Trip got off to a very worrying start:
1. Left home at 6.15 for a 10 am flight and got stuck in a huge traffic jam on the motorway where a lorry had overturned. Waited in the car for over an hour while road was cleared and arrived at car park around 8 am - good job we had pre-booked our seats.
2. Got on shuttle bus to Terminal 3 (had never used this before) and as we coasted up to the terminal the bus driver shouted out ';Terminal 3!'; but didn%26#39;t stop - apparently if you want the bus to stop you have to shout ';Yes';. Well, what sort of system is that - we hadn%26#39;t been told anything. That wouldn%26#39;t happen in America! As a result we had to go to all the other terminals before he would return to Terminal 3 - by this time nerves were severely frayed and wife and son were looking increasingly anxious.
3. Anyway, got there in the end with time for a coffee and a quick browse in the shops. On to the plane then nothing! An announcement advised us that the plane needed a new gasket - two HOURS later we took off. Oh no - itinerary in serious doubt! Arrived at JFK around 3pm.
Gathered our luggage and made way to the taxi rank but on the way out we were asked if we were heading to Manhattan and I replied ';yes';. An unlicensed cab driver was offering us a trip to share a cab with two others for $95! Luckily I had been warned about this and, thanks to the forum knew there there was a standard $45 rate. We got our cab and headed off to East Village. As we reached the Queensboro%26#39; tunnel we caught sight off the Manhattan skyline and we all then knew we had arrived! But what a beautiful sight as the sun was setting against the backdrop of the skyscrapers and the clear blue sky - that feeling of anticipation and excitement engulfed us!
We arrived at our destination - Second Home on Second Avenue - a little bit frayed around the edges but a very big room and very clean. We unpacked quickly and headed off uptown to visit MOMA (free adnmission on Fridays after 4pm). The walk up E 14th Street to Union Square subway station was a complete attack on the senses - so many different ehnic shops and nationalities - I could tell my wife and son were a bit overcome by it all and when we went down to the subway a small jazz band was playing just to add to the noise and bustle. I must admit we were a little apprehensive about
using the subway for the first time but the lady in the booth could not have been more helpful so off we went up to E 51st. Again we asked directions to MOMA along the way from a very nice Chinese lady who was convinced I wanted to buy some nuts - I think it must be the accent!
We spent a few hours touring the floors and the main exhibits - definitely the best plan is to start at the top - all the famous paintings seem to be on 4 and 5. I think we were a bit overcome in the end as we viewed yet another Picasso! The cafe on the 2nd floor is also recommended for a quick snack -great food and very quick service but all in all what a wonderful building. We headed off down to see the Rockefeller tree in all its glory - what a wow factor and the musical snowflakes on Saks opposite - there can be no better time to visit this place. To add to all this a young man was proposing to his girl friend - a large crowd gathered round to hear her accept - lots of kisses and hugs - aaahh!
Ready for something to eat we went over to Johns off Times Square and shared a medium pizza (yes, the large was too big for three!)pizza - great! And then off to bed!
Saturday morning dawned and we had our Big Apple Greeter booked for 11am. We strolled along E14th to Fifth Avenue and had breakfast at the City Bakery on W18th - what a great place, full of New Yorkers and the hot chocolate is to die for (Thank you, Viv%26#39;s Guide to Cheap Eats in Manhattan). We carried on up Fifth Avenue taking some snaps of the Flat Iron building (pity it is still swathed in scaffolding) and ESB on the way. We had arranged to meet our BAG at Radio City Music Hall - the only problem was that when we arrived the morning performance of the Chrismas Spectacular was about to start and the place was absolutely heaving with people. After a while we spotted Gia madly waving her badge - I think she had given up hope of finding us. The next couple of hours she took us around part of Central Park and then up to the Lincoln Centre, down Park Avenue to Grand Central Terminal. For first timers to NYC this is definitely to be recommended - she could not have been more pleasant, amusing and informative. We waved goodbye having given her a Dundee fruit cake as a small thank you (just because it was Christmas!). We had lunch at Junior%26#39;s followed by the obligatory cheesecake but be warned one piece can definitely be shared by two! And yes, all the recommendations are really true - it was heaven!
We spent a while gazing at the ceiling and the amazing architecture - this is another sight not to be missed and then wandered around all the Christmas stalls in the concourse. The rest of the day was spent browsing the main stores - Macy%26#39;s - yes, we went to Santaland and had a ';peek at Santa';, Old Navy (which we do not have in the UK) to get some great bargains then back up Fifth Avenue to Lord and Taylor, Bergdorf Goodman (very posh!), Henri Bendel, Trump Tower and Crate and Barrel. In the end my son and I were so tired we ended up slumped on one of the beds in Crate and Barrel while my wife was waiting outside for us! Too much walking and too much shopping we headed back to our room and all fell asleep! We woke at 8pm and had to ring the restaurant to cancel our reservation we were so tired!
Sunday morning and breakfast at Second Avenue Deli - of all the place we visited and ate at this was the most disappointing. Yes, the food was quite good but it was not fantastic and it was quite pricey. We walked through part of East Village to Washington Square and then through to Greenwich Avenue, to visit the doggy boutique, Fetch. Having purchased a few pressies for our two dogs back home we got a cab to Orchard St on the Lower East Side to visit the Tenement Museum. This was one of the highlights of our trip - the tour ';Getting By'; lasted about an hour (we had pre-booked and this is recommended as only 15 people are allowed on each tour because of the cramped conditions in the house). The stories of the lives of the two families and the apartments they lived in were fascinating and provided a stark contrast to the richness of Upper Manhattan. Afterwards we explored Delancey and the surrounding streets which were bustling with street traders on Sunday afternoon - what a great atmosphere and a part of NYC that visitors need to see to understand the history of how the city developed.
