Coming to America

M1TCH · Feb 26, 2015

Coming to America, No not Eddie Murphy, Me and my Misses,
We will be landing at JFK at 20.00hrs on the 19th March staying in New York for three nights, then cruising out of Manhattan round the Bahamas’s back to NY then fly home, is the space centre worth a visit after mooring at Port Canaveral ? also while in NY where’s the best place to get an authentic ****** big burger not the rubbish we have here, I’m also into big trucks and know they probably aren’t allowed into the city is there a typical truck stop not too far away near or just outside NY, my misses has booked us on the usual tourist stuff empire state etc. but I’d like to do a truck stop and eat a big proper burger thanks. :thumbup:

4xdog · Feb 26, 2015

I speak as an infrequent traveller to NYC, but can offer a burger recommendation made to me by friends and colleagues who live there, and that I've enjoyed a number of times.

Shake Shack. Their locations are HERE. You can get a *very* good burger at their locations around NYC -- and maybe even in the JFK terminal on your way outbound.

Cape Canaveral is definitely cool, and worth a vist (IMO). Finding big trucks in the US is just about the easiest thing in the world, especially on the East Coast. It sounds like a fun mission for the trip.

I'm sure others here local to the NYC area will have lots of specific recommendations.

M1TCH · Feb 26, 2015

Thanks for the reply, i hope more locals do post, we are not there long and its taken me 50 years to get to the States so looking forward to it, i would like to go into a Truck stop and take a look at the big rigs, got to drive a Kenworth about twenty five years ago while i was on heavy haulage work in europe and have always loved the look, a friend who lives in Virginia sent me a Mack bonnet (Hood) motiff he got from a dealers new and boxed i have it mounted going in my new garage when built thanks again.

Kaizen · Feb 26, 2015

M1TCH said:
Thanks for the reply, i hope more locals do post, we are not there long and its taken me 50 years to get to the States so looking forward to it, i would like to go into a Truck stop and take a look at the big rigs, got to drive a Kenworth about twenty five years ago while i was on heavy haulage work in europe and have always loved the look, a friend who lives in Virginia sent me a Mack bonnet (Hood) motiff he got from a dealers new and boxed i have it mounted going in my new garage when built thanks again.

dress warm mate. its below freezing and in the city the wind blows so windchill is bad. I'd wear hats and facemasks.
NYC is not anywhere near a truck stop. So I would not have that on your agenda. Also any truck stop you could get to I wouldn't be nosing around asking to check out guys' rigs. you will not be well received. If you are stopping in the south I'd do it there. They are much more friendly.
You can get any food you want in nyc. you want a 2 pound burger rare and bleeding just tell them. your concierge at your hotel or a cab driver or a local is the best people to ask sometimes. Have fun its definitely an overwhelming place to go for a few days.

mygarageone · Feb 26, 2015

Hey Wecome to the U.S hope you have a great time , stay safe and enjoy .

darwyn · Feb 26, 2015

If you like big things, the space center is the place for you! I guess it's a personal thing, and I am definitely a nerd, but I love it.

M1TCH · Feb 26, 2015

Kaizen said:
dress warm mate. its below freezing and in the city the wind blows so windchill is bad. I'd wear hats and facemasks.
NYC is not anywhere near a truck stop. So I would not have that on your agenda. Also any truck stop you could get to I wouldn't be nosing around asking to check out guys' rigs. you will not be well received. If you are stopping in the south I'd do it there. They are much more friendly.
You can get any food you want in nyc. you want a 2 pound burger rare and bleeding just tell them. your concierge at your hotel or a cab driver or a local is the best people to ask sometimes. Have fun its definitely an overwhelming place to go for a few days.

Thanks we will pack our thermals, its pretty cold here at the moment, i would not ask to look in the truck, i used to go away for up to three months at a time in one and its your/their home so respect that just wanted to see them parked up in the stop, got a feeling im going to love the US so as Arnie said i will be back and thats before ive been :thumbup:

coleman10 · Feb 26, 2015

If you're going to see the Empire State Building, do yourself a huge favor and pay the extra money for the express pass. The line to get in can easily wrap around the building. Then, once you're inside the building, it will wind around and around and around until you have to wait for an elevator. The ordeal can literally take hours. My wife and and bought the express pass and we had a person ****** us past the mile long line and right up to the elevator. Also, with that pass, instead of just going to the 86th floor which is where the regular ticket will get you, you also get to go up to the top deck, the 102nd floor. It is more than worth the price of the ticket to jump the line, save time (roughly 15 minutes as opposed to hours), and get a much better experience. Here's a picture that shows the difference.

