Help for NYC trip!!!

[aviva5675]

Hello fellow DIS-ers- I turn to you for some travel advice! Am planning a 4 night 3 day trip to NYC next August 20. Me, DH and DD15...our first time in New York. So much to see and do! Does this seem right-- stay at a hotel in mid-town Manhattan- that's by the Times Square?? With only 3 days it would be hard to do everything so- we want to for sure see Ground Zero, at least tour by Empire State bldg, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty. See a play one night? Rockefeller Center? The DD15 wants to shop but is vague about it-- we're not 5th avenue wallets and she is funky, so...

Anyway-- what do you all think--a good plan? Do an actual sight seeing thing- like Grey Line hop on hop off busses thing? What neighborhoods to try and see that would be fun? No car of course, so taxi- subway I guess...

All thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated. Hotel suggestions? Don't mind paying about 225-300 a night for something decent.

Thanks-- I know my DIS friends can help me with this!

 

[liamsaunt]

DH and I like to stay at the W Times Square. I'm not sure when your trip is, so you'd have to check their rates for your dates. http://www.starwoodhotels.com

 

[Disney-For-Life]

Hubby and I are going in May. We're staying at Night located in Times Square. Since it is my first time going to New York, I've already started a list of things I'd like to do including:

Items that Cost:
Boat Tour (there are a few and we have not decided)
Lion King (Broadway)
Museum of Natural History

Free/Walk by’s:
Central Park - 59th (Walk through)
Empire State Building
Grand Central
Rockefeller Center
Ground Zero
New York Public Library
Conan O’Brian
David Letterman
Saturday Night Live (cross my fingers!)
Sirus Radio (gift shop)

Shopping Destinations:
Chinatown
Toy R Us Times Square
Century 21
Macy’s
Burberry
Saks Fifth Avenue
Victoria Secret

Have fun planning : D

 

[shaunj]

Greetings from Chicago!!! We went to New York last July and had a great time! We drove from outside Chicago. Stopped in State College PA, and Hersey PA on the way. We stayed at DoubleTree in Times Square!! GREAT location, GREAT hotel! Take the bus double deck bus tours and you will be able to see everything! You can get on and off as much as you want and there are plenty of buses. We saw everything you want to in the 2 days we were there. My daughter and I were on TV at the Today show. KC and the sunshine band played! You really should go down to the today show and see a summer series concert. Double tree is located right between the 2 huge neon billboards in Times square. Our room was on the 31st floor. Great view. My kids are a lot younger than yours so we did not go and see a play. If you do, the theatres are a block or two walk. Have a great time!! By the way NY makes Chicago look small.

 

[liamsaunt]

Sorry my earlier post was so brief, I was rushing out. Anyway, I just wanted to comment on some of the things you listed. The Empire State Building is great. Buy a ticket to take the elevator up--the views are terrific, and you'll get to see some of the amazing details on the buildings you can't see from the ground. Personally, I like the big deck on the 84th (or is it 87th?? I forget) floor more than the little space at the top (104th, I think)--too claustrophobic!

Shows: there is a half price ticket booth right in Times Square (TKTS) for day of sale shows. It's worth stopping by to see what they have (there's always a line though, be warned!) Note: Disney won't sell their shows at a discount, so if you want one of those you have to pay full price at the theater.

Rockefeller Center: pretty, I guess, but you could skip it if you are pressed for time. I might just be bitter though because DH won't ice skate with me on their rink.

I noticed you did not mention any museums. I have to plug the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History. I know Chicago has awesome museums too but these are terrific--the self guided tour of the Rose Space Center at the MONS is really amazing.

Have a great trip!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Try to go to Carmine's for dinner...its the absolute best! Have fun!

I had some girls in from around the country last year and we did alot of sightseeing in one day. One thing I suggest, take cabs. This was a few more dollars but less time consuming that taking the subway/buses.

There was a thread on here not too long ago about hotels in the city...I think they decided on a super 8...I think...but it looked really nice. Here is a link:

http://www.applecorehotels.com/apple-core-hotels/

Have fun!

