New York City Thread II

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last year generally maganda ang weather. hindi masyado nag snow, hindi masyado malamig, unlike ngayon, April na nag snow pa.

July, mainit na yan. we went camping 2nd wk july last week, kahit sa gabi mainit rin.

[beanie]

Oh my! I came back from New York 2 weeks ago and i still can't seem to get it out of my system! 

I thoroughly enjoyed it! I didn't think I would kase I'm not a big fan of really going to the us. I've had my us visa since I was 3. Andali rin Lang kami ma-grant every time mag e expire kaya siguro I took for granted going there. But I finally gave in and went to New York! It was the best decision!!! Ever!!!

I dunno why but I kinda agree with one of our sissies here. I appreciated their transportation system. Siguro kase very efficient. By that I mean na at any point there you can take a cab, a bus or the subway going to your destination. Ang difference Lang is your budget. Sa LA kase I can't really say its as efficient as New York when it comes to their transport (or am I wrong?  . ) parang you need a car there. Sa ny baliktad. Sayang yung car namin. Under utilized. Haha!

I love their steaks! Morton's, Peter Luger, Ben and Jack's.
I love time square even if its crowded and yeah, dirty. 
I love the broadway shows I went to. Fell in love with jersey boys' John lloyd young!  cuteness!!!
I love the museums!!
I love Central Park and the hotels around it! also Gus, their in-house polar bear at the Central Park zoo.
5th avenue and our hotel there!
Bloomies!
Tanger's and Woodbury for pasalubongs.
Century 21. I agree. I thought at first counterfeit goods but then I was told that's not tolerated there Lao na Kung sa mall/boutique type setting ka bibili. Mind you, may mga nagbebenta din sa daan ng mga fakes
New York public library! 
Bryant park!
The plaza.
The Carlyle.
Sarabeth's!
Magnolia.
Bobby flay's bar Americain and Gordon Ramsay's maze (mom did not like the service here though).
Loved walking up and down 5th avenue! And I hate walking so that's saying a lot! I once walked from the gugg down to bergdorf's. that's like more than 25 blocks I think! Ganda kase ng scene. Art Deco buildings and Central Park to my right. 

I did not like the cold though. Was there from last week feb till 1st week April. Brrrr!!!
Surprisingly, did not like serendipity. Overrated sya for me.
Crumbs. I agree with one of our sisses here. Overly sweet. 

I hope I can get back there someday. Real sooon!!! I'm so missing New York. Our sisses who are living there are lucky! I should know, my brother who lives there is loving every minute of it ans he's been there almost 6 years!

God luck to our sisses planning on going there ans enjoy!! There's no place like it!

[aquacharly]

^yup, nothing like NYC.  I got the last snow of NYC (mid March) - lol, went  to Times Square for photos (practically deserted).  Then went to Atlantic City (overnight lang dapat - hubby just wanted to see the casinos there).. Ngek, stayed over another night due to the Spring snowstorm. 
Don't go here --  after Vegas, the casinos in Philadelphia are 2nd daw in the US. 

We go every 3 months to NYC,  and always run out of time for more things to do/discover.
A little fave is BECCO on 46th. 

I am glad I did the Easter Hat Parade. After the Boston Marathon bombing -- it will be a loooonnnngggg time before I go to any crowded events.

Try the Meatpacking District for leisurely shopping & pop-up stores  of new/never used high-end designer clothes.  Got some Valentino dresses & tops  at 60percent off on 14th & 9th last March. 

5th Ave will always be on top of my list, always. 

[mama squeak!]

^Agree on AC. After Vegas it was kind of a let down. Plus it was raining non-stop when we were there in late spring kaya we weren't able to casino-hop and check the outlet shops.

Thanks for the shopping tip. I'll be back there on my way to/from Paris. I hope I can get some good deals that is if I still have some moolah left after Paris! 

[iamsuperizch]

^^^Ganda ng New York Public Library noh?  Walang sinabi library natin.  Haha!  This is where Sex and the City wedding took place so I really need to visit and see for myself since I'M A BIG FAN of SATC!  So sympre may photo ako dun sa stairs where Carrie waited for Mr. Big.  Every SATC locations na kaya namin puntahan, pinuntahan namin even "Friends" apartment.  Sayang lang hindi namin napuntahan yung Ghostbusters' fire station 

My BF and I walked from Central Park to Macy's Herald Square and back to Rockefeller Center 5th Avenue and I agree, masarap maglakad kasi madami ka makikita and hindi mo mapapansin yung pagod plus a little shopping na din on the side.   

