westhuller Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Just booked a holiday which includes four nights in New York. There's so much to see and do I want to take as much in as possible. Any tips on getting around, I'm especially interested in going to some music clubs/bars there looks plenty in Greenwich Village area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ullman Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Had a very unpleasant experience there once when a horse bolted as I cycled past. I take it we're talking about the place in Lincolnshire here, mate. "I'm from a fishing family. Trawlermen are like pirates with biscuits." - Lucy Beaumont. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WearyRhino Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Come to old York instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deluded pom? Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 If you intend having a few sherberts take plenty of money. Most beers were a minimum of $6 and usually $8. There's a bar right near Times Square opposite the M&Ms store called the Tonic which has beer at $4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Futtocks Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Just do a little research on tipping in restaurants, as the culture's a bit different to the UK in that respect. Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted. Ralph Waldo Emerson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deluded pom? Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Just do a little research on tipping in restaurants, as the culture's a bit different to the UK in that respect. Yep, service jobs in New York tend to pay less than the minimum wage, which they are allowed to do by law, because the differential is made up by tips. Take plenty of lower denomination notess to pay for the tips. Also, check if the restaurant or bar has already added a service charge to your bill. If not the going rate is usually around 10-15% depending on the quality of service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Futtocks Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Yep, service jobs in New York tend to pay less than the minimum wage, which they are allowed to do by law, because the differential is made up by tips. Take plenty of lower denomination notess to pay for the tips. Also, check if the restaurant or bar has already added a service charge to your bill. If not the going rate is usually around 10-15% depending on the quality of service. I'd say 15-20%. British tourists have a bit of a bad reputation in this area, although it's down to not knowing the form, rather than being tight-fisted. Over here, a tip is usually 10% and that wouldn't go down well in the USA. Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted. Ralph Waldo Emerson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedford Roughyed Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 A good guide to the metro here - http://www.nycsubwayguide.com/subway/ Its easy once you get your head round it and pretty cheap. Lots of free things to do (Staten Island ferry gives a good view of the statue of liberty plus the city for free). Go to the empire state building early or late to avoid the rush. Don't buy tickets from the guys stood outside. Top of the rock is a good alternative to the Empire State. The 9/11 museum is good but tough in places (it doesn't shy away from the horrors). And tipping is expected even if the service is so-so. Most Hotels have free wifi (unlike the UK!) and McD's is good for free wifi. With the best, thats a good bit of PR, though I would say the Bedford team, theres, like, you know, 13 blokes who can get together at the weekend to have a game together, which doesnt point to expansion of the game. Point, yeah go on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhuller Posted January 21, 2016 Author Share Posted January 21, 2016 Thanks for all your replies, I have been to the states before and tipping is something I've come up against before wether it's different in regions I don't know. I've been looking on the net and there is so much to do, going to do most of the tourist stuff and I've had a look at a club called 55 a well known jazz club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deluded pom? Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 One thing we noticed was a severe lack of public toilets. They are few and far between. There are some in Central Park and in Bryant Park. If you are nowhere near either our tour bus guide told us that Starbucks was the toilet of Manhattan. So it's Starbucks or a bar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WearyRhino Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 If you are nowhere near either our tour bus guide told us that Starbucks was the toilet of Manhattan. So it's Starbucks or a bar Which explains the taste of Starbucks coffee and US beer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lounge Room Lizard Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 Walking if weather's good is a great way to see New York. Walked through central park then across Manhattan Bridge and then back across brooklyn bridge and around wall street past world trade centre site up to time square. Also need to pre book if you want to go up the statue of liberty. You can only walk around if you buy ticket on the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintslass Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 It's years since I went to New York. The World Trade Centre was still standing when I last visited. But I do remember thinking that the Statue of Liberty looked very small in real life. Maybe that was because the twin towers were incredibly huge and so shrunk it somewhat, I don't know. I also remember trying to walk the length of Broadway for some daft reason. I gave up because the street seemed to go on forever. I have no helpful tips because they'd all be out of date now but the city is worth a visit if only to realise just how diverse a country the US is. I spent time in fourteen different US states before my travels came to an end and they were all like little countries within a country. New York to me was the closest the US comes to the UK (in its similarities to London, which now may not be similarities at all as 2001 is a world away). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deluded pom? Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 I used my nationwide debit card at the ATMs and was getting a far better rate than a bureau de change was offering. In fact it was bordering on extortion. We were getting $1.50 as opposed to $1.16 at the bdc. Also be aware that when paying with a card very few vendors use chip and pin let alone contactless payment. It's still a swipe of the card and a signature on a receipt. Very quaint. On my return home nationwide contacted me to say there had been irregular activity on my card. Always try to make sure all transactions are visible to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedford Roughyed Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 I use a prepaid card from fairfx which gives better rates than most. Exchange rate is as poor as its been for years. And i always get caught by the tax not being included on the labels/signs. With the best, thats a good bit of PR, though I would say the Bedford team, theres, like, you know, 13 blokes who can get together at the weekend to have a game together, which doesnt point to expansion of the game. Point, yeah go on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhuller Posted January 21, 2016 Author Share Posted January 21, 2016 I use a prepaid card from fairfx which gives better rates than most. Exchange rate is as poor as its been for years. And i always get caught by the tax not being included on the labels/signs. I've used pre loaded cards before they are easy to use thinking of doing it again. Thanks again everyone for your advice, I'm going to look about pre booking the Statue Of Liberty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deluded pom? Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 Which airport are you flying into/from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhuller Posted January 22, 2016 Author Share Posted January 22, 2016 Which airport are you flying into/from? From Manchester to Newark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deluded pom? Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 A taxi from Newark cost four of us about £100-$120 each way. There are cheaper options depending on where you're stopping in NYC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lounge Room Lizard Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 There is a mini bus you can get thats cheapest option no trains run from newark to New York. Takes over an hour car ride as traffic is awful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksy Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 Revolut card Rugby Union the only game in the world were the spectators handle the ball more than the players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartofGold Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Don't use the word queue . I phoned the Hard Rock Cafe when we were there: Me: Can you tell me how long the queue is tonight please? Bronx accent: I beg your pardon ma'am The queue tonight............is it very long? I'm so sorry ma'am I don't know what it is you're asking. Q? Ok. Outside the building. How many people are waiting to come inside right now. Ohhhhh right! You mean a LINE UP! In the blink of an eye it could all be taken away. Be grateful always. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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