[Daracle]

Hey Guys

The wife and I were thinking of going to New York City....It just so happens that I want to try and correspond to the just announced Oasis show
Figured out that the flight from Calgary to New York with return will be about $1100 for both.
I tried looking on the net but it is really hard to find out info on hotels and prices.
Anyone recommend something? How much was it.

For those from New York, any recommendations for a cheap hotel around Madison Square Garden?

I am just trying to get a general idea of about how much total I would need for the trip.

Thanks

[Timo]

Two things.

1. Don't necessarily stay near MSG. That area's not so interesting, and you can get to MSG from anywhere.

2. There have been a number of NYC threads -- do a quick search for some good advice.

[Apple Pro Underwear]

do a search for hotels here:

http://newyork.citysearch.com/




10106
10102

are some zipcodes within midtown. you can get basic info here.

[Daracle]

Thanks for the advice guys

[James L]

Hey,

I just honeymooned in NYC this summer... loved it, will be back soon.

A couple of things:

1) The cab ride from the airport (we flew into La quardia) should cost you about $45 US into the city (we stayed at 48th and Broadway). I recommend a New York City cab ride over any roller coaster out there (and I drive emergency service vehicles for a living)!


2) You definitely want to get a Metro card public transit pass unless you are cabbing and limo'ing all over. There is a tourism info center on Broadway, around 44th (?) where we got ours... though you can get them everywhere. Our passes were around $25 each for the week, and this gives you unlimited access to the public transit, subways, buses, etc. Made life much easier. You can pick up a subway map there at the same time. Here are some links:

http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/metrocard/m....htm#unlimited
http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/metrocard/zipmaps.htm
http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/metrocard/


3) If you are going to do some site seeing while there, I highly recommend the CityPass. I think they were about $50 each and gave you access to the Empire State Building, The Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, a 2 hour long cruise around the harbour at night, the intrepid air and space museum (an aircraft carrier), and the Museum of Natural History. We used airmiles to get these so we didn't pay for them. Here is a link:

http://citypass.com/city/ny.html?id=Qx9sA6u5


4) Food in the tourist areas can be VERY expensive. A burger and fries on Broadway can be $16 or $17 US!


5) If you want to see the Statue of Liberty, but are fine just cruising by and not actually going to the island, it is free to take the Staten Island ferry, which goes past it. You then just get back on and come back, rather than take the actually ferry that goes over to the statue.


6) Once you have your maps and Subway schedules you can plan your days out very well. For example, one day we took the subway down to Ground Zero, walked from there down to the Staten Island ferry to go see the Statue of Liberty, then took the subway back up to SoHo. Did some shopping, subway'd back to the hotel, got cleaned up, went for dinner and a Broadway Show, etc. Here is an island, subway map:

www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/manbus.pdf


7) The Bronx Zoo is the longest subway ride from the broadway area that we took, but is well worth it. I think admission was $20 per person.


8) Security in many venues is very tight. Be prepared (at least 7 months ago) for bag checks, metal detectors, etc. This can sometimes create long lines. We were there in the heart of tourist season when we last went, so keep that in mind, but the lineup to go up the Empire State Building at night was about an hour long!


I hope this helps. Let me know if there is anything specific about travelling there and I will try to help you out. Staying in midtown really worked well for us because it was so central.

From one Canadian to another,

James

p.s. I can't say enough about New Yorkers... just a fabulous town and great people!

[The Godfather]

Originally posted by James L:
4) Food in the tourist areas can be VERY expensive. A burger and fries on Broadway can be $16 or $17 US!

But you can buy the whole street for $400

[James L]

Originally posted by The Godfather:
But you can buy the whole street for $400

Crap... why didn't I think of that?

[KP*]

I'm a native so I don't know as much about hotels and tourism passes, but it sounds like James L did a good job of explaining it.

As someone who works in a major tourism industry (Broadway theatre) I would like to re-emphasize what James said about security and bag checks: not carrying a bag, or carrying just a small purse for women, will often get you through security a lot faster. Of course if you're spending the whole day out it sometimes can't be helped that you'll accumulate items, but if you can leave stuff at your hotel it will make your life easier.

I hope you enjoy your trip!

[Xeo]

Priceline, you can get really good prices by setting your own price. If you want to stay in a hotel, put in $40 a night and see if anyone takes you. Sometimes they'll tell you how much to increase it by, do that and you'll get someone. I stayed near O'Hare airport for $52/night. You can probably find a hotel to take you for $50 or $60/night in NYC using priceline.

Airfare can be cheaper too.

[James L]

Originally posted by KP*:
I'm a native so I don't know as much about hotels and tourism passes, but it sounds like James L did a good job of explaining it.

As someone who works in a major tourism industry (Broadway theatre) I would like to re-emphasize what James said about security and bag checks: not carrying a bag, or carrying just a small purse for women, will often get you through security a lot faster. Of course if you're spending the whole day out it sometimes can't be helped that you'll accumulate items, but if you can leave stuff at your hotel it will make your life easier.

I hope you enjoy your trip!

Dude, I love your city! I have travelled the US extensively on business and pleasure, and NYC is almost like going to a different country. New Yorkers, at least the ones I met, were simply awesome!

Quick question, as you are in the area, but what is the cross street that the Times Square visitor's center is on? It is on the same side of the street as the Toys'r'Us, TGIF's, etc. I think it is around 46th street near where 7th Avenue meets Broadway but I can't remember and it is bugging me!

[misc]

See a broadway show!

OT: KP, what exactly do you do?

[waffffffle]

If you take the AirTrain from JFK or Newark you don't need to waste $50+ on a cab ride. AirTrain takes you to either NJ Transit or LIRR/Subway and will cost dramatically less. Both LIRR and NJ Transit take you into Penn Station, directly underneath MSG.