1st time in NYC and around NYE - where to stay? what to do?

[KitKat]

Hi,
May have left my planning too late...
Would be in NYC over New Year's Eve for a couple of days, just wondering where I should stay - the general area (downtown, tribeca, times square etc?)
I know $ would be at a premium
Not sure about Times Square (too busy for me?, I prefer a convenient location to transport, not too crowded etc)
Would be KitKat and +1
Would like to do some shopping and visiting some museums (and indulging in some fine food)
Any advice/suggestion is appreciated

 

[Mollycram]

We went to NYC for the first time in July and stayed at the Doubletree in Times Square. Was a fantastic location in that it was central to everything and surrounded by subway stations. However, I agree with you in that Times Square was way too busy for my liking. I like staying somewhere with a buzz but after a week of having to fight my way back to my hotel with my shopping bags, I was over it.

Friends stayed at The Setai on Fifth Avenue (booked thru jet luxury resorts) and loved it....though no cheap eating places nearby apparently. Hotel does offer drop offs in the hotel maserati though.....!

One thing we did which was fantastic was a walking tour through "Real New York Tours". Found them on trip advisor and they absolutely lived up to their reviews. We did a six hour tour on our first day and that set us up for the rest of our stay as we learnt how to get around and where things were located.

We also took a bus out to Woodbury Common and did a lot of damage to our credit cards at the outlet malls.

Good luck finding accommodation at that time of year and have a ball!

 

[tuapekastar]

As an NYC expert (I've been there once, for 3 nights - that's not quite true, I lived there for 2.5 years but was too young to remember it), I can only comment on my limited experience. I stayed at Hotel Lucerne on the Upper West Side (I now know what that term means ) and found it perfectly satisfactory, (guessing it used to be an old apartment block) and competitively priced fow what it was (though there are obviously heaps of options). It is only a couple of blocks from the American Museum of Natural History (I planned to go but did not get there), close to Central Park, and about a 30 minute walk down Broadway to Times Square. Also located close to the subway (I guess just about everywhere is).

Empire State building has great views but would recommend pre-purchase, anything to avoid the queues (and research the time of day you go, it was like a sardine tin when I was up there). The Rockefeller Centre also has an observation deck.

I didn't do too much else 'touristy' (I like to walk a city, and did plenty of that, around the fashion district, past Madison Square Garden, The Letterman show place, and the like) - went down to Battery Park and saw the Statue of Liberty from quite a distance and was roundabout Ground Zero - obviously a lot of construction work going on. Wandered through Central Park. I was there in Summer so things may be a little different around NYE! Loved it though. And depending on how much baggage you have the Airtrain (from Jamaica to JFK for $5, combined with a 2 or 3 dollar subway ticket is good value for getting to/from JFK). I posted elsewhere on making sure, if using supershuttle to/from the airport (which in itself is fine) that you have a printed confirmation 'ticket' - my driver tried to sting me again because I only had the number and not a printout (no printer available when I booked)

I'm sure there are people who know NYC much better than me who will chime in. Enjoy your trip.

PS. Though I only stayed 3 nights, there were either 12 or 15 'transactions' on my bill, all bar 3 being various taxes - make sure you know the full rate you're paying (I did, but it was still bizarre seeing all the extra txns on the bill).

 

[elbarto]

I stayed at the pod hotel in may. It's down near the queens borough bridge. Rooms are small, shared bathroom and reasonably priced. The cleanliness and state of the room and bathrooms was better than some pricier establishments I've stayed in. There was a subway station not far away and I found it easy enough to get around from there.


Sent from my iPad using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[Fantic125]

Last August we (me, +1 & 15yo daughter) stayed in the Hilton DoubleTree at 187 W29th St in Chelsea. In between 6th & 7th, close to the Subway & Penn St Station, so easy for getting around.

(Good prices for NY at that time of the year - no idea what the cost is for the time you are looking at.)

As for things to see and do? Search the AFF site and you will be overwhelmed with suggestions and recommendations from past threads....

 

[drron]

Well forget about the Hiltons-DT Times square-$823,Hamton times sqare-$999.most are full.best value was the Waldorf towers-$699 a night.
So as for accommadation do a search on expedia,hotel club or whatever you use.be careful there are some real flea pits in NYC-or maybe bed bug pits is more appropriate.
Now to really one up every one else-will talk to you about NYC in the Flounge on route to BKK-we have spent a few NYEs in NYC.

 

[thommo9]

Recently returned from NYC.

Stayed on W46th street (2 blocks from Times Square) and found that our location wasn't busy but was perfect walking distance to either Times Square Station or Rockerfeller Station for subway rides. Although Times Square was busy all the time, I wouldn't change the location.

