I'm going to New York!!!!

[jmck66]

I'm soooo excited!! I'm going to New York with my husband and 2 teenage sons. Never been before. If anyone's got any handy tips for me it would be very much appreciated. We want to do all the sightseeing stuff, central park, ground zero etc, shopping (of course!) and I would really like to have a yellow taxi to pick us up from the airport (how would I go about that?) and I would really like to arrange a 'Friends' sightseeing tour (if one exists) to see where the apartment is where the series was filmed and if there really is a Central Perk, my sons would love it. Can't wait.......

[Pippa68]

When we went we walked everywhere ~ miles! we were advised to do this, and I am glad we did as we took in all the sights and smells of Manhattan ;o)

There is no Central Perk, I'm afraid..not that I saw one, anyway! you can get a taxi outside the airport ~ there are always yellow cabs outside Newark airport (it'a an experience to survive, I have to say) there is a toll to pay, which the driver will ask you for.

Central Park is wonderful (and clean) in fact the whole place is very clean. Made London look even more filthy than it probably is. It was great to see it all ~ Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and the Dakota Building (the apartment building where John Lennon lived and died).

We actually hadn't planned to visit Ground Zero ~ we just stumbled uopn it while walking, believe it or not. It was the day before the anniversary and to be honest I wasn't prepared for the grief I felt. The place is very quiet, despite being in one of the busiest parts (financial district). We visited the church opposite and lit candles.

There were leaflets in the hotel listing excursions. There is a 'Friends' tour but I have left that for another time ;o)

You will have a fantastic time. Just remember to take plenty of of money (especially for tips!) and enjoy...

[Bewlay Bros]

The Zoo in central park was amazing!!!!

Also a cruise up the Hudson is well worth a go. I had a champagne lunch on one, all the trimmings for $20 a head!!!

[figure]

Yellow taxis are queued up at the airport anxiously awaiting for passengers. There's a boot inside the airport that would gladly give you assistance including maps and yellow taxis information for free. DON'T use the service of someone who claims to be a taxi driver and soliciting passengers. You could be ripped off big time. Or just ask any ticket agent or security guard, they will point you in the right direction.

Have a safe trip and a fun time.

[vehelpfulguy]

This question has been asked (and answered) many times in Answerbank.

Just search on New York in the site and you get loads of "hits"

Here is one with loads of answers.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Travel/Question 445978.html

Be a bit careful in Central Park. While it is in the centre of the city it is large it is very easy to find yourself in a quiet area surrounded by trees with no one around. It happened to me and was a bt frighening for a while till I found myself back on a main path.

[JonnoGenie]

The taxis line up at both Newark and JFK. Fixed fare $45 +toll ($4 on EZPass) plus tip (give then $8-10).

Tipping in NY can initially be a little intimidating, but it is simple really. For example give twice the sales tax (i.e. 8.375%*2, the tax will be shown seperately on a restaurant bill, just double it, and round off).

Look at it like this costs are low there, and service is discretionary and rewarded based upon performance Vs. in Europe we pay huge amounts what ever service you get. So it is not fair to scrimp on a tip if you get good service in the US. In fact wait-staff/barmen get taxed an extrapolated tax-rate based on their establishments turn-over, so you can validly argue that it you do not tip, you are in fact costing the wait-staff money.

Would post more, but this site usually crashes before I'm done so I won't!

[spudqueen]

Hi there, New York is a fantastic place, I'm sure you'll have an amazing time. The yellow cab thing is no problem - there will be loads of them just outside the airport building.
I would highly recommend the travel guide 'A Brits Guide to New York', available in Borders, Waterstones and all good bookshops! It has details of tour guides and also some Friends locations. As Pippa68 says, Central Perk doesn't really exist, though according to my book it says it was based on Manhatten Cafe, now Grill, in West Village.

Have a brilliant time - wish I was coming with you!