Tentative NYC Itinerary
May 17th, 2004, 04:43 PM
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Tentative NYC Itinerary
Hi everyone! My 62 year old mother, my sister-in-law, and I are planning a trip to NYC June 18-22. I've been lurking here for awhile, and would like your opinion, comments, help with our itinerary. Please tell me if we could do something better / see something better. This is our first trip to NYC, so pardon us if we're totally off base. We've purchased a City Pass, and plan on getting Metro cards. Ok...here we go...
Friday ~ Arrive at LGA around 4pm.
Drop luggage at Rihga Royal and go to the Empire State Building at dusk to see sunset. Walk around, grab a quick, inexpensive bite.
Saturday ~
7am , Go to Ground Zero (Does anyone know if there are hours for the viewing platform?)
10:30am Meet at Bleecker St (between 6th & 7th Aves) for Greenwich Village Food & Culture Tour (Lasts until 2pm)
6pm Dinner at Southside Cafe on W.47th (between 8th & Broadway)
8pm "Sly Fox" at Barrymore Theatre
Sunday ~
8am or so - Find our way to Queens and the MoMA. (Have free admission with the City Pass)
Can you suggest a restaurant in Queens for late lunch?
Make our way back to Manhattan and explore Central Park.
Monday ~
6am - Go to the Today Show.
After Show, go to Statue of Liberity and Ellis Island
Any suggestions for dinner that night? (We're pretty conventional, and don't like things too fancy...steak, classic seafood, classic Italian)
Tuesday ~
Catch plane at 10:30am
(
Friday ~ Arrive at LGA around 4pm.
Drop luggage at Rihga Royal and go to the Empire State Building at dusk to see sunset. Walk around, grab a quick, inexpensive bite.
Saturday ~
7am , Go to Ground Zero (Does anyone know if there are hours for the viewing platform?)
10:30am Meet at Bleecker St (between 6th & 7th Aves) for Greenwich Village Food & Culture Tour (Lasts until 2pm)
6pm Dinner at Southside Cafe on W.47th (between 8th & Broadway)
8pm "Sly Fox" at Barrymore Theatre
Sunday ~
8am or so - Find our way to Queens and the MoMA. (Have free admission with the City Pass)
Can you suggest a restaurant in Queens for late lunch?
Make our way back to Manhattan and explore Central Park.
Monday ~
6am - Go to the Today Show.
After Show, go to Statue of Liberity and Ellis Island
Any suggestions for dinner that night? (We're pretty conventional, and don't like things too fancy...steak, classic seafood, classic Italian)
Tuesday ~
Catch plane at 10:30am
(
May 17th, 2004, 05:13 PM
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Saturday evening you will be miserable if you try and cram in dinner before the theater after doing the eating tour.
Eat after the theater.
Sunday skip Museum of Modern Art and substitute Metropolitan Museum of Art since you are heading to Central Park. You also get free admission to the Cloisters.
Monday I would do the Statan Island Ferry for views of the Statue of Liberty. Also, there is so much to do downtown that would fill your day. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge.
Eat after the theater.
Sunday skip Museum of Modern Art and substitute Metropolitan Museum of Art since you are heading to Central Park. You also get free admission to the Cloisters.
Monday I would do the Statan Island Ferry for views of the Statue of Liberty. Also, there is so much to do downtown that would fill your day. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge.
May 17th, 2004, 05:34 PM
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I *think* you can allow yourself to sleep a little later on Monday when you go to the Today Show. Unless there is a concert I don't believe you need to be there at 6 (and for the concerts that's probably late!). I found the crowd much more manageable and organized than I thought it would be, and we didn't show up until about 8; if you want to be closer to the door where the hosts come out you might want to go over earlier than we did. But even with our late arrival we saw Katie, Matt, Al & Ann and Cojo. After 9 there didn't seem to be too much "action". The area is partitioned off so everyone who wants to see the show stands within barricades so the sidewalks are not blocked. People seem to come and go and jockey for position; everyone is there to have fun and people don't push & shove. It was a much nicer experience than I had anticipated 
Also as I am sure others will be only to quick to point out, the platform is gone from the Trade Center Site.
Have a wonderful time!
Also as I am sure others will be only to quick to point out, the platform is gone from the Trade Center Site.
Have a wonderful time!
May 17th, 2004, 05:43 PM
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Suggestion:
Get your tickets for Empire State Bldg. on-line. The line for "getting ticket" can be 1-1 1/2 hr wait. Then another hour or so the get to the observation deck.
Perhaps after the ESB you could go to Ground Zero. [Lights are on and it is really different at night]
Take the B,D,or F train from 34th St [Hearld Sq.Sta.] to W. 4 St. Station. [transfer] Take the E train to WTC. Ground Zero is right outside the subway station.
To get back to your hotel you can take the E train to 53St/7Ave. Station.
Ask for a map "the map" at the subway station when you get your metro pass.
I agree on the walk over the Brooklyn Bridge....really nice view. Take the A train to High St. Station...walk from East to West. You will be around City Hall Station, and within walking distance of Ground Zero.
Grand Central Station - downstairs. Lots of places to get "quick bite". Plus there are restrooms in GCS.
