Friday 30 July 2010

Girly Guide To Paris


Paris is my favourite European city break destination so far, as it manages to maintain it's stunning, intricately detailed, historic architechture yet remain completely up-to-date, modern and accessible.I fell in love with how Paris managed to radiate n old fashioned charm while also appearing effortlessly cool. Paris is broken up into 20 arrondissments, each unique in it's attractions,views and atmosphere.We arrived in Beavuvais airport, meaning we had to travel by bus to Porte Maillot in the 17th arrondissment and despite no major attractions being in the immediate area, within a minute of our taxi ride we had seen the Arc Di Triomphe and Champs Elysees.Paris is so compact that you can see several attractions within a short space of time. However, every individual sight is so impressive that it's worthwhile actually dedicating time to making sure you visit and explore each properly.Here's my Girly Guide to Paris:

Must See Sights


1. Eiffel Tower-Instantly reognisable as Paris' most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower (or Tour Eiffel when in Paris) stands at 324m tall and is in the Champs de Mars area in the 7th arrondissment. It's impossible to return from a visit to Paris and not have someone ask you "did you go up the Eiffel Tower?" .Its worthwhile going up for the stunning views of Sacre Coeur, the Seine and Arc Di Triomphe. I have visited the Eiffel Tower on all 3 of my visits to Paris because I love the views and it' also worth a visit at night when the tower is lit up.It costs about 8.20eur to go to the 2nd floor and 13.20 eur to the 3rd floor by elevator. You can take the stairs (to the 2nd floor only) for 4.50eur. Under 24s get a discounted rate so bring ID. Queues are notoriously long for the Eiffel Tower (up to a few hours), so book your tickets online and arrive for it opening, if possible. Also, several Seine Cruises depart from the Seine just across the road from the north pillar so it's a good idea to combine the two in your itinerary.

Nearest Metro- Bir Hakeim or Champs de Mars Tour Eiffel



2. Arc Di Triomphe- An arched monument that stands at the western end of Champs-Elysees, the Arc Di Triomphe is 160ft tall and stands on the historical axis of Paris which runs between the Louvre Museum and Arche de la Defense. Visitors can also go to the top of the Arc for views of Paris including Champs Elysees and Sacre Coeur. If you want to visit the actual monument and not just photograph it from Champs Elysees you have to take one of the underpasses as crossing the road is too dangerous and not allowed.Make this part of your itinerary by incoprorating it with a shopping visit to Champs Elysees or if you are going to see Le Lido cabaret.

Nearest Metro- Charles de Gaulle Etoile


3.Notre Dame Cathedral- A stunning cathedral on the east side of Paris, Notre Dame stands on Ile de la Cite in the 4th arrondissment. It is widely considered as one of France's best examples of Gothic architecture and is worth visiting whether you intend to go inside of not as both building itself and the views from the top are equally breathtaking. The cathedral was made further famed by Victor Hugo's the Hunchback of Notre Dame which has been made into countless films and even a Disney adaptation. And for those of you familiar with the story, yes you can go and see the bell tower :) Notre Dame is near the Latin Quarter which is a great shopping area so plan your trip around the two. Again, prepare to queue so arrive early, if you decide to climb the tower and be sure to photograph the tower's gargoyles.


Nearest Metro- St Michel, Cite




4.Louvre Museum- Make famous by the Da Vinci Code, the Mona Lisa and the glass and metal pyramids, the Louvre is the world's most visited museum.It is also one of the world's largest museums. Must do's on your visit include visiting the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory and Venus de Milo. Also, visit the pyramid in the courtyard and the inverted pyramid on the inside of the Louvre.You can pre-book your tickets online to avoid queuing which is recommended.Under 18s can go free with ID. Inside the Louvre, there is also a shopping centre- Carrousel du Louvre-which has various shops including Virgin Megastore, Swarovski, Sephora and L'Occitane en Provence as well as several restraunts.If you exit to Rue de Rivoli there are even more shops from gift shops to art shops to clothing shops and more restaurants and cafes.


Nearest Metro- Louvre Rivoli, Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre.


