More New York info needed pleeeeease!!!!

[TracyK]

I would like to thank everybody who supplied information on my previous thread. I've now got loads more questions (sorry).
I will be staying in New York for a week and have got so many options. I have bought the New York Pass which gives me free admission into 40+ attractions. I'm sure you wonderful people can help me decide which ones to give priority.
Could people please give me their opinions on the following:

Bronx zoo

New York Botanical Garden

Central Park zoo

American museum of natural history

Guggenheim

New York Aquarium

American Museum of the Moving Image

New York Hall of Science

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum

Circle Line Sightseeing cruises

Museum of television and radio

Radio city tour

Madame Tussauds

South Street Seaport

Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island

New York City police museum

NBC tour

I also need more info on the New Year's Eve celebrations. I really want to go to Times Square but I think I may have made a mistake by booking seats for the Phantom of the Opera for 7:00 pm. I probably won't be out of the theater until 10:00/10:30 and am now concerned that this won't give us enough time to get a good vantage point. Is this still feasible? Any tips very welcome (thanks Arabella for previous info).

I would be really grateful for any comments, good or bad.

Thanks
Tracy

 

[Kimberle]

Well, you've got alot of good choices on your list.

Since it can be a bit timeconsuming to get around (a/k/a - Disney), I'd group your attractions be address. Then you can do 2 or 3 in one day.

Bronx zoo
New York Botanical Garden

They are right across the street from each other. Does your DS like trains? There will be a very nice model train display at the Garden the end of December. We went last year. My dd really enjoyed it.

New York Aquarium - I have not been here. I don't think anything else on your list is close. Considering it's pretty far from mid-town, you'd probably spend pretty much a day.

Circle Line Sightseeing cruises
Museum of television and radio
Radio city tour
American museum of natural history
South Street Seaport
I have done all these. They are all very nice. The circle line will take you a good 1/2 day. Natural HIstory has really nice dino skelatons.

It's really a matter of personal preference, what you & your ds like to do.

Can't help you with NYs eve. I've never been there on NYE.

And don't forget the stores!!! They are such fun even if you don't buy anything!!

 

[Arabella Figg 2003]

c
Can't give you any more info on New Year's , but I can give you opinions on where to go.


The Central Park Zoo is charming but very small. The Bronx Zoo is by far a better Zoo, but in winter you my not get the full effect of the Zoo (in summer, the Bronx Zoo is an all-day affair, the Central Park Zoo is the kind of place you can see in an hour or two.) If you go to the Bronx Zoo at night to see the holiday lights, you will be able to see some of the animals, but not all areas of the zoo will be open.

At this time of year the Botanical Gardens will NOT be at their best. I would choose to spend my time elsewhere.

I've never been to the NY Aquarium. Can't help you there.

The natural history museum is a must-see. Don't try to do the whole museum, though. pick areas that interest you. I'd suggest the display of Native American artifacts and the show in the planetarium.

I haven't been to the Museum of the Moiving Image in many years, but I did enjoy it. It focuses on movies. The museum is in Queens. the radio and television museum in Manhattan -- I've never been there.

I haven't been to the Hall of Science in years, but it was very intersting the last time I was there. Very hands-on. If you go, you should also walk over to the Queens Museum and see the diorama of the entire City of NY. Also make sure you walk past the Unisphere, which is a relic from the 1964-65 World's Fair.

Your son is 13, right? He'll love the Intrepid. Give yourself an entire afternoon to explore it.

If you're coming during christmas, it will be difficult to book the NBC and Radio City tours. I think you'll need advance reservations.

Madame Tussaud's -- people tell me that if you're familiar with the one in London, you'll know about the one in NY. the exhibits are not the same, of course, but the overall atmosphere is very similar.


I like the South Street Seaport, but honestly, unless you're downtown for another site or place, you can skip it. Nice view of the Brooklyn Bridge, nice shops and restaurants, and a few 19th century ships to explore.

Circle Line -- the boat circles Manhattan, and if you've got a good guide, you'll learn a lot about the city. But the highlight of the ride is when you sail into NY Harbor and past Liberty Island. It's three hours, and it's winter, so it may be a bit cold and uncomfortable on the boat. If you're going to the Statue of Liberty anyhow, you could skip the Circle Line tour.

I would do the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, though. Depending on the crowds, it could be an all-day event, or just a few hours to see everything, especially since you can't go into the Statue.

I've never been to the police museum, but I love the Guggenheim. I don't know if a teenager would really like an art museum, though.

 

[RickinNYC]

Well, here's my .02 on your list:

Bronx zoo - it's a great place and lots to do but be aware that it does take quite a bit of time to get there. If you're going to take the subway, which is advised due to $$ for a cab, then you should put aside at least an hour to get there.

New York Botanical Garden - Most everyone I know likes this place but I always thought it was a major bore.

Central Park zoo - if you go do the Bronx Zoo, don't bother with this. It's pretty small. If you decide to forego the Bronx Zoo, then by all means, visit the Central Park Zoo and take a stroll over to Wolman Rink afterwards. Tourists go to Rockefeller Center to skate. New Yorkers go to Wolman. It's bigger, much less of a wait time, and more room to maneuver.

American museum of natural history - one of my personal favorites. Don't miss the space exhibit. And the dinosaurs are great!

Guggenheim - I think that the adults would love it but the kids would be itching to get going in an hour or less.

New York Aquarium - it's way out at Coney Island and takes a HUGE amount of time to get there given how much there is to do (very little). There is quite a bit of construction on the subway line out there so the trip would take longer than normal. Plus, because you're from out of town, you may very well get lost. I say save your time and don't bother. I do like it but wouldn't recommend it.

