Planning Surprise 10 Yr Anniversary Trip to NYC, Need Advice (VANITY)

Me | 1/02/04 | Freeper TwoBear

[TwoBear]

Fellow Freepers,

I'm attempting to plan a surprise 10 year anniversary trip to NYC for my wife. I've never been there, thus I'd like to seek your advice on the best area to stay, eat, shows to see, etc., etc. We'll mainly just be sight seeing, shopping and would like to take in a show. Now, we're from Tennessee so keep that in mind. I guess we'll have to put our shoes on when we get there.

Any advice on location (Manhattan, East side, West Side, Central Park area, Times Square, etc.) and hotels would especially be helpful!

We're going from 4/23-25.

I appreciate any help!

S

[Labyrinthos]

Despite what others say -- enjoy your trip. What kind of budget do you have? Although I live in the Northern Burbs, I often stay in Manhattan for business and pleasure. I prefer the east side -- Mid-Town area -- which is more business oriented and near residential sections, which offer places to eat and drink where the locals hang out. Around Lexington and 50th Street is the Marriot East Side Hotel, which used to be the Halloran House many years ago. The rates are much cheaper Thurs - Sun, than during the week, as with most hotels in Manhattan. If you stay there, however, make sure you ask to see a room layout, because many of the rooms that go for the same price are substantially different in size. I also like the Hotel Intercontinental (check Expedia for great rates), which is across the street from the Marriot on Lexington. The Waldorf (overpriced) and the Hotel W (models, artists, and metrosexuals dressed in black) are also across the street and next store to the Marriot, respectively. The Theater District is walkable as is Rockefeller Plaza, and Central Park South. Indeed, depending on how much you like to walk, most of Mid-Town is walkable from the hotels I named. There are also major subway stops nearby at Grand Central Station and the CitiCorp Plaza.

As for places to eat and drink, there are several cafateria type restaurants right on Lexington Ave, which offer a good breakfast for a fraction of the cost of your typical hotel breakfast. And Second Avenue from the 20's to the 70's has a lot of small neighborhood type restaurants, including some very nice Irish Pubs that serve pretty decent food for a reasonable price. Whatever you do, avoid theme restaurants and chains. I can't believe the number of people who vist the city with its 4000 plus restaurants only to go to TGIF's for dinner. If you tell me what you like to eat, I'll give you specifics.

As far as places to go other than the theater district, Fifth Ave, and Central Park -- I like the Greenwich Village, NYU, Soho areas, and I really like the West Village in the old meat packing district for funky food, beer, and art galleries.

[alisasny]

Deluxe room at Millenium Hilton can be had for 169

go to Hilton.com specials and offers for this particular hotel.

The Deal of the New Millenium
Stay a Fri., Sat., Sun. from $169 - $299. Includes full American breakfast for 2 at our restaurant Church & Dey (not available for in room). Advanced reservations required and request plan code PB.
Dec. 19, 2003 - Apr. 25, 2004 USD from 169/Night

2004 Shoppers Package
Package includes standard room/suite accommodations for two, a $50 Bloomingdales(R) gift card and 15% savings certificate, signature gift, package delivery from the store to your hotel on...
Jan. 01, 2004 - Jun. 30, 2004 USD from 209/Night


2-Day New York Pass
The 2-day New York Pass package includes admission to more than 40 major New York City attractions, discounts at many restaurants and retailers throughout the city.
Dec. 08, 2003 - Apr. 30, 2004 USD from 269/Night

[marlon]

test r r r there they work. Now let;s see you your damn it does work.

[Labyrinthos]

Don't buy mixed drinks in Manhattan.

Don't by drinks in mid-town or at the hotels. There are a lot of small pubs serving good food and drink at a reasonable price.

[alisasny]

Oh and indoor pool and sauna..forgot about that LOL, plasma tv in room, best deal for you dollar at this hotel if you ask me. Just reopened less than a year ago I believe.

[hc87]

Stay in Midtown Manhattan. Lots of hotels and convenient to transportation. Use the subways, they're faster than taxis.

Most hotel rooms I've been in NYC are small and more often than not have had minor problems (carpet stains, non-working lights, etc.) That having been said, I've had relatively good luck with the Grand Hyatt (right next door to Grand Central Station). I also loved the staff at the Peninsula, but was unimpressed by the room. The Sheraton Manhattan was ok, but not great.

As for tourist sites, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has an unbelievably good collection, perhaps the best in the world (in terms of having great coverage of everything). The Empire State Building observation deck is always fun, as is a Broadway show. If you absolutely have your heart set on a particular show, get tickets at Ticketmaster.com before you leave. If you just want to grab tickets for best available show while you're there, go to the TKTS half-price booth in Time Square on the day of the show.

I'm pretty sure that the interior Statue of Liberty is still closed, but the ferry ride out gives you a good view of lower Mannhatan. (Either that or a ride on the Staten Island Ferry). You can also visit Ellis Island from the same ferry landing at Battery Park.

The Museum of Television and Radio (midtown) is fun for an hour or two. They have copies of just about everything that has ever been on TV and will let you sample the collection for free at an audio-visual terminal. The last time I went, I grabbed one of Letterman's shows from the mid-80s. Lots of fun.

The USS Intrepid Air-Sea Museum is interesting if you have an interest in history or the navy.

Chinatown is always fun for shopping and dining. Also, just walk around the area around 5th Avenue and 50th Street. Within about 4 blocks, you have St. Patrick's Cathedral, Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Plaza. The Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Natural Histry just built a brand new wing and is supposed to be great. (I missed it last week when I was there when I had to cut short my trip).

