We will be arriving at Grand Central on a Sunday, leaving Monday afternoon. Staying at the Renaissance in Times Square - mom, dad, 2 teenage daughters. Not planning on any Broadway shows. I need tips for the best way to see everything that we hope to see. Any particular order of visiting these places? How much time?

Times Square - what to see? Would like to eat at Joe Allens.

Empire State Building - already ordered tickets, any sugestions - best time, etc.?

Central Park -walk, ride bikes, how much time should we spend there?

St. Patrick's Cathedral - hope to attend on of the masses.

Rockefeller Center - what points should we see?

Anything in between!?

Plans are to do the Staten Island Ferry on Monday before we leave.

Your suggestions and tips are greatly appreciated!!

Do one of the tours -- Circleline (boat) or Big Apple Greeters (bus).

The only way you could squeeze all that in the little time you have is hop on a tour bus. I've lived here for 5 years and joined my 2 cousins on a bus last summer when they visited me. It was fun.

Phew, I'm tired just reading of your hope-for plans. Before commenting, it would help if you let us know what time you arrive on Sunday and what time you leave on Monday. You should have no problem getting into Joe Allen's on a Sunday or Monday, even without reservations.

The hotel is on the north end of Times Square - exit the hotel and make a right and Times Square will be before you. It would appear you will have to do most of what you want to do on Sunday. Here is how I would do Sunday - if you don't mind doing lots of walking. Start the day in Central Park. It is a 15 minute walk from the hotel. Walk throgh the park winding up on the east side at 5th Avenue. Walk down 5th Ave to St. Patrick's. THen cross the street and you will be in Rockefeller Center. Next continue south on 5th past the New York Public Library to 34th and do the Empire State Building. Next walk one block west to Broadway and if interested stop in at Macy's Department store. THen walk back up to Times Square. If you do this it is a circle route and you will have walked about 3 1/2 miles. You should be back in plenty of time to have dinner at Joe Allens.
On Monday take the train at 49th St and 7th Ave - take the N or R the Whitehall St/south Ferry Station. You will exit close to the Staten Island Ferry. RT on the ferry will take around one hour. When you get to Staten Island don't get off - return on the same ferry. Going to Staten Island stay on the right side for Statue and harbor view. REturning go to the bow for a great view of the skyline. When you get off the ferry walk up Broadway past Trinity Church and Wall St to Ground Zero. If time permits take a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and back or visit Chinatown, Little Italy and SOHO before heading back to the hotel

You'll see alot quickly by taking the Red double-decker buses that tour around and will save your feet as well.
You can get brochures when you leave Grand Central.

TIMEs Square:
You'll be IN times square so you Cant miss that, as for what to do thier? Just try no to get trampled on Saturday!
I recommend eating at Chevy's (8th and 42nd) if like Tex-Mex with a FUN atmosphere and not too overpriced. Its actually off TS a little by 1 block.
If you want to eat IN T.S. itself, personally I like the ESPN zone of all the "Theme" restaurants. THey have a neat arcade on the 3rd floor.

Central Park? Its a great park with everything from biking, to paddle boats to a carousel. Besides that, not much to else to do..personally this would not be my first stop if you dont have much time.

Empire State building can be easily walked to from Times Square. BUT the lines to get to observation deck are usually LONG during the day so go EARLY, I prefer to go LATE myself and see the view on a clear night, lines are pretty short at night. (Food Warning: Manhattan has become Overrun with Houlihans bar&grill in recent years, my opinion of them is pretty LOW because there's almost always something better & more interesting nearby and they aren't a great bargain)

St.Patricks and Rockerfeller Ctr. are essentially adjacent to eachother. In the summer, not a whole lot to do their but shop in the upscale stores around the Center itself, and people watch.

What else to do? If you like to shop, some of the best shopping sites are along madison Avenure between 42 st & 50's.
I you have time and want to venture downtown, take in the South Street Seaport,(pier 17) for the great view, shopping, and restaurants.
HOPE THAT HELPS!
JK

Thanks for all of the great info so far. We will be arriving Sunday, mid-morning by train. Leaving out of Newark airport Monday around 4pm.

Sue,
As a parent with two daughters I strongly suggest the following:

Don't try to schedule everything as if you were on a business trip. You will end up stressed out and unfullfilled.

Do try to pick one or two must haves each day; then slow down and enjoy those, and meander on to the next one. You are more likely to enjoy the things you did and enjoy your time together.

Be spontaneous.

If you feel like jumping on one of the horse and buggies, just do it, and pay the man

Immerse yourself in the city.

Buy a hot dog from a street vendor, walk around the streets, try St. Barts instead of St Pats, and do a kind deed for someone (but stay away from sidewalk merchandise vendors, con men, and 3 card monte dealers).

To: rqf and JKNYer
Thank you for answering all my questions, your suggestions, and offering a great itinerary - exactly what I asked for! We'll give it our best shot, and will love every minute of NYC!

I am not an advocate of the double decker bus but it is okay if you want to do the downtown circuit which takes about 3 hours - You will see much of the city. The cost for four is going to be around $100. You have indicated what you want to see. Using the double decker bus would be a waste of money. If you follow the circuit as outlined by rqf (includes everthing you want to see) and didn't want to walk you could travel by taxi from place to place and the total cost would be less than $25. Walk - there is much you might find interesting since you will be "up close and personal". You can walk from Central Park to St. Patrick's in around 10 minutes or you could take close to an hour - check out the Plaza Hotel, walk into Trump Tower. stop in at the theme retail stores that might interest your children. Check the windows at Tiffany's and Harry Winston jewelry stores or even go in if they are open. WALK, WALK, WALK.

Thanks for your reply, we will be walking! Also have figured out that we can see the Ed Sullivan Theater on our way up Broadway to Central Park. We plan to find lots of things in between.