Best Way to Get Around to NYC Highlights?
Jan 16th, 2012, 08:47 AM
#21
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For 1st time visitors I recommend a combination of subway (buy a $20 MetroPass card that you can share between people), taxi, and walking to get around.
Here's a 1 day itinerary I recently did, right before new years.
Train into NYC. arrived around 10am. Took subway from Grand Central down to Wall St - walk short distance to 9/11 memorial. You must book in advance as indicated above. Each visitor must have their own ticket/paper. You can go in before or after your appointed time - they don't seem to care about the exact time. Total visit took less than 1hr.
Walked to Battery Park, past the SoL ferries. Bought a hot dog. Had it stolen by an aggressive seagull. Bought another and dodged 'the birds'. Walked around the southern tip of Manhattan to the Staten Island Ferry. Free. Departs every 30min in the top of & 1/2 hr. Great view and photos of SoL going both directions. Reached Staten Island and immediately walked around to the entrance took the same ferry back to Manhattan. Landed back at Manhattan at 1pm.
Walked up East River to Brooklyn Bridge, across bridge and back - did not visit Brooklyn. Total walking so far about 5.5 miles.
Took Subway to Greenwich village. Met a friend for lunch. Took Subway to 42nd St. Strolled through Times Sq, Rockefeller Ctr. Met a friend in the basement of 30 Rock for a coffee.
Crossed the street, went to mass at St. Patrick's (5:30 daily mass).
Walked down 5th Ave past Christmas windows, back to Grand Central. Got takeout sushi at lower level GC food market and hopped on 6:45 train. I got around by 3 subway rides, 2 ferry rides, and a lot of walking (8mi total).
By any measure this was an insane itinerary, and not one I'd recommend for a 1st time visitor. I was by myself. I'm familiar with NYC & subways, and had 1 glorious December day to have some fun. Had a great time!
I used google maps on my smart phone to plot both walking routes and subway routes. Recharged my battery during lunch since I was also uploading photos on facebook all day, and checking email.
Here's a 1 day itinerary I recently did, right before new years.
Train into NYC. arrived around 10am. Took subway from Grand Central down to Wall St - walk short distance to 9/11 memorial. You must book in advance as indicated above. Each visitor must have their own ticket/paper. You can go in before or after your appointed time - they don't seem to care about the exact time. Total visit took less than 1hr.
Walked to Battery Park, past the SoL ferries. Bought a hot dog. Had it stolen by an aggressive seagull. Bought another and dodged 'the birds'. Walked around the southern tip of Manhattan to the Staten Island Ferry. Free. Departs every 30min in the top of & 1/2 hr. Great view and photos of SoL going both directions. Reached Staten Island and immediately walked around to the entrance took the same ferry back to Manhattan. Landed back at Manhattan at 1pm.
Walked up East River to Brooklyn Bridge, across bridge and back - did not visit Brooklyn. Total walking so far about 5.5 miles.
Took Subway to Greenwich village. Met a friend for lunch. Took Subway to 42nd St. Strolled through Times Sq, Rockefeller Ctr. Met a friend in the basement of 30 Rock for a coffee.
Crossed the street, went to mass at St. Patrick's (5:30 daily mass).
Walked down 5th Ave past Christmas windows, back to Grand Central. Got takeout sushi at lower level GC food market and hopped on 6:45 train. I got around by 3 subway rides, 2 ferry rides, and a lot of walking (8mi total).
By any measure this was an insane itinerary, and not one I'd recommend for a 1st time visitor. I was by myself. I'm familiar with NYC & subways, and had 1 glorious December day to have some fun. Had a great time!
I used google maps on my smart phone to plot both walking routes and subway routes. Recharged my battery during lunch since I was also uploading photos on facebook all day, and checking email.
Jan 16th, 2012, 08:56 AM
#23
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I think the best guide book for getting to know NY is ACCES NYC (sorry Fodors) 
The maps in it are wonderful and are laid out street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood. It is much easier to "get your bearings" for walking around. One can easily see what attractions, hotels, restaurants are near to each other.....making planning a day out much easier.
http://books.google.com/books?id=iI9...man%22&f=false
The maps in it are wonderful and are laid out street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood. It is much easier to "get your bearings" for walking around. One can easily see what attractions, hotels, restaurants are near to each other.....making planning a day out much easier.http://books.google.com/books?id=iI9...man%22&f=false
