New York for DH’s 40th

[Mumofgirls12341]

I’ve just booked a 5 night trip to New York for DH’s 40th birthday.

Usually he is the one who books and sorts the Itinerary, however this time it’s a surprise trip and I don’t want to tell him until a few days before we fly.

Can anyone share any top tips/must dos/great restaurants etc (we are staying at the Knickerbocker if that helps)

thanks 😊

Take comfortable shoes, I've never walked so far in my life!

I forgot to mention I am planning a helicopter ride on his actual birthday. Any recommendations on what company to use and what time is best? Sunset? Etc

What time of the year are you traveling?

For restaurants, I’d recommend Robert, Queensyard, One Dine and Juliana’s Pizza.
Try and get tickets for Hamilton if you haven’t already seen it.

Did exactly this for my DH.
Used Viator for helicopter ride.
Did it in the afternoon and then cruise around from Brooklyn bridge around the statue of liberty at sunset.
Hope you have a great time!

We did a guided tour day trip to Niagara falls too, 1 hour flight if I remember correctly. Amazing. One of our best holidays.

Agree with shoes.
we loved the city of New York museum. Really good start to your trip. By Central Park. Loads on film and music.

Remember he will need an ESTA before you travel if you are planning to keep it a surprise

I'm jealous! We were meant to stay at the knickerbocker last year for my 50th but I had to cancel because of covid rules and couldn't afford it this time round.

We are going October and I have done so much planning. There is an app called Wanderlog and you can add places and then group into daily itineraries, with premium you can also get it to arrange them in logical order (I did the free trial just to do this and then cancelled)

There is a Fb page New York tips for Brits and that's quite useful although you do get a chunk of people all recommending the same thing. Eg a dusk harbour lights cruise - I like the idea of it but I do not want to spend 2 hours on a ferry just to see the lights at night. Someone else suggested you can just get the east river ferry for $4!

If you want to do the crown for Statue of Liberty you need to book about 6 months in advance as it sells out.

For actual travel when you are there Citymapper is great for planning routes on subway / buses etc.

The Knickerbocker is fabulous! Ask for a room high up facing TS. And go to the roof bar for cocktails.

FB group ‘NYC the place to be’ has a loads of tips. My fav was buy fast track for One World for 40 min before the restaurant opens. Queue for a few min to sit at the bar and get the most shading view.

Beauty & Essex was a good restaurant- was a few years ago.

We did a tour with Zip Aviation which took us right down to Coney Island. They were excellent but not cheap!

Ellen’s Stardust Diner for a fun night out. If you’re not bothered about going up the Statue of Liberty, you can just get the ferry that goes past it which is cheaper. Empire State worth it for the views. Central Park obviously. Grand Central Terminal worth a visit. See if you can get tickets for the Harlem Globetrotters - a fun evening even if you’re not into sport.

Join the facebook page mentioned above - so many tips.
Make sure you understand Estas
Work out if a citypass / attraction pass is good value - there are a couple of different passes.

You can now get right up inside the crown of the SoLiberty again. It costs no more than the standard National park boat/ SoL/ Ellis island trip $25- but you need to be organised as the slots go fast. Book on the national park site - you get a separate wrist band. My dc said it was the best thing we did - up and up, up a tiny spiral staircase inside the body and you pop out right up in her head and and look out throgh the slots in her crown! You will need to plan this.

It’s a few years since we went to New York but we had a lovely casual dinner at Nizza in Hells Kitchen. We loved the sunset cruise although it was SO cold, we went in April although daytime temperatures were unseasonably high it was freezing at night so wrap up warm if you do a cruise! We did both the Empire State Building and top of the rock and I preferred top of the rock because of the views of the ESB. We did ToTR at sunset and ESB in the daytime.

Top of the rock is fantastic views!

For the helicopter tour I'd recommend sunset, it's stunning. If you can get a doorless one then it's an incredible view and feeling - not sure on your budget but you can get a private one too.

Walk the highline down to Chelsea market - los tacos is incredible, pop to the pizza bar Filaga (incredible). There's a delicious gelato stall there too. Hudson yards is lovely to wander around too!

Rubirosa does amazing pizza and pasta and is very classic tiny New York restaurant, would definitely recommend.

I'd get the subway across to Brooklyn, wander about dumbo and walk back over the Brooklyn bridge for the best views imo.

Wall Street bull is cute too for good luck! Statue of Liberty is a classic too. Definitely Central Park but don't get sucked into a horse carriage ride. Hire a bike if you want to be speedy around it! 5th ave is a classic and nice to walk down and see the sights, St Patrick's cathedral is unbelievably beautiful.

If you want to see a ball game the subway will take you direct to Citi field to watch the mets, such a great night out and the atmosphere is electric. Same for the basketball!

We enjoyed just getting the subway and wandering about, loved the Chelsea area - blecker street pizza is delicious too.

I think we did 20-30,000 steps a day depending on the day and absolutely loved it! What time of year are you going?

If you go to Brooklyn, take the ferry...amazing views and much nicer than subway. Jane's Carousel is fun! We loved the New York public library next to Bryant Park...has an amazing shop.

The knickerbocker is an amazing hotel!! They have a fab rooftop bar (hotel gave us 4x free drink vouchers for here) and their breakfast spot is so nice too.
If there is an ice hockey or basketball game on when you are there I'd definitely go even if you don't normally watch it, the atmosphere is great.

If you go to Brooklyn walk the bridge surely

Ellen’s is SO basic. Very expensive shit food. Staff who put on a brave face. Rammed with tourists. Do Marie’s crisis’ cafe instead. And Mary’s fish camp

I completely recommend do a dinner cruise, fabulous food with a live band, We did this on my 40th and it was so special

https://www.cityexperiences.com/new-york/city-cruises/bateaux-dinner-cruise/

Also here to say Ellen's is shite 🤣 don't waste your time or money there! Times Square is a hellhole. Go once then get out ASAP.

I'd agree with the ferry over to Brooklyn but walk back across the bridge then you're looking at the skyline.

Walk the highline to Chelsea market and yes, try Los Tacos No 1 but its not "incredible" 🤣. They're just nice tacos that you'll queue for then eat standing up. A nice snack, don't expect to faint with amazement.

I'd avoid Hell's Kitchen like the fucking plague since covid and all the other problems that have increased homelessness.

Group your itinerary together. There's no point putting Central Park and DUMBO together for example. Chinatown is worth a visit, as is little Italy and TriBeCa. I love the ghostbusters firehouse and there's a pub tavern nearby that does great lunch deals.

I Second comfortable shoes.
The Stardust diner is a must on Broadway. All the understudies sing and dance throughout the day and you get a great free show

Bike the Big Apple was one of the highlights of our trip. We did the two Brooklyn trips. Food tours are also great. We did the Greenwich village tour.

Wow thank you all for your tips and recommendations. We’re flying out on 30th January, DH’s birthday is on 1st Feb so I’m hoping to book the helicopter ride on his birthday

Walk the high line

Empire State Building at night time ..... there's usually a jazz player at the top

The dive bars are great at night

Watch a show

Do a movie tour (but research this yourself- don't pay)

Go to a basketball game (this depends on when you're going)

Time square isn't amazing- go for the picture but then get out of there and explore Brooklyn/bronx / anywhere else- it's great!

It's one of my favourite places ! Have fun