I missed out Sacre Coeur even although it's a beautiful building and the views are amazing purely becuase of safety issues and this is a Girly Guide to Travel. There are hordes of men at the bottom of the stairs who are notorious for grabbing visitors and doing the "friendship bracelet scam" where they quickly slip a string bracelet over your hand then become abusive when you dont pay the 100eur or whatever they demand. Tripadvisor has several posts relating to it and it seems to go on all day every day. It can actually be very intimidating and I wouldnt recommend visiting this sight alone or with just a few people in your group. If you do go, remain aware of the gangs-you can't really miss them- and keep your arms folded and keep walking ahead.If they do attempt to accost you just keeping saying NO or ignore them and keep walking, we did this an they were still quite abusive but not physically.

Tuesday 27 July 2010

Paris, J'taime


Just a quick post to state that I am off to Paris today. Actually I leave in less than an hour and shouldn't really be blogging because I'm sitting in my housecoat, with wet hair, almost crying with the stress of picking my flight outfit. Maxi dress or floral mini-dress?I am also facing another crisis, A- I havent eaten yet today despite being up early to organise myself and B- I am covered in completely delectable, but also unedible, Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter. So I am dangeroulsy close to eating my own limbs if I dont get to Prestwick Airport's cafe soon. This is my 3rd trip to Paris but my 1st trp without my fiance. Im going with my sister who has spent too much money on clothes, sunglasses and tooth whitening treatments for the trip and not enough time heeding Ryanair's baggage limitations. So, will update my blog when I'm home with my Girly Guide To Paris :) Au Revoir x

Sunday 25 July 2010

Girly Guide To A Top Shopping Break

My top shopping destinations for a girly trip away :)

1. New York- As I've stressed in previous blogs it's a must do. Enough variety of shops/markets for any budget, taste and age. Good for bags, shoes, make up and jewellry.

2. London- For non-UK visitors Primark is a big enough reason in itself to visit. Visit Harrods, Oxford Street and Camden Market. Again, London can be as budget friendly or budget busting as you want it to be. Good for cheap buys from Primark, amazing jars of sweets from Harrods and the alternative scene in Camden.

3. Paris- Fashion capital of Europe. Visit Champs Elysees for Dior, Disney Store, Louis Vuitton and just about every other stpre you can imagine. Paris isnt so budget friendly but little gift shops and markets sell beautiful compact mirrors, umbrellas and paintings for a reasonable price. Beauvais airport's duty free section sells Dior make-up for a discounted price so it's worth stocking up.

4.Florida- The Prime Outlets and Premium Outlets at either end of International Drive should be your first port of call. Stock up un pyjamas and undies from Victoria's Secret outlet, gymwear from the Nike Outlet, shoes from the Payless oulet, trainers from the Converse outlet and just about everything else from the hundreds of discounted stores. Florida Mall and Festival Bay Mall are also worth visiting.

Top Tips

1.Pack light if you intend to shop so you dont end up over your baggage allowance.
2.Check what size of shoes/clothes you are in the US/Europe/UK before you go.
3.Shop towards the end of your trip if possible as you will have got used to your destination and what to spend and will know how much money you have left over.
4.Try it on because you cant't take it back.

Shopping in New York

New York is understandably one of the world's favourte shopping destinations- it has a wealth of shops, there are essential buys and there is something for every budget. It's hard not to get drawn into running up huge credit card bills however, anyone can afford to shop in NYC.






Must Buys



1. A Little Brown Bag from Bloomingdales-Once spotted, it's instantly associated with New York. Plus, you have to visit Bloomingdales even if it is just to use the uber-plush bathrooms, so you might as well treat yourself.





2. An "I Heart NY" T-Shirt-Tacky? A bit. Cheap. Mmmhmm. An essential buy?Absolutely. They are incredibly cheap and can be taken from cheap to quirky when mixed with just about any combination of converse, ballet pumps, gladiator sandals, jeans, skirt, denim shorts, oversized shirt, cardigan, scarf, beanie hat, hairband, bag an sunglasses. It's a wardrobe staple.