Finally, grab a good NYC guidebook and do some reading beforehand. There's something for everyone in New York. You just need to figure out where it is.

P.S. I haven't been to Ground Zero, so I can't comment on going there, one way or the other.

[ClintonBeGone]

If he's in NY with his wife, he'll have to stop by the Diamond District - basically a street over from the NBC building. Hundreds of jewelry stores. It's quite a sight watching all the dealers in their hasidic garb walking the streets.

[lady lawyer]

I used to spend lots of time in Manhattan on business. The last time I went was for a four day trip with my eight year old granddaughter.

You definitely should stay in mid-town. There's a Marriott Courtyard just south of Times Square that's decently priced, and many more expensive hotels in the area. You're walking distance to the theaters, midtown shopping, and lots of restaurants. Short taxi rides to Central Park,the Metropolitan Museum, and the Circle Line tour terminal. The Circle Line tour is a great way to get a sense of the lay of the land. I agree about the Carnegie Deli. The cheesecake is a life-altering experience.

Don't rent a car. If you're not used to the way people drive in Manhattan, it won't be fun. And parking will cost you so much, you're better off taking cabs.

[Labyrinthos]

That having been said, I've had relatively good luck with the Grand Hyatt (right next door to Grand Central Station). I also loved the staff at the Peninsula, but was unimpressed by the room. The Sheraton Manhattan was ok, but not great.

These are all decent hotels except they all have that "chain" feel, which is why I like the Marriot East Side and Hotel Intercontintal. They are older, but very well maintained, lots of character.

[alisasny]

Friends got married at the Intercontinental last year so we spent the weekend there. They had the Presidential suite, was awesome. The cocktail party was there before we moved to a ballroom.

I liked the hotel a lot however when we have our kids with us we prefer something like the Millenium with the pool and more room with the 2 beds etc.

[Labyrinthos]

Isn't the Millenium way down down near Battery Park?

[whattajoke]

Oh yeah, the food! Quite simply, there are no better restaurants in the US than in NYC.

I'm spoiled, I guess, living in CT between Boston and NYC we have some incredible restaurants here too (and lord knows the wife has "suggested" all of them, all too often!) In my travels for work and pleasure, I'm often amazed at the lack of independent restaurants in other state, the lack of fresh seafood, and the extreme lack of ethnic places.

Biggest surprise: honeymooning in Kauai, the Big Island, and Honolulu and eating at "the best" places every night and we never got a meal anywhere near as good as we get in an above average place in CT, NYC, or Boston.

[whattajoke]

There's always the W on Lex for the experience. For a couple from TN, seeing the socialites extracting money from their $400 purses to buy $14 martinis, I'd imagine, would be an interesting night.

And trying to spot the women who have toe bone reduction surgeries to fit their $700 shoes could be fun.

[Labyrinthos]

I think I mentioned the W in my original response.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Thank you, and a Happy New Year to you, too! :)

[NYC GOP Chick]

Now, I may be biased, since lower Manhattan is my 'hood, but there's a lot of great history to be seen here. If that's your thing, you can check out www.nycvisit.com/HHD, as well as http://www.lowermanhattan.info/todo/. If you have any questions or anything, please *do* ask me! :)

[jocon307]

So many negative comments, so sad. As a person born and raised in Manhattan all I can say is: Come on over!

Comfortable shoes are a definate must. The streets are very hard, people DO walk faster than elsewhere (this has been proven by scientific observation) and you will want to sight-see as much as possible.

All the hotels are very expensive, I have no doubt, but allowing for that you would probably prefer to stay in Midtown. There are many Broadway shows that are enjoyable, and one I would recommend is "The Lion King", I enjoyed this one much more than I thought I would, it is truly a treat for all ages.

In terms of eating I'll recommend an out of the way spot: Rolf's at Second Avenue & 22nd (or maybe 21st) Street. This is a german restaurant, the servings are huge, and the place is always decorated in a most exhuberent and amazing way.

Of course there are so many things to see and do, but one little odd-ball place to check out is the Forbes collection, housed in the Forbes Gallery, 5th Avenue and 13th (or maybe 12th) Street. They have amazing collections of Faberge, toys (especially toy soliders) and presidential memorabilia. Admission is free at all times. I'd also urge you, if you are art lovers, to check out the Frick Museum, I'm sorry I can't give a precise location, but it's uptown around the 70's near 5th ave. This is a great place, housed in the Frick Mansion. What is special about it is that there are no barriers between the viewer and the art. You can stick your nose right up against some of the finest masterworks of painting done throughout history. No little children are allowed, understandably.

And of course, leave time for the Met, and a stroll through Central Park, and if you can squeeze it in, and like Medieval Stuff, take a trip uptown (all the way uptown!) to the Cloisters.

Good luck on your visit, I hope you enjoy all New York has to offer.

[Alberta's Child]

Why would you guys even say such things about NYC?

1. I work here, and it's a Marxist sh!t-hole.

2. Ordinance that prohibits smoking in all bars and restuarants -- I don't even smoke, and this law bothers the hell out of me.

3. 8.625% (at least) sales tax.

4. 18% parking tax.

5. Tax on this, tax on that, tax on just about everything you can think of. Someone mentioned a $300/night hotel room rate -- I'll bet at least a third of that bill is for sh!t that has nothing to do with the hotel itself.

[alisasny]

Yes, its the tall black glass building that was direct left of the WTC building looking downtown. It was damaged and closed after 911 and was totally refurbished and reopened around a year ago.

Every single item in this hotel is brand new.

[Labyrinthos]

I know where it is. Nice hotel. Long ways away, however, from the theater district, museums, and the typical tourist stuff.