US help.

[cormet]

Sounds good alright! Hope TKTS has a good deal on this show.

Also, do you guys carry cash? Or would it be safer to use credit card?

If I use credit card, how much does bank charge?

If I dine-in, how do I tip if I pay via credit card?

You fill in the amount you want to tip and then they charge the total amount.

I used to have cash preference but now that I've got some good CCs for overseas spending, I would probably go the CC route but it's your preference. If you're concerned about safety, I'm female and travelled to some parts of US alone and was always safe! Take the usual precautions to avoid becoming a target

 

[lcpteck]

SPG hotels in Washington DC is damn expensive man... I plan to go in March...

 

[Shiny Things]

SPG hotels in Washington DC is damn expensive man... I plan to go in March...

SPG's always a bit on the pricey side, unfortunately. I love 'em too but they're not cheap (and they don't have the network of little freeway-side Hamptons or Holiday Inns that Hilton/IHG have).

So on the one hand, it's not cheap to get status there. On the other hand, the Westin Maui...

 

[fone]

SPG hotels in Washington DC is damn expensive man... I plan to go in March...

DC hotels are never cheap, especially if you are looking at downtown / near town ones. IAD airport ones are quite cheap though. I've stayed on the cheapo hotels near downtown, which costs more per night than two nights at Hyatt at the airport.

 

[lcpteck]

SPG's always a bit on the pricey side, unfortunately. I love 'em too but they're not cheap (and they don't have the network of little freeway-side Hamptons or Holiday Inns that Hilton/IHG have).

So on the one hand, it's not cheap to get status there. On the other hand, the Westin Maui...

DC hotels are never cheap, especially if you are looking at downtown / near town ones. IAD airport ones are quite cheap though. I've stayed on the cheapo hotels near downtown, which costs more per night than two nights at Hyatt at the airport.

Thanks for the insight guys.

So far I managed to find a nice BRG rate for 1 night in Westin Georgetown for US$130. Still looking at other hotels for another 2-3 nights stay (will stay in same hotel for convenience).

Yeah the airport hotels are going for less than US$100 for weekends.

 

[xtwis7]

DC hotels are never cheap, especially if you are looking at downtown / near town ones. IAD airport ones are quite cheap though. I've stayed on the cheapo hotels near downtown, which costs more per night than two nights at Hyatt at the airport.

I stayed at this doubletree Hilton in Arlington which was quite near the train station. A reasonable travel time to Downtown DC as well. Plus, you get the legendary cookie upon check-in.

 

[Telur17]

Thanks for the insight guys.

So far I managed to find a nice BRG rate for 1 night in Westin Georgetown for US$130. Still looking at other hotels for another 2-3 nights stay (will stay in same hotel for convenience).

Yeah the airport hotels are going for less than US$100 for weekends.

i got a rate of 90 per nite via hotwire for phoenix park hotel in Washington during the peak sakura season. The hotel is v convenient to the major sights and is walking distance from the museums and the eastern market. room is a bit small though. the restaurant attached to the hotel is not too bad too. in case you want to try a hotel that's not part of a chain.

Phoenix Park Hotel in Washington, DC - Washington, DC Hotels

 

[Telur17]

Anyway guys here’s my updated Itinerary!

Day 1 : 28/9
- (morning) St Patrick's Cathedral
- (afternoon) The Museum of Modern Art
- (night) Top of the Rock Observation Deck

Day 2 : 29/9
- (morning) Times Square
- (afternoon) Theater District *TKTS
- (afternoon) Majestic Theatre *if I can get Phantom...
- (night)

Day 3 : 30/9
- (morning) Intrepid Museum
- (afternoon) Century 21 Department Store
- (night)

Day 4 : 1/10
- (morning) Central Park
- (afternoon) American Museum of Natural History
- (night)

Day 5 : 2/10
- (morning)
- (afternoon) The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- (night) The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Day 6 : 3/10
- (morning) High line
- (afternoon) High line
- (night)

Day 7 : 4/10
- (morning) 9/11 Memorial
- (afternoon) Statue of Liberty Ellis Island
- (night)

Day 8 : 5/10
- (morning) Empire State Building
- (afternoon)
- (night) Empire State Building