3.Shoes- Whether they are from Jimmy Choo or Payless Shoe Source, just being able to say "I got them in New York" when asked about them will give you instant gratification :)





4. Tiffany & Co Jewellry- With Silver pieces starting at around $150 it is possible to buy Tiffany & Co jewellry on a budget. Encased in a tiny blue box, in a tiny blue bag with a cute little envelope encasing your receipt, it's a lovely way to spend an hour and $150+.
5. NYPD/ FDNY Merchandise- Give New York's emergency services a little recognition and buy a NYPD/FDNY t-shirt or hoody. These are cheaper the further downtown you go and in some of the city's markets. They make excellent gym wear :)
Top Shops
Clothing
1. Bloomingdales
2.Macy's
3.Saks 5th Avenue
Food/Drink
1.Hersheys Times Square
2. M & M World
3.Magnolia Bakery
Specialist
1. Tiffany & Co
2.Victoria's Secret
3.Jimmy Choo Shoes
There are also a wealth of markets around the city selling t-shirts jewellry etc so look out for them on your travels. We found one when leaving the Greenwich Village area and heading downtown which sold everything from food to clothing to beauty products. Another benefit of walking instead of using the subway/cabs :)
















Safety Tips When in New York

Arriving

Sounds obvious but only go in liscenced cabs, keep your baggage with you at all times and always try and at least sound like you know where you're going. This can make a huge difference and drivers are lees likely to rip you off.Have your hotels street address and email them for a rough taxi fare amount and directions before you go to sound clued up.Also, in case your case is lost/stolen or simply doesnt arrive with your flight it's worth packing undies, essential medication,tooth brush etc in hand luggage and when packing your hold luggage pack half in your case and half in your friend/partners and vice versa so that if a case goes missing you at least have some stuff with you.

In the City

If your hotel has an in-room safe then use it for passports, flight tickets and money. Don't carry excessive amounts of cash and use credit/debit cards where possible. Split your money up when you're carrying it so if someone steals your purse you still have some in your inside pocket, UGG boots, bra, wherever. Wear an over body bag if possible as these are harder for a pick pocketer to grab and run off with. Carry a map, plan your journeys and dont be afraid to ask for directions. Arrange somewhere to meet up if you lose your friends. Pick somewhere central and easy to reach such as Empires State Building, your hotel or outside a specific restraunt in Times Square.Avoid quiet side streets unless absolutely necessary and if in doubt, hail a cab.

New York On A Budget

Money Saving Tips



Despite being extremely expensive for a lot of things, New York can be done on a budget. The key is to work out what you want in your itinerary.



When to go



Shopping,sightseeing and most Broadway shows run all year long however, check before you go if you have a specific show in mind or want to shop during sale times.If you aren't too fussed about ice skating in Central Park in December, missing the heat of the summer or skipping the sales go outwith peak season as flight/hotel prices are generally cheaper.



Booking your trip



If you are in the UK, Dialaflight offer great deals on hotels and flights and this can be paid up monthly before you go if you dont have a lump sum to hand but want to do it quicker and cheaper than visiting a high street travel agents

http://www.dialaflight.com/



You can also tailor-make your holiday by booking you're own flights and hotel if you know when you want to go. Continental Airlines, British Airways and Virgin all fly to New York. Going from midweek to weekend can save you money as airlines often assume you are a business traveller if you travel on the monday and return on the friday.

https://www.continental.com/web/en-US/default.aspx?POS=GB&SID=B951510F28C24B40946F45355ACDC7F2



http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/index.jsp



http://www.britishairways.com/travel/globalgateway.jsp/global/public/en_



If booking your hotel online make sure you use a reputable website like Trip Advisor to check reviews, ratings and customer photos as all isn't always as it seems on the hotel website. Use sites such as Hotels.com or lastminute.com (links under helpful webpages) or the hotel's own website to book, making sure you search around for the best deal. Where you can, get breakfast at the hotel as this can take up a huge chunk of your spending money when you're there. Hotels for any budget:

Low Budget- Hotel Wolcott, 4 W 31st St Between 5th Ave & Broadway. Budget accomodation with some rooms having a view of the Empire State Building (it's literally across the street). With free muffins and coffee for breakfast, an on-site fitness suite and amazing location it's hard to beat the value for money this hotel offers. Iron, in-room safe, hairdryer and shower/bath all in room and there is a choice between twin, queen, junior suite and triple rooms depending on your needs. It's close to Penn Station and Macy's. We plan on staying here on our return visit.
http://www.wolcott.com/

