Ok,lets see... I really like the idea of the grayline double decker bus but I am coming in January and Im from CA and terribly concerned with the weather conditions. It%26#39;s going to be too cold to sit up top, isnt it? Im kind of going back and forth on it...
My plan B is to simply get a 7day metro card and map out all the things I want to see, and wing it without a tour guide. This will take plenty of research as we are first timers but Im up to it. Does anyone know of a good map online that has the attractions mapped out on it? What do you think of this idea?
Need help on mapping out attractions...
I don%26#39;t know of any map that will do that, but why not try a different type of tour?
Check this website, has lots of options. The NY Party Shuttle has been highly recommended, and then you can revisit any places that interest you. I do think it will be too cold to sit on top of the buses. I did it, I know, and I live here!
http://www.nyctourist.com/sightsee_menu.htm
Need help on mapping out attractions...
Thanks NYCgirl. If you were cold, I will DEFINTELY be freezing!!!
I took a look at the Party Shuttle but Im starting to think that I could save the $60 each for something else and maybe just explore the city on our own. So I think Im gonna go with the metro pass and a mapped out itinerary. What Im looking for is a map that has the attractions on it too but I cant find one :(
Try this site, they offer an itinerary service for just $25.00, and they have great ideas, also.
www.bigapplevisitorscenter.com
We went in Nov. to NYC for the first time.We just winged it the whole trip.We had a great time.We used every option:shuttles,buses,subway to travel all over the city.We walked a lot to explore more places.Before we went read 2 or 3 NYC books on New York.Also sent away for free NYC visitors guide.It%26#39;s a lot easier to get around then it seems.We crammed a lot in just 4 days-Brooklyn Bridge,Times Square,Wall St.,Diamond and Theater districts,Central Park,Ellis Island,Top of The Rock,Statue of Library,etc.Since your from the OC-if you have questions or want tips just ask.I%26#39;ll do my best to answer.
The bus tour is alwasy a great idea, you wont have to sit on top you can sit on the bottom inside. Sightseeing bus is the best in my opinion. I always send my clients and friends to Angel Tours New York, I cant find the site right now but they are good, they give a private tour service and a group service. The subway is real easy to get around, it is a good way to see the city.
I say go for Plan B and wing it!
My all-time favorite map is the Not For Tourist guide. (I just ordred one for L.A.) All their maps are printable on-line, but I highly recommend investing in one. It is a ';little black book'; that fits in a jacket pocket, and is very well-organized. Very cool looking, very low ';goofy-tourist'; factor.
http://www.notfortourists.com/newyork.aspx
Here%26#39;s a good website about using the subway to tour around:
www.mta.info/metrocard/tourism/index.html
Re: handling the cold weather:
The key is wearing layers. Cotton and thin things first, then wooly sweaters, then a coat. The sweaters don%26#39;t have to be thick. The secret is more layers to trap body heat, not thicker layers.
Heat escapes one%26#39;s body through the extremties first. Therefore, make sure ears, hands, nose and feet are warm. Wear a hat that covers your ears (not a baseball cap), golves, a scarf and decent socks and shoes, and you%26#39;ll stay warmer a lot longer. Also, wearing thin long underwear bottoms or stockings/tights/nylons under your pants will help.
If you think you%26#39;re wearing too many layers, and you get a little warm indoors, you can always remove some layers in a restroom and shove them in a bag/knapsack.
By the way, alcohol lowers core body temperature, and at the same time it suppresses your brain%26#39;s ability to notice you%26#39;re getting colder. You might feel warmer right after a glass of wine, but you%26#39;ll be colder later on. Take it easy on those hot toddys on cold nights.
For general weather information, see this website. It lists weather in degrees F or C.
www.wunderground.com
Wow! Really great ideas from all...
queensboulevard: Thanks for the all the info on layering! Being from Southern CA, we are so excited that there is a ';real'; winter in NY but are terrified of our comfort level in the cold. AT LEAST, now we will know how to dress and what to pack!!! THANK YOU!
NYCGIRL: Great site, exactly what i was looking for! thank you :)
TRENT: ABSOLUTELY ANY info/tips/advice you can give would be sooo appreciated! Any favorites?
Your plan is great, the 7 day metrocard will get you around easily. Remember most sites are in Manhattan (NEW YORK, NY means Manhattan) and the island is only 6 miles wide and 12 miles long. Check the websites of the sites you want to see and get a subway map (free at any subway station and ont the mta%26#39;s website: www.mta.info) and ask the people at your hotel for directions if needed. With just a bit of planing you can see a lot.
Al
From Trent: Relax getting around is easier then it seems.You%26#39;ll get the hang of it real quick.New Yorkers aren%26#39;t overtly friendly or chatty like here.But there really nice and very helpful.They go out of their way to help tourists. Tips:do your homework-it makes things a lot easier.Go to your local library and get a couple of NYC guide books.I got 3 and 2 were for 2006.If your library doesn%26#39;t have current ones have them transferred from another-cost 25 cents per book.If your a member of AAA go to there office and get a free NY info book.Also go to-nycvisit.com-to order The Official NYC Guide,mailed right to your house.Upon arriving in NYC go to there visitor information center at 810 Seventh Ave.at53rd. Street,just north of Times Square. You%26#39;ll get maps,tips,coupons and suggestions.We got 2 for 1 Top of The Rock coupons we used. If you get the chance go to Grand Central Station-watch the people scurry to the trains-watching at ground level is surreal.The building is marvelous-go to The Gourmet Food Market there. Walking it is neat and reminds me of markets in Europe. Stroll Times Square you can just fill the energy and excitement.It a cross between London and Las Vegas.Walking around places is very neat.Example take subway to Brooklyn then walk back to Manhatten on The Brooklyn Bridge. The view is really awesome and lives up to the hype.Stroll through the Trump Tower,go to Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty well worth it.We stumbled onto a street fair on Madison St. during the weekend-it went for blocks and blocks-near Grand Central Station.It%26#39;s like swap at the Costa Mesa fair grounds.You%26#39;ll see more if your not afraid to walk some.I could go on but I%26#39;ll let you digest the offered stuff.I hope this helps you and comes in handy.If you still want more let me know.Have a great time and enjoy the trip.
THANKS TRENT! Did you leave from John Wayne or LAX? What was that experience like????
Also, just bought the not for tourist guide that was mentioned and I LOVE IT!!!!
Thanks again for all the help everyone. Im sure I%26#39;ll have more questions later but for now I have a lot of reading and planning to do!!!
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