We're heading to NYC with our kids (ages 10 & 11) this month and they'd like to take a double-decker bus tour. Are they worth the expense and, if so, which line (circle line, gray line, city sights) would you recommend? Thanks

Cannot reco any of the bus tours. You spend way too much time sittingin traffic and watching locals going about their daily errands versus actually seeing anythng worthwhile. (Most of what you want to see if inside the buildings - not just the outside.) And buses are not allowed in Central Park and some of the more intersting neighborhoods at all.

The best way to see New York is feet - or subway for longer distances.

And for the things you really want to see - go and visit them.

Boat rides on the other hand are great ideas - from the (free) Staten island ferry to the Circle line cruise to the Shark speedboat ride. Provide great views of the skyline that you can't get riding on a bus.

If your kids (as you mentioned) say they want to take a doubledecker bus tour, it might be worth looking into. The companies run parallel routes. The views of the city at that sight level and moving along while seated are very different than what you'll see on foot. There is a Brooklyn tour that takes you across the Manhattan Bridge and gives spectacular openair views of the Skyline. It's true that you won't see some of our neighborhoods (Thank goodness-I enjoy the peace and quiet of mine and am glad not to have enormous buses moving along in front of my building. But you will cover alot of ground for a couple of hours and also have the choice to go at your own pace. The quality of the experience will depend on the skill of the guide giving the presentation.

I also think the Staten Island Ferry is a great way to see the SOL (from a distance) and the skyline for free- if you have the time to do the round trip. There are some sights to see on Staten Island but it requires alot of time to get to those. The basic round trip (Free) on the Ferry is what I am talking about.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your visit in NYC!

Doesn't Circle Line offer cruises only?

I am shocked at the prices of these double-decker bus tours, or the hop-on-hop-off prices. The cheapest tour will cost a family of 4 (2 adults 2 children under 11) $120. The 48-hr HOHO pass costs $180 for family of 4.

I'd rather spend the money on something else. A one-day Metrocard (unlimited ride) is only $7.50 per person and children under 44 inches can ride for free when riding with an adult.

When I was in New York last summer, the lines for the bus tours were incredibly long at some of the stops. So, in addition to sitting in traffic, you spend time simply waiting in line to get on a bus. In hot, muggy NY summers, it didn't seem like much fun.

Depending on how long you staying the city get a one-day metrocard or a seven-day one (if you staying that long). These cards are unlimited and trust me the people I see that swipe the cards sometimes swipe twice without realizing it and thats $4 instead of $2, is well worth it. Beside subways you can also take the bus. As mention by bellastarr the staten island ferry is free and once you are there you can use your metrocard for the bus and subway there as well.

You can also go for the statue of librerty ferry where you can see statue up close or take the circleline around manhattan.

I think we'll do the Circle Line cruise around Manhattan and then explore the city on foot. (In addition to the everyone's comments, Bethke14, your visual of sitting in traffic in the heat, sealed it.)

Save the money for four tickets--take them on the Roosevelt Island tram for $2 each instead.

http://wirednewyork.com/guide/roosevelt_island_tram/

OMG the hop on hop off bus is more fun than sliced bread! Say what you want but I've done it a ton (I'm ALWAYS tour guide in Manhattan for friends, family, etc) and it is so much fun!

The night time Brooklyn tour is beautiful.

You'll use subways and public buses - Your feet (and theirs) really won't get you very far.

One problem with the Circle Line cruise is that the final stretch is really pretty boring. The Staten Island ferry is great because it is short, free and provides spectacular views of the lower Manhattan skyline.
A lot of people recommend walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and your kids might enjoy doing that