Breakfast suggestions?

Hi

Could you please suggest a decent, cheap breakfast within a 5-10 minute walk of Crowne Plaza Times Square (Broadway %26amp; 49th).

Thanks

Breakfast suggestions?

Edison Cafe, Cranberry Deli.

New York City, DC & Chicago

Hi

We will be visiting the north east in June 2010 for the first time. After the travelling days are taken out of the equation, we will have 11 full days to enjoy. I would love your opinions as to how many days to allocate to each of the 3 cities. We want to do all the major attractions and visit the parks and shopping areas. We have pencilled in NYC 6, DC 3 and Chicago 2. If need be we could maybe add an extra day. Thanks in advance.

New York City, DC %26amp; Chicago

First a disclaimer. I have never been to Chicago, but have heard that it%26#39;s a wonderful city, so long as it%26#39;s not winter. The architecture is truly phenominal. The allocation of days does appear to be right, but I may consider adding another day to Chicago.

You will be able to fill six days in New York quite easily.

New York City, DC %26amp; Chicago

Hi uk300000-

Wow - sounds like a great trip! I have to agree with your choice of number of days for each place - NYC has the most to see and do (I%26#39;ve lived just outside of all three cities - lucky me - and know the sights pretty well). If you%26#39;re going to add a day, add it in DC - the Smithsonian museums alone could take you two days (or more).

Have fun!

Tara

Just returned last night from a wonderful 3 days in Chicago, and I could have easily spent another 2 days.

Having said that, I don%26#39;t think you can take a day from NY or DC (unless museums aren%26#39;t your thing). Can you possibly extend your trip? ;)

Must dos in Chicago

- architecture boat tour

- Art Institute of Chicago

- view from the ladies room in the Signature Lounge in the John Hancock Center

Must dos in NYC:

- Metropolitan Museum of Art

- Greenwich Village walk

- Fifth Ave walk

- Central Park

Must dos in DC:

- Library of Congress tour

- wandering the Memorials

- Smithsonian (choose which interests you)

Hi

Thanks for the replies. Wow this board is really buzzing isn%26#39;t it.

After reading your posts, they have filled me with enthusiasm. We are going to add 2 more days to the trip. That will be NYC 6, DC 4 and Chicago 3. I am sure this will make it much more enjoyable and more leisurely. There is nothing worse than rushing about all the time. This is probably gonna be the most expensive holiday we have ever had, but hell, you only live once.

Thanks again.

Excellent attitude and I can tell you%26#39;re going to have a wonderful trip.

The DEs and other regulars on the Chicago, NYC and DC boards are all very helpful - make sure you use their words of wisdom, should you need any help!

I recommend borrowing or buying guidebooks for the 3 cities, having a read, then posting specific questions here on TA. It%26#39;s the best way to get good info. Vague questions get vague answers. ;)

Enjoy planning - IMO, it%26#39;s half the fun.

Hi uk30000,

We%26#39;ve been to all 3 and you set it up pretty good. Wonderful time of year to visit and have a great time !!

travel in rush hour

we have cut it a bit fine when we leave NYC on 27th as our show ends at 4.30 at the gershwin and flight from newark at 7.30 - staying at flatotel - any suggestions about where to leave our luggage (Penn station/theatre/hotel) for the show so we dont have to go back to hotel and waste time and also fastest way to get to newark at this time of day?

many thanks

travel in rush hour

your playing it very close. you have 2 options, leave it at hotel and take cab from there or try ';schwartz travel servicees'; @43 w 46st, they charge $10.00 per bag 212 290 2626 and fight for a cab post theatre. good luck

travel in rush hour

dont think my first post posted so here goes again!

I dont think you%26#39;ll be able to do this. You have to check in 3 hours before your flight leaves, it%26#39;s an hour to Newark (approx) and you%26#39;re wanting to leave the city in rush hour. Check what time check in closes, if it%26#39;s 6.30 you may just make it but it%26#39;s a risk that I wouldn%26#39;t take (in my opinion)

All I can say is good luck - I doubt you%26#39;ll make it and I dont know where you%26#39;ll be able to leave stuff outside of the hotel -- I%26#39;d visit the theatre in advance and see if there is someone you can bribe to hold the luggage for you or see if you can get tickets for a performance on another night or change your plane reservations.