As for Space Center, if you're really into space stuff, give it a shot. There really are some cool things there, but then again, some things are kind of campy. When we went there last (about 14 years ago), it turned out to be some kind of field trip day and the place was crawling with school children and that pretty much ruined the day. Not one quiet moment to read, reflect, or examine anything, just a lot of noise, horseplay, spit balls, pushing, yelling, and general mayhem. My wife has scratched that place off the list. If you don't see yourself coming back anytime soon, I'd give it a shot. I don't think there's much else up there in any case.

rsanter · Feb 26, 2015

The space center is a must see ....
When you are down in Florida, look up the Don Garlits drag racing museum. It's a great car place that has one building for the drag cars but another one for classic cars. Really great stop

There is also an aircraft museum just down the road from the space center

Bob

BigNuge · Feb 26, 2015

Hope you enjoy your time on this side of the pond!

I'll make my way over there someday...Irish heritage & general desire to hear a British accent from a beautiful girl in person.... :evil:

Unfortunately you're going to a very "Un-American" place in NYC. There was a time when it was the pinnacle of the big city American life....it has since been torn down by liberal/progressive whacko's...You'll certainly not find any friendly truck stops to get a greasy burger. I have family that lives there...I know first hand. For that you'd have to come north quite a ways, or south as mentioned. As far as the burger alone, you'll find plenty of those in NYC. Of all the negatives of NYC, food is not one... :drool:

Good luck ,and welcome! :beer:

ratdoggy · Feb 26, 2015

rsanter said:
The space center is a must see ....
When you are down in Florida, look up the Don Garlits drag racing museum. It's a great car place that has one building for the drag cars but another one for classic cars. Really great stop

There is also an aircraft museum just down the road from the space center

Bob

That's a good drive from Cape Canaveral ( a great museum tho)
Daytona Speedway and their museum is a lot closer.

When in Manhattan definitely do the Staten Island Ferry (free) and Times Square. Also the Intrepid Museum.
Just across in Jersey there should be plenty of truck dealers. Also The New Jersey turnpike has rest areas where you can see big rigs

DonPowers · Feb 26, 2015

M1TCH

This might be a place worth checking out in NYC. It was featured on the Food Network Show Diners Drives & Dives.

http://www.dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com/brindle-room-new-york.html

There are also a lot of good delis on and near Broadway. I always go for the Ruben's.

Check on line for truck stops at one of the cruse destinations, there may be one near buy.

Hope you have a great time on your trip.

Don

coleman10 · Feb 26, 2015

coleman10 said:
If you're going to see the Empire State Building, do yourself a huge favor and pay the extra money for the express pass. The line to get in can easily wrap around the building. Then, once you're inside the building, it will wind around and around and around until you have to wait for an elevator. The ordeal can literally take hours. My wife and and bought the express pass and we had a person ****** us past the mile long line and right up to the elevator. Also, with that pass, instead of just going to the 86th floor which is where the regular ticket will get you, you also get to go up to the top deck, the 102nd floor. It is more than worth the price of the ticket to jump the line, save time (roughly 15 minutes as opposed to hours), and get a much better experience. Here's a picture that shows the difference.

As for Space Center, if you're really into space stuff, give it a shot. There really are some cool things there, but then again, some things are kind of campy. When we went there last (about 14 years ago), it turned out to be some kind of field trip day and the place was crawling with school children and that pretty much ruined the day. Not one quiet moment to read, reflect, or examine anything, just a lot of noise, horseplay, spit balls, pushing, yelling, and general mayhem. My wife has scratched that place off the list. If you don't see yourself coming back anytime soon, I'd give it a shot. I don't think there's much else up there in any case.

Also this...

With the time you save, you can get tickets to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Get them early, though. They only sell so many tickets to the Statue of Liberty each day and they sell out in the morning. If you get there too late, you're out of luck. When we went, we just happened to get the last two tickets for that day. You could easily do the Statue of Liberty in the morning and then hit the Empire State Building when you return from that as long as you get the express pass.

I will also cast a vote for the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. And don't forget Grand Central Terminal.

