NYC in Dec. for a first timer
 

Hello, I am looking for help with my itinerary for our families first trip to NYC. We will arrive 12/18 and will be there 6 nights at the Sheraton Hotel/Towers @ 7th and 53rd. I have researched this site and many others but locations and putting it all together in zones has confused me on what would save my time to use more wisely. Concerned with time to see all I thought we would do the (cheesy) doubledecker uptown and downtown hop on/off bus tour, unless you think this is not wise. I know the metro system and not afraid to use the card for all our getting around. Here are a few must see things from us and we do not require much sleep.Thanks for any info giving.

Day 1- Bus tour downtown, do TS,Union Sq., Greenwich village, Soho,World trade center,Battery park, Catch ferry to view Statue of Liberty, Chinatown, Little Italy East Village.
Financial District. Hop on and off at many stops and them return back at sunset for drinks /View at the Ritz Rise Bar then on to diner at Cafe' de Bruxelles in Greenwich or Blue Ribbon Brasserie
Day 2 Uptown bus tour. then go Bryants park to shop at Christmas shops and avoid the tourist things because it is the Sat. before Christmas. Maybe go to see Yankee Stadium, Columbia University, New York University, Grand Central Christmas Stores in Vanderbilt room and go to Campbell Apartment for drinks. Then Union Sq. to shop at market. Then eat in Gramercy at Roth's Bar and Res.
Day 3 Regis and Kelly will be on day 3,4,5 we haven't heard which one yet. The day we do the show I will go see(only look) at Tavern on the green, Ansonia Building, Nakodia Building, Flatiron, Central Park (Bethensnia Fountain,etc. Go in the American Mu. of Natural History to look at the origami tree, or the Guggenheim. This is the areas I need help in grouping together what to do that are central located and doable in the day.
Day 4 Early before stores open do the window decorations at Christmas. Then being a Monday, shop Midtown like Niketown and area then 5th/Madison Ave. After shopping Applestore/ Plaza are FAO S. eat a bit and go back to our location of hotel to clean up for play@8pm.
Day 5 and 6 I still have many things to see and do and I need help grouping it on the correct day or any day you see that I can get them in. Her it goes
Top of Rock St. Patricks C. NY Public Library, MET, MOMO( we would go in for about 2 hours. Seagrams Building, Woolswoth Building, Radio City, Penn Station,Brooklyn Bridge. We love architecture buildings. We also want to skate at Bryant Park or R .center. Lastly shop in Greenwich Village,SOHO or Chelsea or better yet all of them. Please help if you can make sense of what I have written so quickly. We will stay up late and get up early if needed. But we are night owls!

With 6 days in New York, you do not need to be concerned with time so that you would have to use the hop on/hop off buses. That may work well for someone with only a day or 2, but it will probably be a hassle for you. The days you are in New York will be very busy and those buses will be slow and crowded. You are much better off using the subways, or walking shorter distances.
Do you have a good map of Manhattan? Look at the locations you are interested in and see if you can group them by neighborhood, especially for sights that are really just walk-by sights (like the Woolworth Building, which is not open for tours and you will be turned away by guards at the building unless you can prove that you have business there)

Double check the names and spellings of some of the places you want to visit. I'm still not positive what you mean by "Nakodia Building" but I'll guess--The Dakota (where John Lennon lived/died)?
Having the correct names will make it so much easier for you to find on a map, and to ask for directions when you are here.

Since you said that this is your first trip to NYC, I will humbly disagree with the above poster about the tour busses. Hubby and I did those busses on our first trip to NYC some time ago and we appreciated the fact that we got such a good overview of the city. If you purchase the SOL tour with the bus package, you go right to the boats and there is no waiting in line which is a timesaver.This is something that we really appreciated as the lines were quite long on the day that we went. Of course, I would check the weather since you get to use the bus for 48 hours once you buy your ticket, and I wouldn't want to go out to SOL on a stormy day.
I have stayed at this Sheraton and it's pretty good - you can easily walk to TS, broadway shows, Top of the Rock, Bryant Park and many other locations.Bus tours show you the Dakota and Strawberry Forlds, among many other spots!

