Viking Supporters Co-operative

Viking Chat => Off Topic => Topic started by: mushRTID on May 23, 2015, 08:43:36 am

Title: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: mushRTID on May 23, 2015, 08:43:36 am
Hi all, looking at going to either New York or Vegas next year. Well, I want to go NY... the mrs wants to go Vegas.

Has anyone been to both and which did you prefer?

Would doing both (say 4 nights in each) mean cramming too much in or is 4 days in each enough??

Would appreciate some thoughts.

Cheers.
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: Nudga on May 23, 2015, 09:15:03 am
Got no advice but we'd love to do this as well so I look forward to reading any replies.
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: Underwood on May 23, 2015, 09:29:12 am
Went to Ney York for the second time last February. Didn't get above -10. Fantastic city though, something for everyone there, and very easy to find your way around. Food and drink is probably cheaper than here. Got a cracking deal flying with BA and stying at the Marriot, cost less than £600 per person for flights and hotel.

Going to Vegas for a week in 3 weeks. Will let you know what it is like. Two completely different places though.
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: silent majority on May 23, 2015, 09:55:20 am
I've done both. Vegas twice and NY about 15 times. They are completely different cities and it will depend very much on what you're looking for. Vegas is all glitz and glamour, incredible shows, shopping and bars and restaurants. Not only that it can be your summer holiday too as the weather is usually great and sitting by the pool is OK. It's a relatively compact place, easy to get around and yet the size of each casino is extraordinary. A lot of entertainment is free as most casinos have some public show or other taking place at various times of the day. It really has it all.

NY is a great city. But it is just a city so if you enjoy city breaks you'll love the place. Shopping is good, restaurants are great value for money, more so than the UK, and Broadway is really good. It doesn't have many sights worth visiting (I'd avoid the Statue of Liberty) so expect big queues for those that you want to see. I love Central Park, don't know why really, but it can be a great attraction when the weathers good. I would suggest a good tourist guide and pick out those things you wish to see and do. 4 days might not seem much but you could do it all in that time if you wish.
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: Underwood on May 23, 2015, 10:28:04 am
I've done both. Vegas twice and NY about 15 times. They are completely different cities and it will depend very much on what you're looking for. Vegas is all glitz and glamour, incredible shows, shopping and bars and restaurants. Not only that it can be your summer holiday too as the weather is usually great and sitting by the pool is OK. It's a relatively compact place, easy to get around and yet the size of each casino is extraordinary. A lot of entertainment is free as most casinos have some public show or other taking place at various times of the day. It really has it all.

NY is a great city. But it is just a city so if you enjoy city breaks you'll love the place. Shopping is good, restaurants are great value for money, more so than the UK, and Broadway is really good. It doesn't have many sights worth visiting (I'd avoid the Statue of Liberty) so expect big queues for those that you want to see. I love Central Park, don't know why really, but it can be a great attraction when the weathers good. I would suggest a good tourist guide and pick out those things you wish to see and do. 4 days might not seem much but you could do it all in that time if you wish.

I beg to differ with regards to New York not being for sight seeing. If you're into movies, it's fantastic to visit filming locations.
Stauart of Liberty, Ellis Island, Wall Street, Ground Zero, Emipire State Building, Central Park, Dakota Building to name a few. They orgainse soe fantastic trips to Harlem too.
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: silent majority on May 23, 2015, 10:51:59 am
But it's not in the London category, or any major European city either. That list you've produced is just about it.

To be fair I wouldn't even put the Dakota building on the list, it's only curiosity value and there's nothing to see there.

My favourite building is without a doubt Grand Central Station and all the restaurants and eating places contained within.
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: biggle on May 23, 2015, 01:07:28 pm
I have done both, and as someone else on the thread said they are worlds apart. New York is a great city to visit, things to see are Central Park, Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island (best to do this first thing when the queues are not as big, ground zero, Broadway, Time Square, Manhattan Bridge. Plenty to look at but 3/4 days is enough.

Vegas is a one off. Its like nowhere else, weird but fun. No clocks in any casinos, easy to lose track of time, shows etc, but for me the must do is the helicopter to grand canyon. Again 3/4 days is enough
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: andy didcott on May 23, 2015, 01:26:19 pm
Also done both, but for me it has to be Vegas, with a deffo flight to the Grand Canyon.
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: BobG on May 23, 2015, 02:24:25 pm
Or you could spend 2 days walking down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back. It really is an unbelievable place.  Far, far more interesting than Las Vegas - unless you like sitting on your arse all day.

Cheers

BobG
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: silent majority on May 23, 2015, 03:44:45 pm
Or you could drive there and stay on site at the Grand Canyon, it's a beautiful place first thing the morning, the light is just different!

