Please help with my first trip in DC and NY

Hi,

I cannot help you with DC but perhaps I can with NYC as I was there just under 12 months ago.

Although I was not a rigorous person ( I was there mainly for business and not pleasure...:)) I can let you know of a really good restaurant in Brooklyn. It 's not outside dining but it's good food and quite inexpensive.

The Restaurant is called 'The Wicked Monk".

Here too is a link to good food places specifically in the Prospect Park area that may help you.

https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/guides/best-prospect-park-restaurants

As to gettting to the airport for your 7.30am flight, I would suggest booking a limo service. I was able to get one 24/7 when I was there and the commute ( no matter how many people or luggage) was all inclusive, $50. When taking into account bridge tolls and such, it's a cheap ride out to JKF. I will look though my email to see who I went through specifically to get that rate if you like. :)

Don't know if that helps you at all.

PS. I am wondering why you're not taking Coney Island in during your time there. As you're travelling with a teen, it could be a fun night out for you both. :) I had fun when I was there and I didn't even go on any of the rides! lol

Thank you! Any casual restaurants and seafood places you'd recommend in Manhattan? And may I get the info to book the limousine? I've never been in one and $50 sounds good!
How many days did you spend in NY? And can you share your itinerary?

Hi Sunset06,

I have to be honest with you. I personally did not like Manhattan. That may have had a lot to do with the timing of my flight in ( I travelled from Australia-LAX-JKF, consecutive flights back to back :/) so my time there for "pleasure" was fleeting. I stayed the first night at Hilton Homewood Suites Midtown Manhattan. ( I would not recommend it to anyone to be frank...nice room but NIL customer service) but the limo from the Airport right in to Manhattan, was all told $71.00 and during peak hour traffic. ( it's a longer ride than directly to Brooklyn and incurs more toll costs for the ride - BTW that also included to the tip as well). That was with: http://www.lincolnlimousine.com/ They actually trekked me from Manhattan to Brooklyn for $50 and then on my trip back to JFK FROM Brooklyn, $50. as well when I needed it. Cool thing is, they accept CC bookings online and do not charge you, if you choose to pay the driver direct but your booking is secure no matter which way you want to pay. :)

The rest of the time I was staying with a friend ( and business associate) in Brooklyn ( close to Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn) and I was fortunate enough to have her car to use when I needed it. As such, she and I ate at local digs close to her place and the food was great no matter where we went.

I was there from August 8th until August 20th, 2016 ( yes...the HEATWAVE). Any down time I had, we went up to Long Island...Greenport. SO pretty and quaint. I took in some winery trips and such. ( again, not suitable with a teen in tow). Like I said, most of my time was for business that trip. Next time I may go sight seeing and I can't recommend any restaurants in Manhattan. I went to a Pub very close to the hotel I stayed when in Manhattan and the food looked good, but I didn't eat anything as I just wanted to have a drink and go to bed pretty much after my flights. :/

I am sorry I cannot help you personally any more in that regard but I also have other friends who are locals IN Manhattan and I can put my feelers out for them to suggest places that perhaps "only the locals know" ;)

Thank you so much! I love wine tasting too but I'm traveling with my sibling so there's a limit lol.

Yeah I get that and frankly, if either of my daughters had been with me, my time probably would have been spent differently.

I will though again suggest you taking time to go to Coney Island as you will be in Brooklyn. One.. the ICONIC Nathan's is there, you can get some awesome salt water taffy and there is also a very cool memorial outside the MCU stadium for those from Brooklyn fallen due to the events of 911.

I cannot remember the place we ate, but it was teen friendly and I had one of the best burgers I have ever had and my friend had a shrimp and calamari plate. They had live music as well as arcade games and such for a younger crowd. ( I don't know how old your sibling is...if it helps my two daughters are 24 and 16 respectively...so... even when I think of things they MIGHT be able to do collectively when THEY travel together... sheesh...lol).

As I said, the food and music is great there. ( they also had Aussie wines which was a bonus for me. :))

Hmm.. actually my eldest was in DC and Maryland a couple of years back on a trip so she may be able to pip in with stuff to do in DC as well? I cannot be sure if what she is into you two would ( she attends CONS - Otakon, Comicon...etc).

I won't see her again until my Saturday now, but I can ask her for any input she may have for your venture as well.

Tracey.

I almost suggested Coney Island, my only hesitation is that it's definitely an all-day activity (beach + amusement park + food+ potentially a baseball game if the timing is right) and you don't have all the time in the world. If you like rides and roller coasters, Coney Island is fun, and a pretty unique place (I think it was the first amusement park in the world?) but if you're just going for the beach, it might not be worth it.

Manhattan is not for everyone, but it's also a huge island and most tourists only see midtown and Times Square, which are ironically, the most hated parts of the city by New Yorkers. If you spend most of your trip downtown and in Brooklyn, you'll have a good time.

I think it was the first amusement park in the world?

Not even close, not even to second place.

As for DC, I think that people have already recommended some great ideas. My top would be Air and Space museum, Natural History, American History, Holocaust Museum, and the National Zoo. I would recommend renting bikes as it is a quick and easy way to get around and faster than driving due to traffic.

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