posted by Jawahn Thompson on Jan 5
When someone considers a trip to New York City, they usually think of the major tourist spots such as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. Those sights, although timeless and truly New York, may eat up a considerable chunk of time and may not be as important to a visitor as other offerings of the city. With a little thought and planning, a lone traveler, couple or family can custom-make a vacation that is more enjoyable (and possibly more relaxed) than any tour can offer.
The first thing that should be done when planning a jaunt to NYC is to consider the mode of travel; with 3 major airports serving the area, it may make a difference which airline to utilize, if a specific airport is to be avoided or is preferred. (JFK is considered the most difficult to enter and exit, while some consider Newark too far.) With all, however, convenient ground shuttles to the midtown area are available for less than $50 US round trip. If you wish to drive, it’s important to check to see if the hotel that’s being considered offers parking, and the price. Hotels may charge up to $40 per day, with no in/out privileges, and public parking, at a higher rate, may be all that’s nearby. This knowledge may make a difference in your choice of hotels, and may substantially change the overall cost estimate.
Know that most small to average sized, clean hotels in relatively convenient and safe areas ask at least $200 per night. Occasionally you may find discounts on weekends, or through AAA, but at most it’s only 20%. When you add high taxes of top of this, it may change the number of days you may be considering.
If price or location isn’t a major concern, you have leeway in hotel selection. There are small “boutique†hotels downtown (the lower numbered streets, and areas south of them) that can accommodate 2 guests in a room at most. You’ll find converted homes in uptown areas (above 60th) that appear charming, but offer only shared bathrooms. Of course there are dorm-type facilities for students as well as luxury chains whose rooms start at over $400 per night. Within the midtown area (from around 30th to 60th streets, almost every hotel is within walking distance to the largest array of entertainment, dining, shopping and tourist areas found anywhere. One definite advantage is proximity to a subway station, should your trip include visits areas of Manhattan not in midtown. Even when visiting for a weekend, if you wish to experience Greenwich Village, Soho, Little Italy, Chinatown, Downtown (at the South St. Seaport or Financial Center) or uptown (Metropolitan Museum), taking taxis through traffic will waste a good deal of time. Subways can get you there in less than 15 minutes, which can add up significantly to more fun time-unless you must walk for 20 minutes to and from a station!
If you have a convenient and decently priced hotel and travel arrangements, the next step is to ask yourself what it is you wish to do. If you wish to see museums, there are several to choose from, so check online for current shows. Should there be a Broadway show you’re considering, you must decide if it’s worth buying tickets ahead of time online (and paying a service fee; plus, they’re not exchangeable) or taking time out of your holiday to try to obtain half price tickets. (Many shows are now over $100 per ticket, although some online discounters do exist.) In any event, shows should be planned into your agenda, allowing plenty of time beforehand for dining and traveling to the theater; in New York, you’d be surprised how much more time everything takes! (Remember that almost all museums and theater are closed on Mondays.)
Shopping is found everywhere in New York. The high priced designer shops are found along 5th Ave. and throughout midtown, but areas downtown offer less expensively priced attire that may be considered trendier. Deals on accessories can be found in the stalls of Chinatown, and one can spend days in just one of the numerous department stores.
Some of the more interesting-and free-sights one should not miss would include Ground Zero, Grand Central Station, Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Trump Tower.
Fine dining is more expensive than in other areas of the country; however, there are chains, delis and thousands of ethnic eateries where a diner can find decent food at prices that are not unreasonable. (If possible, bringing snacks from home may save a surprising amount of money.)
A stop in any major hotel provides access to tourist informational brochures and concierges. New Yorkers, for the most part, are helpful when it comes to giving directions and offering advice.
It goes without saying that you should visit places in the same general area during the same outing. Although you may not think so, it’s no easy matter to keep going from uptown to downtown, or even cross-town. Spending a few hours with a New York travelogue for information on times, openings and addresses will help tremendously.
It’s also a good idea to talk to someone who has recently been to New York. Their experiences may make a difference in what you may wish to do. Know that most of the famous sights are always crowded and costly, and may take up to a half day’s time. If time is limited, you may wish to focus on what you and your companions most enjoy. Finally, while planning your activities, be sure to have regular “down timesâ€. The sheer size and choices of the city can be overwhelming, and you’ll enjoy your evenings more if you take a short break mid-afternoon.
No matter where you go in Manhattan, you’re assured of a genuine New York experience. To fully enjoy the taste of the big apple, bring comfortable shoes, an open mind, and a spirit of adventure!
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