ok already posted but as a brit cannot wait too visit new york already been florida and things but finally got rid of kids for 4 days and this will be the one and only time we get to travel too america with out the ankle biters following so please forgive any questions that are already been answered somewhere
1. do we need to prebook a taxi from jfk airport or is they always plenty yellows too pick from?
2.what sort of weather can we expect in middle of feburary cold, freezing cold, or brass monkey cold
3. are most of the atrractions and shops open till late at night and what sort of times are they open till as we are not really bothered about a broadway show
4 are all these attraction possible in 4 days
empire state building,rockefeller centre,macys,statue of liberty,grand central station central park and possibly zoo either bronx or central(which is the best)
5.also ground zero if i offend anyone with this i apologise it is not my intention what stands there now have you opened a memorial or has it become a attraction in itself if so i will stay away as i still feel hurt that othe r human beings can do that to other human beings.if it has become a memorial is there anyway that you can donate too families who have lost loved ones in this tragic event or something of a similiar nature

1) plenty of yellow cabs
2) It's cold in Feb. Freezing. Don't know what you mean by brass monkey cold, but plan on probably not warmer than 30 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.
3) most shops are open til about 9:00pm
4) yes, absolutely
5) it's pretty much a hole in the ground now. not much standing there, but worth a visit. visit also nearby trinity church, on broadway just opposite ground zero. lots of things there in rememberance of sep. 11.
[www.saintpaulschapel.org]

many thanks for that
brass monkey is a saying in the united kingdom
we say it cold enough to freeze the balls of a brass monkey

ok, not that cold.

Here we say "colder than a witch's tit" and in February, that is what a wet cold feels like. Wet as in humid.

...Another expression us Brits use (or, at least I do) is, Freezing Yer Nuts Off....

1. There's ALWAYS a yellow taxi waiting for someone to pick up from the airport (just be careful not to fall into the hands of those pesky drivers that continually ask you if you need a ride. Stick to a yellow cab)

2. Flipping freezing cold. I'd have to say February is the coldest month during the winter season. Make sure you have layers, a coat, gloves, scarf, and hat.

3. If you're going to shop in Manhattan, most of the stores open from any around 9:00 AM, and close till maybe 9-ish, 10-ish. (not sure on that). But I do know for a fact that there are somethings that don't close until after 10pm.

4. I'd suggest all of them. Central Park and Rockafeller Center being my top two.


5. You can visit it if you'd like. I'm not sure if there's a memorial or anything of the sort there though at the moment...

1. As anonymous says, there are always yellow taxis at the airport. Being the cynical type of person I am, even though I always use a yellow cab, I ALWAYS make sure my luggage goes in the boot (trunk) before I get in the cab..... (I know that you're supposed to be safe with yellow cabs, but I seem to recall that as being a bit of advice I picked up from here when I first started being a nuisance on here all those years ago!!)


5. Mell and I went there in November, and there's nothing to see at the moment, it's just a construction site, and it was all boarded up. I guess the only reason you'd need to got there now is to pay your respects, and to look at the "Timeline" exhibition. As AANY says, Trinity Church is well worth a visit.

If your not fussed about going to a Broadway show, try an get onthe Statten Island ferry (it's free) at dusk. It gives you the best free view of the Manhattan skyline you'll ever see.

One thing you need to make sure you do....and that is......


.......Have a brilliant time (which you will), enjoy the experiences that New York has to offer, the people, the things going on around you and the different cultures, and be sure to come back and tell us everything upon your return...funny things will happpen to you, of that you can be sure!

Hi Mark,

1.Instead of a yellow cab (which, as said, there are trillions) consider using the Airtrain (picks up from every terminal around airport) to either Howard Beach or Jamaica subway stations (depending on whether you're staying upper or lower Manhattan) and then subway. This will cost you only $7 as opposed to over $50 for your cab, plus toll, plus tip. Its quicker too.

2. I will also be there mid Feb! Weather is really, really cold. Wrap up well! I was there last Feb and it snowed .. massive, proper flakes. It's the wind that makes it feel bitterly cold but believe me, keep stopping for a tea or coffee and the weather does not spoil a thing! Its too much of an amazing place to let a bit of cold get to you.

4. I'd recommend Top of the Rock instead of the Empire State. Its the very top of the G E Building at the Rockerfeller Center. You get a mind-blowing view north up Central Park (which you can't see from the Empire State) and all the way south to the Statue of Liberty and you get a superb view *of* the Empire State.

Have a fab time!

Dammit....I'd forgotten about the Top of The Rock....you're right, it's a much better view, and it gets less crowded!

Top of The Rock for sure! We had no line when we were there in June, and that was with a school group in front of us even!!

thank you all for advice
we are on constant countdown all though we are only going for 4 days we have no anklebiters (children) with us so we can do what we like
wife is intent on woodbury common for the shopping but not sure if i can talk her out of it as she likes to buy designer wear then just hang it in the wardrobe and never wear it
cold weather will not put me off
and i will certainly pay my respects at that church mentioned
any more tips on anything feel free
also steakhouse whats the best quality one and where
being a butcher i know quality meat and want to see what america can produce livestock wise went to a ponderosa chain in florida and it was dreadful

Nooooooooooo to Woodbury Commons!!!!!!!! Not if you only have 4 days!!!! There are lots of discount places to shop in the city Daffy's, Feline's Basement, TJMaxx, and many more that I can't think of at the moment. DSW for Shoes.

As for a good steakhouse. Here is one of many threads on the subject from the search engine. Keen's seems to be mentioned the most,enjoy! [www.askanewyorker.com]

I like Keen's steakhouse, think it's great.
[www.keens.com]

Salsa Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Nooooooooooo to Woodbury Commons!!!!!!!! Not if
> you only have 4 days!!!! There are lots of
> discount places to shop in the city Daffy's,
> Feline's Basement, TJMaxx, and many more that I
> can't think of at the moment. DSW for Shoes.
>

I would agree with you Salsa, I don't think it's worth a trip to Woodbury. It's a long way to go when there's a lot more to see and do closer to "home"

askanewyorker Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I like Keen's steakhouse, think it's great.
> [www.keens.com]


....If only McHales was still there....

If you are interested in the details of the World Trade Center attacks, I'd recommend a trip to the New York City Fire Museum (http://www.nycfiremuseum.org/index.php). It's about a mile away from the WTC (nice walk if it's not too cold) on Spring St between Varick and Hudson, and they have a permanent exhibit and memorial that is both very moving and informative. You'll learn a lot about what it was like to experience that day. As a bonus, it's in SoHo, so perhaps the wife can do a bit of shopping there and skip the outlets. (I mean, the pound is so much stronger that you probably won't even need to go discount shopping to get good deals!)