One day in NYC

[devalsam]

I know that this discussion has been brought up many times and I have even been involved in a discussion or two about this but I need your help.

I booked a brunch for myself and my two DDs at the American Girl store on July 7. Brunch is at 9:30. We only have one day to spend in NYC and will be riding the train in and out (I believe). I found a website that offers a "New York in One Day Sightseeing Tour". It includes stops at Times Square, World Trade Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, South Street Seaport and much more. It says that you also see but do not stop at Ellis Island, Central Park Zoo, FAO Schwartz, Greenwich Village, etc. It also includes a Staten Island ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty without stopping.

Now for my questions:
1) Has anyone ever done a tour like this? What did you think? Is it worth it? There are a lot of places on the non stop list that we would like to see and a lot of places on the stop list that we are not extremely interested in but we only have the one day to see what we want to see.

2) It says that pick up is at the corner of 7th Ave and W. 50th Street. How would we get there from the American Girl store?

3) If you do not recommend this tour, is there one that you recommend? Or can you recommend a way to see the things we want to see without a tour? Since it will just be myself and my DDs, I would like to eliminate going from cab to cab or the subway, etc.

TIA for any and all help you can provide me!!

 

[NY Disney fan]

2) It says that pick up is at the corner of 7th Ave and W. 50th Street. How would we get there from the American Girl store?

I can't answer your other two questions but the American Girl store is on 5th avenue and 48th st. (I believe). The walk to the bus stop is very close. You walk 2 blocks uptown to 50th Street. Then walk over 2 avenues over to 7th avenue. A 10 min walk at most, probably more like 5 min walk.

 

[TheLittleRoo]

My DS13 and I did the sightseeing bus tour on his first visit to NYC. Personally, I like these tours not only for the number of sights you can see in a limited amount of time, but also that you can get on/off as much as you want. If you get a bad tour guide, just hop off and get on the next bus.

You could tour on your own, but it's much nicer to get the history and trivia from the tour guide, faster and more convenient too. We did both the day tour and a night tour that went across the Brooklyn Bridge.

 

[devalsam]

My DS13 and I did the sightseeing bus tour on his first visit to NYC. Personally, I like these tours not only for the number of sights you can see in a limited amount of time, but also that you can get on/off as much as you want. If you get a bad tour guide, just hop off and get on the next bus.

You could tour on your own, but it's much nicer to get the history and trivia from the tour guide, faster and more convenient too. We did both the day tour and a night tour that went across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Is there a tour that you recommend?

 

[TheLittleRoo]

I think it was just the red double decker bus. You can't miss their box office off of 47th and Broadway. I think it was Gray Line. We went on Labor Day weekend, and I suggest even in July bringing a sweatshirt or something like it for the night tour. We got so cold on top of that bus, we would've been miserable had we not bought 2 NYC sweatshirts from a sidewalk vendor right before boarding.

I would recommend the downtown loop, if you're only doing hours in NYC. Otherwise the All Loops tour is good for unlimited tours on four loops for 48 hours.

http://www.coachusa.com/newyorksightseeing/cs.routes.asp

 

[PA Princess]

No real help as far as what tour, but we are planning a day in NYC very near yours in July. For our dd's 8th birthday we are taking her to see Little Mermaid on Broadway and we are also having lunch at the American Girl Bistro. I think it will be such a fun day

 

[Wendybird55]

It's odd hearing people talk aobut touring NYC since I live there and wonder - why?
I know the bus you're speaking of. It's a double decker and if it's a nice day you can sit on the open top deck - but beware you will also be subject to the smell of car exhaust and such.

I'm not sure how old your daughter is and if you want to see all you can in NYC or enjoy the city for the rest of the day.

If you want to see alot of the city and some of the famous landmarks then the bus tour will be best for 1 day.

If you just want to do something fun - here are some suggestions.

The World of Disney store is on 57th and 5th or Madison I believe - it's gigantic.
There's FAO Schwartz on 59th and Park I want to say.

There are many great museums as well. You can spend the day at the museum of Natural History - the dinosaurs, whale room - lots of neat stff.
Or if you like art there's Metropolitan Museum of Art. The museums are uptown a bit more (70's & 80's) on the East Side.

There's the Central Park Zoo as well.

NY also has boat tours which can be really nice on a summer day. I know there's the Circle Line Tour. You may also want to check Chelsea Piers to see if they have any boat tours.

There are buses and subways all over and you can find routes online. Or, if you don't mind the expense, you can hail a cab.

Again it depends on what you're looking for. I'm not sure if this is your first time in NYC - if you plan on going again anytime soon - or what.

If you want a good overall view of the city and see as much as you can - then take the tour. The SI Ferry is a nice ride - I used to take ie every day on my commute. The best ride in town in that it doesn't cost anything!

If you just want to enjoy some special time with your daughter then maybe you can hit the Disney Store (not a long walk form American Girl) and then head uptown for a museum.

Either way - have a great time!

 

[nyyankeegirl]

Whatever you do, do not go to the Empire State Bldg. It is a waste of time & money. DH & I had been to NYC many times, but never actually went up to the top. So we were there a few weeks ago & decided, what the heck- lets do it. We did not realize it would take 2 1/2 hrs. - not to mention it was expensive. If you've seen the city before, you might not be as impressed from above, as others who have never been there.
But defin. do go to the Disney Store. It's 3 floors!!! Only a 2 or 3 block walk from American Girl. While you are in that area-- take a walk thru St. Patricks Cathedral.
Have fun!

 

[jenniferripp]

i live just outside of nyc and whenever we have out of town visitors we always book the red double decker bus defintely worth it! grayline.com/Grayline/destinations/us/newyork.go
i suggest the downtown loop--the brooklyn loop does provide you with an amazing sunset view of the brooklyn bridge (if timed just right) obviously with just one day you will not be able to do it all--i suggest picking just one or two places you'd like to get off at maybe the empire state building and times square, you'd be surprised at how fast the time will go. toys r us in times square has a huge ferris wheel which is pretty cool and there is a build a bear store near by which is also pretty cool (certain nyc items not available anywhere else) good luck with your planning! have a great trip!

 

[jenniferripp]

i just read the above post about the empire state building--kinda agree but at same time kinda a must for a nyc trip. and the boat tours are nice but take up a lot of time--tour bus is better. if you want to do a boat ride you can go downtown and jump on the staten island ferry it's a free ride--takes about an hour there and back just make sure you don't go during rush hour!!!

 

[Rylee]

We were just there, Wed., (2 days ago)... we live 5 hours away.

We went to the top of the Empire State Building (our youngest had never been) and there was no line at all, no wait for the elevators.

My DH and 3 of the kids went to a Yankee game in the evening, and DD and I saw Mary Poppins. It was great, the set was incredible!