American Museum of the Moving Image - Not a clue

New York Hall of Science - Located in Queens right by the former World's Fairgrounds. It's a fairly easy subway ride. It's a terrific place for the younger set because it's more of a children's science museum so it's very hands on.

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum - I'm a Navy brat so I thought this was great. It might be worth it to check out for the historical factor. Plus, there's some interactive things to do. The Concord is now there and you can walk through the cabin.

Circle Line Sightseeing cruises - I'm really not a fan of this by any means. In fact, I hate it. You're trapped on the boat for the better part of a morning or afternoon and you can't get off. You get some nice photo ops but that's it. You should also remember that you'll be here in the middle of winter and it will be COLD on the water!

Museum of television and radio - I've never been but my partner, a HUGE TV fan, went. I asked his reaction and he said it was "fun but just ok."

Radio city tour - always fun and pretty interesting

Madame Tussauds - your kids will LOVE this one, plus it's right in Time Square so you'll be able to do some great sightseeing in the neighborhood. AND it's just a few blocks from an absolutely enormnous Toys R Us that has an indoor ferris wheel, a life size Barbie dream hous and a life size roaring and moving T-rex.

South Street Seaport - it's nice but it's basically a shopping mall on the water. Most New Yorkers avoid it like the plague, thus its filled with tourists.

Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island - not sure if the Statue will be open when you're here. It's been closed since 9/11.

New York City police museum - not a clue

NBC tour - very fun behind the scenes tour. You get to visit a ton of different sets. Your kids will love it.

As for the timing and going to Times Square on New Year's after the show, I'm afraid your fears are correct. In fact, you won't be able to get anywhere remotely close to the action at 10pm or so. I say don't even bother. Also, because you'll have children with you, for their sake, find something else to do. It will be so tightly packed that you'll spend more time keeping track of them than you will enjoying the festivities.

Hope this helps and enjoy your stay! Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[jel0511]

You've gotten excellent advice on some of the attractions already, so I won't chime in there. I will give you some advice on NYE though. You will not get a good vantage point for watching the ball drop by arriving around 10 or 10:30. People begin lining up before NOON on NYE, and most of the office buildings close at 6PM (meaning everyone must leave) for the safety of their employees (my office building was at 47th street, and some years people were already lined up there at 5PM). By 10 or 10:30 PM, you'll most likely find yourself BLOCKS away to get a spot. The NYC Police provide baracades to keep the poeple contained (think animal pens) and allow people to continue walking on the sidewalks. You'll have to walk a while(I'm guessing up to 50th street at least or over an avenue or two) to find an empty "pen". As someone who's grown in the NY area her whole life and lived in NYC for about 8 years, I've never gone to Times Square for NYE, and you'd be hardpressed to find any other locals at Times Square during that time. It really is a pickpocketers dream, and it is really a zoo. I'd skip it and head back to your hotel and watch it on TV, it will be warm and you can relax after watching a wonderful show.

 

[TracyK]

You guys are great. This info is invaluable. Thank you all soooo much. About New Year's Eve, are there any other firework displays around the city? I often go down to Trafalgar Square to watch the London festivities. We did Phantom of the Opera in the West End on New Year's Eve and then went to Trafalgar Square to see the New Year in. I was hoping to do the same in NY but I probably won't get the chance by the sound of it. We are staying at the Hilton (Avenue of the Americas) I believe this is a fairly good spot for sightseeing.
Thanks again
Tracy

 

[RickinNYC]

Originally posted by TracyK
You guys are great. This info is invaluable. Thank you all soooo much. About New Year's Eve, are there any other firework displays around the city? I often go down to Trafalgar Square to watch the London festivities. We did Phantom of the Opera in the West End on New Year's Eve and then went to Trafalgar Square to see the New Year in. I was hoping to do the same in NY but I probably won't get the chance by the sound of it. We are staying at the Hilton (Avenue of the Americas) I believe this is a fairly good spot for sightseeing.
Thanks again
Tracy

There are fireworks up by 72nd Street in Central Park, as well as a masquerade parade in the same area. And a fun run as well. But given that you'll be getting out of the show at 10-10:15pm, it's going to take a while to walk through/bypass the crowds from the Time Square mayhem. Doubt you'll be able to get anywhere in time to celebrate midnight that far up town, I'm sorry.

Nevertheless, as you leave the theater, you'll be in the midst of the Time Square craziness or at least pretty darn close to it. It'll get you all excited. I'd just stroll the neighborhood and walk to your hotel if possible. Enjoy the evening!

what hotel are you staying in anyway?

 

[CookieGVB]

The theatre for Phantom of the Opera is on 44th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue...right in the middle of Times Square.

Do yourself a favor - use the restroom in the theatre before you leave, because you may just be stuck in that area until after midnight. You may get to see the ball drop after all.

 

[Arabella Figg 2003]

Good advice, Cookie.

 

[lisag1]

Tracy,

Can you tell me where you got the NY city pass and NBC backstage info from?

We're there from 26 - 29th Dec following our Orlando trip.

Lisa

 

[TracyK]

Thanks again everyone. I'm going to print all this info.
Lisa, I got the New York pass from a company called Viator. The 7 day pass was great value (worked out approx £120 for me and DS). It also includes a Metrocard for the length of pass and a guide book.
Here's a link
www.newyorkpass.com
www.viator.com
Tracy

 

[RAV]

tracyk,

I love the atmosphere downtown, great neighborhoods and some terrific restaurants. The Intrepid is great, do take the ferry over to Ellis Island and I have to agree that unless your interested in shopping at the South Street Seaport, avoid it. Many of the shows (The View, Regis & Kelly and some of the food network shows have standby lines-admission is free-but they may not be live over the holidays) Check out their schedules, you may be able to catch something. My son really enjoys watching the tapings. Have a great trip.