Overview of New York
 

Hey Everyone:
I'm skipping to the last leg of the trip. What is a good thing to do to get an overview of New York. We'll be staying in the Yonkers area.
I've seen on the Internet that there are cruises, and I'm sure there are bus tours as well. We'll be there for three days.
Thanks!

i am not sure if you mean NYC or New York State

If you mean NYC, look at Circle Line if you want to do a boat tour around the island. They are berthed at 42nd Street on the Hudson.

If you are staying in Yonkers all 3 nights and plan to go into NYC each day, please plan for the commute. You need to check what options are available (bus, train etc) and how often and how late they will take you back to your hotel. Some areas of Yonkers are not very pleasant.

I assume you mean NYC. Yonkers is not part of NYC - and while some areas are fine there are also some areas that are not recommended to stay in.

From there you will have to take either Metro North RR or Express bus (I don't know the cost - but not a city bus) back and forth every day. You should be aware that if you have any evening activities planned getting back to Yonkers can be a PIA (after 10:30 or 11 pm the trains and buses run very rarely - it's not like the NYC subway that runs all the time).

I would not waste time on a tour - you do;t have much and should head straight to what you want to see and do - and do it. If you take the 2 hour Circle line tour it will give you an overview of the outside of the island - but I reco Top of the Rock to get a better overall view - at least of midtown and upper east/west sides - and some of the biggest buildings downtown.

But first - you need a really detailed street map of the city and an updated subway map - since that' by far the easiest way to get around longer distances - once you get into town from Yonkers.

Separetly, not sure why you decided to stay in Yonkers - but assuming it is cost - post info on where you will be so people can comment on safety. Also help you figure out the cost of commuting in and out of the city.

The most popular bus tours are the Grayline hop on/off. But if you're visiting when weather is cold, its not a great idea because the top of the bus where you sit is open. Onboardtours.com has closed heated buses and guides that stay with you. Realnewyorktours.com use subway and walking to get around.

I picked Yonkers off of the map because hubby wants to spend some time in his former neck of the woods - the Bronxville area. I would love to stay in Bronxville, but am afraid it will be too expensive. Any tips on where to stay in that area would be great - especially if the mass transit is good.
Thanks.

Unfortunately picking places off a map when you don't know the area can be tricky
I don't know what hotel/motel you picked, but I don't think there are really any good ones in Yonkers. Mass transit is not really good in any of the suburbs. You can get to NYC like many commuters do, but it will take time and money and the timing may not work well. Don't forget that you have to get from the hotel you pick to the train or bus station, and parking may be a problem for that part.

I think you really need to give this some more thought if you want a smooth trip, If you want to spend a day or so in the suburbs and visit Bronxville, I would stay in a town that is safer and has some things to see. Yes, it will cost more than a side of the road motel in a less desirable town. Tarrytown and Rye are 2 places that have some chain hotels that you might be able to get in your budget using Priceline or Hotwire or some other deals you could dig for.

Staying in Yonkers to visit NYC is also not a great idea as we have mentioned above. You'd be staying someplace not so safe, not scenic, and not convenient. I'm sorry to be so negative, but it's hard for us to see your plans working out the way you want. Please consider some compromises. Perhaps up your hotel budget for a day or 2 and save money by not taking expensive tours of NYC when you can see and do so much on your own for much less. The difference may not be so much (some of the tours suggested can be $50 per person and more) The time you'd save coming to and from the city must be worth something too

The only hotel I know of in Yonkers is the Hampton Inn and it's ok but there's really no good reason to stay there to visit NYC. There are no hotels in Bronxville. If you dont want to stay in Manhattan, at least pick an area on the subway system rather than needing a commuter train. What about Brooklyn or Long Island City?

I can't help on the safety question about Yonkers. And, while I probably wouldn't choose that Yonkers option for staying during a visit to NYC, I will disagree with some previous posters about its convenience. Train service to and from Yonkers is excelllent and frequent. And, it's only about a half hour train ride to the city. Further, there is service to Yonkers from NYC up to just before 2 a.m. daily

While Yonkers is not far from the city on Metro North the trains do NOT run that often at night, Plus if you stay in the city for dinner (and I can;t imagine eating in Yonkers) by the time you're done you may have to wait 30 minutes FOR a rain, then 30 minutes on a train, then find a cab to get you to your hotel - so 1.5 hours from restaurant back to motel.

Trains from Grand Central to Yonkers are every 30 minutes at most and the RT fare is about $20 per person. So for a couple you are paying $40 per day for train plus cabs to and fro the train station (I would NOT walk around in Yonkers after dark.)

IMHO a much better idea to stay in Manhattan if you want to see NYC and one day take a train (or rent a car) to Bronxville and spend a little time there.

Trekking back and forth from Westchester is really a significant waste of time and money - and if you do decide to do it - do NOT stay in Yonkers - which has some serious high crime areas.

I totally agree that the couple might be better off staying in the city. However, since they seem to favor a Yonkers location, let's at least give them realistic information.
The actual cost of the train would be around $14-16. That's assuming they would be coming into the city during commuting hours when the fare is $9 and coming back off-peak when the fare is less.
Fruther, to me, a train running every half hour is a pretty good schedule.

Ooops, I was off by 25 cents. The peak-time one-way cost is $9.25. Off-peak is $7 for a total cost of $16.25.

Buy your ticket on the platform (vending machine). It will cost more if you buy it on the train.

Well everyone has their own perspective. To me, 2 trains an hour is extremely inconvenient - versus just hopping in a cab or waiting 5 minutes for a subway.

And I don't think the OP WANTS to stay in Yonkers - they just picked it at random - thinking it near Bronxville.

It's really too bad you didn't consult this forum before making reservations in Yonkers. Can you change them? So much better to stay in Manhattan and visit Bronxville as a side trip.