New york new york!!

Not sure how many of you have managed to visit New York, but I've just come back from 5 days out there. I took my daughter there for her 21st!(I know I don't look old enough!!). What an absolutely amazing City. It has definately changed my perspective of Americans, or New Yorker's anyway!! They could not have been more friendly or helpful. The sights were incredible and the service was great. And it was really safe on the streets. The whole experience was fifty times better than I had expected. If anyone is going out there in the near future, feel free to ask any advice, Im certaintly no expert, but could maybe give you some useful pointers. And Im sure that there are other Forum members with plenty of experience of the place? I cannot reccomend it highly enough.

(I even found the NY City Liverpool supporters bar, and was really looked after during the match!!)

I'd love to hear a "Big Apple Blog"and I bet there are others...come on Scouse, tell all. Is the shopping as cheap as I hear?

Couldn't agree more. We spent a day and a half (with one overnight) in Midtown in 2005 (despite a thunderstorm which flooded and completely closed down the NY underground (thereby probably saving our lives!)) we had a great time. I would love to go back for a week, maybe, and am trying to convince she who must be obeyed!

Sounds like a good idea, I may get the chance to visit next year....How about starting with Hotel and flight details, average costs etc

Sharon, no blog Im afraid, my daughter made me behave. However, next time I'm going with the lads!! Standby!! I don't normally enjoy shopping but even I had to get a few bargains!! Every store you can think of this there and definately cheaper than over here. I got about 1.75 US Dollars to the pound. If I had got it a few months earlier it would have been about 2 dollars!!

Keith, There is no convincing to be done mate, tell her she has my word on how worthwhile a 5 day trip is. We still did not manage to see everything we wanted.

Al, You have got to go mucker!! The most diverse place I have ever been(After Pil, Newport!) I booked about a month before we went so I would say, the earlier you book would probably work out better. I ended up paying about £1,400 all together.That was for two adult return flights and four nights hotel accommodation right on broadway, just off Times Square.(this includes the fact that I had to upgrade to twin double beds). You will definately get it cheaper. I booked through Expedia on the net, and they sorted out the best deals at the time. Like I said, if you book more in advance you will no doubt get it cheaper. So for return flights and five full days and a hotel as central as you can get, you will probably be looking at under £700 each. I realise that it's still a lot of money this day in age, but if it's something you want to book for next year I can say with all honestly, you will not be dissapointed.

I changed £500 before I went, getting about 900 US Dollars. When we were out there, we did all the main attractions, ate out everyday, lots of excursions, beers and a Broadway show. I only used my card at the end for some clothes.

A couple from work have just come back from the same sort of trip and can't stop buzzing about the place either!!

If you are sad enough like me to have succumbed to the demon that is facebook, go on and look at my pic albums. (Paul Hughes (wales) album is PAUL/CAZZ NEW YORK OCT 08). It should give you a good insight.

Hope this helps, any questions feel free!

Totally agree Scouse, me and the missus went four years ago and had an amazing time, we went for 4 nights in Oct the weather was great not too cold we did the usual stuff like Empire state building, shopping and a Broadway show, we even went ice skating in central park. We stayed at the Hotel 31- as the name would suggest its on 31st street which is pretty central just a couple of blocks from the empire state and madison square gardens its not exactly the Ritz but it was clean and in good repair which is all we needed to just get your head down after a long day. We cant wait to go again but since going we have had a little girl so it wont be for a while yet.

Paul

Scouse huns, there are tons of Paul Hughes/Wales on facebook - add me via email addy: pashatoga@hotmail.com

Shar xx

80 reminded me! When we was in NY we went up the ESB which was shrouded in fog from about 10 floors up. when we got to the top couldn't see anything (we were on our own, no queues or anything) the old bloke who was the janitor showed us around the inside workings of the top end of the building. The Mrs didn't look too impressed looking straight down how many hundred feet of lift shaft to the ground floor but I was mesmerised with the mechanicals of it all. If you do get that unique chance you should jump at it (not off it, by the way, its a very long long way down!). Three or four years on I still feel that I should have tipped the guy more.

Sha, will do in the morning mate