At the nominated time we took off on foot to find a vantage point, being in NY we just HAD to make the effort on such an important date. After many mistrials, finding streets blocked by the police, we settled for 1st Ave and 49th St, where we saw 20 of the 30 minute show - WOW !!!!, the noise, the colour, the crowd - all fantastic, and we were there.
We went to the Empire State Building to view the ship in port, at a distance, and see the skyline. Do book your tickets online and have them sent to your home or hotel - the queues for the observation levels are H U G E, we went at 9.00am [first ticket sales at 9.30]and the queue was way long - they open the decks at 8.30 for those with tickets already, so we got the observation platforms to our selves [well maybe 5 others]- no crushed lifts, no smelly/sweaty waiting in long hallways etc. Buy your tickets online, it is worth the surcharge; http://www.esbnyc.org/
Most [big] stores in NY don't open until 10am, but trade late to 8pm.
Statue of Liberty - Queues - Way Long - get the 1st ferry or forget it. Beware, one line is for the observation deck at base of feet, wait about an hour, the other is for the crown - way longer line -up to 3+ hours, and once you're in the spiral stairs, no bathrooms, little fresh air - it can smell man!!!, and no way to exit/this is no Disney ride.
Take the base line unless you NEED to do the crown - you have been warned.
The Flame deck is no longer open.
Check you are in the right line, some staff say use either - this is not true unless you can climb over a police crush barrier.
Take only what you MUST, the security check-in is strict, long delays due to tons of hand-baggage. Know where your metal items are and strip them off ready for the handover trays.
McDonalds at Broadway and Wall St.- you'll love it - do go - it's a 5 star McDonalds; doorman, piano player, plush decor, placemats, table flowers etc, all at regular Big Mac prices.
Limo from the airport; why not. If this is a special trip, why not go that extra $100 bucks, as a surprise for your lady. A taxi is about $40-60 and can take an hour, if you have just come into NY on Concorde HOW can you put your lady in a yellow cab???, preorder a 10 super-stretch, about $160, and have that hour in sheer luxury and style. Those heads still turn, even in NY as you draw up at your hotel - go on, you'll spend the same on luggage tipping !!!
Hotels - don't take a package - NY has millions of hotel rooms, all wanting your buck. Just fax/call the front desk manager, not the hotels 800 central number, the day before you travel, same day if possible, and do a deal [unless it is a holiday you will get a good deal], so perhaps that Mini Suite at The Plaza or Waldorf is possible - the Front Desk manager does the best deals - he has to fill the hotel, and on 'same day' he is willing to give better rooms at very good discounts - it is possible to get a good room at a premier site on same day, as a regular room at Holiday Inn style on-line / early booking / 800 number.
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