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Looking to go to New York in late October, anyone got advice on places to stay that won't cost the earth but aren't hours away from the action? Looked at prices for the place I stayed 5 years ago, but £1600 for flights and accommodation for me and my missus is a little (a lot) too much...

Don't stay in Manhattan.

Try over the East River in Queens or Brooklyn, the same standard accommodation is at least 25-30% cheaper than Manhattan as you aren't paying for the address.  If you get a place near a subway station you can be in Manhattan in minutes anyway.

Last time we stayed in Country Inn & Suites - Long Island. Nothing fancy but it was clean, quiet and served the purpose of somewhere to crash, 1 block from Subway station which was 5 mins ride from Manhattan.

The good thing about new york is that you are never too far away from action.

If money allows, you want to stay around times square, its dead in the middle of everything. That said, have a look around the greenwitch village/east greenwich areas too, they have really build these areas up over the last few years and have a lot of good afordable hotels.

The tube/subway system is great and easy to use, but if you havent been before i would advise of either walking, of get on one of the open top tour buses which are hop on and hop off wherever you please, as many times as you please.

Just re-read your post that you went 5 years ago. ignore most of my post

£1600? Whereabouts and for how long?

is that 1600 each or for both of you? If for both of you, thats not half bad. You wont get the prices you were getting 5 years ago.

I rememeber a fair few years back, i got 2 weeks in NYC for 500 quid, thats flight and hotel (ok, hostel)

The time of year makes a huge difference to prices, they shoot up in December and June to September.

Have not long returned from staying in this place. It is literally one block from Times Square, and is really cheap for New York. The drawback? The size of the room. It is tiny, if you choose the cheapest rate, for more room (and money) choose the room with 2 beds. Apart from that, it is clean, the staff are brilliant, a reasonable (cold) breakfast buffet is provided, free wifi and the location more than makes up for the tiny room - after all - in NYC most of the time you will be elsewhere. If you are a light sleeper it can be noisy but free ear plugs are provided!!

http://www.econolodgetimessquare.com/

The New Yorker, right next to Maddison Square Gardens, 4 nights for 2 people. It was one of the more expensive ones! Been before, Amy hasn't. Intend to catch a Rangers game so gonna wait until the NHL schedule is released before booking.

I'm going here in a few weeks. It's a hostel, but it's cheap and in Manhatten. You can get a private room, ensuite with double bed for a week for under £800

http://www.newyorkbudgetinn.com/

Have a look at renting an apartment. It's what we are planning to do in July. 

Highly advertised and accessible to visitors but I think it's illegal in New York City.

May be wrong.

We stayed here:

http://www.bw-boweryhanbeehotel.com/

Mrs Donkey is very fussy about hotels and was very happy with it.  It's also in Manhattan, so a great location.

I can't really see anyone being dragged to Guantanamo bay for it

Neither do I.

I stayed here last year http://unionhotelbrooklyn.com/

The subway is 2 min walk away, the R train will take you all thought manhatten, from wall street to times square. Dumbo in Brooklyn is about 5 mins away on the subway also. and its 30 dollars from JFK. The breakfast is ok.

Washington Square hotel in Greenwich village is a good bet.  Nice little hotel that doesn't cost the earth and is still close enough to everywhere.

I think I stayed there - is like a 40 storey travel inn ?

We got it for a travel in price as well

A bit tatty but well situated and cheap

Our family of four stayed at the Blakely last September.

http://www.blakelynewyork.com/

Rates and room size were reasonable for NY and we found the reception desk staff extremely helpful (especially Jose).

The hotel is situated on 55th St and is within walking distance of both Times Square and Central Park. Nearest subway station is just up the road on the corner of 55th and 7th.

still all expensive :P

I've stayed in this place twice. It's a hostel but I think they do private rooms too.

http://www.nylofthostel.com/

It's in a great area of Brooklyn, lots of good bars (they call them dive bars) and restaurants, and the L train runs 24 hours. If you're going with the Mrs though I'd maybe look for somewhere a bit cleaner cut unless you're up for yuppyism of the kind you get in east london these days.

Affinia Manhattan around Maddison Square Gardens/Penn Station was relatively affordable and decent enough quality when I went a couple of years ago.

When I was searching there was a Holiday Inn around Times Square that seemed ok as well.

