Is ten days in New York too long

[Cruiser Elite]

For some strange reason I always have a fascination with New Orleans. Been there once; thought the food was great - think seafood, the vibe in the French Quarter was buzzing - think live music.

Been to NO 4 times myself - twice pre Katrina and 2 times post - IMHO it just never recovered - was never same last 2 visits.

 

[drron]

Mrsdrron and I have over the last 12 years spent 9 months in NYC and still haven't seen it all.
As a first timer you really should try and get a Big Apple Greeter.They will show you a part of town in wonderful detail-
Visit Request Form

 

[ellen10]

Great ideas and suggestions. I am adding these to my list.

 

[Alanslegal]

Another non-NYC suggestion would be to spend three days in Las Vegas, it's one of those places where people either hate it or love it, however its another 'tick' the city off the box. You could do a day trip out to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas and really admire the natural wonder of the place. Pictures do not do this canyon justice. If you do decide to visit Las Vegas, go during weekdays because hotels/resorts can be excellent value [I stayed in various resorts there but for best value, I remember paying $60 per night at the MGM which included the room, complimentary breakfast, two coughtails and free entry into their nightclub], then catch the red-eye flight to New York (leaving LAS around 11pm, arriving into NYC around 7am). By the time you get to your hotel say 8'ish, if you can check in, that's great, if not, leave your luggage with the hotel and go explore. Drink some Berocca to give you some bounce as the red-eye will drain you a little but at least you save some money by not needing one night as its consumed by flying.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Another non-NYC suggestion would be to spend three days in Las Vegas

Interesting that you post that Al - we are indeed in LV for 3days / 4nts for a trade show - but we won't be taking the 'red-eye' - it is my intention to eat at Gallaghers Steak House in New York New York in LV one night then fly to NYC next day and eat at Gallaghers Steak House on 52nd St.

 

[zig]

Thanks guys, I think you reinforced my reasoning, 10 days is fine. Only prices in September hurt

Agreed. I was also in NY for September and the prices were certainly more than I wanted to pay. I split my stay in two and visited DC in between. The second part of my stay was in the upper West side at Hotel Beacon NYC - Located in Upper West Side, convenient to Central Park, Columbia University, Lincoln Center, the American Museum of Natural History, Rose Center for Earth and Space, the Theater District and Midtown shopping. which I would recommend. The rooms have a small kitchen area which does allow you to provide your own breakfast (there are 2 wonderful supermarkets across the road and a bottle shop next door), they also have laundry facilities which are helpful. Subway is close by as well as Central Park.

 

[irv]

Mrsdrron and I have over the last 12 years spent 9 months in NYC and still haven't seen it all.
As a first timer you really should try and get a Big Apple Greeter.They will show you a part of town in wonderful detail-
Visit Request Form

I have also bookmarked guided walking tours of New York, have you tried any of these?

 

[drron]

I have also bookmarked guided walking tours of New York, have you tried any of these?

No but there is a little book you can get-I think it is City walks-New York.Tells you where to go and what you will see.An easy walking city.

Also consider breaking it up with a couple of days in the Hudson Valley.Best to hire a car.Lots of attractions-Hyde Park(FDR's home and library,Kykuit-the Rockefeller home,a Vanderbilt mansion and of course woodbury common for shopping.

Also an interesting day trip is to the Glass House in Connecticut-train direct to the village and shuttle to the house-just google it.It is in one of my TRs.

 

[QF029]

I'm doing 3 weeks in NYC so I say no!

 

[Warks]

One day I'll get there... been to the US at least 12 times and never been there or Washington DC. Would love to see NY and Boston/New England especially in the 'fall'.

Some good tips here. Will work towards it in 2015, some big milestone birthdays and a significant anniversary next year!

What's early October like? Weather, prices etc?

 

[dajop]

I have also bookmarked guided walking tours of New York, have you tried any of these?

As well as the guided tours, one thing that's neat to do in New York, once you've seen the things you wanted to see, is to just lose yourself. No guides, no predetermined path, just pick an area or a random subway stop and get out and follow your nose. Can be really interesting way to observe and explore parts of the city without following a script, so to speak.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Not sure if the Big Apple Greeter Service is still available, its free, you just pay for the volunteers bus fares and meal - we had a wonderful lady but it does go back to 2001 when we spent two weeks in NYC. She took us all over Harlem, a gospel service ( not touristy) and a meal near the church, we then went on to Duke Ellingtons old building where Marjorie Eliot used to hold jazz afternoons with some of New Yorks musicians all for a gold coin donation, it was fabulous...sorry I dont have a link but just google. W have been back a few times since to NYC and always find great things to do....last time we visited the Brooklyn Tabernacle and spent a few hours at a service listening to the wonderful choir. Also try Cafe Wha in Greenwich Village for a great night out, in my mind two weeks is not long enough

 

[amaroo]

Sounds like a good trip.

