yea, we're coming to NYC the week of May 13th! A few questions for you New York experts..
Ellis Island- I've looked at some of the posts, and I'm not clear on how much of a hassle it is with lines, etc. We'd like to go to EI, not get off at SOL- does that make it any easier, or not, since you're on the same boat anyway? Also, I'd like to get tickets at the time we go, vs before- how does that work out?

Broadway shows (both plays and musicals)- what is everyone enjoying these days?

Thought we'd check out the shopping in Canal Street- where exactly do we go?

Also, Greenwich Village- any favorite spots there?

Thanks so much! We're so excited about the trip.

The key to the crowds for the ferry to both the statue of liberty and ellis island is what time you go. The last couple of times I've gone with friends who were visiting, we went early in the morning and waited in line about 20-25 minutes to get on the ferry. Ellis Island crowds are not bad and it's so interesting. You wait in the same line and can stop off on both islands in the fare - it's interesting to stop off at lady liberty and wander. To get tickets, head down to battery park. You get tickets inside the old fort then go get in line.

Canal street shopping - well, pretty much anywhere on canal between west broadway and elizabeth street. you may want to wander through what's left of Little Italy around Mulberry street. Also head to the south end of canal - really intersting neighborhood under the Manhattan Bridge.

Have a good time on your trip.

thanks, sjk. Wondered if it makes a difference what day of the week you go to Ellis Island? Can't decide if weekdays are less crowded, or more!

Thanks for the tips on Canal- 18 yr daughter will love it, I think! If anyone has any shopping ideas, let us know- I've been to Century 21 but it was too much- any area with smaller, but well-priced shops?

Going just to Ellis Island reduces the lines - but you still have to get on line for tickets (better to buy in advance) and then on line for security - before getting on the boat. Once you reach Ellis Island there are no more lines. (If you get off at Liberty Island you have another very long line for entry.)

In May I thik the lines will be shorter on weekdays, since local kids are still in school.

thanks for all that good info on Ellis Island.

Still wondered what shows you guys are liking...

Show-wise, The biggest hits are Wicked, Jersey Boys and Lion King. These are all sell-outs and tickets could be around $200 a pop. Other successful shows are Spamalot, Hairspary, Drowsy Chaperone and Mary Poppins. These shows offer discount tickets at around $70 a pop. A good place to get tickets, discounted or not, is Broadwaybox.com, which has listings, reviews, seating charts, etc on top of ticket buying.

I think we'll definitely go with Broadway Box, vs the $200 tickets! Our 18 yr old daughter will be with DH and me- which of those shows available would be best? (Was thinking Legally Blonde, or maybe the Spelling Bee show, or Hairspray...)

18 y/o? take her to h&m
i loved wicked. anyone who watched the wizard of oz will.

what food are you looking for downtown? the village is swarming w places- on the wkds id suggest a reservation if you want to eat somewhere nice and dont want to wait.

IMHO, the shows that suits Mom & Dad & 18 y/o daughter best are Legally Blond, Hairspray and Drowsy Chaperone.

hi all,

my family is visiting NYC end May. Was wondering what's the best option to travel within NYC. We got 6 of us, including 3 young kids and an elderly.

jaykaysl - You might want to consider the hop on/hop off bus for traveling around the city. You can find lots of information on this site on it. They are double decker buses and you can pick certain lines that take you to the big sites.

While the subway is the most conveinent, there are sometimes a lot of steps which might be hard for the elderly member in your party.

With that many people you maywant to consider cabs. the van cabs are allowed to hold 5 adults and one child under 7. The subway or bus fare for that many people - $14 - would pay for a short or medium cab ride in Manhattan.

don't reco using the hop on/off for transportation since they don;t run that often - and can be full when they arrive. (And while New Yorkers assume they will have to stand on a bus or subway - tourists may not want to - esp elderly or small kids.)

thanks for the feedback on which shows we would enjoy. And of course H&M is on the list, even though a new one just opened close to home (So Cal)!

Was reading some other posts, and copied down some places to eat in Theatre District that sound good. Was also intrigued with the idea of walking one-way across the Brooklyn Bridge, eating lunch there, and then back. But some said to walk over, and some said to walk back! What's the best, and how far a walk it is actually? And is Grimaldi's et al soon after you get to Brooklyn, or is there quite a bit more walking to get to a lunch place? Thanks!!