New Yorkers: Please comment on my "budget" NYC itinerary **Updated Itinerary Post #77

[chloelovesdisney]

http://www.shakeshack.com/

http://www.grimaldispizzeria.com/

http://www.villamosconi.com/

http://www.joeshanghairestaurants.com/

http://www.panerabread.com/

http://www.cafedalsace.com/

These are some places that are nearby some of your plans. I wouldn't usually tell someone to go to Panera since they're a nationwide chain, but they are a good and inexpensive place to eat that's only a few blocks from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I threw in Cafe D'Alsace just because I like it.

 

[Lewisc]

I'm the lone person so far that says drive in.

I 2nd Grimaldi's in Brooklyn.

+1 $40 is in line with what parking costs for 24 hours in Manhattan. Parking your car in NJ but staying in NYC is a waste of time.

This is the budget board. You might find a place in Jersey City that will let you park your car for free, maybe offer a free breakfast and be close to mass transit. You'll be spending time and money taking a bus or PATH train into NYC in the morning and afternoon. Someone came up with a hotel. Doesn't make sense to me.

Even IF the line is long it moves very quickly. I have been there twice last month and there was no wait at all. I bought tickets for Mama Mia one day and the next week we went and got Phantom tickets. I think next week we may go in and get tickets for Newsies or Once. As long as you have a few shows in mind in case there are no tickets and not expecting to get Wicked tickets you are fine.

The line does move fast. Lion King (you already have tickets), Wicked and Book of Mormon are never available.

 

[crazyme5kids]

I would just park in the city too. For me, time spent sometimes equals money and convenience. The extra savings isn't always worth it for me.

 

[lisaross]

If u want good chinese food in china town - great place is Wo Hops (17 Mott Street) downstairs!

Good Food/Good Prices!!

Happy Spring!

I have been planning at family trip to NYC for this June; cast will most likely include myself, DS, DD and her Dboyfriend. I have been doing much research and checking out lots of information on TripAdvisor (I LOVE TripAdvisor!). After re-working a few things, I have an itinerary I'd love some natives from NYC to check out and comment on, if you have the time.

We are driving from Illinois and I currently have reservations (AAA)at the TRYP hotel which is on W. 34th Street and 9th Ave. (Watching for other bargains on TravelZoo). I know we will be paying $40/day to park with the hotel. I plan to get a subway pass. I also have already purchased tickets for the Lion King, so that activity is set without wiggle room.

My itinerary is below. I understand the Statue of Liberty is closed until July due to Sandy; can you tell me if she has also interfered with any of the locations below? My plan was also to get a CityPass; I know there are several types of passes, but this seemed the best for our plans. Some days may be switched due to weather. Are there any activities that should/shouldn't be done on the weekends vs. week days? Any comments on anything are welcome. Thanks!

*Friday 6/14:Arrive from Illinois around 7pm EST (how crazy will traffic be? This is the one thing that scares this mid-western girl!)
*Saturday: ToTR, Library, Grand Central Station (lunch), possibly a museum, Harbor Cruise
*Sunday: Chinatown, Scott's Pizza Tour, Little Italy, Improve at Upright Citizens Brigade at 7:30pm
* Monday: ESB, 9/11 Memorial/St. Paul's Chapel, Wall Street/Trinity Church, ESB after dark
*Tuesday: Central Park (picnic lunch from Zabar's Deli), Museum, Dylan's Candy Bar, Carmine's for dinner/The Lion King
*Wednesday: Intrepid Museum, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge/eat/walk around and back across the bridge
*Thursday: Drive home

I thought about possibly switching Saturday with Monday so we wouldn't have two later nights in a row (ESB after 10pm--City Pass--Monday night, then the Lion King on Tuesday night), also, would it be better to go to Wall Street and such on a weekend? I may try to get tickets to Jimmy Fallon, but my son will be 2 weeks shy of his 16th birthday so I am going to ask when I call if he will make the cut or not.

Thanks for any suggestions you can offer!