I'd suggest a tour on the first day to get your bearings then you can explore the city at your own pace. So many tourist options to visit (Empire State Building, Rockerfeller Centre etc) and shopping, try cram as much as you can in one day so you do not miss out anything. Lovely people, levely place to visit!

Oh, and +1 for the Airtrain from JFK, daunting at first but so cheap and gets you right into Manhattan (better than a cab and possible traffic )

 

[blackcat20]

I stay at the Milford Plaza; its on the back of one of the blocks that makes up Times Square, so its central without all the chaos out front. Its not 5 star, and usually cheaper than most hotels in mid-town, but they are renovating and the new rooms look great. Subway station only a block away.

If you want to check out the 9/11 memorial make sure you get online to check out tickets; its free but they have timed visits so it doesnt get too busy. Apparently booked out till November, but worth it if you can get tix.

Top of the Rock is tha alternative to Empire State Building, and gives you a great view of the latter. We went up about 90 mins before sunset and watch the city go from daytime to nighttime which was pretty cool.

 

[elbarr]

We stayed at the Milford Plaza 3 years ago & would never go back. Had paid for a week & only stayed for 1 night. Did our money cold.
The room was so small you could wheel your bag around the bed, tiles missing in the bathroom, window would not close & much more.
It was either find a new hotel or we are on the next plane out of here.
Ended up 100 metres down the road at the Marriott for $50 per night more & right on Time Square. It was very good.
This experience was obviously before the renovations, but be carefull. Do not believe what you see on websites.

 

[drron]

Just got an offer from SPG for NY on sale until 31/1/12.Must be an SPG member-but free to sign up.
Must book by october 7th and pay in advance.
See here-
https://www.starwoodhotels.com/prom...erCode=NYCSLL&layout=4&ES=FB_NYCPRESALE_SWHTE
Checked over NYE and the Westin Times Square was ~ $389 a night.

Just checking the SPG site and Le Parker Meridien at Central Park can be had for ~$440 a night.
But just remember all these are base rates and in NYC the City tax is nearly 6% and also a State tax of nearly 9% plus $3.50 a night city and state occupancy fees.

All obviously still on the expensive side but a bit better than the Hiltons.

PS.The Milford Plaza is known to many locals as the Mildew Plaza.

 

[KitKat]

Well forget about the Hiltons-DT Times square-$823,Hamton times sqare-$999.most are full.best value was the Waldorf towers-$699 a night.
So as for accommadation do a search on expedia,hotel club or whatever you use.be careful there are some real flea pits in NYC-or maybe bed bug pits is more appropriate.
Now to really one up every one else-will talk to you about NYC in the Flounge on route to BKK-we have spent a few NYEs in NYC.

Thanks everyone, hmm decisions decisions, will try to lock in somewhere before the prices rise again and the AUD goes south...
Lovely, will chat in the Flounge drron

 

[ozmille]

First time I walked from Central Park all the way down to Battery Point. Very good way to get your bearings in the city. Enjoy your trip! I absolutely love NY and can't wait to get back there but it is a bit expensive from this side of the world compared to from Europe.

 

[Teak]

For our April trip next year, I have also booked the Food Tour of New York based on a recommendation of a friend - we are doing the Grenwich Village Tour.

Last year we stayed at the Hotel Beacon on the Upper West Side, great hotel. Next year we are staying in the Tribecca area.

 

[ShaneN]

Downtown New York (ie the financial district) is a bit quiet at night and weekends. Better accommodation options may be around Midtown (23rd to 59th Sts) or Upper East or West sides either side of Central Park.

Anywhere in Manhattan is easily accessible by public transport on the subway (a bit less so on the Upper East Side). I expect that NYE celebrations will be concentrated around Times Square (42nd and 7th). To avoid crowds on the subway it might be a good idea to stay somewhere within walking distance of there - Midtown or Upper West Side.

I loved walking around New York, but it will be much less pleasant weather around NYE. Try walking around Greenwich Village (Bleeker Street), also Central Park if the weather is kind. For shopping check out Macy's at Herald Square (34th and 6th). Also all the stores on 5th Avenue. In Macy's do not forget to ask for the 10% discount card available to all international visitors.

Like some other members, I recommend the view from Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. It has great view on the Empire State Building. Unfortunately however the view of the beautiful Chrysler Building is obscured by New York's ugliest building.

The choice of world class art museums is overwhelming. For me the highlight is Museum of Modern Art. There is also the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (which I have not been to yet).

Have fun in one of the world's greatest cities.

 

[blackcat20]

PS.The Milford Plaza is known to many locals as the Mildew Plaza.

Ive stayed a few times and never seen any mildew. And anyway, it has new owners and is being fully renovated. The new rooms look fab. Sure, the rooms are small but youre there to sleep and shower...if youre hanging in your room in New York there's no point being there at all.