Sorry, that's Strawberry Fields!!!

I have purchased Foders 2010 guide which has a great map. I am good with locations and directions havig traveled many large citys but my problem is knowing how to beat the Christmas crowd of new york on certain days, to see all that i have posted.Here are a list of restaurant's many people have told me about. (NOT SO TOURISTY)
Chelsea/MTS- Markt, Keens, Eisenburg Sandwich shop, Skylight diner
UES- serendipty
UWS- shake shack
Union square- city bakery
NOLITA- sugar sweet sunshine
MTE-Yasuda(sushi),buttercup bakeshop,angelio's pizza,Patsy Pizzeria, Burger Heaven
West Village- Fatty Crab,monkey bar at the Ellysse hotel
LES- katz deli, The smith
MWEST- burger joint, bar americain,blt market,Johns pizzam sarah beths (central park south), Phillyslims
SOHO- blue ribbon brasserie, essabagel

Anything else you would Recommend checking out or doing while in NYC.
ps.sorry about spelling ,dakota building =)
Thank you for all your help!!

BY THE WAY I HAVE TWO 18 YEAR OLDS THAT WANT TO SHOP LIKE LOCALS LOL....

My goodness, you do need to get an idea of what's where in the City. I'm ambivalent about your Gray Line bus tour, but at least it may help you sort out where things are. Your list for days 5 and 6 includes things that are uptown, downtown and midtown: if this helps, I would classify the Metropolitan Museum as uptown; Rock Center, St. Pat's, and Radio City Music Hall are midtown around 50th and fairly close together; NY Public Library and Bryant Park are a little further south and right next to each other; Brooklyn Bridge is (of course) way downtown. Columbia University is way uptown and worth seeing; NYU is fairly downtown and really isn't...though it's near Washington Square, and Union Square, and both of those are worth a visit. Penn Station isn't worth seeing either.

On Day 3, I don't know what the Ansonia Bldg and the Nakodia Building are. The fountain in Central Park is Bethesda, and the Flatiron Building is nowhere in this vicinity...it's around 28th and Broadway.

I hope you get things a little more organized and then ask for more assistance if you need it.

Frankly there is no way I would do those bus tours. the days that you are in the city are among the busiest of the year. Several would be "gridlock alert" days - when the city reco NO vehicles come into the city because it's so crowded. On these days walking is often faster than taking a bus. And with the HOHO buses you can see only from the top - where there's a good chance you will be REALLY cold - and possibly rained or sleeted on. (Even withtout the traffic these buses only run every 30 minutes or so - versus 5 minutes for city bus or subway - a big fat expense that offers little.)

You are much better off walking shorter distances and taking the subway (we do NOT have a metro) for longer distances. A much better use of your time.

If you want to see the Statue of LIberty you MUST get advance tickets (spot to walk up to the crown are very limited) as in now (they may already be gone.

For Yankee Stadium you need to buy tickets for the tour in advance as well.

You really can't "see" NYU since there is no campus - buildings are spread out over a farily large area downtown.

To see any of the TV shows you need to get tickets in advance - and around the holidays they sometimes have reruns versus new shows.

And it will be hard to see the windows before the stores open - the week before Christmas man are open from 7 or even 6 am until midnight to lure in shoppers. And the windows will be busy, as will Rock Center and St Pats except for the middle of the night.

Also - you are not leaving enough time to actually see much of anything in the museums - suggest you go to the websites and pick which departments you want to see - but try to limit it to 3 or at the most 4 in each place. Also- seeing Central Park can take all day - go to the site of the Central Park Conservancy to pick out what you want to see.

Little Italy has very little to see - is practically gone - and Chinatown is good only if you want to shop for bad fake tschotkes.

And, you haven't really allowed for the weather. That time of year can be fairly warm - in the 40's - or very cold and nasty. You will need to organize your days around the weather - doing the outdoor things on the days the weather is better.