Want cheap? me and chris (George) stayed here when we went to NYC, must be about 7 years ago now
http://www.whitehousehotelofny.com/
Its improved immensely since then and still looks a dive.. I think we played about 15 dollars a night.

Also, fly to Newark rather than JFK as journey into Manhattan is easier.

Just bear in mind that staying in Times Square is like booking a hotel in Leicester Square in London. The best parts of New York are not there.

Think you got that the wrong way round. Newark is a pain in the arse

Ok. Disagree. I get to fly to both regularly with work. Just my opinion. Just take a train to Penn Station and you are smack in the middle of Manhattan.

Both are pretty good overall. Though I did manage to get from Brooklyn to Newark at 6am having been out all night raving, so it must be easy. I fell asleep at the departure gate, almost missing my flight, then slept from the second I sat down until we landed in London. Weird feeling, waking up to the hangover earned on one side of the atlantic whilst being on the other.

Thousand Islands is fantastic near Niagra Falls

Holy thread revival batman....

And yes it pisses me off when people ask about holidays.

So, NYC in May 2019/20. Looking to book. Recommendations over the last few years. Is 4 nights sufficient? Is April cheaper to travel?

Depends what you want to do but if it’s your first time 4 days is not enough. If you want to do everything and not seem rushed, you’d need 7-10 days min. 
You obviously know the main attractions but happy to recommend things like places to eat etc.

Couldn’t do 7 days. Would only be two of us. Budget would be tight. Around £1200.

5 nights/6 days. Fly Norwegian out of LGW on the morning flight and you're in downtown Manhattan for brunch.

The Broome in Soho is my favourite NY hotel, and they include breakfast, which is rare.

NobleDEN is a good budget option: https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/nobleden.en-gb.html?aid=304142;label=gen173nr-1FCAEoggJCAlhYSDNYBGhQiAEBmAEuuAEHyAEM2AEB6AEB-AEMkgIBeagCAw;sid=3ebd54938938005c681885740753a185

I know how it is. I remember going for 2 weeks probably 13 years ago now, and flight and accommodation came to 500 quid. Albeit the accommodation for a $15/night sleep with one eye open youth hostel, but hey.

If its your first time and you intend on doing all the attractions, i highly recommend a NYC Pass.
https://www.sightseeingpass.com/en/new-york?aid=13&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1YWcxNXa3AIVUFXTCh3odgljEAAYASAAEgIJ5PD_BwE
The attractions all add up and whilst the pass may seem expensive, it does save you money and also time and a lot of them allow queue jumping.

Hotel wise, if money allows, look around Times square, its pretty much smack bang in the middle of everything. The most recent time we went we stayed here https://goo.gl/maps/hAPUfKRiDfv
There is (or atleast used to be) an amazing french bistro attached to it which did the most amazing steak, would highly recommend. Theres also an amazing diner where we went for breakfast a few doors down with amazing pancakes and french toast.

If you want something cheaper. Look a bit further south around Greenwich village or Chelsea, plenty of boutique hotels and if you really want to relive some history why not stay at The Chelsea Hotel famous for being where Nancy (girlfriend of Sid Vicious, Sex Pistols) was found stabbed to death :-)

edit: Turns out it closed down.

In terms of food, NYC is famous for its Pizza. If you can, you should check out Famous Joes. A big hit with the stars.
http://www.joespizzanyc.com/photos.php

Katz Deli is a must too. I'm sure you've seen those sandwiches filled with meat which are bigger than your head. Well this is the place to go for them.
https://www.katzsdelicatessen.com/

For something a little more romantic for the two of you. This is the place i went for a meal the night i proposed to the missus. Its close to central park so nice for a little walk after dinner. It is pretty much just a steak house, but its by far THE best steak i have ever had. Its not cheap but its worth it. The food and service was a-grade.
http://www.qualitymeatsnyc.com/menus/dinner/

I know the thought of it is a bit cheesy but if your in the area check out Hard Rock Cafe for something to eat. Its not overly expensive but the food was really good and for a restaurant so huge and typically busy, it was very well organised and smooth.

When it comes to food, i could go on. If you tell me what your looking for, i could probably find you something.

Not an expert on NYC but have been a couple of times. I'd recommend going to the Top of the Rock instead of the Empire State - minimal queues and arguably better views. Might be cheaper too but can't remember.

Free things to do include a good walk around Central Park, and similarly across Brooklyn Bridge. You can always get a taxi in one direction if you want to save some time!

