New York City > Reviews > New York, New York.

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money
Shopping
Nightlife
Family Friendly

Advantages:	Plenty to do and see .
Disadvantages:	Crowds .   Expensive .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

It took me 15 years to make it to New York City. Why? you ask. Well Len and I, being English, were concerned about being tourists and the safety issue. Well, we need not have worried.

We were meeting family there. Prior to our flight, we phoned the hotel to see how much transportation to the hotel would be. They suggested a yellow cab, which would cost around $25-$30. Exchange rate $1.83 to the £.

So we get outside of the airport and see the sign for yellow cabs. The gentleman there said to us, this is your cab. He gave us a yellow leaflet with Taxi information. Asked us which hotel, and pointed to the $22-$26 area. Well our cabbie didn't speak English, so we kind of felt like prisioners in the back of the taxi, with the glass panel in front of us. The ride took 45 minutes and with the $4 cost of the toll, came to $28 and change + tip. I tell you this cab had to be old as we were bounced up and down. Certainly could have done with a cushion.

So what did we do in New York. First of all we met up with Len's family in the hotel. We all stayed at the New Yorker on the corner of 8th and 34th Street. The price was right, with a great location, but an average hotel. With no food on the flight we needed to eat. Len's daughter and her husband always eat at Chevy's, which is a Mexican restaurant. Had a good meal, and for New York prices it very was inexpensive. We stayed pretty much in the 8th Avenue area of the hotel, and all wanted an early night.

After breakfast on the Saturday morning, at our hotel, we heading for the subway right by our hotel. You can purchase a one way ticket for $2 or 6 rides for $10, from either a machine, or a person at the window. Got on the blue line and heading down to Chambers Street station , which was close to Ground Zero. It is so hard to imagine that the twin towers had been there. The area was flat, and some construction items were present. There were many vendors outside the fenced area selling tee shirts etc. Opposite was St. Paul's Chapel. This was were letters, pictures, drawings, newpapers and so on, were posted. I found this to me a very moving experience, and got down on my knees to pray.

Back on the subway, and this time instead of getting off at the hotel, we contined up to Central Park. Len's daughter said we were about halfway into the park. Just didn't have time to walk the whole length of it.
Yes, it is just as delightful as all the films I have seen about it. Being the weekend their were so many families having fun. Bike riding, roller blading, walking, playing soft ball, and I fell in love with the horses pulling the carriages. No we didn't have time for a ride. There is the zoo there. Lakes too. We walked up to an area that looked like a castle turret and took photographs. Stood taking pictures of all the tall buildings at the edge of the park.

Now I really can't remember the sequence of places we visits, but here are some of them. We ate at Lyn's Cafe, on 55th Street. On looking at the menu the prices looked great, but these were for take out/delivery. I had a cup of soup and half a sandwich. The other 3 had a sandwich. 2 iced waters, which were free, and 2 sodas (coke) came to $57. I mustn't compare prices to Florida. The sandwiches were good.

What an amazing sight when I looked up and saw St. Patrick's Cathedral. That truly beautiful dome and the stained glass windows. The last time I saw similar structures were in England and Europe. I lit a candle and gave a donation. Then walked up the ailes. I think I am at my happiest in beautiful churches and cathedrals.

Times Square, Broadway, and all that jazz. What a fun place with all the screens and so many people. We took a quick look, because we planned to come back that evening, when everything would be lit up.

Rockerfellow center, with N.B.C. and A.B.C. networks. Again just a flying visit, still lots to do. We took a quick look where programmes were being recorded. Of course we weren't allowed on the set. Made sure of taking photographs of the plaza outside, where the 'Today' program is shot. When I got the photographs back I compared them to the views outside the television studio, and said, 'I've been there'.

Now onto 5th Avenue.

Well we just had to go in Sak's. Just to the fur department. Len's daughter tried on a beaver coat that run around $15,000. It was as soft as my Y.T. (cat), so you know, I would never purchase real fur.

Took a look at Tiffany's. Mind you it was only a look. They had a diamond in the window that cost more than my house.

You can't go to New York without popping into Macy's. All the different floors, entrances and exits. Boy, if I hadn't been with someone I know I would have got lost. I think we did parts of 3 floors before the men got tired.

Finally we checked out the ground floor of the Empire State building. Len and I planned a visit on the Sunday. By now it was time to head back to the hotel before eating dinner.

There was a T.G.I. Friday opposite the hotel, so we figured they are always good. Again we found that the prices were so much higher than the Tampa area. A $13.99 meal was $19.99 and so on. Len's son-in-law had a beer which was 9 bucks. I will probably add to my restaurant review on this chain, and say no more about the service. I do realise these prices sound reasonable compared to other big cities. We are just so spoiled, here in Florida, with breakfast running a couple of bucks, and dinner $7.

Saturday night everyone was checking out Times Square. All we did was walk along Broadway and the Times Square area. It was so amazing just to watch all the different people. Len and I have never really been into crowds, but this was a definite must on our list of things to do. The following day the Gay and Lesbian parade was taking place, and we certainly knew that by the 'couples' around us. It was great taking in all the atmosphere. Bustling crowds and excitement. Yes, I was truly in New York City.

After 12 hours of walking it was time to head back to the hotel.

We had breakfast with Len's family Sunday morning and said our 'Goodbyes'. I then told Len we are off on the subway. I knew it was okay during the day, and yes, we had left our fine jewelery at home.

Went down to 7th Avenue and picked up the red line. Headed down to South Street, and Battery Park. This is were you purchase tickets for the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. $10 adults and $9 seniors. Great value. The trip over was so exciting. This is something I have always wanted to do, even though I am not a citizen. Lady Liberty in all her splendor lay ahead of us. I can't tell you how proud I was to be standing in front of her. Unfortunately we were not allowed to climb inside, but it still was a breaktaking experience. Ellis Island probably means more to Immigrant families, than to us, but as it is a part of American history, it was a must for me. We toured the building, and watched people checking on their ancestors. What an amazing place.

On our return to Battery Park there were numerous policemen. Len and I started talking to 3 of them. They were very friendly. When I asked if I could have my photograph taken with them. One put his hat on my head, and I had them either side of me. New York cops are great people.

Back on the subway, a quick bite of lunch, and then to the Empire State building. The Gay and Lesbian parade was passing right in front of the door on 5th Avenue. We squeezed through and got our tickets for the observatory. I also purchased a ticket for the ride. This took most of the afternoon. The lines were really long and we were very patient. It was certainly worth the time. Len's digital camcorder has a 600 zoom, so we watched some of the parade from the 86 story. We found lots of buildings we recognized, including our hotel.

Then down to the second floor for the Skyride. This is a simulator ride over New York City. Again at least another hour wait, and this was on my own. Len isn't able to go on them, since his heart by-pass surgery. It was a fun ride, and great to see the City from above.

By now we were so tired. Found a little Chinese restaurant for dinner, and then back to the hotel.

Monday morning, we ate again in the hotel, and I did a little shopping before we got the 'Luxury Car' back to the airport. Just $5 more than a yellow cab.

I took dozens of photographs and they all came out great. I will have fond memories and a great city.

If you want to know more about any of these places, I could be writing future reviews about them, or you can leave a comment in my guestbook, or e-mail me.

Just had to let you all know I became a Grandma for the second time today. My daughter had a baby girl at 1pm today. Both Mother and daughter are doing great. Will be home in May to see them.

Susie.