 

[EagleScout]

I know this is budget board, but I echo the sentiment of parking at hotel. NYC is already crazy enough -try to take a few steps to minimize aggravation/commotion. Your plan generally seems fine, but two quick warnings and I have plenty of other advice/recommendations if you want - 1-if you have remote keyless entry, please take your car out for quick drive around block at least once or twice if it is not selfpark- common NY garage practice is for valets to leave car in front seat, which engages the keyless system monitor, and after 3 days or so, the battery drains completely. We have had to get a jump start in garage of Marriott marquis when we did a "new yorker acting like tourist" vacation during hurricane Irene when we were temporarily "homeless". Second warning -I assume you are aware of the fairly large distances you are covering on each day's trip. Yes, public transport helps, but there is still some substantial walking and there are no public transport stops in middle of park, only a block away from each "edge". Your park day is literally several miles of walking, and the other days may be as well. Please wear comfortable shoes, be in decent shape, etc. Finally, a suggestion. As long as you are in NY, you might want to try a bit more of the many interesting ethnic food options, if you are adventurous, etc. Have fun, and you should have a great time-feel free to pm with questions, and many here have provided some good ones (such as Staten island ferry, which is now a bit trickier to get to b/c the main subway station for Manhattan side of ferry is on "1" subway, and that stop is still under hurricane repair closure.

 

[Lewisc]

Driving around the block is more likely to further drain the battery then charge it. Look for a harbor cruise that leaves walking distance from Intrepid.
Make sure u have ez pass.

U could drive and visit Bronx zoo or Coney island on your departure day

Use your valet.key if u think pp point applies to u

 

[Prose]

We are in the NYC area right now visiting family and hav ebeen doing some of the tourist things this time around. A couple of hints...the 911 Memorial is overwhelmingly sad and breathtaking. Everyone should see it. Definitely go online to reserve (free) tickets. You will be given an arrival time....keep in mind that once you arrive, though, it is still a wait to get into the memorial itself. For us, on a Saturday afternoon, it was about 45 minutes, including 2 stations to have our tickets checked and an airport-type security stop and metal detector. Once you are in you can wander and look freely and stay as long as you'd like. I would allocate 90 minutes to 2 hours total.

Also, several of the subway stations in the area of the memorial were under construction this weekend and were closed. Be sure to check ahead to find out whether any stations you are planning to used are closed. We forgot to do so, and it cost us several extra blocks of walking.

If you are in the Lower East Side area, i'd recommend Economy Candy as an alternative to Dylans. Economy is floor-to-ceiling full of candies from several countries. Every time we go we have to ship home a box full of yummy stuff! Other places in that general area we like are Doughnut Plant and Pommes Frites. (Somehow our latest visit ended up being all about food...hmmm....)

 

[marlynnp]

If you're not using the car, find an alliance garage near your hotel and use the "vehicle storage" option. You need to reserve & pay before you go. Then just cab to and from the garage with your belongings. I pay $15-$20 a day this way.

http://www.allianceparkingservices.com/3-14-Day-vehicle-storage-cat/500-west-43rd-street.html


And if you adjust your plans, consider a tour at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, they are really interesting.

http://www.tenement.org/contact.html

And stop at Economy Candy while you're down there.

http://www.economycandy.com/

There's is also a fab hole in the wall Creperie about a block away.

http://www.creperienyc.com/

 

[Srbright]

Coney Island will be up and running. The Cyclone opened last week!

OMG, that brings back memories! Going on the subway to Coney Island and watching the graffiti morph into all Russian. We got to ride the cyclone like 8 times in a row in September of '01 (go figure). And when I say in a row, I mean we were the only people on the coaster and we didn't even have to get up. The guy charged us full price the first time and then $1 each for the next couple then sent us around for free.

And yes. I can tell you that walking over the Brooklyn Bridge is MUCH longer than you think it should be.

Stacy

 

[Soupermom]

Can someone tell me, in general, using the subway, how long it would take to get from my hotel (the TRYP, 345 W. 35th Street) to the 9/11 memorial?

