NYC virgins

I%26#39;ve only been to nyc once years ago so I consider myself a first timer. Husband and I are thinking of coming for the long weekend over easter, first of all is that a bad time due to places being closed? Secondly, where should we stay? both in are 40%26#39;s and like decent accomodations in a decent area. Should we stay right in nyc or just outside, heard people talk about over the bridge, pardon my ignorance but I don%26#39;t know my way around. If we didn%26#39;t stay right on the city should we drive, coming from Toronto, and leave the car while coming into the city or best to fly, know the route well as we pass the cut off every year to the Cape. Have looked at some hotels and pretty costly at $1000 for 4 nights, so any suggestions would be great. I%26#39;d like to do some shopping, Macy%26#39;s bloomingdales etc. and some good ';off street'; shopping. Hubby is a firefighter and we would definatley like to see the 911 memorial. Some great delis and inexpensive dining would be on the list as this trip is being done on somewhat of a budget as I just thought of doing it this AM and have not saved for it. Walking, taxi%26#39;s or subways are fine as we%26#39;d like to experience the different areas etc.

If anyone has any suggestions for hotels, what to do, advice etc. that would be great

thx

NYC virgins

When I saw the title of your post, I thought, ';There are? Where?';

Nothing will be closed on Easter, so no worries there. Here are some threads from the FAQ that can provide a good start for some of your questions:

WHERE SHOULD I STAY? Neighborhoods in Manhattan:

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60763-s204/New-York-鈥?/a>

GET OFF THE ISLAND - LODGING OUTSIDE MANHATTAN: Is it possible to find clean, safe, affordable lodging outside Manhattan? Yes, even with some trade-offs, you can find lodging in Queens, New Jersey and Brooklyn.

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k1338069鈥?/a>

CHEAP EATS:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k578735%鈥?/a>

SHOPPING: Where can I spend my money the fastest?

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k909407%鈥?/a>

MUST-SEE%26#39;S AND MUST-DO%26#39;S! WHAT SHOULD A FIRST-TIMER ABSOLUTELY NOT MISS? This list could go on forever, but here%26#39;s a ';Top 21'; that sums up the Big Apple%26#39;s best features.

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60763-s409/New-York-鈥?/a>

NYC virgins

And when I saw your post I thought maybe Eliot Spitzer was posting....!

A lot of these decisions are personal and affect budget. I%26#39;d think it%26#39;s a very long drive for just a weekend, but maybe you don%26#39;t mind. It%26#39;s often cheaper to drive to Buffalo, NY airport and fly from there vs. Toronto. Have you checked that out? kayak.com is a good website for both air and hotels. I also like quikbook.com for hotels.

If you drive, the only hotel with free parking is the Travel Inn, not a bad budget option but it may be already booked and/or pricey by now.

There%26#39;s a Holiday Inn in Ft. Lee, NJ (just over the GW Bridge) that%26#39;s supposed to be great value, but you%26#39;d have to drive your car into Manhattan each day and park. Not a big deal. Iconparking.com has garages all over the city and you can reserve in advance (which you should do). You can park in different spots each day depending on where you go that day and what you do.

Other NJ options include the Sheraton on the Hudson in Weekhawken (directly across from midtown Manhattan) and some of the Jersey City hotels are near a PATH train (like a subway). Some folks bid on Priceline 3* hotels in Jersey City and you win either the Doubltree Club or the Hyatt. Both are near a PATH train. Whether you%26#39;d get a win for the holiday weekend, I don%26#39;t know.

Always nicer and more of a NYC experience to stay in Manhattan (easier for evening activities and meals etc.) but it may be late to find affordable hotel. The Millenium Broadway has a special on travelzoo.com for $199 that%26#39;s good for Easter Weekend. Tax is another 15% but still cheaper than the $1000 you%26#39;re quoting. This hotel is right in Times Square.