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Midas Hotels: New York: Extensive Visitor Information for New York
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New York New York. The Big Apple. The Empire State. The city that never sleeps. No matter what you call it - it's New York - and it's one hell of a city! Not a bad deal for a handful of beads a few hundred years ago. Millions and possibly billions of words have been written about it, thousands and possibly millions of films and pictures have featured it, but no one - and no description or film - can even start to capture this incredible, wonderful, seething mass of humanity that is New York City - unless they spend some time in it. In a way it seems preordained that this, probably the greatest city on earth was the scene of one of the greatest single atrocities by man against man on earth.
New York post 9/11 - dazed, battered, bruised and deeply, terribly hurting. Today it is still the same city - but has rallied and moved on, with both it's people and the city absorbing 9/11 into its unique culture and history, drawing enormous spiritual strength from it with a never ever to be forgotten legacy. The city is once again the powerhouse that it always was, but now with a new purpose and destiny that is totally unique. Over 1.2 million visitors from the UK visited New York in 2007 to see first hand what this amazing, big, buzzing, mind boggling, "king of cities" has - charm, wit, culture, the arts, shopping, and whatever choice of capitalist inspired excess can be found on earth, along with great lashings of - well - WOW!! Eight million people living on top of each other is nothing new to Londoners but nobody in the world does it as well as the special people that are New Yorkers. But - don't take our word for it - take a bite and see for yourself. We at Midas Hotels have got a a deal for everyone - no matter your budget. So get on your bike - Now!
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* Click on Blue Information Icon below to go to specific Information Section
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 Airports/Airlines/Airport Lounges
Airport Transfers: Taxis: Bus: Shuttle Bus
Airline Carry on Baggage in USA
Banks/ATM's
Begging/Buskers ('Panhandling') Subway & Streets
Bargaining & Discount Stores
Business Hours
Bicycles & Bicycle Tours
Broadway Shows in New York
Off Broadway Shows in New York
Cinema (Movies)
Climate
Currency & Exchange Rate: US $ - £UK Pound
Credit Cards
Communications: Telephones (Landline)
Communications: Telephones (Your UK Mobile)
Communications: email / Internet / Web
Communications: Mail
Cars: Hiring & Driving Rental Cars in New York
Cars: Roads, Driving, Parking
Customs Allowance from UK for USA
 Midas New York Customer Comments
Dining in New York: Food & Restaurants
Disabled Travellers Access
Drugs (iIlegal variety)
Electricity
Festivals & Concerts
Health and Hospitals (Medical facilities-Visitors)
Health and Hospitals (Medical Insurance)
Language (Local Slang)
Manners/Customs (Locals)
Media: TV, Newspapers, Radio
New York Neighborhoods
New York Night Clubs & Bars
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Parks & Gardens: Central Park
Parades: Famous Parades: St Patricks Day, Macey's
Personal Safety
Public Holidays
Sex and The City! (..The Tour!)
Sightseeing: Art Galleries & Museums
Sightseeing: Famous Landmarks; Empire State
 Building, Chrysler Building, Rockerfeller Centre,
Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Grand Central
Station, Wall Street, St Patrick's Cathedral
Sightseeing: Famous Show Venues: Radio City Music
Hall, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Centre, Metropolitan
Opera House, Madison Square Garden
September 11 - Ground Zero
Shopping in New York: General
Shopping in New York: The New York Pass
Shopping in New York: Famous Shops: Saks 5th Ave,
Maceys, FAO Schwartz, Bloomingdales, Tiffany & Co:
Sports in New York: Baseball, Basketball, Football,
Ice Hockey, Tennis, Boxing, New York Marathon
Taxis in New York
Travel Insurance
Tours: New York Must See/Do: Statue of Liberty,
City Helicopter Tour, Ground Zero, Sex & City, More:
Tipping
Time Difference
Transport:(Public) Subway, Bus, Taxis, Limos, Walk
Passport/Visa: New ESTA & e-passport Rules
Visas & Passport: American Embassy in London
Visas & Passport: British Consulate in New York
Vaccinations & Health Requirements for Visitors
ZOOM MAP: MANHATTAN - NEW YORK CITY
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** Please note that we take NO responsibility for the content of external web sites that we link to for informational purposes **
Dining in New York: Food & Restaurants
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It is absolutely impossible to even start to list the dining experiences in New York. Suffice to say, whatever you fancy and however you want it cooked - or not cooked - you will find it here. New York is absolute, utter and total 'foodie heaven'. Full stop. And prices are very competitive - usually! Probably the most famous (amongst hundreds of types of foods) is the New York steak experience at one end of the scale and New York bagels at the other end of the scale. Personally, amongst the 50 or so top notch steak restaurants in New York we would recommend Gallaghers Steak House. Established as a speakeasy during the prohibition years, it celebrates its 80th birthday this year. It is famous in particular for its signature meat ageing room stocked with the best US prime dry aged beef in the world. Prices are not cheap - but not over the top either, about $40-45 USD (about £22) for an absolutely incredible prime rib, sirloin or New York cut steak.
