Maggie101

Planning a quick visit to NYC in late August. We are planning to arrive Saturday afternoon and leave on Tuesday possibly on Wednesday. My husband has never been and wants to see as much as he can in as little time as possible. Hotel is Marriott Marquis times square. I am wondering about the hop on and off tour bus. We did the trolley in San Francisco and really enjoyed it. Can you tell me if one line is better than another. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

bachslunch

Did you do a board search? It's a good idea, as NYC is very well covered on this forum.

The advice I remember seeing here is that the "hop on, hop off" bus tour is not the best option, as it can sit in traffic a lot.

MFNYC

If you do the bus tour, do it on Sunday. Weekdays traffic can be bad, especially during the daytime.

abram

I wouldn't do the HOHO bus.
My recommendation: read some guidebooks (including this site's destinations section), pick what most interests you, plot them on a map so you can visit them in logical order.

suec1

See the current posting by DebitNM - has alot of info. I did the HOHO many years ago on my first visit - it can be slow but you do get a good overview and orientation. But if you know what you really want to see and have particular interests it probably is better just to chart your own course.

nytraveler

HoHo buses are a really bad idea. To see anyhting you will have to sit on top - and it's likely the heat and humidity will be awful. And you will likely be spending a LOT of time sitting in traffic. Also the buses only run every 30 minutes or so (versus every 4 or 5 minutes for city buses or subways) so they are a major waste of time - and money. Also, when they arrive they are sometime full and you have to wait another 30 minutes for the next one.

Much better to pick out what you really want to see and just go and see it.

Also - if you want to enter the Statue of Liberty you need to gt tickets for the statue and ferry now - they sell out many weeks in advance. (If all you want is a fairly good view you can take the free Staten Island ferry - every 15 or 20 minutes 24/7 - which also has great views of the lower Manhattan skyline on the way back.)

mclaurie

Hoho tours are a matter of personal preference and as nyt points out, weather conditions. If it's nice out and not too hot, doing a loop or 3 on the hoho's will give you an overview. Agree if you go, Sun. is a good idea with less traffic. I believe Grayline (red) and City Sights (blue) are now owned by the same co. There seem to be more red buses which matters if you actually hop on and off. What you shouldn't do is use these buses as transportation. They are tours. For getting from point a to point b use subway or bus. Hopstop.com is one of several sites that helps with directions. Using maps.google.com is also really helpful.

As an alternative to the hohos for an overview, kingofnyc.com is in a closed bus with a/c and overall better quality guides that stay with you. Realnewyorktours.com uses subway and walking to get you around for an overview.

happytrailstoyou

It seems to me the hop-off-hop-on busses are a great way to deprive oneself of the great New York City experiences of walking the interesting streets, riding subways, and rubbing elbows with locals by taking buses here and there.

When we visit NYC, the first day we walk south starting in Central Park and on to 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, the Theater District, Herald Square, Chelsea, the Village, Little Italy, Chinatown, and Wall Street. This is a walk we can't do anyplace else in the world, and we never tire of it.

bigbomoho

am native (bronx) and did lot of homework on this forum for my 2 recent trips (im 65)--as far as things i really like other than seeing a few shows are Ellis Island ( must do especially if anyone in your family came thru there)--Top of the Rock--incredible views on NYC from Central Park South, 80 stories up, Grand Central Station, get a nice lunch time table above the hub-bub and just people watch, NYC library at Grand Central (42nd & Lex), St Pauls Church near WTC site,Staten Island Ferry--of course there are a huge amount of Museums et al to see as well.We alwats stay at the courtyard marrioott at 53rd and 3rd--i dont like the Marquis too close to Times Square and way too many tourists clogging elevators.One last thing, i like the Spirt line cruises, dinner or lunch--theyre first class all the way,entertaning, very good food--for a summer day,id do an evening cruise,youll love it--good luck--PS Marvelues Manhattan tours rather than the hop on busses

HappyTrvlr

Can you change hotel reservation? Times Square is not a great place to stay in this wonderful city. Head south or east.

lss1

I like the Hop on/ Hop off---GrayLine 48 hours all loops tour---includes a 2 all lights at night which includes Brooklyn...it just depends on what you like to do...personally I recommend it for people on their first tour of NYC...it gives a good overview...I wouldn't recommend it for transport use only...of course the subway is faster, if you know exactly what you want to see and when