Another New York City thread, I need some help!

[disneypharm]

We will be going to New York City in about 10 days. There are 4 of us, me, DH, and DDs 15 and 12. I have some questions. I appreciate any suggestions you can give about our schedule below.

1- I have read that some museums in NYC have mainly recommended pricing, so you can pay whatever you want. Is that true? We were planning to see Museum of Modern Art, American Museum of natural history, and Metropolitan museum of art. Are they all optional amounts?

2- Is the NY pass worth it? It is about $155 per person. We would like to see the above museums, ESB, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Top of the rock and Rockefeller Center, and NBC studio tour.

3 - We will be staying at a hotel on 37th and Lexington, so with the itinerary we have below, is the 7-day unlimited Metrocard worth it?

DAY ONE – Monday July 1st
Arrive at 4:15 pm. Check in to the hotel around 6:00 pm.
Walk to Grand Central Station - Free, eat dinner
Get a Metrocard, 7-day unlimited.
Time square, look for Broadway tickets

DAY TWO – Tuesday July 2nd
Lower Manhattan
10:30pm 9/11 Memorial- $8 fees for 4 people (we have tickets).
Financial district- Free
Trinity Church - Free
Statue of Liberty (Staten Island Cruise)- Free
Chinatown, Little Italy - Free
Greenwich Village ?? - Free
A Broadway show ??

DAY THREE – Wednesday July 3rd
Midtown
Empire state Building ($102 for 4)
Top of the rock and Rockefeller Center ($152 for 4)
NBC studio tour ($93 for 4)
Museum of Modern Art
American Museum of natural history (Uptown - suggested admission prices $68)
A Broadway show ???

DAY FOUR – Thursday July 4th
Central Park- Free - Rent bikes ???
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum ($117 for 4)
Ripley's Believe it or Not!
Metropolitan museum of art (suggested admission prices $75)
Carmine's for dinner ??
See July 4th Macy’s fireworks from the roof top- Free

DAY FIVE – FRIDAY July 5th – Leave for Washington DC at 2:30 pm. Not sure what we can do this morning. I will probably post another thread for our days in Washington DC and Philadelphia.

 

[NYCDiane]

We will be going to New York City in about 10 days. There are 4 of us, me, DH, and DDs 15 and 12. I have some questions. I appreciate any suggestions you can give about our schedule below.

1- I have read that some museums in NYC have mainly recommended pricing, so you can pay whatever you want. Is that true? We were planning to see Museum of Modern Art, American Museum of natural history, and Metropolitan museum of art. Are they all optional amounts?

The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History have "suggested" donations for entrance. Yes, you can pay what you want. The Museum of Modern Art is free for kids under 16 and $25 for adults. You may consider doing the Top of the Rock combo where you get a ticket to Top of the Rock AND a ticket to the MOMA for $42.

2- Is the NY pass worth it? It is about $155 per person. We would like to see the above museums, ESB, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Top of the rock and Rockefeller Center, and NBC studio tour.

If you're going to do all those things, I would definitely think about getting the NY Pass. Check out all the things you want to do and add up the costs and see what works out best. Remember, some attractions have cheaper pricing for kids.

3 - We will be staying at a hotel on 37th and Lexington, so with the itinerary we have below, is the 7-day unlimited Metrocard worth it?

DAY ONE – Monday July 1st
Arrive at 4:15 pm. Check in to the hotel around 6:00 pm.
Walk to Grand Central Station - Free, eat dinner
Get a Metrocard, 7-day unlimited.
Time square, look for Broadway tickets

DAY TWO – Tuesday July 2nd
Lower Manhattan
10:30pm 9/11 Memorial- $8 fees for 4 people (we have tickets).
Financial district- Free
Trinity Church - Free
Statue of Liberty (Staten Island Cruise)- Free
Chinatown, Little Italy - Free
Greenwich Village ?? - Free
A Broadway show ??

DAY THREE – Wednesday July 3rd
Midtown
Empire state Building ($102 for 4)
Top of the rock and Rockefeller Center ($152 for 4)
NBC studio tour ($93 for 4)
Museum of Modern Art
American Museum of natural history (Uptown - suggested admission prices $68)
A Broadway show ???

