On my trip to Manhattan next week, I would like to make a visit to Ground Zero and remember in my thoughts and prayers all the people who lost thei lives on 9/11. How will I get there by the subway/bus from the upper West side --- 71st St. Also, while I am in that area, do any of you have any suggestions about what an out-of towner should see - or do --- or eat. Thank you.

There is currently a lot of service changes/repairs on the subway, so the day of the week affects which line is best to use. You also don't say exactly where on west 71 st. There are several subway lines on 72 st. Best idea is to go to hopstop.com and get detailed directions that will be based on day of the week and time of day you're traveling. There is a Tribute Center and you should also visit St. Paul's Chapel across from the site which is essentially now a construction site. There's also a good view from the mezzanine of the American Express building in the World Finanical Center, on West Street and Liberty.

There is loads to see and do in downtown Manhattan. Century 21, the infamous discount store is right nearby. Most suggest going there first thing in the morning when it opens if you're going to go at all. Wall St. is obviously nearby and you can visit the famous bull. There are tours given of the Federal Reserve bank (you have to reserve in advance). There's lots of good info on this page I happened to find
http://www.city-discovery.com/new-yo...l-district.htm

Another good website is http://www.downtownny.com/

For eating, the choices are endless depending on where you end up and what you want. Bouley is one of the best French restaurants in NYC and offers a fabulous prix fixe lunch but it's fancy. Southwestny is inside the Financial Center (where you'll also get a good view of the former WTC site) and has good food and great views.
http://menupages.com/restaurantdetai...=0&cuisineid=0

If you want to be more specific on eating, we can help. Menupages.com will also help.

Thank you mclaurie for those great suggestions. I printed up your message and will take it with me.

As mclaurie indicates, there is lots to do in downtown manhattan.
For NY history, I would suggest the Federal Hall National Monument where Washington was inaugurated and/or
Ellis Island, probably especially interesting as our country debates immigration policy in the 21st century.

There is a sculpture in Battery Park that stood in the plaza outside the WTC. It's damaged, but it survived and there is an eternal flame. A wonderful place to reflect and much, much quieter than the site itself.

The most unusual view of Ground Zero currently is to go into the PATH station right at the WTC location and take any train over to Exchange Place in New Jersey, get off, cross the platform, and ride back into Manhattan. The train circles the site at about 30 feet below sidewalk level, and particularly on the NJ-to-NYC leg, you get an excellent view of the scale of the destruction and the task ahead. Total cost: $1.50 per person, less if you are a senior or student. Time involved - about 1/2 hour when we did it.

It's also a reminder of the impact on commuters in those trains and subway cars that day (and up to this day).

Right near the Trade Center is Les Halles which makes wonderful steak frite. Also on John Street is Evelyn's hand made chocolate which is probably the least expensive home made chocolate in NYC. It is not in the same class as Jacques Torres or Kee's but a wonderful diversion.

I guess by now you have already gone on your trip, but perhaps for others researching off of this post - Trinity Place is a great place to eat if you're visiting the WTC site. It's an old bank vault, and it's a cool looking place with tasty food that's not the usual mediocre tourist stop.