Trip report 3-10th September, very long....

Here’s our trip report, we spent a week in New York, 3rd September to 10th September. It’s quite long but I hope some of it will be of use.

3rd September

Arrived JFK at 12pm. We cleared immigration within 20 minutes even saying “I love Boddingtons” whilst we got our photos taken by the immigration officer. Then we jumped in a yellow cab to Manhattan (45$ plus toll and tip). We arrived at the Inn on 23rd around 2pm and were out walking the streets by 3pm. Since it was labor day weekend we headed up to 5th Avenue to do some tax free clothes shopping. We bought 7 day Metro cards for the subway (24$) which were worth their weight in gold. We headed back via Times Square and had dinner at Virgils Barbecue which was fantastic. Since we’d been up since 4am UK time (22 hours) we had an early night!

4th September

Had a great breakfast at the Inn and then took the subway to Grand Central Station. Took some time to enjoy GCS and then boarded the train to Beacon. We wanted to get out of NYC for a day and a daytrip to this small town had appeared in an internet article. If you go up the Hudson line do as others on here have recommended and sit on the left. The 90 minute journey is awesome! The views of the Hudson river, West point etc are fantastic.

We arrived into Beacon and walked to Main Street which we took a guess at finding as there is no map at the station. First impressions were that it’s a quaint little town. Certainly the first half a mile of shops are art galleries, tea shops, antique shops etc in well renovated buildings. However the town is let down by the centre of Main Street which is run down and dilapidated. Many 1960 flat roofed buildings in need of repair etc. We kept going through this part until we came to the Madame Brett homestead. All the internet info said it was open on the first Sunday of each month, great! Only to find at 12pm it was shut. Nice old building in colonial style though. This end of Main Street was also very pleasant with oldy worldy style shops, art galleries etc. We wandered back along Main Street and had a superb lunch at the Cup and Saucer. Then we headed back to the station and jumped on the train getting back into Manhattan around 3pm.

A bit more shopping on 5th Avenue, back to the Inn on 23rd and straight out for a slap up meal at the Chelsea Brewing Company on Chelsea Piers. A nice warm night had us eating out on the decking over looking the Hudson river right where Titanic would have docked. Try the Checker Cab Blonde Ale – well worth it. Then we boarded a twilight cruise of Manhattan which again was well worth it, got some nice shots of the Statue of Liberty all flood lit. This was up a few piers around 76, just down from Intrepid and run by New York Waterways.

5th September

This was Big Apple Greeter Day. We’d applied about two months before the trip and heard from BAG about 4 days before we left for NYC. Our first choice was Brooklyn and we got it!

We took the subway down to Sheepshead Bay where we met our greeter, Eleanor. She showed us around the area, telling us the history and what has happened to the neighbourhood. We then walked to Brighton Beach (Little Odessa) where we saw how the Russian immigrants had revitalised the area. We did some shopping there in the fruit markets and then we walked along the board walk to Coney Island. There we had a look at the funfair and the general area. Back along to Brighton Beach where we had lunch in a Russian restaurant. Borsht in Brighton Beach.

I cannot recommend our greeter or Big Apple Greeters highly enough. It’s a superb idea and our greeter was very knowledgeable. Instead of the 2 hours allocated we spent six with our greeter. Really, really good.

The area in Brooklyn we’d have never thought of going to and it was great to see something different.

In the evening we headed up the Empire State Building around 1930 to catch the sunset over Manhattan. Unfortunately so did loads of other people and we just caught the end of it! Dinner was a last minute thing so we headed to Don Giovanni’s just off 23rd Street which we’d been to on our last trip.

6th September

We headed uptown towards Grants Tomb. It’s got an interesting exhibition in it and it’s free.

Then we headed towards Riverside Church to try and get up the tower but it was closed.

Next across to Columbia University, if you’ve seen ghostbusters you’ll recognise it. Followed by Morningside Park for a photo opportunity (we live in Morningside in Edinburgh) and then onto Central Park for a wander and some lunch. Had a look around the Conservatory garden which is pleasant and offers lots of shade.

Next stop was the Museum of the City of New York which isn’t really as the title suggests. There is a good 30 minute documentary on the history but that’s it, the other exhibitions are about buildings that have been knocked down and artwork etc etc.

