NYC for a Day

[kymom99]

We are planning to go to NYC for a day trip by train from Poughkeepsie. We went last year, but this time we will have our 11 year old grandson with us. I definitely plan to take him to the American museum of natural history. Which of these other things sound like something a kid would like?

-One of the observation decks, either top of the rock or Empire State.

-Staten Island Ferry to see the statue and city skyline.

I’d like to do the 9/11 museum but I think one museum for the day is enough.

We are pretty much a family of introverts, so will be overstimulated and ready to get back on the train by late afternoon.

 

[soccerdad72]

My recommendations:

1. Top of the Rock over Empire State Building.

2. Do the Staten Island ferry, which is a free ferry, but we just took the ferry to Staten Island and then got back on the ferry and headed back to Manhattan, without actually going to Ellis Island. You get great views of the Statue of Liberty without spending a ton of time.

3. We went to the 9/11 memorial but didn’t do the museum. The 9/11 outdoor memorial is well done and while we would have liked to do the museum, like you, we were limited in time on our last visit, and the museum would have taken much of our day.

 

[kymom99]

My recommendations:

1. Top of the Rock over Empire State Building.

2. Do the Staten Island ferry, which is a free ferry, but we just took the ferry to Staten Island and then got back on the ferry and headed back to Manhattan, without actually going to Ellis Island. You get great views of the Statue of Liberty without spending a ton of time.

3. We went to the 9/11 memorial but didn’t do the museum. The 9/11 outdoor memorial is well done and while we would have liked to do the museum, like you, we were limited in time on our last visit, and the museum would have taken much of our day.

I had the same idea for the ferry. I don’t feel the need to go to Ellis island this time around but I think seeing the statue in person would be cool.

Thanks!

 

[Imzadi]

My recommendations:

1. Top of the Rock over Empire State Building.

2. Do the Staten Island ferry, which is a free ferry, but we just took the ferry to Staten Island and then got back on the ferry and headed back to Manhattan, without actually going to Ellis Island. You get great views of the Statue of Liberty without spending a ton of time.

3. We went to the 9/11 memorial but didn’t do the museum. The 9/11 outdoor memorial is well done and while we would have liked to do the museum, like you, we were limited in time on our last visit, and the museum would have taken much of our day.

Agree with all of these.

Lot of people like to go up to the top of the Empire State Building. The view is sort of like looking down from a plane. Everything looks like ants down below. Meh. Whereas, from the Top of the Rock, you actually get to see the top of the Empire State Building with it's Art Deco-style architecture, instead of being on it. And on the north side is a great view of Central Park. Since you are only half as high, you'll be able to make out the things you see below.

The Staten Island ferry is quick, about 25 minutes each way. When you board from the Manhattan side, make sure you get a place standing on the RIGHT side of the ferry to see Lady Liberty. They make you get off in Staten Island for cleaning and such. Line up to get right back on and stand on the LEFT side back to see her again. You're done within an hour. No having to pay for and get tickets for a ferry to Liberty Island and stand in the long lines.

You can pay your respects to the 9/11 victims by seeing the memorial wall with the names of all the victims, which runs along the perimeters of where the two buildings stood, without spending too much time and getting overly saturated.

The Natural History Museum has so much to see from the dinosaurs, a Planetarium show, the different animal & cultures halls, and a new wing for insects & butterflies. The gem hall tends to be much quieter and darker. Nice for introverts to catch a breath.

 

[Imzadi]

I had the same idea for the ferry. I don’t feel the need to go to Ellis island this time around but I think seeing the statue in person would be cool.

Thanks!

Soccerdad72 mis-spoke. Ellis Island (where the immigrants were processed through,) and Liberty Island, where Lady Liberty stands, are two different islands.

 

[kymom99]

Agree with all of these.

Lot of people like to go up to the top of the Empire State Building. The view is sort of like looking down from a plane. Everything looks like ants down below. Meh. Whereas, from the Top of the Rock, you actually get to see the top of the Empire State Building with it's Art Deco-style architecture, instead of being on it. And on the north side is a great view of Central Park. Since you are only half as high, you'll be able to make out the things you see below.

