OT:First Visit To NY City

Hate to bother you guys with something so off-topic, but I plan to bring my daughter to NY City for a surprise trip for her 16th birthday. I am traveling by Amtrak and have kind of gone into sticker shock for the hotel rooms. I am from NC and the rates are quite a bit different. I just wondered if someone familiar with the city could recommend a clean, safe, convenient hotel near Penn Station. I am trying to get tickets for a concert that is at the Nokia theater the first night we are in town. For what a basic room costs in NY, I could stay at a high end resort in the NC mountains. What a difference. So, if I am going to pay a lot, I would like it to be a pleasant experience with some site seeing and shopping. I have Never been to a place like NY, so I am terrified. Any advice you can offer would be appreciated. Thank you. Stacie P.S. What type of clothing will we need at the end of October? Here we are pretty much in t-shirts and shorts until around Nov. I am not sure what to pack, especially since I can not let her know.

you might want to bring layered clothing, New York in October could go either way (warm or cool) You are going to have a wonderful time. Go to ticketstickets and get half price broadway tickets, if the weather is beautiful go to the Empire State Building, rockefeller center, radio city music hall, china town, little italy, greenwich village etc etc.

I've only stayed in 2 hotels in the city one the night before my surgery, and one for business, but the Marriot in time square was very nice. As for cloths, you'll probably need a jacket, long pants and shirt. Although, I'd pack a few T-shirts just in case, NY can have warm weather in october. Sites? It depends on what you like to do, but you might want to go see the statue of liberty (you can't go up inside anymore, but the base is still open), the UN, Museum of Natural History, Central Park Horse and buggy ride would be fun, they have red tour buses that travel around the city, I'm not sure if it's still open i heard it was going to close for remodling, but if it is, the intrepid air and space museum is great...on an old ship. Plays are good, expensive, but there is a small ticket booth right in the middle of time square that sells cheap discounted tickets for that days performances. St. Patricks cathedral was always one of my favorites, plus right across the street is rockefellar center (where they have the christmas tree lighting). FAO swartz ..the toy store in Big (the movie) is fun...they did have a Toys R US with a ferris wheel in time square but they closed it from what i understand. You might also want to go to ground zero, there isn't anything much to see right now except a big hole in the ground, but people I know say it's worth the trip. TAXIS's are your friend. Yes, they can be a little bit more expensive then taking subways (hey if your brave, go for the subway, it's really not that hard to get around), but taxis are easy. Most cabbies know where all of the main attractions are. Walking is good too, you see a lot on foot that you miss in a cab. Hope this helps Scott

Thank you. I have a lot of planning still to get out of the way. I am planning on at least a couple of cab rides to get to and from the concert we will see. I can not wait. Stacie

Hi Stacie, You aren't going to get an amazingly good deal on hotels in NYC, but you can try priceline or perhaps go through AAA or another organization. You pretty much hit the nail on the head. Get a decent room so at least the experience is a great one. As far as cabs to and from places, perhaps you can get a map of the NYC Subway. A heck of a lot cheaper, a totally "different" experience and one that nobody should miss. There are subway stations ALL over the place, so they aren't hard to find. You can figure them out fairly quickly as well. Also, don't be terrified of NYC!!!! It is a great place. Just keep your head about you, be aware and don't think you are in NC!!! Seriously, use a tote bag of sorts, something you can put on your shoulder and hold to your side. Don't bring a small bag that you have to hand carry. This way you can also haul things and be safe at the same time!! Good luck and have a fantastic time. Donna

The Pennsylvania hotel is located directly across the street from Madison Square Garden( 401 7th Ave), which is directly above Penn Station. I have stayed there once, but I have co-workers that stay there often when they travel to the city from up-state NY. I hope she enjoys the trip.

Try the RESIDENCE INN (by marriot) beautiful and so homey. have fun and ejoy all there is to do! Britt

There is a Holiday Inn on 57th street and 9th avenue. This location is not ideal (the very edge of midtown), but it is also not bad. I have friends who have stayed there and have been very happy with the rates and the accomodations. Within a few minutes walk or a crosstown bus ride you are right in the heart of the city. good luck.

Go to Hotwire.com. you will not get the name of the hotel, but they give you the star rating of the hotel. I have used them many times to the point where I can predict which hotel they will give me. Best prices you can find on the internet. If you would rather see which hotel you are staying at, then use Quickbook.com. Anything between 34th st and 59th Street from 9th Avenue to Lexington Ave will be close to Penn Station, like literally less than a 7 dollar cab ride. You don't have to stay near Penn Station to get a great experience in this city. We also have some of the most fantastic hotels in the country. I love the Roosevelt and also the RaddisonLexingotn is very nice as well. If you must stay on the west side, the Pennsylvania is absolutely awful for the price. If you want to stay at a nice hotel, go to either any of the Affinia Hotels, Sheraton New York Towers, The Westin Times Square, Park Central, and my absolute favorite is the Hudson hotel. Prices at that time of the year are the highest as it's a big time for tourism. Plan to spend at least 250 a night. If you are a tight budget and don't want to spend much time in your room but more out and about. Try Milford Plaza hotel or The Herald Square hotel. The rooms are not very nice at all, but cheaper than most you will find in the city. As for touring, well I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND the New York Sightseeing Tour Bus by Gray line http://www.coachusa.com/newyorksightseeing/ This is the most comprehensive best deal in the city. You will see EVERYTHING and you can hop on and off the bus at different stops without paying extra. I recommend the "all loops" tour which is a paltry 44 bucks a person! Awesome deal and you will even get to go to downtown Brooklyn! In fact, I don't even think you need anything else but this tour! You can pick up the bus right in times square. Go to Madame toussant's wax museum in times square. Also see a broadway show if you get a chance. I highly recommend getting the reduced priced tickets at the TKTS box office located in Times Square or near the SouthStreet Seaport. You can only see same day shows or if you want to see a Matinee, you can get the tickets the day before. But you won't know which shows they have tickets for until you go to their box office the same day (not the theatre box office but the TKTS ticket booth) http://www.tdf.org/tkts/ Okay I am a NYC tour maven or what?lol And I have just officially lived here a year. Any other questions, email me.