New York City Travel Forum

Hi, my husband, two teenagers and I plan to visit NY for the 1st time beginning of Sept. The hotels seem quite expensive so can anyone recommend how long we would need to stay so we can see just the main sights of the city i.e. Empire State Bldg, Statue of Liberty, Macys etc. and the best & cheapest way to get around the city? We thought about 5 nights just to see the main attractions. Thanks a lot. Kaz UK

You should be able to see the major attractions with a 5 night stay, but of course it all depends on how long you take at any particular area and how much time is spent traveling in between places. It makes the most sense to have a plan of attack and see things that are in general proximity and then move on to another area.
An unlimited-use Metro Card (which includes above ground buses as well) is available for one day ($7.50 p/person) or one week ($25 p/person). They can be bought using an ATM-type machine at any subway station.

Don't spend all your time ticking off a list of famous attractions. Take some time to explore our neighborhoods, the heart and soul of the city.

Here's a link to Frommer's online guide to NYC.

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/newyorkcity/

Click on the links on the left side of the page: "Complete Guide to New York City." You'll also find suggested itineraries. You might have a family meeting where each person chooses their top picks, and then combine them on a target map, arranged by neighborhood.

If you plan to see a Broadway show, you should order your tickets in advance. There are discounts available to many long-running shows. Check broadwaybox.com -- but stick with their discounts (on the left side of the page), as the site also offers premium tickets.

You might also enjoy spending time with a Big Apple Greeter. This is an organization of volunteer New Yorkers who love showing off their neighborhoods for FREE. www.bigapplegreeter.org

Have fun planning!

hi there...

5 nights will be perfect...

I stayed there for 4 nights last year & we seen statue of liberty, macys, empire etc... we even went to the woodbury shopping outlets... if you want cheap clothes & shoes GO HERE...

take teh double decker buses.. they are great & you can get a 3/4 day pass... I think they were 3 day passes but the guys that sell the tickets on the corner (around times square) will give you an extra day if they like you... they gave us an extra day!

your pounds will go a long way here! 5 days sounds like enough time. Take the (free) Staten Island Ferry ride to get your photos of the Statue of Liberty. Eat at the Great New York Noodle Town on Bayard St and Bowery in Chinatown, just one block south of Canal St. Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, take a right and walk into Brooklyn Heights. Go east till you hit the Promenade, over the Brooklyn Queens Expressway (no, not That queen!) for all-encompassing views of lower Manhattan. Take the Roosevelt Island Tram, which runs alongside the 59 St Bridge, for more breathtaking views at a cheap price. we love New York!

Just a tip for a restaurant: The Chelsea Brewing Company, which is located on pier 59 along thre Hudson River.
We had our first diner at this place along the river and in the vening sun. Excellent !!

happy travels
Jaap

Hi, We visited NYC June '07 for 7 days and had a great time, I with 5 days you will all the essentials and much more. Accommodation was costly, however our alternative was to stay in a B&B , the INN on 23rd Street, which suited us and just remember NYC is just not Times Square. We walked to Times Square in 20 minutes from our accommodation, safe streets at night, but we were always in by 11pm at latest. The subway is cheap and safe, just take it to a location and then walk that location for half day.

Check these web pages

www.bigapplegreeter.org
www.centralparknyc.org
www.NYCvisit.com
www.nytourist.com

Also I recommend you take the Circle Line 2 hour ferry tour down the Hudson, past the Statute of Liberty, under the Manhattan and Brookly Bridge up the East River to Pier 17 and then back. Great commentary .

Catch the subway over the Hudson River to Brooklyn, get off at first stop, walk around and have a look, then walk back to Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge, fantastic City and river views, history etc. And no charge to walk the bridge.

You are welcome to view my NYC pages and hopefully you will find something that interests you.

Good Luck,
Mike