The Staten Island ferry is quick, about 25 minutes each way. When you board from the Manhattan side, make sure you get a place standing on the RIGHT side of the ferry to see Lady Liberty. They make you get off in Staten Island for cleaning and such. Line up to get right back on and stand on the LEFT side back to see her again. You're done within an hour. No having to pay for and get tickets for a ferry to Liberty Island and stand in the long lines.

You can pay your respects to the 9/11 victims by seeing the memorial wall with the names of all the victims, which runs along the perimeters of where the two buildings stood, without spending too much time and getting overly saturated.

The Natural History Museum has so much to see from the dinosaurs, a Planetarium show, the different animal & cultures halls, and a new wing for insects & butterflies. The gem hall tends to be much quieter and darker. Nice for introverts to catch a breath.

Wow! Great information! Thank you!

I saw the 9/11 memorial last year and it was amazing. I’m sure my grandson will like the museum. He lives rocks and geods and such. I was hoping there would be a collection there. I visited the Carnegie museum in Pittsburgh, and the collection was jaw dropping.

 

[Imzadi]

Wow! Great information! Thank you!

I saw the 9/11 memorial last year and it was amazing. I’m sure my grandson will like the museum. He lives rocks and geods and such. I was hoping there would be a collection there. I visited the Carnegie museum in Pittsburgh, and the collection was jaw dropping.

If you can plan it, do NOT go to the Museum on a weekend or especially a rainy day. (I was a supervisor there for a while, decades ago.) The weekends are when most parents & tourists go.

Add to that, when it's raining, all parents consider the Natural History Museum the perfect place to bring kids as it turns into a virtual day care center. ALL the dioramas are enclosed, so kids can't get in them. The glass covering them are pretty indestructible. There are guards everywhere for anything climbable, and are stationed especially at all the entrances/exits. So, no kid can run out a door on their own. The kids are let loose and generally running way down the halls and out of sight of their parents. The amount of high pitched yelling and screaming by all the kids can test any introvert.

Since you are coming from Poughkeepsie, maybe you can choose a different day than one of those.

However, if you are going to the Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building, you should get tickets in advance for that. They only let so many people up per hour. (The busiest time slots will be just before sunset.)

 

[NYCgrrl]

Great info above and nothing to add beyond wishing I was picking my toes in Poughkeepsie, lol. Loved walking over the bridge and there’s an old fashioned diner we enjoyed. Fun town!

 

[kymom99]

If you can plan it, do NOT go to the Museum on a weekend or especially a rainy day. (I was a supervisor there for a while, decades ago.) The weekends are when most parents & tourists go.

Add to that, when it's raining, all parents consider the Natural History Museum the perfect place to bring kids as it turns into a virtual day care center. ALL the dioramas are enclosed, so kids can't get in them. The glass covering them are pretty indestructible. There are guards everywhere for anything climbable, and are stationed especially at all the entrances/exits. So, no kid can run out a door on their own. The kids are let loose and generally running way down the halls and out of sight of their parents. The amount of high pitched yelling and screaming by all the kids can test any introvert.

Since you are coming from Poughkeepsie, maybe you can choose a different day than one of those.

However, if you are going to the Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building, you should get tickets in advance for that. They only let so many people up per hour. (The busiest time slots will be just before sunset.)

Oh that sounds delightful .
We are looking at a Thursday so hopefully it will be a bit less crazy.

 

[kymom99]

Great info above and nothing to add beyond wishing I was picking my toes in Poughkeepsie, lol. Loved walking over the bridge and there’s an old fashioned diner we enjoyed. Fun town!

My son works at FDR so we have been up there a few times. I love all the little river towns!

 

[AppleDumpling]

Sounds like a good plan. I would go to the Museum of Natural History first in the morning, and spend a few hours. Have been there many times, and the highlights IMO, are the dinosaur rooms, the Hall of Ocean Life (aka whale room), and the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Agree with the suggestion to stop downtown at the 9/11 memorial, but skip the museum due to time constraints.