Kaizen · Feb 26, 2015

An additional thought if you have an ipod you can download podcasts about ny from the bowery boys. They do one hour podcasts about the history of different areas or landmarks. I like knowing history of say ellis island when I see things as it enhances the whole experience.

M1TCH · Feb 26, 2015

Thanks guys for the replys, cant wait really i watch the food channel somtimes and saw a place in NY that does fried pizza :dunno:

but up for anything once, i know what BigNuge means about "Un American" same as London is "un English" as a rule i dont do cities im a good old country boy but we have to give it a go, also the price of cruises from the states are better value than from the UK even factoring in the flights, BigNuge my misses say she will talk to you lol thanks again chaps.

yeldogt · Feb 26, 2015

As a lifelong new yorker ....... think I went to the top of the empire state building and I did make it out to the the SofL .. when they had a private boat dock.

No shortage of great places to eat .. and a burger .. everywhere .. stay out of the chains. And we don't eat burgers at truck stops .. at least not this NY guy.

Can't help you with the trucks -- wrong place for trucks.

Hope the weather changes for you as it has been very cold.

The museums as London ... are unrivaled ... bring money! Walk around!

nolimits76 · Feb 26, 2015

A few years back, I was on a business/leisure trip in NYC. While there, a host from Turner Construction gave us a tour of Madison Square Garden and the rehab they were doing along with taking us to the 9/11 Memorial site. We at lunch at some high rise club overlooking the memorial site.

We had no problem seeing semi-trucks. Construction sites require them for delivery of their materials.

My point being, look for cranes in the air or any fairly decent sized construction site and you will find some semi trucks. By the way, those truck drivers should get paid in gold to drive in NYC in a semi truck, lol.

If you were coming to OK I could get you a ride/drive in one.

BigNuge · Feb 26, 2015

M1TCH said:
Thanks guys for the replys, cant wait really i watch the food channel somtimes and saw a place in NY that does fried pizza but up for anything once, i know what BigNuge means about "Un American" same as London is "un English" as a rule i dont do cities im a good old country boy but we have to give it a go, also the price of cruises from the states are better value than from the UK even factoring in the flights, BigNuge my misses say she will talk to you lol thanks again chaps.

AH, a man after my own heart.....country boy, big trucks, and beautiful women!

Hope you enjoy your time here (keep your wallet/money in your front pocket in NYC)!

nolimits76 · Feb 26, 2015

BigNuge said:
AH, a man after my own heart.....country boy, big trucks, and beautiful women!

Hope you enjoy your time here (keep your wallet/money in your front pocket in NYC)!

LOL, well said. Good advise on the money in the front pocket. I've done that for years anyhow as I have a money clip w/ a spot for my license and a few cards. More comfy since I have an office job and don't like sitting on a wallet.

M1TCH · Feb 26, 2015

nolimits76 said:
A few years back, I was on a business/leisure trip in NYC. While there, a host from Turner Construction gave us a tour of Madison Square Garden and the rehab they were doing along with taking us to the 9/11 Memorial site. We at lunch at some high rise club overlooking the memorial site.

We had no problem seeing semi-trucks. Construction sites require them for delivery of their materials.

My point being, look for cranes in the air or any fairly decent sized construction site and you will find some semi trucks. By the way, those truck drivers should get paid in gold to drive in NYC in a semi truck, lol.

If you were coming to OK I could get you a ride/drive in one.

Next time then im coming to your neck of the woods i will bring my licence, dont know if its valid over there, yes truck drivers should be paid in gold ive driven all over mainland europe and delivered to city centres such as Rome, Milan, Florance to name a few and it gets tight but was a great time in my life i drive a desk now mainly go out on site when theres a problem thanks again guys :beer:

DonPowers · Feb 26, 2015

BigNuge said:
AH, a man after my own heart.....country boy, big trucks, and beautiful women!

Hope you enjoy your time here (keep your wallet/money in your front pocket in NYC)!

I carry a sacrificial wallet, when in big cities, with nothing but a couple bucks and useless stuff in the various pouches.

M1TCH · Feb 26, 2015

ducksface said:
There's plenty of trucks in the area.
Type into google
Truck stops near new york city.

A taxi ride away. It's once in a lifetime, spend a hundred on a taxi.
You'll be surprised how accommodating the guys will be.
And then you can make up your mind about new Jersey instead of the comedic things you hear.

You said Bahamas. If you're having a stop over in the cayman send me a pm for some recommendations.

