Where to stay in New York City.

[NotAllThere]

In moment of madness I've agreed to fund a week in NYC for my daughter and my niece in July this year as an eighteenth birthday present for them. Any recommendations for reasonable hotels? Clean, tidy and, especially, safe. Nothing too luxurious.

Also, aside from shopping, what other cultural activities can be recommended... and cheap flights?

[minestrone]

In moment of madness I've agreed to fund a week in NYC for my daughter and my niece in July this year as an eighteenth birthday present for them. Any recommendations for reasonable hotels? Clean, tidy and, especially, safe. Nothing too luxurious.

Also, aside from shopping, what other cultural activities can be recommended... and cheap flights?

oh boy, that is going to hit the wallet.

[minestrone]

Staten Island ferry, for the whole holiday, it is free.

Do not whatever you do let them get near Barneys.

[SandyD]

When I went last May, I managed to get an amazing cheap deal (flight and hotel) on last minute for THE WALDORF ASTORIA... it was really good, and you must go to their Sunday brunch...that was a wow.

However years before that I went to the best western hotel.

[NotAllThere]

oh boy, that is going to hit the wallet.

I'm trying not to think too hard about that.

[CheeseSlice]

I took the wife a few years back. Stayed in the Tribeca/Soho area in a Hampton Inn. Was a clean, modern, reasonable priced hotel (for Manhattan) with breakfast and wifi included. Little italy and chinatown were close by for meals. That part of town is fairly south, but plenty of subway lines going north/south. On the first day I remember walking up Fifth avenue all the way up to the Empire state building and there were so many designer clothing shops and swanky hotels. I don't like shopping but the wife was very impressed. For me that walk was just a great way to immerse in New york, yellow taxis, and that odd steam coming out of manholes, plus you can see the empire state building all the way up the road. Fifth avenue takes you past Madison square and the Flatiron building too.

Would highly recommend 'top of the Rock' for awesome views of the city and central park.
Ellis island and statue of liberty were great but take most of a day. Not sure two shopaholic girls would enjoy walking around Ellis island unless they're into history.
I was unimpressed with time square, but was a good place to pick up tickets to see a show or a comedy club. We did a comedy club one night and got totally ripped off for drinks, but the comedy was really great.

[MaryPoppins]

I took the wife a few years back. Stayed in the Tribeca/Soho area in a Hampton Inn. Was a clean, modern, reasonable priced hotel (for Manhattan) with breakfast and wifi included. Little italy and chinatown were close by for meals. That part of town is fairly south, but plenty of subway lines going north/south. On the first day I remember walking up Fifth avenue all the way up to the Empire state building and there were so many designer clothing shops and swanky hotels. I don't like shopping but the wife was very impressed. For me that walk was just a great way to immerse in New york, yellow taxis, and that odd steam coming out of manholes, plus you can see the empire state building all the way up the road. Fifth avenue takes you past Madison square and the Flatiron building too.

Would highly recommend 'top of the Rock' for awesome views of the city and central park.
Ellis island and statue of liberty were great but take most of a day. Not sure two shopaholic girls would enjoy walking around Ellis island unless they're into history.
I was unimpressed with time square, but was a good place to pick up tickets to see a show or a comedy club. We did a comedy club one night and got totally ripped off for drinks, but the comedy was really great.

Aye, but might be safer for two 18 yr olds to stay? More hustle and bustle 24 hours, like.

[EternalOptimist]

I'm trying not to think too hard about that.

Keep me posted on this NAT. my 20 year old has a similar idea

[MaryPoppins]

Keep me posted on this NAT. my 20 year old has a similar idea

Blimey. Kids these days!

[mudskipper]

Blimey. Kids these days!

Mine's gone to Birmingham. So far she's been threatened, robbed, and her accommodation set on fire. How bad can New York be?