A few of us are headed to NY for 2 days (9/16 and 9/17), coming from Hartford. We are staying at a Hilton in Stamford next to the Metro North Station. We are using Hilton Points. We settled on the hotel as a friend's brother is staying there for work for a couple of days before we get there and his room will be paid for. I would rather stay closer but do not have enough Hilton points for a night in the city, Its a 45 minute ride on the train to Grand Central.

We are planning on getting into Grand Central around 9 or 10, maybe earlier. Depends on the drive to the hotel in the morning. May even take Metro North from New Haven to Stamford, drop off our bags at the hotel then back to Metro North. Probably just drive though to the hotel.

Our plan for Wednesday is maybe go to Central Park (lower half near the Zoo - probably go into the zoo for a little while), St Patrick's Cathedral and then Top of the Rock. Then head to Citi Field for the Pirates @ Mets game that night for a 7pm game.

Thursday, head back into Manhattan and do the 2 hour Circle Line Boat tour then the Intrepid tour. We will spend more time in Manhattan then head home.

Depending on how much time we have , we may try to go the Met. Museum of Art or the Natural History Museum.

Is there anything wrong with our plan? Too much? What else could we add? I realize the hotel isn't ideal but it is what it is.

I'd say the only thing wrong with your plan is the long day you have planned on Wed. with a night game. Don't know whether you'll be able to park your car at the Stamford train station. Have you checked that? http://as0.mta.info/mnr/stations/sta...il.cfm?key=226

Our hotel is right next to the Stamford Train Station so we probably will just park at the hotel and walk. I realize that it will be a very long day but I don't see a choice, unless we reverse the 2 days (minus the game).

I have done all these things. The boat tour and the Intrepid are just fine, but I would give proirity to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is one of the great museums of the world. Or, if you are traveling with children, you may want to go to the Museum of Natural History instead.

If you are not up to the overwhelming experience of the Met or the Museum of Natural History, consider visiting the Frick Collection as part of your visit to Central Park. The Frick, at East 70th Streetm is located in one of the few remaining 5th Avenue mansions, and it houses a excellent art collection: http://www.frick.org/

Also, one of our favorite things to do in New York is to walk through its great neighborhoods. You might take the subway to the area of the High Line: http://www.thehighline.org

From there you could meander through Greenwich Village, SoHo, Little Italy, Chinatown, and eventually to the Brooklyn Bridge. This would be an experience you and your traveling companions will remember forever.

HTTY

There are no children (4 adults). The Intrepid is definitely a must as all 4 of us work on Aircraft engines and have wanted to go there for a while. I definitely want to go to the Met but am being outvoted on museums unless its a rainy day. I like the idea of heading over to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Have you checked the time of the trains back to Stamford. If the game starts at 7 you won;t be back in the city until about 11 pm. There appear to be about 3 trains an hour until 1 something - then none until the morning. So - a long day - but I guess you can sleep on the train.

I just want to say that the Central Park Conservancy offers the "Cross-Park Promenade" walking tour at 12 noon (free) on 9/16. I took it last year and I thought it was most excellent.
http://support.centralparknyc.org/si...tail&id=105269

Not sure if it fits into your schedule though.

Yes, I did see that but its no longer than what I just did in San Diego (flying across the country then a 7pm PT game). Hoping its a quick game (given the quality of the 2 teams - anything can happen)

I was able to change the Hotel Situation thankfully. We got rooms at the Hampton Inn Times Square. Makes it much easier for after the Mets game. Each of us bought enough Hilton Points to get the free night.

I'm feeling much better about this plan now. We are probably going to do TOTR, Central Park, maybe the NY Met. Museum of Art (time permitting) etc on the first day then Boat Tour / Intrepid on the 2nd day.

Looks like we are going to skip the Intrepid / boat tour until next summer and go to the NH Museum. I tried for the Met again but was outvoted. We are still planning on the Zoo/ TOTR for the first day, AMNH the second day. If we have time, we will squeeze in some of the Met. We get free admission from work...

Any recommendations for good bars / breweries near our hotel?

I don't think The Hampton is actually IN Times Square, but not far away, and there are TONS of restaurants in the immeidate area. I think there's also a Heartland Brewery in the area now too. If you head up 8th Ave there's a Bubba Gumps Shrimp on I think 44th. If you head over to 8th and 9th Aves you will find more local haunts.

Have a GREAT time.

I meant to put in for more local haunts - less chain types. Probably will try Heartlands but would much rather some local hangouts not far away if at all possible.

The 2 I found via google searches are The Mean Fiddler (on 47th b/w Broadway and 8th) and Emmitt O'Lunneys (on 50th b/w Broadway and 8th). Anyone know anything about these?

I haven't been there in a while and I don't drink beer, bu I think there is a good selection at St. Andrews, 140 West 46th.