Random NYC trip questions
 

1. We want to walk the Brooklyn Bridge toward Manhattan. Did anyone feel like it was scary? I mean the height? Or is it a solid type surface without holes looking down? We will have our 10 year old with us and don't want her to freak out half way across.

2. We will be driving back to Newark airport area rental car lot to drop off car from Pine Bush, NY. I want to schedule car service to pick us up and deliver us to hotel in Manhattan. Do I guesstimate time of arrival or wait until we get there to call?

3. If we only have half of one day for a museum, which should it be? I think too much art would get boring for girls. Natural History? Does the MET have all the artifacts from Egypt, etc? (sorry for my ignorance) We are planning to go to Brooklyn Botanical Garden, is the Brooklyn Museum worth the time?

4. Should I buy each person a Metro Card or could we share 2? I noticed it said that if we put over $10 on each, you get a little bit of bonus.

Thanks everyone!

1. I'm scared of heights and bridges, but I walked across the BB without a problem. Loved it.

2. Don't know.

3. The Met has arms & armor, and an extensive Egyptian collection. Also Tiffany and the American wing are great -- not just "art" as in paintings hanging on a wall. That would be my choice, although the AMNH is fantastic as well.

4. I am under the impression that up to 4 people can share one metro card if it's the pay-as-you-go kind. Each person has to have their own if its the unlimited kind.

1. The pedestrian walkway is a boardwalk, but you are above the car traffic. It's pretty solid but if you have a child who freaks out easily I'm not sure this is a good thing. Instead try walking halfway out from the Manhatten side. Much easier and faster. Same view. The walk from Brooklyn is over a mile, another consideration.

2. Make a reservation for the car service with your best guess at the time. Get back over to the baggage claim level of the terminal and then call for the actual pickup. A car will be dispatched in a few minutes.

3. The Met has a wide range of stuff including a giant Egyptian exhibit. If you get bored its also within proximity of many other sights and museums. But the Natural History museum does have an IMAX theater and a great planetarium show (though they both cost extra).

4. If its one adult and one child, you can easily share a single card, but you have to swipe twice everywhere. Two adults should get their own cards.

Four people can share a single card but that is a huge pain for both you and NYC commuters.

Take a look at the bridge walkway photos on the interwebs:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/br...bridge/?page=2

I see kids on the walk all the time, but if your child is afraid of heights, than I'm not the best judge of how appropriate it is. The photos might tell you more. The ground is solid concrete, no holes.

The subway, the noise and the cars might be an issue, but that's the full on NY experience.

One thing you could mention is that the BB is the sight of many comic superhero fights in the movies.

And the bonus on a $10 card is 70 cents. It's not worth the effort. Too bad they got rid of the one day pass - that was perfect for visitors.

The Brooklyn Museum has a wonderful Egyptology Department otherwise it is the poor sister of the better Manhattan museums.

A few yaers ago, it was the object of much criticsm in the art world for its poor exhibitions and choices for their permanent collection.

"The ground is solid concrete, no holes."

That is true for part of the walk, but the majority of the walk is on a wooden boardwalk as doug described. Yes, if you really, really try hard there are points where you can see between the wooden boards and see water, but you really really have to be looking for it. The walkway is between the lanes of traffic and elevated from traffic level. There is so much to see around you--the view, the structure-- that I don't think you should be concerned. My 7- and 9-year-old nephews walked across without a concern about the height, and one of them is usually concerned about such things.

The bonus IS worth the effort if you put a lot more than $10 on the card, which I assume you will do if you have 2 or 4 people sharing, since $10 will get you only 4 rides and $1 change. But, yes, in order to get the bonus of a full $2.25 fare, you need to put at least $32 on the MetroCard. May or may not be good for you.

With kids I would start with natural history - which has all the dinos you could ever want to see, a wonderful gems/minerals exhibit and an incredible human evolution presentation. Also IMAX movies.

I think the Met is also great for almost everyone - but I've been going since I was a small child - and remember my 5 year old brother trying to get into one of the sarcophagi - since he wanted to being home his own mummy. Also look at the Temple of Dendur, arms & armor, the Costume Institute and the Impressionist paintings (about as accessible as art can get).

BUT - you could easily spend several days in either place so definitely go to the websites and pick out what you want to see in advance - and how to get there - which floors you need to be on.

ok, why go to Brooklyn but not take the kids to Coney Island? huh? Kids usually dont go for modern or impressionism art; but do for rides.

DO NOT share with 4 adults! I've seen cops give tickets for double dipping. Do get $10 each; then when they run out just combine left overs unto single card.
Also, you have 2 hours for a free bus to subway transfer.

It's not double-dipping -- sharing is permitted on a card that deducts per ride. (and an unlimited ride card gets locked out after each use for something like 18 minutes)

POMAH, most "modern" kids who have grown up at Disney World, Universal, etc., find Coney Island very, very "lame". How sad to take kids away from the glorious sites and wonderful museums of New York City so that what they remember is that "run down park with lame rides". If the 10 year old has never been to a real theme park, then perhaps he'd be fascinated.

1. Good answers above.

2. Do you need a car service? A taxi will also make the trip and you need not worry about timing.

3. With a ten year old, I would absolutely pick Natural History over the Met. I love them both, but the NH is a better choice for this outing. What about adding the Brooklyn Zoo to your Brooklyn excursion?

4. I agree, 3 or 4 cards work much better and add the benefit of bus transfers for all.

TC, taxis from EWR into Manhattan are significantly more expensive than a car service. It will cost the OP at least $30 more that way. So not a good choice.

Everyone gets a bus transfer even if they are sharing a card. In the bus you actually only have to swipe once when you are receiving a subway to bus transfer. All the transfers are recorded at the same time.

Every car service I've ever used tracks the flights and knows when to show up at the airport. It's their problem, not yours.

You might consider the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. They have a spectacular display now through October 21st on Monet's Gardens. http://www.nybg.org/ Take Metro North from Grand Central -- twenty minutes.

Sorry if I misinformed. Doesn't the OP say she is "driving" to Newark rental car lot? I thought they were worried about making an arranged time schedule. Just thought of taxi as a no-hassle alternative even if the cost is slightly more. Car service will charge extra for wait time if they are late arriving in their rental car, so cost could be the same or even less.

Didn't know about the bus transfer, Doug. I thought it was somehow linked to the card. I do agree that swiping 4 times at each entrance is a big pain, though.

My fault for stopping at "airport"!

<<<I do agree that swiping 4 times at each entrance is a big pain, though>>>

Me three. I also don't see the point, but I didn't want people to think you were doing something illegal :-)

the walk is fantastic, safe and not a problem... may be very hot however.. go late in afternoon??

most car services will charge a few for wait time

s/b a "fee for wait time"