1st timers New York trip report

Saturday Dec 3rd

Our first views of Manhattan were from our small US airways prop plane as the sun was setting which was magical. Arrived at La Guardia having done a speedy immigration at Philadelphia just after 5pm. Taken by the complimentary shuttle and to Best Western Eden Park Hotel. Great location very close to the airport, good facilities and free breakfast. Quick bite to eat and an early night as tired after a long day 鈥?left home at 7am UK.

Sunday Dec 4th

Woke at 5am as body on New York time, opened the curtains to the 1st New York snowstorm of the year!! After an early breakfast, taxi to Arlington Hotel West 25th Street. As only 7.30am, luggage left and off into the storm to explore New York. The location of our hotel was just down from Madison Square Park and the Flatiron. The park with the snow looked beautiful and provided a wonderful photo opportunity. Walked up 5th Avenue and were the only people walking around at this time in the snowstorm, apart from a lone trumpet player in a doorway.

Braved the weather until we reached the Empire State building when the lure of a Starbucks was too great. We had intended to venture to the top of the ESB but the weather meant poor visibility and it was still only 8.00am. Change of plans meant we passed Jack Dempsey鈥檚 just as all the Celtic supporters were entering ready for their early football game, which lead to some jokes.

Up 6th Avenue to admire Macey鈥檚 Christmas windows before continuing on to Bryant Park to the ice rink and the Christmas market. Again snow had affected our plans to skate but we appreciated the setting. Along 42nd Street passing the impressive Public library to Grand Central Terminal. This building surpassed our expectations from the vaulted ceilings of the main concourse, to the grand stairways and the clock on the information centre. We had planned cheesecake at Junior鈥檚 but it was early so opted to return later in the day. We decided on a visit to the United Nations but not before stopping in at the Chrysler building to admire the art deco in the lobby and the stunning tower.

The short walk to the UN was all the better as the weather was improving. The national flags were not flying as it was Sunday but this did not detract from all the UN has to offer. We took the tour and were really pleased as our tour guide from the Cameroon (who spoke 6 languages) gave us a greater insight into the working of the UN. I was most impressed by the unusual artwork both inside and out especially the Golden Rule mosaic and Non-Violence statue.

Lunchtime heralded a return to Grand Central for some amazing Hale and Hearty soup then the coveted Junior鈥檚 cheesecake. Words cannot express my delight as a cheesecake fan finally sampling one of their many varieties of cheesecake. Enough to say the carrot cake cheesecake is something that I will happily return to NYC to enjoy again!

Fully sated it was back to the sightseeing and a stroll up 5th Avenue to take in Saks Fifth Ave., the Rockefeller Centre promenade and tree, St. Patrick%26#39;s Cathedral, Cartier, Takashimaya, Henri Bendel%26#39;s, Tiffany%26#39;s, Trump Tower and Bergdorf Goodman to name but a few. The Christmas lights and decorations made the whole scene magical. I wish I could say that we indulged at Sak鈥檚 and Tiffany鈥檚 but window-shopping was all that we managed. We did then decide to visit Bloomingdale鈥檚 to get our 11% visitor discount and to do some shopping.

Things went array in Bloomingdales when my friend realised she had lost her passport 鈥?last seen at Best Western Hotel!! The Clarin鈥檚 cosmetics staff were fantastic telephoning various places we had been over the course of the day, then directing us to the British Consulate which was closed but where a security guard directed us to the 17th police precinct to report the loss. The whole experience was enlightening and restored my faith in how helpful people can be to tourists, especially police officer Wyss.

Finally checked in at our hotel 12 hours after arriving in Manhattan and after a room change found ourselves in a functional room with an antiquated leaking radiator but an amazing view of the ESB from the window.

After a busy and energetic day we opted for a quiet meal at Jack Dempsey鈥檚 in the hope of getting to use their ESB VIP pass. Unfortunately this had run out and hadn鈥檛 been renewed 鈥?worth a try though.

Monday Dec 5th

Early start with breakfast at Healthy choices on 5th Ave 鈥?typical diner, great value and service, well worth a visit. Followed by a lengthy visit to the Consulate to arrange a replacement passport 鈥?though my friend was quite prepared at this point to have to stay in New York.

Met Noel our Big Apple Greeter who showed us around the Lincoln Centre before taking us to Central Park. Managed to see Strawberry Fields, Dakota building, Bow Bridge, Bethesda fountain, Hans Christian Anderson Statue, Alice in Wonderland Statue and the Shakespeare garden. We were fortunate that our guide works as a volunteer in the park so was knowledgeable about the history and provided us with lots of information. The Boathouse was a lovely setting for a warming Apple cider. Finished our visit with a walk down Central Park West on route to the Dallas BBQ on 72nd Street where we had a lovely early bird special.

