Hi!

I have 8 hrs on a Sunday to spend in NYC. This is my first trip to the city. How can I make the most of the very limited time? What are the "must dos?"
I need suggestions on places to visit and also suggestions on best eats in NYC.

Thanks!

Dear Kevin: As a former New Yorker I'd say an 8-hour layover on a Sunday is just about right. I'd take the Carey bus into town (it will drop you at Grand Central); stroll around the mid-town area for a while; take a subway ride to the foot of Manhattan (the Battery) and ride the Staten Island ferry for a view of the harbor and the Statue of Liberty; board an uptown Lexington Avenue subway to about 79th St. get off and walk west to Fifth Avenue and Central Park; if the weather is good, walk down Fifth to 59th Street. From there south to Grand Central where you can board your Carey bus back to the airport you will find a veritable plethora of good restaurants within a few blocks east or west of Fifth Avenue. Bon appetit and enjoy your visit. Joan

Dear Joan,

I appreciate the suggestions. Merci!

Kevin.

Several bus tour operators offer full and half day tours of Manhattan aboard a double decker bus (a la London). The one that comes to mind is Grey Lines, see them on 7th Avenue, just south of 42nd street on the west hand side. I believe that you can jump on and off at any of the designated points.

I would take the half day Grayline Tour followed by the harbor cruise...I believe the latter lasted 1 1/2 hours or so and we had a fabulous guide who spoke throughout the cruise.

If it's a nice day try and go to the Observation Deck at the top of the World Trade Center. The view is better than top of Empire State building. Alternatively, I'd try and do a Circle Line cruise around Manhattan. Afterwards check out Rockefellar Center (midtown); very touristy but you can get a little feel for the city; 8 hours is not a lot of time; you're better off trying just to do a couple of things well rather than rush through many.

If you're there fairly late at night, go to the Empire State Building. I was there at about 10:30 on a Sunday night in December (it's open until midnight) and there were only about a handful of people there. Nice & quiet to take in the beautiful lights. Well worth the $5.

Just read with great interest "8 hrs in NYC". I am going to find myself in the same situation in less than a week (on a Saturday) and will have my 13 year old son with me. We'll be coming in from Allentown or Philadelphia. Is it safe to drive into the city or should we come in via bus or Amtrack? I want him to see Broadway, Times Square, Statue of Liberty and, if time permits get to the top of the World Trade Center or Empire State Building. Or we could stayover night if the price was right. Appreciate your help. It's a big city and I know one day won't due it justice! - Sandi

The website Citysearch.com (New York) addresses this question very well. Go the "Visiting the City" section, and the section's front page contains links to two articles - on on visiting the city for 1 day, and visiting the city for 1 week. Enjoy!

I think that taking the Amtrak to nice Grand Central is better and less stress free then driving in. Then catch one of the tour buses mentioned above. You can take roundtrip Staten Island ferry from battery park for some nice views of the statue and mahattan. Note there are trips to the Statue Island but lines are big - Statue is really a 1day trip in itself.