We then got the subway up the Rockefeller Centre where we booked tickets for Top of the Rock. The pre-show was interesting but the amazing views of Central Park and the ESB were the highlights - we chose TOTR as opposed to ESB so cannot be sure what is the best but TOTR is a must if you have not been before and no queueing with a pre-booked timed ticket!
After a rest at the hotel we got a cab to Jane on West Houston St for dinner. Great atmoshere and great food - highly recommended!
Monday morning we took a short walk up Second Ave to Veselka for breakfast - again the recommendations in Viv%26#39;s Guide and from the forum held true - good prices and food. We took the subway to Bowling Green and walked down to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal - onto the ferry - well that was the COLDEST experience in our lives! We did manage to get a few photos of the SOL, Ellis Island and the Manhattan skyline. But again a must do for all visitors and it%26#39;s free!
We wanted to do a little more exploring around Greenwich Village in the afternoon but stopped off at Ground Zero on the way - glad we did to understand the enormity of what happened there and reflect for a few moments - very moving.
We lunched at the Grey Dog cafe - a typical buzzy village hangout (I presume) - marvellous sandwiches and atmosphere - again a Viv%26#39;s Guide recommendation - thank you. Bought a Grey Dog coffee mug to remind me when I am back at work and reflecting on our time in NYC.
After a short nap back at the hotel we got a cab up to Broadway for Mamma Mia! This was a surprise for my wife (big Abba fan) who absolutely adored it - although not so much a hit for 16 year old son. Anyway you can%26#39;t win %26#39;em all!
Tuesday morning and we are now seriously tired. Went down to our local cafe - Dizzy Izzy%26#39;s - tea 50c, egg, bacon, sausage $1.25 - well, you can%26#39;t complain about that - NYC is such a place of contrasts. Took tea back up to our room but tried to get into the room on the 1st floor - we were actually on the second. Thought the lady responding was my wife putting on a phoney American accent so I kept knocking and saying ';Hurry up - this tea%26#39;s burning my hand! Only when I glanced down the corridor and heard this poor woman trying to get out of bed and saying ';Be with you in a minute'; did I realise I was at the wrong door!! Red-faced and apologising profusely I made my way up the stairs to relate the tale to my astinished wife. Well, that%26#39;s what tiredness does for you!
Anyway all our plans for Brooklyn Bridge and South Street seaport were scuppered because of the transit strike. We did get in a cab but it was going to cost $30 there and $30 back so we will have to save that till next time. We wandered up Second Avenue and did some last minute shopping in Soho - another interesting neighbourhood.
Our car arrived at 2pm and took us back to JFK over the Williamsburg bridge - a backward glance allowed us a last glimpse of the disappearing skyline and brought a lump to my throat. The sun was still shining as it had done throughout our trip. Soon it would all be over and we would be home and it would be Christmas. Goodbye New York and thank you - we%26#39;ll be back - hasta la vista baby!
I tried to keep it as short as possible trip report!
MerseyBoy - nice report. Glad you had a good time despite the transit strike nonsense.
It was also interesting to note your delays and how they affected your itinerary. Others should take note and make sure they have some flexibility in their plans.
As lo surprised about your reaction to 2nd Ave. deli, just had lunch there, quite good and reasonable for NYC delis, I thought.
Poppa
I tried to keep it as short as possible trip report!
Enjoyed reading your report and glad that things worked out and that you had a wonderful time.
Loved your report, what a shame you were delayed at Manchester. That is why i think iternaries are a bad idea as you never know what will happen.
You all seemed to do a lot of walking and on foot is the best way to explore NYC. I have lost count the number of times i have been to NYC and i have still not seen everything. I am sure you will be back as you now seemed hook.
Happy New Years to you %26amp; your family
Your trip report brought a lump to my throat too! Esp. the proposal. I%26#39;m planning to visit the holiday lights on friday, you%26#39;ve all said how great Saks%26#39; show is.. guess i%26#39;ll take my top of the rock voucher and do that too!
quick question, tho%26#39; it%26#39;s probably been asked a thousand times i%26#39;m too lazy to search..if i want to do TOTR on friday should i go by today to reserve a time?
thank you
Looks like all your research helped make your trip spectacular. Plus, you%26#39;re able to ';go with the flow'; and save some stuff for your next trip.
I especially like all the detail in your report. The Tenement Museum tour is unforgettable, isn%26#39;t it? I can tell you from a native%26#39;s perspective, some of those apartments look pretty big compared to others I%26#39;ve seen!!!
Thanks for the tip on Viv%26#39;s guide.
Wow, great report! So glad you got to see so many parts of Manhattan, including Lower East Side, Soho, Lincoln Center, etc... - yes, it is a city of contrasts, every other block!
Please list the full title and info of Viv%26#39;s Guide! Sounds like a ';must-have';!
It would great if you would sumbit reviews of your hotel and dining experiences here and on:
www.newyork.citysearch.com
www.menupages.com
It sounds like you have good advice to give. Feel free to chime in here to answer other people%26#39;s queries. Happy New Year!
Fantastic report. A good, read and very entertaining. Happy New Year!
Great trip report--sounds like you all had a great time despite getting off to a frazzled start. Too bad you didn%26#39;t try Second Avenue Deli for lunch--the pastrami and the corned beef are wonderful. Hope you get to visit NYC again.
Good point, SueFee- the 2nd Ave Deli is not a breakfast place. Its star qualities are its sandwiches for lunch and dinner.
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