Was in NYC two weeks ago doing the things you are about to do...IT WAS GREAT!
Enjoy your trip....the food is wonderful too!
Get your tickets for Empire State Bldg. on-line. The line for "getting ticket" can be 1-1 1/2 hr wait. Then another hour or so the get to the observation deck.
Perhaps after the ESB you could go to Ground Zero. [Lights are on and it is really different at night]
Take the B,D,or F train from 34th St [Hearld Sq.Sta.] to W. 4 St. Station. [transfer] Take the E train to WTC. Ground Zero is right outside the subway station.
To get back to your hotel you can take the E train to 53St/7Ave. Station.
Ask for a map "the map" at the subway station when you get your metro pass.
I agree on the walk over the Brooklyn Bridge....really nice view. Take the A train to High St. Station...walk from East to West. You will be around City Hall Station, and within walking distance of Ground Zero.
Grand Central Station - downstairs. Lots of places to get "quick bite". Plus there are restrooms in GCS.
Was in NYC two weeks ago doing the things you are about to do...IT WAS GREAT!
Enjoy your trip....the food is wonderful too!
May 17th, 2004, 05:47 PM
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As Margie said, there is no longer a viewing platform at Ground Zero. It is now a big construction site. The last time I was there, there weren't too many people walking about.
The the walking eating tour in the Village is great. WE really enjoyed it. But you will be stuffed and may want to save dinner til after the show.
As mentioned, walking the Brooklyn Bridge is a great idea. And walking around New York in general is a good idea and lost of fun. If you've never been to NYC, then wander around Time Square, up Fifth Avenue, and in general just wanderering around the areas you've heard about. We loved Little Italy.
Have a great time.
The the walking eating tour in the Village is great. WE really enjoyed it. But you will be stuffed and may want to save dinner til after the show.
As mentioned, walking the Brooklyn Bridge is a great idea. And walking around New York in general is a good idea and lost of fun. If you've never been to NYC, then wander around Time Square, up Fifth Avenue, and in general just wanderering around the areas you've heard about. We loved Little Italy.
Have a great time.
May 17th, 2004, 06:22 PM
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I agree with the advice you've gotten. If you're determined to go to the ESB on arrival regardless of weather, buy tickets ahead of time online. If you want to see the weather first don't commit but be aware you'll wait in long lines. Frankly I would go to one of the restaurants or bars with a view-Foleys Fish House in the Renaissance Hotel for dinner, or the Marriott Marquis bar instead. I agree to skip MOMA in Queens. For a short trip it's not worth the hassle. If you want a museum smaller than the Met, tell us what you're interested in. If you like modern, maybe try the Guggenheim or the Whitney. I don't know the Southside Cafe (it may eb great though). For an inexpensive but good alternative, try Joe Allen's on 46th between 8th-9th (restaurant row).
FYI there's a restaurant called La Bonne Soup on 55th between 5th-6th you might like. Good soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers etc. Not expensive but nice. Have fun.
FYI there's a restaurant called La Bonne Soup on 55th between 5th-6th you might like. Good soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers etc. Not expensive but nice. Have fun.
May 17th, 2004, 06:54 PM
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With our City Pass, we get free admission to the ESB, so we won't be waiting in those lines.
La Bonne Soup sounds great...right up our alley for a nice lunch / light dinner. Thank you for the suggestion.
La Bonne Soup sounds great...right up our alley for a nice lunch / light dinner. Thank you for the suggestion.
May 18th, 2004, 02:58 AM
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Good advice about La Bonne Soup. Also try the Cosi restaurants too - good coffee, salads, sandwiches and wonderful bread! There is a list of locations here: http://www.getcosi.com
May 19th, 2004, 04:36 PM
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At Ground Zero I imagine you'll want to step into St Paul's Church. But even with an hour for experiencing the site and the church you'll have quite a bit of time before your 10:30 tour meeting.
If anyone likes shopping I suggest a visit to Century 21, our best discount department store (do a search here if you like), which is right across from the spot where you'll go to view Ground Zero.
Take the N or R to Cortlandt St for Ground Zero and Century 21. St Paul's is one block east, ask someone for directions.
I agree go to the Metropolitan instead of MOMA, or to another museum - but for most interests the Metropolitan is the one to see. And remember you can eat in their cafe.
If anyone likes shopping I suggest a visit to Century 21, our best discount department store (do a search here if you like), which is right across from the spot where you'll go to view Ground Zero.
Take the N or R to Cortlandt St for Ground Zero and Century 21. St Paul's is one block east, ask someone for directions.
I agree go to the Metropolitan instead of MOMA, or to another museum - but for most interests the Metropolitan is the one to see. And remember you can eat in their cafe.
May 20th, 2004, 05:10 AM
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I remembered your post about MOMA & wanted to mention I saw a brochure yesterday that el museo del barrio at Fifth ave & 104th st has some Latin American art on loan from MOMA including some Botero & Diego Rivero & Frida Kahlo (the subject of the movie Frida). Don't know if this is included in your pass. I haven't been to this museum myself but it is right near the beautiful conservatory gardens in the park & you might want to pop in. Their website is www.elmuseo.org