After that we headed to Grand Central Station for cheesecake from Juniors and back to the Inn. Chocolate swirl is well recommended…!

Headed to F%26amp;B’s hotdogs for a snack before picking up the tickets for Chicago. For any male who is grumbling about going to Chicago the fishnet stockings and ample cleavages on display make up for it ;-) Very entertaining, the show I mean ;-). Headed to the Heartland Brewery for some beers and a snack. Subway home.

7th September

The other half wasn’t feeling to good so I did a bit of shopping and postcard writing. B %26amp; H photo is well worth visiting even if you don’t buy anything. I could have bought lots of good gadgets at very good prices.

In the evening we headed up to the house that Ruth built (yankee stadium) for a baseball game. What an experience. Sat with locals eating hotdogs and drinking beer (beer vendors badge said “we ID under 40’s”) and watching NY Yankees play the Tampa Bay Devils. Awesome. Yankees won apparently (hadn’t a clue what was going on). It’s a very social game amongst the spectators and like cricket is generally dull but punctuated with moments of excitement. Saw a home run :) Want to see more :)

Was a bit worried about going up to the Bronx but all fears were unfounded and it was sociable, friendly and safe. Not like a football match back home. Headed back on a 4 subway to Union Square /14th and finished off with a few beers at the Heartland Brewery there.

8th September

Very busy day trying to cram in what we’d missed the previous day. We headed down to Bowling green and had a look around Battery Park. Then up to the US Customs house which is very imposing and then onto Trinity Church which has a very interesting history and is quite a wealthy landowner in Manhattan. Back across the street to Wall Street and then to Ground Zero. There is nothing to see but it’s a sombre moment as you think of what happened and how it has affected people.

Allowed the other half some shopping time in Century 21. Became bag carrier for rest of day. Wandered up Broadway to City Hall and then jumped on the Subway to Katz’s deli.

What an experience, we opted for waiter service and he was taking a while so glanced at him as he passed. In brisk tones he said “I’m busy and I’ll get to you in a moment” the table next to me was up in arms about the delay, but we were in no rush so didn’t make a scene. He got to us and we ordered a Pastrami sandwich and a Corned Beef sandwich. Awesome. I’ve got a photo gallery of those sandwichs. Couldn’t finish them. We had free sides of coleslaw and fries. The atmosphere is good, it’s run down but who cares as the food is great :)

Then we headed to the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. This really is a must. It’s a guided tour around a restored tenement in a predominantly immigrant neighbourhood. Lot’s of real stories and history. Certainly altered my views on immigration. There are different tours available so decide which one you want.

After that we headed to Broadway in Greenwich Village whilst the other half did yet more clothes shopping.

In the evening we met a mate of mine and headed to Johns Pizzeria on Bleeker Street. We had to wait 20 minutes and the atmosphere was good but the pizza didn’t live up to expectations. In fact I didn’t think much of it.

Then it was off to see the band at Café Wha in Greenwich Village, They were really good and provided great entertainment. We were asked if we were old enough to drink. Obviously the answer was “yes” (we are in our 30’s) but a funny ID check all the same. The bill for 9 Heinekens and the cover charge and the gratuity came to 85$ so be warned! However the gratuity (15%) was included in the bill. The waitress was very annoyed when we didn’t leave any more. Did we do something wrong here? It sort of spoiled the night as we understood that 15% was the norm.

9th September

Looked around Washington Square Park then headed to the Stuyvesant monument and St Marks in the Bowery. Headed down to the Merchants Museum to finds it didn’t open till twelve so headed to Battery Park.

Rode the Staten Island Ferry and was going to go to Historic Richmond Town but that didn’t open till 1pm so headed back to Manhatten and the Merchants House Museum and then on the Subway to Brooklyn. We got off and headed straight to Grimaldi’s. Now the boss and I both agree that the pizza there is the best we’ve ever tasted. All fresh with a great taste. Our only regret was sharing a small one.

After that we had some ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream company on the shore just down from Grimaldi’s looking out over the East River.

We walked across the Brooklyn bridge which was fantastic. Lots of photo opportunities with tourists getting run over by cyclists…..

After that we’d been beaten by the sun so retired to the Inn on 23rd. Did a bit of shopping in the local area (Chelsea is great) and then ate out at an Italian just on 7th avenue a short walk from the Inn on 23rd.

