New York City family trip next week
Jun 14th, 2008, 06:43 AM
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New York City family trip next week
We (husband, 14 year old daughter and myself)are getting ready for our New York trip next week, and we are definitely not as prepared as we would like to be. Any itinerary help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Here is a "rough draft" of our 10 day trip:
Thursday 6/19 - Arrive in Newark at 6:45 am on a red eye from San Diego. What would be the easiest way to get to the Salisbury Hotel in Manhattan. Considering a private car, but recently read about the Super Shuttle, or a bus (www.graylinenewyork.com). Suggestions? We plan on dropping off the luggage at the hotel, getting a bite to eat, and doing a little exploring around hotel area before we can check in. We may go ahead and get our Metrocards and start familiarizing ourselves with the subway, since that will be our main way of getting around over the next week. We will rest up awhile before getting ready to see a show (Mary Poppins)
Friday 6/20 - We have a friend coming into town from Vermont. When he arrives, my husband and him are off to Brooklyn to see friends. My daughter and myself will have a "girls day" in NYC. We plan on hitting Macy's, etc. and strolling 5th Ave. Then her and I plan on seeing a show that night.
Saturday 6/21 - The 4 of us have tickets to the Yankees game at 1:00. We plan on taking the subway to the stadium. What would be a good time to leave to arrive at the stadium in time to see Monument park, etc. before gametime. I'm not sure how busy the subway will be on gameday. After the game, back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner.
Sunday 6/22 - Up early and off to the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue. Any suggestions on a good time to get there to avoid lines? After the ferry, we want to see Ground Zero, Wall St, etc. before getting lunch at Fraunces Tavern. Then back to the hotel to get our friend ready to go back to Vermont. We do not have plans for Sunday night yet.
Monday 6/23 - Brooklyn Bridge, Seaport, Chinatown, Little Italy during the day and maybe a show that night.
Tuesday 6/24 - Greenwich Viilage, Washington Square Park, Canal St., Flatiron, Union Square.
Wednesday 6/25 - Up early for the Today show. NY Library, St. Pat's, Grand Central. We are considering TOR instead of ESB because of the fact that we can pre-purchase tickets for a specific time. I would also like to take a stroll the the Upper East side to see the brownstones, etc.
Thursday 6/26 - We will rent a car and drive to Vermont. Can anyone suggest the easiest place for us to do this. Someone had suggested taking the subway to Laguadia to rent a car. They thought that might be the most direct/easiest route out of the city.
Once we arrive in Vermont, we will be staying at a bed and breakfast outside of Burlington.
Friday 6/27 - We will meet up with our friend (yes, the same one that is coming to NYC our first weekend there). We are planning on a trip to Montreal.
Saturday 6/28 - After breakfast and an important stop at the Ben & Jerry's store, we head back to New York.
Sunday 6/29 - Central Park, The Dakota, maybe a quick trip up to Harlem,
Monday 6/30 - We leave Newark at 7:00 pm, so we have the morning open.
Again, this is a very "rough" idea so any help would be great. It is list of things we would like to see and do, with weather and time permitting.
Thursday 6/19 - Arrive in Newark at 6:45 am on a red eye from San Diego. What would be the easiest way to get to the Salisbury Hotel in Manhattan. Considering a private car, but recently read about the Super Shuttle, or a bus (www.graylinenewyork.com). Suggestions? We plan on dropping off the luggage at the hotel, getting a bite to eat, and doing a little exploring around hotel area before we can check in. We may go ahead and get our Metrocards and start familiarizing ourselves with the subway, since that will be our main way of getting around over the next week. We will rest up awhile before getting ready to see a show (Mary Poppins)
Friday 6/20 - We have a friend coming into town from Vermont. When he arrives, my husband and him are off to Brooklyn to see friends. My daughter and myself will have a "girls day" in NYC. We plan on hitting Macy's, etc. and strolling 5th Ave. Then her and I plan on seeing a show that night.
Saturday 6/21 - The 4 of us have tickets to the Yankees game at 1:00. We plan on taking the subway to the stadium. What would be a good time to leave to arrive at the stadium in time to see Monument park, etc. before gametime. I'm not sure how busy the subway will be on gameday. After the game, back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner.