Been to NYC three times - each time I wished we stayed longer. 10 days is a good number IMO.

 

[Kef]

Trip planning at the moment, late September 2015. Is a 10 day stay in New York too long or about right. First time visiting the USA outside of LA airport, I don't know if we will go back to the USA, however I don't want to say should have spent more time here.

Look forward to your replies

In short NO!!! I've been going once a year for the last five years, and stay for about 7 to 8 days and every year I discover something new to do. So many different neighbours to see, new shows in Broadway, art galleries the list is endless oh and don't forget SHOPPING!!! and did I mention SHOPPING!!!! The outlets in New Jersey is a day trip in itself. Go on, treat your credit card And the food be prepared to come home heavier than what you were. before you left..

Enjoy, Enjoy and say hello to Broadway for me..

 

[burmans]

Sounds like a good trip.

Been to NYC three times - each time I wished we stayed longer. 10 days is a good number IMO.

Last time I was there we were there for 9 days and were totally flat out the whole time, wished I had longer. But it depends what you are into really, my wife is a culture buff an dcouled have spent weeks in the museums and art galleries. Must say food was also much better than I expected.

 

[drron]

As well as the guided tours, one thing that's neat to do in New York, once you've seen the things you wanted to see, is to just lose yourself. No guides, no predetermined path, just pick an area or a random subway stop and get out and follow your nose. Can be really interesting way to observe and explore parts of the city without following a script, so to speak.

When our son lived in NYC this is exactly what we would do. He lived near the United Nations Building, and we usually stayed on 6th Ave near Central Park, everyday we would walk a different way back to the hotel, found lots of interesting places along the way And it kept the waist from growing too much with all those huge American meals. One day we walked 20kms :shock:

Cruiser Elite - I was going to recommend Le Bernadin restaurant to you for September - then I remembered your seafood allergy !!! mrs.dr.ron posting on drrons laptop

 

[irv]

But you can tell me

Cruiser Elite - I was going to recommend Le Bernadin restaurant to you for September - then I remembered your seafood allergy !!! mrs.dr.ron posting on drrons laptop [/QUOTE]

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Cruiser Elite - I was going to recommend Le Bernadin restaurant to you for September - then I remembered your seafood allergy !!!

Your thoughts greatly appreciated good dr - no unfortunately seafood not my domain - ovine, bovine, porcine - now your talking!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Is a 10 day stay in New York too long or about right.

Well the answer will vary on individual tastes.

NY was my second trip to the USA. The first was to California/ Hawai many years ago when my eldest daughter was then 2. Great holiday including in a RV driving around the state.

Almost 2 decades later NY was to be our first holiday of more than a weekend sans-kids.

We had 2.5 weeks....and we decided to break up the middle with one night in Philadelphia (Liberty and the birthplace of the USA) and 3 nights in Washington DC.
Amtrak made it very easy and cheap to visit both cities.

This balance worked very well for us, and there is a lot to see and do in New York City.

We also based ourselves in two different areas of NY in doing this. This made for more do do, as each area has it own flavour and experience.

We took in I think 6 odd shows on Broadway and Off-Broadway. Bought cheap tickers on the day from each theatres box office. This gained us cheaper and better tickets compared to the discount TKTS booth in Time Square. Being sans-kids we could also pop into the bars after the theatre, which was a welcome change.

For me you can easily spend 10 days there. NY City is an exciting place with a lot to do and see. Some are simple pleasures like strolling through Central Park
, or across one of the bridges.

New York is actually busier than Hollywood as a location for TV shows and movies...and so so much will be familiar...but different.

In my travels I am more of a rural person (cycling, trekking etc) than a city person. Have loved London, Paris, Rome and NYC though. Found Vienna dull though...2 days there was too long for me.

London and NYC are the cities I hae enjoyed the longest...and then Paris.

10 days is well spent there. But thing of a mini trip in the middle. Washington..Boston.. Niagra Falls are some options...

 

[irv]

Just added Las Vegas to the itinerary, figured if we are in the US must see the Grand Canyon.