10th September

Headed to midtown to post some postcards and just kill time. Visited New York City Library and had lunch at café BR in Bryant Park. Turkey club gets my recommendation.

At 3pm Carmel picked us up and we headed to JFK for the big bird home.

Had a great holiday loved New York (2nd visit) and thought the Inn on 23rd lived up to its reputation for a 2nd time. It really is the greatest city on earth, beats London by a mile.

I’ve been following threads on NYC forum for a while so thanks to all who provided information. I’m a confirmed New York Yankees fan now too. Comparing Flying EDI-LHR-JFK with BA to Continentals EDI-EWR (Newark) I’d have to say if the price was the same I’d go with Continental as the London factor is a hassle despite the lack of entertainment on the 757.

Just waiting on the credit card bill :(

Trip report 3-10th September, very long....

Fab report! I love the %26#39;less touristy%26#39; bits that you did.

The whole time seemed to flow very well - no major problems at all! And aren%26#39;t you brave venturing out to Beacon!

PS. Try not to look too closely at the credit card bill when it comes in..... (we still won%26#39;t!)

Trip report 3-10th September, very long....

Heartland Brewery just called. They miss you!

Glad you had a fun trip.

I knew I was going to like your report when you mentioned saying '; I love Boddingtons'; at immigration! What is The Inn on 23rd like? I%26#39;ve seen the website, and it looks very canny.

Like you, I love going to Yankee Stadium for a game, it%26#39;s such a great experience. You certainly did lots of '; non touristy'; things...and I agree about the London thing as well!!!!

A very well done and amusing report.

Congrats on all you saw and did. Very impressive.

Re cricket: thanks. I thought it was just me....

';Cricket generally dull';? I think there are about 60 million Brits who might just take issue with that statement, GMOWDD!

Would I be right in assuming that you wouldn%26#39;t recommend visiting Beacon? It doesn%26#39;t sound like there%26#39;s much there.

Did you find out why Riverside Church was closed? I believe the view from the top of the tower is awsome but they don%26#39;t seem very good at publishing opening hours. You seem to have been very unlucky with opening times elsewhere - was this because the various sites do not post opening hours or do they not stick to their published times?

You certainly did plenty of things that are not on the accepted tourist lists - would you recommend your schedule to others?

I%26#39;m GM0WDD boss, in response to the query regarding Riverside Church - we had heard the view was fantastic but they are currently doing repairs to the tower and that%26#39;s the reason for not being able to get access. You can get access to the other areas of the church and it%26#39;s still an impressive building even without going to the top of the tower.

As for our timings, that was our mistake with not checking the guides and websites fully.

The Tenement Museum is excellent and they are due to open up a room based around an Irish family in the near future. Have a look at the website first and decide what tour you want to go on and note the times, so you don%26#39;t have to wait for that one. We just turned up and we were lucky we did not have to wait long for a tour and had no preferences but they have specified times for the different ones.

Thanks for that, boss! I hope that they%26#39;ve finished renovating the tower by next summer...

Daisiegee, this was our second stay at the Inn on 23rd. We both think it%26#39;s great. Nice atmosphere, very relaxed and it%26#39;s much better than staying in a hotel such as a Hilton. There are only 13 rooms so it doesn%26#39;t get to crowded.

MaidstoneNic, what I meant about cricket being dull is that it is long periods of inactivity punctuated by moments of excitement. So when the fielders are throwing the ball around between overs and whilst everyone gets ready there%26#39;s time to chat before the action starts. Baseball is the same. I like both but they can%26#39;t be described as all action sports! Not like a rugby match for instance! A very social game.

As for Beacon, well the train ride is certainly worth it, if you%26#39;re into modern art (Dia gallery) and craft shops then it probably is worth it. But I%26#39;m not so it was nice to get out of NYC but with hindsight would rather go to somewhere with museums and revolutionary history.

Bettina, I%26#39;ve a loyalty card coming from Heartland Brewery ;-)

LoisB - get back to work!

Have posted some pictures of our trip, there%26#39;s Beacon, Inn on 23rd pictures and the pastrami gallery!

http://photobucket.com/albums/b335/GM0WDD/

Love the pictures! Crikey I feel hungry now though.

The Inn on 23rd looks great, no wonder you like it. Thanks for posting the link.