BillnLinz

Hi

Four of us coming over from Scotland to New York in 2 weeks for a few days, just wondered what sights you would recommend to go and see and what maybe to avoid!

Thanks

Bill

Bob

Theres' another thread about a trip to NY posted recently, have a quick search for it

Englishmum

Here's some essential info:

http://newyorkmetro.com/visitorsguide/index.htm

Of course since you're Scottish you might not want to blow the budget...here's a list of cheap eats, entertainment, $2 pints etc:

http://newyorkmetro.com/urban/guides...heap/index.htm

Your best bet is to buy a copy of "Time Out" magazine at any newsagent at the airport or in the city, it's on sale every Thursday...most bookshops should sell the mag as well. Here is some limited info about NYC on their website:

http://www.timeoutny.com

I guess you will want to go to the Empire State Building....you can buy tickets online at the official website.:

http://www.esbnyc.com/index2.cfm?CFI...TOKEN=95426925

The NYC visitors info is here:

http://www.nycvisit.com/home/index.cfm

I guess you will want to visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty:

http://www.nps.gov/stli/products.htm

You might want to see an event at Madison Square Garden (eg. Harlem Globetrotters or New York Knicks basketball or a concert):

http://www.thegarden.com/index.jsp

As for eating...well, NYC has over 20,000 restaurants and cafes so you will find something which appeals! My favourite at the moment is Balthazar in Spring St, just off Little Italy and a few steps from the subway station....it's very hip and lively (a scene from Sex and the City was filmed here) and the food is wonderful....they're always busy so it's best to book ahead if poss:

http://www.balthazarny.com/home.html (there is a virtual tour)

Another good place is the "Red Eye Grill", just across the street from Carnegie Hall and about 5-8 minute walk from Times Sq or the 'River Cafe' in Brooklyn (you can get a NY Water taxi to get to it from Manhatten). See reviews below on Open Table:

A great resource is http://www.opentable.com ....you can sign up to this site and you can get instant confirmed reservations at some of the 'hottest' restaurants in town and most major US cities...it's a free service and here's the list and reviews for New York City:


http://www.opentable.com/start_restlist.asp?id=8

Some of the restaurants listed above open up their bookings one month before you want to dine, others two weeks before. I don't think you can book Balthazar with them, but you can with other 'hot' places such as Union Square Cafe (I've been dying to go there....had to cancel when husband's flight from Heathrow was delayed and I didn't fancy eating alone LOL!)

http://www.opentable.com/UnionSquareCafe/

If you like jazz, this is a really popular jazz bar & restaurant (barbeque - operated by famed NY restaurateur Danny Meyer - he also runs Union Square Cafe:

http://www.bluesmoke.com/blue/index.html

http://www.jazzstandard.net/red/index.html (this is the downstairs area)


Places to avoid...well I've never been to the Bronx or Harlem....might need to take care at night....also I'm not keen on the Meatpacking District which is a dump even if it is supposed to be trendy (Stella McCartney has her shop there and there are some 'British' stores but I doubt that they will appeal to British tourists anyway LOL!)

Oh, there's that Scottish pub as well LOL!

psb182

[QUOTE=Englishmum]

Of course since you're Scottish you might not want to blow the budget...here's a list of cheap eats, entertainment, $2 pints etc:


roflmao....Englishmum....that was real close to being below the belt...

clydegirl

[QUOTE=psb182] No we're not cheap we're thrifty

BillnLinz

You are talking about an Aberdonian here remember, just watching the pennys!!

Bill

Rete

Must see:

Central Park/perhaps a carriage ride/Central Park Zoo
Rockefeller Plaza/going ice skating if you have the ankles for it
Broadway Show/stand in line for same day tickets at the 1/2 price booth in Times Square (TFK?)
Museum Mile in the upper 70's
Greenwich Village/Soho
South Street Seaport
Chelsea Piers
Statute of Liberty/Ellis Island
Empire State Buildling
USS Intepid (Hudson River)
Cruise Around Isle of Manhattah
Cloisters
Fort Tyron

Leisurely:

Train ride out of Penn Station on the LIRR to South Hampton, New York for a day ... have late lunch/early dinner and head back to Manhattan

Train ride Cold Springs or Garrison or Albany on Metro North out of Grand Central for the day

austin_d_powers

Take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry at night for a great view of NYC.

BillnLinz

Hey Rete

How you doing??
Thanks for the info, my brain is away to explode, to many options now!!

Bill

NC Penguin

For places to eat, I'd recommend pretty much ignoring what visitor orientated guides say and look at the places locals eat.

www.chowhound.com is a great site for reviews and discussion about places to eat. The site is broken down geographically and there is a forum for NY.

Delis are a good option and street food in NY is very popular (vendors with carts). Not tried any myself but it's said that some of the food is very good (on par with dine in eateries).

Shoppingwise, there's places like Century 21 near where the World Trade Center used to be and discount stores (check the web for recommendations).




NC Penguin