[m_lim]

pa help naman ano ano magkakalapit sa mga lugar na ito? May 8 dating namin ng after lunch, then May 12 lunch time check out.
so need talaga maayos na itinerary para hindi sayang oras.

statue of liberty
empire state
ground zero
times square
madison square garden
rockefeller center
broadway theater center
central park
5th ave
manhattan
brooklyn bridge
st patrick cathedral

thanks in advance!!

[nikki]

^hi sis! We've been to all those places when hubby and I went for a week in Nov 2011. Between work and breastfeeding/pumping, I hope I can find time to look for our itinerary last time and share with u.

I'm starting to back read na since we're going this year, 2nd week of December this time. But we will bring our then-1yr old son. Hay, sana we won't have a hard time going around with baby in tow.

[aquacharly]

^^. If you do Statue of Liberty, at least half day yan.

ST Patrick's in on 5th, just go up and down -- ubos na araw mo ka shopping.  Hahaha. Saks beside it, farther down is Bergdorf G.
St. Patricks is under construction now, but you can go in still...  go hear Mass!  & almost across (turn leftwards) is the Rockefeller complex -- you will see the skating rink surrounded by flags, etc.
there is Bouchon bakery, Maison du Chocolat for fantastic macarons, and Trescheur for fantastic champagne truffles thereabouts.

Madison Square Garden is across that old Pennsylvania Hotel & sa side street non - the Empire State Bldg

Broadway Theater Center -- is around/on Times Square. There are also 3 theaters on 47th between Broadway & 8th.  (You're on that block when you see Starbucks on both ends, lol)
In that vicinity near Times Sq.-- Juniors.  Go to Becco's on 46th between 8th & 9th. 

Central Park is sooo big (though I did go walking by the reservoir once)
You can stick to Central Park South (59th Ave) --  where the smelly horses with carriages park.  haha.  Have  brunch at Sarabeth's.   The Plaza is on the left end (if you are facing Sarabeth's);  & across it -- The Apple mothership that is open 24/7. 

On the other end of that Central Park South is the Time Warner Mall on Columbus Circle.  That's Central Pak West na.
(Naku, my kids once went into the shallow pond to wade.  Buti nobody made bawal).

Now, don't miss The Metropolitan Museum on the Upper East side of Central Park.
Entrance fee is any donation you wanna make. Puede $1 hahahahaha.  I saw someone put down a quarter, lol. But heck, it's a good museum, give $5/person at least. .

Across The Met is The Guggenheim, worth going if museums interest you. 

Now, across the MOMA, which is kinda midtown -- is the Blahnik store.  . Another "museum".

[aquacharly]

M LIM, sis,

"Manhattan" as far as I know is Uptown (Upper East & Upper West,  not Harlem); Midtown (Times Square, Hell's Kitchen, etc) & Downtown (up to Wall St.)

GROUND ZERO sa Wall St --   nice memorial in place; construction on-going.

On 5th: Saks & Bergdorf.
I prefer Madison... where all the stand alone shops of the sosyal brands are. . All sosyal you can imagine.  Madison mga 57th up. 
Madison & 60th:  Barney's

Take the Hop On Hop Off -- they have 3day packages ata.  They offer 3  "loops". 

Oh yeah -- you tip the cab drivers. But $1 is the standard tip, not 15% ha. 

Going to the airport, or somewhere kinda far -- I book a Delancey sedan or SUV. Clean, unlike cabs.  The fare to the airport  is the same charged by cabs. (Susko, their cabs are sooo dirty, oh well,  safe naman)
The advantage is --  you ask  how much ha when arranging your pick-up) -- kahit ma traffic eh charge you the agreed upon fare unlike the cab -- the meter keeps moving.  Delancey is good even for short distances (--- if you can  wait 30min max (if you have no prior call in reservation). 

The thing is, what I picked up from MAMASQUEAK's posts --  best you aggrupate your target sights by proximity. Like, kumpolkumpulin mo sila. .  That way, you minimize time wasted going all over town; and you maximize your energy. 

