My other half has made a suggestion that I take the kids (15yr boy & 18yr girl ) to NY for a long weekend next year.

Looking for suggestions on when's best to go (flights/weather), whereabouts to stay and what to do once there. I know that shopping will be high on the agenda for them but would like to do other stuff whilst there. Regards
Mark

2012 Westminster
GONE - 2007 Java Black FF Vogue, with Ivory interior

Craig asked this not long ago, worth a read,

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic24678.html?highlight=york ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

That thread pretty much covers it all. I have been a couple of times & stayed here:
http://www.parkcentralny.com/

We were there February/March time & it was bolock freezing, went outside on a cruise round Manhattan for some photos & with the wind, it felt like my eyeballs were freezing up!

Totally agree with going up the top of the rock, although if you go to empire state, check the opening times & head there 1st thing, the queues can be ridiculous!

Friends took us to this restaurant in the financial district, honestly like something from Goodfellas, home made liqueur, and the espressos kept me awake all night, thought I was going to have a heart attack! My own fault for having 3 of them !
http://www.ristoranteantica.com/#/gallery/

Thanks Guys,

Keep it coming. Regards
Mark

2012 Westminster
GONE - 2007 Java Black FF Vogue, with Ivory interior

I have never been but I was also planning on booking sometime soon , check out http://www.lastminute.com they seemed to have the best deals and as for time of year advice from relatives that used to stay there September or May are supposed to be the best times for nice weather not to hot, cold or wet

Also if you have Netflix check out the documentary about building the new world trade centre + museum, Very interesting especially if you are going over Range Rover Vogue 2006 4.4 AJV8 | Buckingham Blue | Parchment Leather | Supercharged Grill+Side Vents | CA02 HEY ( NOT 02 PLATE )

We visited in January this year and were caught in the state of emergency declared due to the snow, very cool!

Accommodation is expensive, but if you pay a little more, you can get a lot more. I managed to book a junior suite in the Park Lane Hotel, right at the bottom edge of Central Park. 3 nights for £450. It was worth the money and made the trip even more special. You can book via Booking.com, etc and select the rate that includes free cancellation. If you do this, you can cancel the existing booking if the price comes down nearer the time.

Central Park in winter snow is glorious, just wear the correct gear!

One really interesting thing is the Highline; it's an old elevated freight railway bed that runs from lower Manhatten. It has been pedestrianised and runs above the streets and right alongside buildings. Google it for further info.

Crosby Hotel in Crosby Street. SOHO area. Lewis Hamilton was there with a small blond (deffo not Nicole) and I nipped in front of him to check in (thus beating him to the Pole position )

Great hotel/bar/restaurant /area.

I flew the Mrs out to meet me in NY a couple of months ago, we had a suite at the Waldorf Astoria and made an effort to do the cocktail bars and nice restaurants for 4 days.

It was never going to be cheap but we didn't realise it was Mothers Day and everything is triple the price!

The garden Cafe at Rockerfeller plaza is nice and chilled

One if by Land Two if by Sea is a lovely restuarant near little italy.

Definitely do the 911 memorial museum at ground zero. No words....

Oyster Bar under Grand Central station is a cool place (not if you hate seafood!)

Lovely open air outdoor street food market by the Flat Iron building for lunch

65 at Rockerfeller plaza is a cool cocktail bar, as is the bar at The Paramount. Discovery 4 HSE
1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF
1982 Series 3 Hard Top

*Gone:L462 D5 HSE LUX, L663 Defender 110 HSE, Discovery 3 HSE, 2014MY Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged AB Dynamic; L405 Exec Vogue SE 4.4, 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography, Defender TDCi XS CSW, Defender TD5 HT, Vogue SE TDV8, Vogue TD6, RRSport SC 4.2V8, Classic 3.9 Vogue Auto, Land Rover Series 3 SWB

I go there a lot, but have also taken the family out a couple of times.

Hotels - generally between Penn Station & Central Park is the main touristy area, but you can stay further afield.

Helicopter rides are quite cool - but can be a faff to get to.