We quite enjoyed the boat tour too, with good views from around the World Trade Centre and Statue of Liberty. I think we went with Circle Line from Pier 16 but there are various options below, and look out for combo deals on the links, e.g. add a couple of other attractions to your boat ticket and save.

https://www.newyorksightseeing.com/nyc-tours/cruises-in-new-york.html

Take a look at what's going on in the evenings too. I had a quick look online and by chance found out that James Vincent McMorrow was playing at Webster Hall (which has sadly now closed). We had a great night out for about $25 per ticket.

Statten Island Ferry is free and gives good views of Manhattan.

Hotels - prices seem to fluctuate, so a place that was cheap suddenly isn't and vice versa.  Hilton Garden Inns are usually ok and budget ish.

Get a subway card for the week - it then gives you unlimited travel, which will be really handy and much less than taxi's - although they have their place as well.

Take some good walking shoes!  A couple of blocks each time soon add up.

Loads of places for food and drink.

If the flights are cheaper, Newark is the best airport - away from NY and a little smaller, so less busy.  Easy to get to from Manhattan.

I concur on the Brooklyn Bridge suggestion - go just before sunset, same for Top of The Rock.

Times Square is nuts, cheesy as hell, still a little hint of seediness and great fun all combined.

Oh, and walk the High Line - maybe even trot over to Hoboken - nice views for an evening meal.

There’s a new Hoxton opening in Williamsburg. That looks nice. Not sure on costs yet.

Thanks for all the advice.

Booked for next April. 5 nights. Norwegian Air. Total incl hotel was around £1100.

Seems like a very good deal!

Given the possibilility of a no Brexit deal in March... the Irish PM has said that Irish airspace, might be closed to outward UK flights to the US.... probably sensible to go from Norway.

Ferry to Bergen will be fun

Surely this should be in the ex-player transfer news thread?

not bad at all.

Don't think you can get a ferry to Bergan anymore?

Ideally wanted to book for 2020 to coincide for my bday/anniversary but at $89 Pn for a 4 star hotel it was too good to turn down.

So it seems. Immingham to Brevik only.

So here’s a question or two...probably best for Rob T.

- in foodhalls, what is the tipping policy? Still tip the barman but not the food vendors? What about donut/pizza/takeout places?

- Sippo likes a beer. So how much do need for a day out on average? Lots of happy hours til 8ish, but seems most places are $8 a pint and $15 a cocktail. Really not interested in tourist areas and have been researching a lot places out in Brooklyn. I was hoping to take about £800/1000 for the 5 days for both of us. We are not interested in the fancy restaurants and are more into foodhalls with multiple vendors (hence my question above).

Most street vendors and pizza places will have a tip jar at the till and its really your discretion.


 

I was thinking more of foodhall places such debalkt markethall.

Tipping rules (and they kind of are rules at times) are fun :-)

Generally speaking you tip for service - so I wouldn't be tipping when you collect yourself, apart from at a bar.  At a bar, it would be normal to tip a dollar per drink, or slightly less if you buy multiple at the same time.  As soon as you add food to your order at a bar, they'll be expecting 15%-20% - some will actually print two or three tip %'s on the bill and what they equate to - poor service, good service, great service etc.  Now, you may point out these kinds of rates are crazy!!!!  The reality is they have to declare this as income and get taxed upon it, they also declare it to the employer and it can, and usually does, allow the employer to pay a much lower normal hourly rate.  This is why you'll probably be offered a food menu every time you order in most bars, even if they can get you to have some wings, they think that'll be enhancing the tip.

Price wise - in NYC you can get down to about $5 for a beer in the right places (try Upper end of Amsterdam Ave. between 70th and 90th Street).  Go to some place on 5th Ave and those prices you quote can soon escalate!  NYC is essentially like a crammed in version of London - lots of places will have beer menu's though, and choose the right place while putting on the English accent as thickly as possible, you might get some freebies thrown in - I have no idea if they monitor yield per barrel, but the amount of wastage I see suggests otherwise and hence why you might get the freebies when you play nice - I got a couple free on my first night in NY a few years back, and round here got a 6 pint tab for $20 after a couple of hours of conversation with the barman.

Street vendors, no need to tip.  Pizza - 10% if they deliver.