KEEP A TRAVEL JOURNAL.  I wanna kick myself for neglecting this.  The little details will be helpful later on. In these days of easy flight av-- never say you'll never o bak tht way again.

I like to copy the kind offer of IAMSUPERIZCH, sharing her maps etc.   I will get those NYC sightseeing maps of the hop on hop off to give away to those mga sis here going to NYC for the 1st time, with  nobody there sasalo  sa kanila.

[iamsuperizch]

m_lim, I still have a copy of my NYC Summer 2012 IT.   I can email it to you if you're interested.  May directions na din dun on which subway to take.  My sister from NY helped me arranged the trip since siya may alam kung ano-ano yung pwde puntahan in one day.

Just disregard yung pang-kids na locations like Zoo and Museums kasi may kasama kaming mga bata that time.    Disregard also the SATC locations, fanatic lang kaya pinuntahan namin, haha! 

Also download NYC Map and NYC Subway Map in your apple gadget.  Very useful siya.  Let me know! 

^^^nikki, you won't.  Last summer I was with 2 kids and an 8-month old baby + 1 senior citizen.  NYC is stroller friendly even the buses.  Just check mta.info to know which subway stations yung may elevator para hindi kayo masyado mahirapan sa stairs.  The website's Trip Planner is also very useful.    Mapagbigay naman sila sa mga taong may strollers.  Lagi kami pinapauna, hehe! 

I was there last winter too, Dec to Jan.  Too bad hindi nag-snow ng madami and makapal, yun pa naman habol ko.  Gusto ko pa naman mag-sledding and snow fight with the kids sa Central Park.  Hehe!  Next time Feb na lang ako pupunta, baka sakaling maabutan ko yung snow. 

[aquacharly]

The snow in NYC doesn't get that thick, not lately -- unless they get another blizzard.
And unlike my expectations as per  movie scenes -- the snow in NYC is ugh ugh ugh.  Dirty.  You will see dog wee on it pa.  Lol.   The city maintenance is also quick about putting salt on the streets and sidewalks -- so the snow hardly heaps up.   It is also advisable you wear a fur edged hood (or lol, I wear shades) when snow falls coz sometimes these fly into your eyes - masakit ha. 

 End of Jan usually ang snow, in recent years, in NYC if I recall correctly.     I was there mid March this year --  - I caught 2 days of snowfall in NYC (not whole days though) & instead of just overnight, got to do another night in (very boring) Atlantic City due to the Spring Snowstorm. Haynako.  (Last year, I was there in March too - no snow)

But I still want the kids to experience all that sledding and snowball stuff too, IAMSUPERIZCH.
I think it is as seen in the movies over at California's Mammoth/Bear Mountain or don sa Aspen Colorado. 

[rics]

if you go around manhattan to see the main tourist attractions, pwede na 2-3 days, basta start early. major wakathon nga lang. unless papasok ka sa lahat ng madaanan mo stores, yan it will take up time. some major attractions are within walking distance lang, well, depende sa endurance mo sa paglalakad.

wala ka naman gagawin sa Rockefeller kundi mag people watch, hindi ka naman magtatagal masyado sa 9/11 site, aside from picture taking syempre. sa time square, pasukin mo lahat ng store na nakapaligid, yan makakaubos ng oras mo. i suggest you go to central park tapos mag picnic kayo doon. beside the apple store is fao schwarz go there too kahit hindi ka mahilig sa toys.

if you want snow, hindi predictable eh. minsan january-feb malakas ang snow. there was a big snow storm in the month april a few years back.  if you go to Pennsylvania dyan maganda mag skiing, tubing, etc, at pocono mountains.

imagine mo na lang if city maintenance hindi nag-asin  on the streets and sidewalk, hirap kaya mag drive, hirap maglakad.

