| NYC 01:06 - Dec 20 with 989 views | The_Romford_Blue |
Anyone been? Any recommendations.
Off as a Christmas suprise present for the missus for 8 nights later in 2026. Got plenty of time but will come round fast and will want to sort tickets for a Yankees game, a broadway show etc.
Staying in a nice place by Times Square so right in the thick of everything
What is important to know and what should we prepare for in advance? [Post edited 20 Dec 1:07]
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| NYC on 01:46 - Dec 20 with 913 views | bluelagos |
Top tip. Catch the Statan Island ferry for a brilliant view of the statue of liberty. If you like history, Ellis Island well worth a visit.
Baseball, so many games and options I sorted myself outside the ground. Fans buy more than 1 ST and sell spares so unless it's a big game, you'll be sweet.
Empire state well worth it for a first time visitor.
The traffic is mental so be prepared to walk and use the metro. Manhattan isn't that big so walking is quite doable for many trips. |  |
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| NYC on 05:17 - Dec 20 with 835 views | noggin |
Day trip to Atlantic City for the Casinos and boardwalk.
Niagra Falls is worth a visit, especially the Canadian side, but probably a little too far for a day trip. |  |
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| NYC on 07:42 - Dec 20 with 749 views | Sparky85 |
We went 3 years ago and loved it. Hope you have a great time.
Definitely go to ground zero and do the tour. It’s harrowing but an experience I recommend to anyone. Book something upbeat to do later that day and the eve
Buy a group pass for a number of attractions. Think it’s called the New York pass. Saved quite a bit of money
Book everything in advance and plan your days. You’ll get so much more done
Visit all the high rises. Empire state, one world, rockerfella and the edge. Defo do the edge in an evening
Do the Chelsea high line walk and the walk over the bridge to Brooklyn
Ellen Stardust was good fun if you like your shows. We then went to see Moulin Rouge which was good.
There some really good piano bars. Don’t tell mama was our favourite
Apart from ground zero and staten island trips, walk everywhere. You’ll cover so much ground.
Have one night just wandering round Times Square
Took in a basketball game which was good fun.
Hope this helps |  | | |
| NYC on 08:00 - Dec 20 with 701 views | GlasgowBlue |
We were there in the summer, but only for a couple of nights as part of a longer road trip.
If you are staying in Time Square then dint expect a lot of sleep. Times Square is crazy. Think of Piccadilly Circus but 5 times more lively. Well worth a visit though.
We stayed opposite Central Park, which is well worth a visit. The Empire State Building is iconic, but I’d advise visiting at night as the New York skyline is fantastic you view when all the lights are on.
The statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is a must. You can pay extra to go up the statue. Don’t buy tickets from the touts outside of Battery Park. They are scammers but look official. Get your tickets at the box office inside Battery Park.
We enjoyed the Rockefeller Centre. You can get a drink in the bar in the square, visit NBC studios, Radio City.
There is also the 9/11 memorial. The graves of Alexander Hamilton in Trinity church. If history is your thing.
Little Italy and China Town are adjacent to each other. Loads of great restaurants and bars.
Most of the above are in easy walking distance but the subway system is very easy to use.
That’s all we could manage in two days but I’m sure there is a lot more on offer. |  |
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| NYC on 08:05 - Dec 20 with 695 views | bsw72 |
Personally I find NYC is overrated. It’s not what it was 10/20 years ago, far dirtier now and more homogenised than it used to be with most of the local communities like little Italy etc disappearing, and the stench of cannabis is everywhere. Bit of a shame as I used to enjoy going far more, was last there in October, stayed around 42nd West/Times Square as my us office is over on 6th Ave. some good bars and restaurants obviously but the US is very expensive at the moment so be prepared.
There’s obviously some nice parts, Bryant Park is a personal favourite of mine but there are far better places to visit in the US, especially on the west coast but appreciate its further and more expensive. |  | | |
| NYC on 08:15 - Dec 20 with 656 views | Bluespeed225 |
Only Jimmys Corner bar is worth a drink in the area your staying in. Otherwise, stay below 14th. But first timer, do all the touristy stuff, then go back another time. As someone else said, it's losing the the things that made it great, but generation coming through don't want individuality, , they want the same rubbish they see online and want everywhere to be the same wherever they go. | | | |
| NYC on 08:23 - Dec 20 with 645 views | GlasgowBlue |
| NYC on 08:05 - Dec 20 by bsw72 |
Personally I find NYC is overrated. It’s not what it was 10/20 years ago, far dirtier now and more homogenised than it used to be with most of the local communities like little Italy etc disappearing, and the stench of cannabis is everywhere. Bit of a shame as I used to enjoy going far more, was last there in October, stayed around 42nd West/Times Square as my us office is over on 6th Ave. some good bars and restaurants obviously but the US is very expensive at the moment so be prepared.
