!
Hi guys,
Just an update.
I've changed some of my hotels based on recommendations.
I'm not staying at all Intercontinental properties bar the one in Anaheim.
Frankfurt
New York - Times Square
San Fran - Mark Hopkins
Las Vegas - Venetian
LA - Century City
Anaheim - Ayres Hotel
Now that I've booked my accommodation and all flights, its time to organise what I need to do and see while I'm there! I was hoping you guys can give me some suggestions
So far I have:
Disneyland and Universal studios
Statue of liberty, Empire state building
Alcatraz, Goldern gate bridge, Fisherman's wharf, Union square
Watching some shows in vegas
Thanks in advance!
Re: New York
Apart from the great advice you have already got here - you can get the New Yorker's perspective if you go to TripAdvisor's New York City forum where there is a ton of advice - the FAQs on the right hand side of the screen are useful as are the Trip Reports that visitors have posted -
New York City Forum, Travel Discussion for New York City - TripAdvisor
Getting to and from the airport by train is perhaps the cheapest way and quite easy however after a long hall flight, you may not feel like lugging cases around. The taxi services to / from the airport have a set fee so you're not going to be ripped off and taken the long way around.
As you like shopping, there are tons of places to shop in Manhattem and also an outlet called Woodbury Common about an hour out of NYC but the Destination Experts would recommend that you shop in Manhatten as you get bargain priced items, particularly at places like Century 21. I've read mixed reviews about Woodbury Common but would be willing to test drive it !! If you are interested in outlet shopping and saving $$$, then google "outlets" and look for outlets near the places you'll be visiting. Subscribe to the different outlet sites if you like to see what specials are available. It's very easy to spend your entire holiday shopping and not see any of the sites. You'll find a couple of outlets in Las Vegas too.
The Empire State building is iconic and worth it (IMO) but some will say that the Rockefeller Centre offers much better views over Central Park which is also not to be missed.
If you like the theatre and don't mind queuing, go to the cut price ticket outlet (TKTS) in Times Square - there is another outlet down near the seaport area near the Brooklyn Bridge - again the FAQs on the right hand side of the NYC forum are great for that kind of info.
We were in NYC for 7 nights and 7 full days and didn't get time to see the Statue of Liberty up close and personal so we took the free Statten Island ferry and got some great shots - stand outside on the right hand side of the ferry when you board.
You can do lots of things quite cheaply in NYC if you know what's available. For example, to get into the Guggenheim, the normal entry fee is around $15 however on Saturday nights after 5.45pm, you can pay what you wish and many only pay $1 !!! - see this link for details of similar venues where you can "pay what you wish" -
New York City Museums Free and Discounted Admission - Free Admission and Discount Days for New York City Museums
I'd also recommend the HOHO buses as this allows you to get to places you may not otherwise have time to see. We got a good deal on a third party site when we went and used it our pass for about 2 days I think as there were about 4 different routes plus the night route.
And the World Trade Centre and the little church nearby may be of interest to you.
I would recommend a good guide book but in particular, one that allows you to work out where the different districts / boroughs are in NYC. The book I found really helpful and took with me and will be taking with me again next May, is called "The New York Mapguide" by Michael Middlemitch - $14.95 at Dymocks about 2 years ago.
I found the subway system was very good and used it quite a bit - ask the ticket office for a little pocket guide (complimentary).
We found New Yorkers to be really helpful and only too willing to help - I think they like our Aussie accent and can't believe that we travelled so far to visit.
And one more thing - wear comfortable walking shoes / trainers as you'll probably find that you walk quite a bit - the only way to take in the sites IMO. Manhatten is constructed on a grid system - the Avenues run along the length of Manhatten parallel to the Hudson River and the "streets" go from "east" to "west". This may sound confusing, the block widths (between each "street") are basically normal sized blocks you'd find in Aussie cities, however the length of the blocks between each Avenue is huge.
Las Vegas
The shows are cheaper here than NYC (unless you get a show at half price). If you like Cirque de Soleil shows, LV has a range of different Cirque shows that will probably never make it to Australia. Last time we were there, "O" was showing in the Bellagio. There's also a place on the Strip where you can buy reduced price tickets for some Las Vegas shows.
In LV, the shuttle from the airport is cheaper than a taxi, but going from the hotel to the airport, we found it cheaper in a taxi than a shuttle !!
Regardless of whether you are staying at the Bellagio or elsewhere, the Bellagio's display between the front desk and the restaurant (not the buffet) is something of a drawcard for locals and tourists ... and check out the Dale Chihully glass in the Bellagio too.
While I haven't stayed at the Venetian (I've visited it) I do agree that a "lake view" room at the Bellagio is worth it - my hotel of choice in LV ... turn the TV on to Channel 22 (?) and watch the water "dance" to the music - the "shows" change all the time ...
Tipping
I agree with mbeder - wait staff are reliant upon tips as part of their income - many earn a few dollars an hour and some only get tips as their wage. Apparently the Inland Revenue tax them for what they think they've earned based on the takings of the restaurant so the wait staff pay tax even if you don't tip them - and I would also agree that 17% - 20% of a restaurant bill is considered "the norm". Apparently you don't have to tip for takeaway.