Taking a trip to the states - anyone been?

[Sparticus]

I'm taking off for the states soon, spending 10 days in san fransisco and a week in new york, obviously going through the books and that, but yeh, i want to cram as much in as possible and just want advice on what's truely unmissable. I went aus last year and didn't really plan that well, spent half of it in the boozer, as they say, you only learn from your mistakes (i say mistake, aussie lager is bloody gorgeous!)

[Purple Monkey]

New York:

Go to Grimaldi's Pizzeria in Brooklyn. It's around where the boat tours are under the Brooklyn Bridge. Just look for this tiny building with a queue outside, that's the place.

There was also a Blue Smoke in Manhattan which had some fantastic steaks and really good house beer.

Don't bother with the Statue Of Liberty tour boat thing if you want to go see it, just get on the free Staten Island ferry and you'll probably get a better view of the Statue from it.

Go to the Ghostbusters fire house! That was really cool. It's still a functioning fire station. When we went they had the doors open and they had the Ghostbusters sign that hangs on the front in the movie hanging up on the wall. The interior is different and way smaller because that was all shot in LA or something. I guess it may mean more to me since I spent my childhood playing with a toy of that building and ate, slept and drank Ghostbusters for a while!

Oh yeah the New York library is pretty cool too. Me and my mate couldn't leave without stacking up some books and leave them there.....

Edited March 6, 2010 by Purple Monkey

[harper11]

ten days in san francisco? i assume thats for family reasons

[Sparticus]

ten days in san francisco? i assume thats for family reasons

Edited March 7, 2010 by Sparticus

[-pogo-]

I have a friend who works for a tourist company for the last three summers in San Fran (go-Kart i think the companies called).

I can ask him what he thinks are the best things to do there. He's going to be moving there for a year come July as well, luvky bugger!

[ukslim]

New York tips:

I love New York.

Ellis Island is well worth seeing - 40% of Americans can trace an ancestor who came in through Ellis Island. And since it's on the same trip as the Statue of Liberty, I guess that's back on.

Coney Island and Brighton Beach are great - a long subway ride from Manhattan, but the subway is filthy cheap. Brighton Beach is a must if you've played GTA4, since it's the Russian district where the game is set. But it's fascinating anyway.

Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge.

Walk around lots and lots and lots. It's the best way to get your bearings, you see lots of random amazing things, and you can take in lots of the famous areas - Chinatown, East Village, Little Italy etc. in a very short time. They're close together.

Seeing a Broadway show is worthwhile.

I'm really keen on Brooklyn - we hardly left Manahattan the first couple of times we went, which was a big mistake.

Oh the Tenement museum in the Lower East Side is great. Guided tours only - it's an eye opener.

Am being dragged off to town. I might add some more later.

[Wooderson]

SanFrancisco:

Take a segway tour of Fisherman's wharf. Couldnt recommend this highly enough.

Take a walking tour. We did one in the Haight which was brilliant.

Eat at Cha Cha Cha, Tres Agaves, Mortons or Zadin. All recommended.

If youre going to visit Alcatraz book a week in advance. The night time tours sell out the quickest and are particularly hardcore.

Go see the Giants play.

Further afield:

Take a wine tour to Sonoma County. Healdsburg in particular is a gorgeous place.

Take a trip to see Yosemite Valley/Mariposa Grove. Spectacular.

[angelofharlem]

In New York, I found downtown, lower east side, a good place for music venues.

Also, the views from the Empire State building at night are stunning.

[minute5072]

In San Fransisco go to Ameoba Records...set aside a day

Edited March 7, 2010 by minute5072

[-pogo-]

Bottom of the Hill is a venue in San Fran that is quite renowned aparently too.

[strudders]

if you fly into JFK check our the cemetery on the way to Manhattan (take the bus its a few dollas) it's mooassive! goes on for friggin miles!

