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Original poster

1st trip to New York - Any advice?

44 replies

backaftera2yearbreak · 03/12/2023 20:13

Hi all.

anyone been to new York and have any advice? Going in March with my 14 year old son. Have some vague ideas of what I might do but is there anything unusual/unique I may not know about

TIA

OP posts:
Moonshine86 · 03/12/2023 20:14

Whale watching?

CeeceeBloomingdale · 03/12/2023 20:15

Join one of the Facebook groups, E.g. New York Tips For Brits. You need to plan a but yo maximise your time. Write a list of your must dos and then fit things around that. Cable car to Roosevelt Island might tick your unusual brief.

Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 03/12/2023 20:16

That could be interesting I am definitely looking that up!

OP posts:
Appleblum · 03/12/2023 20:16

Bring lots of small notes. You have to tip everyone! It's crazy.

Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 03/12/2023 20:18

I am in some Facebook groups but my posts with question like this keep getting rejected!

OP posts:
OhpoorMe · 03/12/2023 20:20

Honestly there are soooo many threads about this (included one i started a year ago Grin) you'd be far better off looking at those.

In AMA there's a thread from a new Yorker set up to avoid the need for holiday question threads - she was brilliant for advice!

EauNeu · 03/12/2023 20:21

the boat trip around manhattan island is a must. great way to see the skyline.

Top of the Rock (rockefeller centre) is a rooftop view just as good as the empire state building - used to be cheaper and smaller queues but worth checking out.

The department stores are worth a look even if you're not shopping just for the wow factor

lesdeluges · 03/12/2023 20:26

Double your spending money. It is ridiculously expensive in New York now.

Once you have that sorted so you won't die of fright or hunger 😂then the tips above are great.

ChorizoDog · 03/12/2023 20:47

Walk the high line

Go to Ellen's stardust diner

If I went again, I'd do the edge rather than the empire state or Rockerfeller

Hudson yards for shopping, the vessel is there too..

Staten Island ferry around sunset for Statue of Liberty

Coney Island?

ChorizoDog · 03/12/2023 20:48

Get a dollar slice!

The cable car over Roosevelt

We loved walking over Brooklyn bridge and wandering around the dumbo area

Foxsoxandgloves · 03/12/2023 20:51

Just an aside. Be really careful crossing the road. Your son won't be familiar with the rules, you no more cross when the pedestrian light isn't flashing than you would dance naked in the street and actually naked would be less likely to enrage people 😀

LizzieSiddal · 03/12/2023 20:53

Don’t expect people to be polite 😂 I was really shocked at how abrupt everyone is.

Things I loved were the high line, Greenwich village, the boat tour around the Statue of Liberty and Central Park.

DanceMumTaxi · 03/12/2023 20:54

The top of the rock is better than the Empire State Building. There was a recent AMA started by someone who lives there. It has loads of good advice.

MrsJamin · 03/12/2023 20:57

What's your 14 year old into?

whimsicalmoon · 03/12/2023 22:06

CeeceeBloomingdale · 03/12/2023 20:15

Join one of the Facebook groups, E.g. New York Tips For Brits. You need to plan a but yo maximise your time. Write a list of your must dos and then fit things around that. Cable car to Roosevelt Island might tick your unusual brief.

I found the cable car to Roosevelt Island really underwhelming and wish I'd spent the time doing something else! I've been to NYC quite a few times so was looking for something different, but it was really about a five-minute cable car ride, there's nothing to do or see on the island, and then there was a massive queue for the cable car back. I think I'd rather have just done the Brooklyn Bridge again, to be honest, or the Staten Island ferry!

Storynanny1 · 03/12/2023 22:11

take warm coats - March can be very cold in NY
If your son is into history the tenement museum tour is very interesting.

ImAMinion · 03/12/2023 22:17

Top of the Rocks operates by a time system, so you arrive and will be given a time frame to come back.

Empire state is a queue. Americans don’t get up early. If you go, get up early and get there at opening. You’ll be straight up and it will be so so less crowded. I got there first thing, straight up, really easy to look round. By the time I got down the queue was two hours.

I liked Ellis Island but if you’re not fussed about the immigration history and just want to see the Statue of Liberty then get the Staten Island ferry.

If you want to see a show, save yourself time by going directly to the theatre you want and seeing what seats they have . I don’t know if there’s still the big queue in Times Square or not or wherever those mass ticket booths are. I looked at options and went to the theatre. No line and a very good price ($60 in the stalls for me and my friend). You could strike lucky.