I also think there are better cities in the U.S. than NY, especially Boston, Chicago and Miami. Although I should be careful, my daughter in law is from Brooklyn and would not be very happy to hear me say that.
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: mushRTID on May 23, 2015, 05:04:06 pm
Great advice cheers chaps. Been and got some quotes today, looking like 3 days NY, 5 days vegas at the moment. Can't wait
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: Underwood on May 23, 2015, 05:22:40 pm
Great advice cheers chaps. Been and got some quotes today, looking like 3 days NY, 5 days vegas at the moment. Can't wait

What quotes did you get? Booked for 7 nights in Vegas at Luxor with BA with lounge access for under £900 each.
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: mushRTID on May 23, 2015, 06:06:42 pm
Great advice cheers chaps. Been and got some quotes today, looking like 3 days NY, 5 days vegas at the moment. Can't wait

What quotes did you get? Booked for 7 nights in Vegas at Luxor with BA with lounge access for under £900 each.

£2,700 for both of us 3 nights NY, 5 nights Vegas. I have come home and checked on expedia and the same flights cost almost £1000 each (including the NY - LV flight) so I dont think it is bad total price. Its at East bank holiday too, not sure if that increases it or not
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: Mike_F on May 24, 2015, 10:23:35 am
Not yet done NY but it's on the list of places to visit. I've been to Vegas twice and hope to do four or five days there and the same in New York next time.

I'd definitely recommend combining the two if possible. First time I went we did four days in Vegas and ten in Miami which was a good balance.

Something for everyone in Vegas. If you go, make sure you get a cab to Fremont Street to see some of the old casinos etc.
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: i_ateallthepies on May 24, 2015, 11:50:51 am
If you do NY strongly advise booking the 3-day sightseeing bus pass.  It's hop-off/hop-on so is a great way of getting around the city and finding out about the place.  You'll also get other cut price site-seeing options when you book, but the bus pass itself comes with some of the same.
Empire State Building is worth doing both daylight and night.  Each provides a breathtaking but different visual experience.
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: IDM on May 25, 2015, 11:39:44 pm
I haven't been to Vegas, the glitz and glamour does not appeal.  I went to NY a few years ago and loved it - yes it is just a city, but what a city.  It is an experience just being there.

Would like to see Grand Canyon though..
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: Jenny on May 27, 2015, 09:24:01 am
Having been to Vegas and NY (3 times), I still prefer Chicago.
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: Jenny on May 27, 2015, 09:24:24 am
Great advice cheers chaps. Been and got some quotes today, looking like 3 days NY, 5 days vegas at the moment. Can't wait

What quotes did you get? Booked for 7 nights in Vegas at Luxor with BA with lounge access for under £900 each.

Oh and Hi Mike  :P
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: BillyStubbsTears on May 27, 2015, 02:44:05 pm
...Paris, Munich
Ev'rybody talk about...pop music
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: Wild Rover on May 27, 2015, 03:54:51 pm
Prefer San Diego personally. Not too far from GC, Not too far from Vegas, and only gnats willy length from Baja Peninsular and my favourite haunts of Tijuana and Ensenada.
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: Underwood on May 27, 2015, 06:38:49 pm
Great advice cheers chaps. Been and got some quotes today, looking like 3 days NY, 5 days vegas at the moment. Can't wait

What quotes did you get? Booked for 7 nights in Vegas at Luxor with BA with lounge access for under £900 each.

Oh and Hi Mike  :P


Sssshhh
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: Filo on May 27, 2015, 06:57:07 pm
Great advice cheers chaps. Been and got some quotes today, looking like 3 days NY, 5 days vegas at the moment. Can't wait

What quotes did you get? Booked for 7 nights in Vegas at Luxor with BA with lounge access for under £900 each.

Oh and Hi Mike  :P


Sssshhh

Mike?  ;)
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: Underwood on May 27, 2015, 07:11:18 pm
Great advice cheers chaps. Been and got some quotes today, looking like 3 days NY, 5 days vegas at the moment. Can't wait

What quotes did you get? Booked for 7 nights in Vegas at Luxor with BA with lounge access for under £900 each.

Oh and Hi Mike  :P


Sssshhh

Mike?  ;)

 :crying:
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: BobG on May 27, 2015, 10:45:51 pm
If we can be allowed to suggest our own personal favorite places in the USA, mine would be either Savannah, Georgia or Charleston, South Carolina. New Orleans gets a mention as does Montgomery, Alabama too. Or the one horse little place in the panhandle where I first saw tumbleweed actually blowing down the street! Couldn't believe my eyes! There it was :)

Cheers

BobG
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: IDM on May 27, 2015, 11:14:23 pm
If we can be allowed to suggest our own personal favorite places in the USA, mine would be either Savannah, Georgia or Charleston, South Carolina. New Orleans gets a mention as does Montgomery, Alabama too. Or the one horse little place in the panhandle where I first saw tumbleweed actually blowing down the street! Couldn't believe my eyes! There it was :)

Cheers

BobG

I am fairly sure I saw tumbleweed rolling across the KM pitch in last season's game vs Crawley, but I am not certain anything so exciting actually happened then.
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: BobG on May 27, 2015, 11:46:47 pm
:):):)

Pukka tumbleweed definitely was exciting. Well,it was for this shy, retiring chap anyway.

