irene

We are a group of 8 people visiting NYCity for 4 days end of May. Planning on staying in the Hotel Edison. Grateful for all recommendations re breakfast and lunch places around.
Since this is our first trip to NY, we will do all the necessary "basics": Hop-on, hopp-off bus tour,a cruise with the Staten Island ferry. We won't climb up the Statue of Liberty but is the Ellis Island Museum worth a visit?
Does anyone have experiences with The Big Apple Greeters? Or Central Park Bike Tours?
We have many questions but would be excited if you could give us some advice!
Thanks a lot

Jamie

Ellis Island is definitely worth a stop.

There are tons of good delis around where you can get breakfast and lunch. Avoid any chain restaurants, which tend to be particularly bad in NYC, for some reason.

Don't know that tour group.

howard

Being a New Yorker, I haven't used the Big Apple Greeters, but they have a good reputation....and I believe they're free!
And yes, Ellis Island is definitely worth a visit, especially if your ancestors passed through there when they immigrated.

Chris

Absolutely do Ellis Island - it's wonderful and moving and the lower Manhattan skyline views are spectacular from there. Be sure to see the movie - you won't forget it.

L

Staten Island Ferry at night - to see the West Side skyline as you come back to Manhattan. Also, if you're interested in architecture, specifically buildings ... NYC has a wonderful hostory. Research in advance and mark major types on a map ... then grab a taxi and give him/her the route. Stop and look! Certainly include the four art deco buildings on the west side of the park, buildings like Seagram, the lip stick building, Chrysler, Flat Iron, TriBeCa types, etc. Also, just be aware of the different types of water towers on the roofs of various buildings ... can be very interesting to see from your hotel windows. You must of course walk through Times Square and Lincoln Center, as well as the towers of the Trade Center (head to the top). Vist the re-opened Rainbow Room for a drink .. the johns have quite a view. Certainly stroll along Fifth Avenue near the Metropolitan (a must visit), and up to the 90's for the Guggenheim. Walk around the Theatre District. Have lunch in the Village (be aware of the street where poets and artists lived). NYC is wonderful. Invest in a Zagat's for meals - look at the fixed price places for lunch and dinner ... some amazing values there. Ciao.

Rick

Definitely recommend Ellis Island and if at all possible get your act together so you can be there in line for the first tour out in the morning to cut down the amount of time you'll have to spend waiting in line. Would also recommend the Tenament Museum on the lower east side.