CissOff · 03/12/2023 22:20

Allow time for just wandering! I had over planned our trip and found it exhausting - the best part of our time in NYC was when we didn’t have an itinerary.

Unlike PP, I didn’t rate Ellen Stardust’s - it was ridiculously overpriced and poor quality.

We (including teens) really loved the 9/11 memorial and the open top tour from Times Square. We bought The Sightseeing Pass (We got the Flex pass) and it worked out much better value than paying on the door for attractions.

Top of the Rock and One World Observatory were Ok. Rockerfeller was a nice novelty. We unexpectedly liked the NYC Madam Tussauds. We loved Ellis Island and Liberty but our favourite part of the trip was the time spent mooching around Little Italy and Chinatown, then going to Macy’s to get their prom dresses

If I were to go again I would have a really loose plan of what to do and be aware that you can’t traverse between the metro without going overground if you need to go backwards (🙃)

CissOff · 03/12/2023 22:21

Also, it was -16c when we went in early March. It was brutal and unexpected. 🙈

CeeceeBloomingdale · 03/12/2023 22:23

I haven't actually done the cable car. Was just there for my 4th trip and intended to but ultimately other things were my priority.

OP try reading the other posts in those groups and get info that way. Too many people ask the same questions over and over as the posts are refused whereas the answers can often be found by just scrolling and reading. I would say choose one observation deck, Summit is my personally favourite and was a hit with my teens. Statue of Liberty Crown is unique but not sure if there will be tickets left now as it opens for bookings 5 months before.

If it s your first time I'd focus less on the obscure and more on the main things. I've been 4 times and still have barely scratched the surface. I found on this last visit we got through less than in previous trips. Shorter days and much more queuing and security everywhere than when I last visited (2015)

Huckleberries73 · 03/12/2023 22:26

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

PixiePirate · 03/12/2023 22:30

The Staten Island Ferry is free and gives good views of the Statue of Liberty. There are outlet stores on Staten Island if you fancy doing some shopping. We walked from Madison Square Gdns to the ferry terminal through Greenwich Village and via the 9/11 memorial. Next time I go I’d like to visit the 9/11 museum. From the 9/11 memorial there’s a cut through to Wall St and the New York Stock Exchange where you can see Hamilton’s grave in the churchyard.

Greenwich Village is nice. There are Friends and SATC sites dotted around there (although probably not particularly interesting to your son).

if you turn right when you come back out of the ferry terminal in Manhattan you can follow the riverfront all the way along to the Brooklyn Bridge and either walk across it, or go back inland through Chinatown and head to the flat iron building and the crazy dog park.

Coronawireless · 03/12/2023 22:45

We took our tween DC there in Feb 2023, also for the first time. We stayed near Central Park South.

What we did:
Top of the Rock at sunset (need to pre-book). Great success.

Subway (for the experience) from Central Park to South Ferry, then the free Staten Island ferry round trip - wonderful views of the Statue of Lib. (We were advised not to visit the actual statue as it’s expensive and a little underwhelming and takes far too long).

Then we took a ferry to Brooklyn for lunch
Then walked back to NYC over the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset. This was utterly fab - my favourite part of the trip - and well worth doing.

We spent much more time than I expected just wandering around Central Park. Lots to see, all the iconic NYC views. DC skated in the open air ice rink.

We went to meet a friend off the train at Grand Central Station - the station is amazing, a destination in itself if you are wandering around 5th Ave and can’t decide what to do next.

Have breakfast in a diner. Any diner (I’ve heard the Ellen one is overrated). Massive pancake breakfasts - go hungry.

I wanted to visit the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum but we didn’t have time. From what I’ve heard, your 14 year old DS would probably love it.

Enjoy! NYC is brilliant for this age group.

EnglishGirlApproximately · 03/12/2023 22:56

We went last month and I'm already planning our return! We did most of the tourist sites but our standouts were;
Walking Brookyn Bridge into Manhattan
Ferry to Dumbo at sunrise to walk the Bridge. Loved seeing early morning NYC with the city coming to life.
The Edge (lying on the glass platform)
Greenwich Village
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Dinner at Carmines
The ride (bonkers fun, don't go expecting a tour!)
High Line
Liberty Bagels
Pedicab tour of Central Park
Like a PP said its crazy expensive, so don't be scared to get a dollar slice or a hot dog from a food cart as sit down dining is £££

Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 03/12/2023 23:12

Oh wow! Thanks for all of that.

My son is desperate to go to madam tussards. I want to go to summit 1. So much to think about!

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