Nyc

[SOM Z28]

Once again, we've come up with yet another idea for the honeymoon, although I think this time, it's final. We started talking about the cost of going to Europe and my FH's employment status isn't certain at the moment, so we started thinking about staying closer to home. Our conclusion was New York City. Neither of us have been there and I've always wanted to go. I've always wanted to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway (and it's playing during the timeframe we'd be there!) and go to the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty and Time Square. We can indulge our interest in art and architecture as well as history and only have to fly 3 hours! Whoo-hoo. I'm so excited! :)

[Kelly1Mickey]

NYC is a great idea. If you want to go to a show, start trying to get tickets now. Shows get sold out months in advance. If you can't get tickets in time, there is a booth in Time Square where you can get tickets the day of the show...although it might be 'standing room'. Lodging can be VERY expensive. If you know someone who has timeshare (and would consider giving you a week for a wedding gift), they can exchange a week into the city. Exchange fees, even with a guest certificate, are generally less than $200. I don't know what your budget is, but if the timeshare is not an option, and you don't want to pay high city rates...consider staying outside the city. NYC has tons a beautiful little towns less than an hour away. You could stay there and then take a commuter train into the city. That way, if you need a break from the overwhelming hustle and bustle, you can explore the country areas in NY state. And on the days you go into the city, you have some time in the morning to lay out your "gameplan" for the day. I love Ny and could go on and on...let me know if I could help more.

[SOM Z28]

Thanks for the ideas. We've looked at some hotels, and I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't as pricy as I thought it would be. We are considering the Waldorf Astoria for our stay. I know it's expensive, but it's still cheaper than 2 roundtrip tickets to Greece, Italy or Hawaii (cheapest I found were: Greece & Hawaii $1300 each, Italy $1600).

If you can recommend any good restaraunts, that'd be great. We are most likely going to spend most of our time in Manhattan, as that is the location of most of the places we want to go. But anything outside of Manhattan would be good too.

[kyth]

I just returned from NYC this week (where my FH proposed!). We stayed at a four star hotel called the Michelangelo in Manhatten. It was only a block from the broadway theatres and not far from Times Square. The rooms were wonderful and the service was excellent. The concierge was very helpful with recommendations on restaurants and directions. We actually booked the hotel in a package with airfare on expedia for a very good rate. I loved the entire experience. I am sure you will have an amazing honeymoon in NYC.

http://www.michelangelohotel.com

[Marsha]

roxy's at time square.. OMG we ate there after new years this year to get away from the crowd. and the soup! oh god the soup was so good and we split this huge massive dessert that they have in there window. eat on the 3rd floor if possible so u can see time square down below. HOWEVER dont use there bathroom.. the one in the subway was nicer lol


and dont forget to save some cash, eat at a little vender. they have so much to offer. you can walk 2 1/2 blocks from Battery Park to the 911 sight. (we did it at night and was verry safe) Save at least 1/2 a day to go to ellis island was so spectaculre. Now to go into the statue of liberty get your tickets 3-4 weeks in advance or they will sell out but if you dont get tickets, pack a lunch and enjoy the view, Carriage ride in central park is nice, and so is window shopping. there is a zoo in central park that is awesome. remember grenechvillage for shopping and a nice lunch or dinner and good book shops. gosh i could go on forever. Honestly i got a dummies guide to new york city and it was my bible, helped me find everything easily.

just on another note though, have u thought about New Orleans? cuse that is my 2nd fav city and its a lot of fun we didnt go during marti gras but still, was one of the most memorable 4 days we had. we saw a wedding taking place when we were there and they did big band music down bourbon street after the ceremony to there reception location(parade style) , i think i have pics cuse i was so happy for them lol anyway, jsut giving suggestions

[SarahK]

roxy's at time square.. OMG we ate there after new years this year to get away from the crowd. and the soup! oh god the soup was so good and we split this huge massive dessert that they have in there window. eat on the 3rd floor if possible so u can see time square down below. HOWEVER dont use there bathroom.. the one in the subway was nicer lol


and dont forget to save some cash, eat at a little vender. they have so much to offer. you can walk 2 1/2 blocks from Battery Park to the 911 sight. (we did it at night and was verry safe) Save at least 1/2 a day to go to ellis island was so spectaculre. Now to go into the statue of liberty get your tickets 3-4 weeks in advance or they will sell out but if you dont get tickets, pack a lunch and enjoy the view, Carriage ride in central park is nice, and so is window shopping. there is a zoo in central park that is awesome. remember grenechvillage for shopping and a nice lunch or dinner and good book shops. gosh i could go on forever. Honestly i got a dummies guide to new york city and it was my bible, helped me find everything easily.

just on another note though, have u thought about New Orleans? cuse that is my 2nd fav city and its a lot of fun we didnt go during marti gras but still, was one of the most memorable 4 days we had. we saw a wedding taking place when we were there and they did big band music down bourbon street after the ceremony to there reception location(parade style) , i think i have pics cuse i was so happy for them lol anyway, jsut giving suggestions

LOL- I was going to suggest Roxy too! :)

[SOM Z28]

New Orleans in August is going to be seriously muggy. Although we will definately be going at some point. Next to Austalia, New Orleans is someplace we both have always wanted to go.

Anyways, thanks for the suggestions, ladies. However, we've switched our destination to Hawaii. That was a previous idea, but we thought it was going to be too pricy. As it turns out, I just wasn't looking in the right place for good prices.

