Do-able??
 

We will be visiting NYC in July. Is it reasonable to think that you could see Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, Ground Zero in a day? Also, we are thinking about splitting up for the day, the guys go to the ballgame and the girls to a broadway show. How safe is it for Woman (30s) and 8-yr. old girl to wander around on their own? Advice/suggestions? Thanks!!

Hi Kate...I think you could do those things in a day if you begin early in the morning...you will be safe in the city walking around...just take the normal precautions you would in any large city...it doesn't turn dark until almost 9:00 so you'll have alot of daylight...a walk on 5th Avenue is a good idea especially if you want to shop...or window shop...what are your interests and those of the 8 year old? Serendipity's on East 60th Street is a great spot to stop and eat especially dessert! Where are you traveling from?

No reason why you can't do all that in a day. Less than a day, actually. <BR><BR>The trip to Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island will take the most time, since you have to buy tickets, wait on line for the boat(s), take the ride and spend some time at both places. <BR><BR>Currently you get tickets for the Ground Zero viewing platform at the South Street Seaport, which coincidentally is at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, so you can kill 2 birds with 1 stone.<BR><BR>Ground Zero itself, by July, will be an even bigger pit than it is now and shouldn't take much time at all, except for waiting on line for the viewing platform if there even is a line by that time. As several people have said, there is really nothing to "see" (as in wreckage) anymore -- if you didn't know you'd swear it was a construction site.<BR><BR>The city is very safe, especially the areas you'll be in, and so is the subway ride to either Yankee or Shea Stadium.<BR><BR>For no reason other than it's the only one I know, check the Best Western President hotel on 48th Street, near 8th Avenue. It's a smaller hotel on a nice block, convenient to the TKTS booth, midtown attractions and subway.<BR><BR>Have fun!

Hi Kate, <BR>Just thought I'd let you know that you may want to do the Statue of Liberty first thing in the a.m.<BR>The line can get quite long once inside. My family was stuck on the stairway for 2 hours, just waiting to get to the first viewpoint! We hadn't gone out until after noon. Definitely try to take a morning ferry out. <BR>My mom and I went out for a stroll down to Times Square after dinner. I felt safe and we had no problems. Have a great time!<BR>

It actually stays light till 9 PM in Feb?

No bonehead, in JULY, when they're coming.

No problem. I suggest that you take the Gray Line Tour which starts at the Port Authority Bus terminal at 8th Avenue and 42nd Streets. When you buy the bus tour ticket you also get the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island one as well. This will save time having to stand in line for a ticket at Battery Park. I have taken the Lower Manhattan tour several times and the Upper Manhattan tour once when I bring guests into The City from Philadelphia. I have always been pleased with it. You can hop on and off as you wish.

Just an add-on to the part about Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty...<BR><BR>don't take a morning boat, take the FIRST boat in the morning! Otherwise you are bound to be caught in lines more than you need to.

NY is safe for a woman and an 8 year old, day or night. (Heck, my wife walks around town with our 6 month old all the time.)<BR><BR>The crime level in NY has dropped significantly over the last several years, especially in and around Times Square.<BR><BR>However, as with any major city, you need to be aware of your surroundings. By that, I mean don't walk around with your purse unzipped and hanging behind you. You can find petty criminals in any town. Just don't make yourself an easy mark by being careless. <BR><BR>These are not issues that are unique to NY. Go have fun and enjoy the city for what it is, not the incorrect perception that people have of it.<BR><BR>P.S. Don't take the Gray Line Tour to go Downtown. The subway moves much faster than a tour bus.

Thanks for all of the tips! I live here in the Dallas area so I'm use to big city -- but not NYC big! :) I think a mother/daughter outing will be great. Also thinking about having tea at Plaza or Pierre -- I've heard good things about both. One more thing, how dressy is the dress for an evening broadway show? Thanks for helping out a naive Texan.

Kate, sounds like you are planning a great trip. You will see every type of clothing at the theaters from tuxeudos to blue jeans. Fancy clothes are not necessary, I would dress "nice casual" all day so you don't have to waste time running back to the hotel before dinner to change for the show. Have a great time!

Consider organizing the day as follows:<BR>Do Statue/Ellis first thing in the morning. First boat leaves around 9am.<BR>You should be back before 1pm. When you get back walk (less than 20 minutes) or take a cab (less than five minuites) to the South Street Seaport to pick up Ground Zero tickets.A time for lining up for the platform will be printed on the ticket.If you have less than one hour to report head straight for the viewing platform. It is 1/2 mile from the Seaport. When finished at Ground zero it is a less than a 10 minute walk to the Brooklyn Bridge. If you have more than one hour to get to the viewing platform head for the bridge from the Seaport - less than a 10 minute walk. Indicate where you will be staying and travel info can be provided.

Your plans are very do-able. take everyone's advice and do S/L and Ellis Island 1st thing. Be awanred, the lines for going in the Sl? and up the stairs to the top can be extremely long and can kill hours of your day. You may just want to walk around the island. also, Ellis Island is fascinating...to adults. Most kids are not nearly as moved by it as the adults. the females in your group should have no problems walking around most areas of Manhattan. A broadyway show would be great for the girls. Another fun thing might be the Diamond exchange area (@46th-47th street, not too far from Grand Central Station) I think). It's an amazing mass of jewelry stores and booths inside stores. especially fun if you have some cash to spend.