So long as you avoid 5th Avenue shopping that budget should be fine.  If you intend on doing any of the usual pay for site seeing, get a CityPass - usually available with discounts online as well.  Loads, as already pointed out, can be done for free though.

Oh, and this is hit and miss - if you run a tab in a bar, having some cash on display (just a couple of dollars) has been known to solicit the freebie, as they know that tips are coming.  They'll probably leave it alone while you order on a tab, but they know what it is for.

Actually, there is more - start out your first order in a bar by asking for advice on what to drink - most places will allow a sample of 3-4 beers before you pay for one.  It's nice, you get about half a pint I guess, but it can help kick start discussion with the bartender/server.

Thanks.

I think the only site seeing paid for item would be top of the rock. We will do stanten ferry, high line and there is the north river lobster company which offers a cruise with a bar at $10.

Have found plenty of foodhalls with multiple vendors. We don’t do posh.

And that budget is just for food and drink.

There are plenty of ‘dive bars’ including one which offers $3 pints with free hotdogs.

Dive bars are indeed you friend, that's what you'd find on Amsterdam Ave.

Thanks Mr T

Any recommendations on what sport to watch? Is baseball long and boring? Shame there’s no NFL to watch - never seen it before. Do I want to watch a ‘soccer’ match?

when you going?
(ice) Hockey?

edit: ok, may. never mind then. that buggers up basketball too

Whatever you watch, be prepared to high 5 complete strangers.

April.

No NFL that time of the year. Hockey and a basketball will be towards end of the season, could even be playoff time.

Baseball season will have started. A game lasts about 2.5-3 hours, I don’t find it boring but then I find cricket tedious, each to their own really

Hate cricket, can I keep the wife occupied for 3 hours. That’s going to be the hardest task. Normally it’s 3 minutes 😂

Probably not then!

I’d chance it though just to get the “NYC sports experience” box ticked. If it helps the range of food/beer at both New York’s ballparks is staggeringly good, if a bit pricey

Baseball is not "exciting" by any stretch, but I find going along with a view to having some drinks can make it worthwhile enterprise.  I actually do like Baseball, following the Yankees (for those that do follow, I know).  Yankee stadium is a good day out, Mets play over in Queens and you get to go by Flushing Meadows as well.  Hot dogs and beers being sent down the aisle are always fun.

Hockey will be well underway in April - pretty frantic, much more fun than the UK part time version.

Oh, and shouting Fuck Off Kansas loudly is not well received at Baseball grounds.

NBA will be into playoff season, however it'll be a bloody long shot for either the NYC or the Brooklyn team to make them!

I was on holiday in Canada (British Columbia and Alberta) when the Calgary Flames were playing Tampa Lightening in the Stanley Cup. Got carried along with it, beer and steaks, I still have a flames baseball cap  :)

I had 4 nights in NYC with the family last month. Would certainly recommend the Top of the Rock, although be aware that if you want to go at twilight so you can see daytime & night time views, they charge a bit extra and it gets really busy. Watch out for protruding selfie sticks !
The Highline is lovely, a really nice walk where you will get to see parts of the city that wouldnt necessarily be on most peoples list.
We took the ferry to Liberty Island, then on to Ellis Island. To be honest, although Ellis Island was interesting, I think if I knew how long the whole thing would take, I would just take the free ferry and not actually go to the Islands. The statue can be seen better from the boat that from the Island, but it still didnt have that "Wow" factor for me, it just felt a bit "Meh". And because the ferry does the same route all day (Manhattan - Liberty Island - Ellis island - Manhattan), when you try to get off Ellis Island back to Manhattan, the ferry is already full of people not bothering with Ellis Island, so only a few get on each time. We queued for ages just to get back to the city.
Most of the other sites can be done for free though, including museums like the natural history although they dont advertise the fact that its voluntary suggested contributions rather than an entry fee. The 9/11 memorial was a real take your breath away moment for me.
Loved the whole atmosphere of NYC though, there was a real energy and buzz around the place.
Enjoy !

It's not really 3 hours of uninterrupted watching.  A lot of people miss the start and/or the end (far more than at UK football) and virtually everyone goes for a wander at some point during the game.  Every ballpark has concourses selling a mass of food and merchandise where you can watch the game, albeit standing up, often with a good view of the game over home plate/first base.

