1st Visit to New York & Yes I am a Tourist

[irv]

We will be in NYC from 24/8 to 2/9 for our first visit. I have booked Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour, Statue Crown Tickets and One World Centre tickets in advance. Is it necessary to book Empire State, 9/11 Museum and Rockefeller Centre in advance or simply turn up there. I note this is still in the summer holiday period.

Thanks in advance.

 

[JohnPhelan]

Lines for 9/11 Museum are long, and there are two of them - one to buy tickets; the second to get through security. I'd recommend buying online, then you only have to queue once.

With Top of the Rock and Empire State, do it on the day - and the earlier you go, the better.

Also consider a Circle Line loop cruise around the whole island of Manhattan - takes about 3 hours.

 

[Spongbob]

Lines for 9/11 Museum are long, and there are two of them - one to buy tickets; the second to get through security. I'd recommend buying online, then you only have to queue once.

With Top of the Rock and Empire State, do it on the day - and the earlier you go, the better.

Also consider a Circle Line loop cruise around the whole island of Manhattan - takes about 3 hours.

The queue (lines) for Top of the Rock and ESB can be long and take 1-2 hours, but quicker if you already have a ticket or pass. The Circle Line loop cruise is wonderful, and best done in the afternoon to catch the setting sun.

 

[samiam]

As touristy as it sounds, also consider booking the two day hop on/hop off bus pass... it's a loooong walk from one end of Manhattan to the other, and using this bus will get you to areas which you might not otherwise have time to visit, e.g. Harlem, East Village etc.

No trip to NYC is complete without a trip to Macy's Times Square... the size and variety of the store has to be believed - make sure you register for a visitor discount card at the customer service desk for (IIRC) a 10% discount on shopping.

Allow a good day (or a couple of half days) to explore Central Park - it's a lot larger than you can imagine - hire a bike or take a horse and carriage ride.

Check out the Union Square Green (Farmers') Market.

If you are into shows, discount tickets can be purchased at TKTS, Times Square - the latest shows won't be available. To avoid queues at Times Square, there is another TKTS outlet at South Street Seaport (you can go there via the hop on/hop off bus).

If you have kids, or are a big kid at heart, check out the FAO Schwarz toy store and muppet workshop.

Explore the meat packing district and take a walk on the High Line.

Weather can be inclement at that time of year, so don't be disappointed if there's the odd, but brief, downpour.

 

[phily]

If you have kids, or are a big kid at heart, check out the FAO Schwarz toy store and muppet workshop.

Sadly, the FAO Schwarz store is closing sometime next month. I've been lucky to have been there a couple of times. Apple will be moving there temporarily from their main 5th Avenue store while it's being renovated.

 

[Julesmac]

I'd recommend a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art - particular the American Art wing. Finish your visit with a drink on the Terrace of the sculpture garden - it's right on the edge of Central Park and affords a lovely view just above the tree line. The Natural History Museum is really cool. Some of the NY delis - most actually - and food stores are really interesting, eg Zabar's on the Upper West Side. Fairways also up there is fascinating and these are great if you want to buy stuff for self catering - who knew there were so many varieties of smoked salmon in the world....I'd echo the recommendations on the Circle Line ferry. The Bronx Zoo is fun, as is walking/running/cycling across the Brooklyn Bridge

 

[drron]

If you are into shopping I prefer Lord and Taylors on 5th Ave over the larger Macys. It has the same stuff, prices are better IMO and you can also get the 10% discount or even better with their coupons. It has less crowds, a great little coffee shop when you need a rest and super clean restrooms.
Sad about FAO - we were there last month, had to go in for one last time !

mrs.dr.ron posting on Rons computer

 

[Hvr]

If you're a Seinfeld fan then a visit to Tom's restaurant is a must. They love tourists, especially from Australia.

And the soup naz_ shop does have awesome soup.

Re tickets for Empire State building etc there are often vendors in the street with red or blue jackets selling tickets from their little machines that let you bypass the queues. You occasionally get a free ticket to a cruise or something else.

Loved the Hi-Line as previously mentioned.

The Staten Island ferry is free and you go fairly near the Statue of Liberty, definitely worth a look.

The Guggenheim New York is another must visit.

Ride the subway, it is an experience that is so New York.

The charging bull (aka Wall St bull) is worth a quick visit. Even if just to watch the women rubbing its er manhood.

Center st is the court district and if you've ever watched Law and Order you'll know the scenes of the court room steps.

Frankly the city is so large and diverse that you can spend years there and not see everything. I love it and am looking forward to my next visit in October.

 

[stoneman]

Enjoying the tips! Subscribed!

 

[irv]

The queue (lines) for Top of the Rock and ESB can be long and take 1-2 hours, but quicker if you already have a ticket or pass. The Circle Line loop cruise is wonderful, and best done in the afternoon to catch the setting sun.

Well I booked 9/11 and Circle Line trip today, will probably book ESB & Rockefeller before we arrive in NYC. For the others most are on the list but with only 10 days I know there is a lot we won't get to see. Thanks all for the advice.

