I am hoping to go on the 5th of december for 4 nights just me and my other half!1 I am so excited, just wondered if anyone has been and what do they recommend we see while we are out there and anything to avoid??  Its costing a fortune so would love to see as much as i can while i am there!!.

Thanks

Angela.

Night time trip up the empire state building. Has to be dark so you can see all the lights of the city. Lovely.

Oooohh the options!!

I'd say:
1. Empire State on a clear day, don't bother with all the extra rides etc & walk back down
2. World Trade Centre & Century 21 for shopping - there are some really nice coffee shops around here for breakfast
3. Grand Central Train Station - some fab food courts that do lovely yummy cheesecake
4. Central Park - ice skate or take a horse drawn carriage around, magnificent!
5. Broadway show - there are quite a few discounted booths around Times Square where after a short queue you can pick up bargain tickets, I'd recommend Lion King.
6. Night out in the Meat Packing District, some amazing Thai restaurants, followed by a Comopolitan on one of the rooftop bars
7. Shopping - Fifth Avenue, Macys, Sephora, Saks. Barneys etc etc - take your credit cards!!

You will have an amazing time! :)

Wonderful - have fun
Personally, as you you haven't got loads of time I wouldn't worry too much about the shops. At the end of the day that's all they are........yes they are big ones.....but they are just shops !.
We spent a week there a few years ago and I regret the amount of time we spent shopping. So many other things to do - don't waste a minute !.

Oooh you lucky duck!
I am going to Southampton for the weekend..........taking the car on the boat so hopefully get to do some shopping.
But, New York!! How I wish you the best time ever. So much to see and do. Enjoy it all.

Karen :)

Plan to do the empire state building late afternoon then you can see it by day and night falls and the city lights up.

I also love the Staten Island ferry trip. Just go over and back as there's nothing much to do in Staten Island but you get fab views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhatten skyline

(re the other poster, World Trade Centre is no more since 9/11)

First, dress warm.  The Christmas decorations will be up when you go.  The major department stores all have elaborate, animated scenes in their windows.  

Also, plan to visit Rockefeller Center.  There will be lots of ice skaters and the huge Christmas tree will be up ... so go at night when its lit if you can manage (see note above about dressing warm.)

There is a Circle Line cruise around Manhattan and other trips (like to the Statue of Liberty). 

Make sure you have dinner in Chinatown and then take a walk to Little Italy for coffee and desert.

One of my fondest memories from childhood was being taken to Radio City Music Hall for the Christmas Show, featuring the Rockettes (dancers).   I see they have discounted tickets through the 25th (Oct) and if I were you I would call and buy two to pick up at the box office.    That's if you are into Christmas stuff.  The event is very "New York" and I am getting all sentimental just thinking about it.

(re the other poster, World Trade Centre is no more since 9/11)  Um I thought this too! 

I'm sooo jealous, it is one of the places that I really want to go to, maybe one day if I have enough money, or find a nice rich man :)

I don't know NY well as only been once, but my advice is to wear comfy shoes (trainers) as you will do lots of walking - be prepared for all weather, I know someone mentioned it can be cold, but it can also be very very wet (or at least it was when I went in October)  Even though the world trade centre is there no longer, it is worth visiting the site - quite moving.

Also be prepared for queues, I hate queues so wouldn't queue up for the Empire State Building or Staton Island, but next time I go I probably will!

Broadway (brilliant)
Central Park (Fantastic)
Shopping (superb)

Restaurants - I think you need to go on recommendation, we didn't fine one that was memorable, but I am sure there are many!

Enjoy :) :) :)

Thanks all for your advice, I am so excited, but also very nervous, never been out of europe so it will be an experience, sorry to ask other questions, but do we need a visa? I have seen on a couple of sites that we would need to fill out some paperwork 72 hours before we leave??

Many Thanks again for everyones responses!!

Angela xx

>but do we need a visa?

Info about visiting America.

My cousin went a few years ago, she said she passed the world trade centre, which is now known as ground zero she said is was quite upsetting, as i said this was a few years ago.

Unless the paperwork has changed very recently they hand out all the forms on the plane over there and you fill them in as you fly. All the cabin crew will of been trained to advise how you go about filling them out..

Not been to NYC in a while, but just wondered if they still allowed you to climb up Liberty Statue? I really enjoyed that.
Defo about getting to see a Broadway show in an evening, we went to the ticket booths as well in Times Square.
Of the shows i have seen over here and in NYC i would highly recommend The Lion King too. We Will Rock You is also a lot of fun, not sure if that is showing out there or not.

Central Park during the day light hours - I would personally worry in the dark.. You can also go Ice Skating there as well. They do horse and cart rides around the park. Strawberry Fields is in CP too, almost opposite the hotel where John Lennon was shot.
A great must is seeing the Fao Schwarz Toy Store, Its where the massive piano is from the Tom Hanks film.

If you want shops and lots of them at discount prices, take a quick train or bus ride to Woodbury Outlet Mall, which is just across the river in NJ. Should only take 20 mins to get there..

I went to florida in August and we had to fill out a visa application on- line as well as the one on the plane. Im assuming it will be the same for New York. Whoever you have booked it with should be able to help and give you the correct web site to use. Have a fab time.
jane

> (re the other poster, World Trade Centre is no more since 9/11)
>

Obviously I knew that, I meant go visit the site, I think it's nice to pay respects to all those people who so tragically lost their loves.  I'm not that silly!!!!

Wall Street is not too far from there and a trip to the stock exchange is fascinating.  You can look down on the 'floor' and see what is happening.  Just had to throw my old jeans away  - bought them from Gap in New York some 12 years ago - they fitted so much better than the British ones - they are different because I was so please with them that I bought another pair when I got home. 

> Restaurants - I think you need to go on recommendation, we didn't fine one that was memorable, but I am sure there are many!

Tribeca Grill used to be great and I can't think it would have changed much in the last few years.  You often bump into well known faces here...
Tavern on the Green is a NY institution and well worth a vist - book before you leave the UK
Try Friend of a Farmer nr Gramercy Park for brunch - brunch is a 'must do' American experience

Have a lovely time - 4 days won't be long enough!!  :)

I went in April and did the full day tour which included lunch and an hours cruise on the Hudson where we had fantastic views of downtown NY and also the Statue of Liberty with a very good commentary.
The guide on the bus tour was fantastic, and we ended up at the "Top of The Rock" which has the most amazing views on a clear day.  Really good value for money, we saw all the sights, also the site of the World Trade Centre and the new buildings already developed and being developed. 

It seems to rain a lot so take good waterproofs and comfy shoes.  Go online and get as much info as you can on there. 

Enjoy yourselves.  Its an experience.

Thanks all for your advice, well we are now booked up for the 4th december and are raring to go!!.
Just now seems such a long way off, five weeks to go!!
Thanks again, alot of advice, will fit in as much as we can!

Angela x