Won a trip to NYC, what should I do there>?
Jun 19th, 2007, 07:05 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Won a trip to NYC, what should I do there>?
I recently won a trip to NYC from a local radio station. I have never been to NYC and probably will never be able to go back, so I want to make it memorable lol I am staying at the Marriott on Lexington, which seems nice by the website, and I am planning to do the following:
Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, World Trade Center Site, Walk through Greenich Village and Little Italy, Times Square and a view of the Brooklyn Bridge. I am planning to possible take the Harbor Lights Cruise at night. I am only going to be there for about 30 hours total -lol only one day really, arriving tomorrow about 830am and leaving thurs about 430 pm. Does this seems like the best things to do? I am thinking of buying the subway fun pass for 7.00 since this was a last minute thing and I don't have much extra money to spend on transportation.... Any thoughts? I'm open to suggestions
Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, World Trade Center Site, Walk through Greenich Village and Little Italy, Times Square and a view of the Brooklyn Bridge. I am planning to possible take the Harbor Lights Cruise at night. I am only going to be there for about 30 hours total -lol only one day really, arriving tomorrow about 830am and leaving thurs about 430 pm. Does this seems like the best things to do? I am thinking of buying the subway fun pass for 7.00 since this was a last minute thing and I don't have much extra money to spend on transportation.... Any thoughts? I'm open to suggestions
Jun 19th, 2007, 07:36 AM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow - talk about fast turnaround time!! I usually would suggest reading other people's posts on this forum (use the search box), but it sounds like you don't even have time to do much research!
IMO, I'd skip the Empire State Building (ESB): the lines are usually long. I've read good things on this site about the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, which is within (longish) walking distance from your hotel. Both ESB and ToR are open late: the city is beautiful to see late at night. IMO, Times Square is really most worthwhile at night, too: you could do both of these (ToR and TS) together.
Statue of Liberty is another that might not be worth it given your time constraints: lines to board the ferries take a while. Two options are:
- If you want to be on the water, take the commuter Staten Island Ferry across the harbor, then come back. You'll pass between Brooklyn, Governor's Island and the SoL.
- See the SoL from land. The parks at the south end of Manhattan island are good, especially the smaller Wagner park to the east of Bowling Green. You could go to the WTC site, then it's an easy walk south to the tip of the island.
IMO, I'd skip the Empire State Building (ESB): the lines are usually long. I've read good things on this site about the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, which is within (longish) walking distance from your hotel. Both ESB and ToR are open late: the city is beautiful to see late at night. IMO, Times Square is really most worthwhile at night, too: you could do both of these (ToR and TS) together.
Statue of Liberty is another that might not be worth it given your time constraints: lines to board the ferries take a while. Two options are:
- If you want to be on the water, take the commuter Staten Island Ferry across the harbor, then come back. You'll pass between Brooklyn, Governor's Island and the SoL.
- See the SoL from land. The parks at the south end of Manhattan island are good, especially the smaller Wagner park to the east of Bowling Green. You could go to the WTC site, then it's an easy walk south to the tip of the island.
Jun 19th, 2007, 07:54 AM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My itinerary suggestion (use with a map!):
- Leave your bags at your hotel (probably can't check in that early?).
- Your hotel is a few blocks north of Grand Central Terminal. Walk in the same direction as the traffic on Lex (this is heading south). There are some decent fast delis such as Cafe Metro, Europa Cafe, Pax that make things like wraps and fresh fruit cups and muffins, and they're less expensive (and quicker!) than a restaurant in that area.
- Look for the subway entrance on the right side of Lex at about 43rd Street. This will put you on the 4/5/6 lines. Buy your one-day Fun Pass (good idea) and look for the Downtown trains. The 4/5 are express; 6 is local.
- Take the train all the way down to Bowling Green. The subway entrance is in front of the old Customs House, a nice bit of older NY architecture.
- Cross the roadway to Bowling Green. The Staten Island ferry terminal is towards the left; Wagner Park is towards the right.
- When you are done in that area, walk north up Broadway (against traffic), passing the famous bronze bull sculpture and into the financial district. You can detour onto Wall Street to see the stock exchange.