Agree with ztaks that you should aim for getting tickets for another performance of Wicked, or ditch the idea altogether %26amp; see it in London. It%26#39;s not as if you%26#39;ll be out the door of the Gershwin Theatre at 4:30 even if the running time is precisely 2.5 hours.

But if you%26#39;re intent on trying to accomplish this, leave your luggage at your hotel: it%26#39;s much closer to the Gershwin Theatre than Schwartz%26#39;s Travel Services. And I would travel by train from Penn Station to EWR rather than go by cab in the thick of rush hour traffic.

I agree that I don%26#39;t think this is doable.

However, if you must try, I agree with CC that taking the train from Penn Station will save you time. Don%26#39;t try to take a cab to Newark in rush hour - it will take longer than 60 minutes.

thanks everyone - really helpful, i think i will a)try to change theatre tickets and if not b) leave bags at hotel and run from theatre (how long will that take!!) to pick them up - another thought - could we leave them at penn station in a locker or something so we can go straight there?

Do we really have to check in 3 hours before flight - seems a long time?

thanks again

jan

For international flights, 3 hours is recommended by most airlines, but I find 2 hours is usually fine. That said, it only leaves you 1 hour to get to Newark - so train is your best bet.

There are no lockers at Penn Station but there is a Schwartz location nearby on 36th St, so you could leave your bags there prior to the show, to save you going back to the hotel:

http://www.schwartztravel.com/

There are no lockers at Penn Station; Schwartz%26#39;s is the closest, and only, luggage storage service.

You%26#39;ll be fortunate to arrive at Continental%26#39;s EWR terminal before 6:30, even by train since you have to make your way out of the theatre, go to the Flatotel, grab your luggage %26amp; get to Penn Station and buy your tix (although you could purchase those upon your arrival) before you even get on a train.

Frankly, I wouldn%26#39;t risk it.

jan - YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO THIS - do you understand that??

You have been given this information by several posters who are quite knowledgeable however you still are thinking of trying to do this.

Please reconsider and get tickets for another performance or sell the tickets outright.

You came here for advice - please take it!

Thanks again everyone, ive just called the gershwin and they may be able to swop tickets - though if not we may leave the show a little early and leave bags in hotel loby, ask cab to wait whilst we collect them and hopefully get to penn station in good time - how long will it take to get from flatotel to penn at 4.30?

THANK YOU ALL

Get from Port Authority Bus Station to Rockefeller Center

At 10 pm what is the best way to get from port authority to rockefeller center???

Please help!

Walking directions would be greatly appreciated!!

Get from Port Authority Bus Station to Rockefeller Center

If you have luggage with you, I would suggest the taxi%26#39;s right outside the Port Authority Terminal. They have someone outside to call one for you, very easy. Hopstop.com can give you walking directions but personally I would just get the cab, especially if I had luggage with me. If not and it was a nice night, I wouldn%26#39;t mind the walk.

Get from Port Authority Bus Station to Rockefeller Center

Where in Rockefeller Center are you going? It isn%26#39;t as if ';Ropckefeller Center'; were one address; the term refers to a complex of about two dozen buildings spread over all or parts of eight city blocks.

Pick up from the airport

Can anyone recommend a good pick up service from JFK to midtown?

Pick up from the airport

We%26#39;ve just booked the same trip with Strussers (www.strusserslimousineservice.com/index.php) for $129, waiting time, toll and tip included.

Pick up from the airport

you could just hop in a taxi - $60 inc toll and tip ($45 flat fee to anywhere in Manhattan). I%26#39;ve never had to wait for one (go straight outside the terminal to the taxi booth do not accept lifts from anyone offering to get you there cheaper.

';I%26#39;ve never had to wait for one';

Then you%26#39;re lucky.

Last year we only had to wait around 30 mins, as we got off the plane and through immigration quickly.

As we got in the cab, the queue was massive.

This year, we%26#39;re getting a car with %26#39;meet and greet%26#39; so there%26#39;s little or no waiting.

