NYC for 12 hours! What to do!?!?

[ashleyd725@hotmail.c]

Dh and I will be going to NYC for 12 hours at the end of next month, just trying to get some ideas of what to do!
Things we would like to do
Statue of Liberty of course!
Times Square
Central Park
Not really an artsy couple so we can do without that kind of stuff this trip maybe next time. Not into Broadway either... Would prob. enjoy it but it would take up too much of our 12 hours!
I know the World of Disney store closed, but I thought they were opening a new one?!? Anyone know if that is true?
Looking for good cheap fun, and cheap shopping!

 

[JoiseyMom]

Hit Chinatown for some great food and cheap shopping. If you want great deli go to the Lower East Side and hit Katz's Deli.

I don't think they have opened the new Disney Store yet.

Realize that for the Statue you can't climb...you need tickets for that these days and they sell out real quick.

 

[ashleyd725@hotmail.c]

Thanks!
I figured we wouldnt be able to climb, but thanks for the confirmation!
No Disney store makes me sad though!

 

[CheapMom]

Statue of Liberty will take up a good majority of your time, if you do the ferry to Ellis and Liberty Island. Security there is very tight (much moreso than getting through security at an airport) and add that along with travel time to and from Battery Park you won't have a lot of time left for anything big- I suggest just plan on a nice meal and some freestyle walking around/sightseeing/shopping.

Where are you coming in to the city? Statue of Liberty is at the south point of manhattan and Central Park is north- since you have a limited time I would not try to do both on the same day. I love Central Park and could spend hours just walking the trails and enjoying the surroundings.

 

[CheapMom]

Hit Chinatown for some great food and cheap shopping. If you want great deli go to the Lower East Side and hit Katz's Deli.

I don't think they have opened the new Disney Store yet.

Realize that for the Statue you can't climb...you need tickets for that these days and they sell out real quick.

Why can't they climb the Statue? The tickets are just for the ferry I thought- They should still have tix for the end of next month, right?

 

[CheapMom]

here's where you make reservations: http://www.nps.gov/stli/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm

 

[talulabelle]

If you travel to Battery Park, get in line for the Ferry (even if you have tickets bought in advance) and wait for your turn on the Ferry and back, that will take all of your time. Ellis Island take a days commitment. You can take the free Staten Island Ferry that is right next to the Ellis Island ferry and it goes right past the statue, but doesn't stop. you can still get good pictures. Just stay on the Ferry for the return trip to Battery Park. Even this will take a chunk of time. Another option is to take the big speed boat ride that goes right past it. $23 for adults and $17 for kids. Here is a link..

http://gonyc.about.com/od/sightseeingtours/fr/circle_beast.htm

 

[mickeylove2]

Madame Tussauds! Tickets are about $35 per person.

 

[Chelley00]

Take a tour! DH and I only had one day in NYC after a cruise, and we hired a private tour guide. He was SOOOOOOO well worth every penny. We didn't have to spend time looking at maps or figuring out the subway system, because he was right there with us. We saw everything we wanted to see (Ground Zero, Empire State Bldg, Times Square, Central Park) plus so many other little things we never would have found (apartments from Sex and the City and Friends) We found them at realnewyorktours.com

 

[shoney]

I also recommend the staten island ferry to see the sol. The last time we did it they did make u exit the boat but you get right back in line to go back.

Another popular thing is to take the subway to Brooklyn and walk back to Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge. (grimaldi's pizza is near the bridge if you want NY pizza...does get very crowded though! You can walk by it and see how long the line is on the street)

Chinatown is a great spot to grab an inexpensive lunch.

We also really enjoyed a walking food tour of the Village. It gave you a bit of history of the area and snacks! foodsofny.com (We live on Long Island and my husband works in the city...so it is even great for locals too)

I personally do not like Times Square, but I am from the area and have been there a million times. If I can avoid it, I do. I can see why a tourist would like to "feel the vibe" there. I just wouldn't plan too much time there.

You could start at the park and move your way down the island or vice versa. It will be a hectic day, but I am sure lots of fun!

 

[Ginamarie]

12 hours is going to pass by VERY quickly in NYC.

In order to save time and money I would suggest taking the Staten Island Ferry instead of the official one that takes you to Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty. The lines for the official ferry are very long and it will take up too much of your time if you want to see more.

If you do the Staten Island Ferry, it will only take about 90 minutes roundtrip (tops) and then you can take the subway up to midtown for Times Square and Central Park. Be sure to get yourself some real NY pizza while you're in town!

As for the Disney Store, the old one on 5th Avenue is closed completely and the new store is just being worked on now, so I wouldn't expect to see that. There is plenty to do otherwise though!

 

[shoney]

There are usually street fairs all over. do a google search for NYC street fairs and see if one is in an area you would like to visit. That is usually a fun cheap way to hang out in the city.