There’s obviously some nice parts, Bryant Park is a personal favourite of mine but there are far better places to visit in the US, especially on the west coast but appreciate its further and more expensive. |
Yeah the small of weed can be very off putting. Especially in Tines Square. | |
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| NYC on 08:29 - Dec 20 with 633 views | Blue_Heath |
| NYC on 01:46 - Dec 20 by bluelagos |
Top tip. Catch the Statan Island ferry for a brilliant view of the statue of liberty. If you like history, Ellis Island well worth a visit.
Baseball, so many games and options I sorted myself outside the ground. Fans buy more than 1 ST and sell spares so unless it's a big game, you'll be sweet.
Empire state well worth it for a first time visitor.
The traffic is mental so be prepared to walk and use the metro. Manhattan isn't that big so walking is quite doable for many trips. |
Agree with that also I enjoyed central park. try to find the proper food places for pizza, cheesesteaks etc rather than the chain ones. | |
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| NYC on 08:32 - Dec 20 with 628 views | OldFart71 |
Depends on what floats your boat really. As has been said Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. When I was there are a few years ago when we came back we went through Battery Park. The Globe that was outside the Twin Towers was in the Park and flags representing all those that had died.
For shops if you have loads of cash Tiffany's or for just about everything Macey's
A fairly new Mall is Hudson Yards, lots of top designer stores.
Taxi's price wise not bad, but expect to put 15% on top .
Tour buses readily available.
The Natural history museum is very good. The "Me want gum, gum" part was being refurbished but the dinosaurs are fantastic.
The first time I went to NYC was 2006, we went to the Winter gardens and they were still clearing the 9/11 site. Haven't seen the new tower they put up in there place.
If you wanted to go out of the City the Hamptons are very good to see,
Grand central is also supposed to be a site to see. We have been five or six times and never tire of going there.
Times Square at night is great, very busy, shows,music, people in costumes,M & M's shop and Hershey to name but a few along with all the lights and glitz. | | | |
| NYC on 08:50 - Dec 20 with 590 views | bsw72 |
Just to add to my earlier post, this bar is off the beaten track but is highly recommended for the burgers.
https://donovansny.com/ | | | |
| NYC on 09:14 - Dec 20 with 529 views | Poultman |
Went October, stayed at the Hilton Tempo, Time Square
Did all the usual things but we went to The Summit 1 Vanderbilt which was amazing but scary as I don’t do heights but you have to push yourself 😂 | | | |
| NYC on 09:25 - Dec 20 with 503 views | Wallingford_Boy |
The High Line. Free and you get to experience the real NYC. |  |
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| NYC on 09:29 - Dec 20 with 487 views | mrfixit426 |
I went to watch the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Hockey is a fantastic spectator sport, but the price of beer there is eye watering. |  | | |
| NYC on 09:35 - Dec 20 with 470 views | football |
My favourite city.
Statton Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty
Brooklyn Bridge
The High Line is fantastic
World Trade Centre memorial
Central Park | | | |
| NYC on 12:16 - Dec 20 with 341 views | stonojnr |
| NYC on 08:23 - Dec 20 by GlasgowBlue |
Yeah the small of weed can be very off putting. Especially in Tines Square. |
it wasnt the smell of weed thats the problem, if anything it hides alot of the other smells that arent particularly pleasant, just remember to watch where youre stepping. | | | |
| NYC on 12:31 - Dec 20 with 319 views | stonojnr |
watch out for pickpockets in Times Square, you can get easily distracted by alot of the performers, and the lights.
but same as alot have already suggested, WTC memorial, Liberty island, Statten Island ferry, Central Park, Empire state, Brooklyn bridge etc etc
one I havent seen mentioned yet, USS Intrepid museum. or the Brooklyn brewery, actually there are alot of brewery bars in NYC, most of them do food, and the ones I visited mostly Lower Manhattan/Financial district as thats where I stayed where great.
I did the highline, and its worth doing as a thing, but I dont think its half as good as people claim it is.
but check out Megans instagram she has a lot of tips of places to visit in NYC, that you might otherwise miss or walk past https://www.instagram.com/themegandaily/ | | | |
| NYC on 12:55 - Dec 20 with 291 views | befxblue |
Get a ticket to see the Knicks, elite level sport aside , the entertainment throughout is brilliant.
