My 20 yr old daughter and I are scheduled to arrive off a cross-country redeye at JFK this Sunday at 7:30am. We would appreciate suggestions for the best way to get to mid-town Manhatten (taxi or bus?), suggestions on what to do before checking into our hotel, the Residence Inn Times Square.
Looking forward to our first time visit to NYC!

After a redeye, either book a car service (Tel-Aviv or Carmel) or hop a cab and have them take you to your hotel.

I wouldn't want to use a bus or shuttle.

Your room may be available for you.

I'd dump your luggage off at the hotel (they will check your luggage if the room isn't ready) and just wander around Times Square.

GoTravel has given you the best advice. No further comments necessary.

Except there's no need to "wander around Times Square" if your room is not ready (and it may not be available until 3 o'clock).

The Metropolitan Museum of Art opens at 9:30am on Sundays; the American Museum of Natural History opens at 10:00.

www.metmuseum.org
www.amnh.org

Or, if the weather is cooperating, you can walk north, up Broadway, to Central Park.

Reserve your car service online here:

www.dial7.com

Enjoy NYC!

Agree that either taxi or car service is easiest for a first visit. Go straight to the hotel. They may have your room ready. If not, leave your luggage. Gekko's idea of the Met is a good one. If you don't want to go that far, MOMA is closer to your hotel (walkable) and opens at 10:30am.

If you're looking for some pampering after the flight, Bloomies Nails on
55 st b/w 5th & 6th is one of the few places I know that opens early (9am) on Sunday. You can have man/ped, wax, massage etc.

Thanks to all with the suggestions.
I had no idea the museums would be open early on a Sunday!

Unfortunately the weather isn't expected to be great. High Sunday in the low 40s and WINDY it will be downright cold early Sunday in the shade. With the tall buildings in Manhattan the wind can get funneled in all the wrong directions. Seriously bundle up if you plan to be outside at all. Long coat, hat, scarves, gloves, and layers.

Glad that this thread continued despite the "no further comments necessary" posted above, there have been some very nice suggestions here.

To add to Gekko & Mclaurie's museum ideas, after storing your luggage at the hotel, you could go to the Neue Gallery at 1048 5th avenue at 86th St (if you like German and Austrian) art and you could have a brunch at Cafe Sabarsky (in the museum) the cafe opens at 9 am. It would be a great way to start your visit to NYC. There is an excellent Klee exhibit there now.

I look forward to hearing what others suggest, as I am always adding to my NYC list too!

Enjoy your visit

grab brunch down in Tribeca - probably doesn't start going until around 10:30am/11:00am - but grab the Sunday Times and a bite to eat at Bubby's.

On a recent trip to NYC I went to the costume exhibit at the Cooper-Hewitt on the upper east side. It was fantastic - something I think your daughter would enjoy. The clothing was arranged by color and spanned the years from the 18th century to the present. I don't know when it ends but highly recommend it.

Did you call the hotel and ask of you can check in early? If they aren't too busy, they may be able to do that. I'm sure in any case, they will hold your luggage for you.

The custome exhibit Bidie recommends ends on March 26th.