Hi-

My husband and I are arriving in NYC this Thur (should be checked into hotel by 3:00) and staying until Tue am. We are staying at the NY Hilton on Ave of Americas. I could really use some guidance on how to map out our days in the city. We are first time visitors, and have tix to Radio City show on Fri the 14th.
These are some of our must dos:
Times Square, Empire State, Chrystler Building, Rock Center, Grand Central, St. Patricks Cathedral, 5th ave shopping, Macy's, FAO, Cental Park (Handsom ride), a short stop at the Met, Chinatown, 2 hr circle line tour (weather permitting) or staten island ferry for view of statue of liberty, soho, Brooklyn Bridge, Canal Street.
I could really use some help on how to organize our days....I feel overwhelmed, and really want to do as much as possible in our time in the city. Thanks so much!
Melody

Chinatown/SoHo/Bklyn Bridge/Canal can all be done together in a day.


St. Pat's/5th Ave/Rock Ctr/FAO/Central Park are all very close.

Macy's/Empire State are close

GCT/Chrysler building are close and could probably be grouped togethe with MAcy's / Emprire State/ Times Square

Mike's given an excellent breakdown of how to group your desired sites. You might want add the new Toys 'R Us in Times Square to your list. It's gonna give FAO Schwartz's Fifth Avenue site some stiff competition!
Since Mike has given you four areas to visit, one a day, and you'll be there five days, you might want to make your stop at the Metropolitan Museum on your arrival day. (PS: It's worth more than a "short stop," especially since this is your first visit.

This has been debated before but "The Met" is the Metropolitan Opera and not the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Which do you mean Melody? If the latter, then that will take a whole day on it's own but beware asking a concierage to get you a cab to "the Met" and ending up at the opera if that's not where you want to go. If you are looking for the opera, I'm not sure how that would fit in. Noticed you said "short stop" so now I'm even more confused. The museum is HUGE!! Tough to have a meaningful short stop.

Hi Melody
Just returned to Orlando from a weekend in NYC. Iam going to post a trip report tonight, it may be of asssitance. Advice from this site was very helful. NYC was GREAT, enjoy. Alex.

Thank you for the info so promptly. The met i was referring to is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. My husband is not a museum buff-so he is appeasing me with a short stop (2-3 hrs or so) Alex-I am in Orlando too, how was the getting through security at MCO? This is my first trip since 9/11...would love to hear your trip report.
Thanks again everyone!! Keep the info coming!
Melody

In that case I would group the museum with Central Park and take a hansom cab ride and stroll through the park and go to the museum and then take a cab back to wherever you're going next.

Hi Melody
Security on Jet Blue was a piece of cake in Orl and JFK. Was at the MM of Art yesterday. Alex.

Here's an itinerary that hit the same spots you did that worked VERY well for us. Right after check in, hit the Circle Line tour. There should be one while it's still light, and it would be fabulous to see the island at sunset and at night with the sparkling lights. I recommend the 90-minute tour, not the one that goes all the way around the island, this time of year. It's a great way to get a vista of the whole city and get excited about your visit. It was a thrilling kick-off for us. When you're back at the dock, take one of the Circle line buses right to the heart of Times Square and hop out and WOW! Now you know you're in New York, right in the center of the universe. Find dinner somewhere in the area, and back to your hotel and collapse.

Friday start at St. Patrick's or FAO Schwarz and work your way down 5th Avenue -- you'll pass the Chrylser Building (there's no tour, just look at it), Rockefeller Center, Grand Central, tons of shopping, and end up at Empire. Back to your hotel to get ready for your show.

Saturday you might check out Soho, the Village, etc ... hope the weather's good for you.

Sunday reserve for Central Park and the Met, the whole day, carriage ride and all. What a treat.

Monday, go back and see whatever you wanted to see more of.

We did everything on your list in three days and it was possible and wonderful, and I don't think we shortchanged anything.

And you can enjoy a visit to the Met in 2-3 hours. Nothing in depth but eye candy and thrills nonetheless.

Can I go with you?

Hi,
I don't know how important FAO is to you, but last week the line to get in was 2 hours long. Not worth the wait IMO. Check FAO, if the line is too long, just head south down Fifth and enjoy some of the holiday windows - Bergdorf's, Tiffany, Bendel, and further down close to Rock Center & St. Patrick's - Sak's & Lord & Taylor (L & T's windows are spectacular). Also, make note, your timing could be really thrown off by pre-holiday traffic and crowds. There are times when you will be forced to walk, getting a cab may be next to impossible (hrs between 4 & 5 pm are the worst because of the shift change). You may also encounter long lines for ticket purchase & security at many of the tourist attractions. So, wear comfortable shoes, allow some extra time, & don't make yourself crazy. Step back, take a deep breath, and enjoy the atmosphere. Whatever you miss this week, you will see next time.

Hi Melody just did my trip post. Would highly suggest the Circle Line 90 minute cruise, located at Pier 83& west 42nd st.$20 10Am was good for us, helped get our bearing of the city. I went Sat AM, was chilly but very enjoyable. You should be their about 9:15-9:30 to get a good seat. Sugg.you sit up top on rear of boat.(weather perm)to get a good aerial view. Excellent view of Ground Zero and much more.Circle Line trip is narrated by a 3rd generation New Yorker (knows everything) boat goes very close to Statue of Liberty. IF you take it you can skip the Staten Isl Ferry. If your Hub likes ships next to circle is an Aircraft Carrier loated with aircraft even a Black Bird, Dest, and Sub. Regarding the museums we spent about 2 hr at both Natural History, its just across Central Park from Met. (20 min walk) but sugg you take a taxi ($6.00 incld tip) and save your feet for the Museum. (he might like that more) have a full size whale, ocean life and much more, their web site for a floor lay out is www.amnh.org Met Mus of Art.(can't find their site) Could have spent all day in Egyptian area but saw picasso and Van Gogh's,Greek and Roman Art, get a floor plan and walk quickly (to see a lot) there are people to assist you through out, don't hesitate to ask how to find a particular as it can be very confusing, its a very large place but very enjoyable and fun. Oh, taxi's are the means of travel, just stand at the curb and hold your hand up high. Rides start at $2. From your Hotel to Circle Line about $6 incld tip but I always tip high. Ask ? I'll try and help. You'll enjoy your trip, just let it happen. We felt very safe there.
Alex

Just wanted to mention, that the aircraft carrier is the Intrepid-it is a museum and you can go aboard and take a tour..everybody likes that!

While you are in the lower Manhattan, Greenwich Village, City Hall area, make sure you walk through the Little Italy section. Great restaurants, small espresso and pastery shops, interesting shops. Also, you may want to consider the museum of Natural History/Planeterium (sp?). Extremely interesting.

Propbably too late but....
We were in NY a few weeks ago.
Decided to skip MoMA and spent a few hours at the Frick mansion. Fifth and 70th (on the way to the Met Musium). Good few hours. Not just the art but the setting in his home and how the renovations were planned to house the works. Interesting.
Also, they say 1 minute walk for each street and 2-3 for each Ave. The walking time is quite fast for 10-20 blocks.
However, we were tired and sore at the end of each day.