What other stops are along your cruise?

I will ask the wench where we are going, i just go where im told :dunno:

i know we are on NCL Breakaway quite a large ship we went on her first trip from Rotterdam to Southampton two years ago a one nighter and vowed to go on her again :thumbup:

M1TCH · Feb 26, 2015

Its 16.00hrs here now so im going home for the day, i look forward to checking in when i get into the office tomorrow morning at 07.30hrs so hopfully more things to see and do in the big apple thanks again for all the replys :thumbup:

GTO · Feb 26, 2015

Ellis Island
McManus Cafe 152 7th Ave NYC

OJ Bartley · Feb 26, 2015

M1TCH, we just came back from a cruise out of Port Canaveral, but we decided not to try the Space Centre (probably not much there to hold a 1-year old's attention). We'll probably try it when he's older, but I did hear it was expensive. If you're into "space stuff" probably worth a visit for sure.

We do love New York, and usually go every year or so. Shake Shack is decent, but I think it's closer to a chain burger than I'd want for something special. DonPowers looks like he had a good recommendation. We don't have a go-to burger place in NYC yet, but there are a few good lists around, have a look and see what fits your style and check them out:

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/restaurants/the-top-21-burgers-in-nyc

http://www.best-burgers-nyc.com/

http://gothamist.com/2014/06/19/best_burgers_in_nyc.php

...more from google if you need more burger material.

The Empire State Building was a fun trip, and we went just at dusk on a weekday which worked out great. Almost no line at all, we literally ran through the turnstiles and roped off aisles, and the view over the city at night was cooler to me too.

Get some pizza while you're there too! Our favourite is Grimaldi's in Brooklyn, but Lombardi's is good too. The key is the coal oven. Lombardi's claims to be the first pizza joint in the USA I think. Maybe in NYC.

The HighLine park is a fun little walk if you have time. They've taken a section of an old overpass and turned it into a raised park. Very cool in spring/summer, I don't know if there's much to see in the winter months.

If you like burritos at all, stop in at Chipotle for lunch. I know, they're a chain, and therefore evil, but I don't care, I love their burritos. I get a half-carnitas/half-barbacoa mix.

It's a fun city, don't forget to take a little walk through Central Park for some quiet time.

BoostAddiction · Feb 26, 2015

If you have an interest in space and #technologyandstuff, why not make a stop in the Washington DC area? The Air & Space museum on the DC mall is classic, but even more interesting is the Steven Udvar-Hazy museum near Dulles Airport. It has an original SR71, and lots of space-related stuff in addition to an incredible range of interesting aircraft.

little d · Feb 26, 2015

Mitch,
right along with Nolimits, if ever in Oklahoma, I'll give ya a chance to drive this,

Hell, might even put you to work, ha.

4AudiQ · Feb 26, 2015

Travel Centers of America, Pilot Truck Stops and Flying J are 3 that are all over the USA.
Check out this YouTube of a heavy haul truck driver:

yeldogt · Feb 26, 2015

He only has two days and a bit of a morning .... and maybe a couple of hours on the back end.

Dinner / show .. the highline. NYC at night is magical.

I have never had my money or wallet stolen in NYC ... people have crazy ideas ... NYC was much more dangerous in 1975 then today.

Professur · Feb 26, 2015

M1TCH said:
Coming to America, No not Eddie Murphy, Me and my Misses,
We will be landing at JFK at 20.00hrs on the 19th March staying in New York for three nights, then cruising out of Manhattan round the Bahamas’s back to NY then fly home, is the space centre worth a visit after mooring at Port Canaveral ? also while in NY where’s the best place to get an authentic ****** big burger not the rubbish we have here, I’m also into big trucks and know they probably aren’t allowed into the city is there a typical truck stop not too far away near or just outside NY, my misses has booked us on the usual tourist stuff empire state etc. but I’d like to do a truck stop and eat a big proper burger thanks.

Wait ... you're sailing in and out of NY in the middle of winter?

lastgoodusername · Feb 26, 2015

for trucks , go over to Jersey at the big service plazas on I95 , jersey turnpike, you will see thousands coming and going.

rustyjames · Feb 26, 2015

From the city, about a one hour ride south on the New Jersey Turnpike, Exit 7 will get you to one of the biggest truck stops on the planet. There's a Pilot and Petro Truckers Center, and the whole enchilada :thumbup:

it's like a city.

iajonesy · Feb 26, 2015

M1tch,

Do a google search for I-80 truck stop in Iowa,it is one of the largest truck stops in the world and there should be numerous photos and videos about it.
There should be numerous trucks around JFK and also around the ship docks in NYC and New Jersey.
Have a great time while in the states,but be very cautious in the large cities. There are many who prey upon tourists.