The comparison with cricket is valid however.  Its a slow moving spectacle for much of the game so you need to understand the nuances to get the most out of it.  I was at the Yankees a couple of weeks ago and there was one stretch of 5 innings (circa 75 mins) where scarcely anyone got on base let alone scored a run.  Out of the 8 of us, 3 were talking amongst themselves, 2 found it fun as a one-off spectacle and 3 of us thought it was a good game, particularly as our team came from behind to beat the Yankees.

One feature of watching in NY is that both the Yankees and the Mets crowds are very raucous by US standards and will boo their own team if they are losing and can be a bit verbally hostile to opposing fans.  This is unheard of in most other places where the crowds are very laid back.

It's not cheap.  Beers are $8-12 and food is similarly expensive.  You can get very cheap tickets in the regular season however.  They start at $15 usually (possibly not in NY) with good seats $70-100+.  You are a long way from the action in the cheap seats but with the option of watching at least some of the game from the concourses.

Anyone used an Uber or Lyft from jfk to Brooklyn. Was contemplating subway, but maybe a ball ache with the cases.

I always get an uber from JFK. Its no bother at all.

Yellow cabs are a rip from from airport (and probably in general as a rule).

I use the subway as it’s dirt cheap, guess it depends on how many changes you would have to make in order to get to your hotel and the time of day I.e rush hour or not

As easy as the subway system is, its the last thing you want to do after a day of traveling. Last time I went, before Uber was around, a can was about 50 dollars into Manhattan.

Cabs are fixed price - think it's $55 plus toll and tip.

Honestly, Uber is very easy from JFK. There's a pick up area that you can't miss.

So the wife mentioned the 9/11 museum. We definitely do the memorial, but not sure about the museum. Part of me wants to do it, but the other half feels it could be two or so hours to use up. It would definitely interest me. Thoughts?

Not been and not interested in going to be honest - have heard mixed reviews.

If you wish to feel depressed for a few hours, it is worth a trip.  It is pretty horrific to be honest, sort of glad I did it, but not sure why.  If your time is limited, I'd give it a miss and just walk around the memorial area.  If you fancy sharing thousands of peoples grief, then pop in.

That's how I feel. This is a once in a lifetime trip for us. Would I regret not doing the museum? Not sure. Would it be interesting - probably. Do I really need to see it - probably not.

I felt the same way about the Ghostbusters fire station.

Its actually quite a sobering sight when you walk past any fire station in the city, the chances are there is a little memorial outside listing the casualties that particular station lost on that day

I would recommend this museum instead - http://groundzeromuseumworkshop.org/the-museum.html

It's more focussed on the aftermath of 9/11 rather than the day itself. It's very moving, but far less "touristy". It's a small place so you need to book in advance as only a handful of people go on each tour. And it's only down the street from the Highline walk which is a must do activity IMO

Which was under some sort of Asbestos cover the last two times I went, big disappointment.

I'd give the the 9/11 Museum a miss thinking about it.  The memorial area is good enough alone these days to have some thoughts about the event.

Manhattan to JFK cost me 65usd

Be prepared for selfie-taking morons though, big beaming grins on their faces as they pose... saw some people leaning up against the sides of the pools, pretty much sitting on the names of those who died. Couldn't believe it when we were there.

The museum wasn't open when we went, my other half was really disappointed. I do recommend the NYC Fire Department museum though, a really interesting look back through their history. http://www.nycfiremuseum.org/

Peculier Pub has a load of good beers on.

6 weeks or so to go. Any lyft codes about?

With uber, if you download in a new country does that count as a new customer?

My best friend is moving to Manhattan or Brooklyn in October and I'm very lucky that I'll finally be able to do NYC and without the hotel costs in the next year or so.

No

I don’t like the thought of carrying my passport around to use as ID. Do they accept UK driving licenses? I Hear the Yankee stadium can be quite strict.

Yep

If by strict you mean serving alcohol, then yes and yes.  Down here they ID everyone regardless of age.

So driving license will suffice?

It didn't when I went to see the Jets... although I eventually got served due to the rest of the queue saying I was clearly old enough.  In October,  they didn't even ID me at Metlife...I guess I look that old...

I suppose it must depend if the particular vendor/bar staff member recognises it.

I never personally had any issues using it anywhere including both baseball stadiums

Thanks. Really appreciate it.

If they look confused when using the driving license, it's because they don't know where to see the date of birth,so point it out to them and they should be happy.

