Aloha gang,

My SO and I are taking a two day trip (arrive Friday night, leave Sunday late afternoon) to the EWR Hilton in the first week of April and would love to take the opportunity to visit NYC on that Saturday since she and I have never been.

Although I could probably list the subway stops of Boston's T off the top of my head, NYC will be a totally new experience for us (as for anyone visiting for the first time) and it remains our one goal to not be mugged...

I know of AirTrain and its service from EWR to Grand Central Station, but are there any more efficient modes of transportation out there we could take?

We're also unsure of the sights we want to see even with the research we've done. Can anyone recommend a good tour operator we could take that would show us the most essential sights (again, the question of how to get there from the EWR Hilton arises).

Thank you to all for your help in advance!

aloha

there are a couple of competing tour operators with English double decker busses that let you get on and off at different stops. that is probably the way to go. A more expensive option is the Circle cruise line which as a dinner cruise on a boat that circles manhattan. there is also a half cruise of just lower manhattan which is the part you would most want. you can get much of the same effect by taking the Staten Island Ferry for fifty cents or the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Both are at the tip of Manhattan just below Wall Street.

One tip - ask very specific questions about NY. there are too many things to do to get good answers. For example, where can I get good Indian food, who has the best steaks, where to go shopping, what are some places of interest to photographers, etc.

I'll leave you with an unsolicited tip. My favorite bar is called d/b/a's. Its on the edge of the East Villiage on First Ave between 2nd and 3rd streets. This may be the best beer bar in the country. Very eclectic crowd. Its walking distance to Katz's deli, which is a traditional Jewish deli and was featured in the orgasm scene in When Harry met Sally.

1) the Airtrain from EWR -> PATH or NJTransit goes to Penn Station, not Grand Central Station.

2) as the above poster said - please be specific with what youd liek to see, do , eat to get recommendations.

3) Without any hints from you, I say take the AIrtrain from EWR to the PATH, take the PATH downtown to the new WTC stop, walk around down there, and then just start walking up Broadway - stopping by anything and everything that interests you.

If it's a clear day, sunny and all that, then the view from the water would be quote nice, as would the view from the Empire State Building. The half circle line tour is probably the best way to go, you get the narated tour with the trip.

If you are into theatre or classical then there is still time for tickets to a play, opera, or carnegie hall, lincoln center, something like that (all of which could be done in the afternoon too).

If it's sports, the Yankees are at home, tickets may be still available for the afternoon game against Detroit, though maybe not, you may need a scalper.

The Tartan day parade

http://www.pipefest.com/

will be going down 6th ave, nothing like a bunch of men in kilts to start off a vacation. If it ever stops snowing the tulips and forsynitha's should be in full bloom at the Botanical Gardens, and the circus is in town then.

Oh, by the way, you won't get mugged. You watch too much TV

Consider an early morning trip on the hop on/hop off busses to get a feel for everything, then spend your day looking at what you want to do. Consider Chinatown for Dim Sum for lunch and pastry in little Italy (right across the street from one another).

If you are staying at the EWR Hilton I don't believe you need to take the airtrain. They will shuttle you to the newark train station, and from there just take the train into the city. Penn Station is an easy walk to Times Squuare if that is one of your destinations.

Thanks for all your tips. Sorry about the vagueness -- I would have told you folks the same had a vague question been posted on the Hawai'i board

Here are a few more specific questions.

My SO has talked a lot about purchasing fakes (I have no idea why). I've heard this is on Canal Street in Chinatown? Would it be really worth it to get out there or would we be wasting our time (and money)?

I will look into the double decker tour busses online and see what I come up with. And thanks about the reassurance about getting mugged. Two random Hawai'i residents in NYC always seem to be prime targets from all the "stories" I've heard about visitors. We'll look into the option of taking the EWR Hilton shuttle to Newark Train Station.

aloha

Edited to add: Anyone have any experience with the Greyline Tours http://www.graylinenewyork.com/ ?

[This message has been edited by slippahs (edited Mar 21, 2004).]

I want to second the suggestion that if the weather is nice the boat tour around Manhattan from the Circle Line, particularly the shorter half tour is a great introduction to the city. You really get a nice perspective and view from the boat.

As to fakes, Canal Street is definately the place in NY. Is it worth it, thats strictly personal. I can tell you that for most of the last 9 years I have taked a class of people from around the US and many other countries on a tour of NYC on a day off. Canal street is always one of the highlights. Many of the people love the fakes, and they have fake everything. As long as you see something you like, and you like the price, I would say it is worth it. For me one of the most amusing things is to listen to the conversations. Some people apparently feel they have slipped the reality stream and are seriously asking if the $15 Rolex submariner is real. Lots of people wear nothing but fakes, when they wear out they toss them. It does allow people to have a variety they wouldnt otherwise have. There are also some interesting Chinese products for sale as well. I would say it is worth the visit just to look around.

One other suggestion which I realize is terribly cliche, but ride the Staten Island Ferry. Great view of the city and the Statue of Liberty and the best deal in town price-wise. Have fun, and welcome!

[This message has been edited by GadgetFreak (edited Mar 21, 2004).]

On my very first trip to NYC a few years back, I did the Gray Line tour along with the full (3 hour) Circle Line boat tour (there was a combination price). I found the boat trip to be more interesting. If you only have time to do one, do the boat tour. The Gray Line bus is hop on/off so it is nice if you decide you want to get out and see something along the way. The bus is a good orientation to the city.

Keep in mind - it's still pretty friggin cold. Probably colder on the water.

As long as you know they are fakes, and you do because you said so, then they are worth the money.

If you don't know that, and show up to get that $10 watch fixed at the Cartier factory, then no it's not worth it.

Canal street is the place for fakes, around the corner from Chinatown and Little Italy

I wouldnt recommend doing this at home as it were, but I did it once, many years ago when it was a less sensitive issue. In a fit of boredom I took a "Rolex President" into an authorized Rolex dealer for a battery replacement. There was a considerable amount of brow furrowing after which I was asked about the origin of my watch. Why a gift of course, they said they really shouldnt do this but they replaced the battery for $15.


[This message has been edited by GadgetFreak (edited Mar 23, 2004).]

If you are just interested in watches, there used to be guys with suitcases across the street from Bloomies. Better seletion than Chinatown. If you want handbags, scarves, etc., go to Chinatown. I don't like Chinatown becuase its so crowded but its a great place for lunch and is probably a must see. I never found anything there I wanted except for an umbrella when it was raining but check it out.

I think Sheriff Rudi chased the better watch selections to Chinatown. You can buy watches on the street of course, but I havent seen thinks like fake Patek Phillipes and the like on midtown streets for years.

No watch dealers across from Bloomies yesterday.

If you want to see the sights, take the PATH to Penn Station, get out and walk two blocks east and go up to the Observation deck in the Empire State Building. That's all the "sightseeing" you need. Take the rest of the time and just take a walk. Head south on Fifth Avenue and walk downtown, through the Village, SoHo and TriBeCa. You can wind up at the PATH station at the WTC site and head back to NJ from there.

And while I feel I must try to discourage you from seeking out those counterfeit goods, as a good host I have to steer you correctly and tell you that the majority of those peddlers are found where they're likely to find the greatest concentration of tourists -- in Times Square. You might have to look around a bit as they tend to move around a lot (seeing as how what they're doing is, for the most part, illegal) but you'll find them somewhere in this area.

Just to assist with clarification, the PATH goes to 33rd Street, not Penn Station. While it is only a long block away from Penn, you won't see signs for PATH trains going to Penn; you will see signs for 33rd Street.



[This message has been edited by Analise (edited Mar 24, 2004).]