DAY FOUR – Thursday July 4th
Central Park- Free - Rent bikes ???
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum ($117 for 4)
Ripley's Believe it or Not!
Metropolitan museum of art (suggested admission prices $75)
Carmine's for dinner ??
See July 4th Macy’s fireworks from the roof top- Free

DAY FIVE – FRIDAY July 5th – Leave for Washington DC at 2:30 pm. Not sure what we can do this morning. I will probably post another thread for our days in Washington DC and Philadelphia.


7 day unlimited MetroCard is always worth it. Even though those are the things on your itinerary, you may want to go other places. With the unlimited card, you won't have to worry.

Also, if you're planning on seeing a B'way show, to to www.BroadwayBox.com NOW and see what kind of discounts you can get. (make sure to print out the coupon or write down the discount code for the show(s) you want)

 

[disneypharm]

Thank you NYCDiane. This is very helpful. We will probably pay $20 to$30 for those museums, but $75 probably not. The NY pass is about $600 for 4 of us, but I wasn't sure if we will get our money's worth for only 3 days! We will definitely get the 7-day unlimited Metrocard. Thanks again

 

[clh2]

I have read that you can "pay what you can afford" at some of the museums too. We were in NYC for a few days - but we didn't have time for museums.

Of course - it also gives us a reason to go back!!!

My one concern with your agenda - or then again maybe it is an opportunity. We went to the Top of the Rock, and loved it. I think doing both the TOTR and the Empire State Building in the same day would be overkill. The opportunity is - if you do both in the same day -at least do one at Sunset. (We only had our departure morning to do the TOTR, good thing - the other days we were there it was cloudy and rainy.)

Also - TOTR give discounts if you have a AAA card. I would not have known this - EXCEPT my tightwad college DD asked if they gave college discounts. The attendant responded the "only" discounts they offered were AAA - so we all got a couple of bucks off!

We opted not to get subway passes. We only used the subway to get to the 911 memorial and back on day 1 of our trip. We went to Central park day 2 - and then walked back past the holiday department store windows on our way back to the hotel. Day 3 - no subway. Day 4 - we took the subway "out of town". So - I would recommend figuring out which segments of your trip you would need the pass - and compare that to individual "rides". The things we did were just walkable from our hotel (Broadway, Rockerfeller Center, Times Square etc)

If you have smart phones - download the app "HOPSTOP" it was WONDERFUL to have really great directions by subway, taxi or walking, and the time estimates given were really quite accurate! Once we got our directions from hopstop - it was easy to e-mail to DH and DD - just in case we got separated.

Have a great trip!

 

[disneypharm]

I have read that you can "pay what you can afford" at some of the museums too. We were in NYC for a few days - but we didn't have time for museums.

Of course - it also gives us a reason to go back!!!

My one concern with your agenda - or then again maybe it is an opportunity. We went to the Top of the Rock, and loved it. I think doing both the TOTR and the Empire State Building in the same day would be overkill. The opportunity is - if you do both in the same day -at least do one at Sunset. (We only had our departure morning to do the TOTR, good thing - the other days we were there it was cloudy and rainy.) Good point, I might change the days.

Also - TOTR give discounts if you have a AAA card. I would not have known this - EXCEPT my tightwad college DD asked if they gave college discounts. The attendant responded the "only" discounts they offered were AAA - so we all got a couple of bucks off! Good to know, we are AAA member. I will check.

We opted not to get subway passes. We only used the subway to get to the 911 memorial and back on day 1 of our trip. We went to Central park day 2 - and then walked back past the holiday department store windows on our way back to the hotel. Day 3 - no subway. Day 4 - we took the subway "out of town". So - I would recommend figuring out which segments of your trip you would need the pass - and compare that to individual "rides". The things we did were just walkable from our hotel (Broadway, Rockerfeller Center, Times Square etc) That's why I was asking. Having a hotel on 37th and Lexington, I wasn't sure if we can walk to most places or not. I know we are close to the Empire State building and Grand Central station, but not sure about the central park, Times Square, or Rockefeller center.

