Hi Pat and Robert,
I just thought I would quickly reply as I went to NYC last September with JY and it was my first trip with JY and my first time to NYC so just like you both.
I have always wanted to go there and I really enjoyed it. You will find my review and other people's reviews on the review page. Some went last month and their review shows their trip was quite similar to mine with a few small differences which I think comes from different tour managers but overall the same.
I hope you both really enjoy yourselves, it is a jam packed weekend and only downside I felt was it wasn't long enough I wish it had been at least 1 day longer.
I'm currently booked to go to Arizona in October this year and I'm looking at the Great Eastern USA tour for next year which incorporates 3 nights in NYC.
As a tip, if you want a nice bar, the hotel next door (to the left as you look at your hotel) has a roof top bar you can go to, nicer than the German bar just down the road and a bit cheaper...the hotel we stay in doesn't have a bar (but I think the write up says it does).
By the way Brooklyn Bridge is right by the helicopter rides so if you go on that you could get to the bridge quite easily after and only have to worry about one trip, or after the morning tour ask to get off coach with the helicopter ride people instead of being taking back to the hotel...
I hope you both enjoy your holiday, I'm feeling quite jealous as I can't wait to go back.
Donna