[pink_baby]

I'm so excited to go to NYC sisses! Baka after I come back, baka ganyan nadin ako magsalita like you girls You refer to streets in NYC like sa kanto lang dito sa Manila, hehe! Ma-achieve ko din ba yan after going there? Hehe! How far is New Jersey from New York? Time consuming ba if we stay in NJ and go to NY all 3 or 4 days we will be there? We have someone to stay at NJ kasi. Pero gusto ko din sana maghotel sa NY. I'm good with maps and directions naman, but this will be a big challenge for me siguro I know Hong Kong by heart but I guess NY is 20 times bigger so 20 times bigger ang itinerary LOL! Anyway, I enjoyed reading all your posts sisses! I don't have a flight to NY yet but we'll definitely go soon! Wait lang ako sale ng airfare I always watch TLC travel and living channel kaya lalo ako naeexcite magpunta ng NY! I'm really looking forward to good food there! Chaka madami din cupcake stores there? So for first timers, pwede na ang 3 days/ 4 days? How much do broadway shows cost? I'm not a fan but would like to try everything! Andun na ako eh! Thanks sisses for your posts and keep posting tips! This thread made my day already

[rics]

^sis depende where in NJ you are actually staying but if just around the border of NYC, you can take the bus/subway.  you can even reach Staten island/statue of liberty from Jersey.

[mama squeak!]

^^We were supposed to stay with friends in NJ. Their house was near lang the PATH train station. But we decided to stay right in Manhattan at the Theater District since we didn't want to be bothered with the commute specially if we end up staying late at night. The train commute from Penn station was about 30-40 minutes din kasi.

Just to give you an idea of how our trip went, here's our itinerary (I also have a post of it in my blog):

Day 1   -  Took Amtrak from my sister's place in Cleveland to NYC. It was a 12 hour journey and we arrived at NY-Penn station at 6PM. Rush hour! Took a cab to the hotel at the Theater District since we had big bags with us.

Nothing much to do na since it was late so we just went around the neighborhood and walked to Times Square (two blocks away from our hotel). People-watched, window-shopped at Times Square.

Day 2   -  Took the subway to the 9/11 Memorial site. We reserved/booked our entry a week before we arrived in NYC. That time libre pa ang booking, now there is a minimal service fee na. Without booking/reservations you can't enter the site. You can also get passes on the day of your visit but this will be on availability basis. So better to book in advance. We took the first time slot at 10AM. Here's their website.

After our visit, we walked around the Financial District. Dropped by Tiffany's for some retail therapy 
Lunch was on the run, since we had to get back to the Theater District before 2PM for the matinee showing of the The Phantom of the Opera.

After the show, pasyal ulit around Times Square. Dami kasing makikita dun. Pre-dinner was Shake Shack! Yum! Then we met up for late, late dinner with friends somewhere in upper Manhattan.

Day 3 - Went up the Rockefeller building to get a panoramic view of New York City at the observation deck also known as The Rock. After taking tons of pictures, a walk along 5th avenue. Dropped by St. Patrick's Cathedral. Along 5th ave. we were googly eyeing sabay tulo-laway with all the wonderful shops there. Did some shopping too at Bergdorf Goodman and made friends with a wonderful and helpful SA. Love the Apple Store right by Central Park!

Then a picnic lunch at the Jacqueline K. Onassis reservoir at Central Park. Passed by the Natural History Museum but didn't have the time to go inside na (next trip hopefully!). Went back to 5th avenue for some more retail shopping.   

Day 4 - Went to Brooklyn side to cross the Brooklyn bridge ending up at Battery Park. We were supposed to board the ferry to Staten island/Lady Liberty, we even had tickets for the afternoon ferry. Pero di namin kinaya yung dami ng tao. Even with confirmed tickets ang haba pa rin ng pila to board the ferry. Ang init pa! Suskoday! We gave up na lang. Good thing enterprising si sister and she sold the tickets to two tourists at a discount of course.

Lesson learned: get ferry tickets first thing in the morning and book way in advance. We book kasi our tickets on the first day of arrival in NYC kaya we were left with afternoon time slots. Or sabi ng friend ko board the ferry in NJ. The lines are not that bad at the New Jersey side. Well, something to look forward to next trip.

Since we had extra time in our hands, ikot kami sa Wall Street. Visited the the Bull, took pictures and off to Eataly. Dito na we made tambay the rest of the afternoon. This place is a foodie's heaven!

Day 5  -  Made the rounds of the departments stores from Macy's, Sak's, Bloomingdale's.


We took the subway all the time so we bought the Metro Card pass. Very easy and convenient to use.