If you have smart phones - download the app "HOPSTOP" it was WONDERFUL to have really great directions by subway, taxi or walking, and the time estimates given were really quite accurate! Once we got our directions from hopstop - it was easy to e-mail to DH and DD - just in case we got separated. I will check it out, thanks

Have a great trip!

Thanks

 

[disneypharm]

Another question, if you have the choice of picking 1 or 2 museums, which 2 would you pick?

 

[NYCDiane]

****** Not all the museums are "pay what you can afford". That only applies to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History. The others have a set admission fee that you must pay.


Don't forget, if you don't do the NYC Pass, you can get the combo ticket for Top of the Rock and the Museum of Modern Art for $42.

 

[disneypharm]

****** Not all the museums are "pay what you can afford". That only applies to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History. The others have a set admission fee that you must pay.


Don't forget, if you don't do the NYC Pass, you can get the combo ticket for Top of the Rock and the Museum of Modern Art for $42.

Thanks. With only 3 days in the city, I am not sure if we have the time to see all 3. Combo tickets sound great. I will check it out. I am not sure about doing the Madam Taussauds. I have seen the London one (which I loved, without the kids) and the Hollywood one (with the kids), so I am not sure if we would want to pay for it.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Two things I would say to consider:

The Museum of Natural History is suggested admission but if you want to do some of the special exhibits/iMax films, you must pay the ticket price.

Also, with the 7 day unlimited metrocard, you will need one for each member of your family. You can't buy one unlimited metrocard and use it multiple times in a row.

 

[disneypharm]

Two things I would say to consider:

The Museum of Natural History is suggested admission but if you want to do some of the special exhibits/iMax films, you must pay the ticket price.

Also, with the 7 day unlimited metrocard, you will need one for each member of your family. You can't buy one unlimited metrocard and use it multiple times in a row.

We have an amazing museum of natural history in Denver. Both DH and DD15 volunteer there every 2 weeks. They get to see all the exhibitions and IMax shows free anytime they want. We also have annual membership, so I don't think we would spend that much time in this museum. We wanted to just spend couple of hours there.
I knew about the 7-day pass for each person. It will be about $120 for 4 of us, which is ok if we get to use it at least 4 times a day. I am not sure if we will do that since I have never been in NYC.

 

[NYCDiane]

Another question, if you have the choice of picking 1 or 2 museums, which 2 would you pick?

Absolutely the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I wouldn't miss it!!! Also, you can enter Central Park just south of the museum and see "Cleopatra's Needle" which is a genuine ancient Egyptian obelisk that was donated.

The MoMA is nice, too.

The Guggenheim is "ok" but not worth the admission price.

The Natural History Museum is good but your kids might be too old for the dinos and stuff. There are also extra things inside that you would have to pay for.

Madame Tussaud's --- if you've seen it already, it's not worth the money to see it again. HOWEVER.... there is a Sanrio/Hello Kitty store right across the street that your DDs might love! LOL!


The 7 day unlimited MetroCard is only $30 each. If you plan on going around to a lot of places, it's definitely worth it and you won't have to worry if you have enough $$ on your cards.

When you get into town, stop by the Times Sqaure Visitor's Center. They have a ton of information, maps, etc and it's all free!

http://www.timessquarenyc.org/visitor-tips/times-square-visitor-center/index.aspx

 

[lvcourtneyy]

We have an amazing museum of natural history in Denver. Both DH and DD15 volunteer there every 2 weeks. They get to see all the exhibitions and IMax shows free anytime they want. We also have annual membership, so I don't think we would spend that much time in this museum. We wanted to just spend couple of hours there.
I knew about the 7-day pass for each person. It will be about $120 for 4 of us, which is ok if we get to use it at least 4 times a day. I am not sure if we will do that since I have never been in NYC.

Awesome, sounds good then. I would probably say it would be worth it to get the 7 day unlimited pass. I know someone mentioned Hopstop but google maps also has a public transit option that I always use, just as a back up option!

Also, if you subscribe to some of those "deals" sites, you may be able to find discounted Broadway tickets on them for your trip. For example, I'm subscribed to one called Goldstar and I get emails fairly regularly about deals for Broadway shows and other NYC entertainment options.

