US help.

[Nuggette]

Hello all,
my gf and I are traveling to NYC in Sept for 2 weeks, and have not been to the states before
Tentatively, we want to (1) check out NYC, (2) visit Niagara Falls, (3) Outlet shopping, (4) visit the Harry Potter USS at Orlando

Do you guys think the above is doable?
If so, any suggested itinerary + mode of transport we can take?
I can drive but think flying can save more time right?

Am thinking if a budget of 2.5k each (excludes shopping, flight). is that enough?

 

[cormet]

Hello all,
my gf and I are traveling to NYC in Sept for 2 weeks, and have not been to the states before
Tentatively, we want to (1) check out NYC, (2) visit Niagara Falls, (3) Outlet shopping, (4) visit the Harry Potter USS at Orlando

Do you guys think the above is doable?
If so, any suggested itinerary + mode of transport we can take?
I can drive but think flying can save more time right?

Am thinking if a budget of 2.5k each (excludes shopping, flight). is that enough?

If you visit Orlando, I doubt you'll only visit Harry Potter World. With 2 Universals and 4 Disneys, I think you can spend at least a good 3-5 days there. The outlets are also more accessible in Orlando compared to Woodbury (NYC). So if you add in shopping to the mix, you'll probably spend a week in Orlando.

You can fly to Orlando from NY and then rent a car in Orlando.

NYC has tonnes of stuff to explore on its own. Niagara Falls can be a long day trip but it'll be best if you spend a night there since you travelled all the way. Skip Niagara if you can and leave if for when you visit Toronto, but if you don't think you'll be back any time soon, I think the falls are a magnificent sight and worth the travelling.

 

[paul02]

OK, I'm gonna go off on a bit of a rant here.

Everyone reading this thread, pay attention: if you want hotel recommendations, or restaurant recommendations, YOU NEED TO GIVE A PRICE RANGE. We can't help you if we don't know whether you want a Westin or a Holiday Inn.

*truncated*

Would totally want you to be my tour guide (if you're living there).

I heard of Apple Greeters, nice to know people volunteer to be guides.

 

[patryn33]

Hello all,
my gf and I are traveling to NYC in Sept for 2 weeks, and have not been to the states before
Tentatively, we want to (1) check out NYC, (2) visit Niagara Falls, (3) Outlet shopping, (4) visit the Harry Potter USS at Orlando

Do you guys think the above is doable?
If so, any suggested itinerary + mode of transport we can take?
I can drive but think flying can save more time right?

Am thinking if a budget of 2.5k each (excludes shopping, flight). is that enough?

2 weeks trip.. Factor in traveling times u have like 12-13 days tops.

Usd$2k budget each for hotel, food, flight

U go all the way to Orlando just to see USS Harry potter? No disney or other sights?
JetBlue flights round trip cost usd$250 during weekdays, 1st bag free check in, additional bag usd$50.

NYC to Niagara flights is like usd$200+ check bags extra.
That budget is sufficent.

Sept book B&B in Niagara pretty cheap. Rent a car a day to tour the vineyard.

If u into whisky, and u are Niagara after sept 26th go reserve a limited edition bottle of whiskey (pick a num) It's hard to find these outside North America.
https://krlrds.com/secure/NumbersReservation/NewLimitedRelease_2014.aspx
http://therumhowlerblog.wordpress.com/2014/05/10/forty-creek-evolution/comment-page-1/

 

[patryn33]

Thanks!
The plaza is good. With that budget, I will like to check out Casablanca. : )
My budget is ~S$200/nite. ( no bunk please) as I will be out most of the time, a decent @accessible location is key.
Just narrow a few - Best Western, Out Ny, Edison...

I like your suggestion on checking out Soho.
Is it worth going up the crown of liberty? Seems there will be long q and might need take too much time.
Any comment on the Gray Lines?

Best western standard dropping. Stayed at best western plus and it's not as good as residence inn

 

[Shiny Things]

Thanks!
My budget is ~S$200/nite. ( no bunk please) as I will be out most of the time, a decent

That still doesn't get you a lot: NYC is expensive, yo. But at your price range, the Wyndham Garden Chinatown looks good: Chinatown's not particularly nice, but the hotel's a solid 3.5-star, and it's close to the subway and it's close to all the trendy bits of town like Soho and Tribeca.

