Off Topic Travel Advice

Never been to Ellis Island... Nearest I did was on the free ferry to Staten Island.....Food and drink are 30% less than in Manhattan for the same nosebag. Yes, I's a typical tight fisted git.

 

What sort of Viagra is he using to need a Johnny like that?

 

Piece of piss.

Harry Redknapp did it in a frock.

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Literally just arrived back from New York an hour ago, so still spaced out with jet lag and gin.
Must do
Top of the Rock (get a sun and stars ticket/ about £48 so you can go up early before it’s busy and back later when it’s dark and you can see the whole City lit up)
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island cruise - only about £17 including liberty to the pedestal which is well worth it. If you want to go to the crown ( we couldn’t be arsed...too many steps, then you have to book many months in advance.
9/11 museum, similar price (£17) which seems reasonable
Dakota building for a look and Strawberry fields, then walk to Bethesda Terrace in Central Park.
Meatpacking area then walk up HighLine is good if you like funky art and urban views
Grand Central Terminal is worth a walk through the main concourse, you’ll feel like you’re in a million films you’ve seen there.

I haven’t done this since our first trip, but if you’ve never been there’s a walking tour called Real New York Tours which we did once SMC is great for getting your bearings and finding our stuff you wouldn’t stumble across.

get an unlimited metro card for subways and buses.

beer is pricy ($8- $12 for a beer) so are cocktails but the cocktail and shorts measures seemed generous so maybe do that.

there’ll be other NYC thoughts when my head starts working again



Separate trip I stayed in Niagara Falls Hilton in a suite overlooking the Falls. Amazing view, especially at night when it’s lit up. Mate who was from Hull, but now works there paid for it for us as a surprise while we were over there..just get better mates Kemps! ...then I blagged an upgrade to a jacuzzi suite on a high floor. Unbelievable views of the weather is clear. Worth a visit even just during the day though.
I liked Toronto. Easy to get round. Old Distillery area was good for food and drinks, and the really tall tower is worth going up for views if it’s clear.

That’ll have to do for starters until I get back to Hull time.

 

That's what I'm on about.

A 10 mile(?) stretch of americana, the best and (mostly) worst of the place.

 

I've been to Victoria Falls if that helps?

 

It was the Orlando one I was referring to, not that I know of any others, but then I’m probably not as well travelled as others. I don’t like International Drive and avoid it like the plague when we go, though we did manage to stray onto it coming back from Universal last time, which only confirmed my dislike when spending 30 minutes trying to get back off it and that was only the stretch between what was Wet and Wild and the next exit onto the I4 where the Macdonalds is. The first time we ever did Orlando we stayed on International Drive in what was the Rodeway inn. It’s still there but what a flea pit it looks and probably wasn’t any different then, when surprisingly enough the wife had a load of stuff nicked from the room.

 

As others have said if you do Niagara stick to the Canadian side.
I must say though even the Canadian side is a bit Blackpooly. I was naively expecting a bit more remoteness, but in fact you can get to within a few feel of the actual place the water goes over the horseshoe on the Canadian side. And there’s hotels and casinos etc very close as a result (was obvious really when I thought about it, I just hadn’t expected it)
If you want to do the boat trip to the falls itself then don’t go in winter. They weren’t running when I was there as the blocks of ice going over the falls were the size of cars! Cool to watch but they get all safety conscious about what it might be like if one lands on your head on the boat. Health and safety gone mad!

 

Anyone been to Miami Beach???

 

Not me, although I’ll watch answers with interest as we did discuss going.

Just considering Memphis/New Orleans and April and Barcelona in Dec if anyone wants to widen the tips on this thread? (If that’s OK Brisbane?)

 

That was the exact idea for everyone to find out about their own places they are looking to go to, rather than a self centred one for just me

I haven’t been to Miami Beach but flew into there when we went to the Keys. I loved Key West and Is definitely on my go to again (and again) list. Only things I would change next time is to fly in to Key West, rather than drive the length of the Keys. It was good to do it on that occasion to see everything on the drive, but now I have done it I would just want to go straight to the end.

 

Nice one
I’ve it’s got back from my 5th trip to New York. I’ll definitely go back again but probably not for a while as been twice in 15 months. (Took Father in Law with us in Oct 18 and took my Mum with us this time)

One thing to remember about NYC is keep an eye on ‘service fees’ or city fees or similar for hotel rooms. Just stayed at Times Square Crowne Plaza and they charge $35 per room, per night, plus tax so we had extra charges of £250 for two rooms for four nights for use of gym and WiFi etc. I knew that so had figured it in, but it’s not that obvious when you’re comparing hotel costs as some I’ve used have included it upfront, some don’t (or maybe not charged them, I can’t remember) and some are hidden in small print.

Sorrento for example (to use a different one no use to you at all!) charge a city fee per room per night to pay for the City's services needed for additional tourists (roads, waste etc) which goes to the City which seems fair enough to me, but £250 to the hotel for WiFi and a gym we were never going to use seemed excessive even though I had figured it in when comparing costs of hotels.

 

Why two rooms in NYC?? ffs next time just let the mrs stay in the same room as you and your mam.

 

I had the second one, I like my peace and quiet

 

If it's meat on your bones your after, get yourselves to Wolfgangs in New York for a delicious meal. Just don't eat breakfast or lunch before you go and booking is necessary.
We also had a lunch at One World Trade Center which obviously had an amazing view , as has the restaurant at the top of the CN Tower in Toronto, which revolves as you eat ( better food as well). Booking in advance is required for both.
My Wife dragged us to Ellen's Stardust Diner in New York for breakfast as she loves anything theatrical, but it's quite entertaining and the portions will see you through till dinner.

Then it was our daughters turn to set us on a crusade to find the Bathing Ape store in SoHo, where we queued outside to wait in turn to purchase the latest clothes lines. ( unbelievable and something I'll not repeat)

I'd also conquer with Den about walking the High Line and Hudson Yards with lots of to see and places of interest.

I'm booked for Canada again this summer. Love the place.

Enjoy your trip.

 

We’re off to Perth WA next month to visit rellies, last time we were there was 15 years ago and I don’t know if we’ll ever get there again so if anyone has any recommendations to see/visit I’d appreciate it

 

I liked Fremantle when we went to Perth. Rottnest Island was also a good trip to go on and experience the Quokkas there. Travel down to the Margaret River area can be good with lots of wineries and other places. Personally I like Tasmania if you wanted somewhere a little further afield.

 

Yes Fremantle is nice. I'll stayed there twice for extend periods and got to know it quite well. Very laid back and quite picturesque.