Hello All -
I will be in NYC the week of July 4th ... not actually on July 4th, but afterwards (6th-11th). We will be staying in Times Square and taking in several Broadway shows during that time.

I plan to be the ultimate tourist, since I am from KS and have never been to NYC. I am interested in sightseeing tours during my down time, and would like some suggestions. I thought possibly getting a 48 (or 72) hour Gray Line pass, and/or a boat cruise.

Any other suggestions? What about the nightlife after the Broadway shows? I am mid-30s, so I'm not too big on noisy, busy clubs/bars. Something nice and low-key.

The Grayline tours are in open topped buses that can get pretty hot in July. If it's not too warm, that's not a bad idea but Kingofnyc.com is another option that uses closed buses with a/c and stays with you.

Cruise is a nice idea. Nywaterway.com does some good ones or if you have the time, shearwatersailing.com or sail-nyc.com can be fun.

For after theater, there's "Don't Tell Mama" a piano bar on restaurant row (46th st. between 8th & 9th) that can be fun if you're into show/popular music. There are a few jazz clubs in the Times Square area, Iridium, Birdland and Dizzy's Coca Cola in the Time Warner building at Columbus Circle. There's a cabaret room at the Algonquin hotel that may have a late show. The Carnegie Club generally has live music.

I suggest you contact Big Apple Greeters for a very personalized experience - you can do some of the other tourist things as well but the Big Apple Greeter experience is just great and its FREE! You can name some of your interests and the Greeter may take you to an area of your choice. Another tour that we just loved was a nibbling tour thru Little Italy and that area - don't remember the exact name, do a search or another poster may add it. have a great trip!

I would avoid the big bus tours at all costs. They are mobbed, spend a lot of time just sitting in traffic, you need tobe on the top deck in swelering heat to see anything, much of their information is wrong, there are many pales they can't go (Central park amng others) and they're just not worth the money.

A boat trip makes sense as an overview - as does Top of the Rock. A Big Apple greeter is great if yuo cn get one - there are not enough to go around. If you want to do a themed walking tour they can be fascinating.

But for major sights you just ned to organize it on your own and go and see them. Note that the SoL sells out far in advance (you're probably too late to be able to climb inside) but you may want to reserve the ferry now if you want to see the Ellis Island Immigartion Museum - which i brilliant. for a great view of the statue - and the skyline on the way back - take the free Staten Island Ferry (runs every 15/20 minutes 24/7 anda RT is about an hour).

Thank you so much for the advice and links. I will check them out. It sounds like the boat tours are the way to go ... and that was my first choice anyway.
I also love jazz and live music, and cannot wait to check out those venues.

Here are the listings for music in the city

Time Out New York

http://newyork.timeout.com/

They will indicate who is in town that week and other information with a wide variety of prices, genres, and styles.

Village Voice

http://www.villagevoice.com/music/

We did the King of NYC tour. He uses a 14 passenger mini-bus w/ AC. We thought it was great for our first trip to NYC.

Here is a link to my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-big-apple.cfm

Have a great time.

I took Texas relatives on the Circle Line 2-hr tour
(There is also a 3 hr one):

http://www.circleline42.com/new-york...e=&productid=2

Fantastic witty tour guide & the length was just right.
Wa surprised at how great this was!

MichelleY - great trip report! I hope that I will get the time to see/visit most of the same places. Top of the Rock is very high on my list.