Dial 7 are doing an offer of $40 JFK to midtown

RazzaVictoria,

My husband uses Vital Transportation (www.govital.com). He is with a major consulting firm and a lot of guys use them. We have always had great service and they are prompt. I have used them quite a bit from LGA to Midtown East. They charge more to meet you at baggage claim. I usually meet mine outside, they have a number in the passenger window so you know that is your car.

I recommend using a car service over a Taxi, especially if you are a woman and at night. Plus usually when I fly into LGA there is usually a long wait for Taxis. Not sure about JFK.

With all due respect a cab is a much better option for a woman alone than a car service. Cabs are regulated and insured. Black car drivers are often independent contractors. As a savvy woman traveler, I do all I can do to avoid being alone in a car with a strange man. In fact, I will opt for the subway over a car/cab when at all possible.

Delta seems to be the worst - at LGA and Kennedy for waits. In November I waited over an hour for a cab at Delta at JFK. the driver told me the lot was full of cabs but the dispatcher never called to tell them there was a line. So, at 1am on Monday I begged the dispatcher by Delta at LGA to call the lot for more cabs and he ignored me. ';Only'; took 40 minutes for a line of 20 people to get cabs... I should have just taken a bus to the subway.

Evening,

Your post has me worried. I had intended to go with Dial 7 for pick up. Last year I used a shuttle service, and was the last one dropped off. The total trip took two hours. You think a cab would be safer?

I think Dial7 is perfectly safe and would use them without any concern.

I think Dial7 is perfectly safe and would use them without any concern.

I don%26#39;t think anyone needs to be worried about safety in a cab/car service/shuttle, even if you%26#39;re alone with the driver or the last person dropped off. I can%26#39;t imagine going through life being afraid of every single person you encounter, and it%26#39;s certainly not going to make for a pleasant vacation.

channel

help me make final decision

Hi,

It is time for us to make a final decision on hotels from June 15 to June 20. Should we split our time with 3 days at doubletree suites times square and 2 days at embassy suites or stay five nights at embassy suites?

The prices are as follows. 3 days doubletree (296 without breakfast), 2 nights embassy (159) per nite.

or the five days at embassy (260 for 3 nites, then 159 for two nites) this includes breakfast.

My kids really wanted to stay in Times Square but is it worth the extra money?

Thanks for the input

help me make final decision

I would save the money and stay at Embassy Suites. But then, I would absolutely Hate staying in Times Square. I think it%26#39;s a great place for a tourist to visit and spend some time in, but it is always so busy, it isn%26#39;t a nice area to be in every single day!

help me make final decision

Thanks for your opinion. I was thinking that it would be a hassle to be switching hotels in the middle of a trip. Time that could be better spent seeing the sites. Agree?

I would not pay $300/night to stay at the Doubletree Suites. It%26#39;s just not that special. But to only have the option of the Embassy Suites is a bit extreme since it%26#39;s so far downtown. There are other hotels in midtown that would give you 3 beds. The Blakely Hotel is close Times Square and has a 1 bedroom suite that includes breakfast for $291/night plus tax.

blakelyny.com

The Buckingham isn%26#39;t grand but has large suites and is $163/night on quikbook for a 1 bedroom suite. The Eastgate Tower is $206 also on quikbook for a 1 bedroom suite. The Kimberly is $249 for a 1 bedroom suite. These are all in easy walk to Times Square. Whether to split the stay is up to you.

Speaking as a tourist I personally would not like to stay in Times Square. It is good to go and see but very crowded and noisey. I dont think it is worth the extra money. You do not need to stay there to enjoy yourselves.

The Doubletree suites is actually at 47th street and seventh avenue,not on Broadway so could be less crowded.The reviews are good for this hotel.You do not hear the noise from the street so do not let that be a factor in choosing a hotel.

We are thinking 3 nights at doubletree suites and the last 2 nites at either un millenium plaza with breakfast for 179 or marriott brooklyn bridge with breakfast for 145 or marriott courtyard laguardia for 110 per nite.