Mike

6768rogues · Feb 26, 2015

After you get your burger, for the next meal go to Lombardi's for a pizza. It was the first pizzaria in the US and still uses a coal fired oven.

02camaro86 · Feb 26, 2015

Kaizen said:
dress warm mate. its below freezing and in the city the wind blows so windchill is bad. I'd wear hats and facemasks.
NYC is not anywhere near a truck stop. So I would not have that on your agenda. Also any truck stop you could get to I wouldn't be nosing around asking to check out guys' rigs. you will not be well received. If you are stopping in the south I'd do it there. They are much more friendly.
You can get any food you want in nyc. you want a 2 pound burger rare and bleeding just tell them. your concierge at your hotel or a cab driver or a local is the best people to ask sometimes. Have fun its definitely an overwhelming place to go for a few days.

quoted for truth lol. yea def dont go poking around at trucks. if you REALLY wanted to see some rigs, get on the NJ turnpike and stop at the molly pitcher or vince lombardi rest stop and just watch.

5 guys and smash burger are gourmet burger places in the area which are good. white manna is good in hackensack, white rose in highland park and new brunswick, i can name more but they are in new jersey. weather is a bit nippy, mid to low 30s if you are lucky for a high, teens/single digits at night

600SL · Feb 26, 2015

If you want the best pizza on the planet go to Umberto's of New Hyde Park. My favorite is a Sicilian Sausage and Garlic.

Shadowdog500 · Feb 26, 2015

Take the misses to a Broadway show, and a carrage ride through Central Park with a stop to have brunch at the Tavern on the Green in Central Park. I took my wife on that weekend dream date 20 years ago and it is still memorable. I assume you can still get two for the price of 1 Broadway tickets if you are willing to buy your tickets the day of the show. We saw Jerry Lewis in "Damn Yankees" on our date. Last time I was there in 2013 I walked past the dakota to see where John Lennon was murdered. A British TV personality with a beard was filming a clip on the shooting of john Lennon as I walked by. Don't know who the guy filming was, but I would love to see the clip. The dakota is a beautiful/Erie building.

You may have better luck finding a truck stop near port canaveral since interstate 95 passes right through there. [update]. I just looked on Google earth and there is a pilot truck stop on i95 just outside of port canaveral.

Don garlits drag racing museum is on the west coast of Florida and would be too far to go if the boat was only in port for the day.

Definitely take a tour of the space center!!!

Enjoy your trip on this side of the pond.

I just did my first trip to Paris last year and heard about the pickpockets there so I bought some secret pockets for my passport, wallet, credit cards, money, etc. I carried a day wallet in my regular pants pocket with €50 which is enough money to get by for the day . I figured if someone stole my day wallet I wouldn't be wiped out. The pickpockets in NYC aren't near as bad as Paris, but loosing your passport, license, and money while in another country can be a major hassle (especially when you have a cruise ship to catch). I still have the secret pockets sewn in my pants and they are so comfortable tha I don't even know they are there. I put my check book in it a few weeks ago and it was so comfortable that I forgot it was there. Here is a link to the secret pockets on Amazon, and a video on how to install them by thier inventor (who has traveled the globe continuously for the last 16 years)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FSOVM0U/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Here is the video (I just used my wife's sewing machine to put them in).

Chris

Smokenarrow · Feb 26, 2015

http://www.dennysbeerbarrelpub.com/

Its a 5hr drive from NY but you'll get your authentic big burger that you want and you'll pass plenty of truck stops on the way.

M1TCH · Feb 27, 2015

Professur said:
Wait ... you're sailing in and out of NY in the middle of winter?

22nd March middle of winter ? im sure if its that bad there will be an icebreaker on hand :Help:

M1TCH · Feb 27, 2015

Smokenarrow said:
http://www.dennysbeerbarrelpub.com/

Its a 5hr drive from NY but you'll get your authentic big burger that you want and you'll pass plenty of truck stops on the way.

Just showed my misses she said " my god that burgers as big as that childs head" :lol:

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