I will just throw this out there…as an alternative to the Staten Island ferry, you could take the ferry to Governors Island, which leaves from the same area at the Battery (terminal on the left side). Governors Island is a beautiful NPS park to walk around or rent bikes, and a nice getaway from the crowds of the city, with amazing views of the Statue of Liberty. GI ferry is a 10 minute ride, which costs $5 for adults (round trip), free for kids.

On a future visit, I’d also recommend The Intrepid museum (military aircraft, submarine, etc.), as a place your DGS would likely enjoy.

 

[mjkacmom]

My recommendations:

1. Top of the Rock over Empire State Building.

2. Do the Staten Island ferry, which is a free ferry, but we just took the ferry to Staten Island and then got back on the ferry and headed back to Manhattan, without actually going to Ellis Island. You get great views of the Statue of Liberty without spending a ton of time.

3. We went to the 9/11 memorial but didn’t do the museum. The 9/11 outdoor memorial is well done and while we would have liked to do the museum, like you, we were limited in time on our last visit, and the museum would have taken much of our day.

The Staten Island ferry is a commuter ferry, it doesn’t go to liberty island of Ellis island, which are national parks. The only ferry that goes to the SOL and EI is statue cruises, about $25, booked in advance. It takes awhile to just go through security, but it’s a great experience. We booked pedestal tickets the last time, both islands offer an audio tour, views from the statue of nyc are amazing.

OP, a day in nyc is very short, pick an area. If you want the museum of natural history, add places like Central Park (and the zoo there). You can spend hours in the park, it’s massive. If you want a drive by of SOL, 9/11 museum/memorial, the observatory, oculus. If you want to see the vessel, add the high line, Chelsea market, maybe the intrepid. Downtown/midtown/uptown, east/west side, figure out where you want to spend your day.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I’d like to do the 9/11 museum but I think one museum for the day is enough.

I know you've already said one museum is enough but I did want to just say even if you weren't going to the other museum the 9/11 Museum is rough for kids.

On the one hand it can be something they can't connect well to because of their age, understanding what is being said or spoken to with the audio tour.

On the other hand it can be very emotional that may be hard appropriately for them to handle. When we went to the museum in 2017 we saw kids there even younger teens and all were just bouncing around seemingly bored without actually intaking what they were there for. Some younger kids almost took it like it was a play museum. It takes a certain type of child I think to really be good with the heaviness and seriousness of the 9/11 Museum.

I do think the Natural History Museum sounds fun, we haven't been to that one but we did go to the one in D.C. I don't believe you can do it anymore but back in 2011 we went up into the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty and that was a great experience. I know you mentioned just sailing/seeing the Statue though which is a awe-inspiring sight IMO. I remember going up into the pedestal (the crown you could also go up in if you had booked that particular ticket) there was a smaller museum to learn about the building of the Statue.

 

[mjkacmom]

I know you've already said one museum is enough but I did want to just say even if you weren't going to the other museum the 9/11 Museum is rough for kids.

On the one hand it can be something they can't connect well to because of their age, understanding what is being said or spoken to with the audio tour.

On the other hand it can be very emotional that may be hard appropriately for them to handle. When we went to the museum in 2017 we saw kids there even younger teens and all were just bouncing around seemingly bored without actually intaking what they were there for. Some younger kids almost took it like it was a play museum. It takes a certain type of child I think to really be good with the heaviness and seriousness of the 9/11 Museum.

I do think the Natural History Museum sounds fun, we haven't been to that one but we did go to the one in D.C. I don't believe you can do it anymore but back in 2011 we went up into the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty and that was a great experience. I know you mentioned just sailing/seeing the Statue though which is a awe-inspiring sight IMO. I remember going up into the pedestal (the crown you could also go up in if you had booked that particular ticket) there was a smaller museum to learn about the building of the Statue.