Sunday 6/22 - Up early and off to the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue. Any suggestions on a good time to get there to avoid lines? After the ferry, we want to see Ground Zero, Wall St, etc. before getting lunch at Fraunces Tavern. Then back to the hotel to get our friend ready to go back to Vermont. We do not have plans for Sunday night yet.
Monday 6/23 - Brooklyn Bridge, Seaport, Chinatown, Little Italy during the day and maybe a show that night.
Tuesday 6/24 - Greenwich Viilage, Washington Square Park, Canal St., Flatiron, Union Square.
Wednesday 6/25 - Up early for the Today show. NY Library, St. Pat's, Grand Central. We are considering TOR instead of ESB because of the fact that we can pre-purchase tickets for a specific time. I would also like to take a stroll the the Upper East side to see the brownstones, etc.
Thursday 6/26 - We will rent a car and drive to Vermont. Can anyone suggest the easiest place for us to do this. Someone had suggested taking the subway to Laguadia to rent a car. They thought that might be the most direct/easiest route out of the city.
Once we arrive in Vermont, we will be staying at a bed and breakfast outside of Burlington.
Friday 6/27 - We will meet up with our friend (yes, the same one that is coming to NYC our first weekend there). We are planning on a trip to Montreal.
Saturday 6/28 - After breakfast and an important stop at the Ben & Jerry's store, we head back to New York.
Sunday 6/29 - Central Park, The Dakota, maybe a quick trip up to Harlem,
Monday 6/30 - We leave Newark at 7:00 pm, so we have the morning open.
Again, this is a very "rough" idea so any help would be great. It is list of things we would like to see and do, with weather and time permitting.
Jun 14th, 2008, 07:11 AM
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A couple of thoughts/questions:
From Newark, with 3 people with luggage, take a car service (Dial 7 and Carmel are the ones most recommended here)
DO NOT take Supershuttle. It will take much longer and cost the same or more as a private car service.
If you take a bus, you then have to get to your hotel, probably by taxi. Again, it will cost as much or more.
Question about 6/26 through 6/28
Are you really planning driving NYC to Burlington, then to Montreal, then back to NYC in 3 days??
NYC to Burlington is at least 5 hours.
Burlington to Montreal maybe 2 plus the border crossings (that could be minimal or an hour or ore).
Montreal to NYC direct (by the NYS thruway) is about 7 hours plus border crossing.
If you are going back to Burlington first, add those numbers.
Add in any time needed for food an bathroom stops, and it sounds like 3 days, mostly driving, very little time to see anything.
(BTW, there is no subway directly to LaGuardia--you'd have to take a subway then a bus then get to the rental car areas--could take 2 hours all together!)
From Newark, with 3 people with luggage, take a car service (Dial 7 and Carmel are the ones most recommended here)
DO NOT take Supershuttle. It will take much longer and cost the same or more as a private car service.
If you take a bus, you then have to get to your hotel, probably by taxi. Again, it will cost as much or more.
Question about 6/26 through 6/28
Are you really planning driving NYC to Burlington, then to Montreal, then back to NYC in 3 days??
NYC to Burlington is at least 5 hours.
Burlington to Montreal maybe 2 plus the border crossings (that could be minimal or an hour or ore).
Montreal to NYC direct (by the NYS thruway) is about 7 hours plus border crossing.
If you are going back to Burlington first, add those numbers.
Add in any time needed for food an bathroom stops, and it sounds like 3 days, mostly driving, very little time to see anything.
(BTW, there is no subway directly to LaGuardia--you'd have to take a subway then a bus then get to the rental car areas--could take 2 hours all together!)
Jun 14th, 2008, 07:17 AM
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From EWR to Manhattan: www.dial7.com
Rent a car in Manhattan; you have many, many options. There's no reason to pick up a car at LGA.
Otherwise, my advice is to relax. New York is a city to explore and savor. You will not see everything, but you can certainly return.
Rent a car in Manhattan; you have many, many options. There's no reason to pick up a car at LGA.
