need some cheap nyc itinerary help

[disney_girl125]

I went to NYC overnight a couple of days ago and had a great time, so much so that i'm going back in a couple of weeks...lol. Since you all were such a big help last time I would love some more ideas for our upcoming trip.
We have already done Jeckyll and hyde, Statue of Liberty, times square, and ground zero, St pauls chapel, central park.
Day one...eat at Ellens for lunch. Then head to museum of natural history. I plan on arriving in NYC around 10am. So, I can either go to times square near Ellens and look around until lunch. Or we could go to the museum, then out to Ellens for lunch, then back to the museum. Does the monh allow you to leave and come back? Is that enough time there? If we were done early we want to rent a rowboat for an hour. After the museum closes, we don't know what to do? We want to be back to our hotel maybe by 9pm. I was thinking about going to the Empire state building. My kids really want to go. Not sure I want to spend all that money though. Plus..lol..i'll admit..i'm scared. Does the elevator ride make your stomach drop? I'm not a fan of heights either.
Then second day staten island ferry. And then subway to Brooklyn, eat at grimaldis, then walk the Brooklyn bridge back to Manhatten. That's all I have planned though. Is there anything close to do in Staten island in walking distance? Or in Brooklyn? Or if all that didn't take long, maybe we could go back to Central park and rent a rowboat if we didn't have time the day before.
The kids loved the subway, so they don't mind the long travel times. Any help with my itinerary would be great!!

 

[mommycrawford]

To answer one question, "Yes'" AMNH does allow you to leave and come back (you get a paper ticket that is stamped for the day.)

BTW, it has been scorching hot here, so you might want to bring bathing suits so the children can use sprinklers in Central Park (also, little known local fact, there are pop jet fountains on the 2nd floor roof top of AMNH, by the Rose Center Entrance ...ask the guards to direct you.)

Not a lot when you get off the SI ferry...you could walk to a place for a bit of grub, but there is not a whole lot to see yet....I would return to Manhattan and either look around the South Street Seaport or go into Chinatown for lunch!thumbsup2)

If you have an idea of what you want to do, PM me, and I will try to give you specific suggestions.

BTW, If you go to AMNH on a Sunday, there is a fun local Flea Market (NOT like tag sales) on 77th and Columbus that is fun to look around at.

 

[disney_girl125]

Thank you for replying! Do you think amnh will take us all day? We've never been there. What should we not miss?
For the next day I think we'll do staten island ferry first, then subway to brooklyn side of brooklyn bridge. I was going to eat at grimaldis. Then walk across the brooklyn bridge to manhatten. Is that worth doing? From there that's what I didn't know what to do..either head to central park to rent a rowboat..or china town sounds good. Is china town in walking distance from the bridge? What is in the south street seaport to see?

 

[lila]

I wouldn't get off in SI - just turn around and come back.

The elevator at Empire is not scary.

I wouldn't miss the Rose Planetarium at the museum. Personally, I also wouldn't leave the UWS and then go back just to eat at a subpar restaurant in Times Square. There are a lot better eats near the museum. If you really want to go to Ellen's, and I know this board is all about that place, then I would suggest either eating there after arrival on the way to museum or grabbing a hot dog (Grey's Papaya or a vendor) on your way up to tide you over, the knocking out the museum all at once and then going to Ellen's after. Where is your hotel?

I also agree with the PP that the flea market is fun.

I might also suggest the Transit Museum in Brooklyn, since you are in the vicinity. That is a good time and good for kids.

 

[nymets]

The Staten Island Yankees play right by the ferry. They have a nice ballpark. You can easly walk to the park.

 

[disney_girl125]

Thank you for your suggestions! We're staying in Jersey City near the newport/pavonia path. That's where we stayed this past week when we went and it worked out great.

 

[mum2simon]

in Brooklyn, get your pizza to go at Grimaldi's and sit on the dock and eat it...then have homemade ice cream from the ice cream place on the dock...mmmmmmm! or walk a bit into DUMBO and find the little mexican joint with the great mango lassi's (I cannot remember the name...if you are interested I can find it for you...lol)...

After walking the Brooklyn Bridge, I personally wouldn't walk to china town...it is definitely doable...but I would catch the train up a stop to Canal street and then walk around China town and up into SOHO for some window shopping

 

[bhoffman]

We spent last week in NYC, LOVED IT!!! The ONLY thing we didn't love, Ellens stardust diner. Oh my gosh. It was awful. The singers were terrible, the mac 'n cheese I paid $20 for was velvetta, I won't go on and on as I could about what a bad spot this was. I was shocked since it was the #1 recommended place on this board before going. Huge disappointment. I would definitely NOT leave the museum and go back there. Our day at the museum we just popped over to shake shack for lunch and it was perfect. Right across the street then headed back to the museum for a bit more exploring.

Have a great time, we loved it there!

 

[simonsmom]

you should try not to miss Top of the Rock

 

[ibela]

FAO Schwartz is fun to walk around in (if you can resist the temptation to buy!) and there are a lot of great upscale restaurants in the area which serve a reasonable lunch. Tao is great and has an amazing 3 course (all dinner size portions!) prix fixe lunch menu for ~$25.

Also, the Met museum is a donation to get in so can be whatever fee you want.

And although not cheap, you get same day Broadway (and off-Broadway) show tix for half price at the TKTS booth.