Im thinking the embassy suites is too far on the other side of town since we are going to a mets game on Friday nite. Which of the 3 hotels mentioned above would be most convenient to going to the game and within a reasonable distance to attractions.

What do you think?

Thanks.

I would go for the Buckingham-a suite is great for a family,even for the children to chill and watch disney channel at the end of a busy day and you cn relax/drink

I don%26#39;t know if I could be bothered moving again but I can see the appeal.

I%26#39;m thinking that someone who thinks the Embassy Suites in lower Manhattan is too distant for sightseeing purposes shouldn%26#39;t be considering the Courtyard out by LaGuardia Airport :-) Or a hotel in Brooklyn... which is not served by the #7 subway train you%26#39;d take to the Mets game (although you can make the transfer at Grand Central easily enought)

Madonna711,

A subway map may help.

http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

I agree with CC. You need to look at a map.

maps.google.com

If the Embassy Suites is too far how could you even think of staying in Brooklyn? I don%26#39;t think you have a good grasp of the distances or the lay of the land. Also, if you need 3 beds, how will you get that at the Mill. UN PLaza?

The Blakely hotel is far far nicer than the Doubletree and includes breakfast and is only about 4-5 blocks away.

If you%26#39;re going to change hotels, I%26#39;d do the Blakely and the Mill UN Plaza (if you can get a sleeping arrangement that works for you).

zits

Suggestions-- Broadway show to see?

We%26#39;re looking for a Broadway show to go to that is priced under $80/person on Wednesday, July 1. We want to see something upbeat.

Have found $57/person tickets to:

In the Heights

9 to 5

Avenue Q

Guys and Dolls

Mary Stuart

Shrek

The Morman Conquests

Waiting for Godot

39 Steps

August:Osage County

Have you seen any of these? Which would be a good choice?

Suggestions-- Broadway show to see?

In the Heights would be my choice. Avenue Q is very funny, though a bit risque.

Waiting for Godot and August Osage County are the opposite of upbeat.

Suggestions-- Broadway show to see?

I agree with Crans on all counts. I would add 9 to 5 as an optiopn if you saw the movie and liked it. It%26#39;s not as good as the other 2 but a fun time and a good girlfriend show. I really hated 39 STeps.

Thanks to both of you for the suggestions!

It%26#39;s at the Richard Rodgers Theatre and Seats Orch. S 109/110 are avaialbe for $57 +';fees';.

Is that a good price for good seats?

Avenue Q is indeed risque, and is not for those who are squeemish about simulated muppet sex, jokes about internet porn, racism, or Gary Coleman. For those others, it is the funniest show on Broadway. You%26#39;ll bust a gut laughing.

I just got this in an email today from broadwaybox

www.broadwayonthefourth.com/bwaybox.html

You have a choice of 10 shows for $59.00 each from June 29-July 10. Some of the shows you have listed are available. Good luck.

Sorry! I misread your original post. You have better prices.

And I just got an e-mail from Theatermania announcing special discounts on City Center%26#39;s Encores production of The Wiz, which would put it comfortably within your budget: even the very best seats in the Orchestra (easiest for your friend) at the July 1 matinee would be no more than $66.

tenorct -- maybe this is of interest to you too?

More info here; you%26#39;ll have to ';join'; Theatermania to see the discount code [I%26#39;m not seeing this special offer anywhere else] but all they require is your e-mail address, which they don%26#39;t pass along to anyone else:

theatermania.com/off-broadway/鈥?/a>

See this thread where I extolled the wonders of an Encores! production

tripadvisor.com/鈥?7361602

Thanks for thinking of me CC. I got this notification as well. Unfortunately, the date offerings aren%26#39;t good for my plans. Thanks anyway.

joby01-

That is a great price for these shows. I have seen In the Heights and Ave. Q. Both are terrific. Consider Guys and Dolls as well.

I think we%26#39;re going to take the plunge and get tickets for ';In the Heights';.

I love dance, my friend not as much, we want upbeat, a musical will be great and it apperas that the seats are row S Orch. 109/110 for $57 + fees.

Any other comments before I take the plunge :-) ???

You won%26#39;t be dissapointed with In the Heights

Pep