NYC itinerary help!

[31Buzz]

We will be in NYC for 4 full days. We have children 12,10 and 7. We are staying at the Doubletree suites in Times Square. Here is my plan, PLEASE tell me what you think!!! I need help!

Day 1 ~ hubby has meeting until noon. Afternoon 5 1/2 hour city bus tour to see tons of sites. (ex. World Trade Center site, NYSE, 5th ave., St. Patricks cathedral, strawberry fields, Trinity church, etc) ~ Johns Pizza for dinner

Day 2~Museum of natural history to see the dinosaurs. lunch ~ Brother Jimmy's bbq ~Afternoon ????? Dinner??????

Day 3~a.m. carriage ride to see Central park, picnic for lunch. Afternoon souvenir shopping, Toys r us times square and Ellen's stardust diner for dinner. Mary Poppins at night

Day 4~ statue of liberty (crown access) and Ellis Island. dinner??????

Any ideas for the ???? or suggestions of other things we should be doing? We are not interested in zoo's or long stretches at a museum but are pretty much up for anything fun! THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

One place we always like for lunch or dinner in Times Square is Bubba Gump's, if you don't live near one and like seafood. So much of NYC is available to walking or if you know where to go via the subways...

Have a great trip

 

[neatokimmo]

Top of the Rock. I'm a local and I've done it twice in the last year, including yesterday. You can book the NBC studio tour as a combo ticket.

The Museum can take a day easily. Easiest way to get up there is going to be to hop the subway up from Times Square. Also King Tut is in Times Square, it's another option.

If you want dining options feel free to PM me. I have tons that are totally off the tourist radar.

Would you mind to talk about food a little bit? We are going to NYC in May and I've been looking around at different places. The choices are a bit overwhelming

 

[bhoffman]

Another question! We are going to do the top of the rock and the museum of natural history the same day. I am thinking we should be at top of the rock at 8:30am or so then do the museum after so we don't feel rushed either place. Does that sound good and if so, is top of the rock so busy that I should buy our tickets on line from home or use a $2 off coupon when we get there? I don't do lines when ever possible so if I need to pay extra from home I will happily do that but, also, don't want to waste $10 if I don't need to! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MickeyP]

I thought Top of the Rock was a complete waste of time and $$$. It wasn't cheap either. I think if you are in NY, go to the Empire State Bldg. It's an amazing experience and you won't forget it. They'll take souvenir pics of you/your party and I think the pictures you shoot, will be better than TotR.

If you like themed restaurants, don't forget about Mars 2112. Your kids will love it. Or, the Jekyl and Hyde scary restaurant. If you do end up down by Serendipity's, there's Dylan's Candy Bar a couple of shops down- very fun!

For a delightful snack, there's Crumbs-a cupcake paradise.

I also want to reccommend the play, Wicked!!!!! The best show on Broadway, hands down.

Lots of cute, cheap souvies on the streets too.

 

[Cindyrellablue]

I wouldn't go to Top of the Rock...I think it's too expensive and would rather go to the top of the Empire State Building.

Chinatown/Little Italy are not to be missed...great areas to explore and eat in. My favorite since I am 14 yrs old is Hop Key located on Motts in Chinatown (basement stairs)...actually, I think Anthony Bourdain featured it recently too. The cafes in Little Italy are great and the Matre'Ds are characters...standing in front of each restaurant telling you why you should dine there...and not with the guy 4 feet away. Vincent's has been there forever and I'll take people there if they want to eat Italian that has "history".

Grab bagels at H&H Bagles on Broadway and 80th St. I love them.

Circle Line is alright if you have a lot of time to kill. If you don't, stay away...you are trapped on a boat for a good amount of time.

Your bus tour is taking you to most of the places I usually take my visitors to when they want to explore.

Oh, I did see that you have a BBQ place on your list...Dinosaur BBQ is quite popular and pretty decent as well (on 131st Street in Harlem). And if you go to Harlem, stop in Sylvia's for some Soul Food (Lenox Ave).

