I am taking my two kids with me on a 3 day trip to NYC in May. I planned on doing the usual tourist stops like Empire State Building, NBC studio tour, museums etc. I am looking for some recommendations on some places to go that may not be well known or anything out of the ordinary.
Trip to NYC
- Thread starter Bluestream
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Boys, girls, both, ages? How about the Intrepid Museum? Hayden Planetarium. Radio City Music Hall, [check www for schedules]. Broadway show?????? Central Park Zoo, The Museum of Natural History, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty. M&M Chocolate Factory, FAO Schwartz toy store. Etc.........................................
The Bronx Zoo is much better than the CP zoo. You can visit the the Bronx Botanical Gardens which is only a couple of blocks north of the zoo. It's really beautiful in May.
You can visit the new Yankee Stadium while in The Bronx too.
PS: I believe the Bronx Zoo has free admission on Tuesdays.
Some other inexpensive places of interest would include Ground Zero and a ride on the Staten Island ferry (which gives a great view of the harbor).
You can visit the new Yankee Stadium while in The Bronx too.
PS: I believe the Bronx Zoo has free admission on Tuesdays.
Some other inexpensive places of interest would include Ground Zero and a ride on the Staten Island ferry (which gives a great view of the harbor).
Thanks for all those suggestions. I will be taking two girls age 17 and 18, and we are there from Wed to Sunday. They both want to see a broadway show, do that is also on my list.
Last time I in NYC (1988), the Staten Island ferry cost 25 cents; I assume that has gone up in price?
Last time I in NYC (1988), the Staten Island ferry cost 25 cents; I assume that has gone up in price?
Brooklyn Museum. Outstanding Egyptian Collection.
NYC is so big most people who live there havent seen all of it, I lived there myself for 20+ years.
Take a day to just walk around in Chinatown, Lower east side, The village etc and enjoy yourself.
And dont be afraid to just eat eat eat eat, Best restaurants in the nation are there
(Make sure to eat at "Les Halles")
NYC is so big most people who live there havent seen all of it, I lived there myself for 20+ years.
Take a day to just walk around in Chinatown, Lower east side, The village etc and enjoy yourself.
And dont be afraid to just eat eat eat eat, Best restaurants in the nation are there
M&M and Hershey are across the street from each other in Times Square.
Katz's deli
Statue of Liberty
Brooklyn Bridge
Chelsea Market the Food Network studios are here too
you just have to pick a couple of things because you can't get to everything.
Katz's deli
Statue of Liberty
Brooklyn Bridge
Chelsea Market the Food Network studios are here too
you just have to pick a couple of things because you can't get to everything.
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Thanks for all those suggestions. I will be taking two girls age 17 and 18, and we are there from Wed to Sunday. They both want to see a broadway show, do that is also on my list.
Last time I in NYC (1988), the Staten Island ferry cost 25 cents; I assume that has gone up in price?
Actually the ferry is now FREE (I believe).
The cost of everything else will SHOCK you.
Be careful parking because the meter maids are everywhere
and the summonses are EXPENSIVE.
Last week a co-worker was dropping his kids at daycare and couldn't park because
they were filming "Men In Black II". He parked down the corner from the daycare and 3 minutes later had a $150 parking ticket (because one wheel was in the crosswalk).
Thanks for all those suggestions. I will be taking two girls age 17 and 18, and we are there from Wed to Sunday. They both want to see a broadway show, do that is also on my list.
Last time I in NYC (1988), the Staten Island ferry cost 25 cents; I assume that has gone up in price?
Actually the ferry is now FREE (I believe).
The cost of everything else will SHOCK you.
Be careful parking because the meter maids are everywhere
and the summonses are EXPENSIVE.
Last week a co-worker was dropping his kids at daycare and couldn't park because
they were filming "Men In Black II". He parked down the corner from the daycare and 3 minutes later had a $150 parking ticket (because one wheel was in the crosswalk).