Finally, you are looking at the outside of a lot of buildings - which is OK if you love architecture - but could end up being too much of standing on sidewalks waiting for all the other pedestrians to get out of your way so you can see something. (You have no idea how crowded the city can be - even before the holiday rush. I work right near Grand Central and the people pouring out of it nearing 9 am make a tide it is very difficult to get through.)

As for grouping things - all you really need is a street map and it's apparent what it near what.

I say skip the Statue of Liberty. If you want to see it, then only take the boat tour. It WILL be cold. Id save it for your next trip during a warmer time of the year. (because you will LOVE NYC and want to return!)

I too would not take the hop on bus. Over a period of days you will see everything that bus will take you to and much more.

If the teens just want jeans, smeakers, and the like take them to Broadway between Houston and Canal. If they are interested in original clothes take them to East Village from Ave A to 2nd Ave they are spead out from 7 Street to 12 Street. They are small shops by young designer/owmers.

If you go to Cafe de Bruxelles be sure to have the french fries with something. If you go Blue Ribbon be sure to go downstairs to see the ovens and the bathroom.

Ess-a-Bagel is on First and 21 Street and not in SOHO.

Unless you want a burger there is no reason to go to Smith. And if you wanted a burger you may try Back Forty or Black Iron. They make great onion rings as well.
http://www.backfortynyc.com/
http://www.blackironburger.com/

Additionally there is a world of great resaturants in the Lower East Side/East Village.

The Chelsea choices are over rated but Keen's is unique,

To prepare you for the architecture, please go to the library and look at the AIA Guide to New York. It is expensive to buy and heavy to carry. Make copies of the appropriate pages and bring them on your trip, so you can see the detail they are describing.

http://www.amazon.com/AIA-Guide-New-.../dp/0812931076

dont forget Coney Island/Brighton Beach. Go for a swim with the Ruskies who live around there. Enjoy the sun, get a tan. No lifeguards on duty, so be careful swimming.
Caviar is cheap out there, $15/can. 'Shoot the Freak' will be closed, but you'll get plenty of opportunities to engage in drive-by gun fire with the locals.

Azzure- I agree ,I need to do more research and I will, Thanks
nytraveler- Thanks for great info. I really appreciate your knowledge of the city. Anything else would be appreciated. I will do more research and post later for more help.
Austin-Thanks and yes I know we will return
Aduchamp1- Thanks for the links and advise
Pomah- ? no thanks

We took the Staten Island Ferry to view the Statue of Liberty, I wished we would have taken the ferry to Ellis Island instead. It looks like you have a full schedule, we were in NYC for 3 nights at The Plaza and I felt like we saw alot in that amount of time. We had lunch at Katz's Deli on our back to The Plaza, best Pastrami sandwich ever, the chocolate cheesecake was amazing, also. Have fun! ***kim*** ((#))

I'm with nytraveler - the streets will be crowded, traffic a horror, and if on the bus will only delay getting anywhere. Being underground is usually the fastest way to get around if not walking.

Get a good NYC map and section off the areas and the sites within each and work your days accordingly.
- downtown financial, Chinatown, Little Italy, ground zero.
- then midtown, east and west
- Rockefeller Center area
- Central Park
- move further uptown for many of the museums; with good weather you can check out building architecture going east or west of the museums

That gives you an idea, no uptown/downtown in the same day. Takes too much time and tiring. Be flexible depending on the weather.

The store windows can be seen most anytime even when the stores are closed - Lord & Taylor, Saks, etc. - try for very very early or very late when streets empty somewhat.

Clothing for the teens can be found most anywhere.

If the weather is mild, walk within each area; if nasty, down into the subway.

Wear comfy shoes; best you have 2/pr to switch off from one day to another.

