We have just returned from spending five nights in New York, this was our first visit and we can%26#39;t wait to go again.
We left Heathrow on September 3rd and arrived at JFK one hour late our BA flight was delayed because they couldn%26#39;t find the equipment to lift an elderly passenger on to the plane we sat on the plane for over an hour, this put us in a good mood to start with! Needless to say the queue at immigration was long and we expected an interrogation! The line moved smoothly and to our surprise the official was very polite and efficient, we did the fingerprints, photo and then collected our luggage total time 35 minutes not bad, better than expected.
We rang Carmel and collected our car all very straightforward.
We arrived at The Beacon Hotel which was fine no problems(report on hotel made).
We were fairly tired and decided to just venture across the road and had a meal at Fairway above the supermarket which was very good with a good wine selection. At this stage I would point out that our party consisted of me my wife and teenage daughter aged 16. Their main interests are shopping, sightseeing in small doses and eating out! Nothing too cultural!
On Sunday morning we got the subway to The Staten sland ferry. At this point I would say that we found the subway quite straight forward and easy to navigate providing you know whether you are going uptown or downtown. The SI ferry was wonderful it was a beautiful day and we enjoyed it immensely.
We saw the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island but decided not to visit as we felt the queues would be too long. We then went to Ground Zero and St Pauls church which was deeply moving experience and brought a tear to the eye. Enough sightseeing for one day on to the serious stuff! First stop Century 21! It depends on what you want I thought it was tacky, but it was close by and worth a look. We then got the subway to 34th street and Macy%26#39;s, my daughter bought a pair of boots and trainers straight away in a shoe shop across the road, so she was happy! Macy%26#39;s was huge, a discount card and no tax week every girls dream! We went to Times Square which was fascinating and hectic. Toys R Us is incredible. Back to hotel rest the feet have a drink and out to eat at Ruby Foos just along from the hotel. The food was very good, nice atmosphere, expensive wine list, intersting that nobody was drinking wine. Why not reduce the prices and sell some?
Monday.
Met our Big Apple Greeter Glenn in reception we had already indicated wht we would like to do so he took us to Chinatown, Little Italy and Soho shopping area.
Glen was really good, very knowledgeable and patient! He tried to answer all our questions and he must have been shattered after two hours walking with us. I cannot recommend the BAG system too highly and we were very lucky to be allocated one Glen only does one tour a week,and there is a lot of demand.
Rest of the day shopping in Soho, then back to our hotel.
A meal in Pizzabolla a very good italian in Amsterdam Ave.Reasonable prices good food.
Wednesday
Up bright and early off to ESB arrived 9.15 walked straight through with pre -booked tickets. This was a real highlight, highly recommended. Then back to Macy%26#39;s! for more shopping and browsing. Walked up 5th Avenue had lunch at Grand Central Station what a building great place for lunch.
Next on with the serious stuff walked the whole of 5th Avenue, looked in all of the shops, Tiffanys, Trump Tower and Saks etc.
Went to St Patricks Cathedral wonderful building. On to Central Park, a delightful place much bigger than I expected with so much to see and do. Walked back to hotel, shattered!
Dinner at Saigon a Vietnamese restaurant on Amsterdam, huge portions,good value wine and a tremendous atmosphere.
Wednesday.
Subway to Brooklyn walked around Brooklyn Heights down to promenade past Grimaldis and Ice Cream Factory. Stopped off for coffee before we walked over the Brooklyn Bridge, a great experience on a beautiful day. The walk was easy a gentle 20 minutes or so. We then had lunch at the South Street Seaport complex which I thought was fascinating, sat down by the river, looked in the shops, they have an Ambercrombie and Finch there which my daughter liked. Caught the subway back to Macy%26#39;s just enough time for my wife to buy four handbags!
Back to hotel before having a meal at Ocean Grill on Columbus Avenue. This was a real treat our favourite, very good seafood, we had scallops and Sea Bass excellent. You can get dressed up for this restaurant a lot of men were wearing jackets and they gave you a little bag with muffins in when you leave. A nice touch.
Thursday.
Our last morning. Just time for my wife to try some shoes on. fortunately they didn%26#39;t have her size!
We spent our last morning sitting in the sun in Central Park it was perfect, turtles swimming in the lake, so peaceful.
Sadly time to go Carmel car took us to JFK.
Flight left on time however we had to sit on the runway for 90 minutes which was frustrating.
To summarise we had a wonderful holiday, the weather was fantastic, the people we met were very helpful and polite. The subway was very easy to use and a good way to get around.The only time I felt intimidated or threatened was when my wife got her credit card out!
Finally I would say that the reason we had such a wonderful holiday was down to Trip Advisor and everyone who took the trouble to reply my questions. All of the restaurants we ate at were recommended on this forum and we were never disappointed.
Thank you all for your kind help and assistance we will be back!
Trip Report 1st time visitor.Bootle,
I enjoyed your report. You sound as if you had a great time. I like the bit about when you felt intimidated! We go in 2 weeks and I can hardly wait.
Trip Report 1st time visitor.You did so much in your five day trip. It sure seemed like fun, and I%26#39;m glad I got to read all about it.
For example I am one of those New Yorkers who was born in Manhatten and who very rarely ventures out into the other boroughs. I don%26#39;t know why.
But-- I%26#39;m impressed that you did- a trip to Brooklyn! (actually I was there at the beginning of August for a Brooklyn Cyclones Baseball Game!) So I can%26#39;t say I NEVER get out, just almost never.
Brooklyn Heights is a great place and your trip report reminds me to visit places that are very close indeed.
Bottle,
Good report and happy you had a great time. We eat at or take out from Pizzabolla and Saigon Grill all the time. You mentioned shopping for shoes. For those staying on the Upper West Side, Harry%26#39;s Shoes on Broadway and 83 Street has a large selection of women%26#39;s, men%26#39;s and children%26#39;s shoes at good prices. Don%26#39;t be put off by the crowd inside because they have a lot of sales people.
Ken
Forgot to mention, that in 1977 my wife and I spent a week in the west country of England touring around in a Mini. We loved it and always talk about going back.
You%26#39;ll be saving up for the return trip then ? By the sounds of it, you%26#39;ll need a canny bit if the shopping on this trip is anything to go by! Nice report, you did a lot !
Wonderful report. Glad you had such fun. Hope you come back soon ;)
You%26#39;ll have to stay in touch so you can take advantage of our next tax free week!!
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