The brochure details mention an orientation walk on arrival - where does this go and how long does it take? What time do you arrive at the hotel after the flight? 

The main excursion on day 2 says its a 'New York Tour' - again, how long does this take? Where does it go? Do you get a chance to 'go in' places? Is it all walking? Is there free time after this?

Is the evening Empire State Building excursion worth doing?

Is the Central Park walk on day 3 just the morning? How long for? What happens after that? 

Do the tours walk everywhere or use public transport? How long does it take to get between places?

That's a lot of questions, sorry! But if anyone can fill in any of the details I'd be really grateful.

Thank you! 🙂

I have done NYC twice while on a main tour,so cannot really answer your questions, part of the reason I then went back was because there wasn't enough time to do what I wanted...so I did a New York add on to do what I wanted, hope you get the answers you need.

Cindy

Have you looked in the review section to see if anybody has left a detailed review...

I have done NYC twice while on a main tour,so cannot really answer your questions, part of the reason I then went back was because there wasn't enough time to do what I wanted...so I did a New York add on to do what I wanted, hope you get the answers you need.

Cindy

Hi \Cindy, thank you - no, I can't find any detailed reviews so I'm hoping someone who has been fairly recently, or perhaps someone from JY can offer some more information.

It's great to hear you've enjoyed your trips though! 🙂

Hi! I'm thinking about booking the New York city break but would be really interested in some more specific information about the itinerary - there are tonnes of things I'd like to do in NYC so it would be great to know what's included and what else I'd have time for!

The brochure details mention an orientation walk on arrival - where does this go and how long does it take? What time do you arrive at the hotel after the flight? 

The main excursion on day 2 says its a 'New York Tour' - again, how long does this take? Where does it go? Do you get a chance to 'go in' places? Is it all walking? Is there free time after this?

Is the evening Empire State Building excursion worth doing?

Is the Central Park walk on day 3 just the morning? How long for? What happens after that? 

Do the tours walk everywhere or use public transport? How long does it take to get between places?

That's a lot of questions, sorry! But if anyone can fill in any of the details I'd be really grateful.

Thank you! :)

The orientation tour on arrival is really just from the hotel to the place where you and the group will have the welcome dinner, to get your bearings.

On day 2 you'll have a guide and coach tour from 9am to 1pm and free after this.

During the guided tour you'll see the main sights such as the Empire State Building, Wall Street, Broadway, the site of the World Trade Centre, the Chrysler Building, Chinatown and not forgetting Times Square.

The Empire State is worth a visit as seeing the city at night with fantastic views.

On the Central park day you have the guide for 3 hours and then free time. You will travel by subway with the guide and Tour Manager between the hotel and Central Park. Then you'll have free time to spend at leisure or go back to the hotel with the Tour Manager.

Kind regards,

Elisa

I hope you get time to do what you want to do, getting around is easy, and the policeman or traffic wardens are very helpful just make sure you take a card from hotel with name and address if all else fail get in a cab and show them where to take you...I love NY and I have seen all I want to now, have fun!

Cindy

We are delighted to hear that you have decided to take the plunge. I'm sure that you will have a lovely experience and I cant wait to hear all about it.

In regards to the meals, you are correct that you will have your first evening meal with the group and your tour manger.

On other evenings, the tour manager usually gives suggestions on where to go for dinner and the group usually sticks together.

I hope this answers your question.

Kind Regards,

Mildred

There are so many different choices in the USA for places to eat, so people do tend to buddy up and go to eat in places they want to go, it also depends if your one hotel,based or moving around if only in the one hotel then you can get a feel of what is around. Most USA hotels do not have restaurants so food is eaten out. The tour manager should be around at some stage in the day to point you in the right direction, inhave done many tours far and wide including quite a few USA tours and I have never eaten alone. It all works out and I am sure you will have a great time.

Cindy

Hi! I'm thinking about booking the New York city break but would be really interested in some more specific information about the itinerary - there are tonnes of things I'd like to do in NYC so it would be great to know what's included and what else I'd have time for!

The brochure details mention an orientation walk on arrival - where does this go and how long does it take? What time do you arrive at the hotel after the flight? 

The main excursion on day 2 says its a 'New York Tour' - again, how long does this take? Where does it go? Do you get a chance to 'go in' places? Is it all walking? Is there free time after this?

Is the evening Empire State Building excursion worth doing?

Is the Central Park walk on day 3 just the morning? How long for? What happens after that? 

Do the tours walk everywhere or use public transport? How long does it take to get between places?

That's a lot of questions, sorry! But if anyone can fill in any of the details I'd be really grateful.

Thank you! :)

Hi,

I've just arrived back from NYC on Tuesday and had an excellent time and I would highly recommend doing everything on offer as otherwise there will be lots you do not see.

We got to our hotel early so had an hour to walk around until the rooms were ready (you can't check in until 3pm), we then got settled and went out for dinner taking the long route to get sites in as we went.