Don't ride that double decker tour bus. The traffic will be crazy and you could do so much more on foot and subway. As far as the teens wanting shopping. The East and West Village are perfect for walking around and finding all kinds of different shops. If its more mainstream shopping then Times Square has your typical stores, but really with the exception of them being bigger the merchandise can be found anywhere. I'd go with the village.
Weather wise, I'd skip the Statue of Liberty. You can get beautiful sweeping views by going down to Battery Park.
I agree with NYTraveler. Little Italy has some very good restaurants and placed for pastry, but there is not much to see as far as sightseeing goes. Chinatown has some shopping but mostly kotshke stuff. If you like Chinese food, there's a restaurant called WoHops which is delicious. I'm not sure of the address anymore.
Overall, I do say try to single out things you feel are must see and the area they are in. Other than that, there is so much to do and see I can't imagine you leaving feeling like you missed out. It has always been my belief that sometimes the best things are the ones you find walking around and exploring. Have a great trip!

Thanks Kimamom ,Sandi,and Writealiving for the info. After reading all day I will try this new itinerary. Please again help with what day I can add things or take away and taking the M or walking in the cold. The days can change for weather so we are flexible, except for the theater and Regis and Kelly show.
Day1 Sat.- Walk to Radio City, Rock, St. Pat's, Lower Plaza(skating area) Today Studio, Saks windows. We will only go in top of Rock and St. Pat's. Continue to St. Bart's, Waldolf Astoria, View the Seagrams building then to GCS to shop and rest and get warm. Take the M to NYC public Library and shop at Bryant's park. Check out Lord and Taylor's window. Lunch (?) and ice skating in Bryant Park. If time and energy take M to Met Museum listen to string quartet till closing then dinner somewhere cheap. (any suggestions not a picky eater)
Day 2 Sun.- Walk to Carnegie Hall to look and on to The Plaza, FAO Schwartz,Trump Tower, Eat at Patsy's Pizza(?) if one is close someone said it is good. Then go down to Madison/Fifth to shop. If time allows go to MOMA for a short look. This is not our thing but we must see a few things there. We will purchase the MOMA/ROCK ticket for $30.
Day 3 Mon.- Take taxi for better views to Dakota, Ansonia Building,Lincoln Center,Tavern on Green. How do we get to Bethesda Fountain to view and what else will be worth our while in the cold in Central Park. Remember we do live near the Smokie Mountains and Great landscaping. American Museum of Natural history to view the Origami tree. I would also like to go to Columbia University and maybe take The M to Yankee Stadium. This will finish all up town sites we want to see. Any suggestions for lunch.
Day 4 Tues.- Metro to ESB, on to Macy's, Flatiron Building, Gramercy Park to eat at Rolf's Bar or Shack Shack@ madison/Park/23rd. If time allows we will do more around this area if not back to hotel/theater.Go to Marriott Marquis for after theater drinks with a view.
Day 5 Wed.- Metro to Staten Island ferry,then do all Financial District.NYSE,Fedral Hall,City Hall, FR Bank, WTCenter,Trinity Church. On to quick trip through Chinatown, on to SOHO Prince street to shop, Bleeker street, Washington Square and Greenwich village to shop and maybe eat at Cafe' de Bruxeles or wherever you suggest.
I hope I have grouped things better in areas. We mainly want to hit the highlights and save Day 6 for doing what we would like to go back to see. As you can see we dumped the bus tours.

Whatever you do do not eat at Rolf's. Walk in, have an epliletic fit due to the lights and leave. The food is pure slop. I do not always agree with Zagats's but it recieved a 14, which probably puts in the bottom 10 of all restaurants.

Pardon my ignorance but does M refer to the subway? There is an "M" line as part of the subway system and NY'ers will refer to it as taking the "M" and just as no NY'er refers to the color of the line no one calls the subway the metro.

thank you so much i will take your advice Aduchamp1 and yes m is subway(metro)

Any suggestions to eat at? (cheap)

Across the street from Rolf's is a great food value called La Marca. It is probably the only restaurant outside of the fiancial district closed on weekends. A few blocks away is Defonte's sandwiches. (Just a few seats.) They were in Brooklyn for 87 years before opening one in Manhattan. The meatball sandwhich tastes like the Brooklyn where I grew up and the pork is wonderful.

http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/defontes02/

On Day 1 you say you will take the metro from Grand Central Station to the Public Library (I assume the famous 42nd St branch). Grand Central and the Library are two short blocks from one another--just walk it.