Hi,
I have an organized a group of 26 women ranging in age between 30-50 years old to travel to New York City and network amongst each other. We all work in the oil and gas industry in Texas and thought it would be fun if we all got to spend time together outside of a work setting. We are all staying at the Waldorf Astoria and will be arriving in NYC in the afternoon of Wednesday, April 9th, and will be departing Friday afternoon, April 11th. Some of these ladies have never been to NYC, so I want to create an itinerary that hits all the big sites. Some sites that have been mentioned to see are as follows: Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Central Park, shopping on 5th Ave., Times Square, Penn Station, Freedom Tower, and the Empire State Building. We have also talked about seeing a broadway show, trying to see a David Letterman show, and taking a boat cruise. The only thing that we have scheduled thus far is taking a private tour of the Nymex. I know there are so many things to see and do in NYC it is just so hard to prioritize and make an itinerary that flows the best. Can anyone provide me with some assistance on an itinerary? Aside from the itinerary, I am also worried about where to eat for dinner. Unfortunately, with such a large group this could be a problem. Does anyone have any suggestions on dinner spots that can hold 26 people? Any kind of assistance that can be provided will be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance for your help!!!

The Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island will consume most of one day.

The Met Museum could appeal to all sorts of different tastes. I would get a guide for Central Park to make it more interesting.

And whatever you do, reserve now, there is always something going on in town.

Not expensive restaurants:
John's Pizza
Carmine's
Jing Fong-You could go during the day for dim sum or at night for a dinner.
Carmine's
Nai-tapas
Call Katz's and see if they can accommodate you.
Turkish Kitchen

There are a number of places if you want more expensive meals.

Thank you IMDonehere for the tip of Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty. I think we can do a boat tour during the day and they will get their "fix" on both places. A definite good call on the guide for Central Park! Maybe we can get rickshaws or a horse and carriage ride. I will look into these restaurants for possible spots for people. I am going to have some restaurant suggestions for people to choose from for the people that want to venture off on their own. I think I am going to suggest Bouchon Bakery for the majority of us to eat at for lunch on the 10th since they are quick, tasty, and centrally located. Overall, I think we need two breakfast, lunch, and dinner spots. Once again for your help! I will continue brainstorming.

Nothing to see at Penn Station. We're you thinking of Grand Central Terminal?

Oh shoot yes. Grand Central.

I suggest you call the concierge at the Waldorf to help you with your group. One idea that may be a big hit is a food tour of an area (maybe Lower East Side or the Village?). They also have those on location movie tours that may be fun if you can get all 26 of you on the same bus.

Three days, o my! I am not a native of NYC but used to visit a few times a year for business. I have spent an entire day in one activity. The Natural History Museum, walking Fifth, Madison and Avenue of the Americas, seeing every inch of Macy's. such a large group will be difficult to co-ordinate, possible have choices and let the group split during the day depending on interest, then meet for dinner. I agree with the comment of using the Concierge, could be your best asset. Some of the best restaurant I have eaten in are small, and not advertised, ask the natives for recommendations. Don't forget the Deli's, Oh the Deli's....are the best.

For Central Park using a horse carriage or rickshaw will prevent you from seeing most - since they are limited to the one rod through the Park. To see most of the park you need to do it on foot - but I would get a guide to show you the parts you are most interested in - no way to see the whole thing.

One important note - you will be doing a LOT of walking. Leave the high heels at home - or just for a B;way show. For touring you need comfy flats - your choice of ballet flats, walking shoes, running shoes etc.

Get ticket to a show NOW - it will be difficult to get that many tickets for any show that isn't about to close.

Do Top of the Rock and not the Empire State Building - which will have lines tremendously long. ToTR you can get advance timed tickets - near sunset is good - to see the city in daytime and at night lit up.

Agree the Met has something for everything. I would look at the website so you can split into groups and each can see what they are most interested in. Especially consider the Costume Institute, Egyptian section, Temple of Dendur, impressionists and The Federal Home section.

And I think you mean Grand Central (near your hotel) not Penn Station. Consider going to the Campbell Apartment (on the mezzanine for a cocktail - great views but big $).

NYTraveler gives some great advice. NYC requires heavy walking so comfortable shoes are imperative.

How are you going to herd 25 folks around? That might be problematic. Have you thought of hiring a mini-bus to do so?

One resto that has private rooms is http://www.marchirestaurant.com/ which serves family style
which might meet your requirements.