Day 9 : 6/10
- (morning)
- (afternoon)
- (night)

Day 10 : 7/10
- (morning)
- (afternoon)
- (night)

day 2 - not sure what day it is but its best to go early to q if you want good n cheap tix. matinees are normally cheaper. https://www.tdf.org/nyc/8/Locations--Hours--TKTS-Discount-Broadway-Ticket-Booths.

times sq nothing much to do actually. donno what you are going to do in between its walkable from times sq to grand central, bryant park, central park, etc though

day 6 - high line is v nice but don't think it'll take up your whole day. maybe half a day max. you might want to combine it with exploration of the 2 ends. starts around hells kitchen/times sq and ends near union sq. if its mon, wed, fri or sat, there's normally a really nice farmers market at union sq. best to go on fri or sat when there are more stalls.

day 7 - remember to book your tix in advance for the memorial

day 8 - what are you going to do in between the trips up empire state building? shopping at herald sq? empire state building is near macy's and I think you were interested in that? look for the wooden escalators inside it. you can also go to their visitor centre and get a card for extra discounts. http://www1.macys.com/store/about/visitor/index.jsp

 

[paul02]

Matilda also has many rave reviews and requires advanced booking.

I caught Once, not bad, good music. I try to watch the ones that have not/rarely travel, since I might be able to watch those in Singapore.

Phantom is always excellent if you've never seen it. I've seen it 3 times around the world and it's always good.

1 of my trips to NY, I also stayed in NJ (Westin Newport), no problems with the metro card or travelling wise, but after midnight the train frequency drops to about every half-hourly if I remember.

You also have to try the halal chicken rice, pretty interesting and looooonnnggg queues, not really that outstanding but it's just different from our chicken rice!

Halal food ain't my thing but I don't mind. What prices are we looking at here?

You fill in the amount you want to tip and then they charge the total amount.

I used to have cash preference but now that I've got some good CCs for overseas spending, I would probably go the CC route but it's your preference. If you're concerned about safety, I'm female and travelled to some parts of US alone and was always safe! Take the usual precautions to avoid becoming a target

I am still a servant of the nation; don't have a credit card but a debit card. Wonder how much should I carry with me around everyday (say food and drinks on average)?

What usual precautions? I'm not one to flaunt my possessions but what else?

day 2 - not sure what day it is but its best to go early to q if you want good n cheap tix. matinees are normally cheaper. https://www.tdf.org/nyc/8/Locations--Hours--TKTS-Discount-Broadway-Ticket-Booths.

times sq nothing much to do actually. donno what you are going to do in between its walkable from times sq to grand central, bryant park, central park, etc though

day 6 - high line is v nice but don't think it'll take up your whole day. maybe half a day max. you might want to combine it with exploration of the 2 ends. starts around hells kitchen/times sq and ends near union sq. if its mon, wed, fri or sat, there's normally a really nice farmers market at union sq. best to go on fri or sat when there are more stalls.

day 7 - remember to book your tix in advance for the memorial

day 8 - what are you going to do in between the trips up empire state building? shopping at herald sq? empire state building is near macy's and I think you were interested in that? look for the wooden escalators inside it. you can also go to their visitor centre and get a card for extra discounts. http://www1.macys.com/store/about/visitor/index.jsp

Been waiting to hear from you Telur17! Hope you’d be free one day to maybe take me around?

With regards to, “Day 2”. How early should I go? 8-9am?
As for Times Square, should I then go to Grand Central and Bryant Park/Central park?

With regards to, “Day 6”. Are you able to give me a better representation of how to spend the day (i.e start with xxx then go yyy then…)?

With regards to, “Day 7”. How ‘advanced’ are we looking at here. I assumed it was free entry.

With regards to, “Day 8”. I’ve no idea but I guess I could follow your suggestion with shopping at Herald Square (where is that!) or Macy’s (seems closer/easier to locate).

If I did Macy’s, I guess it would just be an eye-opener as someone else suggested Century 21 for better deals on clothing.



Feel free to add whatever you think could help with my itinerary because I am quite lost as what to do next. If you’re free, maybe you could accompany me!

Should add visit to Rockefeller Center too right? Do some Ice-skating?

