NYC for a Day

No need to laugh @Imzadi just because you disagree, you've got amazing directions to give someone but sound much more protective about NYC than needs be IMO. I suppose on the Hallmark thread you keep the laughing to posters in a not so kind way out of it so I know you can on other threads.
 
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.

Ah, I wasn't sure if you happened to live up there too.

I saw a person being pooped on once. I was standing at a sidewalk cafe, underneath an underpass, and a couple was walking down the sidewalk talking. The woman stopped and suddenly let out a shriek. 😲 We all stared at her. She didn't look like she was having a mental breakdown. Then she pointed to the poop on the side of her head. 😂 Luckily, being at a cafe, they had plenty of napkins for her. It always makes me look up before I'm walking under an underpass now for kamikaze bomber pigeons. :duck: 😅

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

Yes, that would work too. Just remember, you may need to get tickets days ahead for the Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building. You don't want to have to rush or cut your time at one of the other sites short to get there for your chosen time slot if you plan it for later. And you may have to stand in line, (even with a reservation) possibly several minutes(?) early? The times I've walked by, there have been lines waiting for the elevators to open, so they get in right away. If they have no shows, they might have a wait list to fill in, which may be why they want people there early. But, I'm not sure. I haven't gone in many years.

You may also want to have alternate indoor plans too. The Museum is fine in any weather. (Again, may be busier if it rains.) The other three events are outdoors.

The Empire State Building, I think, has an indoor observation deck. Yet, if it rains and the clouds are low, you may only see a gray cloud all around. Similar for the Top of the Rock. You might not get to see the top of the Empire State Building, just know it's behind that gray cloud ahead. (You'll be able to see the bottom part.) While NYC is beautiful in any weather. Your view of many other sites may be obscured: the Chrysler Building's art deco spire, One World Trade building, and way off in the distance the Statue of Liberty may be blotted out.

The SI ferry schedule may run slower in the rain, which affects your time to do other things.
 
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Ah, I wasn't sure if you happened to live up there too.

I saw a person being pooped on once. I was standing at a sidewalk cafe, underneath an underpass, and a couple was walking down the sidewalk talking. The woman stopped and suddenly let out a shriek. 😲 We all stared at her. She didn't look like she was having a mental breakdown. Then she pointed to the poop on the side of her head. 😂 Luckily, being at a cafe, they had plenty of napkins for her. It always makes me look up before I'm walking under an underpass now for kamikaze bomber pigeons. :duck: 😅



Yes, that would work too. Just remember, you may need to get tickets days ahead for the Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building. You don't want to have to rush or cut your time at one of the other sites short to get there for your chosen time slot if you plan it for later. And you may have to stand in line, (even with a reservation) possibly several minutes(?) early? The times I've walked by, there have been lines waiting for the elevators to open, so they get in right away. If they have no shows, they might have a wait list to fill in, which may be why they want people there early. But, I'm not sure. I haven't gone in many years.

You may also want to have alternate indoor plans too. The Museum is fine in any weather. (Again, may be busier if it rains.) The other three events are outdoors.

The Empire State Building, I think, has an indoor observation deck. Yet, if it rains and the clouds are low, you may only see a gray cloud all around. Similar for the Top of the Rock. You might not get to see the top of the Empire State Building, just know it's behind that gray cloud ahead. (You'll be able to see the bottom part.) While NYC is beautiful in any weather. Your view of many other sites may be obscured: the Chrysler Building's art deco spire, One World Trade building, and way off in the distance the Statue of Liberty may be blotted out.

The SI ferry schedule may run slower in the rain, which affects your time to do other things.
We have the option to go on a Thursday or Friday on my son’s days off. So if Thursday isn’t good we could look at Friday. Top of the rock is the lowest on my list, but still something I would like to try to do. I anticipate other trips into the city in the future. The museum and the statue are both first priority. I’m going to talk to my son to firm things up. I truly appreciate all your help.

A remark related to your mention of minnewaska state park, last fall we went there and it was just lovely. New York has some absolutely beautiful state parks.
 
Sounds very nice, in my experience the museum plus the planetarium there is easily a happy all day event, it is very big with lots to see and sometimes special exhibits. The Planetarium is extra but my family always adored it, plus it is a break to rest your feet. I might watch Night at the Museum before the trip to increase excitement :) SI ferry is a great deal but getting there and back can be a giant cranky time drain so I guess I'd consider that part carefully. Does your grandson like the movie Elf? If so maybe a few of the spots from the movie would be fun too.
 

We have the option to go on a Thursday or Friday on my son’s days off. So if Thursday isn’t good we could look at Friday. Top of the rock is the lowest on my list, but still something I would like to try to do. I anticipate other trips into the city in the future. The museum and the statue are both first priority. I’m going to talk to my son to firm things up. I truly appreciate all your help.

A remark related to your mention of minnewaska state park, last fall we went there and it was just lovely. New York has some absolutely beautiful state parks.

You're welcome. If you happen to come before 7pm on July 5, there is also a 5-story Titanosaurus dinosaur towering over Rockefeller Center at the moment, for the Jurassic World Rebirth movie. It's at the bottom of the Top of the Rock. It may make going there slighly more appealing, seeing all the dinosaur skeletons earlier, and then one with "skin" on later on. 😍

 





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