You can still go into the pedestal and crown, just need to book those tickets. We took 8 kids ranging from 10 - 21 to the 9/11 museum and they all got a lot out if it, They were well traveled though. Took the 2 oldest to the holocaust museum in DC when they were 9 and 11. It depends on the kids.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

You can still go into the pedestal and crown, just need to book those tickets. We took 8 kids ranging from 10 - 21 to the 9/11 museum and they all got a lot out if it, They were well traveled though. Took the 2 oldest to the holocaust museum in DC when they were 9 and 11. It depends on the kids.

Good to know about the Statue of Liberty....hmmm..I wonder if I was thinking about being able to walk on the grass but maybe that was only a temporary thing.

As far as the ages of the kids I knew some one would try to say something about that. That's precisely why I put the statement in there "It takes a certain type of child I think to really be good with the heaviness and seriousness of the 9/11 Museum." because that is not all children. So yes I already did say it depends on the child. Same with the holocaust museum.

 

[mjkacmom]

Good to know about the Statue of Liberty....hmmm..I wonder if I was thinking about being able to walk on the grass but maybe that was only a temporary thing.

As far as the ages of the kids I knew some one would try to say something about that. That's precisely why I put the statement in there "It takes a certain type of child I think to really be good with the heaviness and seriousness of the 9/11 Museum." because that is not all children. So yes I already did say it depends on the child. Same with the holocaust museum.

Yes, definitely depends on the child. My kids were with their oos cousins from Chicago, one if my daughters is the same age as her cousin, they were around 12 and dud start acting silly and laughing at the memorial and were immediately and strongly reprimanded, they apologized and were well behaved fir the rest of the tour.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Yes, definitely depends on the child. My kids were with their oos cousins from Chicago, one if my daughters is the same age as her cousin, they were around 12 and dud start acting silly and laughing at the memorial and were immediately and strongly reprimanded, they apologized and were well behaved fir the rest of the tour.

I've been around my husband's family for 17 years and have seen his two sisters grow up. Neither of them are museum people even now as late 20s and 30s. My husband and I are museum people and history people. I don't think his sisters would have acted out even though the youngest sibling was almost 12 when I first met her but they wouldn't have appreciated it either like my husband and I would have as kids. We did go with the older of the two sisters (but still a couple years younger than my husband) to the touring Auschwitz exhibit when it came to our metro (and stayed longer than its original run due to popularity) but I could tell she got bored of reading and listening after a short bit. As a kid she wouldn't have voluntarily have gone to that.

I do know they have a family tour for 9/11 but I think the OP's original idea of the natural history museum is probably going to net a better overall outing experience with just a day and the age. The last time we were in NYC in 2017 it was during Christmas time so there were a lot more random pop up things to do there. The New York Library was a wonderful place to see, very nicely decorated but it's a library so hit/miss on whether a kid would enjoy that, me as a book lover since a child loved being in there. I think your idea of Central Park is good too (hopefully it's a decent weather day).

 

[Imzadi]

add places like Central Park (and the zoo there).

Sorry, I disagree with this. The OP is coming from Poughkeepsie, which is an hour and a half north of NYC. They live in the Catskill Mountains. (Think of the movies: Dirty Dancing and The Last of the Mohicans where Daniel Day-Lewis was chasing after Madeline Stowe, although both were actually filmed in NC. ) There are some of the most stunning waterfalls, lakes and mountain views up there at the many parks, state parks and open to the public estates in their area. They live within 45 minutes of High Falls, Minnewaska State Park, Awosting Falls, Mohonk mountain, and the Hudson Highlands and can be wonderful, future day trips. When I travel out of NYC for some nature, these places are where I go where my soul sings.

Other than seeing the Alice in Wonderland statue and such, for them to go to Central Park would be such a non-event. As for the CP Zoo, it's little. It would be better to plan another day trip to go to the Bronx Zoo, IMO.


I do agree with you that they have to be mindful of the time it takes to travel from one destination to to another. As introverts, they can use that time to decompress between sites.