- If you're adventurous, try food from a cart on Wall Street for lunch - they are very popular with workers in the area. There's also a small deli attached to the Starbucks on Wall Street that makes decent sandwiches, or splurge a little at Mangia for upscale carry-away lunch. (There's also plenty of fast food in the area, from McD's to Au Bon Pain.)
- The WTC site is a block over off to the left as you continue up Broadway. Detour over to see it, then head back to Broadway.
- When you get to City Hall Park, cut through or around it to the right. This will put you at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. If you have time/energy, walk on the footpath up onto the span! (At the moment, I'm having difficulty thinking of a good place for a view *of* the bridge that won't put you too far out of your way...)
- From the NE edge of City Hall Park, you can catch the 4/5/6 train Uptown back to your hotel.
- Or, continue north up Centre Street. If there's a bus, take it! About 10 blocks (1/2 mile) later, you will be at Canal Street, the heart of Chinatown. Cross Canal and continue north into Little Italy.
...My brain has stalled. This is a good start.
Look at Google maps for a clear idea of street layouts. And the (unfortunately large but) free Manhattan bus map is a very good resource: ask for one at the token booth when you get on the subway. Unlike the subway map, it's geographically correct, has landmarks on it, and shows both subway and bus. Your one-day pass is good for both; take advantage of buses when you can!
- Leave your bags at your hotel (probably can't check in that early?).
- Your hotel is a few blocks north of Grand Central Terminal. Walk in the same direction as the traffic on Lex (this is heading south). There are some decent fast delis such as Cafe Metro, Europa Cafe, Pax that make things like wraps and fresh fruit cups and muffins, and they're less expensive (and quicker!) than a restaurant in that area.
- Look for the subway entrance on the right side of Lex at about 43rd Street. This will put you on the 4/5/6 lines. Buy your one-day Fun Pass (good idea) and look for the Downtown trains. The 4/5 are express; 6 is local.
- Take the train all the way down to Bowling Green. The subway entrance is in front of the old Customs House, a nice bit of older NY architecture.
- Cross the roadway to Bowling Green. The Staten Island ferry terminal is towards the left; Wagner Park is towards the right.
- When you are done in that area, walk north up Broadway (against traffic), passing the famous bronze bull sculpture and into the financial district. You can detour onto Wall Street to see the stock exchange.
- If you're adventurous, try food from a cart on Wall Street for lunch - they are very popular with workers in the area. There's also a small deli attached to the Starbucks on Wall Street that makes decent sandwiches, or splurge a little at Mangia for upscale carry-away lunch. (There's also plenty of fast food in the area, from McD's to Au Bon Pain.)
- The WTC site is a block over off to the left as you continue up Broadway. Detour over to see it, then head back to Broadway.
- When you get to City Hall Park, cut through or around it to the right. This will put you at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. If you have time/energy, walk on the footpath up onto the span! (At the moment, I'm having difficulty thinking of a good place for a view *of* the bridge that won't put you too far out of your way...)
- From the NE edge of City Hall Park, you can catch the 4/5/6 train Uptown back to your hotel.
- Or, continue north up Centre Street. If there's a bus, take it! About 10 blocks (1/2 mile) later, you will be at Canal Street, the heart of Chinatown. Cross Canal and continue north into Little Italy.
...My brain has stalled. This is a good start.
Look at Google maps for a clear idea of street layouts. And the (unfortunately large but) free Manhattan bus map is a very good resource: ask for one at the token booth when you get on the subway. Unlike the subway map, it's geographically correct, has landmarks on it, and shows both subway and bus. Your one-day pass is good for both; take advantage of buses when you can!
Jun 19th, 2007, 07:57 AM
#4
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Also, it's fairly hot here right now. We're supposed to get "morning thundershowers" tomorrow, but hopefully that won't interfere too much with your plans! The forecast does say "clear skies" for nighttime, when you'll be on your tour and possibly looking for a view from ESB or ToL.
You can buy bottled water from any street vendor cart, drugstore, deli...
You can buy bottled water from any street vendor cart, drugstore, deli...
Jun 19th, 2007, 08:04 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree that to save time, you should skip the ESB, do Top of the Rock instead, and take the rountrip ferry ride to see the Statue, but skip actually getting off and touring it. Otherwise, your list looks good for 30 hours--get a good map, plot a route, and enjoy!
