Fifth Avenue isn't the real shopping avenue anymore. Madison is - for very expensive boutique shops. Fun to look at the windows.

yes - go the Central Park. walk, walk, walk. They'll be all sorts of people and goings-on - not ticketed, not planned beforehand. Get away from 59-65th streets to feel the more calm parts of the park.

Weather wise- be prepared to change your schedule accordingly. Nice day? Grab the chance to do CP. Walk around the city. get of main avenues to eat.

Lots of cheap delis to eat in. Look for the locals. Not everyone goes away on Memorial Day Weekend.

The subway will get you places fast. Buses are slow but you get to look out.

enjoy and welcome to my home town.

Ooops that's "Get off of main avenues to eat."

Bryant Park is lovely too and right near Times Square. (5th and 6th avenues, 40th-42nd streets) Small beautifully kept park. You can buy a sandwich at kiosks in the park or go on 40th street opp. the park and buy food to take back into the park and sit and eat. They have tables in the park and benches on the grass. Great place.

Thank you for replying..always good to hear from people who live there...any other advice? We are looking for a broadway show..would like to see Wicked but seems booked.
This is what we are thinking now of doing but are flexible as seems to be the advice:

Fri=
Arrive 9
get to hotel-affinia dumont
take the speed boat at circle tours cruise ( vs the 3 hour)
walk around midtown-see empire state bldg but not go in
top of the rock and Times square at dusk and night

SAt
ellis island but see sol from boat
china town
brooklyn bridge.walk back to manhattan after eating at grimaldis pizza

sun
central park
boat or bike there or both
have lunch
meander or show

mon
early show

leave for airport as flight leaves 1

I am listening to everyone say be flexible and be reminded the weather may or may not cooperate so then we will take in a museum. Any pros or cons to these ideas on these days? Anything that would work better?

Thank you!

Broadway - If you want to go with a comedy vs. a musical (will be cheaper) try "39 Steps". Probably will be able to get tickets to this. Very funny. It's based on the movie b y Alfred Hitchcock of the same name. Good the see the movie before or after the show. (Will probably have to buy it - it's from the 1930's or 40's). Very clever show.

Also, Jane Fonda is on B'way - "33 Variations". Not sure what the reviews of this were. Another - "August - Osage County" - fab show (won the Tony Award) and pretty sure you could get tickets.

What is the dress code for Broadway shows?

Help for getting from airport ( Laguardia to the affinia dumont) taxi?

For LGA to your hotel, definitely taxi.

4 of you might fit in one taxi if you don't have piles of luggage and can hold small bag or two in your laps, but one of you would have to sit in the front with the driver. There are also some mini-van-type taxis, but you might have to wait a bit for one.

Thank you ellenm

No code for dress at Bway shows. Casual is fine.

Taxis are not supposed to have passengers in the front seat. There are some bigger taxis (mini vans mentioned above by ellenem). When you get out of the airport there's a line to wait on for a taxi. You should be paired up with the approp. size, I believe, by the dispatcher.

Here's the taxi capacity regulation from the TLC website:

How many people can fit into a yellow taxicab?
From Driver Rule 2-43a:
Seating.
(a) A driver shall not permit more than four (4) passen gers to ride in a
four (4) passenger taxicab, nor more than five (5) passengers in a five (5)
passenger taxicab, except that an additional passenger must be accepted if
such passenger is under the age of seven (7) and is held on the lap of an
adult passenger seated in the rear.
(b) A passenger who is unable to enter or ride in the passenger part of the
taxicab, must be permitted to occupy the front seat alongside the driver.
If a passenger's luggage, wheelchair, crutches, other mobility aid or other
property occupies the rear passenger part of the taxicab, a passenger must
be permitted to occupy the front seat alongside the driver.

Does that mean one must be handicapped to ride in front?

dO YOU RECOMMEND A TAXI OR A LIMO SERVICE? I READ SOMEWHERE NOT TO TAKE THE VANS THAT HAVE MULTIPLE STOPS.ANY OPINIONS ON THIS?

