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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

New York New York, I have saved for years please help me make this a great trip

136 replies

womanintrousers · 15/09/2018 17:33

I have saved for 3 years to take lovely DS to NYC when he finishes his GCSEs Grin. I am so excited.

He will be 16, he is very academically minded and loves reading, science, good food etc. I need my own bed (lots of the hotels seem to have 1 small double and DS is very tall and I have arthritis and throw myself around a lot at night). Any ideas very much appreciated.

He has wanted to go since he was 5 and has NO IDEA I have saved up.

I am so excited. Can anyone help? I have travelled extensively but never been to NY, it's all new to me.

Any advice

OP posts:
IslaMann · 15/09/2018 18:59

Sorry to burst your bubble, but FAO Swartz, the toy shop from Big with the floor piano went bust a few years ago so is no longer there. But NYC was the best holiday I’ve ever had. Highlights for me : Ellis Island was incredibly moving, and the 9/11 memorial is heartbreaking. We went into the MOMA purely to see Starry Night, and the big bus tour 3 day ticket was a god send, and so good. We went off the tourist trail to eat breakfast, use Trip Advisor to find little gems. Accept you won’t be able to see and do everything so work out your priorities. Oh I’m so jealous! It really is my favourite city.

cheeseoverchocolate · 15/09/2018 18:59

Nothing to add butUF if you can afford to IR find a good deal, try and go for more than five days: there is so much to do there and the city is very big to start with.
OS. Your son sounds great and so do you!

NewMeStartsHere · 15/09/2018 19:03

I booked an amazing deal via BA too.

The best steak house in my opinion is the Striphouse. Amazing!

MrsGrindah · 15/09/2018 19:03

Op I’m going there June/ July too so I will look out for an excitable woman with a tall lad grinning from ear to ear.

Leavesorange · 15/09/2018 19:04

How long are you going for?

selfishcrab · 15/09/2018 19:05

We shop around for flights and stay in a 2-bed apartment in Queens when we go, it's really near to the subway and is amazing, the people/food etc are just so lovely.
We get the subway everywhere or the tour buses and hop on and off.
You will love it but do make a plan as there is just so much to see/do.

wholetthekittlesout · 15/09/2018 19:08

FAO Schwarz is reopening in November!

I'm off to NY tomorrow and gutted that it won't be reopen yet, but I guess it's an excuse to back again Grin

SinkGirl · 15/09/2018 19:09

You have to go to the Spotted Pig for a burger, criminal not to!

We went to the cinema one afternoon as it was so hot, but it was actually really different and fun. The cinemas were super comfy and had pretty epic food compared to here!

There are some really great boat rides, and Top of the Rock is much better than going up the Empire State imo. I loved Rockerfeller Centre anyway - where the ice rink is at Christmas they had a bar when we went.

369thegoosedrankwine · 15/09/2018 19:14

I've been to NY a few times.

I loved radio city hall tour. You get to meet a rockette and I just loved hearing who had played there before. I'd take my son there.

Loved Central Park but take a tour as they will point out all the films that were filmed there.

Dinner at Ellen's diner is great.

AsAProfessionalFekko · 15/09/2018 19:40

Our hotel added an extra per night for 'reception'. This was an hour in a nice reception room overlooking the park with buffet food, cans of drink, packs of crisps, cake, fruit bowls and beer, wine and prosecco. We made sure we got our money's worth before heading out for an evening stroll and late dinner!

AsAProfessionalFekko · 15/09/2018 19:42

Last time we were there Trump was in residence - DS was beside himself as he isn't exactly fan. In the end it was me in photo giving trump tower a one finger salute! We didn't see him though.

WingingWonder · 15/09/2018 19:43

On flights- there are amazing fares with BA at the moment for about £285 return pp inc tax... book a great deal when you see it!
I’ve been a lot and going again soon (mainly work not showing off) so back later with some ideas for you

beanaseireann · 15/09/2018 19:46

womanintrousers
There is a great movie / tv location tour bus.- well worth doing. You catch it near Radio City theatre and the Singing waiters cafe.

AsAProfessionalFekko · 15/09/2018 19:47

Isn't the BA sale on now?

HermioneWeasley · 15/09/2018 19:48

Ive never been in an American hotel (NYC included) that didn’t have two double beds as standard. You can double check, but I’m sure it will be fine.