All the suggestions were great. You do not have to spend alot, as us natives for the most part avoid traps. #1 Having a car in NYC is nuts. Nobody needs a car in NYC.There are lots of places that are easy to get to by subway. Get a map of the subway. Cabs are plentiful and really a bargain at times. #2 TKTS is a place you can get really well priced play tickets. #3 Do most of your sightseeing during the week as the weekend in May is very busy in the things you want to do. #4 What alot of people do not tell you is that just being in NYC is a trip alone. I do not know what it is like where you live but from a population standpoint NYC is somewhat like Toronto. If you are one in a million there are 14 others like you in NYC. #5 Carmines is a rest with 2 locations in mid Manhatten, to get a res. you could have called last Oct. you might have gotten one. However if you call today for the Broadway location I mean today, you might have a shot. YOU must come there very very hungry. Great prices and tons I mean tons of food.#6 Weekday you run into crowds on the subway who are going home. AVOID subways from 3 - 7 cabs only. #7 use the computer. #8 there are off off broadway plays that can be had for $18. Use ny times off off broadway .com for listings. Would suggest Manhatten Theater Source at 177 Mc Dougal street as a place to look into, re. off off Bway. plays. You are right in the most interesting area of downtown district. #9 since 1988 the NY Mets have gotten worse and in addition to Yankees Stadium there is Citi Field. Tickets would be easy to get at Citi Field you can watch outfielders dropping fly balls. #10 wear comfotable shoes because walking to this place or that has to be expected. #11 the hotel I would assume will be a great place for info. #12 Comedy Clubs might be a good place to go during the week. Carolines in mid Mahatten would be good to look into.If you are really into comedy there are alot of clubs but be sure to go during the week. #13 NYC really does not close and you will see this. But know as the night moves on so do problems use your head. #14 would suggest a tour bus ride during the week. Early morning will be good. Fills in all the stuff you might miss. #15 feel free to Pm me for more info. #16 while you are in NYC think about 10k oci in that traffic.
I thought Central Park was fantastic. I thought the Guggenheim wasn't that great (and I'm a Frank Lloyd Wright fan). We took a sailboat ride from the west side of Manhattan around the Statue of Liberty for I think only 40 bucks. The Empire State Building was cool at night, and the lines weren't that long.
Cabs were cheaper than Milwaukee, I wouldn't bring a car if you can help it. Besides the hotel and drinks I didn't think things were terribly expensive.
My two cents. Also, don't wear a white shirt, I was filthy ten blocks from our hotel just from the dust kicked up by cars.
Cabs were cheaper than Milwaukee, I wouldn't bring a car if you can help it. Besides the hotel and drinks I didn't think things were terribly expensive.
My two cents. Also, don't wear a white shirt, I was filthy ten blocks from our hotel just from the dust kicked up by cars.
Everyone posting here could give you a different restaurant recommendation and all be different - thats what happens when you have to feed 8M people.
That being said, this is what I do when I return....
After college I moved to CT and later Beacon NY when I was with IBM. During the non-summer months a bunch of us would head down at least 1 weekend a month and spend the day.
I recommend you DO NOT stay in the city at all and here is why:
goto Beacon, Fishkill or Newburgh NY and stay in the fine (cheaper - much cheaper) hotel of your choice. I myself prefer the quality or residence in Fishkill.
Saturday morning, goto the beacon train station - it is the largest in the Metro north Hudson line and the parking is mostly free on weekends (some inner spots remain permit only)
The train runs every hour at the same time and you buy your tix online or at the kiosk - NOT on the train. The trip takes 90 minutes and the scenery down the Hudson makes it worthwhile. The tunnels by peekskill, west point, garrison, croton harmon, sing-sing, all the 'fishing' villiages, spuytin duyvil, harlem river then the dive underground on the park ave viaduct.
WAY WAY worth the ticket!
The train arrives on the main floor just outside the grad concouse of GCS. when you get in, look UP and try to locate the 2 bricks not cleaned when they restored the place using simple green for the ad campaign.
