I fancy New York for a week in August for me my wife and my 15 year old son but don't even know where to start for best place to stay for the sights, where to fly to and from (Newcastle ?) transfers from the hotel, value for money, how much spends I'll need etc. any advice from seasoned travellers would be very helpful
Sorry its a late reply, but just seen this question.
We visited NY twice last year (2018) - in February for 4 nights, and then (funnily enough) in August for 7 nights as a mini-honeymoon. Both times we stayed in Midtown Manhattan, at Intercontinental Times Sq first time, and The Manhattan Club, in August.
Both our trips were booked through British Airways holidays as a flights+Hotels package. You fly from Newcastle to Heathrow, then Heathrow to JFK, and BA deal with your bags for the connecting flights. The prices were reasonable (IMO) for all packages we have booked with them.
February was cold, but not as cold as feared, apart from at night. August was hot and humid, but not overly sunny. The subways trains/stations were like travelling in an oven being underground. The subway is the easiest way to get around, unless you like walking. A 7 day subway pass is $32 per person, but you can ride the subway as much as you like for 7 days. Otherwise, its $2.75 per ride, which can mount up.
Not knowing we'd be going back in August, we visited a few of the sights in February, such as Top of the Rock. Central Park is a must, and can take a couple of days to see/walk fully. We also walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. Our son was also 15, and we visited the SoHo district of lower Manhattan for clothes shops for him. The Staten Island ferry is a decent little trip, and is free, and runs 24 hours a day. For a lot of these things, its can be good to go in the evening as sunset turns to night-time, and the Manhattan skyline lights up.
In August, I also got the see the Ghostbusters HQ (Hook and Ladder 8 Fire Station), which was under refurb in February.
Spends - difficult to say exactly what we spent, with meals/snacks and shopping. But you can spend a lot on food, but can also eat easily at relatively cheap diners and snack places also. However, we went to Katz Deli one evening, where the sandwiches are $20 each!
As it happens, we have just booked up to go back in December 2019, for 4 nights again, but to take in Pre-Christmas and see the Rockerfeller Tree and all the decorations, and stuff.
Next time, we'll be staying at Hilton Brooklyn, so looking forward to seeing more of that side, as well as visiting Manhattan again.
Have to say, we caught the New York bug, and love the place.