Otherwise, my advice is to relax. New York is a city to explore and savor. You will not see everything, but you can certainly return.
Jun 14th, 2008, 07:38 AM
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There are many young women who are designer/owners of clothes stores between East 9 and East 12th Street from Ave, A to 2nd Ave. These are styles you will not see in Macy's.
Washington Square Park is closed for renovations but if you are walking around the West Village be sure to see the Washingon Mews, one short block, north of the Square between 5th and University. It is a cobble stone street with old carriage houses.
Washington Square Park is closed for renovations but if you are walking around the West Village be sure to see the Washingon Mews, one short block, north of the Square between 5th and University. It is a cobble stone street with old carriage houses.
Jun 14th, 2008, 07:48 AM
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Great! I will contact Dial 7 today.
About the rental car.. If we did decide to rent the car in Manhattan, does anyone have suggestions on where, and what would be the most direct route out of the city?
About the rental car.. If we did decide to rent the car in Manhattan, does anyone have suggestions on where, and what would be the most direct route out of the city?
Jun 14th, 2008, 10:50 AM
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If you're leaving the city the best place to rent a car is int the west 70's. Several of the agencies have office there and you can drive about 4 block and then hop on the west side highway/henry hudson parkway at 79thST headed out of town.
As for the Yankees - Monument Park CLOSES 45 minutes before game time - so to get through security, get all the way to the Park, see anything and get back to your seats for the game - I would try to get to the park by 11 (getting on the subway by 10:30 at the latest). (Most games are sold out, 55,000 is a LOT of people trying to do anything - so there are lines everywhere. Better early than miss something.)
As for the Yankees - Monument Park CLOSES 45 minutes before game time - so to get through security, get all the way to the Park, see anything and get back to your seats for the game - I would try to get to the park by 11 (getting on the subway by 10:30 at the latest). (Most games are sold out, 55,000 is a LOT of people trying to do anything - so there are lines everywhere. Better early than miss something.)
Jun 14th, 2008, 06:23 PM
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nytraveler, thanks for the rental tip! That will be a relief for my husband!
Also, as you all suggested we may skip the Montreal trip, and just stay in Vermont. The reason for the trip to Vermont is to see friends. I am sure that we can find plenty to do and see in Vermont.... with relaxing at the top of the list.
Also, as you all suggested we may skip the Montreal trip, and just stay in Vermont. The reason for the trip to Vermont is to see friends. I am sure that we can find plenty to do and see in Vermont.... with relaxing at the top of the list.
Jun 15th, 2008, 02:43 PM
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The Staten Island Ferry is a free ferry between Manhattan and Staten Island. The only "line" or crowds are on weekdays during commuting time. On a Sunday morning, it will be blessedly uncrowded.
Jun 15th, 2008, 05:57 PM
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Do we need to "pre-purchase" tickets for the Staten Island Ferry?
We will pre purchase tickets for ESB and TOTR, but will do so once we arrive. How far in advance should this be done? We are waiting so that we can hopefully plan them for sunny, clear days.
Also we would like to visit one of the museums. Are the MOMA and the Met the same thing?
Would anyone suggest the free Lincoln Center tour? Our daughter enjoys the theater and we thought this might provide a behind the scenes look.
We will pre purchase tickets for ESB and TOTR, but will do so once we arrive. How far in advance should this be done? We are waiting so that we can hopefully plan them for sunny, clear days.
Also we would like to visit one of the museums. Are the MOMA and the Met the same thing?
Would anyone suggest the free Lincoln Center tour? Our daughter enjoys the theater and we thought this might provide a behind the scenes look.
Jun 15th, 2008, 06:29 PM
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The Staten Island Ferry is a commuter ferry and it's FREE. 
No tickets, just show up .
MoMA is the Museum of Modern Art.
MET is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. TAke a look at their websites to see which interests you most. I think the Met, which also has terrific 19th and early 20th century art, has something for everyone.
I don't think there's a free Lincoln Center tour. There may be a free walking tour of the neighborhood, but it's not a behind the scenes tour of any of the theaters.