BobG
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: Rich_The_Conisbrough_Rover on May 28, 2015, 10:17:05 pm
Been NYC twice now, last time was November, was absolutely amazing, me and the missus stop in the double tree guest suites smack in the middle of Times Square.
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: BobG on May 28, 2015, 10:17:53 pm
See any winos Rich?!

Bob
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: Donnywolf on May 29, 2015, 07:12:58 pm
Done Las Vegas 9 times now and it never fails to amaze me or the other people who have tagged along on some of those occasions

It is strange that when people ask me what is the best thing about Las Vegas I ALWAYS say the Grand Canyon which is bizarre given it is in another State and as far from Donny as Bristol or Lands End depending on how you measure it

Las Vegas is great and I hope to make it 10 visits before Rovers make the Premiership

New York I have done 3 maybe 4 times and have done all the Sights including the (now demolished) World Trade Centre, Statue of Liberty, et al. It is ok but that is just my opinion. I prefer Washington DC and even Boston.

It is good to combine Las Vegas with New York or Boston or Chicago but I would say imo always go to Las Vegas for the second part of the holiday as I did Las Vegas then Boston and though Boston is also great it just looked so dull gloomy and mucky (in 8 degrees) after the bright lights and attractions and 30 degrees plus Temperatures of Las Vegas

Viva Las Vegas for me !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ghqbZLdHKA
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: Donnywolf on May 30, 2015, 09:49:48 pm
Hi all, looking at going to either New York or Vegas next year. Well, I want to go NY... the mrs wants to go Vegas.

Has anyone been to both and which did you prefer?

Would doing both (say 4 nights in each) mean cramming too much in or is 4 days in each enough??

Would appreciate some thoughts.

Cheers.

TBH - cutting out the crap - imo its a no Brainer

Las Vegas (for me) is just the best place going. It is unique but would not and does not appeal to everyone

New York is a great place for sure but in the same way as London is great or Paris is great

Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: Donnywolf on May 30, 2015, 10:10:01 pm
Or you could drive there and stay on site at the Grand Canyon, it's a beautiful place first thing the morning, the light is just different!

I also think there are better cities in the U.S. than NY, especially Boston, Chicago and Miami. Although I should be careful, my daughter in law is from Brooklyn and would not be very happy to hear me say that.

Yes stop just outside National Park (at Red Feather Village for example) and get up just before dawn and go watch the sunrise over the Canyon, Immense....There are always lots of Japanese tourists there wrapped in sheets from their Hotels paying homage to "The Rising Sun" of course

Quite simply the Grand Canyon is worth walking to from Donny to see. Awesome is an overused word but CAN be applied to the Grand Canyon - so try to see it and in all different light conditions - well worth it
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: BobG on May 30, 2015, 10:58:13 pm
Absolutely agree DW. It's the single most wondrous wonder of the world I have ever seen. Bar nothing.  I hitch hiked there from Flagstaff in the back of a freezing and windy pick up truck. Worth every second of the pain I endured thawing out afterwards...

It was the colours that got me.  Just staggeringly beautiful.

BobG
Title: Re: New York / Vegas / Both
Post by: Donnywolf on May 31, 2015, 06:22:57 am
Absolutely agree DW. It's the single most wondrous wonder of the world I have ever seen. Bar nothing.  I hitch hiked there from Flagstaff in the back of a freezing and windy pick up truck. Worth every second of the pain I endured thawing out afterwards...

It was the colours that got me.  Just staggeringly beautiful.

BobG

Have you ever read the Bill Bryson book (Think it is Notes from a Big Country)  and specifically the Chapter on the Grand Canyon ? It made me howl with laughter - but you NEED to have seen the Canyon to appreciate the "joke"

Basically he goes there and unfortunately it is shrouded in mist for a couple of days and cant be seen and those there who have not ever seen it including a honeymooning couple are just saying oh well it may clear but he WHO KNEW what he was missing was climbing the walls with frustration and angst !  Great last line in the Chapter pmsl

And back to the OP

He then moves on to Las Vegas and opens with "What is the difference between Las Vegas and a Toilet ? At least you can flush a Toilet" Oops !