I need some suggestions for elderly (85 yr. olds) to keep busy in NY during the day. They are going to plays every evening, but need things to do during the day that won't require a lot of walking.

The hop-on, hop-off bus tour sounds like it might be fun?

You can also get a wheelchair at the mueums and even if they don't need one it is an easier means of transport.

NOT the hop on/off tour. Terrible idea sitting upstairs in the hot sun (assuming it's soon) and having to climb stairs and wait for buses. Have them take the kingofnyc.com tour one day. If they're Seinfeld fans, the real Kramer has a tour. There's a Brooklyn pizza tour. If they can walk well, there are dozens of walking tours.

How about a carriage ride through Central Park? Ferry ride to Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty?

A 3-hour boat tour around Manhatten.

http://www.circleline42.com/index.ih...ge=sightseeing

It could be that after a play, they would prefer staying in and resting the next day. At 85, I'm betting that the last thing that, at least one of them wants, is to stay busy during the day doing things.

Be sure and ask them if there is something that they really would like to see before you start making plans for them. The energy level at that age can change rapidly from day to day...well, even hour to hour! Don't let them wear themselves out.

Ditto the Circle Line boat tour.

My parents are in that age group and come visit us in the city for a few days a couple of times a year. They plan one big activitiy per day - then fill in as they have the energy.

First - they always do lunch and matinees rather than evening shows - they just don;t like getting home at 11pm.

They always use cabs for direct transit - but sometimes ride the buses just for fun. (We're far enough uptown that at 10am they can get a seat - and often ride downtown to tour a specific museum or attraction, then stop for lunch, then bus back uptown. (The subway has too many stairs- and they like viewing the city from the regular bus.)

When they do museums they limit the visit to a couple of hours - and usually stop at the cafe during the trip.

And - they won;t do anything that requires standing on line - much more uncomfortable than walking around.

In the eveing they don;t like going beyond the local neighborhood - but luckily we have tons of restaurants within a 6/7 block radius.

Generally their limit is 4 days - including 2 matinees, some other attractions - and we take them out for a nice dinner once. (They don;t that many big meals now - so won;t do more than that.)

And the morning they leave they drive down to Zabar's, my father double parks, and my mother runs in and buys a bunch of goodies/prepared meals - enough for several more days at home. (A big treat for them - since it's hard to get a lot of specialty stuff in the suburbs.)

(I still can;t convince them that taking a car service from their house to/fro the city costs no more than paying to park their car for 4/5 days - but they're of the "depression" generation and can;t wrap their minds around taking a limousine.)

Nice suggestions from all so far; would your parents enjoy tea at one of the nicer hotels? 3 of us went to tea last year at the St. Regis, the food was very good, the atmosphere lovely and the service was excellent.

Highly recommend a leisurely lunch at Bouley. Reasonable prix fixe menu (a bargain), spectacular food, elegant experience.

Also recommend the Circle Line tour, but the two hour.

The new configuration of the Museum of Modern Art is fantastic. You ride the escalators all the way to the top, then wander down (with plenty of seating for resting along the way). The restaurant within (can't think of the name and reservations are essential) is fantastic.

In the nice weather, the hop on/hop off buses are a magnificent way to enjoy the city. But, not when it's too hot/sunny. And, there is a narrow, curving, staircase to the top. Do NOT recommend riding around on the lower level. You really can't see much.

NYC is a tough place to entertain people who are limited as to their walking. I think a Circle Line tour is a great idea on a nice day -- choose whatever one seems right.

If they are the kind of people who enjoy a museum, I'd check the Met and the Modern to see if there is one exhibition in one of them that would be a good focus -- go to that one, then to a cafe in the museum, then maybe one more thing you've also researched that you know they'd like - the hall or armor at the Met, if they've never seen it, say.

What about that Boat House restaurant in Central Park in the daytime? it's a nice place to be and quintessentially New York.

I would not do the hop on/hop off buses. They're often mobbed, you have to wait for the bus, and sometimes cna;t even get on the first one.

Ther regular public bus is a much better deal. they come every few minutes, you can usally get seats except for midtwon and rush hours - and you can see just as much of the city - depending on the routes you take.

A boat ride is a better choice for an overview.