21st Birthday celebration

[funtimes]

Thank You Piranha!!! This sounds good to me I may have to arrange that trip with or without my goddaughter My husband has never been to New York and I've been telling him what a wonderful experience it isI have been several times- but not in recent years I so miss the twin towers - the rainbow room etc You are right Ground Zero would be sobering memorable experience albeit sad one Thanks also for the reminder about Hot Tix We used to live in Chicago and use the half price tickets regularily On our upcoming London trip I understand there is a half price tickets opportunity there too Take Care...Funtimies

[claassenam]

Hi Piranha,

Welcome to LL! Great New York suggestions - I absolutely recommend Bouley's as well, what a wonderful restaurant. And especially for a first (?) visit for a young woman your other suggestions are excellent. However, I HATE Times Square, especially in terms of staying at a hotel there. That's not authentic New York, that's Disneyland. It's a great place to catch a show, and that's it. I would suggest staying in a (slightly) less touristy area, maybe at the W in Union Square which is young and hip and relatively affordable and just a great area to get that New York feel, easily accessible to the shopping, restaurants and nightlife in the Meatpacking District, Chelsea and West Village. If you are splurging try the Hotel Gansevoort or Gramercy Hotel, both recently renovated and places to be "seen", which I believe any 21 year old woman wants to be!

[thepiranha]

I can understand why some people wouldn't like Times Square, but put yourself in the shoes of a 21 year old young lady who's never been to New York. I think that most people in that age group would love Times Square. Yes, it's kitschy and touristy, but it's so alive! I hadn't been to New York in years until about six years ago. I bid on and purchased a package deal at an auction that included two plane tickets from anywhere in the U.S. to N.Y.C. (we live in Oregon, so it was a good deal), three nights in a hotel, two carte blanche dinners at any restaurants in the city, and two tickets to the Broadway show of our choice. We stayed at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, ate dinner at Nobu and Tabla, and saw Hairspray, with Harvey Fierstein. What a great four days! We've taken our kids back twice in the last four years and they love it as well.

[kyshel]

oooh--what about Sephora?? The Times Square store is open 24 hrs--maybe a GC for her bday present from some friends to surprise her??

WAHHHHH---I wanna be 21 again!!!

Message Edited by kyshel on 02-11-2008 07:14 PM

[claassenam]

Okay, fair enough Piranha I was pretty harsh saying I "hate" Times Square - I did enjoy seeing it the first time years ago, trying to put myself in the shoes of a 21 year old again which was ten years ago, wouldn't that be wonderful! - Times Square it is, with the lights, kitsch and busyness, you are right many 21 year olds would love it and the huge stores you find there like Sephora. Don't rule out SOHO, Meatpacking, Chelsea, West Village - all of the places highlighted on the hip TV shows these days, I think 21 year olds these days are fairly sophisticated and would love to see where Sex and the City was filmed, the clubs where the starlets hang out each night, the stores that they can only find in New York City. I think the ideal trip to New York City for a 21st birthday would combine a little of both.

Regarding staying in Times Square, I believe you get a better deal hotel-wise staying away from it. First time tourists generally stay in Times Square, the rates go up and the hotels are sub-par. It is also extremely crowded with tourists who aren't exactly sure where they are going which makes it difficult to walk through the streets, get a cab and get onto the subway. I too have stayed at the Marriott Marquis (on business) which was a very bland and huge hotel with no customer service. It is overpriced (even by New York standards) for what you get. For the money, you are better off staying at a similar (Sheraton, Westin, W) style hotel in Midtown or Union Square, there are also a ton of smaller 3-4 star hotels priced (relatively) fairly throughout Manhattan with much more style and personality.

Funtimes, this thread has been going for about a month now, has your god-daughter firmed up any plans for the birthday celebration? Once you let us know, we could all try to help you come up with more specific ideas as to what to do to celebrate!

[funtimes]

Hi all no firm plans yet - Her Birthday is in October so...plenty of time Hey the website where I found the ladies only pass information is entertainmevegas.com. Thank you for the NY info I would much rather go there!!! Again it is not my birthday though so I promise to be flexible Will let you know what happens PS Is the St Regis still a fabulous hotel near Central Park??? Thanks for your input...Funtimes

[matthewlawrence26]

first, you have to ask her if she wants to have fun on the beach or just go to bars and casinos. if she is into casinos then might as well bring her to sin city las vegas, but if she's into beaches, try Lake Erie Islands in Ohio. She would probably enjoy a lot of the outdoor activities and the beautiful lighthouse.