Address: 228 W 52nd St New York, New York 10019, Telephone: 1 (212)-245-5336
At the other end of the scale we would recommend H and H Bagels who have an enviable reputation as THE best bagel in the world. They have 2 locations in New York:
2239 Broadway, New York, New York 10024 Telephone: 1 (212) 595-8003 Fax: (212) 799-6765
639 West 46th Street New York, New York 10036 Telephone: 1 (212) 595-8000 Fax: (212) 765-7391
Some great New York Food web sites: New York Magazine I Insider on New York I New York Times 'Foodie' Section I
Which New York Restaurant Guide I New York Dining & Price Guide
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Disabled Travellers Access
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New York is generally well-equipped for the disabled traveller. All of New York City's public buses are equipped with lifts so that wheelchair users can travel anywhere in the city. Many subway stations contain elevators, ramps, visual display signs, accessible public telephones, and tactile and audio features on vending machines; passengers with disabilities pay reduced fares on most trips. However, it is always best to check the MTA website or call on 1 718 596-8585 to ensure that the stations you require are accessible. The Mayor's Office People with Disabilities (MOPD) has developed a comprehensive 100 page book, "Access New York", which details resources and specific accessibility reviews for museums, clubs and much more. This book is available free of charge or downloadable from their website.
Guide Dogs: The Pet Travel Scheme has opened up travel opportunities for guide dog owners, however there are a number of steps that need to be taken before your dog can qualify under this Scheme. We suggest that you visit the UK Guide Dog website or call The UK Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Policy Department on 0118 983 8304
Taxi cabs in New York are required by law to welcome service animals whether it is secured or not. For those with wheelchairs the taxi driver is required to fold up the wheelchair and place it in the boot. Scooter rental is available for mature and disabled travellers. Scoot Around is a well known company who are open 24/7. Hands On is an organization dedicated to providing greater accessibility to arts and cultural events for the Deaf and hard of hearing community. A seriously kool website Another REALLY useful website:
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Drugs (iIlegal variety)
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Do NOT take illegal drugs into the USA. Full stop. SEVERE penalties including lengthy jail terms exist for importing or carrying illegal drugs into OR IN the USA. Also if you have prescription drugs that could be classified as creating a dependancy or addiction for the drug upon taking such, you MUST declare these on entering the US. Please also carry your doctors prescription with you and ALL the drugs you will require during your stay as it is very difficult to get a UK prescription filled in the US. A good source of information on this subject is the US government web site for prohibited drugs.
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Electricity & Using UK Appliances
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US electricity is 110 Volts and 60 Hz with two flat blades. UK power is 240V and 50 Hz with three Y shaped blades, the third and longest blade being the earth pin. You cannot use UK appliances in the US without a plug and a voltage adaptor, however laptops usually are ok as they work off an inbuilt voltage converter so all you need is usually a plug converter from UK to US. It is always best to buy adapter plugs before you leave the UK as they can be hard to purchase once in the US. Hair driers are usually either available in you room or can be borrowed from the front desk. Electric shavers can be plugged into adapter plugs located in most hotel bathrooms.
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Health and Hospitals (Medical and Doctor Facilities)
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New York has world class medical facilities with superbly equipped hospitals, and over 5000 doctors in New York city alone. I List of GP's for New York City I List of Hospitals in New York City I However, like anywhere in the USA there is NO reciprocal health cover agreement between the UK and the USA and you have to pay eye watering amounts of money for medical attention in the USA. Generally, even in a medical emergency you could be refused treatment unless you can provide proof of medical insurance. The rule here is the more you have the better. More below.