Jun 19th, 2007, 09:30 AM
#6
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Agree - since you time is so liited you want to avoid anyplce you have to spend 2 or 3 hours on line.
Do Top of the Rock (you can get timed tickets in advance - and there are rarely lines) versus the Empire State Building
Don;t even think about the Statue of LIberty - just get a view of it from the (free) Staten Isalnd Ferry - or it wil take the better part of the day
You MUST visit the Met (go to the web site now and pick 2/3 departments you would like best) - to miss it is criminal
Spend 15/20 minutes wandering Times Square (unless you're going to do a show - and you'll see it then)
Wander a real NYC neighborhood in the evening (Greenwich Village or Upper West Side) window and rgular shopping (many places are open until 11 or 12) have dinner in a casuale place and a drink in one or two outdoor cafes
Little Italy is practically extinct and thre is relly nothing to see.
Chinatown is much larger and lively - but really just to have a meal and a little shopping for tschotkes (if you want)
Also - spend a little time in Central Park - either Conservancy Garden, Bethesda Fountain ad Terrace, Strawberry Fields or the small zoo
And most of all - walk - in any neighborhood and just soak up the atmosphere, energy and diversity
Do Top of the Rock (you can get timed tickets in advance - and there are rarely lines) versus the Empire State Building
Don;t even think about the Statue of LIberty - just get a view of it from the (free) Staten Isalnd Ferry - or it wil take the better part of the day
You MUST visit the Met (go to the web site now and pick 2/3 departments you would like best) - to miss it is criminal
Spend 15/20 minutes wandering Times Square (unless you're going to do a show - and you'll see it then)
Wander a real NYC neighborhood in the evening (Greenwich Village or Upper West Side) window and rgular shopping (many places are open until 11 or 12) have dinner in a casuale place and a drink in one or two outdoor cafes
Little Italy is practically extinct and thre is relly nothing to see.
Chinatown is much larger and lively - but really just to have a meal and a little shopping for tschotkes (if you want)
Also - spend a little time in Central Park - either Conservancy Garden, Bethesda Fountain ad Terrace, Strawberry Fields or the small zoo
And most of all - walk - in any neighborhood and just soak up the atmosphere, energy and diversity
Jun 19th, 2007, 09:38 AM
#7
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't sleep.
If you're never going to be in NYC again, I'd go to the ESB, just make sure you get there early.
I always liked the UN myself.
You could spend weeks in NYC and not do everything, so I suggest you do the things you always wanted to do.
If you're never going to be in NYC again, I'd go to the ESB, just make sure you get there early.
I always liked the UN myself.
You could spend weeks in NYC and not do everything, so I suggest you do the things you always wanted to do.
Jun 19th, 2007, 09:46 AM
#8
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks nytraveler - I was trying to get it all in quickly given the short timeframe. You said all the things I forgot!
jodiclark, definitely take the time to soak it in! Spend your time Thursday at Central Park and the Met; the weather is supposed to be better Thurs than Wed. From your hotel, again walk to the subway at Grand Central, then take any train Uptown to 77th or 86th Street. (You also can catch the local 6 train uptown at 51st Street.) When you exit, cross Lexington and walk a few blocks west to the Met (at the edge of the park at about 81st Street).
Also, do walk into Grand Central Terminal proper and look up at the ceiling. It's truly a grand old train station! Look for signs for the Dining Concourse: all the food stalls are satellite versions of local NYC restaurants, so you can have a taste - or sight - without traveling all over town.
jodiclark, definitely take the time to soak it in! Spend your time Thursday at Central Park and the Met; the weather is supposed to be better Thurs than Wed. From your hotel, again walk to the subway at Grand Central, then take any train Uptown to 77th or 86th Street. (You also can catch the local 6 train uptown at 51st Street.) When you exit, cross Lexington and walk a few blocks west to the Met (at the edge of the park at about 81st Street).
Also, do walk into Grand Central Terminal proper and look up at the ceiling. It's truly a grand old train station! Look for signs for the Dining Concourse: all the food stalls are satellite versions of local NYC restaurants, so you can have a taste - or sight - without traveling all over town.
