breeen1224

I'm in the midst of planning our first family trip to NYC. There's so much to see in such a short period of time. I'd love suggestions of things to do and see, tips, past experience would be helpful. We fly in at 9 am on September 11th and fly out on Sunday September 14th at 3 pm We're staying at The Waldorf Astoria which seems to be centrally located. Thanks in advance!!!

breeen1224

After reading a few other threads about seeing NYC for the first time, I wanted to include what we want to see.
Times Square
Statue of Liberty
Empire State Bldg.
World Trade Center memorial
The Apple Store
FAO Schwartz
Central Park
Financial District
Serendipity

Thanks!,

barbara_m

You have a big list for a short stay. Will you be traveling with children?

Since you will be in the area you may want to take a walk through Bryant Park (only 1 block big), NY Public Library (right next to Bryant Park), Grand Central Station.

Do you have tickets reserved for the Statue of Liberty? This may take up most of your day by the time you take the ferry over, walk around, etc.

Times Square is much more fun at night than in the day.

Everyone checks out the bull on Wall Street. Google "free walking tours" and you may be able to find a tour guide for a free tour.

The 911 memorial is outdoors. If you want to explore the museum you will need a good amount of time to take it all in. I understand that it is quite an emotional place.

Some restaurant recs:
Sushi Aoki 234 W 48th btw 8th and Bway
Burger Joint in the Parker Meridien 119 W 56th btw 6th & 7th
Bon Chon Chicken for chicken wings - 207 W 38th near 7th
Shake Shack (any location)
Biriyani Cart (get the chicken & lamb with combo red (spicy) & white sauce) @ 46th & 6th

IMDonehere

The only thing that is really time consuming is the Statue of Liberty. As an alternative, take the Staten Island Ferry at dusk, and stand on the right going out and left on the return. Th boat will pass near the Statue. On the return then head to the front of the boat and watch the lights of Manhattan grow. It is quite spectacular and it is all free.

For a real NY bagel go to Ess-A-Bagel near the Waldorf.

nytraveler

To get to the Statue of Libertyyou need advance tickets for the ferry and should get them immediately to avoid a line that can be hours long. You get them from the National Park Service. It is probably too late to get tickets for the crown. Expect that part of the trip - including the various ferries to take 5 or 6 hours.

Do not even THINK of going to the WTC Memorial on 9/11 - there will be public events and you won't get even close. To see the Museum at other times get advance tickets.

I would bag the ESB and do the Top of the Rock instead - to avoid long waiting lines. You can get advance tickets for the latter day of.

I note you don;t have any of hte major museums listed. Even with kids the Met or the Museum Nat'l Hist are must dos - esp if you get a day with some rain. Combine with the visit to Central Park and check the web site in advance to determine which dep'ts you want to see - or you could spend at least a full day in either one. Note they have exhibits for all interests and the Met is NOT just an art museum.

doug_stallings

I agree that this is the world's worst time to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. I'd also recommend skipping it that weekend unless you can go first thing in the morning on Sunday, when things should be calming down a bit (hopefully). Regardless, that's a weekend you really must have reservations. I wouldn't waste time going otherwise. But there are a lot of other things to see.

If you really do want to see the Statue of Liberty, then you are already too late for Crown tickets, but you may be able to go still. Just book your tickets NOW. If it were me, I'd take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry at dusk and look at the lights, forgetting a visit to the actual statue, which takes at least half a day.

breeen1224

@barbara_m- Yeah, I wasn't sure how realistic my list was. Lol. We are traveling with our children but they are 20,19 boys. We don't have tickets for anything yet. Thanks for the restaurant suggestions.

@IMDonehere- The more I read about seeing the SoL, the more I think it may not be good for this trip since our time is limited. Thanks for the suggestion about the ferry. We will probably have to do that instead of wasting so much time at the SoL.

@NYtraveler- I didn't really think the WTC was an option but my husband was really hoping to see it. We knew that this weekend would be the worst weekend ever to try and see it. Haven't read anything on the Top of the Rock,. Honestly, don't even know what that is. I'll have to check it out. No, we don't have any museums listed but may have to look into that instead of WTC.

@Doug_Stallings- I'm seriously considering the ferry ride instead of spending the time at the SoL.

Thank you all for your comments! It is greatly appreciated!!!

BigRuss

The Apple Store? Are there none near you?

The Financial District should be good and quiet on the weekend - really the only part of Manhattan that is.

breeen1224

@BigRuss- yes, we actually have a few near us but my husband is an Apple fanatic and just wants to see it. I think he thinks it will be different than the others.