For that many people, you might be eligible for group rates for a Broadway show. Check it if and when you call.

While I love Bouchon Bakery, it's not really suitable for 26 people to arrive for lunch. First off, the location at Rockefeller Center is mobbed since it's near the Today Show studios. There's very little seating, and lines almost always extend out the door.

The location in the Time-Warner Center is small and can't accommmodate 26 people arriving at once, and there are only 5 or 6 small tables.

If you want to sit down for lunch on Thursday, there is a Bouchon Cafe at the Time-Warner Center. You can get lunch there for about $25 to $30 per person, but you absolutely need a reservation.

If you want to do one sit-down, then perhaps do that at the cafe in the Time-Warner Center or at Nougatine across the street. It offers an excellent 2-course prix-fixe lunch menu. But make reservations asap. These are absolutely required for so many people. Most restaurants have a group department to deal with that many people and can throw together a prix-fixe menu for you.

I think the idea of breaking off into smaller groups for dinner is a good one. You'll have many more choices, and you could put together a nice list of recommendations. But just encourage everyone to make reservations. Wednesday is a very busy night (people eat out after going to the theater in the afternoon.

OK - this thread is 3 weeks old and the OP hasn't been back recently so not sure if she is still looking -- but I do not see 'three days'

You arrive Wed afternoon so after getting to the Waldorf, checking in and getting 26 ladies 'organized' you really only have that evening to do anything. Then you leave Fri afternoon so not really much you can do on Friday since you'll have to leave for the airport maybe 3 hours before your flight(s). That leaves you ONE FULL DAY, not 3 days.

Agree- it is the classic traveler's miscalculation - it takes 2 night to make one full day.

If people would just write a list they would see that - but it's usually for 10 or 12 days - not one and two possible halves of others.

Janisj and ny traveler - not trying to hijack the op's thread ,but.... We have one night, one full day and part of the next(9 p.m. Flight out of JFK to Dublin). This works out to about dinner and a day and a half, right? We are 4 including a preteen and a teenager. What is your number one recommendation for how to spend the time? I really like to plan ahead to maximize the time, but teenagers can take as long as 26 people as far as organizing them.

My son - would love to see the Guggenheim , and maybe the rock
My daughter- times square, statue of Liberty. I saw this was a full day deal in it's self and a Broadway show.
Me - the Met,
DH - a delicious ,but not overpriced meal, and central park
Clearly, everyone isn't going to be happy.
Maybe- check into hotel which we don't have yet and taxi it to times square. Any food suggestions? I think we get in about 7p.m.
Day 1- external view of the Guggenheim . Son loves the architecture not the art. Central park or Statue of Liberty and then a show.
Half day 2- Central park or the Met.
Is that overly ambitious?

Guggenheim is uptown and right across the street from the Met so I would do it and the Met and central Park on the day you leave - assuming the weather is good. (I don;t see what time of year you are coming).

You need advance tickets for the ferry to the SoL (get them NOW) and to remember this has airline type security - so no large bags or backpacks. You also need to allow at least 4 hours for this - including the lines, ferries to and fro and a little time at the statue. You can see the B;way show that night - but should also get advance tickets to get 4 seats together and the chance for discounts (check out broadwaybox.com to see which shows are discounting and getcodes to use with the regular online seller). Do not use any other sellers unless you want to see a sold out show and spend big $ above ticket price.

Since this trip takes place the day after tomorrow, I'd suggest that the OP really wasn't interested in getting answers here, or else found another source of information she liked better as she has not returned.

It seems a little silly still to be offering specific suggestions to someone who hasn't even returned in SEVEN WEEKS and clearly needs to have the trip pretty well determined by now.

NP: nytraveler is responding to Cjar who asked new questions this morning.

My fault for the confusion. I should have begun a new thread.
Nytraveler- thanks for the specific feedback. I really appreciate help with the game plan. Now if I could just figure out where to stay with four people.

What is your budget? Can you deal with 2 double beds? When will you be here - prices vary tremendously by date.

Ny traveler- We will arrive June 5 around 7 pm., have all of the 6th and then part of the 7th. We would like to keep hotels @$400 or under per night for all four of us . My husband is kind of particular because he travels a bit for work and is a little germ phobic. I have been looking at the midtown area. Is that right for what we want to do? I've found a few things, all outside the desired budget though. I' d appreciate your suggestions. Two doubles wouldn't be ideal, but we could make it work. : ) We would like to be able to stay together.