First Trip to NY! - Travel, Leisure & Vacations

Kasandra · 10-28-2009, 09:43 PM

So I'll be going on my first trip to New York in December, I'll be going with my sister and my daughter. I'm really excited for the trip I just want to kind of know what to except. I've never been in a taxi and I'm not sure, do you bring a car seat or what? If you do bring a carseat what do you do with it once you get to where you're going? Carry around? Anyway, the biggest city I've been to is Las Vegas and we've always driven there. So what to expect?

Lee77 · 10-28-2009, 09:50 PM

First, taxis in NY are an experience in themselves.

Can't really help on the car seat issue.

I

NY. Many of the tourist sites like Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, etc. can have very long lines so go early or check into advanced tickets. What kind of stuff do you want to see or do? Museums? Shopping?

Kasandra · 10-28-2009, 10:33 PM

my sisters moving down there and she just wants to show me some of the site, like museums, the empire state building. Hopefully get a little shopping in but I need to go to some of the cheapest places because I won't have much money when I get there.

LindsayLin · 10-29-2009, 10:30 AM

Maybe look into staying in lodging at Fort Hamilton?

Fort Hamilton, New York
Fort Hamilton Army Lodging
Hamilton Inn
107 Schum Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11252
USA

Reservations: (718) 439-2340
Fax: (718) 439-2359
E-Mail Reservations: alston.john@us.army.mil

Army Lodging
Official Room Rate:$50-$70
Additional Person fee: $5.00
All rates include Continental Breakfast

Accommodations: 46 units
Family Suites: 12
Extended Stay Rooms: 15
Standard Rooms: 19
Amenities:

http://old.armymwr.com/portal/travel.../locations.asp

Lee77 · 10-29-2009, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by Kasandra

my sisters moving down there and she just wants to show me some of the site, like museums, the empire state building. Hopefully get a little shopping in but I need to go to some of the cheapest places because I won't have much money when I get there.

Definately try to go through Central Park. The Alice in Wonderland statue is so cute! The line for the Empire State Building gets long fast so get there early if you can. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is fantastic, but it isn't cheap to get in. The recommended admission prices are:

Adults $20
Seniors (65 and older) $15
Students $10*
Members (Join Now) Free
Children under 12 (accompanied by an adult) Free

Don't know how the whole "recommended" thing works tho, so you maybe able to get in for less.

I hope you have a fantastic time!!

Krista1980 · 10-31-2009, 02:31 PM

my girlfriends and i have made a couple trips there and we always stay at the navy lodging (93.00) on staten island. we don't drive, we take amtrak (we live in dc) so it's a 3 hour train ride. LOL. I was just there 2 weeks ago and we took a taxi from navy lodging to the ferry (12.00), took the ferry (free) to manahtten and then basically walked. Taxi's are defiantly crazy so only take them if you're going from one end of NY to the other. Taking the subway is cheap too. it's 8 bucks total one way for 4 people (2.25 a person). We also went into stores that didn't cost anything and went shopping (a lot more window shopping then anything). So many hot dog stands to eat for a quick bite to eat. if you have time, you HAVE to go to serendipity!! Yummiest chocolate you'll ever taste lol. Anyway, hope this helps!

Lee77 · 10-31-2009, 02:38 PM

I almost forgot...the two story FAO Schwarz is kinda fun. They still have the keyboard floor (like in the movie Big) on the second floor.

*tina* · 10-31-2009, 06:59 PM

If you get yourself an unlimited metrocard, if you pay $27 you'll get unlimited bus and subway rides for 7 days. They also have a single day fun-pass for $8.25. The Navy Lodge on Staten Island is nice. Ft. Hamilton is also a quick subway ride away, but we never stayed at the Inn there, since we lived in the metro area. The subway is easy if you have a smaller stroller (umbrella or small stroller), you can use the handi-capped entrances to the subways if you have the attendant (only at attended stations obviously), open the handi-capped gate for you. I much prefer walking/taking the subway over taxis. It can be a big pain to get in and out of cabs, and some cabbies will drive right past if you have the carseat with you on the curb, plus you'd have to take it into and out of any museums/attractions you go to. Another cheapish option is the Gray Line busses. They have military rates leaving out of the Port Authority Bus Station on 42nd St and 8th Ave. If you go up to the USO in the building, they can give you coupons for lots of places. Most of all, have fun and enjoy yourself! We really loved living in the NYC metro area for the past 3 1/2 years, but probably won't miss it a whole lot

ec_armywife · 10-31-2009, 07:16 PM

A car seat might be a little pointless since you will most likely be taking public transportation. I'd op for a stroller instead because you'll be doing more walking than anything else here. When taking public transportation, I'd have your sister help with the stroller from time to time. December gets very busy here- try places like Macys to see Santa, FAO schwartz, Central Park, The Bronx Zoo, Magnolia Bakery for a cupcake, the library on 5th and 42nd street. Plenty to keep you entertained.