Its lunch time right? either take S or 7 or walk (I recommend walking) from GCS to times square.
as you head north on broadway, at 211 west 43rd, off to the right down the street is the 'times square deli'. Its my fav but like I said, you will get 4000 recomendations.
While in times square, if you want to see a show, on SAT and sunday goto the TKTS kiosk and see what they have for sale. A lot at half price, some at only 20-30% off. The sale show is usually the matinee.
AVOID eating on 'restaurant row' (loose collection of restaurants in the 45-47 street range) overpriced pretentious slop.
Museums? When I was at IBM we got free admission cuz of the money IBM gave each year. Now I am a member of carnegie and I get reciprocal rights to the Met, but not the AMoNH. For first timers I recommend either. For younger kids who like monsters the AMoNH, for teen girls, the Met.
To get around I recommend learning how to subway! get a day card and plan your moves to make it pay. Last time I was there the day cards did not allow buddy swipes - once swiped it had to sit for 20 minutes. Take the Lex (green) express up to 86 for the met, take the B or C up to 81st.
On days where we did BOTH museums we would ride up the lex to 86 and the met, then walk across the great lawn to the AMNH and later B/C train down to 59th (columbus circle) and walk broadway down to times square.
Now for dinner, My fav is italian. if you dont want little italy, 134 W46th is la strada - it was good, and while technically in restaurant row, it was outside the beaten path.
but my REAL fav is Il Fornaio on mulberry. (lex down to canal, go thru chinatown to mulberry, turn left and walk, its on your right). not to far away is Puglias (featured in 'Big Daddy') but the food was not that great, but Jorge Buccio is there...dunno if he still does styx tunes
the staten island ferry is indeed free - but they seem to crash a lot of them!
for a return trip home, the hudson line runs every hour on the hour for the express (first stop marble hill or thereabouts) you would want this train as the others to poughkeepsie (which stops in beacon) are either locals or change trains in croton harmon.
so thats my 50 cents worth...
That being said, this is what I do when I return....
After college I moved to CT and later Beacon NY when I was with IBM. During the non-summer months a bunch of us would head down at least 1 weekend a month and spend the day.
I recommend you DO NOT stay in the city at all and here is why:
goto Beacon, Fishkill or Newburgh NY and stay in the fine (cheaper - much cheaper) hotel of your choice. I myself prefer the quality or residence in Fishkill.
Saturday morning, goto the beacon train station - it is the largest in the Metro north Hudson line and the parking is mostly free on weekends (some inner spots remain permit only)
The train runs every hour at the same time and you buy your tix online or at the kiosk - NOT on the train. The trip takes 90 minutes and the scenery down the Hudson makes it worthwhile. The tunnels by peekskill, west point, garrison, croton harmon, sing-sing, all the 'fishing' villiages, spuytin duyvil, harlem river then the dive underground on the park ave viaduct.
WAY WAY worth the ticket!
The train arrives on the main floor just outside the grad concouse of GCS. when you get in, look UP and try to locate the 2 bricks not cleaned when they restored the place using simple green for the ad campaign.
Its lunch time right? either take S or 7 or walk (I recommend walking) from GCS to times square.
as you head north on broadway, at 211 west 43rd, off to the right down the street is the 'times square deli'. Its my fav but like I said, you will get 4000 recomendations.
While in times square, if you want to see a show, on SAT and sunday goto the TKTS kiosk and see what they have for sale. A lot at half price, some at only 20-30% off. The sale show is usually the matinee.
AVOID eating on 'restaurant row' (loose collection of restaurants in the 45-47 street range) overpriced pretentious slop.
Museums? When I was at IBM we got free admission cuz of the money IBM gave each year. Now I am a member of carnegie and I get reciprocal rights to the Met, but not the AMoNH. For first timers I recommend either. For younger kids who like monsters the AMoNH, for teen girls, the Met.