Also take a scenic bus trip, they are brilliant and the guides are fantastic,giving you loads of tips on places to eat and sights worth seeing and is quite cheap.

Central park is a must if nothing else to get some food from the street vendors becuase they give you so much for so little and its a nice walk......

Haver a beer in a small sports bar, the locals will love you and buy you beers.... (did for me)

Have dinner in the Waldorf Astoria, its cheap and the décor in the hotel is just bloody amazing, its like time stood still (dont stay there though as the rooms are sh1t in my view)

Visit Grand Central Station, its mind blowing...

Take a cab ride just for the hell of it and it will prove that NY taxi drivers really do talk bollocks but are nice people (expect to be called and Australian though)

Have a great time

[Wooderson]

In San Fransisco go to Ameoba Records...set aside a day

[-pogo-]

Best record store in the world?? Place is utterly marvellous. I spent 300 dollars in 35 minutes. Nearly a dollar a minute!

[ukslim]

One favourite New York moment: getting a taxi home in a blizzard, the driver has to brake to avoid a pedestrian.

Pedestrian: I'm walkin' here

Driver: So fockin' walk, you fockin' fock!

[minute5072]

Best record store in the world?? Place is utterly marvellous. I spent 300 dollars in 35 minutes. Nearly a dollar a minute!

[oafc0000]

Been New York a few times and I love the place.... I did my friend a mini guide... Its quite long but here you go... Might be of some use to you..

Getting to and from the Airports in the New York is really easy. There is a set taxi fee of $45 each way to and from Manhattan including tolls. Do not forget to tip 10% plus about 1 to 2 dollars per bag.

DONT NOT GET IN ANYTHING OTHER THAN YELLOW CAB!!! There are taxi marshals at the airport who will sort you out at the TAXI RANK... Do not get lifts off anyone inside the terminal.. Go to the CLEARLY marked taxi rank outside the terminal. Unless you fancy being robbed on your first day that is..

To get back to airport flag down a yellow cab off the streets or find a taxi rank like they have outside of macys who will flag one down for you for a tip... Again, only get in licensed YELLOW cabs...

Most hotel rooms in NYC are small and I mean SMALL so dont be expecting much even if you have paid a lot Your not planning on staying in your room much anyway I would imagine

We bought this pass the couple of times we have been and we found it very useful. http://www.newyorkpass.com/

I am not convinced it actually works out all the much cheaper but what it does do is stop you from saying "is it worth $15 dollars each to do x,y and z" and instead you just swipe your card and do it. Changes your mindset and we found we was doing more stuff through having it. Your choice though. The best thing about the pass is you get to jump the ticket queues in a lot of instances. I will explain more later. The pass also resets itself every 24 hours. So you can do everything once every 24 hours.

Sights / Attractions

Empire State Building :- If you do anything you want to do this and you want to do it three times as well and dont forget your camera!!!... Go up during the day... Again during sun set and again at night (times square is amazing from the sky)... Each experience is really worth while (this is where pass comes in useful). If you buy your pass you get your tickets from the newspaper shop near by (its explained in the guide). You can also by pass the main queues further by using your pass to visit the New York Skyride on the second floor. The guy scans your card to enter the simulator but instead just puts you in the main queue for the lifts Its awesome.... and you get up quicker. Either way, by having your tickets already you should get up quicker. You will have to keep your eyes peeled on the day.

Top of the rock "Rockafella centre" - Go to the top of the Rockafella centre in one of the fastest lift you will ever go in. Its express up 80 floors or something and it has a glass roof and light show on the way up. Its awesome... And the view is even better... Looking down south towards the Empire State... Well worth it...

For both the above... If you get a clear day head for these two!!! Dont wait as NYC can cloud over....

Rockafella centre - the Rockafella centre itself is worth a visit. It contains a ice rink, fantastic cafe, shops and has the famous Christmas tree and walk way of angels. but I dont think the tree will be up when you are there which is a shame. A nice treat is to have Breakfast in the Rockafella cafe which over looks the ice rink. Very nice but pricey... Well worth it...