The natural history museum is wonderful, definitely put a day aside for that.

Have an amazing time, I’m so excited for both of you.

AsAProfessionalFekko · 15/09/2018 19:49

I'm excited and we aren't long back!

JennyHolzersGhost · 15/09/2018 19:53

If it’s that big a deal to him, can you possibly extend your stay by another day or two ? It sounds like you’ve got a lot to pack in!

ILikeyourHairyHands · 15/09/2018 19:58

Ohh, I'm off to NYC on Thursday so will be using some of these tips. Thanks!

springlike · 15/09/2018 20:01

My recommendation is the Circle line ferry from Pier 83. Takes about 3 hours but you seem so many sites. And trainers, you walk so much and so far comfy trainers are a must! I love NY, been a few times, planning to take my DSs when they are a little older, probably post GCSEs.

lrh3891 · 15/09/2018 20:03

Oh OP you sound fabulous, what a lovely thing to do for your son!

I absolutely love New York, have been there I think 6 times now on holiday or business, and it never gets old.

In the very very very nicest possible way- if there is any way you can add to your pot a little bit, you will make like easier for yourself. By the time you have paid for 2 flights, New York hotel prices, travel insurance (absolutely essential for US travel) and things like transport to/from airport, you won't have a great deal left from your £2000 for tickets, meals, shopping, extras and any ad-hoc expenses which arise.

If not, it can certainly be done on £2k, and sorry if I sound terrible.

I'd suggest looking at Airbnbs and looking outside Manhattan. Queen's/Astoria and Brooklyn have some great places to stay and it is more cost effective than Manhattan. Plus if you stay in Queen's you are much closer to JFK, which you will appreciate after a long flight (assuming you fly to jfk rather than Newark).

Minerva Tavern sells an absolutely epic burger, FYI.

AornisHades · 15/09/2018 20:05

If you're going to book flights and hotel with BA then I'd suggest giving them a call as they were very good at hotel suggestions for my elderly mum.

Lauren0rder · 15/09/2018 20:10

As ds1 (16) finished his GCSEs this year, DH took him to NYC for a week.

They had an absolute blast!!!!

They stayed in the Parker hotel at Central Park and had a twin room.

InProgress · 15/09/2018 20:27

I stayed at the Jewel facing the Rockefeller booking through Expedia it was a nice hotel and very central.

I bought a New York pass before I left as it makes the museums/trips more affordable. Though I couldn't use it for the 911 museum, I paid separately for that.

I did the Empire State Building when it opened so there wasn't as many people about. I did the Rockefeller at sunset - I booked this time that morning so I could jump most of the queue. It was amazing.

The theatres on broadway do a lottery to get tickets half price that same day. The Booth of Times Square gets busy for theatre tickets and there are others around the city that won't be as busy.

I downloaded a map of NYC for my phone before I left. I would take a power pack to charge it when your out as there's not many opportunities to charge your phone from a plug. (There are two sockets upstairs in the whale room of the natural history museum 😉)

Tip your cleaner $2 a day. It's the done thing. I left all my change the last day too.

Food is expensive, particularly near Times Square. Delis are the best value. I bought fruit for breakfast and kept it in the fridge.

And FGS pack a kettle otherwise you will find yourself in the hell that is microwaved tea 🤢

WickedGoodDoge · 15/09/2018 21:08

Definitely book the crown at the Statue of Liberty as soon as booking opens for your dates. I highly recommend booking for the first ferry to avoid the queues for the ferry which really build up as the day goes on.

If he likes Marvel - specifically Spider-Man- you should ride the Roosevelt Island Tram.

I’d ditto the recommendation to try to book a Red Apple Greeter. The service is free and you just pay for any food/admission for your greeter.

We too got a great deal from BA for flights and hotel a couple of years ago.

Original poster
womanintrousers · 15/09/2018 21:13

I'm back. Calmed by watching 13 going on 30 with DD which was totally set in NYC!!!!

This is amazing

It's as if I can finally believe I've done it.

Lots of you are sort of maybe saying my budget is a bit scanty and I won't have enough time....

Lay it on the line, is he going to be disappointed? Do we need a week? I cant afford a week off work really and it would be hard to get together more than an additional £800 for the time we go.

Tell me straight wise women, I am in awe of your knowledge and planning abilities. And I am slightly tipsy :) And so happy

OP posts: