It's countdown time?

Question

to my much awaited holiday in New York on Friday.I have packed and unpacked my case countless times. Any last minute advice folks? What to take? where to go? any good bars you can buy me a drink in? I am SO exited!!!

Suzie s he doesn't need it (So he says)

OK, now I'm getting nervous. Don't look up, don't carry a camera or a map, don't go in the Bronx at night, hassle in Malls. I am staying in Manhatten, but I think I should stay in the Hotel and not go outside!!!!

By the way folks, I am street-wise, after all I live in the East End of London

and I have been to America many times but never New York

Answer 1

Go to the Broadway booths on Times Square and find the shows that are on "two-fers" or have standing room only space available. These will be great shows that have been running for a time or last minute ticket cancellations. Go to Tavern on the Green; go to Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill. Go to Cafe Des Artiste's for some grauppe. Go to the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. Go to Lincoln Center. Ride the Staten Island Ferry. Grab a baguette and have breakfast looking in the windows at Tiffany's. Go to Sachs Fifth Avenue. Go to the Statute of Liberty and Gumbel's and Macy's and China Town. Go to Greenwich Village and watch the folks who play speed chess in the parks. Don't believe New Yorkers are unfriendly; they are not. They're just abrupt and talk fast. Ask anyone on the street for help anytime. Stroll through Manhattan and the theater district. Go to the NY Public Library. Look for little shows off-Broadway and most of all have a fabulous, wonderful vacation. EDIT: Maybe it's just me, but I never had any problems in NYC and that includes being in Harlem at midnight. If you have decent street smarts, none of the problems mentioned by other folks should concern you. If you're not smart enough to know that people sell fake Rolex's and Hermes bags from the trunk of their car, then you've got a problem. The crime rate in NY is a lot lower than in many cities--both in the US and in foreign countries. Stare up at the Empire State building--what do you care if people know you're a tourist? Grab a NY Times when you get there and see what's happening in the clubs. You can see great performers in intimate nightclub settings. You're going to have a great time. If you want some great Italian food, go to Mama Leoni's.

Answer 2

Do Not venture into the Bronx after dark. Don't wear a camera around your neck or open up a map whilst walking about. Try to blend in and not look like a tourist.
Visit shopping Malls and you will be stopped every five minutes by people coming up to you in the shops enquiring if you are British and them wanting you to talk to them.
I used to tell them that conversation is a two way thing you speak, I speak.
Take one of the boat trips to see the Statue of Liberty.
It is a pity that the skyline is not as it used to be now that the World Trade Centre is no longer there, but it is still impressive with the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings to name but two.
Most of all have a great time in a city that never sleeps.
But do be safe.
Keep your eyes open and your wits about you.

Answer 3

How exciting for you Shan! I've never been either but you might want to check out a few of the game shows that are filmed there. I've always thought that would be fun to do. The weather here is so topsy turvy. One day it's so hot and the next you need a jacket , so come prepared for a change of weather . Have a blast. Maybe you could find a computer place to let us know how you're doing.

Answer 4

I just read Terry G's answer and I was rolling on the floor laughing. I guess we Americans must be idiots, LOL, asking a British citizen to speak, I guess it is had to have a one way conversation. As an American, WE LOVE YOUR ACCENT.
Terry gave excellent advise, don't act like a tourist.

Don't scratch your head when listening to a Southerner speak, heck, I live in the South and can truly say I don't know what the he-l they are saying at times. I end up just nodding and agreeing with them, I can only ask twice to repeat what they said without feeling like an idiot. I think they think I am deaf.

Don't buy anything from men opening their raincoats displaying jewelry from the linings , this is not real jewelry

Now after all this friendly advice
WELCOME TO AMERICA!!

Answer 5

I have only been there once, and was very impressed. I will share one "don't" with you. Don't use a credit card to make a phone call from the pay phones. We did that. The phone bill came in a couple of weeks after we got back and it was over $600.00. Whoever (and however) they got our number they waited until we had left New York, then made several phone calls to Egypt. We were able to prove that we were not in New York when the calls were made, and we knew no body in Egypt, finally the phone company let us "off the hook".

Answer 6

Shan...New York city is on almost the same latitude as Toronto. Here I know we are expecting cooler weather by this coming Friday...the beginning of our true fall season. So if you bring warm jumpers and your rain-proof Berber you should be just fine!

Now I KNOW I am jealous! You only just come back from a long weekend on the continent where you got to SUN BATHE and now you are off to New York where you can shop to your heart's content?

Have fun.

Answer 7

Oh Shan, do enjoy yourself. There's so much to see and so much to do.

If you can find an Internet Cafe, take us along with you, but don't spend too much time. Just say "Hi".

We're looking forward to a full report when you return. It's going to be one of those "Lifetime Learning" experiences for you. Is there some way you can charge the whole trip off?

Answer 8

Oh Shan, I love New York!!!!! I know you will to also. If you can, go to the museums and art galleries, see Greenwich Village, and eat eat eat! The food is out of this world. Go see the Empire State Building, ride the ferry, see the Statue of Liberty. Oh and if you must shop, it will be expensive because of the sales tax there. Oh I wish I was going. I just love New York. So energizing there. Enjoy your trip and let us know all about it when you return.

Answer 9

NYC what a great and wonderful town!!!!!!!!!
I was amazed at my reaction when I passed the Statue of Liberty on the Stanton Island Ferry, I actually teared up thinking about all the people that have seen her with so much hope in their heart in this new country they were going to call home. Like my parents.

Answer 10

As my dear old dad said to me 'Dont look up at the Empire State Building'. They will know youre a tourist and the baddies may mug you. However, I did, and was safe. Honest there is sooo much to see I cant tell you where to start. I really cant, youll probably have to go back two or three or more times!!