Hi – I appreciate this site and everyone who participates and helps out here! I have a business trip in upstate NY next week. My DH will be joining me for a long weekend and we will travel to NYC from Syracuse. I already have a rental car and a hotel at the Sheraton Newark airport, but I need to know how to do NYC in just TWO DAYS! Please help!! It’s my 3rd visit, but my husband’s first and only! Budget is a factor, but we want to make it worth it.

Key things we can’t miss, if possible:
* One Broadway show (any suggestions)? Do guys like Wicked? He loves drama/plays and musicals, so either would be great.
* Be on top of the Empire State Bldg. at sunset? Still better than Top of the Rock for first timer?
* He definitely wants to go to the MET -- HE loves museums (I don’t though I’ve been to the MET twice). We’ll have to have a structured amount of time to spend there….just see what he can see in 3 hours or whatever…??
* See Ground Zero
* See Central Park
* Take the Staten Island Ferry to NJ and back to get pics and sight of the Statue of Liberty – no desire or time to go to the island and tour
What else???? Please help.
Should we do an Apple Tour on a double-decker bus, or will that take too much time?
Have no idea where to eat. I don’t mind hitting just some simple delis and quick fast and cheap food, but might be nice to have one nice restaurant for only one affordable, romantic meal.

Also, I have been reading the other posts, but I’m still confused about what exactly we need to do to get from the Sheraton Newark airport hotel and into NYC each time– the quickest but most cost-effective way. Looks like we’ll have to take a cab from the hotel each time to get to the PATH? Then pay that train to get to Penn Station? Then walk to wherever or take the subway….I need this to be easy and organized as we get lost easily. LOL

Here’s the plan:
1. Friday 9/19 1:00 p.m. Business trip is over! Rented a car at Syracuse and drive through Pennsylvania on Hwy. 81 South, then I-380 South, then I-81 East to Newark. I’m hoping that’s a beautiful 4-hour drive through NY and PA? After checking into hotel, we will return the rental car to the airport and take public transportation the rest of the weekend. It should be around 7:00 p.m., so there would be plenty of time to go into the city to see Times Square. We will probably go to the Europa Café’ by Bubba Gump's.
2. Saturday 9/20…..we have all day……what to do??
3. Sunday 9/21…..we have all day….what to do??
4. Monday, 9/22 leave early out of Newark.

This trip is really a dream and a miracle that it is coming together for us. We really need YOUR help though --- we can’t do it effectively by ourselves without your wisdom and experiences. PLEASE SHARE AND HELP US! THANKS! And I promise to post a report when we get back of how to do it in two days with a first timer!

The drive south from Syracuse on Hwy 81 IS beautiful!

We just saw Wicked in London (myself and my husband, 24-year old son and his 23-year old girlfriend, and 21-year old daughter) We all really liked it, except that we didn't really consider the music itself memorable (the story, acting, singing, set design, choreography/direction, were all fantastic). If you do decide to go to that or any other musical, I highly recommend listening to the CD in advance, and learning the lyrics at least to the group numbers. I find that's true of any musical - it's easy to understand the words when individuals are singing, but not when groups are singing.

Have fun!

Thread with discussion about staying in Newark and commuting to NYC.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1

With only 2 days, I don't think its a good idea to spend so much time travelling back and forth from Newark. Is it really worth that much time to save some money?

Mtolar!
Have a great time in NYC.
To save some money, time and energy go to www.playbill.com (registration is free) and also
check www.seasonofsavings.com for Broadway discounts -- great shows are available 30 -60 percent off --
ALSO go to www.opentable.com (free registration) review restaurants and make your reservations on line -- this will give you a schedule to work around and help with planning.
The trip from Syracuse to NYC via PA is more like a 5 hour trip -- I-81 out of Syracuse to Route 17 South is more like a 4 hour - 4 1/2 hour trip but then you have to travel to Newark -- either way plan 5 hours.
My husband liked Wicked - (creative story ) however he loved --August: Osage County
(Very heavy!amazing actors) and Boeing Boeing is now on Discount - very funny and if you're a fan of "West Wing" you get a reunion with some of the cast.

If you do an night show - you may want to walk over to Rockerfeller Center and go to the Top of the Rock - it's an $18.00 fee per -- discount tickets are available ($2.00 savings) if it is a nice night - I think it is open until 11:00 -- better then the Empire State Building -I don't think so (not nearly as romantic)...however, my husband does...

If museums aren't your thing you may want to consider the time for a different NYC tour such as a Food Tour - there are food tours through Chinatown, or the Village - etc (google Food Tours of NY)

If you are interested in one of the boat tours to see the city, Statue etc. check out the Circle line because - in addition to the tour you'll see "The New York City Waterfalls" by Olafur Eliasson on display along the East River. Tehre are several tours from one - three hours. You may want to tie that into the time you are planning for Ground Zero.
No plans for early holiday shopping on 5th Ave???

