NYC for my 50th: please make recommendations for me! I am so excited!

[User1974]

I am going in April, super excited! Last time I visited I was 21!
I would love recommendations of where to stay and eat and what to do. Thanks so much

What’s your budget? Haven’t you done flight and hotel combo? Usually cheaper to do this. Budget is all though.

Where to stay depends on what you want to see. I’d start looking at a guide book and see what interests you. Excited to do or see what? I know what I like, but you might not agree. April can be chilly with a cold wind.

We went april this year, weather was fine except a thunderstorm that lasted a couple of days.
We did most of the main sights.
And hp and cursed child at theatre.
Everything is far apart so lots of subway.
Food is ridiculously expensive.
I loved one of the lego shops it had a statue of liberty, ghostbusters etc!
There was a friends experience which we didnt go in but i got photos from outside.
A HP experience which was very interactive.
Brooklyn bridge is a pretty long walk.
Vanderbilt was very interactive but with good views
We also did a swim place indoors but that was $100 each though very good and expensive uber to get there too
Bear in mind some places like galleries maybe shut on a weekday

• If you can afford it, I'd recommend staying near central park i.e. upper east or upper west side. It's central but not manic and conveniently located for a morning walk with a coffee and pastry. I stayed in a nice hotel called Hotel Belleclaire.

-There's a nice speakeasy bar called Garfunkel's (with a hidden door!) near lower east side and east village. The bar is fancy and romantic with posh proper cocktails, if that's your thing.

• must try NYC style cookies from Levain Bakery. Best cookies I've ever tasted and I'd go back just for these!

• The Highline walk is a nice, free scenic way to see the city and explore some history

Enjoy!

I visited Trump Tower and there's a bizarre 'shrine' to the great man. Free and worth seeing!

Thanks so much. I bought the flights already - Virgin flights direct from our local airport and they had an offer on this weekend which gave a fair bit off.
There will be 4 of us, me DH, DD20 and DS 19. We are there for 5 nights arriving lunchtime on day one and leaving late on the final day.

Budget: accommodation could go up to $850-1000 per night for all of us, we need 2 bed rooms one as a twin. Then we'd like 1 or 2 lovely dinners, a show, a few sights - empire state, ferry past statue of liberty off the top of my head. We don't mind spending on a very special meal we'll all remember for my bday.

I'd like to cut costs where possible for meals so for example have a fancy brunch one day, then a cheap take away dinner at the room or having breakfasts in the room.

Recommendations for dinners and brunches massively appreciated
Also any hotels with ok priced 2 rooms suites or connecting rooms

Thanks

Highline fab at the end is little island also cool, and there is a wine bar next to it over looking the river which had the best value wines and good menu..

we did 2 free walking tours....one story of harlem and one street art in Brooklyn both fab
One Vanderbilt very much enjoyed i dont fo heights so had a cocktail in grand central station people watching instead very enjoyable

B&h dairy in east village was v hood value for food and cool area

Found ramen/pizza comparatively cheap for food and Bagels.for lunch

We went in April this year and stayed on the upper West Side. The weather was fine.

We were only there for 3 days as we were calling in on the way back from Boston.

We did:

Central Park
Coney Island
MOMA
The Highline
An afternoon pottering around big sights - 5th Av, Empire state building, Radio City etx..

We also just walked and walked taking in the sights - East Village, Chelsea, Meat Packing District, Greenwich, Harlem etc..

Food and drink is pricey, especially with the exchange rate as it is.

The subway is cheap and extensive. You need to be a bit street savvy - it is crowded and a bit creaky and grotty compared with the tube but it gets you there.

We stayed here having got a good deal through Booking.com

https://www.nighthotelbroadway.com/

It is basic and some areas need a bit of a redecorate but we found it comfortable and well located. The reception staff were very helpful.

Hi can totally recommend the conrad downtown nyc. Beautiful hotel great reviews and every room is a suite. Can easily accomodate 4 people as bedroom has 2 double beds and also have sofa bed in living room which is surprisingly comfy. They also do interconnecting rooms
The livjng room and bedrooms are sectioned off with doors that divide and then the bathroom and kitchen ie wetbar are between the bedroom and living room. Very spacious great location next to hudson river some rooms have statue of liberty views etc. 2 mins from 911 memorial and nyc ferry terminal outside hotel great way to explore nyc 4 dollars a ride where ever u go ie 10 mins or 1 hour ferry all the same price. Brookfield shopping mall over the road with direct access to path/subway etc .
Hotel smells amazing also has a cinema inside it!

Maybe take a look at the other skyscrapers as an alternative to Empire State Building, the more modern ones are more of an 'experience' to visit with the added benefit that you can see the ESB in your view. One World Observatory is amazing.

For your 50th, a visit to the Tiffany mansion in 5th Avenue is a must, it's the most gorgeous building and you can bring home a souvenir! (Note Tiffany is at 2 locations on 5th Ave, you want the one closer to Central Park not the Rockefeller Center shop. 6 levels of teal heaven!)

For a lovely dinner, check out the Circle Line cruises, you can combine a nice meal with some of the best sightseeing possible. Another one I had my eye on but can't personally recommend, but the reviews are amazing, is River Cafe under the Brooklyn Bridge. (It's not a cafe, it's a posh restaurant, with incredible views back to Manhattan. You'd need to book and pack nice clothes.)

If you are foodies and want actual super memorable fine fine dining incredible service I’d look at Eleven Madison Park or Per Se. Not been but recommended and on my list for next trip! Will obv need to book ahead / check when they open reservations (often the start of month before)

Oh, definitely Katz deli for brunch. Russ and Daughters, too. Iconic NYC!

Maybe dim sum in Chinatown another day.

Book to go into the crown of rbe Statue of Liberty. It's
Relatively inexpensive and is a great day out.
It gets booked far in advance so book now.

I think Liberty is slightly overrated on site, wonderful from the boat, but the Ellis Island museum is fantastic so if you're making that boat trip plan to spend more time there. 9/11 memorial museum well worth seeing.

Chinatown for cheap(ish) eats, and hotels on Lower East Side affordable with dead easy subway access and great river walks.

Eleven Madison Park was horrific!

NB it is solely vegan.

Don’t Virgin have a hotel? Decent enough location.

My favourites in NY are: High Line, Hudson Yards, Top of the Rock or similar, walking the Brooklyn Bridge, high end department stores, walking down 5th Ave from Central Park, SoHo, Chelsea, MoMa, Guggenheim, The Met, Tenement museum, Radio City music hall, Central station, getting a good view of the Chrysler Building , Staten Island ferry, Ellis Island. I found 911 not for me.

We also use Time Out for restaurants, Nebrr go to film locations or over hyped places. Neighborhood cafes are great. That’s why we stay in SoHo. Has character and some great hotels.

If you go to Katz's Deli (have the Reuben), there's a waitress service section on the left hand side if you din't want to queue at the counter.
John's Pizzeria in Greenwich Village and Times Square is very good.
There's a 'secret' burger joint at the Parker Meridian hotel on 56th street. It's behind a curtain in the lobby.
Walk from Brooklyn over Brooklyn Bridge at dusk to see the city lighting up.

We did a lot of what has already been mentioned but one of the highlights for us when we stumbled on NYC Circle Line Beast Speedboat. It was very family friendly and an alternative boat ride.

This is all amazing, thanks so much!

I think I'd like to see Hamilton - I have seen it but it would be much more exciting to see on Broadway!

I am off to research - it is making me so hungry thou!!