 

[disneypharm]

Absolutely the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I wouldn't miss it!!! Also, you can enter Central Park just south of the museum and see "Cleopatra's Needle" which is a genuine ancient Egyptian obelisk that was donated.

The MoMA is nice, too.

The Guggenheim is "ok" but not worth the admission price.

The Natural History Museum is good but your kids might be too old for the dinos and stuff. There are also extra things inside that you would have to pay for.

Madame Tussaud's --- if you've seen it already, it's not worth the money to see it again. HOWEVER.... there is a Sanrio/Hello Kitty store right across the street that your DDs might love! LOL!


The 7 day unlimited MetroCard is only $30 each. If you plan on going around to a lot of places, it's definitely worth it and you won't have to worry if you have enough $$ on your cards.

When you get into town, stop by the Times Sqaure Visitor's Center. They have a ton of information, maps, etc and it's all free!

http://www.timessquarenyc.org/visitor-tips/times-square-visitor-center/index.aspx

Thank you so much. I have been researching for our NYC/Washington DC/Philadelphia trip for months!! I used to think planning for Disney trips was overwhelming until we decided to go to this trip. There are so much to plan. Between, finding hotels, flights, train tickets, Subway tickets, museums, monuments, food, etc, my brain is about to explode!! Thanks again for your help, you have been very helpful.

 

[NYCDiane]

Thank you so much. I have been researching for our NYC/Washington DC/Philadelphia trip for months!! I used to think planning for Disney trips was overwhelming until we decided to go to this trip. There are so much to plan. Between, finding hotels, flights, train tickets, Subway tickets, museums, monuments, food, etc, my brain is about to explode!! Thanks again for your help, you have been very helpful.

LOL!! You're welcome!!! Enjoy Manhattan!!! It's the greatest city in the world and I'm sure you and your family will have a great time!

 

[disneypharm]

Awesome, sounds good then. I would probably say it would be worth it to get the 7 day unlimited pass. I know someone mentioned Hopstop but google maps also has a public transit option that I always use, just as a back up option!

Also, if you subscribe to some of those "deals" sites, you may be able to find discounted Broadway tickets on them for your trip. For example, I'm subscribed to one called Goldstar and I get emails fairly regularly about deals for Broadway shows and other NYC entertainment options.

I will check these out. Thanks for the info.

 

[disneypharm]

LOL!! You're welcome!!! Enjoy Manhattan!!! It's the greatest city in the world and I'm sure you and your family will have a great time!

Thanks

 

[djbleach]

We just got back a couple of weeks ago and everybody will have different opinions on what you might want to do.
I've only been about 10 times and have always had a great time.
I've ALWAYS spent more money than was on my budget, but it's New York, so oh well.

I would do Top of the Rock and skip Empire. I've done both, and the top of the rock is just a better over all experience to me. The elevator ride up, the room on deck, the shorter wait. And like suggested, try and time it for night when the city is changing!
My daughter was 8 at the time and we did a museum. The one with the planitarium, and it wasn't fun for us. I think it was $20 or more and it wasn't worth the hassle of getting to the museum and the time.
We've enjoyed Wicked, Mary Poppins and Matilda. They all were great.
We like the 99cent pizza place on 8th and 43!! Probably some of the best and cheapest pizza we've had on any visit to NY. We've went to Johns or whatever it's called on 42street. The old church or something and nothing can be the bang for buck of the 99cent spot.
Carlos Bakery cafe on 8th/42. wonderful!
She enjoys American girl store. Or going to the Apple store near central park.
Last time we shopped at the "tj" type store near 9/11 memorial. I think it's something 23? (five floors of "deals) It's just like a huge Marshalls/TJ max, but the employees are rude and the customers are the same. It still was fun.
There's a powerboat ride called the Beast that has been on our agenda, but havent' done.
We rode to Coney Island, stopped at Nathans on the boardwalk and stopped by Zoltar machine. )it's on the wizzard of waverly show, so she had seen it before) On the way back from Coney we stopped and walked the Brooklyn Bridge.
Note:. You will do alot of walking!!!!!! Infact, we went to Chinatown 2 days in a row and got 1 hour feet massage. $30 pp...great!
Times Square Toys R Us for the ferris wheel. didn't ride this last time. FAW swartz toy store near central park.
Yankees game. Bronx Zoo.....Some friends did David Letterman one year we went.
The hopstop app did good for us. It got us close to where we were going, but alot of times I didn't have an address, so I'd put Chinatown. Somehow I was walking in the wrong direction. Luckily, most NewYorkers are nice and have no problem helping.
We live in Va and have done the same thing, leave NY and stop by DC on the way back. DC is boreing to us after the excitement energy of NY.
Good luck have fun.
Bring extra money, plan on walking, be prepared to hear the F word on the street, it's the city that never sleeps, so at 10 it's just getting started.