 

[get me outta here]

Having just had 13 days in NYC and eaten great food but still managed to lose a couple of kgs with all the walking, I have decided to return for a month or so to see all places, theatre and musicals etc on my list that I didn't have time for. Assuming I can get flights and accommodation.

So if anyone hears of an apartment sitting job please send them my way. I stayed in the LES and Chelsea and thoroughly enjoyed both locations, but for the right price, I'm 'easy' on where to stay next.

 

[Nizar]

I was in New York in April for the first time also.

Avoid Empire State Building (ESB) the view at the top is a joke compared to the Rockefeller Center "top of the rock" (TOTR).
With ESB we experienced about a 3 hour queue only to experience a grid like view when we finally got to the very crowded observation deck.
TOTR you buy the ticket then come back at your alloted time and you are straight up to the top taking in the magnificent view.

Also the view is better from TOTR because:
-You're higher up, about 20 storeys higher than the ESB
-You get the view of the ESB which is an iconic part of the Manhattan skyline.

I told myself and my wife that we must make sure to tell everyone we know going to New York to not waste their time with the ESB.
You are the first one to be warned. We wished someone had warned us !!

Also for Statue of Liberty if you want to go up to the crown or to the pedestal, you need to book several months in advanced. You can book online just google.
DO THIS NOW.

Enjoy New York. A week for us was not enough. It was the highlight of our trip and that's saying alot considering we took in Hong Kong, Istanbul, San Francisco, Miami, Los Angeles, and Fiji.

 

[clazman]

Would see the statue of liberty by boat, but not worth getting off onto the isalnd

Day trip to west point is worth while, by bus next to time square

Get to a baseball game

 

[irv]

I was in New York in April for the first time also.

Avoid Empire State Building (ESB) the view at the top is a joke compared to the Rockefeller Center "top of the rock" (TOTR).
With ESB we experienced about a 3 hour queue only to experience a grid like view when we finally got to the very crowded observation deck.
TOTR you buy the ticket then come back at your alloted time and you are straight up to the top taking in the magnificent view.

Also the view is better from TOTR because:
-You're higher up, about 20 storeys higher than the ESB
-You get the view of the ESB which is an iconic part of the Manhattan skyline.

I told myself and my wife that we must make sure to tell everyone we know going to New York to not waste their time with the ESB.
You are the first one to be warned. We wished someone had warned us !!

Also for Statue of Liberty if you want to go up to the crown or to the pedestal, you need to book several months in advanced. You can book online just google.
DO THIS NOW.

Enjoy New York. A week for us was not enough. It was the highlight of our trip and that's saying alot considering we took in Hong Kong, Istanbul, San Francisco, Miami, Los Angeles, and Fiji.

Thank you for your input, notwithstanding your comments on ESB we are definitely going, will make my own opinion after the experience. We will also do TOTR and booked into one world, so 3 experiences of looking down on NYC from above. Crown pedestal booked long ago. Can anyone advise me on a day trip to Boston, could not wrangle the trip to stay there but would like to take an early train there and a late train back.

 

[Nizar]

Thank you for your input, notwithstanding your comments on ESB we are definitely going, will make my own opinion after the experience. We will also do TOTR and booked into one world, so 3 experiences of looking down on NYC from above. Crown pedestal booked long ago. Can anyone advise me on a day trip to Boston, could not wrangle the trip to stay there but would like to take an early train there and a late train back.

That's ok, horses for courses, you might love it ! Hope you do !

One WTC was not yet open when we were there but it offers a difference vantage point to ESB/TOTR which is quite similar in their midtown locations.
911 Museum also worth visiting, its bang on at the One WTC site so you probably won't miss it.

Great food in NYC and its a great city for walking/jogging, I often did my morning run to Central Park and back (I was staying in the West Village). Alot of good restaurants/cafes around that area (West Village, Chelsea, Greenwich Village). Chelsea markets worth seeing.

Not sure about Boston, we didn't go there.

 

[amaroo]

ESB as Xmas ticked over - great memories for the kids ... and us.

 

[Julesmac]

We trained it to Boston, easy trip. Boston's a lovely spot; easy to walk & lots of interesting historical spots (the harbour- site of the Tea Party), Harvard, Boston Common, great shopping in Newbury St; Commonwealth Ave & the Back Bay area are gorgeous; of course if you are a Cheers fan you can visit the bar but unless it's high on your bucket list I probably would not bother.

We always try to do a half day bus sightseeing tour when we first arrive in a city as it's good to get an overview of the main sights. I feel it's a mistake to try and cram intoo much as it all becomes a bit of a blur.

You will love NYC I've been there three times ( stayed a month once) and there's still so much I haven't seen! Have a ball

 

[jastel]

Not sure of your budget but a chopper flight over the city was a highlight for me. Weather was perfect so I got lucky.
Just walk around...there is something interesting everywhere...wether its world famous, or you have seen it in a movie or its just weird graffiti.
I spent a whole day around Central Park, lots of statues etc.

 

[clazman]

.
I spent a whole day around Central Park, lots of statues etc.

Same here, enjoyed the street performers

 

[Julesmac]

We too enjoyed our helicopter flight. Enjoyed it even more when the next day's flight fell into the water. Yikes