Yet another visit to the Consulate to collect the new passport was followed by a walk along 50th street past the Wardolf Astoria to the Rockerfeller Centre. Time to enjoy the Top of the Rock using the half price voucher from the forum. Very pleased that there were no lines and we were up enjoying the amazing night views in no time. Explored all three levels to maximise the experience, would like to return in daylight to compare the view. Amazing to see the ESB from a distance at night when illuminated.

Next stop was Times Square fro a couple of early evening cocktails, Toys R Us and an evening performance of Phantom of the Opera at the Majestic theatre which rounded off a perfect day.

On returning to the hotel greeted with the news that the passport had been found at Grand Central and was ready for collection at our convenience.

Tuesday Dec 6th

After a quick breakfast at a local deli headed south on the subway to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Fortunately we managed to get the second ferry of the day whilst things were still fairly quiet and obtained tour tickets for Statue of Liberty with no problems. We weren鈥檛 prepared for the intensity of security before boarding the ferry and then again at the Statue and the time this involved, especially the chemical sniffer at SOL. Spent the whole morning exploring these two spots before heading back to Battery park and the Eternal Flame.

Passed the Customs House, Cunard House, Trinity Church to Ground Zero. Spent some time here before heading into the World Financial Centre, then Century 21 and St. Paul鈥檚 Chapel.

Subway to Brooklyn and a walk along the Promenade followed by an amazing pizza at Grimaldi%26#39;s. As someone who is not a lover of pizza I managed to finish a large pizza with my friend. The pizza is thin-crust, coal-oven pizza at its best -- the sauce is smoky and has delicious chunks of tomato as well as fresh herbs and home-made fresh mozzarella. Overall a must do in Brooklyn. We were tempted by the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory but the -2c temperature changed our minds.

To help dinner settle we walked back to Manhattan over Brooklyn Bridge and marvelled at the sights of Manhattan as we walked 鈥?free and fantastic. Back to the hotel to change before hitting the Irish bars on 7th Avenue and mixing with the very friendly locals and having a great last evening

Wednesday Dec 7th

Headed for Greenwich village as time was a premium. Short walking tour taking in St Luke鈥檚 Place, 75陆 Bedford Street, Cherry Lane Theatre, Chumley鈥檚, Grove Court, Twin Peaks, Lucille Lortel Theatre, Christopher Street, Northern Dispensary, Gay Street, Jefferson Market Courthouse and Patchin Place.

Walked up 6th Avenue for some final shopping at Macey鈥檚 with another 11% visitor discount before the shuttle collected us for our return to La Guardia. Our last views of Manhattan were from the Queensborough Bridge amazing.

All in all an amazing few days and we can鈥檛 wait to return to see more of this wonderful city. Well worth the visit and the effort of walking to enjoy the sights. Thanks to all on the forum for their help which made this trip so great.

1st timers New York trip report

Wonderful report, I think you really did the town right!!!

You%26#39;ll just have to come back again soon!

1st timers New York trip report

Laready looking into flights for nest year NYCgirl

What a great trip report. You really did manage to do a lot in a short time. And how nice to take everything in stride, even the loss of a passport. I think most people would%26#39;ve let that ruin an otherwise brilliant vacation. Good for you. Come back soon!

Thank you for the wonderful and thorough trip report! Sounds like a great time. You really packed a lot of ';must see'; and ';must do'; activities into such a short time. Nice to hear such a happy ending to the passport story. Fabulous!

As everyone has already mentioned this was both great visit and report about it. Other visitors who only have few days should read your report and follow your example because you saw all the essentials and also walked the neighborhoods getting a real feel for the City.

Thanks for the post. We%26#39;re planning our first NYC trip for right after Christmas. We intend to use your info as a helpful guide. Must confess, we are concerned about the transit strike! Thanks,

yobop1

If they go on strike and are still on strike after Christmas, we%26#39;re all in trouble.

great help your trip report - we are heading to nyc on 7th jan for our first trip and only have a few days but you have proved that it is possible to fit everything in -

Well done, Caz, on both your planning and report. The short time was well and truly filled and you experienced so much - did you have the New York Walks cards or did you plan it all out yourselves?

Isn%26#39;t it typical that as soon as you pick up the replacement passport, the new one turns up? Glad you ploughed on and didn%26#39;t dwell on the loss.

Also so great to see that the weather didn%26#39;t hamper you in any way. Congratulations - start planning the next trip.

Thanks folks for the comments. We used the eye witness travel guide for the Greenwich village walk but otherwise it was our own routes following help from the forum.

We had intended to get a metro card but found walking much nicer and so easy. Would have been able to walk to SOL but subway just saved time.

Hope it is of help to others.

Carole