NYC Megathread Archive 2

Pythia

Vorak wrote: »

Hey guys, my studio from Uni. are all off to New York on monday for a week. We have a heavy itinerary of things to do during the day, so i was just wondering has anyone got any recommendations for things to do at night in the big apple?

Bars, Nightclubs, Parties etc etc etc...

This place is supposed to be cool, it's got a 'horror' theme.

http://www.jekyllpub.com/

Monkey61

dereko1969 wrote: »

Anyone been to the lower east side tenement museum?
http://www.tenement.org/
seems pretty interesting - you can do the tour with different 'immigrant' experiences, german-jewish, italian and irish etc any thoughts?

We did the Irish family tour and it was awful. The tour guide messed up loads of the historical information, that we only spotted cos we were Irish. 1789 rebellion anyone? Basically it just wasn't what we expected. It was a nice flat, twice the size of my mother's house and lived in by a comfortable middle class family. Not the poverty I was expecting.

From reading trip advisor, the ones with the actors seem to go down well if you like that sort of thing and don't find it cheesy.

41Stan41

Hi
just wondering how many did they allow in family room
thanks.

extremehalo

Heading to NY the 11th of February for five days with my girlfriend.

Looking for good ideas and suggestions on things to do for valentines day? Also somewhere nice to eat in the evening?

Im already have looked at a helicopter sightseeing trip and horse carrigae, but they are booked out for the 14th..

My current plan is to spend the morning at the Bronx zoo. any reports on that? Heard its ment to be excellent.

Thanks in advance

hshortt

The single most romantic thing I've ever done in NYC is to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge at night time. Take your time, enjoy the incredible view and then on the Brooklyn side go to Grimaldi's Pizza place, it's one of the best Pizzas you'll get in NYC. Inexpensive, really really good. After that walk the extra 200 metres to the waters edge and you'll have a panoramic view of Manhattan. Walk back over the bridge to work off the Pizza and build an appetite for something else

Great night out, not expensive and one you'll always remember.

Cheers

datk

Fitzpatrick Grand Central -v- Fitzpatrick Manhattan. They're only 10 minutes away from each other - anyone had any experience of both? Is one better than the other? They're currently in and around the same price for when I want to travel and I don't know which to choose.

Thanks

dedon

datk wrote: »

Fitzpatrick Grand Central -v- Fitzpatrick Manhattan. They're only 10 minutes away from each other - anyone had any experience of both? Is one better than the other? They're currently in and around the same price for when I want to travel and I don't know which to choose.

Thanks

wondering the same myself

alpha2zulu

Have only stayed at the Fitz Grand Central myself and found it a fantastic hotel. The rooms are really excellently furnished and spacious and air con worked perfectly when it was 30+ degrees qutside.Really is a first class hotel.

As the name suggests its right across from one of the side entrances of Grand Central Terminal.Its also a very handy walk to loads of the regular Manhattaan tourist stops, like Times Square,Macys, empire state,and Rockefeller centre.

Coolaboy

Who are offering the best direct flights from Dublin to JFK for mid week in may?

theCzar

Coolaboy wrote: »

Who are offering the best direct flights from Dublin to JFK for mid week in may?

Aer Lingus are the only direct flight I know, they're unlikely to be beaten on price either; probably about 400 return incl everything.

datk

Coolaboy wrote: »

Who are offering the best direct flights from Dublin to JFK for mid week in may?

Delta also fly into JFK - I flew with them two years ago - flights ok - their terminal at JFK was a disaster. Are you stuck to JFK - Continental fly into Newark which is very civilised and easy to get a train from into Penn Station.

az2wp0sye65487

Hi,

Apologies if this has been asked and answered already, I've been reading this thread and others for a while but can't find an answer...

I'm due to fly to New York from Dublin this week. How long before my flight time will I need to arrive in Dublin Airport? Is 2 hours enough time?

Thanks...

LightningBolt

I went to New York about 2 weeks ago. Flight was at 10.30am on a Sunday morning, printed off my pass the night before. Checked baggage in at 8.30am. Cleared security at 8.35am. Got a few duty free pieces and cleared Immigration in 5mins.

I've heard stories of people waiting a long time to clear immigration though, guess it depends what time you leave at and how many other u.s bound flights are scheduled to depart also.

Coolaboy

Yes, I see flights for about 400e but will try to get cheaper.

*Dallas

steviecakes, try be there bang on the 2 hours or a lil before.

Its not flying to the states thats the issue, it is Dublin Airport security that cause the delays and people not being ready for the security checks

also, if you have to walk down the new terminal.. thats another 20 mins at least lol

McGaz23

Hi was just wonderin could any one tell me how much i would be lookin to pay for a hotel in new york for 2 people sharing around the end of june for 7 nights (all together). i was also wonderin where are good areas to stay that are really easy to get to and from the usual tourist places (time square...etc). help badly wanted i dont have a clue thanks.

Cheers

jayteecork

Just looking for a "cheap and cheerful" hotel for 1 week. single room - I'll be travelling on my own.

Links appreciated and thanks.

Blizzard

Just heard of this hotel, which is due to open in mid-March - The Ace Hotel, located at 28th Street & Broadway. Web: http://www.acehotel.com/newyork; Rates for opening have been lowered and for the budget rooms with bunk-beds and ensuite are $99 p/n; standard double rooms with queen bed are $159. Hard to beat that in NYC.