There's a fast boat called The Beast which can be a fun way to go see the statue of liberty if the weather is nice - be prepared to be underwhelmed at the statue itself, but you kind of have to do it.

If going to the WTC site, then Century 21 is worth a visit for the shoppers in the family.

For flights - check both Newark & JFK - they are about the same from Manhattan. The airlines vary by plane type - but check SeatGuru for tips on which have the most room as well as good/bad seats.

Top of the Empire State is on most todo lists - as is a walk in Central Park

The seasons pretty much follow the UK - but are much more extreme - it can be brutally cold in winter - and the humidity can be high in the summer - and when it rains, it really rains

Hotel pensylvania is right opposite penn station, so great if you fly into JFK as you can have a mini adventure straight away getting the tube there wasn't much quicker or slower than a cab but a goo whack cheaper and much more fun coming in thru the 'burbs as well. Macys is a few doors down and Tiffanys not far either.

Central park is a walk away but plenty to see through the square on your way there and can always take in a show or two.

Lots of shoe shops and places nearby but Penn Station also gives you the chance to catch a bus to NJ directly to a big discount shopping mall where if you show your passport at the info desk you get a good discount booklet as well so even cheaper prices. Plenty of others on the bus with us there took suitcase and were dragging them back when done!

we didnt go up empire but did rockafella instead having a nice brunch before going up, doing the disco floor and then hitting the soup shop when we came back down for lunch. It was out last day and weather was miserable but it was easter. Every day before that was suncream, shorts and t shirts all day!

Take the time to go and just sit on the rocks in CP for a while and just do people watching. something memorable always happens!! lol

i woulnd't fly AA from manchester as they were total tripe and i have fallen out with BA recently for being nobs but Delta/Virgin always have done me well in the past and aren't bad on price for direct flights. for much cheaper but longer trips there is always the hop over to cork or dublin route but not likely the best use of time for a long weekend... FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

Hi, Proser,

I have also been on a family trip to the Big Apple.I assume you are going to go to all the "mainstream" spots so no need for tips there. However, I would strongly advise you to spend an hour or two and visit Brooklyn and the Bronx so that you can feel the authentic old school NY atmosphere. You could also take them to a basketball game, if they are interested and if you manage to find tickets, this is something that every sports fan would enjoy and you won't see that type of games anywhere else. As far as hotels go, we stayed at the Park South hotel - definitely affordable - Hope you all have a nice time!

Agree with all the above. As for flights, if you want to push the boat out, fly from London City. It's business class only, 24 seats on an A320. Stops in Shannon to fuel up for the crossing and you clear US immigration there, arriving at JFK as an internal flight, so collect bag and go. Last time we flew back there were 3 other passengers. Not cheap, but deals can be had and well worth it.

I've looked at that one, but not done it - to be picky, it's an Airbus 318 and 32 seats

I thought that only BA001 that leaves in the morning has the US immigration pre-clearance - the afternoon flight still needs a Shannon re-fuel, but immigration is closed ?

Maybe I'll try it one day just to see - but I prefer evening flights & arrive in NY late

Another wow factor is Virgin Upper from Heathrow - the Limo service drops you at a private entrance where you go straight through Virgins own dedicated security line. M4 to Virgin Clubhouse lounge in about 10 mins - very cool

I bow to your better knowledge on matters aeronautical! All I remember is not many seats, and basically one cabin crew per 6 seats. And they let you talk to the pilot.

I flew BA001 i think (it was 4 years ago). I have been on another flight with that number too, in 2003 on G-BOAG. that was absolutely awesome........

I would recommend taking a Gray Line tour. They offer various bus site-seeing tours, from a few hours to a whole day. I did a tour years ago which included Manhattan with 3 stops to explore during the ride, ferry to Liberty Island, ferry to Ellis Island and finished off with a free entry to Empire State building. (Brilliant view of New York at night from the top). No longer FF owner but still interested. Present car Jaguar XE
............................................

Previous car Td6 SE
................................

Previous LR- Disco 300TDi Auto