New York Trip- 1 day itinerary

[nikkistevej]

I have some questions about a bus trip for my family(actually husbands family)- would appreciate some help.There are 9 people- my mother in law(she's awesome), her daughters(37 yo ughh )including 3 teens, a 11yo and /8 y/o. These are some miserable people too most of the time - and my husband isn't even going lol (he's smart hahaha)
We are going on a bus trip from Baltimore to NYC, Saturday Dec 16.
We will be getting dropped off in Times Square about 11:30am.
We want to see the Statue of Liberty(maybe a ferry ride) would love some suggestions of a good company, something we could pay for that day.
We also want to see the 9/11 memorial(not necessarily going inside- just want to walk around outside)
Don't know what else, maybe Rockefeller Center to see the tree.
We will be leaving NYC to come home around 7:30 pm same day.
Any suggestions on cheap eats(nothing fancy at all) that are near any of those places. I'm wouldn't mind taking subway or anything(we are from Baltimore city- so not scared or anything haha), just don't know my way around and would like to get a tentative "plan" in order.

 

[mjkacmom]

In order to see the SOL, you have to take a ferry, it’s on an island. You can take the free Staten Island ferry, you need to get off and get back on for a round trip. Pack your patience, the city will be mobbed.

 

[nikkistevej]

In order to see the SOL, you have to take a ferry, it’s on an island. You can take the free Staten Island ferry, you need to get off and get back on for a round trip. Pack your patience, the city will be mobbed.

Ok, yeah I knew we would have to take the ferry, just don't know if we want to do the free one, it seems like it would be very crowded, shoot I'd rather pay a little money for convenience. hahaha

Yes, I will definitely be packing my patience with my "group", and for the city. LOL I may need more than that by the end of the day.

 

[mjkacmom]

Ok, yeah I knew we would have to take the ferry, just don't know if we want to do the free one, it seems like it would be very crowded, shoot I'd rather pay a little money for convenience. hahaha

Yes, I will definitely be packing my patience with my "group", and for the city. LOL I may need more than that by the end of the day.

If you want to pay, you will want to buy timed tickets ahead of time, it will take longer, because you will stop at the SOL and Ellis Island, should take about 1 1/2 hours.

Expect long security lines.

 

[soccerdad72]

Given your limited amount of time, I would opt for the free ferry - you'll get pretty close to the statue and get some good pics, without wasting a ton of time on the rest of the stuff.

9/11 is in that same general area, but Rockefeller Center is a bit farther away. Maybe go there first, then hit Little Italy or Chinatown on your way to 9/11 and Staten Island.

 

[nkereina]

We always stay at the Warwick Hotel and across the street from there is the Astro Diner. Typical basic diner food but its good and relatively inexpensive for NYC. It's walking distance from Rockefeller Center and on the way to Central Park if you're visiting there at all.

 

[nikkistevej]

Given your limited amount of time, I would opt for the free ferry - you'll get pretty close to the statue and get some good pics, without wasting a ton of time on the rest of the stuff.

9/11 is in that same general area, but Rockefeller Center is a bit farther away. Maybe go there first, then hit Little Italy or Chinatown on your way to 9/11 and Staten Island.

Do you have to get off the ferry, or can you stay on?

 

[mjkacmom]

Do you have to get off the ferry, or can you stay on?

You have to get off.

 

[nikkistevej]

You have to get off.

Ok, thanks.

 

[soccerdad72]

Do you have to get off the ferry, or can you stay on?

As the PP mentioned, you do have to get off, but you can immediately hop back on the next ferry back - although on our last trip, we were a little slow getting off and missed the return ferry, so we ended up grabbing a bite to eat at the ferry terminal in Staten Island while waiting for the next one.

 

[NYCgrrl]

You'll get a better bang for your buck eating in Chinatown over Little Italy. IL has only sitdown restaurants or you can stop at Di Palo's on Grand Street and grab some cheese, cold cuts and bread but I can't think of a park or sitdown area to eat them at. Ferreria's is across the street and has teeny tiny tables for coffee and pastries.
Agreeing on the SI ferry over the tour versions.

Mostly I eat at the carts in Midtown Manhattan if I'm on a shopping or holiday window display jaunt.