New York hotel recommendations (on a budget!)

[KillashandraRee]

I have just booked flights to take DH on a surprise trip to New York in October. Flights have cost me a bomb so I need to find a good hotel, centrally located but as cheap as possible (and for it to feel like a treat for him!) I'm looking for the impossible aren't I?

Anyone able to help with recommendations?

Also any ideas of what to do/ where to eat greatly appreciated. TIA

I think there are some wonderful and iconic things to see and do in New York.

We have done both the Top of the Rock and the Empire State. The Empire State is older and is more interesting as a building. Do get a look at the Chrysler Building which is simply beautiful.

We thoroughly enjoyed the High Line and walked it North to South. Stopped off at Chelsea Market. It’s an amazing use of an old elevated railway. We like the museums and art galleries too, but on a first visit you cannot do all of them. The Tenement Museum is a good one on the Lower East Side too. You should also do the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. We also enjoyed Ellis Island. If you want to have a good cry, go the the Twin Towers site and museum.

Central Park in Autumn is lovely and 5th Avenue is typical upscale New York. As I have got older I’m less keen on shopping but we enjoyed it more in SoHo. Atmosphere and cobbled streets. The other surprising treat is the Radio City Music Hall for sumptuous Art Deco. Shows are expensive on Broadway. It depends what you are interested in. If theatre is your thing, do it. You can always have a look at Time Out to check what else you can go to.

There are hundreds of great restaurants. They don’t all get booked up! There is always a fantastic buzz in NY and it’s fun. Buy the LP guide before you go. You can do a skeleton plan and change it later! Have a great time.

The Circle Line ferry from Pier 83 is well worth doing when you first arrive. Takes about 3 hours and goes all around Manhattan - you see loads of sights and kind of get a feel for where everything is. Definitely go over to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - you can probably pre-book this, otherwise the queues are very long. Up the Empire State Building - try for a really clear day for best views. Central Park and walking over Brooklyn Bridge are also good to do. Wear trainers - you will walk miles!

Definitely walk the High Line.
We got lost in Central Park. It's huge

Oh yes we went to the Harlem gospel choir brunch - good fun (food only 'ok' but unlimited mimosa and the choir was fab!). It's worth signing up to Groupon NY as it was less than half the advertised price I think. Lots of other good show and restaurant deals as well.

Thanks guys these are all great ideas! Definitely keen on gospel brunch. X

Queues for Ellis Island ferry last month massive due to security clearance air port style. 1.5 hours. Even if you get fast track for actual tickets....tho some tour groups were fast tracked thru security

BigAppleGreeter as recommended on here was fantastic. Gave a real insight. Book one now.

And trying to do more than one thing each day doesn't always pan out...unless you want to be completely exhausted think one attraction per day....unless they literally next door. Hop on hop off bus was good tho takes time due to traffic.

OP I think you’ve done well with the Lexington booking. I think I stayed there when it was called something else and the location was spot-on. You’ll be able to walk to lots from there and the food market at Grand Central is a short walk away. The pizza place in the food bit at Grand Central is good for first-night easy beer/pizza and also Pershing Square Cafe opposite the front of the station.

Wow thanks for the big Apple greeter recommendation that sounds like a great idea. I'm so excited but having to try and forget about it all for now.

Keeping track of all these ideas on here is great as DH would never look here

If you book hotel with a flight e.g. ba.com it a gives great deals and b becomes a holiday and you only have to pay a deposit of few hundred and can pay off over the next months .

Ah cestlavie, thanks but the bookings etc already made further down the thread. We're looking for recommendations of what to do while there now

We are going on Tuesday for a week with teens. I have been told we have to visit DUMBO. We are going to finalise our list tomorrow. Our hotel is near Central Park. Last time I went was 20 years ago so very excited now.

Tenement Museum (as already recommended by a PP) is excellent.
230 Fifth has a great rooftop bar with excellent views of the Empire State.
I love just mooching round Greenwich, Little Italy, Soho, Tribeca.
Grand Central Station.