New York City

[fashionista_guru]

hubby and i plan to go to the US in august (3rd/4th week) of this year.   in our itinerary, our 1st stop is new york.  (our main destination is actually california to visit our relatives but since we are already going to the US, why not go to new york na rin.)

how many days should we allot for our NY trip?  is 4 days enough to visit the main tourist spots?  can someone suggest an itinerary for us?

from NY, what is the most cost efficient way to reach california?  we don't mind taking the train or the bus.  we actually have two stops in california, vallejo and los angeles.

if we have extra funds, we just might visit las vegas.  which itinerary is better,  NY to las vegas to california, or NY to california to las vegas?

thanks

Sis I think it's best to fly na lang going to California from NY since we're talking about the West & East here respectively.

Perhaps it's best to stay in California then mag-drive na lang kayo going to Vegas since like you said, andun sa CA yung mga relatives niyo. When you leave early, kaya na ng 3 hours yun.

[bluemargarita]

^ thanks sis.

we're planning stay in NYC for 2 weeks in April-May,any suggestion for a budget place to stay for a couple? meron bang house na below US100 pero clean and accessible sa mga attractions ?

sis try mo itong site : http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/new-york-city/

[fashionista84]

^ try surfing at orbitz.com.

As for the most convenient location, it depends on what you're into.. if you're into visiting museums and upscale shopping, I feel that uptown has more of that, but lower manhattan has more of the trendier clubs(along West/East Village), and is also within walking distance to SoHo, Little Italy, Chinatown and on good days even the Financial District. Anyhow, everything is accessible by subway and its pretty easy to navigate the numbered streets. Enjoy your trip here! ü

[artegirl]

anybody who has tried staying at bed and breakfast inns in NY?  ok ba?  I'm looking for a cheaper alternative to hotel kasi.  What can you say about staying in Harlem, Brooklyn, Greenwich Village? 

[junetwentythree]

^ I can speak for Brooklyn as I live in Brooklyn Great alternative. Especially downtown Brooklyn, as it is closer to Manhattan.

[luisacart]

hello mga sis i am going to NY for my spring break on march 26-april 5. i am on a tight budget so meron ba kayong tips on how to save money and tips on how to avoid the long queues sa mga touristy spots? i'm planning to see the empire state bldg, ellis island, MoMA, Museum of Nat. History, central park, ground zero, and the statue of liberty. saka makakahabol pa ba ako sa skating rink sa rockefeller center?

can anyone suggest some local things to do also? i want to make the most of my time there. i'm going alone kasi.

[junetwentythree]

^ Local things to do? Hang out in the East Village, West Village, LES, Union Square. In Brooklyn - Williamsburg.

[junetwentythree]

NYC to Boston is about 5 hours away and Niagara Falls is about 6.5 hours away. There's tour buses that go to both places. You might also wanna try seeing Pennsylvania (Philly specifically), Connecticut and NJ if you're wanting to do the states nearby.

[junetwentythree]

^ Yep there's definitely plenty to see within NYC (and by that I mean all boroughs cuz it's not just about Manhattan )

[quiet_storm]

Sayang ngayon lang ako nakalog -in dito, off pa naman ako for 1 week. I wanna rediscover NYC. Next time pagbalik mo.

hello mga sis i am going to NY for my spring break on march 26-april 5. i am on a tight budget so meron ba kayong tips on how to save money and tips on how to avoid the long queues sa mga touristy spots? i'm planning to see the empire state bldg, ellis island, MoMA, Museum of Nat. History, central park, ground zero, and the statue of liberty. saka makakahabol pa ba ako sa skating rink sa rockefeller center?

can anyone suggest some local things to do also? i want to make the most of my time there. i'm going alone kasi.

[angeleyes]

Me too...I've been to NYC twice with my family. This time i want to explore it on my own....I want to revisit it. Any hostel or any hotels that you can suggest?

Thanks!

