We flew to New York JFK Airport in December 2000 for a 3 night stay with Lufthansa via Frankfurt. At the time, Lufthansa was cheaper than everybody else and the tax was reasonable, but now the taxes are so high, it is cheaper to travel direct with Continental or American or British Airways. I have flown Lufthansa before on Long haul and Short Haul in economy and business class and always found them to be very good.
We had booked into the Grand Hyatt New York which was next door to Grand Central Station in downtown Manhattan. The hotel was lovely and very central for all attractions. I know that New York is a different city to what it was when I was last there, as 9 months after my visit September 11 took place. I have been to New York previously in 1993 and stayed at the Howard Johnson Broadway. I think December is the best month to go, although it is freezing and there is a good chance of snow, it is lovely to see all the Christmas displays in the department stores and go ice skating in Central Park or the Rockerfeller Centre. We had gone mostly for Christmas shopping, but did some sightseeing too.
The shops are amazing and there is so much choice, at Christmas time you sometime have to queue to see the window displays in the large department stores such as Macy's, Bloomingdale's and other stores. We were lucky enough to be able to go up the Twin Towers, and the view was spectacular. The Empire State building should also be visited as that is also great as it has children's activities as week as tours and shops. Getting around is easy, as well as hundreds of yellow cabs, there is also the subway and lots of buses, and you can buy transport passes.
We took the Staten Island Ferry to Staten Island and also went to the Statue of Liberty where there is a museum as well as the Statue. You can get fantastic views of the skyscrapers as you leave towards the Island. It does get very busy at weekends so I would go as early as possible so that you do not have to Queue for hours. There are hundreds of tours that you can book from walking tours to bus tours or even book a limo tour. The NYC Tourist Council is very helpful for hotels, transport, tours and caters for your every need. There are also helicopter tours available. We had booked a bus tour which takes you to all the famous landmarks including Wall Street, (could not believe how small the street was...), Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State, and many other landmarks.
One area I would recommend is Little Italy and China Town, which can be reached by cab or underground. It has hundreds of shops, restaurant's and stalls where you can buy fake designer goods such as Gucci. Dior handbags, sunglasses and other accessories. Beware if buying perfume as a friend of mine bought a bottle of perfume from a sidewalk and when she got it home, it was coloured scented water!!!!.
There are so many things to do in New York, I could not possibly list them all. Times Square is a must see with all the shops, restaurants and giant billboards. It is always so busy but is just buzzing. This is also near to Broadway where all the theatres are. There are shows on Broadway to suit every taste whether it be a musical or play. There are lots of museums in New York to visit, to suit every taste. The New Yorkers also like their sport, so there is ice hockey, baseball, football (American), and basketball to name a few.
Shopping in New York at the moment or anywhere in the States is a shoppers dream because of the exchange rate. The amount of Dollars to the British Pound is at one of the highest it has been for a long time, so things like clothes, ipods, cameras and other items are so much cheaper than anywhere else. When I was there last 8 years ago it was just average, but shopping is cheaper in the US generally anyway, and eating out is very cheap and you get huge portions. There are hundreds of places to eat in New York from Restaurants to Delis and cafes. There are 24 hour openings and lots of stalls selling pizza, hot dogs, donuts and other foods. There are also hotels to suit every budget from hostels and budget hotels to luxury 5* Hotels.
Once you have been to New York, it is easy to see why they call it the City that never sleeps as there is always something going on at every hour of the day and night. I love New York and want to go back, but I think it will be strange not seeing the Twin Towers high above the other sky scrapers as you approach Manhattan, and knowing the tragedy that has taken place since my last visit makes me a little apprehensive. But one day I will be back and will do all things that I missed on my previous 2 trips, including the Sex and the City Tour!!!! I do highly recommend a trip to this fantastic city, and I know most people only visit for 3 nights or so, but there is so much more to do.
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