USS Intrepid was brilliant aswell, if you're into battleships and planes. | | | |
| NYC on 13:05 - Dec 20 with 273 views | blueislander |
| NYC on 12:55 - Dec 20 by befxblue |
Get a ticket to see the Knicks, elite level sport aside , the entertainment throughout is brilliant.
USS Intrepid was brilliant aswell, if you're into battleships and planes. |
Do you think you will have to disclose your social media activity? I would avoid the USA at all cost. | | | |
| NYC on 13:13 - Dec 20 with 259 views | Swansea_Blue |
| NYC on 13:05 - Dec 20 by blueislander |
Do you think you will have to disclose your social media activity? I would avoid the USA at all cost. |
Potentially, yes. The new plans proposed earlier this month would make provision of 5-years worth of SM history a condition of entry. But I’ve no idea if those plans will be enacted. Also, how are they going to know if people don’t provide details of their anonymous accounts? It doesn’t sound workable to me. |  |
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| NYC on 13:32 - Dec 20 with 246 views | blueislander |
| NYC on 13:13 - Dec 20 by Swansea_Blue |
Potentially, yes. The new plans proposed earlier this month would make provision of 5-years worth of SM history a condition of entry. But I’ve no idea if those plans will be enacted. Also, how are they going to know if people don’t provide details of their anonymous accounts? It doesn’t sound workable to me. |
I don’t think the Trump Administration really care as long as they make life difficult for non Americans and Make America Great Again. | | | |
| NYC on 14:07 - Dec 20 with 210 views | Poultman |
| NYC on 12:55 - Dec 20 by befxblue |
Get a ticket to see the Knicks, elite level sport aside , the entertainment throughout is brilliant.
USS Intrepid was brilliant aswell, if you're into battleships and planes. |
We did the Intrepid as well, good shout | | | |
| NYC on 14:16 - Dec 20 with 192 views | befxblue |
| NYC on 13:05 - Dec 20 by blueislander |
Do you think you will have to disclose your social media activity? I would avoid the USA at all cost. |
You get a chance to declare your socials on the visa application, chances are they will know already anyway 😉 | | | |
| NYC on 16:23 - Dec 20 with 149 views | soupytwist |
My wife and I went in October 2024 and loved it. My observations and tips for a first time visit are:
Google Maps makes using the subway and the buses really easy so make sure your mobile contract won’t hammer you for using overseas data. I got an unlimited data e-sim which removed the worry about that.
Times Square - OK to say you’ve been there but the hour or two we spent in the environs on Sunday evening were more than enough for me.
As someone else has said, Grand Central Station is an unexpected delight.
If you just want to see the Statue of Liberty, take the Staten Island Ferry and look at it as you go past. Actually visiting Liberty Island is nice. We booked tickets that allowed us to go up into the statue’s crown and that was great. There are limited tickets each day but you’ve got enough time to buy in advance and include the ferry, tickets for which you have to collect at the Liberty Island Ticket Sale Offices in Battery Park. Ellis Island is good to stop at on the way back too.
While you’re down that end of Manhattan you can take in ground zero and the 9/11 museum. We booked Liberty Island for a Tuesday before we knew that the 9/11 museum is closed on Tuesdays so that’s on the list for next time we go.
I enjoyed the Museum of Modern Art, was really busy in the morning when we went maybe worth going later in the day.
Walking across Brooklyn Bridge is great. We got the subway to Clark Street in Brooklyn Heights, got a coffee on Montague Street and drank it sitting on a bench on Brooklyn Heights Promenade looking over the East River at the Manhattan skyline. Then we walked back to Manhattan over the bridge.
One afternoon we did a walking tour of Harlem which was really interesting and then watched Amateur Night at the Apollo Theatre, which was good.
Central Park is lovely, the High Line is a nice walk. We also did an evening boat tour, enjoyed that (and it was part of the three attraction city pass we got, along with MoMa and the Empire State building).
We did a lot of walking, so wear comfy shoes and socks. Just walking around is great - it’s New York!
If you're flying in to JFK, getting a yellow cab into Manhattan is not the cheapest option but OK if there's more than one of you. For the flight back we got the LIRR from Penn Station to Jamaica and changed to the Air Train for JFK, which didn't take long and was pretty cheap.
There’s loads of online info - I found the YouTube channel Herebebarr helpful. He seems to have pivoted to almost exclusively food related content these days but the older stuff is good general info.
And 8 nights? You’re going to get through a few quid if staying that long!
My cousin went at Christmas with his family a few years back, it was flipping freezing!
Could add more but that’s the main bits. [Post edited 20 Dec 16:24]
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