If you possibly can I would definitely stay in the City versus out in Jersey. You will waste a lot of time and money trekking back and forth.

On the weekends if you look downtown in the financial district you can often get good hotel deals - and avoid all the hassles of fighting traffic in Jersey.

If you want to see Wicked you will have to go to a scalper (stubhub.com is reliable) since tickets from the box office sell out months in advance. If you're willing to do another show look at broadwaybox.com to see who has discounts, then order tickets for pick up at the box office.

For the Met go to the website and pick a couple of departments that you want to hit.

I would NOT do ESB - the lines are horrendous. Top of the Rock lets you buy advance times tickets and IMHO the views are better.

In terms of a romantic dinner - what budget do you have and what types of food do you like/dislike?

I love doing Soho and the Village. Very cool with restaurants and boutiques. Try to fit that in if you can.

I encourage you to find other accommodations. You will quickly find the taxi to PATH train connection a tedious waste of time. If you must stay in New Jersey, there are hotels with better transportation options to Manhattan.

The direct PATH train from Newark Penn Station goes to the WTC stop in lower Manhattan--good for visiting Ground Zero since the station is in Ground Zero. Also good for the Staten Island Ferry. (The Staten Island Ferry goes from Manhattan to Staten Island, not NJ.) I would expect it would take 45-60 minutes to get from your hotel via taxi to PATH to WTC.

For most of your other interests, you will want to change PATH trains to a 33rd St bound train at Journal Square. I would expect it would take 60 mins to 1 hr 15 mins to get from your hotel via taxi to PATH to 33rd St. To save some time, spend a bit more money and take NJ Transit from Newark Airport or Newark Penn to New York Penn Station n midtown--less connections, less stops.

I also prefer visiting Top of The Rock to visiting the Empire State Building, especially because you get a great view of the ESB from there.

Wow okay...well unfortunately I am stuck with the Sheraton Newark, as I did a Hotwire deal....and you know you have to accept whatever it "surprises" you with in the general vicinity. I clearly see I should've gotten on here first before booking that hotel in Newark to save money...but it's done now.

So I definitely want to take the Penn station route and not the PATH. TIME is more valuable than money at this point!!! So from the hotel, I take a cab to the NJ transit to go to NYC Penn Station?? How much is that? Not that it matters...and how long does it take? I assume it's quicker than the PATH from your responses.

Man, I am helpless without your comments. Thank you so much for helping me....I just don't have time to properly plan this trip myself! I just need to know the best way to travel from where I have stuck us in Newark...and what to do each of the two days. Thanks for your suggestions so far. I will research all your notes so far and keep checking back.

Food likes? Well italian is always good....there are usually some good places for lunch in Little Italy, right? ....if I can get there...lol.



So I tell the cab to take me to the NJ Transit

As a native New Yorker, I would suggest not going to Little Italy or Times Square for food. "Tourist" locations like these tend to be overpriced and not very good.
Here are a few suggestions of restaurants I love!

1) Kellari Tavern: 19 West 44th Street between 5th & 6th Avenue (Great Greek/Medit. fare at reasonable prices. Close to Times Square, but not a tourist spot)

2) Cacio e Pepe : The BEST Italian in NYC by far!(182 Second Avenue.)Small place with great staff. Food cannot be beat. Note that they only accept cash or AMEX.

3) The Neptune Room (511 Amsterdam Ave.) Wonderful seafood on the UWS. A little pricey, but great atmosphere and cocktails.

For your days in lower Manhattan, the PATH train to WTC will be faster than taking NJ Transit to midtown (NY Penn) and then taking the subway downtown. For PATH train access, you must go to Newark Penn Station.

You could take the hotel shuttle to the airport, and then take the AirTrain to Newark Airport Station to get NJ Transit, but I think that would waste even more time making more connections. I have no idea what the taxis will cost in NJ, nor if taxis are readily available at your hotel.

Newark Airport to NY Penn $15 each way, (this price includes NJ Transit plus the AirTrain--can't find a price without. I'm not positive you can get into this station if you're not coming from the AirTrain)

Newark Penn to NY Penn $4 each way (NJ Transit)

PATH Train $1.75 per ride

Or if you are headed to midtown, you might take the hotel shuttle to the airport and get a bus from there--the bus goes directly to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown. A lot depends on how frequent the hotel shuttle runs . . .

Here's the bus info:

http://www.coachusa.com/olympia/ss.newarkairport.asp

food options:in the theater area:

Bar Americain 52nd st. between 6th and 7th ave not such a hike from the Theater area and outstanding fish -- it regional American food
by Bobby Flay.

