Are Canal Street vendors out anymore? Will be in NYC for one day with my 15 year old nephew this coming Saturday. Also, do not know subway system. are cabs easier? I need to get from St Pat's Cathedral to Soho or VIllage around noon -

Many Canal St. vendors, everyday.

Subway is cheaper, takes longer, but not subject to street traffic. If it's raining, more difficult to catch a cab.

Here's the subway map.
http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

St. Pat's is across from Rockefeller Center which you'll see has the B,D,F,V trains

Take any of them to West 4th st. and you're in the village near Washington Square park. A stop later you're at the edge of the village and Soho.

thx - if we grab a cab to the village, what would be a good cross street to ask to be dropped off at

It depends on where you want to go to (there are 2 Villages - East and West) and what you want to do.

we want to go to canal street, walk thru soho, little italy for some good ny pizza. Is Bleeker or Broome close to Canal? I want to tell the cab driver where I wshould get dropped off so we don't totally look like we are tourists from nh

There are lot's of tourists in the area ... from Patricks's/Rockefeller to Soho and Greenwich Village. You'll be fine, even if the cab driver knows (yes he/she would know) that you're tourists. They won't care, nor burst into prolonged fit of laughter, as long as you pay the fare.

Broome would be closest to Canal. Ask to be dropped off at Broadway and Broome.

Weekend traffic is AWFUL, so you will be stuck in traffic coming down Broadway. TAKE THE SUBWAY.

If you walk East to Lexington Ave and 51st, you can take the #6 train to Canal St.

Also to let you know there isn't much on Canal St. that would be of interest to a 15yr old boy. It's mostly watches, purses, scarves, jewelry, and junk. Some of the larger stores have tee shirts, and jeans, but you have to walk to the back.

If you take a cab you will get to see more of the city, but be prepared to be stuck in ALOT of traffic.

There are a few stores on Mott St that your nephew would like, electronics, kids stuff, and Hagen Das Ice Cream. There's also the Chinatown Ice Cream FActory one block south from Canal St near Hagen Das.

Also if you are looking for a good place for Dim Sum (lunch) try the Mandarin Court, it's one of the best.

Have a great time.

A Saturday drive down from St. Patrick's to Canal is NOT that bad and the cab will get you there in less than 40 minutes, unless something catastrophic happens.

We've done this many times, driving on our own or in a cab. Cab drivers in Manhattan know how to get you to whereever you're going in the fastest possible way.