cali88

Hey Fodorians!

I need some help planning out my thanksgiving trip to NYC

I plan to leave Boston on Thanksgiving day and arrive in NYC at 7am.

nov 24: macy's thanksgiving parade & central park
nov.25: Statue of Liberty & 9/11 Memorial & Empire State Building for sunset view?
nov 26: Brooklyn Bridge & explore Brooklyn & accomplice
nov 27: Times Square in the day time or anything else we might be missing, fly out of NYC at 5pm.. so basically morning to explore or relax

Could I possibly squeeze more activities in this itinerary?

What is open on Thanksgiving day can I actually go and see the Statue of Liberty on Thanksgiving day right after the Parade?

Any good eats opened on Thanksgiving day?


Thanks so much in advance to everyone who will response, your help means a great deal to me as Thanksgiving is fastly approaching

tomfuller

Is this a solo trip? You could take either the BOLT bus or the #67 NE Regional train leaving Boston at 9:30PM and arriving at 2AM at Penn station.
Driving and parking and trying to get around in NYC could be frustrating and expensive.
Nail down your lodging before seeing how much you can see in your limited time in thew city. Get a subway map so you know where to get off to see the things you want to see.

cali88

I plan to stay in times square with 3 other friends

Gwendolynn

I'm in NYC so not up to date on the Statue of Liberty or 911 memorial.............- But I think you need reservations for both. In fact, I think the Statue is going to be closed soon for renovations.
Most contributors here advise Top of the Rock over the ESB . You can get advance reservations for that too, and avoid long lines.

cali88

How far in advance should I buy the Statue of Liberty tickets?

Gwendolynn

Check this out.
www.nps.gov/stli/planyourvisit/hours.htm

Google is your friend.

mclaurie

How do you leave Boston on T'giving day and arrive in NYC at 7am? Inquiring minds want to know. You can do more on T'giving day than the parade & Central Park. Top of the Rock is better than ESB. If you plan to go to SOL you need to buy tickets NOW at statuecruises.com and if you do go to ESB, buy tickets in advance online.

Here's what was open last year on T'giving. Plenty of good eats including some of the best restaurants in the city. http://www.newyorkology.com/archives...anksgivi_2.php

nytraveler

Agree - how are you getting to NYC that early? If you're taking a 6 am flight out of Boston - realize that you won;t land anywhere near where the parade is - and it will be 8 am by the time you get near the parade - probably too late to get a decent spot to see it.

You can see the outside of the SOL but the inside closes at the end of Oct. You should still get an advance ticket for the ferry, since you can still see the outside and then go on to Ellis Islnd to see the Immigration Museum, which is brilliant.

I would definitely do the Top of the Rock versus the Empire State Building - which can have lines hours long.

As for Thanksgiving dinner - you should make reservations in advance if you want a traditional dinner. Many places are not open - and those that are have set times for seatings and will fill up. If you are willing to go to a simple ethnic place you may find some open - but, again, many will be closed.

As for Brooklyn = what part on you planning on exploring? What sights fo you want to se? And don;t know what you man by an accomplice - unless you are holding up a bank.

cali88

I am a little confused on SOL. If I want to go to the SOL on Thanksgiving 26th what tickets should I buy there is 3 choices and I don't want to buy the incorrect ones. IS there month schedule? Too make sure everything is open? IS the crown open? How do I book tickets for the crown? There seems to be so many websites to book SOL which one is the best one?

Thanks guys!

cali88

what is the best time to go to SOL?

MFNYC

For SOL ticket go to http://www.nps.gov/stli/planyourvisit/index.htm. It's the official government website, so probably your best bet. You also need to book in advance for 9/11 memorial. I can't say for sure, but I'm guessing Thanksgiving weekend is already booked.

cali88

Thanks for the info. I don't see the link to actually purchase the ticket.

And what are the combo packages? Is it better to do the 3 day flex?

doug_stallings

There is one (and only one) company through which you can buy Statue of Liberty tickets. It's http://www.statuecruises.com/. Go as early in the day (whatever the day is) as possible. You have to arrive before the time on your ticket in order to go through security. But the crown isn't open and won't be open again for several years because of a renovation. You'll be able to go onto the island but not into the statue itself. Then you can continue on to Ellis Island, which has a worthy museum.

I'm not sure what you're talking about with regard to a "3 day flex"? Maybe a hop-on/hop-off bus?

cali88

I see two choices to purchase the tickets..

What is the difference between Reserve with Pedestal & Museum Ticket and Reserve only?

MFNYC

Looks like w/ Pedestal and Museum includes "Access to the Museum and the Pedestal Observation Deck", whereas reserve only is just to the grounds. I think the flex ticket just gives you a 3 day window instead of a specific date to use the ticket.

doug_stallings

The pedestal is no longer available. Don't choose that. I'm not sure why it's still an option, but you'll probably find that it's never available. It will be years before you can go into the museum and pedestal again.

cali88

thanks everyone for your input

Debra_Betolatti

My daughter lives in NYC and is the skating director at Lasker Ice Rink. That is a hidden jewel. Basically they have holiday ice skating and it is in the Harlem side of Central Park. Definitely Ice Skating in the outdoors is beautiful!