[pretty althea]

May kilala ba kayong manghihilot (just for body aches) sa New York area, please.   Kindly email his/her  contact info to me, kailangan ko talaga at wala dito sa area ko sa Canada.  Thank you in advance 

[cuppie_cake]

I've been wanting to cross the border and go here. Hopefully next year matuloy na ang NYC trip namin..

[rics]

^cross the border and at least go to the NY side of Niagara falls. I like the parks there more.

[twentysomething gal]

Oh I sincerely hope no one followed this advice. And why not, pray tell, should you not take the subway beyond 8pm? The freaks come out or something? Oh please  . Whatever myths you've heard about New York, its people and its subway system, they are just that -- myths. The subway is perfectly fine and runs relatively smoothly late night (although local for most express lines). Pay attention to service changes that usually occur on weekends and it's best to plan your route ahead by checking the map. Its still the most efficient and economical way of getting around NYC so take full advantage of this system.

Yeah, we took the subway at 11pm from Times square to Rector St. and it's very safe. It's not the latest but the system works. Too bad the subway gets so many bad rep from all the hollywood movies you see.

[twentysomething gal]

just noticed one thing that nobody has mentioned in this thread yet--- the new yorkers themselves (most of)

they can be quite impatient, so if you are a tourist, please be mindful of your pace and if you are blocking the general flow of the crowd. Do not stop all of a sudden while walking in a sidewalk-- this really irks them. You probably didn't notice since you were so amazed with all the sights and with that cute purse in the window along 5th ave, but you just caused a "roadblock" to 5 different people hurrying up to get to where they need to go.

Remember this is a very fast paced city so dont be surprised if you encounter irritation or cheeky retorts from locals if you are slowing them down. I kind of expected this before i got there but when I actually experienced it I got a RUDE (pun intended) awakening. LOL. I got a knee injury while going around the city and it was getting worse when I got to JFK. I was limping pretty bad. A TSA agent walking behind me actually excused herself so that I can step aside to let her pass! Hello, injured lady walking in here! she could have just walked around me but no- she is way too busy.
Another passenger who just came from San Francisco couldn't take it and told everyone in the shuttle her experience. I'm from the West Coast too where most of the folks are chatty and can become somewhat downright sugary niccce  so I can totally relate. I have a lot more encounters with restaurants, service people, etc.

I was told that people tend to become this way living in a very fast paced environment. This is the big apple, the largest city in the US! As a local you probably would adapt to the culture and would hardly notice it, but as a tourist, dont expect a lot of pleasantries, most of them will not go out of their way to help you. I say most, but not all. There are still a lot of nice people out there.

So be smart, think fast, be aware of your environment and enjoy the city!

[aquacharly]

I was in NYC last April, and loved the cool weather.  Will be back in mid-August and expect it to be warm as Manila in summer. 

Long-time residents say that NYC is  so much better, security-wise,  since the 70's, but for me - when in doubt with what's in the subway at anytime - grab a cab. 

But NYC will never run out of attractions.  Every city has its charms, has its quirks.  But no one city is the best nor the "all/everything ", so don't get overwhelmed and try to get it all in 1 go.

[junetwentythree]

@aquacharly Where in NYC will you be staying?

@twentysomethinggal Pretty accurate description of New Yorkers. We are always in a rush. I haven't figured out why yet but we just seem to always be. Rudeness...New York at its finest. Wouldn't be called New York otherwise. Pitfalls of metropolis.

[gnela_21]

How's the temp in NYC nowadays?! We're burning here in Chicago. High of upper 90s but the heat index always reach the 100s!

[rics]

^the times we go on vacation in NY, i only liked going to the city in the beginning. now, i avoid going there kahit na my sister were telling me to go pasyal. its just way too crowded, and always having a kid in tow, ang hirap to navigate the streets, go to stores, find space in restos, plus parking is a nightmare. on some days, i think of exploring the city with adults only (no kiddies or oldies). i would love to visit the meat packing district and just walk along 5th ave.

pls dont say im maarte if i say this, i find too, that a lot of times, people dont hold doors for you, dont say excuse me, or say sorry if they stepped on your foot or bumped you.