NY in 1 day

Dave DeAndrea · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008, 03:46 (GMT) Post subject: NY in 1 day

The fam and I are taking a trip soon that will include 1 day in New York. I've never been... we'd like to see some of the tourist things (Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, etc) but would like some suggestions from my east coast Savvy friends. Bear in mind that I've got three kids under 11.

Any ideas are appreciated... thanks!!

Doug Parks · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008, 03:57 (GMT) Post subject:

How about Chuck E Cheese?

Wink

Connie Terwilliger · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008, 04:31 (GMT) Post subject:

How about taking a 5 pound wheel of Brie on the train to Queens?

I did that one trip to New York. We bought the cheese in the morning at Zabar's and then hauled it out to Queen's - subway to (to bus?) to train. The gallery at Queen's College was closed by the time we got there, so we stopped at a Dunkin' Donuts to warm up and headed back to the city before ultimately heading back to Hudson with all that cheese.

No - OK, then hit the Statue of Liberty, the Museum of Art, Central Park, 42nd Street and China Town.

Allison Scussel · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008, 04:36 (GMT) Post subject:

Hey Dave!! I'm born & bred in North Jersey and didn't become a "tourist" in NYC until years after I moved away. I went to college in NYC, and even worked for VIACOM many yrs ago at 43rd and Broadway, but the whole touristy thing didn't hit me until yrs later.

I venture into the city many times a year. Folks from Jersey know that we refer Manhatten as "the city." Here are some tips I can give you for your family:

1) When visiting the Empire State Building, get there before 8:30am!! If you get there afterward, you'll be online for many hours.

2) When visiting the Statue of Liberty from midtown, take the subway all the way to the Circle Line Ferry. Enjoy the Statue of Liberty for as long as possible. I grew up 12 miles from Jersey City NJ and didn't see the statue until I was 37 yrs old! Take lots of pictures.

3) Get daily subway passes for your wife and kids. The NYC subway is alot easier than it seems. It's also cheaper to get a daily pass for the whole family rather than pay seperately each time you get on/off the subway. Get a map of NYC before you arrive.

4) I don't condone taking a cab, but avoid using them when ever possible. The meter keeps ticking when you're stuck in traffic. Walking from 35th street to 50th street isn't that far. However; walking from 3rd ave to 9th ave can be a nightmare. Get a map before you venture into the city. Wear comfortable shoes.

5) You must take the kids to TOYS R US at Times Square.

6) FOOD: NYC is full of culture. Many of the restaurants are to die for and worth eating in. Be prepared though. They can be pricey. Read the menues outside before you venture inside. Some of the best restaurants are rather inexpensive. You have to shop around before you venture inside to eat.

7) Staten Island Ferry is free. That doesn't mean you have to get off the boat either. You can ride the S.I. ferry, enjoy the Hudson River, and it won't cost U a thing. There's not much to see in Staten Island except the garbage barge. LOL Laughing

These are only my 2c, but I'm sure you'll get great advice from others here. Enjoy NYC!! I know you'll have a blast. St Patrick's Cathredral, The NBC Rainbow Room, Radio City Music Hall, are just a few great places to visit. A friend of mine works for Conan O'Brien at Rock-a-fella Center, but since you have the kids, getting tickets for Conan might not be in your best interest. But if you think otherwise, let me know and I'll see what I can do for you.

Have fun!! New York is the best city in the east.

~Allison~

Claire Dodin · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008, 08:08 (GMT) Post subject:

If you can, go and see "little Mermaid" or "Lion King" on Broadway, the kids will still talk about it in 10 years time, they'll love it! (however, check the age limit as it may be a bit scary for the very little ones)
And I promise you that you will love the shows too!
Very Happy

Lee Gordon · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008, 08:21 (GMT) Post subject:

I think a visit to Grand Central Terminal is worthwhile, even if you don't plan to take a train ride. And you might want to visit the Museum of Natural History. Kids & dinosaurs -- an ideal combo.

If you're spending only one day in NY, where else might your east coast travels be taking you? Any chance you'll be venturing into CT?

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008, 10:04 (GMT) Post subject:

Connie, that's absurdly wonderful. So I'm guessing you have mental note to self: "do Zabar's last next time..." no?

Sounds like a Seinfeld epi.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008, 10:34 (GMT) Post subject:

Good Lord, Gang... Dave only has ONE day there! Which as we all know, is about 1/10th of the amount of time he really needs.

I agree that seeing Lion King or Little Mermaid on Broadway would be incredible (I saw Lion King from dead center, about 5th row, and still remember it some 3-4 years later), but besides the astronomical cost is the fact that you probably have to try to get tickets months in advance.

I also am in total agreement with Allison that you DO want to try to take the subway anywhere you can, then get off and walk. It's a GREAT way to see the city, but you MUST have a map, study it beforehand and study the rail lines and know where you need to get off and on and transfer.

Also agree with the visit to Toys R Us in Times Square. Virgin Records is a cool place to pop into, also, for the adults.

Diane Havens · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008, 11:00 (GMT) Post subject:

Three kids under 11 in New York City!!!! IN ONE DAY???

God bless you.

That being said, I think The Museum of Natural History would be tops on my lists of kid-friendly things to do. But in one day, I doubt you can do too much more with your sanity intact. Broadway area is also a must see, even if you can't take in a show. Of course, they'll love the toy stores. I found when traveling with my son, the simplest things would catch his attention. Just the architecture and the often overwhelming energy of the city (not to mention its cast of characters) would be more than entertainment enough.

Scott Paxton · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008, 11:51 (GMT) Post subject:

Caryn Clark · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008, 12:26 (GMT) Post subject:

I love Cash Cab too!

When I lived in the city, I always had visitors, and we ended up doing the touristy things.

Spots like Ellis Island (which really is very interesting) and the Statue of Liberty are sort of all day affairs. Ok, maybe not ALL day, but they'll take up a good part of the day. And, to me anyway, once you're done with one of those, you're just plum tired.

Personally, when I had folks visit, one of the most fun things to do was take the tour of NBC studios at Rockefeller Center. At that time, you got to see the sets of various shows, including SNL, and do some other really fun things and learn some cool things. And, inevitably, you'll see some tv folks walking around.

St. Patrick's Cathedral is right across the street, and is truly stunning, if you're into that kind of thing.

And, my personal preference for the kiddies is FAO Schwartz. That's also not too far of a walk from Rockefeller Center. And what a cool place. I actually used to work in that building and when I wanted a break, I would go down to FAO to their candy store and buy swedish fish. Oh, the memories!!!

I hope you have a great time, no matter what you do!! NYC is a fun place!

Edited to add: YES, the Museum of Natural History is really fabulous too... and right next to Central Park.

Dave DeAndrea · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008, 12:33 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions... I totally forgot about the big toy stores!

Any thoughts on taking one of those double decker bus tours?

Scott Pollak · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008, 12:35 (GMT) Post subject:

Caryn Clark · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008, 12:37 (GMT) Post subject:

Never did one, so I can't say. If it were me and I only had a day, I'd stay in the mid-town/Rock Center/lower Central Park area and just walk around to see what I wanted to see.

But that's me... I'm lazy. Smile

Dave DeAndrea · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008, 12:46 (GMT) Post subject: