HELP with NYC Itinerary (Oct. Saturday-Monday)
 

We could use some help knowing how to schedule our time in NYC. We will arrive a Newark Air. at about 3:58 p.m. and will go to our hotel (Club Quarters, Wall St.). We have that evening through Monday morning sometime. What might we do after arriving that first eveing. How about the next day. How should we organize our time to use the day most effeciently? And then what should we do the next mornign before leaving? We do want to see the must see places. A play (Le Miserabe?) would be nice. Is the wall st. area a nice area to stay in and is it convenient? We are looking forward to this time and don't want to dawdle and miss the opportunity. We will leave Monday sometime for the New England Fall Foliage. Thanks in advance for your help. <BR>

If you have the energy see a play Sat evening. If the weather is good go the Ellis Island Sunday. It is very interesting and unlike anything you will see in other places since its about immigration. The Radio City Music Hall tour is very interesting. Or you could visit several of the museums. If you go to Ellis Island there is a free museum about North American Indians within walking distance.In many cities I have enjoyed a narrated bus tour but I haven't taken one in NYC but it should provide good overview. We found daytime subway use was fine and cabs were good too. The island isn't really very big. If you haven't visited an ethnic neighborhood than spend a couple of hours walking thru Chinatown and Little Italy and find an interesting place for a late lunch after going to Ellis Island. <BR>

With that little time, I wouldn't get off the island. Saturday when you get in, go right over to the south street seaport. Have a bite and admire the view of the brooklyn bridge. If you are lucky enought to get decent seats for a saturday night show this close to the date, fine. If not, get tickets for the sunday matinee. Theater is closed Sunday evening and Monday. I would spend Saturday night (after the seaport)wandering around Lincoln Center and the Rockefeller Center areas. Beautiful in the evening. Empire State Building is open until 11 pm. Sunday, straight up to 96th and 5th via subway. work your way down 5th. Stop at the Cooper Hewitt or Guggenheim Museum in the 80's. Or head down to the Met. Mus of Art at 81st. Spend an hour or two (you'll never see the whole thing, so just pick one exhibit to enjoy). Down to 59th & 5th. The plaza hotel, FAO Schwartz, Trump Tower. Keep in mind that Central Park is right along 5th the whole way, so you will get a small taste of that as well. If you venture into the park at 59th, you can go right over to the newly restored CP Zoo. Down to 49th and 5th to St. Patricks. By now, if you got up to the 80's by 10 a.m., it should be close to 3pm and you are 5 minutes from the theater district. Have dinner near the world financial center by your hotel, or on a dinner boat (also from that area) and relax. Monday just wander soho, greenwich village, or little italy. I'm a native new yorker. if you need more info, let me know. p.s. other good shows that you may get tickets for: scarlett pimpernel, chicago, miss saigon.

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The question appears thoroughly answered by the above 2 posts, great overview if you can fit it all in! I have always wanted to do an "Apple Tour" of NYC, as I always see that those red/yellow tourbuses are full and the people look like they are enjoying it. Maybe for a reasonable pricethey would include many of the above places? Check out the Discount NYC theater tickets posts elsewhere in thisforum for cheap seats at plays for your first evening...itappears that you will have time to buythem at the places noted and get to the play by 8 pm. Also, the subway is cheaper than taxis, see if you can arrive in the City with the subway maps from the Net or a bookstore. If all else fails, ask a cop for directions/subways, they are very helpful and in plain view.

I agree w/ Ellen's reply on 8-4. I'd start at the top of 5th Ave. at either the Guggenheim or the Metropolitan Museum of Art and just keep making my way down, until you get to the Empire State Building - Not all in one day, of course! The remodeled Central Park Wildlife Center (Zoo) is wonderful, easy to see in 1 - 2 hours, & has a great gift shop. I'd also recommend walking into the Central Park - at least over to The Lake/ Bethesda Fountain, before continuing down 5th Ave. (Also, the buses run downtown on 5th, which is why I'd start on upper 5th & work my way down. When your legs start to give out, just take a bus down to your next stop.) Make sure that you walk down Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center and also look above the doorways at all of the buildings - they have great art deco bas-reliefs. I've found NYC to br MUCH improved in the last 5 years: cleaner & safer. You'll have a wonderful time.

<BR>NYC is a kick, it's a pity you don't have more time. I agree with all above suggestions, however, if you do wish to see the Statue of Liberty, remember that only the first boat out in the morning will allow you up into the crown (a hint, on the boat over most people try to wind up on top where the benches are. Don't, stand on the bottom deck and hang from the rail on the ceiling, you'll reduce your chances of having to stand in line for hours. Also, while at Rockefeller Center I would recommend lunch at "21", a great restaraunt for atmosphere and food, although ask for the prix fixe menu, a bit cheaper and just as good

I recommend the Red Apple Tour Buses - they're double-decker London-style buses, and a pretty good (and inexpensive) way to see a lot of things in a short period of time with unlimited on/off privileges. Don't be afraid to ride the subway - as long as you use your head when doing so. It's a great way to get around. <BR>