New York

[Hlpfl]

We are thinking of going to New York for 5 days in the summer. As it’s such a long way and will be our main holiday this year, I was thinking of doing another city in the US whilst we’re over there. Is this a daft idea?

Where would you go? It will be in August. Me, DH and DSs 15 and 17.

Late October is actually a wonderful time to visit the Vineyard and Nantucket. Fall foliage is lovely, crowds have thinned out, you can enjoy the shops and restaurants without long waits.

Obviously swimming is out unless hypothermia is on your wish list, LOL.

I live in New England (well, for only half the year these days) and late October is my favorite time of the year.

Enjoy you trip! I love Boston (NY...not so much).

As with most places in the USA the airport security staff are mostly extremely officious, pissed with power and can be quite unpleasant. You don’t want to create problems where you don’t need to - trust me.

@Newyorknewyorkohyeah thanks. I get the feeling that you need to be on best behaviour and abject forelock-tugging mode till you get through. I think we’ll take our chances and wait for a new passport, rather than have an under 18 travel on a different country passport to her parents.

We went through immigration with our German passports but coming from a flight from London.
The guy questioned us why we live in the UK, why DH has so many stamps (he travels for work a lot) and why we plan to travel on to Canada.

Then, as soon as we got our stamps, he started smiling and told us about his stint in Germany with the military, he recognised the town in our passports as it was just 1/2 hour from the US base he stayed.

Argh, you never know what you get.

We went in August a few years ago. Yes it was hot, but it was fine as we were in and out of places with air con and we had a lovely time.

We went to Boston first, then NYC and then Washington. All we fabulous.

Lots of recommendations for NYC from people already but some highlights for us were:

Walking the High Line
Statue of Liberty - we did book tickets to go on to the pedestal
Went up Top of the Rock (Rockefeller) rather than Empire State (nicer to be able to see Empire State and not be stood on it!)
Cycle tour of Central Park
911 Memorial and Museum

Enjoy your trip!

Thank you all so much.

Lots for me to research. Depending on finances I’m going to see if we can add a bit more time and do New York, Washington and Niagara Falls. I don’t think we’ll go again so we might as well try and make the most of it.

@Hlpfl - I'm resurrecting this thread as I was looking for a recent NYC one, to thank posters for their recommendations.

What did you do, in the end?

We've just come back. August wasn't my preferred time of year either, but for at least part of our stay the temperature was comfortable and not too humid.

We then travelled upstate and visited Niagara Falls among other places. I've previously done a (whole North to South) I95 road trip: Boston is a wonderful city and well worth a visit, as is the surrounding area and Cape Cod.

We had an amazing time, and next time, I won't be leaving it so long before returning to the US.

Hope whatever you decided, you had a blast!

Hi

We had to slightly change plans so we just did New York but we did everything on everyone’s list as we won’t be going again!

We did
The highline
9/11 memorial
Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty
Cycling around Central Park
Brooklyn Bridge
Empire State Building
Summit One
Baseball game
Shopping Day
Bryant Park
Evening sunset cruise
Top of the rock

We must have walked miles and could have done with a holiday to recover from the holiday. The weather was perfect-not too hot or humid and certainly more pleasant than the weather in Europe where we would normally holiday.

New Yorkers were lovely.

It was a great holiday. Thanks for all the advice on this thread.

So glad you had a great time. Thanks for the update, op

That's one hell of a bucket list completed! I'd have loved to do a baseball game but our time there didn't permit it. But it's staying on my list.

For me the evening sunset cruise was an amazing highlight. We didn't manage highline, Summit One or inside the One World Trade Center - that's for another time.

The Intrepid air and space museum was also well worth a visit.

I fully agree about the people. I've heard it said NYC is 'rude' (but have heard the same about Paris and my experience speaks for the opposite). For me the same is true of most of the northern eastern seaboard states. It's a really friendly, welcoming place.

Having driven all the way up I95 I was a bit dubious as to whether I'd get behind the wheel in any major city - now quite confident I could do that. Those roads are very sedate compared with bunfight London!

Five days in that sort of non-stop place is pretty exhausting, but I think we'll be going back! QM2 was moored there during our visit. Now, I wonder ........

Glad I've found this thread as we're going to NY with a pre teen and 2 teens, but in February!!

Anyone got any advice for that time of year??

Wrap up very warm. I think my friend had snow when they went in February half-term. The ice rink at the Rockefeller Center may still be open.

Alternative to Top of the Rock is 1 Vanderbuild, next to Grand Central Station but it needs a really clear day.

The 9/11 museum is really good, we spent around 2 hours in there, all indoors plus the pools outside. You can book your timed ticket in advance and then only queue until your slot comes up.

The UN does tours, that was also quite interesting.

We went in February this year. It was 16/18 degrees every day bar our last day when we flew home. That day was freezing. Beautiful, crisp, clear day but freezing. Hats and gloves needed but we have brilliant photos on the Brooklyn Bridge. The rest of the week was jeans, shorts and t shirts.

Friends went the following week and it was really cold and it snowed.

Thank you both vert much. Am prepared for the cold as we went to Finland last winter and have all the gear!
Am wondering how far in advance I need to book visas, attractions etc.

You should do your Esta soon as you can - they don't take long but if you need an interview I believe the wait is months.

If you want to do the crown at Statue of Liberty that also needs doing well in advance.

Thanks @Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky . Am on it!

We booked the UN tour and the 9/11 museum a couple of days before but the slots are frequent despite August is a big holiday month also for the US obviously.

I wouldn't book any viewing platforms in advance. We relied on the weather forecast for the next 4 days and it changed a lot. Not bad for August but I think in February it would be a lot worse if suddenly everything is in the clouds.

Really helpful, @reluctantbrit. Thanks.

There's so much choice of things to do! I have been once before (v briefly) age 18, but none of the rest of my family have been.

If anyone has any must do attractions/places to eat, I'd be v grateful.

My dc will be 15, 13 and 11.

Thanks in advance.

I went this February and it was nowhere near as cold as I was expecting. One day I was in just a jumper and jeans. Most days I had my (huge) puffer jacket unzipped. I would definitely suggest layers/look at the weather forecast more closely than I did!

@Petal7

Something I found out about a couple of weeks ago is big apple greeters. It's local volunteers who do walking tours. It seems to be no pay no tip from what I can see but you are encouraged to make a donation to the organisation. You can select your interests / areas and they match you with someone. Idea seems to be you see the non touristy stuff with locals.

I have registered and hoping I do get matched with a volunteer.

Summit 1 is also called Vanderbilt and was a definite highlight for the kids but it was a bright clear day. Definitely do that with your kids.