On day 4. Absolutely loving it. Manhattan is not my cup of tea, but the other area's are superb. Brooklyn and queens are nicer in my opinion. How anyone could just stay in Manhattan, I do not know.

Very expensive city, especially with the rubbish currency rates. Ate some good food, good beer and met some amazing people. Really surprised how many brits work in the city.

Just booked for february. Never been so looking forward to it.

£450pp with flights with Virgin and a hilton type hotel on times square for two of us

bargain

Think that's about what we paid 3 years ago for a long weekend,  not on Times Square but just a 10 minute walk away, spent many happy hours in an Irish bar just off Times Square,  this was for our  40th wedding anniversary,  unfortunately a few weeks later  the wife had a serious fall, suffered a brain injury and remembers nothing about it.

thats a bargain. how long for?

Sunday morning till thursday evening. Fly back at 2200hrs US time

Assume you worked the holiday in around the football !?.

Finally booked to go out for 2 weeks in April. Very happy.

You’ll absolutely love it. Been there twice and played a gig there. Hope to live there someday. Just for a little while.

I had absolutely no desire to go to New York whatsoever.

completely wrong, it was great

I’d been before by myself and then went with my wife to surprise my dad who was in NYC for his 70th
We were late arriving in Manhattan and we had to run to the hotel. The face on my wife when we ran up out of the subway into Manhattan was an absolute picture. Completely overwhelmed as we ran with our suitcases. God I miss that place.

I fucking loved it. What a place.

Going back eventually.

Know an artist from there but NYC is bloody expensive to buy. Renting is pretty damn unreachable for most too.

This, exactly the same, booked a guided tour of Canada/America as I'd always wanted to visit Canada, what a disappointment, didn't like Toronto or Ontario but absolutely loved the 3 days we had in NY.  Genuine people who love the brits and when they say 'have a good day ' they mean it, not like it's portrayed on TV.     States for me every time.

You need to do Vancouver and the Rockies, amazing place

We went to BC a couple of years ago.  Have family in Kelowna, so went there for a few days (beautiful place & a great drive from Vancouver).

We then went back to Vancouver & also spent a few days on Vancouver Island.

Would definitely recommend it

Ha, I spent two nights in Kelowna, the road from Vancouver via Hope drops down to that river bridge as you enter the place. Spent an evening in a pub watching the ice hockey on TV with the locals. Good Times, I must go back it's been 17 years  :(

Yep, stayed in Victoria on Vancouver Island too. Barbs fish and ships, best fish and chips ever (included a pot of coleslaw)  :)

Kelowna is a cracking town. Such a beautiful part of the world.

My recommendation for any trip to NYC is plan. Plan ahead on area's you want to visit. Make time to move out of manhatten. Would recommend visiting Peter Pan Bakery in Greenpoint. Go and see real NYC and speak to some locals - much friendlier.

Agree with Sippo. Planning ahead makes it so  much easier

I know it’s gimmicky, but I really fancy going for Christmas.

It will be planned meticulously with various contingency plans be it weather, mob rule or alien invasion.

A few years back we made an error with Ostia Antica opening times during a trip to Rome. We only lost a few hours but Mrs P still hasn't recovered from that.

Ha, I've used Ostia Antica train station on the way back to our digs from Rome, we walked the rest of the way from there. Didn't notice the site until heading back to the airport a few days later, looked interesting from what we could see from the taxi.

Ostica Antica is a pretty great site.

Funny standing at what was once the harbour now overlooking a motorway.

I can recommend the Vacca Grassa Ristorante a couple of miles SE of Ostia Antica Station, if you go back there. Great selection of meats  :I'm a complete mofleakin Deak

I just booked this for my mum then moving on to LA & San fran

I keep seeing this thread and thinking 'New York City Cops, New York City Cops, New York City Cops ain't too smart!'

P.S. Vancouver, Banff, Jasper, plus Seattle and finally Royal Gorge & Estes Park in Colorado are all awesome!

That album is 20 years old  :cry:

Expensive?

Frightening isn't it!

Loved NYC when we went (wife and daughters) a few years ago. Highlights for us were the Highline, MoMA and a couple of tours by locals; one in Harlem (cant remember name of company) and one of pizza places in Brooklyn; Scott's Pizza Tours. Just loved the vibe in general, also the 7 day metro and bus card was an absolute bargain.