To get around I recommend learning how to subway! get a day card and plan your moves to make it pay. Last time I was there the day cards did not allow buddy swipes - once swiped it had to sit for 20 minutes. Take the Lex (green) express up to 86 for the met, take the B or C up to 81st.
On days where we did BOTH museums we would ride up the lex to 86 and the met, then walk across the great lawn to the AMNH and later B/C train down to 59th (columbus circle) and walk broadway down to times square.
Now for dinner, My fav is italian. if you dont want little italy, 134 W46th is la strada - it was good, and while technically in restaurant row, it was outside the beaten path.
but my REAL fav is Il Fornaio on mulberry. (lex down to canal, go thru chinatown to mulberry, turn left and walk, its on your right). not to far away is Puglias (featured in 'Big Daddy') but the food was not that great, but Jorge Buccio is there...dunno if he still does styx tunes
the staten island ferry is indeed free - but they seem to crash a lot of them!
for a return trip home, the hudson line runs every hour on the hour for the express (first stop marble hill or thereabouts) you would want this train as the others to poughkeepsie (which stops in beacon) are either locals or change trains in croton harmon.
so thats my 50 cents worth...
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Worked in mid Manhatten for 45 yrs never had problem with white shirts you must have walked in a recently paved road. By the way the roads in parts of Manhatten are in awful shape you can be tossed around pretty well.But any time you are driving in Manhatten unless it has to be, you enter what were you thinking territory.NYC has the best public transportation in the country. Driving in NYC are for those who did not think it out.
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One last point try buying the NY Times that Friday you are there it lists alot of things going on re. the weekend. I use it all the time good source with the info you need.
Many thanks again for all these tips! I will definitely take the advice given here, and will try some of the food places you have recommended. I book a motel in Secaucus NJ a few months back and got a good rate ($59 per night) I will have to take the bus to get into Manhattan, and then plan on using cabs/subway to get around.
Never thought of a day pass for the Subway, but I will check that out.
I will post a few pics of the trip when I return in May...
Never thought of a day pass for the Subway, but I will check that out.
I will post a few pics of the trip when I return in May...
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Many thanks again for all these tips! I will definitely take the advice given here, and will try some of the food places you have recommended. I book a motel in Secaucus NJ a few months back and got a good rate ($59 per night) I will have to take the bus to get into Manhattan, and then plan on using cabs/subway to get around.
Never thought of a day pass for the Subway, but I will check that out.
Unfortunately, MTA got rid of the One-day Fun passes, in their last round of fare increases. The 7-Day pass is currently $29, or you can charge up a MetroCard and pay $2.25 per trip. (There's a 7% bonus for putting $10 or more on a MetroCard.) Current fares: MTA Fares
Another option you may wish to consider, is to see if your motel offers a free shuttle to the Secaucus Junction NJ Transit station. NY Penn Station (34th St) is the next stop, through the tunnel, and only $4.00 each way. More info at www.njtransit.com (Make sure you choose NEW YORK Penn Station on the ticket machine, as there is a Penn Station in Newark.)
Many thanks again for all these tips! I will definitely take the advice given here, and will try some of the food places you have recommended. I book a motel in Secaucus NJ a few months back and got a good rate ($59 per night) I will have to take the bus to get into Manhattan, and then plan on using cabs/subway to get around.
Never thought of a day pass for the Subway, but I will check that out.
Unfortunately, MTA got rid of the One-day Fun passes, in their last round of fare increases. The 7-Day pass is currently $29, or you can charge up a MetroCard and pay $2.25 per trip. (There's a 7% bonus for putting $10 or more on a MetroCard.) Current fares: MTA Fares
Another option you may wish to consider, is to see if your motel offers a free shuttle to the Secaucus Junction NJ Transit station. NY Penn Station (34th St) is the next stop, through the tunnel, and only $4.00 each way. More info at www.njtransit.com (Make sure you choose NEW YORK Penn Station on the ticket machine, as there is a Penn Station in Newark.)
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