LindsayM · 10-31-2009, 08:40 PM

I just got back from NYC last Monday. My favorite place in the world. I would definitely check out Central Park and even walking around 5th Avenue is the best. I would shy away from cabs, we use subways, you can get everywhere on them, and they're fast and cheap. Much much better then cabs, plus you can just use a stroller on the subway, carseatswon't work well in cabs, plus some of the cab drivers get a little CRAZY. If you have any other questions you can PM me. Nyc is my favorite place in the entire world and I can't wait to go back

10-28-2009, 09:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kasandra Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Southern Utah/Okinawa, Japan Posts: 586 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 86% Longevity: 1%	First Trip to NY! So I'll be going on my first trip to New York in December, I'll be going with my sister and my daughter. I'm really excited for the trip I just want to kind of know what to except. I've never been in a taxi and I'm not sure, do you bring a car seat or what? If you do bring a carseat what do you do with it once you get to where you're going? Carry around? Anyway, the biggest city I've been to is Las Vegas and we've always driven there. So what to expect? __________________

10-28-2009, 09:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lee77 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 591 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 60% Longevity: 5%	First, taxis in NY are an experience in themselves. Can't really help on the car seat issue. I NY. Many of the tourist sites like Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, etc. can have very long lines so go early or check into advanced tickets. What kind of stuff do you want to see or do? Museums? Shopping? __________________ Kamana'o i'o ke akua. Lovin' my wifeys Jilly & CubLub63

10-28-2009, 10:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kasandra Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Southern Utah/Okinawa, Japan Posts: 586 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 86% Longevity: 1%	my sisters moving down there and she just wants to show me some of the site, like museums, the empire state building. Hopefully get a little shopping in but I need to go to some of the cheapest places because I won't have much money when I get there. __________________

10-31-2009, 02:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
Lee77 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 591 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 60% Longevity: 5%	I almost forgot...the two story FAO Schwarz is kinda fun. They still have the keyboard floor (like in the movie Big) on the second floor. __________________ Kamana'o i'o ke akua. Lovin' my wifeys Jilly & CubLub63

10-31-2009, 06:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
tina Put the alphabet in order... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Under a shady tree.... Posts: 1,953 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 43% Longevity: 49%	If you get yourself an unlimited metrocard, if you pay $27 you'll get unlimited bus and subway rides for 7 days. They also have a single day fun-pass for $8.25. The Navy Lodge on Staten Island is nice. Ft. Hamilton is also a quick subway ride away, but we never stayed at the Inn there, since we lived in the metro area. The subway is easy if you have a smaller stroller (umbrella or small stroller), you can use the handi-capped entrances to the subways if you have the attendant (only at attended stations obviously), open the handi-capped gate for you. I much prefer walking/taking the subway over taxis. It can be a big pain to get in and out of cabs, and some cabbies will drive right past if you have the carseat with you on the curb, plus you'd have to take it into and out of any museums/attractions you go to. Another cheapish option is the Gray Line busses. They have military rates leaving out of the Port Authority Bus Station on 42nd St and 8th Ave. If you go up to the USO in the building, they can give you coupons for lots of places. Most of all, have fun and enjoy yourself! We really loved living in the NYC metro area for the past 3 1/2 years, but probably won't miss it a whole lot __________________

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10-31-2009, 02:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Krista1980 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 69 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 17% Longevity: 1%	my girlfriends and i have made a couple trips there and we always stay at the navy lodging (93.00) on staten island. we don't drive, we take amtrak (we live in dc) so it's a 3 hour train ride. LOL. I was just there 2 weeks ago and we took a taxi from navy lodging to the ferry (12.00), took the ferry (free) to manahtten and then basically walked. Taxi's are defiantly crazy so only take them if you're going from one end of NY to the other. Taking the subway is cheap too. it's 8 bucks total one way for 4 people (2.25 a person). We also went into stores that didn't cost anything and went shopping (a lot more window shopping then anything). So many hot dog stands to eat for a quick bite to eat. if you have time, you HAVE to go to serendipity!! Yummiest chocolate you'll ever taste lol. Anyway, hope this helps!

10-31-2009, 07:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
ec_armywife Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 50 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 15% Longevity: 2%	A car seat might be a little pointless since you will most likely be taking public transportation. I'd op for a stroller instead because you'll be doing more walking than anything else here. When taking public transportation, I'd have your sister help with the stroller from time to time. December gets very busy here- try places like Macys to see Santa, FAO schwartz, Central Park, The Bronx Zoo, Magnolia Bakery for a cupcake, the library on 5th and 42nd street. Plenty to keep you entertained.

10-31-2009, 08:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
LindsayM Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Me: Chicago, IL Him: Iraq Posts: 308 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 54% Longevity: 4%	I just got back from NYC last Monday. My favorite place in the world. I would definitely check out Central Park and even walking around 5th Avenue is the best. I would shy away from cabs, we use subways, you can get everywhere on them, and they're fast and cheap. Much much better then cabs, plus you can just use a stroller on the subway, carseatswon't work well in cabs, plus some of the cab drivers get a little CRAZY. If you have any other questions you can PM me. Nyc is my favorite place in the entire world and I can't wait to go back __________________