 

[Telur17]

Halal food ain't my thing but I don't mind. What prices are we looking at here?



I am still a servant of the nation; don't have a credit card but a debit card. Wonder how much should I carry with me around everyday (say food and drinks on average)?

What usual precautions? I'm not one to flaunt my possessions but what else?



Been waiting to hear from you Telur17! Hope you’d be free one day to maybe take me around?

With regards to, “Day 2”. How early should I go? 8-9am?
As for Times Square, should I then go to Grand Central and Bryant Park/Central park?

With regards to, “Day 6”. Are you able to give me a better representation of how to spend the day (i.e start with xxx then go yyy then…)?

With regards to, “Day 7”. How ‘advanced’ are we looking at here. I assumed it was free entry.

With regards to, “Day 8”. I’ve no idea but I guess I could follow your suggestion with shopping at Herald Square (where is that!) or Macy’s (seems closer/easier to locate).

If I did Macy’s, I guess it would just be an eye-opener as someone else suggested Century 21 for better deals on clothing.



Feel free to add whatever you think could help with my itinerary because I am quite lost as what to do next. If you’re free, maybe you could accompany me!

Should add visit to Rockefeller Center too right? Do some Ice-skating?

the halal chicken rice is different from what we have in sg. Trini Pak is one of the better food carts that sells it. Trini Paki Boys Cart | Midtown Lunch - Finding Lunch in the Food Wasteland of NYC's Midtown Manhattan depending on size of your order, shouldn't cost more than $10

day 2 - check the opening hours of tkts for the day you are going down and try to reach around opening hour. i pasted the link in the other post le.

day 6 - I am not sure which access point you are starting from so can't really advice. they have quite a few points from which you can go up to it. Plan Your Visit | Friends of the High Line

day 7 - google is your friend. You need to pay for the tickets unless you are going on tues nites. but still need to reserve tix. http://www.911memorial.org/visit-911-memorial-museum

day 8 - "Herald Square is formed by the intersection of Broadway, Sixth Avenue (officially named Avenue of the Americas) and 34th Street in the borough of Manhattan in New York City" basically a shopping area that includes macy's and is v near to empire state building Herald Square - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia korea town is also close to it if you want to try to look for food there.

Rockefeller will only open for ice skating in mid -oct The Rink at Rockefeller Center

 

[Shiny Things]

I am still a servant of the nation; don't have a credit card but a debit card. Wonder how much should I carry with me around everyday (say food and drinks on average)?

What usual precautions? I'm not one to flaunt my possessions but what else?

Keep $50-$100 on you in cash (in twenties - a lot of shops won't take $100 bills); that'll be plenty. And "don't flaunt your possessions" is basically the usual precautions. You sound sensible; you'll be fine.

 

[lcpteck]

i got a rate of 90 per nite via hotwire for phoenix park hotel in Washington during the peak sakura season. The hotel is v convenient to the major sights and is walking distance from the museums and the eastern market. room is a bit small though. the restaurant attached to the hotel is not too bad too. in case you want to try a hotel that's not part of a chain.

Phoenix Park Hotel in Washington, DC - Washington, DC Hotels

Thanks for the heads up.

Will look for alternative arrangements if I can't find a good/reasonable rate at SPG chain. Need to re-qualify Platinum status starting 2015...

 

[paul02]

the halal chicken rice is different from what we have in sg. Trini Pak is one of the better food carts that sells it. Trini Paki Boys Cart | Midtown Lunch - Finding Lunch in the Food Wasteland of NYC's Midtown Manhattan depending on size of your order, shouldn't cost more than $10

day 2 - check the opening hours of tkts for the day you are going down and try to reach around opening hour. i pasted the link in the other post le.

day 6 - I am not sure which access point you are starting from so can't really advice. they have quite a few points from which you can go up to it. Plan Your Visit | Friends of the High Line

day 7 - google is your friend. You need to pay for the tickets unless you are going on tues nites. but still need to reserve tix. http://www.911memorial.org/visit-911-memorial-museum

day 8 - "Herald Square is formed by the intersection of Broadway, Sixth Avenue (officially named Avenue of the Americas) and 34th Street in the borough of Manhattan in New York City" basically a shopping area that includes macy's and is v near to empire state building Herald Square - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia korea town is also close to it if you want to try to look for food there.

