Do-able Itinerary
 

My 18 year old daughter & I are coming to NY in May. We arrive on a Friday at 1pm at Laguardia. Staying in Times Square. This is what we had planned - is it do able or are we missing something?<BR>Friday afternoon - walk around - Empire STate Building<BR>Saturday - Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty<BR>Sunday - Central Park - 5th AVenue Shopping<BR>Monday - Early Today Show - Grand Central sTation - ST. Patricks catherdral - Rent at night<BR>Tueday = More Shopping - Lion King<BR>Wednesday - Fly Home!<BR>What do you think?

Sorry to say, but it sounds like a bad guide book. One of the best parts of Manhattan is exploring its neighborhoods. Saturday afternoon you should consider walking around the Village or Soho. Another great thing about Manhattan is the restaurants. Great food in any price range. Probably the best selection is in the village. Why not wake up early on saturday to do your sightseeing and pick a great restaurant in the Village and and go for an early dinner? Skip Grand Central Station. Are you sure the shows aren't closed Monday and/or Tuesday nights? What about the museums? The Metropolitan is a must. How about rowing in Central Park? What other things do you and your daughter enjoy? You can find it all in Manhattan.

Hi Kim,<BR>Yes, your itinerary is definitely doable. In fact you can add more to it on Saturday, Sunday and Monday if you'd like because you won't what you've planned won't take up all of your time. Have fun!

Steve I think you miss the point of an "outsider" visiting New York. Most major cities have wonderful neighborhoods to explore and you can get great ethnic food in many of them. While this is a very worthwhile activity, particularly for people who have visited New York often or even live there, any first timer wants to do what you can't do at home -- see Broadway shows, see the Statue of Libery, walk throught the very impressive Grand Central Station we've seen a million times in movies, visit the Empire State Building, see or visit a TV taping, etc. Why take valuable vacation time and great expense to go to the "greatest city in the world" and not spend most of your time doing what it is most famous for? I can't imagine going to Paris and not visiting the Eiffel Tower, or going to Rome and ignoring the colliseum or the Vatican. Why wouldn't you most want to visit the sites in NYC that Kim has mentioned, especially if it is a first time visit for an 18 year old, who would probably be bored silly walking around neighborhoods?<BR>It doesn't read like a "bad guide book", it reads like a very good one. Have fun Kim. Of course, if you have the time, the other suggestions of Steve's really are good ones, but I think you have picked out much of the best for such a whirlwind trip.

Kim,<BR>Your itinerary is very do able. Maybe Friday after the Empire State Building you could walk over to Macy's (just an idea). You are smart to plan a whole day at Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, the immigration museum is EXCELLENT and there is a nice cafeteria if you want to have lunch there. Get an early start on Saturday. When you shop on Sunday & Tuesday don't forget Madison Ave - there are some really nice boutiques there and if you and your daughter like French soaps & skin care products don't miss L'Occitiane at 510 Madison near 52/53 streets. Grand Central is great - be sure to go; they did a fabulous job restoring it. Looks like you might have some extra time on Monday, maybe tea at the Pierre? Or hop on the bus or subway and check out SoHo or the Village. If your budget allows you might want to take in another show on Saturday night - check playbill.com for discount tickets (you won't really have time on Sat. to stand on line at TKTS if you are touring the statue & Ellis Island, and besides the TKTS booth usually only discounts the top-price tickets anyway, so you will most likely do just as well through Playbill.com and you won't waste time in line etc.) You're plans sound wonderful and as a first-time visitor you have chosen things that you should not miss, you can do some of the "off the beaten path" type things the next time around. NYC is wonderful and there is a lot to experience.

Sounds great but WHY WOULD YOU SKIP THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART!!! really not yelling all that loud just want to encourage you to visit. Not just an art museum also a history and culture museum. If you love travel you will love the metropolitan you can also blend in a stroll into central park. <BR><BR>As for shopping I would consider Madison avenue 57-80th. Fifth avenue has Bergdorf but the rest is probably stuff you will see at home. On Madison in the seventies you can stroll by Viera Wang's bridal shop, Gianco Ferra, DKNY, stop to have pastries in an authentic italian dessert shop complete with materdi, then return to find Armani, etro, Barney's.<BR><BR>Just wanted to give you some ideas enjoy whatever you plan to do.

Soho is an excellent suggestion especially for mother and daughter very cutting edge design down there but sophiticated enough for the elderly :):). Also galleries abound in this area and I think this is a big part of what NYC is. I remember this one store where everything is blue, the building the products ect.

Hi Kim,<BR><BR>It looks like you've picked a nice itinerary for your visit. A few suggestions, though. As Steve said, be sure to check the Broadway schedules - many theaters are dark on Monday and sometimes Tuesday. You also chose a pretty tough ticket in Lion King (Rent should be easier to get these days). If you really want to catch those shows - buy well in advance (if you haven't already). You might also want to switch your Fifth Avenue shopping day to Friday with the Empire State Building visit or your Monday swing to the Today Show (you'll be surprised at how close all of these things are to each other). You'll probably have plenty of time to do everything. If you head to the observation deck of the Empire State building, aim to be there around sunset (the best time to really appreciate the view - just leave yourself an hour for the line). Also, be aware that many of the nicest stores (Tiffany, et al) are closed on Sunday. If your daughter is 18, she might really appreciate a visit downtown to some of the "funkier" neighborhoods. If you spent a little time walking the West Village (Greenwich Village) along Christopher Street and West Fourth Street, you might have a lot of fun. I also highly recommend Soho (Broadway and West Broadway south of Houston Street are personal favorites - along with all of the streets in between). A lot of galleries, boutiques and street artists add a good taste of New York. A few unsolicited suggestions - be sure to buy a hot dog or a bagel from a street vendor (or a hot dog from a Papaya King restaurant), take a taxi, ride the subway (it's safe, really), jaywalk (never wait on the curb), and don't be afraid to ask one of us for help (New Yorkers can be quite pleasant when given a chance). Have a great trip!

Thanks so much for everyone's suggestions! I know we will have 4 1/2 days of fun!<BR>Thanks again