Museums of science & natural history (near central park) - This place is truly awesome and it is so big you could spend a week walking around the place. Has everything from Dinosaurs to a full size sperm whale lol Go see... not sure if it is included in the pass....

Central Park - If you get a nice sunny day you can spend most the dear exploring Central Park. Its great!!! Alice in wonderland statues, Strawberry Fields, base ball pitches and the Huge lake in the middle... It can very romantic.. You can get a Horse Ride around but its expensive and is not very good...

Times Sqaure - Night of day the place is crazy... Tons of shops and restaurants... and of course lights!!! Climb the red steps in the centre to get a fantastic photo...

Broadway Show - We saw Spamalot at the Sherbet Theatre and had a great night. Book tickets before you travel otherwise you could miss out...

NBC Studio Tour - One of the things you probably would not do without having the pass. We had a great couple of hours on the Tour and got to see where they Film Saturday night Live and the Today program which is the main NYC breakfast show. As well as a full tour of the NBC studios... Well worth it...

Helicopter Ride - Lots of fun but expensive... You get to see NYC from the air.. Its good but if your stuck for cash I have a better suggestion...

Bateaux New York Dinner Cruise - http://www.spiritofnewyork.com/ba/index.jsp This was a truly awesome night!!! Get dressed up in your best suit and the lady in her best dress... Three course meal, dancing and New York City from the river at Night. Its awesome. Its also sails out to the status of LIberty so you can see it close up at night. You get to see NYC as you do in the films. Get the Romance package for the best seats and Champagne. Checks its actually Champagne and not sparkling wine though, we had ours changed Book before you travel!!! Its seems more expensive then when we was there but this really was worth it.

Grand Central Station - I cant describe what a great site this place is. There is also the biggest and best food court you will find in any train station in the world

New York Public Library - Great building, well worth a visit. Spot the locations they filmed Ghostbusters

China Town - Its like being in China!!! Seriously... If you spot someone who is not Chinese they are a tourist

Little Italy - Used to be huge now its about three streets long... Still worth a visit...

Financial District - Walk the gloomy streets where no light reaches down because of the Sky Scrappers... Visit Wall Street...

Noho / Soho - Street Sellers / Lots of restaurants... Nice for a Sunday day time walk about...

Ghostbuster Firehouse - You have no doubt noticed I like Ghostbusters so I visit to the firehouse was high up on my list It really is worth the trip. They have the GB2 sign in the fire house. The lost someone in 9/11 from that fire house and their is a plaque on the wall. Which is a little sad. http://www.bigwaste.com/photos/ny/ghostbus...firehouse.shtml

Ellis Island / Status of Liberty - Never been but if your going on the dinner cruise probably worth not bothering as you will see the Statue then. Otherwise probably worth it. You can actually get one of the tourist boats as part of your pass if you want to see it on the cheap

Madison Square Gardens Tour - You get a tour of the whole complex including Nicks and Rangers locker rooms. Very interesting if that sort of thing is your thing. I would love to go watch Rangers play there. Maybe next time

Fifth Avenue - Great window shopping If you can afford anything then I take my hat off to you

Macy's - Visit Macys for brilliant bargins! and a great shopping experience! Its HUGE!!!! Go to the one on Broadway.. Take your passport with you to get 15% off... You need to go to the customer service desk to get your visitors discount voucher http://gonyc.about.com/od/shopping/p/macys.htm Herald Square, between 34th and 35th on Broadway

Restaurant Recommendations:

Virgil's Grill - Our favourite restaurant in New York. First class service, big honest food... Not a dress up place... Rib and towel type place... http://www.virgilsbbq.com/

ESPN Zone Cafe - Typical American Bar Food... Nachos, Wings, Burgers... But they are MASSIVE potions... Three floors... Top floor is best where they have TONS of big screens showing American Football, Baseball and Hockey... Go on the day of a big Game for the most fun Defo go at night not day... http://www.espnzone.com/newyork/

Hells Kitchen - Went here for the wife's birthday last year. Went to the trouble of putting a candle in her desert when I ask them to which is good for new york!! Nice food, nice atmosphere... Book to grantee seats We just called in and got lucky... http://www.hellskitchen-nyc.com/ No need to dress up but you should be wearing nice shirt and jeans etc...