Rockefeller will only open for ice skating in mid -oct The Rink at Rockefeller Center

Updated! Take a look!

Itinerary

Day 1 (Sunday, 28th Sep 14)
- (morning) St Patrick's Cathedral
- (afternoon) The Museum of Modern Art
- (night) Top of the Rock Observation Deck

Day 2 (Monday, 29th Sep 14)
- (morning) Times Square
- (afternoon) Grand Central
- (afternoon) Bryant Park
- (night) Times Square

Day 3 (Tuesday, 30th Sep 14)
- (morning) Intrepid Museum
- (afternoon) Century 21 Department Store
- (night)

Day 4 (Wednesday, 1st Oct 14)
- (morning) Theater District *TKTS
- (afternoon) American Museum of Natural History
- (night) New World Stages *Avenue Q

Day 5 (Thursday, 2nd Oct 14)
- (morning)
- (afternoon) The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- (night) The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Day 6 (Friday, 3rd Oct 14)
- (morning) High line
- (afternoon) Hells Kitchen
- (night)

Day 7 (Saturday, 4th Oct 14)
- (morning)
- (afternoon) Statue of Liberty Ellis Island
- (night)

Day 8 (Sunday, 5th Oct 14)
- (morning) St Patrick's Cathedral
- (afternoon)Empire State Building - Herald Square - Macy's
- (night)

Day 9 (Monday, 6th Oct 14)
- (morning) Central Park
- (afternoon) Central Park
- (night) <insert suggestion here>

Day 10 (Tuesday, 7th Oct 14)
- (morning) <insert suggestion here>
- (afternoon) 9/11 Memorial *5pm-9pm
- (night)

Subsistence
Peter Luger : 178 Broadway, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11211
(if you like steaks)

Minetta Tavern : 113 Macdougal St, New York, NY 10012
(if you like beef burgers)

Luke's lobsters : UE, UW Side
(for $20 lobster roll sets)

Katz's Delicatessen : 205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002, United States
(pastrami sandwiches)

Clinton St. Baking Company : 4 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002, United States
(wild blueberry pancakes with warm maple butter)

The Trini Paki Boys : Avenue of the Americas & W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036
(halal chicken rice)

Keep $50-$100 on you in cash (in twenties - a lot of shops won't take $100 bills); that'll be plenty. And "don't flaunt your possessions" is basically the usual precautions. You sound sensible; you'll be fine.

Noted! Check your PM!

 

[Telur17]

Updated! Take a look!

Itinerary

Day 1 (Sunday, 28th Sep 14)
- (morning) St Patrick's Cathedral
- (afternoon) The Museum of Modern Art
- (night) Top of the Rock Observation Deck

Day 2 (Monday, 29th Sep 14)
- (morning) Times Square
- (afternoon) Grand Central
- (afternoon) Bryant Park
- (night) Times Square

Day 3 (Tuesday, 30th Sep 14)
- (morning) Intrepid Museum
- (afternoon) Century 21 Department Store
- (night)

Day 4 (Wednesday, 1st Oct 14)
- (morning) Theater District *TKTS
- (afternoon) American Museum of Natural History
- (night) New World Stages *Avenue Q

Day 5 (Thursday, 2nd Oct 14)
- (morning)
- (afternoon) The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- (night) The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Day 6 (Friday, 3rd Oct 14)
- (morning) High line
- (afternoon) Hells Kitchen
- (night)

Day 7 (Saturday, 4th Oct 14)
- (morning)
- (afternoon) Statue of Liberty Ellis Island
- (night)

Day 8 (Sunday, 5th Oct 14)
- (morning) St Patrick's Cathedral
- (afternoon)Empire State Building - Herald Square - Macy's
- (night)

Day 9 (Monday, 6th Oct 14)
- (morning) Central Park
- (afternoon) Central Park
- (night) <insert suggestion here>

Day 10 (Tuesday, 7th Oct 14)
- (morning) <insert suggestion here>
- (afternoon) 9/11 Memorial *5pm-9pm
- (night)

