Things to do in NY in a day!

[cunard_cruiser]

I'm after some thoughts on what to do in New York in one day as we are stopping off during our twin TA next June. I have been to the big apple before before but that was back in 1988 so I'm sure things have changed a bit!

 

One other thing to add is that we are travelling with our daughter who will be 18 months so a skydrive and the alike are out of the question.

 

Over to the forum....

 

John

[pepperrn]

well, the Bronx is up and the Battery's down...

 

 

 

 

(Top of the Rock would be my choice, lunch and then a walk up Fifth Avenue to Central Park, there to take a gentle stroll until it was time to leave).

[cruiseqe2]

during our twin TA next June.

 

Over to the forum....

 

John

 

Hi John & Family

 

I am guessing that you are leaving Southampton on June 13th. If so, I will be a fellow passenger (for the 12 days).

 

I have been to NYC many times before, and this time I will probably do a little shopping - for camera stuff etc.

 

Might see you on board.

 

Mark

In London but originally from Manchester

[msk68]

Grab a cab to Times Square, get a hop-on, hop-off bus ticket and enjoy!

 

I'd definitely grab a 'slice' or a Gray's Papaya hot dog. Take a stroll through Central Park and as suggested before do 'Top of the Rock' - the lines are not nearly as long as at the Empire but both are fun!

 

Hope you had fun, we're spending the day in the 'City' before we grab our flight for Rome to meet the QV.

[Beyondships]

If you like museums, the best is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You can't see all of it in a day but there are lots of good things there. Other major museums include the American Museum of Natural History, the Musuem of Modern Art, the Frick Collection and the Guggenheim.

 

Most day visitors seem to opt for the sightseeing tour or a visit to Macy's.

 

There is a Children's Zoo in Central Park that may interest your young one.

[garigoun]

If you like museums, the best is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You can't see all of it in a day but there are lots of good things there. Other major museums include the American Museum of Natural History, the Musuem of Modern Art, the Frick Collection and the Guggenheim.

 

Most day visitors seem to opt for the sightseeing tour or a visit to Macy's.

 

There is a Children's Zoo in Central Park that may interest your young one.

 

 

If you go to Central Park, find the statue of 'Balto' the dog that saved 'Nome'. I won't tell you the story you can find it on the net, but have your baby's picture taken there, it's OK thousands do. Then when she's old enough you can show it to her and tell her the story. Who knows it might engender a strong desire to go back to one of the world's most exciting cities. Other than that all the other suggestions are great.

Most of my own preferences involve bars so maybe not appropriate.LOL.

Gari

[garigoun]

Just found this picture of 'Balto. As you can see he is shiny from all the kids (and adults) who have sat on him.

 

Gari.

[cunard_cruiser]

Thanks all, some great suggestions,

 

peppern - very good, my kinda humour...

 

Top of the rock is looking like one of the days stop offs, my wife visited it 2 years ago whilst on a 3 week trip to see a friend of hers who was working in NY and she still hasn't stopped raving about it so will give it a whirl.

 

Mark, we are on the 13th June TA so would be great to catch up on board, sure we will be speaking closer to the sail date! I'm also planning to get some shopping in, just hoping the pound will have a surge and get back north of £1 to $2 teritory.

 

msk86 - will try and find a slice, never heard of it before so am interested in tasting it.

 

Beyondships, childrens zoo sounds fantastic. Natasha is only 8 months at the moment but loves visiting our local park's farm so the central park zoo should keep her occupied. Am assuming that is the zoo featured in the kiddies flick Madagascar ??

 

garigoun, great suggestion -especially with the story attached, will do some research and find out what it is all about. Love the idea of bars, may need to give the family the slip for a couple of hours....

 

Thanks to all for their suggestions, it's what this place is all about

 

John

[msk68]

'a slice' - is a slice of pizza. I'm sure there are those who might disagree but NYC is THE place for pizza!

 

Thanks all, some great suggestions,

 

 

msk86 - will try and find a slice, never heard of it before so am interested in tasting it.

 

 

Thanks to all for their suggestions, it's what this place is all about

 

John

[babyher]

'a slice' - is a slice of pizza. I'm sure there are those who might disagree but NYC is THE place for pizza!

 

after a "slice" they can get a Bagel with a "smear" and an "egg cream" :)

 

Now how do you go to NYC and not have apastrami and corned beef at The Stage Deli, along with a Kinish and a Dr Brown's Cream Soda.

 

Yes you will be completely stuffed, which is why you get the cheesecake to go :)

[Jim Avery]

If you can fit it in, the South Street Seaport Museum is worth a look. Also, the best view of Manhattan comes from the Staten Island Ferry. Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island is a good boat trip.

