http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19351
Fabulous local artisan jewels line the walls as does the work of up and coming artists Ellie Balk and Dominic Albo. Before or after heading over to the much buzzed about Brooklyn Flea, located five blocks away, this well hidden boutique (with new merchandise arriving weekly) bears all the rarities and designer goods you ever needed to make your day of vintage/antique scavenging a success. Open six days a week and well worth the trip.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19351 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19329 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19329 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19328
I recommend it because the locations are great, you may book office space by the day, and meeting rooms by the hour, so it is very flexible in terms of time.

Great for business travellers looking to hold their conference in a business setting.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19328 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19284 www.storeadore.com. It's the online shopaholic's bible! It contains profiles of all the best boutiques in New York and you can search several different ways and even make shopping maps for yourself. It's great for planning a day of shopping, but it also saved me a lot of time when I was travelling and just wanted to find a shop nearby that carried the boutique brands that I like. I highly recommend checking it out. They cover stores in other U.S. cities as well!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19284 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19117
Like all NY hotels now, it's a bit expensive at between $300-500/night, but their website sometimes has discounts and good packages, and in many cases you can get breakfast with the room, not a standard feature here in the States. And you can leave luggage there on checkout day for a small fee, so that you can see a few more things before heading out.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19117 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18990 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18990 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18812 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18812 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18677
The smell of pot from across the hall and the scrum for breakfast (think British Bulldogs with bagels) can be put up with too.

I stayed there as part of my travels:
writeronthestorm.wordpress.com]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18677 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18644
On the recommendation of a friend, we booked through an Irish site, newyorkapartments.ie, and we would all highly recommend it. We decided on a two-bed apartments in Mid Town East, which was close enough to all the designer labels we craved, but also just far enough from the hustle and bustle of Times Square to allow us to relax. The apartment was fantastic - really luxurious and, of course, spacious. Breakfast was available every morning and there was also a housekeeping service, which was great as we hadn't come all the way to New York to argue over who was to clean up! There was even a spa and aromotherapy centre - sheer bliss.

All in all, I can safely say that it had all the facilities that you would expect from a top class hotel, without the price tag and with the added bonus of that elusive (well in New York anyway!) extra space.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18644 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18637 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18637 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18592 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18592 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18584 writeronthestorm.wordpress.com]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18584 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18583 writeronthestorm.wordpress.com]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18583 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18570
www.bikeforums.net is a good source of info. See info on avoiding bike theft. Hint: get a strong U lock and take the seat post with you.

Consider buying a folding bicycle in NYC and returning with it. bfold.com, nycewheels.com and others have folding bikes. Strida would be a good bicycle for touring NYC. Dahon make very nice general purpose folding bikes. Folding bikes can usually be brought on the subway and trains. A bit iffy on crowded buses.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18570 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18456
Once you've registered you can search for restaurants online to find great meals at some of the best places in NY (as rated by Zagat Guide).

You'll be surprised how many great places have openings at decent times - places you would not have dared to call!

I've booked some of the best places in Manhattan, lunch or dinner. Collected points - and then used them for another great meal!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18456 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18329 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18329 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18328 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18328 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18258 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18258 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18046 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18046 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17943 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17943