Pomaire is an amazing Chilean Restaurant on W.46th Street in the Theater District (food, staff top notch moderate prices)

Toloache is amazing contemporary Mexican (not tex/mex) pn 50th between broadway and 8th ave. owner/chef and staff will walk you through a fresh menu and outstanding drinks!

The Sea Grill (expensive) romantic and a great location within Rock Center is a consideration --
and Sangria 46 on 46th St,Bet 8th and 9th has wonderful tapas, all kinds of outstanding sangria, festive/party atmosphere

all of these suggestions are on open table - make reservations ahead of time!!! you don't want to waste time waiting for a table or paying to get a table (even worse!)

If you like jazz and the American Song book - a very cool/romantic idea is catching John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey (just finishing Sunday in the Park with George on Broadway) are together at the Cafe Carlyle E. 76th and Madison Ave I am almost sure they are performing 2 shows a night --

Okay thanks for your help and sharing your ideas...this is going great. So now I need to start putting the trip together:

Friday night: arrive at Sheraton Newark and check-in. Drive rental car to airport and catch public transportation to Manhatten to Times Square. So from the Newark airport, it looks like it's a 30 minute bus ride from Terminal C to the Port Authority Bus Terminal (EX. leaving Term. C at 7:40 pm. and arriving bus terminal at 8:10 pm), and we can walk to Times Square from there.....????

Piddle around Times Square on this night and then get back to the hotel the same way....?? Sound right?

Saturday: Get up and moving by 7am and get into the city for breakfast. Grab something quick somewhere and start sight-seeing. Should we get a hop on/ hop off tour deal? This might be the only way we might see "everything" from Greenich Village to Harlem?? Is it cost-effective, Or should we just pick what we want to do each day and take the subway everywhere that day? Say on Saturday we do breakfast, then the Met, then lunch (a fajita?) around Central Park. Then we could go back towards Times Square and ride the subway downtown to WTC area. Maybe Chinatown? HOw do I get there?
By then it will be close to dinner time? Then a Broadway show? Then back to the hotel in Newark from Broadway. How does that sound?

I'll just stop there for now and plan Sunday after we get Friday/Saturday planned. Still have to do the SOL on the ferry and the Top of the Rock or the ESB. I'm shocked that you guys aren't telling me to do the ESB...most of you like The Rock better...I think I just may take your advice on that one too...BUT let's get Friday and Saturday planned first.

Thanks for your help! Please keep it coming!!

We did a double decker hop on/hop off tour several weeks ago. It was a weekday and traffic made for a slow trip but we enjoyed it anyway. On a weekend I assume it would be a little quicker. If you do this take along you own guidebook as the tour guide commentary wasn't always audible (poor sound system and engine noise of the bus).

I also suggest a boat tour on the Zephyr by Circle Line. We took a 90 minute tour and saw much of the city, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in a relaxing mode. Tour guide on this trip was extremely good.

Have a great trip!

I enjoyed Top of the Rock. 1 reason to do it is to get great pictures of the ESB. If you are on top of the ESB, you obviously cannot get pictures of it. Timed tickets are an added bonus

<<Piddle around Times Square on this night and then get back to the hotel the same way....?? Sound right?>>

Check bus times carefully (they run less often the later it gets) as well as hotel shuttle times. You may need to take taxi from the airport to your hotel f the shuttle isn't running.

Also keep in mind, the bus will be subject to traffic delays--the bus must go through a tunnel to reach NYC. The train is less likely to have such delays.

ellen, what train? so don't take the bus? i'm sorry...i'm so confused at this point. I just need someone to tell me exactly what to do...lol.

Just warning you that the times stated on the bus schedule could be affected by traffic and weather, while any time predictions for the PATH train or NJ Transit trains will be relatively accurate.

Hop Stop will give you step by step directions
http://www.hopstop.com/

Strongly reco against the hop on/off bus. You will waste a lot of time sitting in traffic and/or waiting for a bus to turn up (they run every 30 minutes versus every 5 minutes or so for the subway).

Suggest you get a subway map (downloadable from the mta website), locate the sights you want to see and use hopstop to get the best subway maps.

Do not eat in Little Italy - food is generally poor and a tourist trap.

For our one romantic meal what is your budget - $200 or so - or are you looking for something very basic? And does that include wine, tax and tip?

For people from out of town that want something romantic and touristy with a view I always reco River Cafe in Brooklyn with great views of Manhattan - but dinner (prix fixe) for 2 with wine, tip and tax will be $300 or so.

For specifics of a lot of restaurants you can look at menupages.com - lets you search by neighborhood, cuisine and see actual menus and diner comments.