Hello,

I am hoping the many American members can help me.

Me and my dad and brother are pretty certain we are going to book a trip to New York sometime in 2010.

When would be the best time of year to go?

Of course we want to be typical tourists and do all the usual sitseeing things but if there anything else you can suggest we do?

I know my brother loves alot of American sports, so I bet he'd love to go and see a game of something.

I'm pretty excitied about this as i've only ever been to France and Spain and this will be the furthest away i've gone.

Also, for UK members, have any of you booked with any UK tour operators to go to New York?

Trace x

Hi Tracey - you'll love New York. I went back in June to see Jamie at Carnegie Hall.

Firstly I would check out the thread below on one of my favourite wesbites. A lot on info but it's very very helpful.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showth....html?t=1403101

It was this site and tripadvisor that helped me plan my trip. Firstly, I booked my flights as a stand alone. I did that over the website. I chose to go with Delta but there are a number of different companies and different sites such as expedia etc. You just need to choose which of the 3 airports you want to fly into. I chose JFK. From here it's easy to grab a taxi to take you where you need to go. Check out that link above as MarkyMoo who wrote that thread has all the right info on this. A taxi will cost approx $60/£40 ($45 + $5 toll + 15-20% tip) from NYC to New York City.

You don't have to go to a travel agent to sort it all out unless it's easier for you and cheaper. I got my hotel through a company called priceline.com (I think that's what it was. ) Basically NYC hotels sell their spare rooms at a cheaper rate. You offer an amount and they'll tell you if they'll accept. A bit like an auction. You need to do a bit of research as they don't tell you the name of the hotel only it's location and star rating but if you're game to do this, big savings can be had. I'd advise checking the thread above and gathering all the info.

As for when to go. The flights I think get very expensive in Nov & Dec as it's leading up to Christmas and New Year. I'm told August & Sept it's very hot and most locals go out to the Hamptons/on vacation elsewhere, where it's cooler.

There are a number of sites you can check for sports. Maybe ticketmaster.com but you can soon google I'm sure.

To be honest the moneysavingexpert thread gave me nearly all the info I wanted. I hired a couple of New York tourist books from the library which helped and these included a map so i could get an idea of the layout of New York before getting there. I stayed on 42nd street, next to grand central station but new york is easy to get around so you can practically stay anywhere and get to where you want to be. Next time I think I'd like to try Greenwich Village but I loved being just a 10 - 15min walk away fron Times Square. I wasn't on top of all the hustle and bustle but it was nice that I could wander around there at night and then stroll down a main road back to the hotel.

I felt very safe, there's SOOO much to see and do. I'd recommend Top of the Rock as opposed to the Empire State Building. Less pushy staff and you can see the ESB from TOTR. Remember to add your tips to services etc (meals, taxis - which will soon add up 10 - 15% off the bill.) If you want to get broadway tickets try the TXTS booth in Times Square but arrive early as it's VERY popualr!

Lastly, enjoy. I'd suggest you make a wish list of the things you want to see and do, then categorise that list into a few must sees, few would like-to-sees and the rest if and when. Don't cram it all in, you'll exhaust yourselves. This way you'll do the most important must-sees and if you can fit anything else in it will be a bonus. Sometimes it's better to just wander and see where it takes you.

Happy holiday arranging. It'll be worth it.

Thank you, all very useful advice!

We were thinking of going this time next year, but i'm not a person who deals with heat very well. So maybe we should try a time when it is a bit cooler!

I think my dad would prefer goingwith a travel agent (not sure he would want to book everything separately!). However, I do aim to do my research before we book.

This will be our first family holiday since we lost mum last year, so dad almost wants to do this in her memory.

Cost isn't so much of a priority in the sense my dad wnats to do it ina bit of style, as for him (although he is only 52) he thinkshe may not do something like this again. But obviously we don't want to spend stupid amounts either.

Getting some books on New York is a good idea, I might see what I can find.

Tipping, i know it's more the done thing in the US. (since in the UK we only tip if we think it was worth it!).

It did occur to me the other day my poor bro won't be able to drink, as he will only be 19 by the time we go. Do bars let in underage people as long as they don't drink? (like in the UK)