Can you tell I like to eat my way through the city? I only live 1 mile away =)

 

[katie26]

Take a walking tour of a neighborhood! Big Onion (http://www.bigonion.com/description/index.html) has great walking tours for $15 a person, or you can google a neighborhood name and "walking tour" for printable guided directions (like http://nymag.com/visitorsguide/neighborhoods/jewishles.htm). Times Square is interesting - especially at night - and the tourist attractions are nice too, but what makes NYC so amazing is the neighborhoods, and I'd say that spending at least half a day exploring one of them is just as essential as Rockefeller Center or the Statue of Liberty.

Enjoy!

 

[abmitch01]

I second the Met or MoMA

 

[mommycrawford]

Just want to say that for your mueum day, on Columbus Avenue at 77th (at the back of the museum) there is "ShakeShack" for great burgers, concretes (milkshakes you need a spoon for,) and sundaes....Lines can be long, but prices are reasonable, as it is counter service. There is also a Pizzaria Uno at 81st and Columbus, and a decent Pizza place (by the slice,) on Columbus between 83rd and 82nd. You can leave the museum (retain your ticket) and come back in.

 

[nstem]

thanks for the additional info on Top of the Rock

I forgot to mention people should try Ellen's Stardust Diner! It is awesome. It has aspiring actors and actress serving you and they sing the whole time you are there. It is a little pricier than a diner but I consider it an entertainment fee.
(Corner of Broadway and 51st)

 

[zmanandshan]

Chinatown/Little Italy are not to be missed...great areas to explore and eat in. My favorite since I am 14 yrs old is Hop Key located on Motts in Chinatown (basement stairs)...actually, I think Anthony Bourdain featured it recently too. The cafes in Little Italy are great and the Matre'Ds are characters...standing in front of each restaurant telling you why you should dine there...and not with the guy 4 feet away. Vincent's has been there forever and I'll take people there if they want to eat Italian that has "history".


Little Italy cafe's feature average or below Italian fare and most are not even owned by Italian's anymore. Go to Arthur ave for a much better Italian meal with true history and character. The Matre D's are characters, but that is because they are being paid to bring people in off the streets to eat there.

 

[Cindyrellablue]

Little Italy cafe's feature average or below Italian fare and most are not even owned by Italian's anymore. Go to Arthur ave for a much better Italian meal with true history and character. The Matre D's are characters, but that is because they are being paid to bring people in off the streets to eat there.

I would agree that the Italian food is not the best that you'll find in NYC, although sometimes, the "experience" of being in that area is worth the mediocre food...and yes, the Matre'Ds are being paid to bring in people...but that is part of the fun to walk down the middle of the street, grab a gelato or canolli and take photos. Little Italy is a tourist destination...not an amazing food location...it's why I prefer to eat in Chinatown.

 

[zmanandshan]

I would agree that the Italian food is not the best that you'll find in NYC, although sometimes, the "experience" of being in that area is worth the mediocre food...and yes, the Matre'Ds are being paid to bring in people...but that is part of the fun to walk down the middle of the street, grab a gelato or canolli and take photos. Little Italy is a tourist destination...not an amazing food location...it's why I prefer to eat in Chinatown.

I agree with you there. Chinatown kept is charm. LI is cool to walk around and for a snack.

 

[bhoffman]

I just want to thank everyone for the suggestions and ideas! We leave this weekend and I think we have a really nice trip lined up! Thank you all!!!!

 

[krcit]

If it's not too late, look into the ExplorerPass. It will save you money..you pick 3, 5 or 7 attractions for one price. You can buy it online and then bring your voucher to a location to pick it up. I picked ours up at Madame Toussauds..which is right by your hotel. have a great trip!!

 

[Dani4girls]

FYI, the Top of the Rock does give a AAA discount if you have your AAA card, so it ends up being cheaper than the Empire State.

Another thought: The horse carriage ride through Central Park, IMHO, is a waste of time and money. The horses smell awful, and the driver was not very informative at all. I think your kids would enjoy just walking around and looking at all there is to see...and stopping to listen to all the live street music!!

I hope you have a wonderful time!