NeoPatrick

" yes, we actually have a few near us but my husband is an Apple fanatic and just wants to see it. I think he thinks it will be different than the others."

I think he'd be wrong. Been there , done that, and saw nothing to put it above half a dozen other Apple stores.

Unlike others, I think your list can be accomplished in two days, although MAJOR visits to SOL and 9/11 memorial might need to take a back seat.

Times Square, apple store, Empire State, FAO Schwartz, Central Park can all be accomplished in less than a day.

IMDonehere

You know, if someone wants to see an apple store, it is not like they are wasting big bucks at a Broadway show. Musicals are all alike except some arrange the notes differently and kick with different feet.

The easiest one to visit is in Grand Central on the mezzanine level in the Main Concourse and it is a unique setting. Be sure to look at the ceiling which has two odd characteristics both attributable to the style in which it was created, Beaux-Arts. First the stars are out during the day and second they are backwards. That is because they were designed to be seen as if by God.

NeoPatrick

". . .it is not like they are wasting big bucks at a Broadway show. Musicals are all alike except some arrange the notes differently and kick with different feet."

I'm sure you're kidding, but yes, I always have trouble remembering if I'm watching Kinky Boots or Phantom of the Opera. Other than rearranging a few notes and kicking right rather than left -- they are identical experiences. LOL

On the other hand looking at an IPad in NYC is totally different from looking at one in St. Louis. It may even be displayed on a gray table instead of a white one! And they may have 6 of each model instead of only 5. Don't miss it!

IMDonehere

90% of the people who post here, want to do things, I have never done or do not want to do.

The point remains, that unless they are going to waste time or money or have unrealistic plans or expectations we should direct them to what they want to do.

Broadway is unreasonably expensive and an Apple store is free.

NeoPatrick

"unreasonably expensive" only to those who neither appreciate it or care for it. But who's putting down things SOME people like to do now? And for the record I didn't see anyone trying to steer them to a Broadway show since they didn't mention it -- you're the only one who brought up Broadway shows! I'm not sure why.

And maybe you missed it, but the OP seemed a little unsure of the Apple store thing herself -- "I think he thinks it will be different than the others." So what's wrong with people agreeing with her apparent assumption that he is probably wrong? Even though some of us actually encouraged them by suggesting it's easily incorporated into their schedule?

Grandma

You can do Central Park, FAO Schwartz, the Apple store and Serendipity in one fell
swoop. (Unless you want to spend a lot of time in the park.) Have never been to Serendipity… perhaps someone else knows if there are still long waits to be seated.

nytraveler

If one really wants to eat at Serendipity - not sure why except gigantic ice cream things - you can just make a reservation.

Sarahd25184

I would actually say to go to the Rockefeller Centre above going to the Empire State Building if you don't have time to do both. You get great views of the park from the Rockefeller but the main bonus is that you can see the Empire State Building so great photo opportunities - you can't take a picture of the ESB when you're up it!


Also - for eating, I'd recommend Eataly near Madison Square Park for great pizza, pasta and gelato if you're wanting something casual.
For something a little more trendy/high end I'd highly recommend Buddakan in the Meatpacking district.

IMDonehere

There are many places superior to Eataly.

For gelati or ice cream

Il Laboratorio del Gelato
Grom (An Itlain chain)
Davey's (new on First Ave)
Cones on Bleecker
Cones and Sundaes on East 10th

Pizza
Motorino
Luzzo's
Gruppo
Keste
Co

To get store made pasta that is cheaper and of better quality
Raffetto's
Russo's

Cheeses
Murray's
Di Palo's
These two places are incomparable

doug_stallings

There is a Serendipity around the corner from the 5th Ave Apple store. So those are easily combined.

kbg3511

go to ellis island which is fabulous...historically and for the views.
Eat in chinatown dim sum. On sat or sunday..
Go to washington square park and walk around the west and east village..
Museum of natural history. Is a must with kids. Walk across central park from your east side hotel. Also get tix for planetarium./ imax also.. Much better value for your time.
Eat at flor de mayo-On amsterdam and 83/ 84 street. For a Real ny food experience.
Take a round trip (get in/get off and return)on staten island ferry for the harbor/ statue of liberty and and lower manhattan view. Its fun! And a perfect alternatuve to going there.
Go !! Walk on the highline.. Go in at the 14 th street entrance (near the standard hotel- eat lunch and watch the scene at the standard grill- try to make a res.)) ..and walk uptown on the highline.. Go into chelsea market..