Going to New York, general advice please!

[Curlybrunette]

Hey everyone,

DH and I are going to NY next month for the first time. I'm starting to look at getting around etc. We plan to get the air train from JFK in to the city, this looks cheap as well as being the easiest way to get in?

We are there for 5 days, we've got a city tour bus ticket for the first 2 days, after that I guess the metro is the quickest way to get around? I've looked at one website which explained we either buy a 7 day unlimited travel card or pay as we go. We're staying in Harlem which is quite far up so I reckon we probably will be using the metro a lot.

Has anyone stayed in Harlem, I've been on some sites which have said to avoid Harlem (as a white person) at night, which has left me a bit terrified! Other sites have said how great it is though. We will probably be out late some of the nights and I don't want to be frightened getting back to the hotel.

Are there any NY tips you can give me, we are aware of the the main touristy bits we can do but I want to find those unusual things that others have done and loved.

Sorry if any of my questions are daft, I am so giddy about going I could squeal!

I am taking the kids in the next couple months. The high line looks good. Have got tickets for statue of Liberty. Have bought a couple of really good guide books and they have got loads of great ideas for unusual things to do.
Have a great time

"We plan to get the air train from JFK in to the city, this looks cheap as well as being the easiest way to get in?".

Its sole advantage is that it is cheap. Do not bother with the airtrain particularly if you have luggage; you may also have to climb stairs and signage can be poor. After a long flight you may feel just glad instead to take a taxi to your hotel.

AirTrain JFK requires transferring to a subway (Jamaica station) or train in order to reach Manhattan -- the AirTrain does not travel directly to Manhattan.

We are getting a taxi. Thanks Attila for confirming that air train isn't worth bothering with.

We got the airtrain back to JFK. Very straight forward, cheap and we had two children in tow. The advantage was we knew the journey would take 50 minutes (and the cost), with a taxi you are relying on traffic.

Other tips: Google 'Free tours by foot NY' they did brilliant tours of the high line, mid town, cycling tours of central park etc. You just pay what you want at the end (with no pressure to pay a set amount). We found the bus tour great for getting your bearings but the info/commentary poor.

Do go to Ground Zero. Take a guided tour of the area with the 911 tribute center (next to the new 911 museum, but run by the families) tributewtc.org/visit-tours, but do visit the new 911 museum too.

Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. Take a tour of the United Nations. Wander round Greenwich village. The list is endless.

Enjoy!

Thanks a lot everyone.

The free foot tours sound great.

I was a bit hesitant about going to the 911 museum as I think I'll just sob my way around it, but maybe you can't go to NY and not go!

Do you know if bikes are easy to hire, in London they are all over the place (the blue ones to hire), is it the same in NY?

we took the airtrain in December and it was very do-able just me and DH and a case each - i had researched first so knew where to go and how to buy tickets. It wasn't the cost that attracted us but that it was rush hour when we arrived and figured it would be quicker. We got a town car back though as left at some ungodly hour.

We stayed in midtown (West 56th) which was handy for Central Park & the shops but a bit of a wasteland for breakfast and dinner options compared to other parts of the city however if you plan on starting and ending your day elsewhere that would be fine. Next time I think we will stay further down the island maybe in an area where there are residents so there is more going on in the evening.

Absolutely do the Highline, one of the most memorable parts of our trip.

Get yourself to a Kiehls and Sephora for some great deals

The Spotted Pig in Greenwich Village is a good pub/lunch venue - popular with expat Brits

We are going in a couple of weeks and staying in SoHo. Looking forward to the Highline. We would not stay in Harlem. We usually get a shuttle minibus from the airport directly to the hotel. Then book the return pick up with them. This is usually cheaper than a taxi and works pretty well. We like Lonely Planet for sensible suggestions. If you are out at night, where is this likely to be? Do you not need a hotel or B and B nearby?

www.freetoursbyfoot.com/new-york-bike-tours

There are lots of bike hire shops around Central Park and Brooklyn Bridge. Bike hire is about $16 for half a day (£10). I would not recommend cycling anywhere else...far too busy and dangerous.

Unless you're arriving at rush hour, then no, the Airtrain isn't the easy option. For just a little more money you can get a minibus or coach which also offer wonderful views of Manhattan as you arrive. Also factor in you may be queuing at immigration for up to two hours.

I would also familiarise yourselves with the subway map and start planning some routes because as you say, you'll be using the subway a lot given your location.

Find a Heart Land brewery. Enjoy.

Traffic into New York can take ages, even out of rush hour. JFK is a busy airport, if you haven't booked, try flying to Newark, which is a much friendlier airport and an easy train ride into the city.

The high line is lovely. Wandering around Central Park too. A helicopter flight is probably the best thing I ever did in New York, they fly over the city, around Liberty and back over Central Park.

I love the New York Library and Grand Central for simply being beautiful buildings. There is a subway in Grand Central with arched roof, that if you stand in one corner and talk quietly can be heard in the opposite corner due to acoustics.

April is a lovely month to go.

Go to Walgreens or CVS for cosmetics that cost about half what they do at Boots!

I've never been to NY before May/June (when I find it humid), but I always try to squeeze in a boat trip.

Cheapest would be the Statten Island ferry, then there are the Manhattan Circle Line tours. I am sure i went on an old sailboat on the Hudson River too, which was huge fun for a solo traveller. Also, helicopter flights were also a bit "wow" and easy enough to do.

I found the subway really easy to navigate with the map in my Michelin "must sees" guide.

Definitely get the metro card - it's well worth it.

Go to the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station, brilliant building and great cafe which appears in many films.
Book ahead to do Liberty Island/Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island cruise and Empire State building.

I stayed in Harlem last time I was in NY, near 125th Street metro, and it was great - a respectable starting-to-gentrify residential area. Walk over west to Columbia university for excellent cheap restaurants on Morningside. Also Inwood Park at the north tip of Manhattan is beautiful and deserted.

Book Ellis Island trip in advance - it goes past Liberty but costs more to stop there. UN tour is interesting. Grand Central is worth seeing.

Go on the Staten Island Ferry. It's about the only free thing in NYC! The terminal is at the bottom end of Manhattan at Battery Park. All it does is go over to Staten Island (there's nothing to see there so just come straight back). It's worth doing as the views from the ferry are wonderful - both of Manhatten and the statue of liberty.