NYC question

[scootch]

not sure if this is the right place to ask... We are going to NYC. We are getting the on/off double decker bus pass.It stops at battery park. Do we also need to buy a pass to ride over to Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty? We dont' want to go into the crown, just get off and look at it. I found this site https://tickets.statuecruises.com/w...GroupExternalID=STCT&CategoryExternalID=Crown

just a bit confused, any help appreciated.

 

[gk90]

Battery Park is where you take the ferry for Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island and the ferry ticket is usually additional unless the on/off bus company has some kind of combo ticket I don't know about. Ellis Island is well worth it if you have the time; walking up to the Statue crown is great too but those tickets sell out a couple of months ahead. My feeling is that if you can't go up to the crown then it's not really worth it going to Liberty Island.

If you're a Costco member you can get the NY CityPass for $9 off the regular $77; if you're really planning to go to their listed attractions it could be worth it for you.

 

[ninecrayons]

You can see the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park, however you might not have the best view.

I suggest, if time allows, riding the Staten Island Ferry. The Staten Island Ferry leaves from the Battery Park area and is free. You get a pretty good view of the statue and the experience is quite fun.

You might also think about going to the Brooklyn Promenade. The view of lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge are unparalleled. You could also walk across the Brooklyn Bridge which is a nice experience.

 

[scootch]

Thanks for the suggestions. Anyone else have any suggestions for me? I feel so well versed when it comes to disney but out of my realm for this NYC trip.

 

[benolathe]

We are also planning a trip to NYC in March, so I welcome any suggestions.

BTW, we have visited once before and I was extremely pleased with the visitor tour offered at the Ellis Island Visitor Center. It is run by the National Park Service, and there is no charge for the tour. You simply meet the tour guide at the information desk at a posted time. They walk you around the building and upstairs to the processing room. Our guide was very knowledgeable and interesting to listen to.

 

[scootch]

We are also planning a trip to NYC in March, so I welcome any suggestions.

BTW, we have visited once before and I was extremely pleased with the visitor tour offered at the Ellis Island Visitor Center. It is run by the National Park Service, and there is no charge for the tour. You simply meet the tour guide at the information desk at a posted time. They walk you around the building and upstairs to the processing room. Our guide was very knowledgeable and interesting to listen to.

So you just took the ferry?? from where?? did you pay for the ferry ahead of time or just got tickets that day? thanks.

 

[Janepod]

Have you been to New York City before?

There are so many things to experience, and it really depends on what you like and where you're coming from, but here's where I bring people:

• Metropolitan Museum of Art, esp the Temple of Dendur and the Frank Lloyd Wright room.
• Museum of Natural History, particularly if you want to see dinosaurs
• Walk through Central Park. Visit the zoo if you have kids.
• If the Yankees are in town, go to a game! Bleacher seats are $9 and the entire stadium is worth a look, esp. Monument Park and the museum.
• Walk along Fifth Avenue - high end stuff but also H&M, Sephora, Gap Accessories, etc. Stop in at St. Patrick's Cathedral. REALLY great: Bergdorf Goodman
• Have a drink at the King Cole Bar at the St. Regis Hotel
• If the Christmas decorations are up, the best ones are Bergdorf & Lord and Taylor.
• Visit the Ground Zero site ...
• CENTURY 21 (not related to realtor) for clothes shopping - pricey stuff marked way down
• More shopping: Broadway in Soho. Most of the chain stores you probably know from home. Over on West Broadway are the more interesting shops.
• Walk through Chinatown and look in all the windows
  Rockefeller Center rink for ice skating and the massive new Lego store
  

So that's a start. It really depends on what you like to do.

 

[gk90]

There are 2 places to take the Ellis Island / Statue of Liberty Ferry, 1 is Battery Park. The other is Liberty State Park in New Jersey, which is actually closer to Ellis Island and Liberty Island but not as convenient for most tourists. This is the only ferry that goes to Ellis/Liberty.

I would think that the Ellis Island tickets and Statue of Liberty tix without crown access don't sell out ahead of time--except maybe for a day like July 4 or Memorial Day--take a look at this page:
https://tickets.statuecruises.com/w...T&CategoryExternalID=NYTKTS&SubCategoryID=223

The Staten Island ferry is a fun and budget ride but doesn't take you to Ellis/liberty.

 

[scootch]

Thanks guys. We have gone once, two years ago. Trying to do some "new" things along with a couple things we loved(ice skating at Rockefeller, American Girl Store). We did not hit the statue of liberty/ellis island last time and since my husbands family is all italian, wanted the kids to go to ellis island to understand their roots a bit more. Cross your fingers for decent weather, going Nov 11-14th. thanks again.

 

[Janepod]

You'll be there the weekend of the chocolate fair, if that interests you! It's at the Metropolitan Pavilion.

If you want to check out an Italian neighborhood, Little Italy is cute but really squeezed out by Chinatown. Nice place to get coffee and pastries though and if you are nearby it's worth walking through. However, if you have the time, you may want to consider Arthur Avenue in the Bronx - that's the real Italian neighborhood.

Enjoy your trip! November is my absolute favorite time in the city. It hasn't gotten Christmas-crowded yet and the weather is great (sweater & jacket but probably not gloves & hat.) Some Christmas decorations may be up by then; they seem to go up earlier and earlier every year. Have fun!

 

[RyJMom]

We took the kids last Spring Break and did the free Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. The kids were happy with it. Hubby and I had been a few years prior and did a cruise by that did not stop and the free Ferry was not much different.

 

[Carlyzmom]

I just went this past May. It was wonderful! The bus tour is GREAT!! Also, very surprisingly - we took a food tour of Greenwich Village. This was AMAZING!!! It remains one of the highlights of our trip! It felt like you were in a different place altogether.
We also had a blast doing the CBS Early Show!! We got to visit with Dave Price and others on the set. That was FUN! My kids had fun seeing me on TV!
Times Square is mind boggling! Sensory overload! I LOVED it!!!
You will have a great time. Whatever you do will be great! NYC is such a fun place to go! ENJOY!!!!

 

[gk90]

Link for my favorite Little Italy pastry shop:
http://www.ferraracafe.com/home.php

 

[scootch]

Thanks guys. The chocolate thing sounds yummy and it has lots of kids activities too. Might do that if we get some rain. Great suggestions! Just love disboards!

 

[scootch]

Link for my favorite Little Italy pastry shop:
http://www.ferraracafe.com/home.php

ok, a FOR SURE STOP... wow... pictures look great!