We are staying at the Belvedere Hotel on 48th street bet. 8th and 9th. Can anyone tell me if we can safely walk from our hotel to the circle line cruise boat at Pier 83, I think it is. Or would this be too far? Do we need to book tix in advance for a sunday afternoon 2-hr cruise? Thought this would be a good first-day activity. We will be arriving at our hotel about noon. Appreciate any help you can give. Also, do we need to order advance tix for the Phantom or Les Mis or can we get tix to both of these shows at the TKTS booths?

We did it on our first day and walked from Madison and 31st and had a great walk. It is a fabulous trip (takes three hours). We found NY to be very safe.

Its safe, its close, advance booking not needed, its a great trip & I am a long time nyer.

Not necessary for those shows; if u want peace of mind, you can get advance sale discount coupons for both & purchase tkts that way though seat selection may be poorer than at tkts. By the way, you can also visit tkts at World trade center (that & world financial center-dont miss the big plaza inside & walk along the water front-- are great) & get sat matinees the day before unlike times sq tkts. much more pleasant area to wait in.
Check out century 21 across the street for shopping. have fun.

Yes you can walk and yes it is safe. Exit hotel, go the right to 9th Avenue. Go left on 9th to 42nd Street. Make a right onto 42nd and walk to 12th Avenue. Circle line pier will be right in front of you on the other side of the street. Distance is less than one mile. Tickets for both Phantom and Les Mis have been available at a discount. I can't provide specifics but there are any number of people on this board who, if they read your note, will have answers as to where discount tickets are available at places other than the TKTS booth. Here is something to consider. There is a 3pm matinee on Sunday. The discount ticket booth is a five minute walk from the hotel. You could walk over to see if either show is on the board. To get to the booth go left after you leave the hotel. Walk to Broadway make a right and go one blcck (47thSt.) to the TKTS booth. CAsh or travelers checks are only form of payment accepted. Cost of a ticket will be somewhere around $45.

Joan, I would second the idea of going to the World Trade Center to the TKTS booth for theatre tickets. The booth at 47th street while convenient to your hotel usually has LONG lines. The wait at the World Trade will be much shorter, and since it is open at 11am, I think you will have more shows to choose from.

I have seen Phantom and Les Mis up at various times, and since this is the start of the new Theatre season, there will be lots of new shows in preview.

Have a great trip New York.