How long in NYC

Looking to do a New York break in May but not having been before we are unsure how long we need to do everything without being rushed. Obviously the more days you stay the more expensive it is .

piece of string, two days should do it – Empire State, Flat Iron, Railway Station and some over-eating at a New York Deli – plus central park to be mugged

how long we need to do everything

Everything will never be done!

Wife went just before xmas, 4 days 3 nights, said could have done with a couple of more days. Food cheap booze expensive.

She really enjoyed it,up until the plane dropped out of the sky on the return flight and they had to make an emergency landing at Goose Bay, Canada!

I went a couple years back, we did 4 nights and saw all the big stuff but you could just as easily go for 6 weeks and still not see everything, most amazing city ever!

Check out AirBnB, I’ve done it that way a few times and it’s a lot better/cheaper than hotels. 2 days will give a glimpse but no more than that. We did 3 days last August just hanging round Greenwich Village and we have 8 days on 4th Street in April 13. Wear good walking shoes and get ready for amazinglingly strong beer in eg Blind Tiger, Bleecker Street and very good seafood directly opposite. There’s a lot more to NYC than standing on top of skyscrapers (at considerable expense), be a flanneur.

We went for a week, it seemed the perfect amount of time to us, but it is quite expensive.

We got a city pass before we went and went to one of the 6 attractions each day, then explored the local area. We had a little guide book which was quite useful.

We found that going for a week meant that we could take our time and explore rather than rushing about trying to fit it all in. My legs ached by the end of the week with all the walking we did.

My wife insisted on going to various places that have been in films/programmes. We went to the Magnolia Bakery (Sex and the City) and I had half a sickly cake and we walked down Bleecker Street – on the way we found a nice pub that sold all sorts of beer/ales. If we were there for 4 days we would have gone on the underground and missed that.

2 busy days should get most of the typical tourist stuff out of the way (Statue of Liberty, etc) then perhaps 3 days to mooch and explore a bit more. If you can afford it I would stay mid-town but so long as you’re on Manhattan then pretty much everything is walkable.

It always sounded a bit old fogey to me, but we tend to buy a multi-day pass for one of the bus tours whenever we visit a new city. Spend a day or two riding the bus and seeing the main attractions and you should get a good feel for the city and where else you want to go.

I seem to recall we have a member or two on here who are in NYC, I’m sure they could give you the local low down.

Edit to add: If you’re both runners take some kit with you and go for a run through Central Park. Can be a bit of a ball ache getting there if you’re too far, but it’s a great way to see the whole park while getting some exercise.

The novelty of seeing famous stuff and shopping in Manhatten wore off pretty quickly for us, especially given how unfriendly everyone was compared to Vancouver where we’d been living. I suspect there are nicer bits out in the boroughs but we didn’t have time to explore.

If you’ve always wanted to go to NYC then 2-3 days is no where near enough.
7 Days minimum……and take some good walking shoes.
There’s more to NYC than the default attractions, then going up the empire state during the days is completely different than at night. Brooklyn is worth a visit too.
Surely you want to do a show, a comedy club, a jazz club no way you can do all that in 3 days. Why skimp you’ll only wish you’d gone for longer.

I went for a week, did everything in 5 days, walked about 20miles a day. Amazing place. I went in January, never got above -5

Thanks for response so far. has anyone stayed at the Millenium Un Plaza?

or any of these;

http://www.travelrepublic.co.uk/accomodation/hotel-availability.aspx?hguid=bc0b2590-3827-4f71-827d-43e1dcad899a&sid=61854180&ssid=142192321

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/trip-to-new-york-city-help-please

Some useful stuff from folks on here!

The first page of those hotels were all above our budget last time we went. I’ve stayed at the Holiday Inn on West 57th a long time ago (10+ years), it was nice then. More recently (4 years ago for the presidential elections – Times Square went nuts!) the New Yorker on 8th Ave which is a bit further downtown (34th St), great location but rooms were cramped. We only use hotel rooms as a base so don’t generally need that much room, but the New Yorker rooms were too small even for us.

Not sure if it was listed at your link, but we went for drinks at the Hudson bar (W 58th) and the hotel looked good.

+1 on seeing a show. The missus nagged me into seeing Wicked on Broadway last time we were there and we both thoroughly enjoyed it.

Not sure I’d agree with grum – we didn’t find NYC any more unfriendly than a lot of other places. As ever I think it depends where you go, what you do, and your own attitude towards the yokels 🙂

I stayed at the Roosevelt.
Great hotel and great location. It’s been featured in just about every film set in New York. Man on a Ledge? 🙂
There’s a great place for breakfast just opposite grand central station (about 2 blocks away). We went there every day.

