first time in NYC going with school group

there are 50 pupils and 5 teachers going in our group and although we are all looking foward to it, i have some reservations about the hotel ';super 8'; we are staying in. Also is it expensive to eat out? can we buy cheap trainers, ipods, gifts etc? We go on the 9th of February. Thanks

first time in NYC going with school group

I do not know much about the Super8 here in NYC, but what are your reservations about it? Maybe I can help.

As far as eating goes- it can be as cheap as you like or as expensive as you like!! There are plenty on both ends. www.menupages.com has a ton of menus from many restaurants here in NY according to cuisine, location, etc. so maybe you can flip through some of them to find what you like. Or let us know what your budget is and what kind of food you are interested in and I can suggest some.

As far as cheap electronics, NY doesn%26#39;t have many discounted places, but since you are coming near Valentine%26#39;s day you could get some sales. J%26amp;R in lower manhattan has good electronics, and Century21 just a few blocks down has trainers as well as clothes at discounted prices- but it can get very crowded!

Enjoy your trip- hope that helps!

first time in NYC going with school group

Please search this forum and use the maps on this website to help plan your trip. If you search this forum for ';trainers'; or ';sneakers';, you%26#39;ll find plenty of previous discussions.

NYC has endless shopping opportunities! You%26#39;ll be overwhelmed.

How old are the students?

Don%26#39;t worry, I%26#39;m sure you will have a fabulous time! Here is my usual list of resources for exploring NYC. As a native, I think these websites are great for residents and tourists alike.

Maps are essential for planning your itinerary. Many folks here recommend the DK Eyewitness guides. Personally, I like the Not for Tourist maps. This small little black book has a very low ';goofy tourist'; factor. Very thorough, and all maps are printable from the website:

www.notfortourists.com/newyork.aspx

There are also maps on Trip Advisor. Click on ';New York City Maps'; on the left of this webpage.

To sightsee, group things by location/neighborhood. Like G.W.B. stated above, the majority of attractions are in Manhattan and easily accessible by subway.

For example, in lower Manhattan you can do these within a 1 mile radius: Staten Island Ferry, Battery Park, Wall Street, Trinity Church, Subtreasurey Building, Museum of Finance, Ground Zero, Century 21, St. Paul%26#39;s Chapel, Fulton Street, South Street Seaport.

If you would like some more advice on the %26#39;must-see'; attractions, see these previous posts:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k324430-鈥?/a>

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k305465-鈥?/a>

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k304679-鈥?/a>

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k276373-鈥?/a>

For basics about NYC tourism, check:

www.newyorkled.com

www.theinsider.com/newyork

www.nycvisit.com

www.nyc.gov (click on ';visitors'; in the blue band)

The subway and tourism:

www.mta.info/metrocard/tourism/index.html

How to ride the subway:

http://www.mta.info/nyct/subway/howto_sub.htm

The subway runs 24-7-365 and is very safe. Of course, one should use common sense and always keep a good handle on personal belongings, money, cameras, etc. Don%26#39;t keep your wallet in your back pants pocket, etc.

Comedy shows are great for both teens and young adults!

Try the Upright Citizens Brigade or The Comedy Cellar.

For nightlife, comedy shows, live music, etc.:

www.newyork.citysearch.com

www.thelmagazine.com (free magazine, too.)

www.timeoutnewyork.com (hard copy magazine is better.)

For restaurants:

www.menupages.com

www.newyork.citysearch.com

For things on the cheap:

www.cheapotravel.com/newyork

www.nymetro.com/cheap

Bundle up, since the weather will be cold, and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Here%26#39;s a website for the weather:

www.wunderground.com

I can understand your reservations about the Super 8, especially since several posters reported seeing bedbugs and cockroaches. If you can%26#39;t change your hotel reservations, them be sure to give your room a thorough check before settling in. If you see signs of any infestations, then demand another room.

You can buy ipods at reputable electronics shops like Best Buy (23rd street and 6th ave), Circuit city (Union Square), J%26amp;R music world (near world trade center. Somebody correct me if i%26#39;m wrong but Macy%26#39;s doesn%26#39;t have an elcetronics department now so don%26#39;t waste your time looking for ipods there. And be wary about buying from those cheap electronice stores you see everywhere. My biggest complaint with them was that you can%26#39;t return anything if it is defective, but you guys will be going back to scotland and wouldn%26#39;t be returning your ipods no matter where you bought them i suppose.

Anybody know if kmart sells ipods..there%26#39;s akmart at penn station (34th btw 7th %26amp; 8th aves) and also at 8th street %26amp; Lafayette.

Gifts are all over the place.

You can buy iPods at the Apple Store in Soho, a fun neighborhood for shopping:

www.apple.com/retail/soho/week/20051218.html

Clickable map of Soho:

http://www.artseensoho.com/map.html

I agree with RNnyusa - DO NOT buy electronics from small shops in tourist areas!!! You WILL be scammed!

Go to these stores for reputable products and prices:

J%26amp;R Music and Electronics

Park Row across the street from City Hall

www.jandr.com

B%26amp;H Photo

9th AVe and 34th Street

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

They are closed on Saturdays, open Sundays.

Best Buy (multiple locations)

Noho Manhattan

622 Broadway

Phone: 212-673-4067

Hours: Mon-Sat 8:00am-11:00pm

Chelsea

60 W 23rd St

Phone: 212-366-1373

Hours: Mon-Sat 8:00am-11:00pm

Midtown Manhattan

529 5th Ave

Phone: 212-808-0309

Hours: Mon-Sat 8:00am-11:00pm

Upper East Side

86th And Lexington Ave.

1280 Lexington Ave

Phone: 917-492-8870

Hours: Mon-Sat 8:00am-11:00pm

thanks to everyone for replying to my post. my reservations are because of the reviews saying that there are cockroaches and bedbugs and we cannot move to a different hotel. The pupils are ranging from ages 15-18.

im sure we will have a great time. this is the furthest away our school has been!

Can anyone tell me what the baggage allowance is? especially for flying with Icelandic Air?

Much appreciated

check the airline website for information about baggage allowance, etc www.icelandicair.com

www.icelandair.com

thank you!

can anyone tell me if the super 8 hotel is anywhere near Chocolate Bar? it sounds like a place we have to visit...obviously not all 50 of us at once!