Next day we had a coach tour in the morning were we did get time to get off in certain places such as the Rockafella Centre, Washington Square Park, World Trade Centre memorial etc, but a lot of sites are taken in whilst driving past.  However, as long as you inform your tour manager you can be left at any of the sites you stop at, one of our party stayed at the World Trade Centre and made her own way back.

We then went onto the helicopter ride, if booked on, or dropped off back at the hotel for a free afternoon, if not booked on.  After the helicopter ride we had a few hours until the evening tour and empire state building, if booked on, or a free evening if you weren't booked on.  I would highly recommend both tours, in the evening again we got off at some places and others were via the coach, we went over to New Jersey to see the Manhattan skyline across the river which is definitely worth it!  The Empire State at night again is worth doing.

Next day was central park via the subway, at the end of the tour (around lunch time) people started splitting off to do what they wanted, we got the bus back with the tour manager and then a group of us split to go shopping (our main free time).

That evening many people split off into groups and either went for dinner or to the theatre.

The last morning we did the cruise and then back to airport.  They had to change our cruise to a later one as the traffic was so bad owing to bad weather, UN conference delegates arriving into the city and roads closed because of the bombing, but we still managed to make a cruise and get to the airport in plenty of time.  The tour manager did a great job of making sure we didn't miss anything!

It was all very well organised I just wish I could have done it all and had a bit more free time as I'm glad I didn't miss all that was organised as it was all well worth it but just doesn't leave you with a lot of free time.

Also I would like to highlight a lot of the above was done during the bombings as we were there doing our night tour/Empire State Building whilst that was going on but the tour manager and guide kept things going and were very professional.

I hope you enjoy your time in NYC, it is a jam packed weekend but well worth it.  And I have made many new friends and will definitely be booking again.

Donna

Just to say, I was on the same trip as Donna and I would endorse everything she says above. On arrival we were given a sheet showing the itinerary for each day and our Tour Manager told us a lot of info. whilst on the coach from the airport to the hotel.

After the bomb attack we had a few delays because of traffic etc.,but we didn't miss anything.

It is full-on for the 4 days and not a lot of free time, but I look at it as taster for what New York has to offer and could maybe re-visit at a more leisurely pace another time. For example Central Park is so large you could easily spend a whole day there or I heard it's supposed to be good to take a leisurely stroll across Brooklyn Bridge!

Enjoy your trip!

Bushytail (T)

Hi Gerry133,

We are delighted to hear that you have decided to take the plunge. I'm sure that you will have a lovely experience and I cant wait to hear all about it.

In regards to the meals, you are correct that you will have your first evening meal with the group and your tour manger.

On other evenings, the tour manager usually gives suggestions on where to go for dinner and the group usually sticks together.

I hope this answers your question.

Kind Regards,

Mildred

Hello Mildred thank you for this info. How do I find out who else is booked on this trip so I can contact them before I go in March 2017?

Hi! I'm thinking about booking the New York city break but would be really interested in some more specific information about the itinerary - there are tonnes of things I'd like to do in NYC so it would be great to know what's included and what else I'd have time for!

The brochure details mention an orientation walk on arrival - where does this go and how long does it take? What time do you arrive at the hotel after the flight? 

The main excursion on day 2 says its a 'New York Tour' - again, how long does this take? Where does it go? Do you get a chance to 'go in' places? Is it all walking? Is there free time after this?

Is the evening Empire State Building excursion worth doing?

Is the Central Park walk on day 3 just the morning? How long for? What happens after that? 

Do the tours walk everywhere or use public transport? How long does it take to get between places?

That's a lot of questions, sorry! But if anyone can fill in any of the details I'd be really grateful.

Thank you! :)

Hi,

I've just arrived back from NYC on Tuesday and had an excellent time and I would highly recommend doing everything on offer as otherwise there will be lots you do not see.

We got to our hotel early so had an hour to walk around until the rooms were ready (you can't check in until 3pm), we then got settled and went out for dinner taking the long route to get sites in as we went.

Next day we had a coach tour in the morning were we did get time to get off in certain places such as the Rockafella Centre, Washington Square Park, World Trade Centre memorial etc, but a lot of sites are taken in whilst driving past.  However, as long as you inform your tour manager you can be left at any of the sites you stop at, one of our party stayed at the World Trade Centre and made her own way back.

We then went onto the helicopter ride, if booked on, or dropped off back at the hotel for a free afternoon, if not booked on.  After the helicopter ride we had a few hours until the evening tour and empire state building, if booked on, or a free evening if you weren't booked on.  I would highly recommend both tours, in the evening again we got off at some places and others were via the coach, we went over to New Jersey to see the Manhattan skyline across the river which is definitely worth it!  The Empire State at night again is worth doing.

Next day was central park via the subway, at the end of the tour (around lunch time) people started splitting off to do what they wanted, we got the bus back with the tour manager and then a group of us split to go shopping (our main free time).

That evening many people split off into groups and either went for dinner or to the theatre.