 

[m_lim]

Thanks so much mga sis! Copyahin ko mgs itinerary niyo

[rics]

punta rin kayo sa diamond district along 5th, malpit-lapit na yan sa Phil embassy.

[iamsuperizch]

Habol ko lang mag-sledding and snow fight with my nephews sa Central Park kaya I was hoping and wishing na mag-snow sana ng medjo malakas and matagal.  If I want to experience knee-high snow, will go na lang sa UK or Canada.  For sure hindi ako madi-disappoint di ba?    Masaya lang yung idea kasi may 3 kids kami.

I bought one fur-edged hood when I was there, sayang lang.  Haha!    Sister ko na lang dun yung gumamit, bulky sa luggage kaya hindi ko inuwi.   

Speaking of 9/11 site, inikot ko yung both fountains.  Tinignan ko talaga lahat ng names and madami dun caught my attention like brothers (well I assumed brothers kasi same surname, mag-katabi yung names and may similarity yung names), women with their unborn child and Filipinos (again, in-assume ko na din kasi common na din yung surnames dito).  I'm sure naman sa dami ng tao sa 9/11 e may mga pregnant, relatives, siblings and different nationalities but iba pa din if makita mo yung names nila engraved sa stone around the fountain.  Ang sad ko nun while umiikot.  I took photos pala nung mga names. 

No advance booking.  Dun na kami kumuha ng tickets.  Mabilis naman but may security (like sa airports) kang dadaanan before you can finally go sa site.  Hassle lang kasi hindi namin alam and hindi sympre kami prepared tapos ang bilis pa nung queue.  May stroller pa kami and 2 kids, 1 baby + 1 senior citizen.    Summer 2012 pa yan ha, like what mama squeak! said, may fee na daw ngayon.

I like FAO.  Dami chocolates na bago sa paningin ko.  Ok siya kahit madami tao nung pumunta kami.  Gusto ko sana bumili nung biggest gummy bear kaya lang sigurado ako na mage-excess baggage ako.  Sa dami ba naman ng pinamili ko     Napa-Johnny Air pa nga ako last minute kasi hindi na talaga kasya lahat. 

pink_baby, mag-subway ka everyday for two or three weeks, masasanay ka agad.  Ako I can say, kaya ko na umikot ng NYC mag-isa basta may subway maps ako, hard copy and apps sa ipod touch + phone sympre.  Takot lang ako sa mga lasing, crazy and weird people sa subway lalo na yung mga basta na lang nanunulak sa tracks. 

Try to eat sa mga food trucks if you haven't tried it.  Pangarap ko yan e *babaw*    Hindi ko nagawa yan, too late na nung nag-research ako about good quality food trucks.  Naabutan ko kasi yung Eat St. sa TV about food trucks, dun ko lang naisip e paalis na din ako nun.     Hindi ko din nagawa nung winter, katamad lumabas kasi lamig e.   

Saan nga ba meron?  I read may certain schedules and spots yung ibang ok na food trucks.  Gusto ko yung authentic Mexican food!  Chipotle yung bagsak namin e.  Ok naman, masarap, ang bilis lang ng turnover sa queue at nakalimutan ko yung ibang ingredients na dapat meron ako sa burrito ko.  Haha!  *first time e*

Maganda 5th Avenue pag-christmas season with all the lights and window displays.  Super lamig nga lang nung nag-punta kami kaya hirap kumuha ng photos.  Lakas na din snow nun e.  I really gave up kasi hindi ko na ma-feel yung hands ko kahit naka-gloves ako but I believe wrong gloves yung binili ko, haha!  $45 pa naman yun.   

Didn't cross the Brooklyn Bridge both summer and winter vacations.  Nung summer may kasamang kasi kaming senior.  Nung winter naman too cold for the kids.  Sana next year magawa ko/namin    Basta if nasa Brooklyn na, don't forget to visit Grimaldi's Pizza. 

[BicuriousGm]

The last time I was there na frustrate ako kasi di ko napuntahan ang Greenwich Village. Just want to ask to those of you nakapunta na, ano meron maganda puntahan sa greenwich village and food to eat? Thank you.

[m_lim]

hello girls!! its our 3rd day here in NYC. kahapon umulan, sayang tuloy Hop On Hop Off namin,

grabe 3 days palang, sikip na ng pants ko kakakain. lol!