Tavern on the Green - One of the most expensive and famous restaurants in New York. Was in Ghostbusters (the scene where the dog thing chases Rick Moranis through the park to the restaurant. God I am sad... Its expensive and it didn't live up to its reputation and I would not go again... Still its was nice inside and it is romantic... You have to book in advance.. and you must dress up... Suits etc Expect to pay £400.... http://www.tavernonthegreen.com/

Bread - Hidden away in Little Italy / Soho... Hard to find to be honest but a great little Italian place where real new Yorkers go... They usually play reggae music... Which is weird... The food is nice and has a home made feel http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/bread/

Rockafella Centre Cafe - Expensive but really nice. Go for an early breakfast... The eggs are nice... http://www.patinagroup.com/restaurant.php?restaurants_id=18

Hot Dog Stands - You MUST and I mean MUST try a hot dog from the hot dog stands. I dont like the Pretzels...

Dunkin Doughnuts - Doughnuts and Coffee... No better NYC breakfast

General Advice

Taxis are good... Reasonably cheap but make sure you know the street and avenue you want.. aka 41st and 5th,... Most taxi drivers do not speak much English... Always tip!!!

Underground rocks! Will take you most places you want to go and fast... You can get daily / weekly tickets etc which are probably a good idea... Beware that not all ticket machines take cards... Most take coins...

Tipping Restaurant - Always look to tip!!! People REALLY do not get paid a lot in NYC pretty much everyone lives off tips. Check your bill to see if the tip has been added to the bill automatically (this happens a lot around times square but not elsewhere). Don't confuse this with city tax. If the tip isn't on the bill you should tip 15% as a matter of course or 20% or more if you have enjoyed the service. 10% at the very very least (if your pissed off for some reason). I have only ever once not tipped once and I got in a blistering row. The arse still didn't get his tip mind you... He was that bad...

Tipping Bars - On the bar their is usually a plate. After ordering a round of drinks stick a 1$ or 2$ bill down... You will continue to get served and not ignored... If their is not a plate just stick it on the bar... Considering the current exchange rate... I would be putting down a $1 and not $2

Rudeness - Don't take it personally The service and attitude of people working in NYC is generally short snappy and some what rude Specially in restaurants.... Welcome to being a New Yorker for a couple of days Its just the way New Yorkers are....

This is a very SHORT guide to NYC I have probably missed off loads of awesome things but I have probably covered the main ones. Invest in a guide tourist guide and trust it and you should not go to far wrong

If you do anything you enjoyed and it wasn't on the list then let me know for my next visit!!

Have a great time!!!

[ukslim]

Best record store in the world?? Place is utterly marvellous. I spent 300 dollars in 35 minutes.

[t8yman]

new york.

do this.

you will thank me.

[bunique]

San Fran - alcatraz for definite. If you get a chance go have a wander around Stanford University - absolutely stunning. Berkeley was pretty nice too. Bring a jumper, the weather in SF makes no sense. Head down the coast to some of the little resorts, they're very cute. Have a PROPER breakfast somewhere - home fries, ridiculous helpings of eggs, the lot (I recommend Los Gatos Cafe but that's a way outside the city). Take the scenic route up to wine country. Eat eat eat (lovely Italian in SF, will go look up the name in a mo) and drink drink drink - San Franciscans were lovely.