The Lincoln Center tour listed here http://www.lincolncenter.org/load_sc...nfo_indivtours
costs $15. I haven't been so I can't comment on what you see
No tickets, just show up .
MoMA is the Museum of Modern Art.
MET is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. TAke a look at their websites to see which interests you most. I think the Met, which also has terrific 19th and early 20th century art, has something for everyone.
I don't think there's a free Lincoln Center tour. There may be a free walking tour of the neighborhood, but it's not a behind the scenes tour of any of the theaters.
The Lincoln Center tour listed here http://www.lincolncenter.org/load_sc...nfo_indivtours
costs $15. I haven't been so I can't comment on what you see
Jun 16th, 2008, 05:57 AM
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Just to be clear, the Staten Island Ferry is a free commuter ferry that passes by the Statue of Liberty on its way across the harbor to Staten Island and then back to Manhattan. You just show up and get on the next boat. Round trip takes about an hour.
There is a different ferry that goes to Liberty Island to visit the statue and then continues on to Ellis Island. This ferry costs money, has long waiting lines, and long security lines. This visit will take at least half a day.
There is a different ferry that goes to Liberty Island to visit the statue and then continues on to Ellis Island. This ferry costs money, has long waiting lines, and long security lines. This visit will take at least half a day.
Jun 16th, 2008, 07:01 AM
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The Metropolitan Museum of Art backs up to Central Park, so see those on the same day. With that said, try to be flexible on which day you visit Central Park. We were there during a heat wave last July and it was ridiculous that we were storming through Central Park on such a hot day. I assume the 14 year old has seen the movie Enchanted? There's some good Central Park footage there.
Jun 16th, 2008, 02:28 PM
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We always rent cars at Dollar on East 87, near Lex because of their great prices (considering it's Manhattan) and because they are 2 blocks from the 86th st subway. I just checked their internet specials for your dates and a compact is going for $43/day, a full-size $55/day.
From there, if you head east on 90th, you can pick up the FDR north which is the starting point for your drive up to Burlington. Montreal transplant living in NYC for over a dozen years and we do this often.
Have a great trip!
From there, if you head east on 90th, you can pick up the FDR north which is the starting point for your drive up to Burlington. Montreal transplant living in NYC for over a dozen years and we do this often.
Have a great trip!
Jun 16th, 2008, 06:31 PM
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Thanks! I wanted to make sure that the Staten Island Ferry was round trip.
Travel_Glutton, thanks for the tip on the rental car. Again, hubby is looking for the easiest way out of town. We are looking forward to a roadtrip and change of scenery after being in the city for a week.
Travel_Glutton, thanks for the tip on the rental car. Again, hubby is looking for the easiest way out of town. We are looking forward to a roadtrip and change of scenery after being in the city for a week.
Jun 16th, 2008, 07:35 PM
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why not take amtrak? Much easier and more restful than driving?
I too would skip the day trip to montreal and just rest in VT. I am about 2 1/2 hours from Burlington and I know you can find lots to do there!
I too would skip the day trip to montreal and just rest in VT. I am about 2 1/2 hours from Burlington and I know you can find lots to do there!
Jun 16th, 2008, 08:55 PM
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Staten Island Ferry goes round trip . . . actually it's more like two one ways. the boat just keeps bouncing back and forth between Manhattan and Staten Island. At the Staten Island end, you have to get off the boat and reboard for the return trip to Manhattan.
Jun 17th, 2008, 03:21 AM
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phew that's quite an itinerary! you're make sure to pencil in some downtime i found this great website for vacation planning to nyc called uloveny.com. it's got video reviews of everything in manhattan-- tours, places to eat, events, parades, museums, sightseeing, etc. there's a whole section on "top sights". check it out, here's some reviews of the brooklyn bridge! http://uloveny.com/index.php/nyc/ven...rooklyn_bridge
enjoy the city!
i found this great website for vacation planning to nyc called uloveny.com. it's got video reviews of everything in manhattan-- tours, places to eat, events, parades, museums, sightseeing, etc. there's a whole section on "top sights". check it out, here's some reviews of the brooklyn bridge! http://uloveny.com/index.php/nyc/ven...rooklyn_bridgeenjoy the city!