Also really we need a rough idea of dates. Hotels can swing by a factor of 2x between weekdays and weekends, or between popular dates and unpopular dates. I priced yours based on 7 nights in mid-July.

I like your suggestion on checking out Soho.
Is it worth going up the crown of liberty? Seems there will be long q and might need take too much time.
Any comment on the Gray Lines?

No idea about the Gray Lines, but it sounds a bit touristy and bleah.

Skip the crown. It'll take up an entire day. Not worth it. Go over to the island, or even just around it, snap some photos, take in the vibe, then head back to Manhattan.

 

[Telur17]

i heard yotel at times square is not too bad. Times Square Hotel Deals | Manhattan Hotel Offers | YOTEL New York

 

[patryn33]

i heard yotel at times square is not too bad. Times Square Hotel Deals | Manhattan Hotel Offers | YOTEL New York

Living in metro NYC, u can be a guide. Lol

 

[patryn33]

Would totally want you to be my tour guide (if you're living there).

I heard of Apple Greeters, nice to know people volunteer to be guides.

Iirc shiny things is based in metro San Fran,...
If u go big apple u will have to pay him nice air fare and lodging to be your guide

 

[Telur17]

Living in metro NYC, u can be a guide. Lol

i can point out some sights but don't stay in the hotels so donno which is reasonably priced and good. I've heard recommendations of BnBs too but was not recommended any specific one

 

[genie47]

Know Before You Go: All the Airline Fees by Carrier

Good to know when you are flying around in the US. I love Southwest after flying with them twice.

 

[Ari~ko]

That still doesn't get you a lot: NYC is expensive, yo. But at your price range, the Wyndham Garden Chinatown looks good: Chinatown's not particularly nice, but the hotel's a solid 3.5-star, and it's close to the subway and it's close to all the trendy bits of town like Soho and Tribeca.

Also really we need a rough idea of dates. Hotels can swing by a factor of 2x between weekdays and weekends, or between popular dates and unpopular dates. I priced yours based on 7 nights in mid-July.



No idea about the Gray Lines, but it sounds a bit touristy and bleah.

Skip the crown. It'll take up an entire day. Not worth it. Go over to the island, or even just around it, snap some photos, take in the vibe, then head back to Manhattan.

Cool! Thanks

 

[patryn33]

i can point out some sights but don't stay in the hotels so donno which is reasonably priced and good. I've heard recommendations of BnBs too but was not recommended any specific one

local travel guide don't do hotel haha... usually just sights and getting around.. where to makan.

hotel rates changes so freq... easier to use kayak or what

 

[Telur17]

local travel guide don't do hotel haha... usually just sights and getting around.. where to makan.

hotel rates changes so freq... easier to use kayak or what

get around v easy with metro card. makan depends on person. some must go try 5star restaurants, some happy with street food. $1 pizza good n filling. hotel oso depends on area. if really want to save $, can always book a hotel in NJ or further up in queens.

 

[Telur17]

this offer sounds ok. but donno the dates they are travelling to NY

The Manhattan At Times Square Hotel Deal of the Day | Groupon

 

[Shiny Things]

this offer sounds ok. but donno the dates they are travelling to NY

Doesn't get a lot of love on TripAdvisor though.

 

[patryn33]

iirc with sgd$200 (after tax) hard to find a place with lots of love in NYC.
expectations very subjective.. ppl reviewed my best western plus to be decent on such site and I gave it a below avg.

 

[Telur17]

Doesn't get a lot of love on TripAdvisor though.

everyone has different expectations mah. They might not be able to afford the ones ranked near the top. I know I can't afford those hotels.

actually, if they don't have a specific hotel chain in mind, can try sites like priceline and hotwire. The name your own price hotels can get v good deals.

Or can consider staying in LIC. About 1 or 2 train stops depending on hotel away from Midtown. V convenient. http://www.priceline.com/hotel/sear...&hotelBrand=-1&hotelName=-1&updateHotelList=Y

 

[Shiny Things]

FUN FACT: the entire island of Singapore basically fits into the Grand Canyon.

This has been another Shiny Things Special.

 

[stu4rt86]

hi guys. i just came back from US.

I am selling my AT&T sim card. it cost 69.90 usd there. i only used it for a week, should have more than 1GB data inside.

Am looking to sell it at 25sgd. anyone interested? PM me for details