[bunique]

San Fran - alcatraz for definite. If you get a chance go have a wander around Stanford University - absolutely stunning. Berkeley was pretty nice too. Bring a jumper, the weather in SF makes no sense. Head down the coast to some of the little resorts, they're very cute. Have a PROPER breakfast somewhere - home fries, ridiculous helpings of eggs, the lot (I recommend Los Gatos Cafe but that's a way outside the city). Take the scenic route up to wine country. Eat eat eat (lovely Italian in SF, will go look up the name in a mo) and drink drink drink - San Franciscans were lovely.

[Purple Monkey]

God dammit reading this thread just makes me want to up sticks and go live in NY. What a city.

Easily one of the coolest places I've ever been.

For me it was the little incidentals that I loved - the tiny diners, the walk across the Brooklyn and Manhatten bridges (must have walked across each about three times each because we were taking location reference photographs, the blisters were worth it ), the walk around Brooklyn's Dumbo district (a non-touristy movie-location hotspot,). It was just stunning but only to someone like me who's into architecture.

This Kasabian video was shot all in the Dumbo district. It's mad watching this because I can tell where they are just by looking at the walls they're walking past.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1939415942467570886#

Managed to get some day-to-night shots from the Empire state building, that was quite surreal. When you're looking down it doesn't seem real. You'd think you'd get vertigo but because it's so ridiculously high up it's like your brain doesn't know how to process it)

Oh avoid straying too far east in Brooklyn beyond the Manhatten bridge. I felt like a right dick walking past proper GTA-style gangstas sat on low-riders carrying very visible heat with a £300 camera around my very naive and stupid neck.

Edited March 7, 2010 by Purple Monkey

[ukslim]

Right. More New York.

- buy a Time Out and use it.

- get a deli sub from a corner shop / deli -- they're amazing

- If you've never been to the US before, the diner breakfast/brunch/lunch experience is a must

- (I wouldn't recommend the Carnegie Deli -- lots of people seem to love it, but it seemed to me like a tourist trap trading on its reputation. The large portions just take the piss, even for America, but you pay a lot for it)

- get a week long transit pass. It takes you anywhere in the 5 boroughs by bus and subway and it's cheap

- Don't be scared to leave Manhattan. Some of the best things are further out.

- Ellis Island, like I said

- Walking around a lot, like I said

- Empire State Building - cliched but worth it.

- Ground Zero - cliched but worth it

- If you've seen 'Harold And Kumar Get The Munchies' you may wish to feast on Sliders at White Castle. There's one on 8th and 36th, near Penn Station

- Central Park - you just have to. Brooklyn's Prospect Park is an interesting place to go for comparison. Same designers. There's even a coffee shop nearby called Prospect Perk!

- Coney Island and Brighton Beach, like I said before.

- If you like Japanese food and, um, novelty, and don't mind splashing out a bit, the Ninja restaurant is an incredible night out: http://www.ninjanewyork.com/ Seriously.

- And incidentally, eat, eat, eat

- From experience: if you go to a cocktail bar -- which is recommended -- know your limits. There's quite a few units in a large martini... and you have to get home somehow.

- Vintage clothes shops in the East Village are fun. You might even buy something...

- Williamsburg is pretty cool - where all the hipsters live.

- New York Public Library -- free entrance. Amazing old architecture.

- New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn -- honestly, really good.

There's loads more. I must go back again.

Edit to add: People watching. I love just sitting around in New York listening to people. It's a place where complete strangers from differing backgrounds, strike up conversations (usually about sport).

Edited March 7, 2010 by ukslim

[Purple Monkey]

Ground Zero was........soberring.

Edited March 7, 2010 by Purple Monkey

[ukslim]

Oh avoid straying too far east in Brooklyn beyond the Manhatten bridge. I felt like a right dick walking past proper GTA-style gangstas sat on low-riders carrying very visible heat with a £300 camera around my very naive and stupid neck.

Edited March 7, 2010 by ukslim

[oafc0000]

.

Edited March 7, 2010 by oafc0000