Jim.

[Boytjie]

after a "slice" they can get a Bagel with a "smear" and an "egg cream" :)

 

Perhaps you mean a bagel with a schmear... ;)

[Cruller]

John,

 

This is something that I posted to a thread about relatively cheap restaurants in NYC. A lot of these restaurants are fun and not too expensive stops for lunch during a one-day trip. At the bottom you will see my short list for the best of NYC. I've tried to note known baby/toddler friendly places.

 

I second that Oceana, Seagrill, Marseille and Artisinal are very good.

 

Here are a few cheap (by New York standards) choices within 10 blocks of your hotel:

 

Serafina -- multiple locations -- most pastas under $20 -- decor on the upscale side (baby friendly)

 

http://www.serafinarestaurant.com/

 

Chin Chin -- highend Chinese, one of the best in the area -- most entrees in the $15 to $26 range -- decor on the upscale side

 

http://www.chinchinny.com/

 

La Bonne Soupe -- neighborhood French bistro -- most entrees, incl. fish, under $20 -- cramped neighborhood joint, nothing fancy

 

http://www.labonnesoupe.com/

 

Le Pain Quotidien -- multiple locations -- great for breakfast and lunch, fabulous bakery -- lunch entrees in the $10 to $17 range, breakfast is cheaper -- nice, country feel (baby friendly)

 

http://www.lepainquotidien.com/

 

Sarabeth's -- multiple locations -- great for breakfast and lunch -- never tried dinner, but prices are moderate $15 to $25 for most entrees -- pleasant, airy decor (baby friendly)

 

http://www.sarabeths.com/restaurants/

 

Tony's di Napoli (already mentioned) -- family style Italian with tablecloths -- easier to get into than Carmines

 

The newly reopened 2nd Ave. Deli -- Kosher New York Deli (more than 10 blocks) -- entrees $15 to $20 -- can feel rushed -- unassuming decor (baby friendly, but not stroller friendly -- cramped)

 

http://www.2ndavedeli.com/

 

 

Junior's -- Deli -- a little touristy, but I've always had a good meal -- entrees $10 to $25 depending on location -- unassuming decor (baby friendly)

 

http://www.juniorscheesecake.com/

 

 

Plus, if you are willing to spend, here are a few more moderate to expensive choices:

 

Fresco by Scotto (2 blocks from your hotel) -- great pasta, one of my favorites

 

http://www.frescobyscotto.com/

 

Remi -- great pasta

 

http://www.remi-ny.com/index2.htm

 

Barbounia -- great eastern Mediterranean food and amazing drinks (the Sappho -- muddled red grapes, blueberry, Svedka vodka, red wine)

 

www.barbounia.com/

 

Payard (cheap if you have a take away sandwich in the cafe, expensive if you sit down for dinner)

 

http://www.payard.com/

 

 

If you feel like ogling an $80 cake try the Lady M Cake boutique (a slice might be more reasonable)

 

http://www.ladymconfections.com/

 

You can try menupages dot com and newyork dot citysearch dot com to look up any of these and many others.

 

Enjoy!

 

P.S. I highly recommend the Metropolitan Museum of Art and its roof garden, the Frick Collection (I don't think they allow kids under a certain age -- you may want to check), the Cloisters (part of MMA), the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Modern Art in exactly that order. Central Park!!! Window shopping Madison Ave. from 50th St. to 86th St. and also SoHo and NoLita. If in NoLita try Teany cafe (https://www.teany.com/cafe).

 

Keep in mind too that most museums are closed on Mondays. The MOMA is open on Monday but closed on Tuesday.

[safarigal]

I'm after some thoughts on what to do in New York in one day as we are stopping off during our twin TA next June. I have been to the big apple before before but that was back in 1988 so I'm sure things have changed a bit!

 

One other thing to add is that we are travelling with our daughter who will be 18 months so a skydrive and the alike are out of the question.

 

Over to the forum....

 

John

 

Hi! We spent the last 2 days in NYC, currently sitting at Newark Airport on our way home alas! We really enjoyed the Top of the Rock, we did both the Empire State and Top of the Rock (hoping to see the QE2 from either, and couldn't see her alas), the Top of the Rock was much less crowded, and the view was still great.

 

We spent way too long at the Met, but especially enjoyed the Egyptian stuff and the Roof Garden, so if your little one is up to it, I would recommend the museum. We had a great stroll in Central Park, relaxing after all the noise and bustle of everywhere else.

 

If we had been more organised we had wanted to see the Seaport Museum, and Ellis Island. You apparently need to get to the pier early for Ellis Island. But the trip there and to the Statue of Liberty are apparently worth while.

 

Enjoy your trip!