OP, it will take about 20 minutes via the B Train from the Museum of Nat. History to the Top of the Rock.

From there, walk to the 1 Train (south) at 7th Ave and 50th St, (about 8 minutes.) If, before getting on the subway, you first walk to the corner and look down 7th Ave to Times Square, you can spend some minutes marveling at the "2025" sign and pole which the ball drops on NYE. You can even walk down 7th Ave to 47th St, which brings you into the heart of the Times Square area at Duffy Square. (The Disney store is there too. )

Then take the 1 Train, travel down to South Ferry stop which will take about 40 minutes, depending on the time of day, to the Staten Island ferry terminal.

ALTERNATELY: walk one block further west to 8th Ave at 50th St to the E train (south) and take that down to the end, the World Trade Center stop, where the 9/11 memorial is. (Again about a 35 - 40 minute trip.) This may be the better plan, as others have said, it can be an emotionally heavy experience. Then from there, walk over to the 1 Train, ending on a high note, seeing Lady Liberty.

Then you can walk to the 4 or 5 Train to Grand Central to take the train home.

(All these time estimates are if the trains are working and working well and no subway delays, rush hour delays, stalled trains on a track, or "police actions" at a subway station along the line.)

Somewhere along the way, you guys will have to eat. There are four overly priced places in the Museum. The Food Court in the the basement is loud and noisy, especially on the weekends. They may still have "dino burgers" (cheeseburgers,) or dino shaped chicken nuggets. Otherwise, you will have to factor in time for eating elsewhere along the way.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Sorry, I disagree with this. The OP is coming from Poughkeepsie, which is an hour and a half north of NYC. They live in the Catskill Mountains. (Think of the movies: Dirty Dancing and The Last of the Mohicans where Daniel Day-Lewis was chasing after Madeline Stowe, although both were actually filmed in NC. ) There are some of the most stunning waterfalls, lakes and mountain views up there at the many parks, state parks and open to the public estates in their area. They live within 45 minutes of High Falls, Minnewaska State Park, Awosting Falls, Mohonk mountain, and the Hudson Highlands and can be wonderful, future day trips. When I travel out of NYC for some nature, these places are where I go where my soul sings.

Other than seeing the Alice in Wonderland statue and such, for them to go to Central Park would be such a non-event. As for the CP Zoo, it's little. It would be better to plan another day trip to go to the Bronx Zoo, IMO.


I do agree with you that they have to be mindful of the time it takes to travel from one destination to to another. As introverts, they can use that time to decompress between sites.

OP, it will take about 20 minutes via the B Train from the Museum of Nat. History to the Top of the Rock.

From there, walk to the 1 Train (south) at 7th Ave and 50th St, (about 8 minutes.) If, before getting on the subway, you first walk to the corner and look down 7th Ave to Times Square, you can spend some minutes marveling at the "2025" sign and pole which the ball drops on NYE. You can even walk down 7th Ave to 47th St, which brings you into the heart of the Times Square area at Duffy Square. (The Disney store is there too. )

Then take the 1 Train, travel down to South Ferry stop which will take about 40 minutes, depending on the time of day, to the Staten Island ferry terminal.

ALTERNATELY: walk one block further west to 8th Ave at 50th St to the E train (south) and take that down to the end, the World Trade Center stop, where the 9/11 memorial is. (Again about a 35 - 40 minute trip.) This may be the better plan, as others have said, it can be an emotionally heavy experience. Then from there, walk over to the 1 Train, ending on a high note, seeing Lady Liberty.

Then you can walk to the 4 or 5 Train to Grand Central to take the train home.

(All these time estimates are if the trains are working and working well and no subway delays, rush hour delays, stalled trains on a track, or "police actions" at a subway station along the line.)

Somewhere along the way, you guys will have to eat. There are four overly priced places in the Museum. The Food Court in the the basement is loud and noisy, especially on the weekends. They may still have "dino burgers" (cheeseburgers,) or dino shaped chicken nuggets. Otherwise, you will have to factor in time for eating elsewhere along the way.

