San Francisco, New York & Boston

skyblueheroes · 19-12-2006, 07:45

Just booked my holiday for early next year - San Francisco for 5nights, New York for 5 nights and Boston for 4.

We're in New York for St Paddy's day and all flights and hotels are booked.

Anyone got any tips for things to see/do. Perhaps the uncommon tourist things or places to eat/drink ? Thought about a Knicks or Rangers game in NY and a Cape Cod trip in Boston. Applied for Letterman tickets too.

Would welcome any ideas thought. Anyone see the parade in NY for Paddy's day ? I hear its superb.

19-12-2006, 07:56

Never been anywhere like that dude sounds like a top "vacation" lol

Mr_love_monkey · 19-12-2006, 08:00

it's not uncommon in New York, but go to Little Italy for dinner one night - nice area and nice food.

Also you could take the (free) ferry over to Staten Island, there isn't really a lot to do / see there, but the trip over is quite nice.

If you are going to the Empire State Building, aim to go on a day other than fri/sat/sun - it takes ages if you do it then

Tinky · 19-12-2006, 08:21

If I ever went to America, I would love to go to Las Vegas, that must be something else! The lights alone must be awesome.

eddie00001 · 19-12-2006, 09:02

The Staten Island ferry is good, get some good views of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. There's little difference between taking that and the tourist boat to see them (other than on the touris boat you get the commentary and a little closer), accept you pay for the tourist option.

In Boston, a meal at the top of the Prudential building is worth it. Not too expensive, great views (but do book), and don't forget the Cheers Bar (well, its the outside anyway) and the Freedom Trail (history of the American Revolutionary War). The JFK Library is a good day out as well as walking around Cambridge, MIT & Havard. A little further out (need to hire a car for this) and there Salem (Witch Trials etc from late 17th Century), plus some lovely countryside.

When I was in NY, I also got the train to Washington for the day (about 2-3hrs each way) but it was worth it as the White House was open to the public for the day (free too, unlike Buckingham Palace over here). You'll need to check though as its only open on certain days of the year. It was also pre 9/11 so it may not even be open at all now.

jonbxx · 19-12-2006, 09:03

You lucky so and so, that sounds like a great trip!

Boston is quite compact, well at least the interesting things are. For food, I would recommend the Back Bay area around Newbury Street. There are also loads of cool shops around there. From there, the esplanade along the Charles River is a nice walk with views across to Cambridge and MIT. Harvard in Cambridge is of course well worth a visit. I wouldn't bother with the medical area of Harvard in Boston itself unless you like looking at hospitals. Also, don't bother with the 'Cheers' bar, the Bull and Finch. It's a tourist trap and only like the bar in the TV series outside. For food - one word; seafood and lots of it! Make sure you try some proper clam chowder, none of that west coast muck. If you like a beer, there are a lot of micro breweries around. A popular place is the Boston Beer Works at Kenmore (near Fenway Park, the Red Sox ground) The Sam Adams brewery tour is a good visit and only $2. That's a bit out of the way in Jamica Plain on the Orange T line (Stony Brook stop) Only about 2 minutes from my old house funnily enough!

How are you travelling to Boston from New York? If you are driving, then you could stop off at Cape Cod along the way. It's very pretty but a long trip from Boston. If you want to visit a smaller city, Salem is pretty cool with an awesome history and only 30 minutes by public transport from Boston.

Phew, that's Boston done, now New York. The Staten Island ferry tip above is a great one. You get fairly close to the Statue of Liberty and the views back to Manhattan are very good for a photo opportunity. The area around Canal Street is good for buying your genuine 'Bolex' watches and 'Cucci' handbags. Canal Street Jeans around the corner on Broadway is a huge shop, great for clothes shopping. For technology shopping, midtown is good but be prepared to haggle and don't get ripped off. One scam is they might ask to take a swipe of your credit card to make sure it works in NY. They then refuse the cancel the swipe so you can't leave the store..

For a drink, visit the Marriot Hotel in Times Square. They have a revolving cocktail bar at the top which is open to the public. Worth staying for at least one revolution.

What time of year are you going? Both Boston and NY are pretty cold. I arrived in Boston at the end of March and there was still snow on the ground.

I hope you have fun!

skyblueheroes · 19-12-2006, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonbxx

How are you travelling to Boston from New York? If you are driving, then you could stop off at Cape Cod along the way. It's very pretty but a long trip from Boston. If you want to visit a smaller city, Salem is pretty cool with an awesome history and only 30 minutes by public transport from Boston.

Fly - via Delta. Only about an hour and a half.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonbxx

What time of year are you going? Both Boston and NY are pretty cold. I arrived in Boston at the end of March and there was still snow on the ground.

March 8th set off for SF. Back home by 22nd.

**Stuart** · 19-12-2006, 09:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyblueheroes

Just booked my holiday for early next year - San Francisco for 5nights, New York for 5 nights and Boston for 4.

We're in New York for St Paddy's day and all flights and hotels are booked.

Anyone got any tips for things to see/do. Perhaps the uncommon tourist things or places to eat/drink ? Thought about a Knicks or Rangers game in NY and a Cape Cod trip in Boston. Applied for Letterman tickets too.

Would welcome any ideas thought. Anyone see the parade in NY for Paddy's day ? I hear its superb.

Well, my boss found a company doing tours of the Bronx and Queens. He was slightly worried when he noticed bars on the window of the tour bus. He found out why when he got to the bronx..

me283 · 19-12-2006, 09:48

I've not been to Boston, but...