 

[Caradana]

Hey there,

Welcome in advance. This is a little island, relatively speaking, so you should be able to accomplish everything you listed in Post #1 in 3 days. Hope you have an amazing time taking a bite of this apple.

D

 

[WDWguru]

Went for a girl's trip with my mom and sister last year about this time and it was FAB, but I'll warn you that 3 days goes by VERY quickly, so plan accordingly (check hours for the building observation decks, avoid rush hour on the subway, etc).

As for your DD and shopping - 5th Avenue is fun to stroll and window shop, but it sounds like you need to head to Soho and Chinatown. TONS of funky little boutiques and shops - some pricey and some not so bad, but you'll definitely see things you won't see anywhere else.

 

[KimAshton]

Just remember everything is more expensive in NYC.

If you can purchase tickets ahead of time for the Empire state building do. The line can get really long and if you have the ticket(s) you can just by pass the line.

 

[aviva5675]

This is great guys, keep it coming!

The Museum of Natural History== it has a space section? My DH would love that. Is that in mid town Manhattan as well? My first stop today is the library to get a bunch of books to orient myself. Maybe the plan for 2 days of sightseeing hop on hop off-- and a day of part shopping, part museum, might work. It is hard!

Anyway, love these suggestions--

 

[crazyme5kids]

Try to group the things you want to do by the areas that you will be in. For example: Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty and Ground Zero. You could then add shopping in the village (China Town and Little Italy also) after that. Or you could go to South Street Seaport.

Empire State Building and Times Square area (this also would include Rockefeller Center). Go to the wax museum, it's a great photo op!

The Museum of Natural History is around 79th and Central Park West I think. You could go there and also spend time in Central Park.

Anyway, you get the idea.

 

[aviva5675]

Ok that makes sense. Someone told me Ellis Isl and Statue of Lib is a whole day affair- is that right? Or is it only if you go to each and spend a few hours? Definitely don't need to do that this time for the Statue- or possibly Ellis Isl either tho I was told the audio tour is terrific. Ground Zero no idea on a time frame....

 

[Soubrette]

FYI- if you are interested and have an I-pod, this company has a great audio tour of ground-zero. It won an award. I plan to download it next time I'm in the city.

http://www.soundwalk.com/title_manhattan_groundzero.php

 

[crazyme5kids]

Ok that makes sense. Someone told me Ellis Isl and Statue of Lib is a whole day affair- is that right? Or is it only if you go to each and spend a few hours? Definitely don't need to do that this time for the Statue- or possibly Ellis Isl either tho I was told the audio tour is terrific. Ground Zero no idea on a time frame....

Well as a native New Yorker, I'm embarrased to say I've never been to Ellis Island or the Statue of Liberty. So, I can't help you with that question. Although, I think if you put it down as the first sight to see, like for when it opens, you'd be able to spend several hours there then hit ground zero and still have time for other things.

 

[aviva5675]

thanks soubrette! the DD has one, so Ill follow up with that...

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Don't forget to visit The World of Disney store at 5th Avenue and 55th Streets! It's so much fun! FAO Schwartz is only a few blocks up from there. Even if you don't spend money on 5th Ave. it's still fun to walk around and look at all of the people spending the money! LOL!!!!

Don't forget to visit the NBC store...it's really cool!

Have a great trip!

 

[TDC Nala]

thought about taking the funky kid out to Greenwich Village for shopping?

I'm supposed to do a walking and food tasting tour around there on Sunday but I know I am going to freeze my tail off. Do I go, or just eat the cost. It's not refundable.

 

[crazyme5kids]

TDC Nala that sounds like fun. Would you mind telling me more about it or giving me the web site for info? I would love to do something like that.

 

[TDC Nala]

TDC Nala that sounds like fun. Would you mind telling me more about it or giving me the web site for info? I would love to do something like that.

http://www.foodsofny.com/

Here's hoping you go on a day that isn't 20 degrees.

 

[Darth Cupcake]

Joining the thread. DH wants to take us to NYC but would like me to plan it. Does anyone know a great restaurant in Chinatown? Also, please more suggestions on what hotel to stay in.