The last morning we did the cruise and then back to airport.  They had to change our cruise to a later one as the traffic was so bad owing to bad weather, UN conference delegates arriving into the city and roads closed because of the bombing, but we still managed to make a cruise and get to the airport in plenty of time.  The tour manager did a great job of making sure we didn't miss anything!

It was all very well organised I just wish I could have done it all and had a bit more free time as I'm glad I didn't miss all that was organised as it was all well worth it but just doesn't leave you with a lot of free time.

Also I would like to highlight a lot of the above was done during the bombings as we were there doing our night tour/Empire State Building whilst that was going on but the tour manager and guide kept things going and were very professional.

I hope you enjoy your time in NYC, it is a jam packed weekend but well worth it.  And I have made many new friends and will definitely be booking again.

Donna

Hello Donna thank you for that helpful reply and info for each day. I did think about your Group as I heard about the bombings and hoped you were all ok. I wish I had been on your trip. I have just asked how I contact others maybe booked on the March 2017 trip. So I can contact them to speak before going. This will be my first trip with Just You and on my own. Thanks again. Gerry

I have not been to America before or on my own on this type of holiday. Is anyone else going on the March 2017 trip?  Would like to contact you and get to know you a bit before going from Heathrow.

Any info would be helpful for a new traveller on their own. Thanks Gerry

Hi Gerry133,

We are delighted to hear that you have decided to take the plunge. I'm sure that you will have a lovely experience and I cant wait to hear all about it.

In regards to the meals, you are correct that you will have your first evening meal with the group and your tour manger.

On other evenings, the tour manager usually gives suggestions on where to go for dinner and the group usually sticks together.

I hope this answers your question.

Kind Regards,

Mildred

Hello Mildred thank you for this info. How do I find out who else is booked on this trip so I can contact them before I go in March 2017?

Good Afternoon Gerry133,

You can post on the "say hello to other singe travelers" forum and the people on the same tour as you will make themselves known.

Everyone is very friendly so don't be shy.

Kind Regards,

Mildred

Thank you Donna for your helpful reply about each days trips and times.  This will be my first trip with Just You and on my own.  Its nice to know its so organised. I was asking how I contact others going on the March 2017 trip. Wish I had been on yours.  How many went on your trip? I did hear about the bombing and knew there was a group going on that date.  Glad all was ok. Thanks again Gerry

Hi Gerry,

It was my first trip with JY as well, I am now booked onto my second for next October (Arizona ranch).  Some of us on our trip talked to each other over this forum but I have to be honest very few who went are on the forum, we met some people in the lounge at Heathrow and then others you meet as you are there and on the coach and in the hotel etc.  It is always worth trying to contact people on here but do not always expect a lot of response but that is not people being rude at all (you will be able to find the conversations from my trip and you'll see there are very few people responding).  I made friends with one person, she and I met at a Heathrow hotel the night before and went to the airport together and we've kept in touch since.

I am not sure of total numbers on our trip but I would say it wasn't far off 30 if not more, there were quite a few of us and I have to be honest I didn't get to talk to everybody, not because there were any issues just because there were quite a few of us, but everybody was friendly, even if groups emerged you felt comfortable joining any of the groups at any time, for example a group would say we're doing X do you want to join and if you did you were made to feel welcome, if you didn't want to nobody took offense at it.  It was all very relaxed and it was a shame that I didn't get to talk to everybody but as mentioned it was a full on weekend, but a great weekend.

I do hope you have a wonderful time in March, I definitely plan to go back to NYC as want to spend more time going to the different sights I saw this time around, this is a very good way to see what there is but you will want to go back!

Best wishes,

Donna

I was also on the September NY trip with Donna and she has summed it up perfectly! I too would recommend ALL of the optional excursions as each one packs in something different and worthwhile. I suspect the specific details may vary slightly depending on which Tour Manager/Coach driver you have, but certainly on the main sightseeing trip (Day 2 morning) we stopped on several occasions including at the 9/11 Memorial site and in the Greenwich Village area, the latter being a great, contrasting area of NY which I probably wouldn’t have visited if not on the trip. The optional evening Empire State Building trip turned out to be a full evening tour, taking in amongst other things the Grand Central Station, Flatiron Building and, as Donna said, the not to be missed trip across to New Jersey! I would also highly recommend the optional helicopter ride – I paid for the 20 minute trip but to be honest the 15 minute version is probably just as good.

So, to summarise, your free time will perhaps be an hour or so on arrival day (assuming flight on time) before the evening familiarisation walk and meal, a full afternoon on day 2 (or part afternoon if you do the helicopter ride) and a full afternoon and evening on day 3. There is no spare time on Day 4 which is pack/boat trip/airport! Based on my own trip, a few things I would recommend would be trips to the top of the new One World Observatory and the Rockefeller Centre (both can be pre-booked online) and (a must do!) the Brooklyn Bridge walk, probably best achieved by taking the subway to Brooklyn then walking back into Manhattan – fabulous day and night!

Hope this helps. Have a great time! Mark