How about from the hotel to Little Italy/Chinatown?

To Times Square (walking)?

To Central Park (south side, walking)?

To Rockefeller Center (walking)?

To the Intrepid (walking)?

I have a map and know what is where, but I'd like to know a rough estimate on how long to plan for traveling.

Thanks!!!!

 

[NYCDiane]

Can someone tell me, in general, using the subway, how long it would take to get from my hotel (the TRYP, 345 W. 35th Street) to the 9/11 memorial?

Walk over to Penn Station (34th/8th) and take the downtown "A" train to WTC. Should take about 20 minutes or so

How about from the hotel to Little Italy/Chinatown?

It's about 3 miles or so. I wouldn't walk it. Find out where you want to go in Chinatown and then use HopStop to get bus directions (subway is faster but you see more on the bus) Bus ride shouldn't take more than 15 minutes or so depending on the time of day.

To Times Square (walking)?

TS starts around 40th St/8th Ave/Bway, so it's not a long walk at all

To Central Park (south side, walking)?

59th St/5th Ave, not far but not really close either.
To Rockefeller Center (walking)?

49/50th St, 5-6th Ave, not far from where you are.
To the Intrepid (walking)?

46th St, 12th Ave. Not far, not close

I have a map and know what is where, but I'd like to know a rough estimate on how long to plan for traveling.

Thanks!!!!

Your hotel is between 8th and 9th Avenues. The walking to most of these places isn't far but isn't close, either. The walking time depends on your walking speed. Wear sneakers or something very comfortable on your feet if you plan on walking TO all these place and then walking AROUND at all these places!!!! (After Rock Center, you should go to the NY Public Library and Bryant Park)

 

[Aristocath]

Can someone tell me, in general, using the subway, how long it would take to get from my hotel (the TRYP, 345 W. 35th Street) to the 9/11 memorial?

How about from the hotel to Little Italy/Chinatown?

To Times Square (walking)?

To Central Park (south side, walking)?

To Rockefeller Center (walking)?

To the Intrepid (walking)?

I have a map and know what is where, but I'd like to know a rough estimate on how long to plan for traveling.

Thanks!!!!

Use either the HOPSTOP app or website to find travel times using the subway. You will probably want to take the subway to Central Park. The edge of the park is about 25 blocks from your hotel. Doable but long. It will take nearly half an hour I'd guess to walk to the Intrepid. About the same to Rock Center.

 

[Soupermom]

Thanks everyone! Can you get a pass that covers the subway AND the buses?

 

[dawnhaze]

Thanks everyone! Can you get a pass that covers the subway AND the buses?

A regular Metrocard is used on buses and subways. The exception is express buses that cost more, an unlimited ride card (like the monthly cards) can't be used on those because the fare is higher, but you probably won't have to use any of those. They're mostly commuter routes.

 

[Lewisc]

Can someone tell me, in general, using the subway, how long it would take to get from my hotel (the TRYP, 345 W. 35th Street) to the 9/11 memorial?

How about from the hotel to Little Italy/Chinatown?

To Times Square (walking)?

To Central Park (south side, walking)?

To Rockefeller Center (walking)?

To the Intrepid (walking)?

I have a map and know what is where, but I'd like to know a rough estimate on how long to plan for traveling.

Thanks!!!!

NYC the number of N S blocks to the mile is 20. East West Blocks is about 4 to the mile.

35th Street to 50th St (Rockefeller Center) is about 3/4 mile. 7th to 6th another 1/4. Total is about a mile.

You're going to be doing a lot of walking in Central Park.

I'm going to go back to your OP and give it some thought. You need to switch some days. Some thoughts.

Part of the Intrepid museum (I think part with Space Shuttle) is still closed due to Sandy.

Not sure Brooklyn Bridge would make my cut. If you insist walking about halfway then walking back will give you the experience and photo op.

Museums--Central Park Day consider Museum of Natural History and/or www.metmuseum.org Technically the admission price is only a recommended amount. It's covered by most of the city pass deals.