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Health and Hospitals (Medical Insurance)
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You MUST have medical insurance to visit the USA. NO ifs, NO buts, NO exceptions. As an example of costs, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) quote a heart stopping cost of over £35,000 for an air ambulance from New York back to the UK. In some cases however some people could find that they are not accepted for a standard policy such as if you have a pre-existing medical condition. This however can often be overcome by talking your situation through with the insurer who might just simply require some additional underwriting for you, which can often be done on the phone. If you are still unable to obtain insurance you might need a specialist niche insurer such as 'Free Spirit' and 'Medici' who cater for travellers with pre-existing medical conditions. Whatever you do - if you have a pre-existing medical condition (such as asthma) specifically check that it is covered in the policy and get it in writing. The premium for this specialist travel insurance will be more expensive and the cost of the price difference will depend on the severity of your pre-existing condition. Premiums for existing serious conditions such as a heart problem will be much more expensive as the medical treatment costs in the US will be more expensive, as will the cost of getting you and your travelling party home. If you are older you also could be rejected because of your age - 25% of normal insurers will not cover those aged 65 and over and 75% of insurers not covering those aged 75 and over, and at 80 years of age and older most travellers are unlikely to find any cover. As well as your health and age, a standard travel insurer may also not cover you if you have a penchant for dangerous pursuits such as a spot of hang gliding or bungee jumping whilst in New York. Our Medical Insurance recommendation:
An interesting option also is a US Based Travel Insurance Company that you can use:
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Language (New York Accent & Local Slang)
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The 'Noo Yoik' Accent
New York - It continues to constantly amaze us!The native New York accent is unique in the USA and the world. The New York dialect is spoken by most Americans who are/were raised in New York City and most of its metro area, and is often considered to be one of the most recognisable accents in American English. Most strong New York dialect speakers are in urban sections of Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan as well as the city's five densely populated boroughs, the western half of Long Island, southern Westchester County and the cities of Newark and Jersey City in New Jersey. However as the population has moved out of the city into the 'burbs', the dialect has also taken root in the outlying areas to which they moved such as Nassau and Westchester Counties and Staten Island etc.
New York Slang Words
If you're a visitor, who's never heard New Yorkers talking, you could become quite confused if you don't understand a little more about their unique 'mangling' of the English language. Some examples: If you want to participate with a plan of action, in any situation, you'll say "I'm 'bout that". Think something's really cool? Just say "alvo" (those shoes are really alvo). Broke and can't go somewhere? that translates to "you're ass out". "Bad" - the same as with UK kids means good, "badload" means a drunk. The word "bah" is used quite frequently as in when you're having trouble believing what someone is saying, or you're put off by something someone said. " "Baldwin" means a good-looking guy as in; He's a real Baldwin" = means he's a very cool dude (good looking guy!) If a man is talking about a good looking girl he could say "She's banging" or she's "A Betty". A not-so-handsome guy is often called a Barney. (After 'Barney Rubble' of the old Flintstone's cartoon series?) If you know someone with lots of money he's called a "baller". If you talk about a couple who are quite inseparable they are called "Batman and Robin". When visiting New York you don't want anyone to call you a "beals" - that means you are VERY uncool! If someone uses "bogart", they are not usually talking about Humphrey Bogart, the 30s movie star. To "bogart" means to be greedy or help yourself when you shouldn't. Getting tired? Just say you're "cashed". "Crump", "fat" "gravy" or "dank" is good, "crunk" is fun, but "crunchy" is not good and neither is "gimp", "git" or "crummy" Phew! New Yorkers - especially the younger set are notorious for their cool hip hop slang, as are New Yorkers generally with new words emerging constantly in this city of 8 million people that constantly re-invents itself. Here's a cool video on slang on the streets and of course, the Urban Slang web site is the unofficial bible for all US kids. And finally - here's the real deal for NY slang - Brooklynisms. (Dated - but still relevant!)
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Manners/Customs (Locals)
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Contrary to what is often said, intimated and portrayed, New Yorkers are mostly polite and well mannered. Make that REALLY polite and well mannered, according to this amazing Readers Digest poll that ranked New York NUMBER 1 out of 80 cities world wide as to manners and politeness with London ranked a poor 18th! So there! Seriously, with innumerable visits to New York we have found nearly everyone in the service sector; cab drivers, cops, shop assistants etc (and a lot of people not in the service sector) courteous helpful and honest. New York - It continues to constantly amaze us!
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Media: TV, Newspapers, Radio
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Take your pick in the city that never sleeps; over 40 local newspapers, hundreds of overseas newspapers, 9 television stations, 8 radio stations, scores of magazines, tens of thousands of web sites and 8 million people. But you don't go to New 'York to watch TV or spend the day reading Rupert Murdoch's lot. Go bite the Big Apple on the bottom we say! Here's a list of all the media in New York and a nifty location map for New York's media addresses.
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Midas New York I