With all due respect I think you might be getting a tad too defensive about your area perhaps projecting a tad (said respectfully). Someone coming from places of nature doesn't automatically mean they don't want that when they visit somewhere else. It can absolutely be the case that to the OP Central Park wouldn't be their cup of tea but I wouldn't make assumptions based on where they live that they would feel that way. They have an 11 yr old with a family of introverts who self-assess to know they would be done for the day in the early afternoon. NYC itself is chaotic and full of a bunch of people. One could view even getting into a tiny part of Central Park can offer a respite for that and a bit of a breather. Again maybe that isn't anywhere near their radar of fun stuff to do who knows.

I'd tell everyone who is coming to visit my area to check out the two arboretums we have in the metro area (one is further away but larger). Doesn't matter if they come from a place filled to the brim with nature, I'd still suggest it as an activity because both are well done arboretums and easy touring.

Side note I really wanted to like the Disney store there but I was super unimpressed, it was far too busy too because you know it's the Disney store in Times Square but it was really lackluster for me.

 

[kymom99]

Sorry, I disagree with this. The OP is coming from Poughkeepsie, which is an hour and a half north of NYC. They live in the Catskill Mountains. (Think of the movies: Dirty Dancing and The Last of the Mohicans where Daniel Day-Lewis was chasing after Madeline Stowe, although both were actually filmed in NC. ) There are some of the most stunning waterfalls, lakes and mountain views up there at the many parks, state parks and open to the public estates in their area. They live within 45 minutes of High Falls, Minnewaska State Park, Awosting Falls, Mohonk mountain, and the Hudson Highlands and can be wonderful, future day trips. When I travel out of NYC for some nature, these places are where I go where my soul sings.

Other than seeing the Alice in Wonderland statue and such, for them to go to Central Park would be such a non-event. As for the CP Zoo, it's little. It would be better to plan another day trip to go to the Bronx Zoo, IMO.


I do agree with you that they have to be mindful of the time it takes to travel from one destination to to another. As introverts, they can use that time to decompress between sites.

OP, it will take about 20 minutes via the B Train from the Museum of Nat. History to the Top of the Rock.

From there, walk to the 1 Train (south) at 7th Ave and 50th St, (about 8 minutes.) If, before getting on the subway, you first walk to the corner and look down 7th Ave to Times Square, you can spend some minutes marveling at the "2025" sign and pole which the ball drops on NYE. You can even walk down 7th Ave to 47th St, which brings you into the heart of the Times Square area at Duffy Square. (The Disney store is there too. )

Then take the 1 Train, travel down to South Ferry stop which will take about 40 minutes, depending on the time of day, to the Staten Island ferry terminal.

ALTERNATELY: walk one block further west to 8th Ave at 50th St to the E train (south) and take that down to the end, the World Trade Center stop, where the 9/11 memorial is. (Again about a 35 - 40 minute trip.) This may be the better plan, as others have said, it can be an emotionally heavy experience. Then from there, walk over to the 1 Train, ending on a high note, seeing Lady Liberty.

Then you can walk to the 4 or 5 Train to Grand Central to take the train home.

(All these time estimates are if the trains are working and working well and no subway delays, rush hour delays, stalled trains on a track, or "police actions" at a subway station along the line.)

Somewhere along the way, you guys will have to eat. There are four overly priced places in the Museum. The Food Court in the the basement is loud and noisy, especially on the weekends. They may still have "dino burgers" (cheeseburgers,) or dino shaped chicken nuggets. Otherwise, you will have to factor in time for eating elsewhere along the way.

Some clarification: we live in Kentucky. Our son works in Hyde park NY and I agree, there are so many beautiful places in that area to get out into nature. We have been to Central Park once without the grandson. (Funny story, my husband got pooped on by a pigeon in Central Park. ) We have also seen the 9/11 memorial. Our son has been to the city a number of times for day trips.

Thanks for the directions. I was wondering about going straight to the ferry first and working our way back?