Check with AAA and groupon regarding NY Pass.

I'd look to do one of the cruises that leaves from a Pier next to the Intrepid if you're still doing the Intrepid. I think Circle Line and NY Waterways works.


EDITED TO ADD *****: Go to this link.http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/hours-and-admission It gives the links to the 3 different combined NYC passes. City Pass, NY Pass and New York Explorer Pass. See if your AAA offers a discount on any of them.

 

[NYCDiane]

Thanks everyone! Can you get a pass that covers the subway AND the buses?

If you plan on taking the subway/bus a lot while you're here, get a weekly MetroCard ($30). You'll save a lot over the pay per ride ($2.50 per ride).

 

[shoney]

This link may help to plan subway/bus travel....

http://tripplanner.mta.info/MyTrip/ui_web/customplanner/tripplanner.aspx

 

[Soupermom]

Friday, June 14th
Drive from Danville to New York City, New York

Saturday, June 15th
ESB (8am), New York Public Library, Grand Central Station, Harbor Cruise, Natural History Museum? ESB?

Sunday, June 16th
Chinatown (Wo Hop for meal if needed), Scotts Pizza Tour, Little Italy, Economy Candy, (Brooklyn Bagel Company for dinner?) Improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade (7:30pmgo early)

Monday, June 17th
9/11 Museum, St. Pauls Chapel (Stage Door Deli for lunch), Wall Street, Trinity Church, travel to Brooklyn/eat (pizzaria, ice-cream)/walk back across the Brooklyn Bridge

Tuesday, June 18th
Central Park (Zabars Deli for picnic lunch), Museum, FAO Schwarz
Carmines or Tony Di Napolis for dinner/The Lion King (7:00pm)

Wednesday, June 19th
Intrepid Museum (10am), Highline Park, ToTR

Thursday, June 20th
Drive from NYC to Danville, Illinois

 

[Lewisc]

I'd move the Intrepid to Saturday, before your Harbor Cruise Maybe even move Highland Park to Saturday.

You don't need to go to the Empire State Building twice and Top of the Rock. PLAN TO BE FLEXIBLE DEPENDING ON WEATHER.

You might be able to do ToTR after Lion King. Move Natural History Museum to your Central Park Day.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Friday, June 14th
Drive from Danville to New York City, New York

Saturday, June 15th
ESB (8am), New York Public Library, Grand Central Station, Harbor Cruise, Natural History Museum? ESB? I agree with the pp to try and go to the Intrepid on this day if your cruise is in the same location. It's not a convenient location to get to really, so there's no point in going there twice. It makes more logistical sense then going to the Museum of Natural History that day.

Sunday, June 16th
Chinatown (Wo Hop for meal if needed), Scotts Pizza Tour, Little Italy, Economy Candy, (Brooklyn Bagel Company for dinner?) Improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade (7:30pmgo early)

Monday, June 17th
9/11 Museum, St. Pauls Chapel (Stage Door Deli for lunch), Wall Street, Trinity Church, travel to Brooklyn/eat (pizzaria, ice-cream)/walk back across the Brooklyn Bridge Just an fyi, this is not the popular Stage deli which I believe is closed now anyway. Don't expect anything great there. I'd also plan to walk across the bridge during the daytime, so you may want to walk there, and take the ferry or subway back.

Tuesday, June 18th
Central Park (Zabars Deli for picnic lunch), Museum, FAO Schwarz
Carmines or Tony Di Napolis for dinner/The Lion King (7:00pm)

Wednesday, June 19th
Intrepid Museum (10am), Highline Park, ToTR Hopefully you will have gone to the Intrepid already, so you can start off at the Highline in the morning on 30th street heading all the way to the end, then explore that neighborhood, have lunch and then head to ToTR.

Thursday, June 20th
Drive from NYC to Danville, Illinois

You look like you may have some empty time in the evenings, you can always check out Time Out NY for ideas.