The best city tour of New York and best value hotel in Manhattan

[JG1965]

I am going to New York and wondered what the best value hotel was in Manhattan and also the best escorted tour of New York to see all the sights.
Thanks in advance.

[Bobbisox]

Ohhh I am sooo jealous JG, it's a fantastic city to visit
we stayed just off Broadway in the Milford Plaza, very central for everything

[237SJ]

I don`t know about escorted tours. It`s easy to just get around on the subway to go to the Empire State, Metropolitan Museum, Central Park, Canal St market etc but a really good tour (if you`re going in the summer) is the Circle Line tour. It`s a boat ride which takes you right round Manhattan Island. It`s good value too.

[spudqueen]

I also stayed in the Milford Plaza, and would definitely recommend it. Look for a decent guide book, that should tell you all about the escorted tours. There's various ones you can do, including food ones, and Sex And The City ones.

[chazza]

If you just walk towards Times Sq (or any other touristy area) you will be approached by people selling open top bus tours. We found the best (and best value) were the red ones. We bought an "all loops ticket" which was valid for two days, and did the sightseeing tours the first day. We used the second day just for transport, as it is a hop-on-hop-off service. More details here:
http://www.city-sight...destinations=New+York

[roslyn251254]

Yes - the open top buses were brill - Gray's I think we used and got a pass for 48hrs to travel on all routes of this hop-on-hop off service. We stayed at Pennsylvania hotel right next to Penn station and very central for everything. The only subway we caught was when we needed to be down at Battery point v early for the ferry to Statue of Liberty.
Advise you to pre-book for Statue of L and for Empire State to avoid the long queues - early am is good for statue of lib

[spudqueen]

Urggh - the Pennsylvania Hotel, sorry, but I've also stayed there, and would definitely choose the Milford Plaza ANY time over the Penn. I didn't book for the Empire State Building, just go first thing in the morning, or in the evening (or both!). I've not been to New York since they reopened the Statue of Liberty, but I believe that it has to be pre-booked.

[Dee Sa]

dont forget to go to Ellis Island I sat & cried at the Gene Hackman commentry and the guides are all direct descendants of people that passed thru ELLIS island, I thought it far more interesting than the Statue of Liberty.
There are hop on hop off tour buses that leave from Times Square all day.
We stayed in the Marriot Marquis hotel in Times Square where Arnie made the film True Lies and he took the white horse up in the lift,awesome, got a lovely steakhouse in there too.
Also in Times Square you can queue for discounted theatre tickets.
Have great time.

[mumsie_wumsie]

Hi, my daughter went to New York on her own in February(it was work related), can't remember where she stayed,but she managed to see most of the main attractions in just one day using the subway for transport. She was only there for two nights, but packed so much in and thoroughly enjoyed it. Although it was work related,her time there was her own, only the travel part was work. When she went to Central Park it was covered in snow. Amazing pics!!!!! She is off to LA in two weeks time,same kind of work. Hard life!!!