Hi folks

I'm heading to NYC 22nd-25th May, and then hiring a car with some friends to travel around a bit of New England (prolly spend a couple of days in Boston) before going to a wedding at the start of June and then heading back.

I've been to NY before so I've done most/all of the obvious tourist schtick, seen all the famous buildings etc.

Need some help though... gogogogogogoooooooo.....

1) Got nowhere to stay in NYC. Anyone got any good recommendations? Hoping not to spend too much money, but I'd rather stay in my own bed than some nasty hostel. Definitely want to spend <$100/night if possible though, so that's slightly restrictive. I won't be in the hotel/wherever much so I don't see the point of staying somewhere more upmarket. Ideally want to be in striking distance of Manhattan, somewhere reasonably safe (I have a camera which is worth nearly $1k including all the extra bits and pieces so I don't want that getting stolen), maybe not far from the metro lines etc. Open to suggestions, anyhow. Friends are turning up on the last night. Lots of places seem to be booked up already.

2) Things to do in NYC? I've booked a ticket to go to Yankee stadium on the 23rd (Mariners, I think) as it's the yanks last year there. I'm not too bothered about seeing any other sports while I'm there though. Seen most of the tourist stuff I think. Would probably like to hit some bars when everyone else arrives. Any good beer bars? If anyone wants to meet up in NYC/Boston for a drink or whatever that'd prolly be cool.

3) More importantly, recommendations for good places to go in New England. We don't want to do TOO much driving from NYC, and may be heading to Boston first. The wedding is near New Haven, so we'll probably be around Mass and Connecticut for most of the time, but we'll have the car about a week. Will it be easiest just to stay in motels etc? Last time I was in the states we were in the south, and with a hire car it was easy and cheap just to rock up to a motel at some point in the night and there were always rooms available. What's worth doing in Boston? What other cities are there to see? Any nice things to do outdoors at this time of year? None of us hunt or fish, and we'll be on holiday so won't have bikes etc.

4) Any other good tips about the area would be cool. Which bits of NYC do I want to avoid staying in, stuff like that. I was on Manhattan near central park last time, which seemed fine.

5) Is it easy enough to go to Fenway on the night and get tickets for a ballgame or do I need to book something in advance?

Right.... GOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGO!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was going to suggest Yankee Stadium, but since its booked already let me give you a tip on your visit. You absolutely must go see Monument Park. Mot people dont realize that it closes 45 minutes before gametime so you want to arrive early if you want to walk out there. Even better than just going to monument park before the game is a full tour of the Stadium. I would call the ticket office and see if they are doing tours on that day since its a game day. If they are, I highly recommend doing it. I did it last year and it was a great experience. You would probably not get into the locker room on a game day, but you will get everywhere else (monument park, walk on field, sit in dugout, press box, luxury suite etc.). Price is very reasonable.

If you don't want to spend big $$ on the hotel I recommend staying outside of NYC for the visit. If you will be going to Boston I suggest staying North of NYC, but I am not too familiar with that side of town. If you were staying on Long Island I would be much more helpful.

As far as good bars in NYC, just get off at any subway stop, walk a block and walk into the Irish bar on the corner. Its good. They are all good.

I work in downtown. If you happen to be down in the trade center area on a workday give me a PM and I will pop in for a beer.