Hi, NY Fodorites.

I’m suddenly bringing my mother to NYC, and have been too busy to plan much for our trip—which is killing me! So, hoping some local experts can help.

My plan--pls. let me know if you see issues:

AM: Buy discount B’way tickets and Ellis Island Museum
In am, take the #3 Train from 42nd Street to Fulton Street Station. Walk to the South Street Seaport booth to be there around 10ish, and get a couple tickets to anything Mom might like (hoping for Beautiful, but she’s not picky).
Question: Where can my mother sit while I queue for the 11 am open? Any place I can let her sit down?

After tickets, take M15+ Bus (from Pearl/Fulton) to South Ferry stop to take Ferry to Ellis Island Museum.
My mother wants to see the Statue of Liberty (from afar seems fine), and then on to the Museum. We’ll spend 2 hours at museum, and head back to Times Square. From South Ferry Station, take the 1 train north to 42nd Street.
Question: I will buy tickets for Ferry in advance for around 1:15. Thinking a couple hours at Ellis Island, then ferry back. Does this seem too little time? (I’m a big history buff, but my mother will have trouble reading too much of the captions, so we’ll try to hit some highlights.)

PM: Reuben Sandwich & B’way
Mom wants a reuben sandwich.
Question: Any place near 45th and 6th ave, you might tell us to go (pre-theater) for a reuben?

Thanks for any advice!

You might want to check out the discounts on playbill, theatermania, and broadwaybox so you don't have to spend time in line and park Mom.

You should check out the possibility of getting on the SoL/Ellis Island ferry. I'm confident that most of the advance tickets are gone and it might be an hour or more just waiting for the chance to get tickets and the same again to get on the ferry (airline type security). From there it will be at least 3 hours to take the various ferries and spend ANY time at Ellis Island. (Realistically this might not be possible. Go to the web site of the National Park Service to get info on the ferry.)

Rather than stand on line in NYC go NOW to broadwaybox.com and follow directions on getting advance discount tickets to be held at will call at the theater. This will avoid wasting time at the seaport which you will need to get on the ferry - if possible at this point.)

Thanks, abeam and nytraveler. I have nixed the Ellis Island trip, as I've read of the wait across a few sites. So will likely do the Staten Island Ferry and plan other things downtown.

Appreciate the suggestions!

If you are a history buff, you both might enjoy the Tenement Museum. It is best to reserve ahead as it is visited only with small group guided tours.

http://www.tenement.org/

You can take either the #2 or #3 downtown train from 42nd St-Times Square to the Fulton Street station. I recommend you be towards the rear of the train as the staircases that lead to Fulton St are towards the back (northern)end of the platform. There are elevators (platform to mezzanine and mezzanine [after you exit the turnstiles] to street level) should you need them.

The tenement museum is not air conditioned and there are no elevators. It can be hot as hades in the summer.

The Staten Island Ferry is free and runs on the hour and half hour . check the schedule. It's a 20 minute ride each way, You will have to exit the ferry in Staten Island and then board the next ferry going back to Manhattan.

Right near battery park, at bowling green is the old customs house which now part of the Smithsonian museum of the American Indian.. its free. You may want to explore the 9/11 museum or memorial, there is a new French food court downtown, the highline, the new whitney museum, etc. you can have deli at Katz's perhaps for lunch if that works for you.

You should check out Theatermania.com, Broadwaybox.com for discounted theater tickets. Also be sure to check whether there are elevators or not in the theaters. Many old theaters only have stairs to the upper levels, and orchestra seats may not be available or than you may want to spend. You can order in advance and just pay the extra fees to do so, and you can either have an e-ticket which you print out and bring with you or pick up at the box office. it will save you time.