New York - the Empire State Building at night was awesome. NY must be a great place to be in the light bulb business! And don't worry about the queues, they seemed to be overstated IMO. Night time was also good for a baseball game. Make sure you use the subway at some stage too - that's the underground, not the sandwich shop! I can also recall a street just off Times Square, known as "Little Brasil"... memory tells me that was quite interesting.

In San Francisco, make sure you see Alcatraz - one of the most amazing experiences of my life. They have various talks at set times of the day, and you don't have to join a group. You take a walkman type thing with headphones, and effectively guide yourself around the place. Too many memorable bits to list them all, but the exercise yard is eerie, if you've seen the Clint Eastwood film; the cells are daunting; scariest thing of all is when you hear former inmates on your guide tape though...

Enjoy the trip!

gazzae · 19-12-2006, 09:54

When I was in Buffalo we got tickets for the Ice Hockey from scalpers outside the arena.

If you don't mind missing the first few minutes of a game you can sometimes get a good deal.

It's funny when you are watching the game, as every so often you see the players hanging around waiting for the TV to come back from adverts!

**Hugh** · 19-12-2006, 11:04

New York
Shopping - Century21 Department Store
Walking around Central Park, and chatting to the mounted police (in the day).
Ice skating at Rockefeller Plaza (if it is still on)
Marriott at Times Square revolving bar
Climbing up the inside of the Statue of Liberty
Hailing a taxi on Wall Street (Taxiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!)
Elevated gondola to Roosevelt Island
Travelling on the subway (Underground)

Boston
Harvard Square
Freedom Trail
Walk around Beacon Hill
Unfortunately, you can't get up John Hancock Tower Observatory any more.
Trinity Church
New England Aquarium
Quincy Market (for shopping)

SF
Get a ride on a tram
visit a micro-brewery restaurant (there's lots)
Alcatraz

Enjoy!!!

Gareth · 19-12-2006, 11:15

McDonalds
Pizza Hut
Wendy's
Burger King

Only joking, mate... sounds an awesome trip. Have only visited Chicago - and that was for work - so got no tips on things to see/do.

One piece of advice, however... don't try and be a smart ass at the customs desk when you step off the plane. The customs officers have absolutely zero sense of humour. Trust me, I'm speaking from experience

Vlad_Dracul · 19-12-2006, 12:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyblueheroes

Just booked my holiday for early next year - San Francisco for 5nights, New York for 5 nights and Boston for 4.

We're in New York for St Paddy's day and all flights and hotels are booked.

Anyone got any tips for things to see/do. Perhaps the uncommon tourist things or places to eat/drink ? Thought about a Knicks or Rangers game in NY and a Cape Cod trip in Boston. Applied for Letterman tickets too.

Would welcome any ideas thought. Anyone see the parade in NY for Paddy's day ? I hear its superb.

New york-check out the grey line ciruit bus tours,5 nights in NYC is only just enough. Also the queues for empire state building are worse on friday/saturday,try and go there weekday daytimes. I personally think that the top of the rock is a better trip than the ESB but if your in NYC i guess you could do both. If going to MACYs make your first stop the customer service centre for your visitors discount card. For great daytime food do the New york deli experience where you can sit in and have great quality and great value food.

Boston-a great city,its just like being in england but with nicer people,no chavs,no filth on the streets etc. You MUST book a table at legal seafoods restaurants,the food is excellent. Theres one in the prudential centre also you MUST do a boston duck tour,they are popular so get your tickets in advance. Boston is a walkabout city as its fairly compact,the nightlife is good,loads of nice bars and restaurants.

Cape Cod-Cape cod looks very small on the map but its a very big wide open area,ive driven all around it so you will have to be selective about where you go. Falmouth is a nice town/seaport and you can also get a ferry to marthas vineyard from there. Chatham beach is really special especially on a nice sunny day. Provincetown-well i thought it was much ado about nothing really,just a great big steeet full of clapperboard shops and houses.

Id recommend you go along to www.tripadvisor.com and check out the forums for even more info..

joe

---------- Post added at 12:10 ---------- Previous post was at 12:07 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyblueheroes

Just booked my holiday for early next year - San Francisco for 5nights, New York for 5 nights and Boston for 4.

We're in New York for St Paddy's day and all flights and hotels are booked.

Anyone got any tips for things to see/do. Perhaps the uncommon tourist things or places to eat/drink ? Thought about a Knicks or Rangers game in NY and a Cape Cod trip in Boston. Applied for Letterman tickets too.

Would welcome any ideas thought. Anyone see the parade in NY for Paddy's day ? I hear its superb.

Have already posted once but forgot to say,,there is a one day tour over to Buffalo from New york and i reckon its great value. You get picked up at your hotel,off to JFK,flight to buffalo,minicoach guided tour of niagara falls from both sides and other nearby locations,includes a really great buffet meal in the top floor observatory restaurant of one of the hotels overlooking the falls,,and made of the mist boat ride. If your in the area,might as well do it?
joe

LSainsbury · 19-12-2006, 12:17

San Fran: - One word "Alcatraz"

and book with Blue and Gold fleet (ferry + tickets) well in advance!!

Wicked_and_Crazy · 19-12-2006, 12:20

If you like Italian food i can give you some top tips for both Boston and NEw York.

If you want to go to Alcatraz i recommend you reserve tickets for the ferry before you go. When you get to the pier to catch the boat you wont then have to queue