HAven’t read rest of thread but depends what you want to do! We can’t stand shows so didn’t bother with one. We did 5 days 4 nights and it was ample for what we wanted to do. Had a great time.

I’ve always found the people friendly, helpful and polite. When out drinking, the bar tenders will often present you a free round after giving tips on a couple of rounds. It’s a system that seems to work and brings down your overall costs.

Would recommend the Hudson Hotel & Bar, stylish and well priced, rooms are quite small but charming.

As I said maybe its just compared to Vancouver but it didn’t seem friendly to me, starting with the incredibly shouty and unpleasant customs/immigration people at the airport.

Went in 2003 for a week, but that was to meet up with my Uncle when he was sailing the clipper yacht race so in reality we only had about 4 days of doing what we wanted, I’d probably only need 4 days to see what I wanted but that’s having been already, a week would be good as it’s your first time. Everyone we met was pretty friendly.

Went for a week in May, more to say I’d done it than anything. However, I did really enjoy it and would definitely go back. You can do a lot in a day but it becomes quite busy. It’s easy to get around due to street layout and good transport system, grab a weeks pass for the subway. In general the people were pretty friendly and will help you out if you ask. I think a week is good, 10 days if you have the time and cash, it ain’t cheap!

I love doing a week, usually wednesday to wednesday.

JimmyJesus! That Hudson Hotel is FROM $249 ! I paid about $100 per night last August via AirBnB for a double bedroom in a v nice flat on 5th, just north of Washington Park Square. I think my 8 nights on 4th worked out at £730 tops. Make sure you check AirBnB, it’ll save you loads plus it puts you into contact with locals.

New York? May?? You need to take your road bike mate and do the Gran Fondo New York[/url].

Hopefully I’ll get to do it 2014.

I went for 3 1/2 years and needed a few more days really

Anyone stayed here: http://www.stayhotelny.com/

LardLover – Member
New York? May?? You need to take your road bike mate and do the Gran Fondo New York.

Hopefully I’ll get to do it 2014.

POSTED 3 WEEKS AGO # REPORT-POST

I’m doing this now, roped into it by the OH….

Excellent ChunkyMTB!!! 😀

Can you fill me in on it when you return? I’m really REALLY wanting to do it next year (2014). My brother in law lives in NYC so was going to suggest we visit next May. Imagine the look on my wife’s face when I try to put my bike in the taxi to the airport!!

Would really love to hear all about it mate.

Yup. There will be 8 of us doing it….

Great way to see the Hudson.

Flights booked, now going in June. Still cant find a good place to stay for around £350 PP that all our party agree on…

Keep away from the place; its a poop hole.

Now, New Orleans on the other hand is amazing, beautiful and urm amazing!
Plus in march you’ll be able to experience mardi gras.

Well…all booked.Whats the best way to see the sights financially. I see there are several passes than can be pre-bought but they seem to tie you in to certain attractions alot of which are museums (yawn). Would prefer to have thing pre-arranged before arriving to save time in ques etc.

benjbish – Member
wrote
Would recommend the Hudson Hotel & Bar, stylish and well priced, rooms are quite small but charming.

stayed there xmas 2011 small is an underestimation but very nice and good location just off Columbus circle and 5th avenue
first time in New York we stayed at the Shelburne murrayhill on 34th and lexington just up from grand central another nice hotel
Empire State
central park (mugging someone has been watching to many US cop shows)but its not recommand to go at night in the park
time square
flat iron
tour of new york on the hop on n off bus
staue of liberty Pics from Staten Island ferry (ferry is free)
battery park
do a search of things to do as there is plenty to see n do
comfy trainers a must

Anyone used these

http://www.libertyhelicopter.com/store/packages.html

I did the helicopter trip with my wife, was great, but actually preferred the circle line boat trip which goes all around the island!
Whatever you do, you’ll absolutely love it.

Nice one, cheers

The couple we are going to NY with are planning a day a Coney Island beach. They have been to NY before so have done all the sites before. As its our first time there im not sure if i want to spend a day at the beach. So im asking those NYC regulars on STW if its worth a day trip Coney baring in mind we only have 4 days to see the usual tourist stuff.

Well its nearly here…cant wait until Saturday. Can anyone recommend a diner in/near Time Square that does pancakes and bacon (maple syrup and a milkshake of course) etc, i fancy a cholesterol hit on sunday morning i reckon..

Re Coney Island I’d say not, lots of things to do in the city so only go at end of trip if you are bored of the city.

No specific diner recommendations sorry

Yeah,not going to bother with Coney. Panckes and bacon are a must though..lol