Why limo? Why pay so much for a the same ride? When yo get tot he airport go outside and find the taxi line. Do not go with anyone who comes up to you and says "Need a ride"? Just go to the official place outside the airport.

Why go with a van that has multiple stops? Why not just go directly to where you need to go, with a taxi ? Anyone out there know if this "multiple stop" way is cheaper? That's the only reason I would go with them.

The multiple stop may be cheaper but you may spend 2 hours circling the city. Go with the taxi

Last time I took a taxi from LGA to East 79 St. the fare was $21 and change. I advised the driver to use the 59 St. bridge - no toll and it is more direct (rather than triboro bridge). If you take a taxi advise the driver to use the 59 St. bridge and it takes you close to your hotel destination. You also avoid traffic tie-ups on the FDR Drive coming south from the triboro.

<<Does that mean one must be handicapped to ride in front?>>

No, it means that people are indeed allowed to ride in front with the driver, including those who might need to use the roomier rear seat for their wheelchair.

Some drivers may claim that you can't sit in the front seat, usually because they don't want to clear it of their possessions.

You are staying just where my daughter lived. Great location. From there you can take the subway (the 6 train) easily up or downtown. I would suggest that strongly. The tourist buses and cabs have to fight the traffic. Also I would not go to the SOL or Ellis Island without getting on the first ferry out. The crowds are so horrible and it isn't worth the time you spend in line if you arrive anytime later than first. If you walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhatten you can take a water taxi back up town. There are several stops including one not too far from Times Square. If you don't get tickets for a show before you arrive, try TKTS, the discount ticket booth, or go to the Visitor's Center Visitor Information Ctr (212) 484-1222
810 7th Ave, New York, NY which is steps from Times Square. They have some discount tickets and you don't have to wait in line. Don't get discouraged by the line at the ticket booth though it moves fast, but they used to only take cash. After theater go to the Marriot Marquisright there in Times Square. Go upstairs, take the escalator, there is a cocktail lounge that overlooks Times Square and all the lights. (Don't go all the way to the top, there is a cover for that lounge). Try to sit by the window. It is fine for your 17 year old. You don't have to have an alcoholic drink and many families just go for the view. If you get rained out, museums are fine but most of the best ones are uptown on the east side, with few other options. I agree the Tenement Museum might be most interesting and closer to the other things you want to do. But don't let a little rain stop you. New York is great anyway.

I would say that Central Park is such a must that you should be willing to swap days if it turns out that the day you plan to visit is rainy. It's a wonderful place.

At a reasonable and steady pace, we walk a street (north/south) in one minute and an avenue (east/west) in four minutes. Most people not from NY walk a bit slower--maybe assume 2 minutes per street and 5 minutes per avenue. This will give you a great sense of time/distance and help you to decide when to take the subway or hail a cab vs walk. I would suggest you walk as much as possible--especially because the subways will likely be on a holiday schedule (they won't run as often).

The suggestion to get a map and mark it in advance is a great one. Once you've done that, I would suggest reading some guidebooks or blogs about food and mark some restaurants on the map. That way, if you end up wanting food, but you're far from the spot you'd planned on, you might have some good suggestions for alternatives. This is especially important around the Times Square/Rock plaza area because the good food is harder to find there. Try Serious Eats New York and Chowhound for some ideas.

I once read that one should never eat at a National chain when one visits New York. I think it's great advice (and not hard to follow).

Your 17 year old will probably love downtown--especially NoLiTa, SoHo, and the West Village. There are tons of great places to eat in all three, but especially NoLiTa and the West Village (in my opinion).

You should have no concerns regarding safety--if you're on a street at night and somewhat alone (which will be rare), just get out to a larger avenue and you should feel safer and more assured. Otherwise, just keep your purse zipped in crowded areas like Herald and Times Squares, etc. But really, you shouldn't have any trouble.

Have fun!
Ashley
www.hitherandthither.net

Thank you! What is the dress code for the broadway shows? Is it dressy? casual? who cares?

. . . mostly who cares . . .