 

[disneypharm]

We just got back a couple of weeks ago and everybody will have different opinions on what you might want to do.
I've only been about 10 times and have always had a great time.
I've ALWAYS spent more money than was on my budget, but it's New York, so oh well.

I would do Top of the Rock and skip Empire. We have to do ESB at least once. This is the only thing in NYC I have always wanted to do. I've done both, and the top of the rock is just a better over all experience to me. The elevator ride up, the room on deck, the shorter wait. And like suggested, try and time it for night when the city is changing!

My daughter was 8 at the time and we did a museum. The one with the planitarium, and it wasn't fun for us. I think it was $20 or more and it wasn't worth the hassle of getting to the museum and the time. I love museums so my kids have to do at least one for mommy!
We've enjoyed Wicked, Mary Poppins and Matilda. They all were great. We think maybe Newsies. My kids have see Wicked with friends in Denver. Loved it.
We like the 99cent pizza place on 8th and 43!! Probably some of the best and cheapest pizza we've had on any visit to NY. We've went to Johns or whatever it's called on 42street. The old church or something and nothing can be the bang for buck of the 99cent spot.
Carlos Bakery cafe on 8th/42. wonderful! Great info, I will find them in Google and plan to visit.
She enjoys American girl store. Or going to the Apple store near central park. DD12 is almost over American girl and we have a great AG store 5 minutes from our house.
Last time we shopped at the "tj" type store near 9/11 memorial. I think it's something 23? (five floors of "deals) It's just like a huge Marshalls/TJ max, but the employees are rude and the customers are the same. It still was fun.
There's a powerboat ride called the Beast that has been on our agenda, but havent' done.
We rode to Coney Island, stopped at Nathans on the boardwalk and stopped by Zoltar machine. )it's on the wizzard of waverly show, so she had seen it before) On the way back from Coney we stopped and walked the Brooklyn Bridge.
Note:. You will do alot of walking!!!!!! Infact, we went to Chinatown 2 days in a row and got 1 hour feet massage. $30 pp...great! We are ready for a lot of walking. I walk about 3 miles a day preparing for it. I think I am ready!!
Times Square Toys R Us for the ferris wheel. didn't ride this last time. FAW swartz toy store near central park.
Yankees game. Bronx Zoo.....Some friends did David Letterman one year we went.
The hopstop app did good for us. It got us close to where we were going, but alot of times I didn't have an address, so I'd put Chinatown. Somehow I was walking in the wrong direction. Luckily, most NewYorkers are nice and have no problem helping.
We live in Va and have done the same thing, leave NY and stop by DC on the way back. DC is boreing to us after the excitement energy of NY. My list for DC is as long as NYC, we will see how tired we will be by the time we get there.
Good luck have fun. Thanks
Bring extra money, plan on walking, be prepared to hear the F word on the street, it's the city that never sleeps, so at 10 it's just getting started. Yes, I have prepared DH for an expensive trip, but I think it will be great.

Wow! A lot of information. Thanks

 

[SingingMom]

We will be going to New York City in about 10 days. There are 4 of us, me, DH, and DDs 15 and 12. I have some questions. I appreciate any suggestions you can give about our schedule below.

1- I have read that some museums in NYC have mainly recommended pricing, so you can pay whatever you want. Is that true? We were planning to see Museum of Modern Art, American Museum of natural history, and Metropolitan museum of art. Are they all optional amounts?