Middle of the Road Budget-Trump Soho New York, 246 Spring St New York. Featuring a spa, fitness suite and various treatments this is the perfet hotel for a girly trip away. Well located near Greenwich Village, home to several Sex and The City locations and the Friends Apartment. Room include complimentary toiletries, bathrobes, slippers and LCD TV's.
http://www.trumpsohohotel.com/

Blow-Out Budget-The Peninsula New York, 700 5th Ave at 55th St. Close to Central Park, Tiffany & Co and Bloomingdales, the Peninsula is well located and heavily priced. The hotel has a sauna, spa, steam room and beauty services Rooms include designer toiletries, bathrobes, complimetary water, plasma TV's and a games console.
http://www.peninsula.com/Peninsula_Hotels/en/default.aspx

Food & Drink

Eating out can be as cheap or as expensive as you want in New York. Chain restraunts such as Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock Cafe are pricier than in some other locations but worth the visit if you like the experience. Street vendors sell hotdogs starting from $1 for a quick lunch. There are Burger King's and McDonald's everywhere, if budgeting, use them for breakfast. Visit Walgreens or Duane Reade and stock up on water/soft drinks as they can be expensive when at attractions. Eat outwith Times Square to save a bit of money.

Free Attractions

As said in my prevous posts many Sex and the City locations are free to visit such as Carries apartment (66 Perry St), Magnolia Bakery, Brooklyn Bridge and New York Library. You can also visit the Friends apartment for free. Staten Island Ferry is free and gives great views of the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan Skyline. A walk through Central Park, Times Square, China Town and Little Italy are all free. See the Grand Central Station for free.

Travel

Walk wherever you can and where you can't use the subway. Cabs can be really expensive. Have a look at a subway map before you go to familiarise yourslef with it.
http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

Saturday 24 July 2010

Girly Guide To New York- Get Yourself Excited








Nothing gets you more excited than when you read,hear or see something about New York and think...."I'm going there soon!". So just incase you aren't experiencing palpitations and sleepless nights like I did in the run up to my New York visit, here's my list of New York related music, tv, films and books to get you in the zone :)






Music



1. New York, Alicia Keys & Jay-Z- I dont really like the song to be honest but it really sums it all up and will inevitably get you pumped up about going :)



2. Manhattan, Kings of Leon- Good song and it reflects the vibrancy of the city and the cool, underground nightlife scene.



3. New York New York, Frank Sinatra- I promise you will sing this to yourself at least once before you go. It's unavoidable.






TV



1. Sex and the City- If you arent already hooked, watch it in the run up to your trip and make yourself ridiculously excited about seeing Carrie's house, Magnolia Bakery and the several other SATC related sights.



2.Friends-Made New York synonymous with coffee houses, cool twenty/thirty somethings and being able to command $1,000,000 an episode. Visit the apartment block.



3.Ugly Betty- Still running and lots of the outdoor shots are of sights you can visit. Good for exploring the bitchy but beautiful New York fashion scene.



Also,Will and Grace, Gossip Girl and Nurse Jackie.






Movies



1.Breakfast at Tiffany's- Watch it, cry a lot and then create your own Hepburn moment and stand outside Tiffany & Co, looking fabulous and munching a croissant.



2.The Devil Wears Prada- Ugly Betty for the silver screen and will also put you in the mood for visiting Paris ;)



3.When Harry Met Sally-If you havent already seen it then you should have. Enough said.



Also, Sex and the City Movie, Ghostbusters and West Side Story.






Books



1.Catcher In the Rye, J.D Salinger-Absolute classic an a must read. This was the book that kickstarted my desire to visit New York.



2.I Heart New York, Lindsey Kelk-Funny, girly and very Sex and the City. The book is about a girl who spontaneously moves to New York on finding out her partner is cheating and follows her New York adventure. There is a guide to New York in the back of the book.



3.Sex and The City, Candace Bushnell- The book which went on to become on of the most popular TV shows about New York. You know the story....


















