I'm off to New York this Sunday on a spur of the moment trip and trying to get all my research in before I go. ( I hate to be unprepared) We would like to do the HOHO tour but does anyone have any ideas on which is better? I see a Citysights and a Grayline tour. We are going to be there for 6 days so I thought this would give us a good overview of the city and where we might want to go back and visit.

Frankly, with 6 full days, I would not bother with these buses. Take a regular bus and get a week-long pass for the same price as one day on the hop-on-hop-off bus. Between that, the subway, and walking, you'll cover more ground and see much more. Then really do your homework to find out what you want to see. Many of the more interesting things aren't even on the tour routes.

These tours are good deals in cities that don't have adequate or comprehensive transport systems but in NYC, you just end up wasting time waiting 30 minutes for a tour bus when a city bus comes every 5 minutes.

7 day MetroCard is 27 dollars - 1 day 1 route loop is 44 dollars - do the Math -- The HOHO buses are a great overview but buy your MetroCard first and foremost and do your double decker riding on the nicest days of your week and dress for 10 to 15 degrees below ground level in order to be comfortable.

OK, thanks for the input, I guess we'll forgo the buses. My next question is, do you have any advice for getting from LGA to Midtown hotel? Would it be better to just get a taxi or is it worth saving a little money and take a shuttle service?

Since you have 6 days the Shuttle Service is just about right.

The Shuttle is a crap shot as to how long until you get off.

A taxi from LGA to most hotels costs about $30 (sometimes $35 if you are in a far-flung hotel); a shared shuttle service costs $10 to $12 per person. You'll save a lot of time by just taking a taxi and you'll only spend a little more money. I'd take a taxi if you are a couple of small family. If there are three people, then you are coming out even with a taxi; with four you come out ahead in most cases.

Re those hop on/off buses - yes - there are those who believe that by taking that bus you get a sort of overview of the city and then you can pick what you would woud like to go back to to see. But with a little beforehand preparation you can do the same with a map of the city and noting the sites that interest you. We've done that in every major city in the world and have a great time exploring on our own - but with a pretty good idea of what's where. And as noted - public transportation in town takes you just about everywhere at the lowest cost and no waits for those buses. Moreover - to me - travelling on your own puts you in the city rather than encapsulated in a tour bus and looking out on the city.

I would suggest doing a few organized walking tours vs the HOHO buses, you'll see more, get more accurate information and a better sense of the City. There are also free audio tours that you can download if you want to do it yourself:

Like this one: http://www.nyc.gov/html/film/html/ne...ast_main.shtml

HOHO buses are IMHO a big waste of time. They're no ggod as transit, since they run only every 30 minutes or so (versus about 5 for the subway and city buses) go a limited umber of places, and have a lot of useless and often incorrect information. Youalso tend to spend a lot of time sitting in traffic.

Agree to just go and see what YOU want. If you're interested in a tour take a themed walking tour that will give you some in-depth knowledge. No reason to pay all that money for someone to say - look right to see the from the the Met Museum of Art. Go and LOOK AT the contents.

Thanks everyone for all the replies, that settles it, no buses and a taxi from the airport. I knew I could get expert advice here.

Definitely agree with a taxi from LaGuardia.

But, I'm a huge fan of the hop on/hop off buses in NYC - IF the weather is favorable. While you can just use the city buses (and we do), it's difficult to see well enough out the windows to recognize your stop - you really can't enjoy the scenery...

But, from seats on the open air open deck of the tour buses, you have panoramic views of the scenery all over and can actually lean back and look all the way to the top of the tall buildings, something difficult to do even walking. It's a magnificent way to really appreciate the various neighborhoods, architecture, and the tall buildings! It's also much easier to recognize appealing areas/neighborhoods for spending more time.

If the weather isn't pleasant enough, though, and you'd want to sit down below, you may as well use the city buses.

We enjoyed our trip on the hop on hop off buses in both New York and San Francisco. If you have a limited time in a place it's the way to see some more of the city. The trip we took through Brooklyn though was very unpleasant just because it was so cold. If the weather is warm I think they are a great option for a tourist.

I've seen too many people sitting on the top of a bus stuck in traffic in rain, sleet (granted with plastic ponchos) or in 90+ degree humid weather to be able to imagine how it can possibly be pleasant. Plus, there are many areas you can;t see (Central Park, many streets in the village and other residential areas - buses aren't allowed). And I've never understood why those buses are sitting on 96th & Broadway with riders watching me and my neighbors go to Duane Reade or the dry cleaners or the bank - happily snapping away with their cameras.

The best way to see NYC is feet. If going a longer distance the subway is most practical.

They also look like wax figures from Madame Toussand. They never seem to move, smile, or talk.

And, they are too busy looking into their camera lenses to actually see anything.