NYC Newlywed
Still basking in the post-Disneymoon glow
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2013
Happy Spring!
I have been planning at family trip to NYC for this June; cast will most likely include myself, DS, DD and her Dboyfriend. I have been doing much research and checking out lots of information on TripAdvisor (I LOVE TripAdvisor!). After re-working a few things, I have an itinerary I'd love some natives from NYC to check out and comment on, if you have the time.
We are driving from Illinois and I currently have reservations (AAA)at the TRYP hotel which is on W. 34th Street and 9th Ave. (Watching for other bargains on TravelZoo). I know we will be paying $40/day to park with the hotel. I plan to get a subway pass. I also have already purchased tickets for the Lion King, so that activity is set without wiggle room.
My itinerary is below. I understand the Statue of Liberty is closed until July due to Sandy; can you tell me if she has also interfered with any of the locations below? My plan was also to get a CityPass; I know there are several types of passes, but this seemed the best for our plans. Some days may be switched due to weather. Are there any activities that should/shouldn't be done on the weekends vs. week days? Any comments on anything are welcome. Thanks!
*Friday 6/14:Arrive from Illinois around 7pm EST (how crazy will traffic be? This is the one thing that scares this mid-western girl!)
*Saturday: ToTR, Library, Grand Central Station (lunch), possibly a museum, Harbor Cruise
*Sunday: Chinatown, Scott's Pizza Tour, Little Italy, Improve at Upright Citizens Brigade at 7:30pm
* Monday: ESB, 9/11 Memorial/St. Paul's Chapel, Wall Street/Trinity Church, ESB after dark
*Tuesday: Central Park (picnic lunch from Zabar's Deli), Museum, Dylan's Candy Bar, Carmine's for dinner/The Lion King
*Wednesday: Intrepid Museum, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge/eat/walk around and back across the bridge
*Thursday: Drive home
I thought about possibly switching Saturday with Monday so we wouldn't have two later nights in a row (ESB after 10pm--City Pass--Monday night, then the Lion King on Tuesday night), also, would it be better to go to Wall Street and such on a weekend? I may try to get tickets to Jimmy Fallon, but my son will be 2 weeks shy of his 16th birthday so I am going to ask when I call if he will make the cut or not.
Thanks for any suggestions you can offer!
I would echo the recommendations to park outside of the city if you can manage it; the PATH is so easy (I work in Hoboken and take it everyday) and it will take you to very near your hotel. Plus, since you're staying in midtown, the traffic is even busier there.
Like Disney, you just can't do EVERYTHING in New York in one trip, and I think you have a great cross-section of things to see. The Lion King is...there isn't a word for it. I've seen it twice and cried both times. Er... anyway.
I recommend doing Top of the Rock and skipping going up Empire State Building all together. The view from ToTR is so much better; you can go around all sides, see the park, and see the Empire State (which you can't while you're on it).
Take some time to check out Times Square while you're there for the Lion King. It's crowded and annoying, but also super cool at night with the lights and everything.
On the night you get here (and it may be a given), just take some time to walk around and soak up the atmosphere; check out some architecture, people-watch, look at all the crazy food options. I live in midtown about 20 blocks from where you're staying and it's such a cool area, especially in the summer.
Have fun!!!