Girly Guide To New York-The Essentials

Things that are worth noting when travelling to New York.
1.If you use GHD'S (newer ones) they may have a 2 pin US plug inside. Unscrew the plug and there should be a 2 pin plug insde, saving you the use of a travel adaptor.
2.Bring a travel adaptor anyway for your mobile/ipod charger, iron etc. Email your hotel before you go if their website does not state whether or not they have a hairdryer/iron in-room.
3.Taxi's can be expensive in New York. Familiarise yourself with the subway system using an online map before you go. The subway is cheap, quick and stations are plentiful around the city.
4.Check where you are flying to and see what is the quickest and/or most cost effective way to reach your hotel. Newark Airport is in New Jersey, not Manhattan, making it more expensive to arrive by taxi than if you land in JFK.
5.Look up the prices of any sights you want to visit, things you plan to buy before you go and work out how much money you need. New York is expensive but can be done within most budgets if well-planned. I'll put up budget tips later on.
6.Pack for the weather. Use a website such as Accu Weather a few days before you go and get a 10 day forecast. Plan what you pack around this. Essentials in any weather are a map, alcohol gel for hands (while using subway,out sightseeing ,if you plan on eating on the go), photocopies of your passport, camera and enough money to keep you going but not so much that you will be left with nothing if you get robbed/pickpocketed (although this is unlikely).
7.You now need to complete an ESTA form (part of your visa) before you go. This can be done for free online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html?_flowExecutionKey=_cDA8B77A1-9572-283F-DC83-B27E434CBC4E_k24C6ED77-ABD6-8E89-AB22-20ED9DA9F150
8.Make sure you have travel insurance before you go to avoid big medical bills hould you fall unwell. Also, pack enough of any medications you are on.
9.Remember hand luggage restrictions. Check with the individual airline/airport before you go. Usually you are only allowed a small amount of make up and toiletries (fluid based) which must be under 100mls each and should be able to fit in the small clear big that you will be issued with at the airport.
10. Take decent walking shoes. You will do a lot of wlaking in New York and a lot of standing in queues if you visit the main attractions and while heels are very flattering and very Carrie Bradshaw, they are also completely impractical. Keep your heels for dinner/a Broadway show.

Girly Guide to New York

Landing in Newark Aiport to be faced with long queues at the immigration control desk following a 7 hour flight was hardly the adrenaline filled, glamourous start to my New York adventure that I had spent years dreaming about.However, following an overpriced ($120), maniacally driven, taxi ride I arrived on Broadway/ West 50th Street and breathed in the polluted, musky scent of New York, every few minutes also picking up on the scent of hotdogs from the street vendor's carts. It was impossible not to feel butterflies gazing along towards Times Square and noting the huge Mamma Mia sign smiling down on me from above the Wintergarden Theatre. We paused breifly at a Duane Reade to pick up essentials-root beer and Payday bars, me standing outside with our cases and despite the flight, early airport check-in and the fact that the excitement of the trip had given me 3 days of insomnia I suddenly felt alert, excited and desperate to start sightseeing.New York is like a movie set and is an incredible experience travel experience. The hustle and bustle of Times Square is a stark contrast to the scenic and, at times, ambient Central Park. Here's my Girly Guide to New York:

Sightseeing In New York

My recommended sights (in no particular order).

1.Empire State Building- Located between 5th avenue and West 54th street, the Empire State Building's 86th and 102nd floor observatories offer panoramic, dizzying views of the city.The Empire State Building is one of New York's most instantly recognisable landmarks. Get there early, book your tickets online and expect queues. Making it even more worthwhile, Macy's is within walking distance so plan your itinerary to incorporate the two :)




http://www.esbnyc.com/tourism/tourism_visitorinfo.cfm?CFID=38986407&CFTOKEN=51390133



2. The Statue of Liberty-One of New York's most iconic sights, the Statue of Liberty should be part of every itinerary when visiting New York. Seeing Lady Liberty in front of me was a "butterflies" experience an honestly left me quite awe struck. It's was one of those moments where you know you're in New York. If you plan to do New York on a budget, and that budget is centered around leaving as much shopping money as possible then take the Staten Island ferry. This is the free way to see the Statue of Liberty and it means no lengthy queues, saving time and money. The Staten Island Ferry offers also offers views of the lower Manhattan skyline.

http://www.siferry.com/







http://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm


3.Brooklyn Bridge- Connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge is well worth seeing, even if the only thing it represents to you is that Miranda and Steve from Sex and the City got back together there. And you cried at that part of the movie :) We walked the Brooklyn Bridge on a particularly clear, warm day and it was one of my favourte sights. A wonderful spot for picture taking and it gives you a good view of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Walk it! It's free, enviromentally friendly and gives you the chance to burn off some of those $1 hotdogs.










