paige

Thanks for everyone who has posted in reply to my request for help with my 3-day itenerary. I've just about got things figured out. We are staying at the Doubletree in Times Square. It appears from the maps I have looked at that we can walk to a lot of our activities from the hotel. Is it unreasonable to walk to the New Amesterdam Theater on Saturday afternoon from the hotel? I can't remember the theater that Wicked is playing in, but it also appears to be an easy walk. Macy's the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station and Central Park also look very walk-able from our hotel.

I have an ambitious Friday planned - ride subway to Battery Park - take first ferry past Statue of Liberty and get off at Ellis Island. Then back to Battery Park and subway over to Brooklyn have Pizza at Grimaldi's then walk across Brooklyn Bridge which is about one mile. Could we then walk to the Tenement Museum on Orchard St. on Lower East Side? I really can't tell how much further that would be. We are all reasonably fit - I have two Labrador Retievers - they each walk me 1.25 miles every morning (I walk them separately) for a total of 2.5 miles daily!

ellenem

Quick NYC distance tip:
20 uptown-downtown blocks = one mile. So walking along Fifth Avenue from 42nd St to 62nd St would be one mile.

Most NYers would estimate 20 minutes per mile.

Crosstown blocks are longer. From Fifth Avenue to Sixth Avenue might be the equivalent of 3 uptown-downtown blocks.

Your theaters will be less than 10 minutes walk. Macys' is 10-15 minutes from the south end of Times Square. grand Central is 10-15 minutes walk from Times Square.

Patrick

Well, I'm a walker and you haven't suggested anything that I'd bat an eye at. Yes, all those theatres, Grand Central, Macy's, and Empire State are easy walks.

As a guide I have found that I do approximately l cross street per minute walking. In other words, going straight north on 5th Avenue from 42 to 62 would take me about 20 minutes. It seems even with hitting some stop lights, it will average out close to that. The east west blocks take about 3 to 4 times as long. Look at a map, figure a grid and how many of each type block and you should be pretty close (not allowing for stops or window shopping of course).

We did the walk across Brooklyn Bridge from Grimaldis (actually after also doing the terraces and visiting DUMBO), over to World Trade Center site, and then ended up walking all the way back up to Times Square area, so yes, what you suggest is a piece of cake so long as you like to walk.

acwsf

I used to work right by the Brooklyn Bridge in Lower Manhattan and walked home daily to my LES (Lower East Side) apartment. The walk is about 25 minutes if you are walking at a moderately brisk pace. It may be shorter for you as the museum is closer to the Bridge than my apartment was. I walked along Pearl Street (under the bridge) up to Chatham Square (at Bowery), up Bowery, past the Manhattan Bridge to Delancey Street. Then you can go right on Delancy to Orchard Street. There are many ways to walk, but it shouldn't take you more than 1/2 an hour depending on the pace you take.

suzanne

I often walk from home (near Grimaldi's in Brooklyn) to the Times Square area, and even up to Central Park. It's only about 5 miles. So yes, everything you mentioned is easily walkable, esp. if you are used to walking. Wear comfortable shoes!!

sognatrice2

Patrick,
WOW , it's amazing to hear DUMBO mentioned here!
I lived in DUMBO for 8 years in a huge loft I built myself (with help from Bfriend). At that time there was no one around except artists and roommates of artists. Maybe some musicians too. When we held open studio tours, at first it was a real struggle to convince people to come there from Mnahattan, much less expect any tourists! It built up slowly.

How things have changed there!

Paige- I did the walk across Brooklyn Bridge to the East Village many times, it usually took just over half an hour. I can't evaluate how long it would take you, because I am a NY'er (people in other places leep telling me I walk too fast, but it's my normal pace) I believe all the things you mention are easily done by someone who walks a couple of miles daily.Have a great stay here!

paige

Thanks everyone! This is just what I wanted to hear. It's so much more enjoyable to walk and be able to see more of the sights than taking a cab. Special thanks to ACWSF for the detailed directions. I'm getting excited about our trip. Now if the weather will cooperate so we can enjoy all this outdoor activity!