For those just planning a trip to NY, Aer Lingus are offering the lowest flights I've seen yet - if your dates are flexible Easter time seems unbelievably cheap - 258euro return (taxes & charges included in that price)!:D I booked my flights yesterday!

BubbleWrap85

Aer Lingus prices at moment are fantastic. Gutted as I booked mine about 3 weeks ago and paid 457 for same flight that now costs 250 Booked for 6 of us also so the money we'd have saved would have been quite substantial!!

Just wondering what the story is with hotels and this tax of 14.25% and a tourist tax? What is this for and when does it have to be paid?? I've booked the Shelburne Murray Hotel btw, looks lovelyl and right near Grand Central Station.

Blizzard

Websearch I did brought up this - you have to pay all taxes upon checkout, I presume or whenever you pay your hotel bill.
Re Aer Lingus - you just have to forget about the price difference - that's the chance you take - I booked my flights a couple of days ago and booked a Sunday return as the Saturday was the higher price - when I checked back about 15 minutes after paying the Saturday flight was available for the cheaper price!:eek: Just think of all the bargains you'll get when shopping and it'll all even out!:)

Hotel Room Occupancy Tax
Three separate taxes apply to hotel room rentals in New York City:

1. New York State Sales Tax,
2. New York City Sales Tax, and
3. New York City Hotel Room Occupancy Tax (usually called the "Hotel Tax").

Hotel Room Occupancy Tax (HROT) applies to the occupancy of any room in a hotel in the City. However, Finance adopted amendments to the HROT rules, which establish new guidelines for when a person will be considered subject to the hotel tax and an annual (instead of quarterly) filing requirement for small facility operators.

Note: Beginning March 1, 2009 the Hotel Room Occupancy Tax will increase from 5% of the room rate to 5.875% of the room rate for all room types.

df1985

as mentioned aer lingus prices are fantastic, from 89euro one way in april! took advantage and going in may for 330 return.chuffed!

anotherlostie

I will be in NYC for a week in late May and am trying to organise an itinerary to make the most of it. Is there anywhere that can give some guidance on how long different things take (e.g. E.S.B., Rockefeller Tower, Ellis Island). I'm planning on getting the New York Pass which seems to let you queue jump some of the time so that's one less thing to worry about. Thanks!

datk

anotherlostie wrote: »

I will be in NYC for a week in late May and am trying to organise an itinerary to make the most of it. Is there anywhere that can give some guidance on how long different things take (e.g. E.S.B., Rockefeller Tower, Ellis Island). I'm planning on getting the New York Pass which seems to let you queue jump some of the time so that's one less thing to worry about. Thanks!

I don't know how the New York Pass works with queue jumping but I would recommend the ESB at night - the later the better - less queues and the city looks pretty cool by night. TOTR during the day - on one side you're out at buildings the other side is Central Park - this wouldn't be much good at night. TOTR queues are not as bad as ESB. I haven't done Ellis Island, maybe next time!!!

I would suggest getting the subway over the Brooklyn and walking back over the bridge to Manhattan. Give youself a good bit of time in Central Park - it's a very civilised way to spend an afternoon - you forget your in the middle of a massive city.

*Dallas

for those looking for hotels/flights,

i booked a trip for myself and the OH for the 25th -30th of March through http://www.americanholidays.com

i know alot of people find great bargains by booking a hotel and flights separate, but i just couldnt find anythin cheaper then the price i got there.

€610 each for Turdor Hotel, 5 nights. it was the second cheapist (cheapist being the Pennsylvania which is a kip). seems to be a small walk to alot of shops, restaurants, tourist spots etc flights out are 6 in the morning and coming back think its 9 at night so we were very lucky

http://www.tudorhotelny.com/

will do a review when i get back in a month

wiseolsham

Looking for a bit of advice here. Looking to go to NYC around the 27th/28th Dec this year until around 4/5th Jan. Current price of the flights comes in at around €1005, if I change the dates to a week or 2 earlier they come in around €700 odd.

Is it worth my while hanging on for a while and see will they come down or what? Amazing the difference a week or 2 makes! And this is with Aer Lingus on their website.

Appreciate any comments

consultech

theCzar wrote: »

Aer Lingus are the only direct flight I know, they're unlikely to be beaten on price either; probably about 400 return incl everything.

I got €199 return with Delta Dublin-JFK direct for March. probably the lowest I've heard anyone getting so far.

AlexK

Hi

Yes the Tudor hotel is quite good value plus its right next to Times Square, we get a lot of interest in that hotel along with the Pennsylvania as its very cheap!

In my opinion in terms of value its always best to purchase flights and hotels separately.

AK

Trampas

Its Christmas and New Year's.

They know a lot of people will be looking to fly so prices are higher.

Try skyscanner might get cheaper flying through the UK

AlexK

Best to hold off for a bit and continue researching while at the same time waiting for the prices to hopefully drop a bit.

Its a tough one as the dates your looking to go over for are usually priced high anyway.

Good luck!

wiseolsham

AlexK wrote: »

Best to hold off for a bit and continue researching while at the same time waiting for the prices to hopefully drop a bit.

Its a tough one as the dates your looking to go over for are usually priced high anyway.

Good luck!

Yeah, will hold off for another week or 2. But the funny thing is, even on the run up to Xmas week (when people would traditionally hop to the US for shopping) its cheap in comparrison