http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60827-d102741/Brooklyn:New-York:Brooklyn.Bridge.htmladvisor.com/Travel-g60827-d102741/Brooklyn:New-York:Brooklyn.Bridge.html4.Grandadvisor.com/Travel-g60827-d102741/Brooklyn:New-York:Brooklyn.Bridge.html

4.Grand Central Station- This was a sight I had been desperate to visit since reading Catcher in The Rye. The Grand Central Station is the world's largest train station and is known for it's stunning main concourse with floods light pouring in from the huge arched windows and the famous zodiac mural on the ceiling. Also, be sure to visit the Whispering Gallery, stand at the opposit corner of the gallery from your friend and whisper. The acoustics provided by the ceramics mean you can hear each other perfectly :) There is also an old fashioned shoe shining service inside.This is another free sight that is easily incorporated into your trip if you plan on using the train/subway and it's worth noting that the New York library (Carrie and Big's original wedding venue) is within easy walking distance.

http://grandcentralterminal.com/

5. Central Park- Central Park is picturesque, diverse and huge, taking up 6% of Manhattan. Relax and picnic in the summer or ice skate in the winter, just make sure you visit. Beatles fans can visit the Imagine Mosaic, a tribute to John Lennon. Visit the Carousel, as mentioned in Catcher In The Rye, or the Central Park Zoo. The park is in close proximity to the American Museum of Natural History, Museum of Modern Art and St. Patrick's Cathedral. However, if you're more interested in shopping than visiting the museums Bloomingdales, Tiffany & Co and Abercrombie & Fitch and all nearby.

http://www.centralpark.com/








Things to Do

Not exactly sightseeing but fun things to do when in the Big Apple.


1. Visit the Magnolia Bakery- Made famous in Sex and the City, this quirky bakery in Bleecker Street sells New York's cutest and possibly most iconic cupcakes. Prices started from about $2.50 when we visited in 2009. This is a must do for Sex and the City fans as it's a free way to see some of the places the the show put on the map. The tiny bakery offers a huge range of gorgeous cupcakes in little white cake boxes and Sarah Jessica Parker is apparently often spotted at the park nearby. So buy a cupcake and relax in park, however, not before stopping at 66 Perry Street which is just minutes away. This is the home of Carrie Bradshaw and you get a chance to take pictures at her famous steps. This was one of the highlights of my tour and I became ridiculously excited. The apartment from Friends is also nearby, if you're a fan, it's on the corner of Grove and Bedford, Greenwich Village. Print off a map of the area from Google maps before you go to keep you right.

http://www.magnoliabakery.com/







2. Visit Madame Taussauds- Okay, you can do this in a lot of major cites but it's a fun way to kill a few hours if you have time on your hands on a cold/wet/snowy day in New York. Located in Times Square, Madame Taussauds is a display of wonderfully lifelike waxworks of major celebrities and politicians. Pose with Johnny Depp or Brad Pitt and pretend that's who paid for your Tiffany & Co jewellry, it'll ease off that credit card guilt.



http://www.madametussauds.com/NewYork/





3. Visit Times Square-This is possibly the busiest place in Manhattan, with a constant stream of tourists, locals and people trying to sell tickets to comedy shows, Broadways shows etc. Visit Toys R us and see the 60ft ferris wheel. Eat in Planet Hollywood or The Hard Rock Cafe. Stock up on sweets at the Hersheys Store.You will find yourself stopping to look up at the sky scrapers or take a picture, the only thing is, you stop but the rest of Times Square doesnt and you will find yourself being walked into so take advantage of the steps and chairs around the middle of Times Square (near tkts booth) for photos.





4. See a show on Broadway- A visit to New York wouldn't be complete without seeing a Broadway Show.The tkts booth in Times Square offers discounts on tickets for Broadway shows on the day if you're visiting New York on a budget. Be prepared to queue and show up early. It's well worth it to see one of the spectular shows such as Mamma Mia or Wicked. If you want to get your tickets in advance, look up what you want to see in advance and look online for discounts.
http://www.broadwaybox.com/


I'll update asap with more advice,tips and info on New York :) x