2- Is the NY pass worth it? It is about $155 per person. We would like to see the above museums, ESB, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Top of the rock and Rockefeller Center, and NBC studio tour.

3 - We will be staying at a hotel on 37th and Lexington, so with the itinerary we have below, is the 7-day unlimited Metrocard worth it?

DAY ONE – Monday July 1st
Arrive at 4:15 pm. Check in to the hotel around 6:00 pm.
Walk to Grand Central Station - Free, eat dinner
Get a Metrocard, 7-day unlimited.
Time square, look for Broadway tickets

DAY TWO – Tuesday July 2nd
Lower Manhattan
10:30pm 9/11 Memorial- $8 fees for 4 people (we have tickets).
Financial district- Free
Trinity Church - Free
Statue of Liberty (Staten Island Cruise)- Free
Chinatown, Little Italy - Free
Greenwich Village ?? - Free
A Broadway show ??

DAY THREE – Wednesday July 3rd
Midtown
Empire state Building ($102 for 4)
Top of the rock and Rockefeller Center ($152 for 4)
NBC studio tour ($93 for 4)
Museum of Modern Art
American Museum of natural history (Uptown - suggested admission prices $68)
A Broadway show ???

DAY FOUR – Thursday July 4th
Central Park- Free - Rent bikes ???
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum ($117 for 4)
Ripley's Believe it or Not!
Metropolitan museum of art (suggested admission prices $75)
Carmine's for dinner ??
See July 4th Macy’s fireworks from the roof top- Free

DAY FIVE – FRIDAY July 5th – Leave for Washington DC at 2:30 pm. Not sure what we can do this morning. I will probably post another thread for our days in Washington DC and Philadelphia.

Welcome to our favorite city! Just an FYI for day 4:
That's a lot of "back and forth" in one day ;-). Central Park and Met Museum of Art are in the same vicinity. Wax museum is on 42nd street. Can be very crowded. I don't personally see how you can do all those things in one day, without rushing through them. Also, are you stuck on Carmine's? It is a real tourist spot. We prefer Bond45. Eating outside at Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park Grill are also very good. If you like seafood, City Lobster is one of our favorites. Ellen's Stardust Diner is cute, with singing waiters and waitresses.

Something to possibly consider during your visit, since you have daughters, is Afternoon Tea at The Plaza, especially if they read Eloise or saw the movies. It still is our Dd favorite thing to do, along with Broadway shows, and she's now almost 20!

If you have a show you'd like to see, you should probably arrange for tickets now, since it is a holiday week. Newsies, Cinderella, Mathilda, Pippin are all getting great reviews. Annie is also playing. We LOVED Newsies and Cinderella!

Have a great time!!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[disneypharm]

Welcome to our favorite city! Thanks Just an FYI for day 4:
That's a lot of "back and forth" in one day ;-). Central Park and Met Museum of Art are in the same vicinity. Wax museum is on 42nd street. Can be very crowded. Not sure about going to Wax museum yet. I have seen the London version and we all have been to the Hollywood one, so we will probably skip this one. I don't personally see how you can do all those things in one day, without rushing through them. Also, are you stuck on Carmine's? No, this is the only place I have heard. I actually haven't researched restaurants yet. I will check these places on Google. Thanks for the recommendations. It is a real tourist spot. We prefer Bond45. Eating outside at Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park Grill are also very good. If you like seafood, City Lobster is one of our favorites. Ellen's Stardust Diner is cute, with singing waiters and waitresses.

Something to possibly consider during your visit, since you have daughters, is Afternoon Tea at The Plaza, especially if they read Eloise or saw the movies. It still is our Dd favorite thing to do, along with Broadway shows, and she's now almost 20! My DDs are not into afternoon teas They actually didn't like Eloise, Annie, or Mary Poppins. I tried to show them Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady and Sound of Music movies once and they were completely bored I love those movies. Show them Avengers, or Iron Man movies and they will watch them several times.

If you have a show you'd like to see, you should probably arrange for tickets now, since it is a holiday week. Newsies, Cinderella, Mathilda, Pippin are all getting great reviews. Annie is also playing. We LOVED Newsies and Cinderella! Most likely we will plan to see Newsies.

Have a great time!!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Thanks