises throughout the trip - at the moment all I can think of is cocktails at top of a skyscraper.

So just wondered if anyone can recommend anywhere that's great for this kind of thing. Something pretty special I guess.

Also anywhere good places for shopping such as big outlets that sell cheap jeans etc

Any other tips of what to do, cool places to hang out, how to make the weekend special??

I have never been before so would really appreciate any tips you have.

Thank you!

You'll have a super time! Lucky yous!
Shopping is more browsing in NYC, it's very expensive, but there are day trips to outlet stores, taking in some countryside, or you could go to New Jersey (much cheaper) for an afternoon.

Head to the Highline for a stroll - it's a big garden that's been built on disused elevated train tracks. It's so peaceful considering its location.

I'd also suggest the Rockefeller Centre instead of the Empire State Building if you want to get up high for the view. We didn't even queue to get in whereas the Empire State a always looked busy.

If you want to do the Empire State building go early morning or you will waste a lot of time queing. Also carriage ride round central park is lovely. I wasnt impressed by the shopping I was kind of expecting Macy's etc to be a bit like Harrods all grand and special feeling - it wasnt. Never went out of town shopping though.

Thanks. If anyone knows of any cool bars too that would be great

DH and I got back yesterday from 5 days there. Was our second time and it was great!

Highlights for me would be.....

• Woodbury Common outlet for shopping. It is about 1.5 hrs drive though and a very full day. Amazing but might take up too much of your trip.

• the shops down around SoHo are in my opinion much better than 5th Avenue tbh. Lots of choice, good range of shops from designer through to Zara, Mango, Aldo and cheaper places like Old Navy.

• Head to SoHo or the Meatpacking District for a great night out. The James (SoHo) has an amazing roof top bar. We had dinner on the rooftop of STK (meatpacking) which was great, very busy bar and clubby atmosphere on lower floors.

• Central Park is brilliant and good sunbathing potential when you are shopped out!

• Rockefeller was worth the visit last time and that way you get a good view of Empire State.

Overall this time of year I would head for all the amazing rooftop bars!

Have a brilliant time :)

For rooftop bars look here, I loved it and prices were reasonable, I think $10 for a glass of wine.

www.230-fifth.com/?m=0

I liked Macys but you need to look closely. You won't save compared to the UK unless you go to the outlet centre but I liked that I had something a bit different to what I see in the UK.

Don't forget to think about tax, I don't remember the threshold exactly but you pay tax on top of the label price from a certain amount onwards. Also in each restaurant you pay tax on top of the meal price but a lot of tip, so add around 30% to the shown price each time.

A visit to Century 21 is a must and they sell designer stuff quite cheaply.

IIRC the Gray Line coach company run a daily bus service to Woodbury Common outlet as well if you do not want to drive.

If you go to Macys take some photo ID (photocard driving licence is acceptable) with you to obtain their 10% international visitors discount card. It can't be used for everything but you will get some money off on many items of clothing etc. The price on the ticket is not what you will end up paying; the tax is added at the till.

Would also recommend the Rockefeller Centre; Top of the Rock can give good views particularly on a nice day.

Cupcakes from the Magnolia Bakery on the Avenue of the Americas (near Radio City Music Hall which is also worth doing a tour of) are very nice!.

Do tell your credit card provider in advance of your travel plans otherwise you could have a stop marker placed on your card.

Staten Island Ferry is free, and takes you past the Statue of Liberty, and then you could walk to the ground zero memorial after the return trip. Top of the Rock in the morning, Empire State about 11 at night - no queues, and the views at night are pretty cool. Walk or hire a cycle over Brooklyn Bridge. Don't go to Abercrombie & Fitch on 5th avenue. Echo PP about going to the SoHo district for shopping. So jealous, have a great time!

We thought Macy's was more like a poundland store! Nasty experience. Window shopping in 5th Avenue is fine. Go into Tiffanys. Saks and Nordstrom are lovely. Agree with Staten Island Ferry - it is an iconic trip. Top of the Rock is good too. We love MoMa but that is not everyone's idea of New York. The Highline is a must and so is Greenwich Village and the more arty areas. We loved the Radio City Music Hall and just seeing the Chrysler Building means you can only be in New York. Not sure about bars as we have always been with children, but rooftop ones must be great.

Second the suggestions of 'Top of the Rock' rather than the Empire State Building - you get a really clear view across New York. We went very early on our first morning, and it helped us understand the layout of the city.

You'll have an amazing trip!

Thank you for all the great tips, really appreciate it x

The Harrods of NYC is Barney's. It's actually scary in there if you don't look rich enough!