Subsistence
Peter Luger : 178 Broadway, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11211
(if you like steaks)

Minetta Tavern : 113 Macdougal St, New York, NY 10012
(if you like beef burgers)

Luke's lobsters : UE, UW Side
(for $20 lobster roll sets)

Katz's Delicatessen : 205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002, United States
(pastrami sandwiches)

Clinton St. Baking Company : 4 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002, United States
(wild blueberry pancakes with warm maple butter)

The Trini Paki Boys : Avenue of the Americas & W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036
(halal chicken rice)




Noted! Check your PM!

times sq is in the theatre district. you can combine your day 2 n 4. if you want only want to watch avenue q, you might want to buy tix at their box office or online. you need to be open to whatever shows are on or off broadway and have available tix if you want to use tkts.

day 4 - American Museum of Natural History is quite far from times sq. but if you are uying a 7 day tix, then not so bad since can take train back n forth

day 7 - the ferry station is at wall street so you might want to see the famous bull if you are interested. personally, I would rather take the free staten island ferry instead. i think the view is better.

seriouseats (Serious Eats: New York - The New York City Food and Restaurant Blog) has a lot of good recommendations for food. there's also yelp for restaurant reviews.

 

[paul02]

times sq is in the theatre district. you can combine your day 2 n 4. if you want only want to watch avenue q, you might want to buy tix at their box office or online. you need to be open to whatever shows are on or off broadway and have available tix if you want to use tkts.

How would you combine it? I just fear that I would face jet lag during the first two days there.

day 4 - American Museum of Natural History is quite far from times sq. but if you are uying a 7 day tix, then not so bad since can take train back n forth

day 7 - the ferry station is at wall street so you might want to see the famous bull if you are interested. personally, I would rather take the free staten island ferry instead. i think the view is better.

seriouseats (Serious Eats: New York - The New York City Food and Restaurant Blog) has a lot of good recommendations for food. there's also yelp for restaurant reviews.

I am getting a 7-day pass.

As for Day 7, using my NYC Pass, I could do the following:

Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

One Statue Cruises ferry ride with stops at Liberty Island (Statue location) and Ellis Island. Enjoy leisure time and an audio tour on each island, plus Ellis Island Immigration Museum admission.

CityPASS does not include Crown Tickets or Monument Access.

OR

Circle Line Cruises

One regularly scheduled Landmark Cruise, Harbor Lights Cruise, or Liberty Cruise, all of which offer magnificent views of the N.Y.C. skyline and the Statue of Liberty. Or experience The Beast Speedboat Ride, a thrilling 30-minute ride on a custom-built 70-foot racing powerboat (available May-Sept.)

Both options can't beat taking the free ferry ride?

 

[dominicwor2]

heading to Moline next week. any interesting stuff to do or buy over there?

 

[Shiny Things]

heading to Moline next week. any interesting stuff to do or buy over there?

Moline, Illinois? What on earth are you doing there? Did you lose a bet or something?

Anyway, there's the John Deere Pavilion, and the only other thing of any note I can find is Lagomarcino's chocolate shop.

There might be some fun stuff across the river in Davenport.

 

[dominicwor2]

Moline, Illinois? What on earth are you doing there? Did you lose a bet or something?

Anyway, there's the John Deere Pavilion, and the only other thing of any note I can find is Lagomarcino's chocolate shop.

There might be some fun stuff across the river in Davenport.

for business haha. what's with the bet losing any link with Moline's background?

will venture to Chicago for a weekend, any intersting stuff to see and buy too?

 

[Shiny Things]

for business haha. what's with the bet losing any link with Moline's background?

No, it's just that there's pretty much nothing in Moline or Davenport. I figure you wouldn't go there unless you'd lost a bet where the penalty was "you have to spend a week in the midwest".

will venture to Chicago for a weekend, any intersting stuff to see and buy too?

Oh, Chicago's gonna be a lot more fun, but I'm not the right person to comment - I don't know what's there, aside from the CBOT and CME (which I don't think give tours any more anyway).

 

[paul02]

Want to add Fire Island's Beach in Itinerary but I don't know how to get there.

Yes I've searched but don't know which directions are best. Might want to explore a nude beach. Would be an eye-opener. Anyone?