[nle5]

New Orleans in August is going to be seriously muggy. Although we will definately be going at some point. Next to Austalia, New Orleans is someplace we both have always wanted to go.

Anyways, thanks for the suggestions, ladies. However, we've switched our destination to Hawaii. That was a previous idea, but we thought it was going to be too pricy. As it turns out, I just wasn't looking in the right place for good prices.

SOM,

I have seen numerous advertisements in my AAA magazine for trips to Hawaii. Do you happen to use AAA? If so, make sure when you book anything for the honeymoon to let them know you are a AAA member.

[SOM Z28]

I'm not an AAA member. My mom is, I think. Will that work?

[kyzmit]

AAA won't deal with you if you're not a member, but... if you get her card, a hotel might give you the discount... I don't know if they check names to numbers or really care... You may also be able to be added to her policy; I'm still on my father's even though I'm no longer a dependent and live in a different house.

[reecey]

AAA won't deal with you if you're not a member, but... if you get her card, a hotel might give you the discount... I don't know if they check names to numbers or really care... You may also be able to be added to her policy; I'm still on my father's even though I'm no longer a dependent and live in a different house.


I used to work in hotels - and I can honestly tell you that most don't even ask to see the card and give the discount anyway :P But you'll want to have it just in case they do. They're not going to compare names or anything, at least I wouldn't think so. But when you call and ask what their AAA rate is, also ask what their standard and "best available" rates are - sometimes best available is lower - and everyone is eligible for it - its typically what's charged to travel agencies when they book their rooms for you - and then their commission is added on top of that so the rate doesn't seem so outrageous to you necessarily.

[Rambiss]

SOM Z28-

I've stayed at the Waldorf on several occasions. The hotel is rich in history, very classy, and the service is excellent. However, due to the fact that the Waldorf is an older hotel, the room you get could be hit or miss. I'm not knocking the Waldorf, but everytime I stay in one of their standard rooms, I'm a little disappointed. However, whenever I stay in a jr. suite and above, I am very pleased. The point I'm trying to make is, if you choose the Waldorf, you might want to spend some extra money and get a higher category room. It's NYC, though. So, you probably won't be spending much time in the room anyway.

I'm a fan of the W hotel. They have about three of them in NYC. I'm 34yrs old and the W has a trendy and modern decor. The W hotel, directly across the street from the Waldorf, has a nice lobby lounge and a nightclub. The service is great. The standard rooms can be a little small (typical for NYC hotels); so again, spend a little more and get a higher category of room (if it matters to you).

Restaurants are plentiful. I could recommend a few, but I want you to try something fun. When in NYC, do as the NYCers. I want you to ask the concierge at the hotel to recommend a restaurant, have the door man hail you a taxi, and then go! I do it everytime I'm in NYC and it is always so much fun. You feel like a native New Yorker! I've never had a bad experience at the corner delis, but you're taking your chances with the street vendors!

I hope this helps!

[SOM Z28]

SOM Z28-

I've stayed at the Waldorf on several occasions. The hotel is rich in history, very classy, and the service is excellent. However, due to the fact that the Waldorf is an older hotel, the room you get could be hit or miss. I'm not knocking the Waldorf, but everytime I stay in one of their standard rooms, I'm a little disappointed. However, whenever I stay in a jr. suite and above, I am very pleased. The point I'm trying to make is, if you choose the Waldorf, you might want to spend some extra money and get a higher category room. It's NYC, though. So, you probably won't be spending much time in the room anyway.

I'm a fan of the W hotel. They have about three of them in NYC. I'm 34yrs old and the W has a trendy and modern decor. The W hotel, directly across the street from the Waldorf, has a nice lobby lounge and a nightclub. The service is great. The standard rooms can be a little small (typical for NYC hotels); so again, spend a little more and get a higher category of room (if it matters to you).

Restaurants are plentiful. I could recommend a few, but I want you to try something fun. When in NYC, do as the NYCers. I want you to ask the concierge at the hotel to recommend a restaurant, have the door man hail you a taxi, and then go! I do it everytime I'm in NYC and it is always so much fun. You feel like a native New Yorker! I've never had a bad experience at the corner delis, but you're taking your chances with the street vendors!

I hope this helps!

I guess you didn't read the whole thread...I'm not going to NYC afterall.

[Rambiss]

I guess you didn't read the whole thread...I'm not going to NYC afterall.

You mean I typed all of that with two fingers for nothing :-) Well, maybe it'll help someone else. I completely missed your other post. There's a silver lining in every cloud, though: I lived in Hawaii for three years! Which island(s) are you visiting? I can give you the low down from the eye of a former, temporary local!

[SOM Z28]

You mean I typed all of that with two fingers for nothing :-) Well, maybe it'll help someone else. I completely missed your other post. There's a silver lining in every cloud, though: I lived in Hawaii for three years! Which island(s) are you visiting? I can give you the low down from the eye of a former, temporary local!

Our plan is to go to the Big Island, west Coast (Kona). My FH's brother got married & honeymooned in August on Oahu near Wakiki, and he said it was horribly crowded. And since we are also going in August, we decided not to go to Oahu. I'm not sure if the Big Island will be less crowded or if August is just a busy time altogether. But we saw a lot of activities we would like to do in the area of Kona, so we figured it would be a good spot to aim for.