If you had one day in Manhattan..
 

And one night - how would you spend it? I live on Long Island and have relatives visiting for the first time. But we'll only have one full day to "do" Manhattan..what would you suggest I plan? They don't want to do a show - say they would rather spend the time "seeing" the city...I'd really appreciate suggestions. Thank you

How old are they? How many of them are there? Are there kids? What are their interests/hobbies? Do they enjoy the arts (museums)? Do they like to walk a lot? Do they have an interest in cultural activities (Jewish, African American, Hispanic)? This is a broad question. More info would be helpful.

You'd be hard pressed to do better than the Circle Line boat cruise. If you live on Long Island, you know the deal -- a 3 hour guided tour circling Manhattan, seeing the Statue, Ellis Island, all the bridges (from the underside too), Yankee Stadium and various other things along the way. Well worth it and fun too, and even better on a mild day. Refreshments on board. They have a website, ironically called www.circleline.com.<BR><BR>If you bring your car into the city, maybe you can go for a little driving tour of the interior afterward.

Assuming they want to see as much as possible in 1 day, I'd suggest that you start at the Empire State Building as it is only a few blocks from Penn Station. (Don't drive, take the LIRR.) <BR><BR>I'd then head downtown, via the N&R Subway to Whitehall St., and take the Staten Island Ferry. This will give you a nice view of the Statue of Liberty and the city overall. <BR><BR>You can grab lunch by the Seaport which will give you a nice view of the Brooklyn Bridge. <BR><BR>From there you might want to head to Times Square. You can also walk over to 5th Ave. and see Rockefeller Center, Saks, St. Patrick's, etc. <BR><BR>To me, this will allow them to see many of the highlights. If they did want to see a museum, I'd suggest the MET.<BR><BR>

OK Gayle...there will be 4 adults - 2 have visited many times, the other two have never been to N.Y. All in their 40s. I don't think they're interested in theatre, museums and such. But I think they'll have on their walking shoes. I know one particularly wants to visit Ground Zero. I think the cruise will be a definite and then what?

Perhaps they would like visiting the Intrepid Museaum: www.intrepidmuseum.org.

Whenever I take friends or relatives to the city for the day, I take them on the Gray Line hop on/hop off tour. I have done both the downtown and uptown tours. Since this is your relatives first time in the city, I would take them on the downtown tour.

The cruise is a great idea, but with only a day you might consider the 90-minute cruise, which goes around the southern tip of Manhattan rather than circling the whole island. Factoring in travel time to and from the boat, and wait time, you're talking about half a day right there. <BR><BR>Another thing to consider is to do a 90 minute cruise (figure 3 hours for the whole "event") and make arrangements to reserve a limo sedan for 2-3 hours to drive you anywhere you want to in downtown. It's surprisingly affordable, my parents did this for their 50th anniversary. For four people, it can be less than the cost of four Gray Line tours, and you control the location and itinerary.

If you are in the WTC area, the East Side Tenament Museum (not a typical museum but a renovated tenament), a walk through the lower East Side area, with lunch at Katz's delicatessan on E. Houston, walk around SoHo and/or South Street Seaport, tour Ellis Island...

If you are going to Ground Zero be sure to stop and get tickets to the observation site first. There is usually a waiting period.

Since 2 have been to N.Y. many times and 2 have not at all, I agree with the 90 minute boat cruise for a good overview and the landmarks of Manhattan. I'd start the day with that, then head over to a traditional N.Y. Deli, like the Carnegie for blintzes or a corned beef on rye. <BR><BR>Now that Times Square has been refurbished (Dinseyfied), it's worth seeing and close to the Carnegie, so head south to that area, then cut east and walk over to 5th Avenue then north on 5th up to Rockefeller Plaza which is beautiful to see, St. Patrick's cathedral on 5th across from Rock Plaza is worth a look for the windows and architecture. Then continuing up 5th to the famed Plaza Hotel. Go into the lobby for a look, then out to Central Park. If the weather is nice, take a stroll through the park, or if they are interested, a horse drawn carriage ride. About now it's cocktail time so if the weather is nice then either exit the park around 91st, I think and head to The Stanhope on 5th for a drink on the outdoor patio if it's open, or walk back towards Rockefeller Plaza and up to the bar on the top floor where the Rainbow Room is to see the sun set on the city.<BR><BR>If you're going to Ground Zero, then this plan may change and you may instead choose to walk around Soho and the village, browse the shops, stop for coffee etc.<BR><BR>Have fun.

I would not do either a 90 minute or 3 hour Circle Line cruise - you won't see many landmarks from the boat since most cannot be seen from the river. Also once past the Queensboro Bridge until you get back to the Hudson there is not much of interest. I have done the 3 hour cruise at least 4 times - it gets a little boring after awhile.<BR>I would start the day with a ride on the Staten Island ferry. It is free and you will see the Statue of Liberty and the skyline. Once out in the bay you can see three of the bridges over the East river. If is not a hazy day you can see well up the Hudson River. If you want to include a visit to Ground Zero walk up to the South Street Seaport for tickets (free). After visiting Ground Zero take the subway to Times Square. Walk 42nd from Broadway to 8th and back. Then walk north on Broadway to 59th Street. Go into Central Park and walk east, in the park, to 5th Avenue. Walk south on 5th to 34th (Macy's) and then one block west to 7th Ave. Take the LIRR home. Total walking distance is around 5 miles. With a stop for lunch this should take the better part of a day.

Many thanks everyone...got some great ideas...I haven't been to Ground Zero so was interested in the fact that we have to obtain tickets beforehand...would it be as crowded on a weekday do you think? So we have to line up one place for tickets and then line up to view?