NYC On Our Own - Advice

[Wish Upon A Star]

Me, DH and the kids will be taking a bus trip to NYC to spend the day. We will be getting dropped off near Rockefeller Center . . .we'd like to do the following:

Statue of Liberty
Times Square
South Street Seaport
Little Italy

We'd like to do the Statue of Liberty first since that is a top priority. How in the world can we get from Rockefeller Center to the ferry? I'm going to be so discombobulated in NYC . .. haven't been there since 1982 . . .any one have any good recommendations?

 

[disneygals]

http://www.coachusa.com/newyorksightseeing/

The double decker buses may be fun...have never tried them though.

 

[buddy&wooz]

I agree on the tour busses. You could take the subway I guess (I never do) but the tour bus sounds more fun (of course more expensive.) It looks like the Downtown Loop goes everywhere you want to go, and you can get on and off when you like.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Me, DH and the kids will be taking a bus trip to NYC to spend the day. We will be getting dropped off near Rockefeller Center . . .we'd like to do the following:

Statue of Liberty
Times Square
South Street Seaport
Little Italy

We'd like to do the Statue of Liberty first since that is a top priority. How in the world can we get from Rockefeller Center to the ferry? I'm going to be so discombobulated in NYC . .. haven't been there since 1982 . . .any one have any good recommendations?

I've not done the Statue of Liberty, but from what I hear the Statue of Liberty can eat up a good chunk of the day if you're not careful. An uncle of mine, who lived in NYC for 10+ years, told me once that in order to do the SoL you had to get there real early because it can fill up fast. You may get over to the island quickly, but the wait to get in could be up to 2+ hours long, standing in a line outside...so I'd reconsider (I don't want to tell you not to go, just re-think your destinations and the time frame you have).

Times Square is cool - You can walk around there for a good couple of hours.

South Street Seaport - haven't been there, so hopefully someone here can help out.

Little Italy - Haven't been there, so hopefully someone can help you out there.

Might I suggest a website? Try Tripadvisor.com . It's a great tool for things like this. The Dis is great, but for places like NYC and other destinations around the U.S., or the World, this is a great site. When you get into the main site, go to the "Browse by Region" area and click on "United States." Then from there, you can get into the forums and ask questions, (you'll have to register, it's simple). I used this site to plan my honeymoon to Cancun, because all the reviews on this site are by the people who have stayed at the various resorts and not by someone who was paid to write a review. Hope this helps.

CCT

ETA: I just thought of something. If you really want to see the SoL, then take the Staten Island Ferry, which goes near the SoL, so you can at least see it and take pictures. Then, as soon as it docks you get off the ferry and run around and get right back on heading back over to Manhatten. I've done this before with my uncle. I believe you can still jump right back on, hopefully someone can help with this.

 

[crazyme5kids]

For the Statue of Liberty I think you would take the #1 train downtown and get off at the end of the line at South Ferry. From Rockefeller Plaza You could walk west on 50th st. to a subway station, or if you want to you can catch a subway from Times Square. To get to Times Square I would just walk down 6th or 7th Ave to 42nd St.

South Street Seaport you would take the 1, 2 or 3 train downtown. You must transfer at Chambers St. if you take the #1 train and hop on a #2 or 3 train. Now I can't remember, but if you take the #2 or 3 train you might not have to transfer at Chambers St, but I'm not positive. Either way transfering is painless. After you transfer you will get off at Broadway-Nassau St. This is right at Fulton St. just walk a couple of blocks and you're at the Seaport.

I think it would be easier to take a cab from the statue of Liberty to the Seaport,visa versa if you go to the Seaport first. Or the 1 train to Chambers and transfer to Broadway- Nassau from the Statue of Liberty (again reversed from the Seaport to Statue).

Honestly, there isn't much to see in Little Italy, I think it would be a waste of time, though some might disagree.

I hope this helps.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

ETA: I just thought of something. If you really want to see the SoL, then take the Staten Island Ferry, which goes near the SoL, so you can at least see it and take pictures. Then, as soon as it docks you get off the ferry and run around and get right back on heading back over to Manhatten. I've done this before with my uncle. I believe you can still jump right back on, hopefully someone can help with this.

Plus, the ferry is free and you can get a beer on the boat!! That's how we used to take all of our out of town guests to see Lady Liberty...cheap, easy, and cold beer and a pretzel to boot!

 

[buzzlady]

If you want to go into the Statue of Liberty call and get timed tickets. Probably the only way you would be able to get in this time of year.

Visitors experience a special insider's view of the engineering marvel that is the Statue of Liberty. Time passes are needed to enter the monument. A limited number of time passes are available at the ferry ticket offices for walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis or reserved in advance by calling the ferry company at: 1-866-STATUE4(1-866-782-8834)

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Thanks everyone . . .

Someone from work is bringing me a book on NYC and a map . . .we've kind of decided if we do see Statue of Liberty it'll be on the Staten Island Ferry (hop on, hop off, hop on) We really don't want to spend our entire day trying to get to Ellis Island . . .we'll have to save that for a longer trip.

Ahhhhh Little Italy . . .its more so to say we went there . . .DS is engrossed in his Italian heritage . . .I figured let him see for himself . . .its not like we are going to walk down the street and see a bunch of mobsters or anything (DS watches too many movies)

We can't wait to go . . .its' definitely not WDW, but a nice family trip to somewhere we haven't been . . . Maybe we can soak up some NYC culture . . .

 

[Caradana]

We welcome you

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Plus, the ferry is free and you can get a beer on the boat!! That's how we used to take all of our out of town guests to see Lady Liberty...cheap, easy, and cold beer and a pretzel to boot!

There's always another reason...thanks for pointing that out. I'll have to remember the beer for the next time I go. Thanks laugh O. Grams