My Husband and 13yr stepdaughter are going to New York for the first time DEC 12th-18th 2007. We are staying with my brother-in-law so we don't need a hotel. But I want to know what the best way to see the city is. I understand their are christmas things to see along with the normal new york sites. Should we buy tickets for the double decker buses to see things or what is a good way to see the city?

Any which way you want to.


You can buy bus tour tickets if you want to go through the city on one of those. Not my favorite thing personally, but other people enjoy it. You can read up and research things you want to see and then make your own plans. I think just walking around and looking at everything (stopping frequently for snacks and hot drinks) is the best way to see the city. It's just fun to see all the people. I imagine picking what all 3 of you might want to see may be a bit difficult since your stepdaughter is a teenager. A good resource to check out is Time Out New York to get comprehensive listings of what's going on.

The city has so so much to offer, it's a question of thinking about what you enjoy (museums? plays? an eating tour? ice skating? shopping for handmade gifts? dinosaur exhibits? a brewery tour?) and going from there.


For some ideas, I will plug the Cheap n Free NYC guide, though you may most enjoy things you spend more money for.


If you have specific stuff you enjoy and want to find in the city, just ask away.


For holiday stuff, definitely pay a visit to the tree at Rockefeller Center. Also stop by the Grand Central Terminal for the holiday laserlight show going regularly in the grand hall.

On the hot chocolate front, you should treat yourself to cocoa at Mariebelle's Cocoa Cafe. It's a little pricey but so pretty in there, kind of jewel-box-like.


As a random plug, I really enjoy The Lower East Side Tenement Museum. That place is unique, all about New York's -- and therefore America's -- immigrant history. The Confino Family Apartment tour is appealing for all ages.

Another random plug that would be fun with a 13 year old (if you all like Chinese food that is) is getting dim sum at Jing Fong on a weekend. Go early (before noon if you can). It's a giant pink dim sum palace complete with golden dragons on the walls and chandeliers. You flag down your food from the carts going by. Good fun.


Oooh, and something not in the guidebooks but is a slice of tacky Brooklyn holiday fabulousness is taking a walk around the waaay over the top ornamented homes in Dyker Heights. You haven't SEEN holiday ornamentation til you've seen this !

There's also some good eats in Brooklyn for you if you want to get dinner before/after seeing the lights. I can poke around for some suggestions if you like. In Sunset Park is Brooklyn's Chinatown, also some authentic Mexican places, and I hear rumors of pizza joints that people swear by in that area.

Christina's got fabulous suggestions! I'll piggyback off that. There are countless organized tours, depending on your interests. My personal favorite is the chocolate tour.

NYC is a big place, so the double-decker buses might be the way to go if you want to see it all. Many of them congregate around Times Square. But personally, I prefer walking, since it puts you at one with the city and allows you to pop in and out of stores, cafes, and any other magical spot you see.

Speaking of magic, I recommend Alice's Tea Cup for hot cocoa, tons of teas, and the city's best scones. You might want to leave hubby at home for that one, though.

Do you have anything specific in mind that you want to see/do?

I think those bus things are a good start (or any sort of tour) so you get some context. I sometimes think about getting on one in SF just to find out a few things. Once you know what you're looking at, it makes things a helluva lot more interesting!

And in NYC, there is so much to see! I kind of wish I had done some sort of tour the first time I went so I knew what I was seeing. I am kind of a history/context geek, though. I do like wandering, but I like learning about where I am wandering.

I have a little list of what I'd like to see.I Don't know much about any of them other than you hear the names all the time. * Time Square, * Rockefeller center? with xmas tree and skating rink, * empire state building, * statue of liberty (I heard its best to see by Staten Island ferry since you can't go in it anymore), *central park (not really sure what to do there but would like to go), * world trade center. That is all the names I know. I've been trying to search other places but haven't really heard of them before. Thanks for your help.

How about I give you a walking tour via BnA? :-)

Start at Central Park(it's huge, but you can find a popular entrance at 57th Street and Broadway). Explore, enjoy, then head down to Times Square by walking south on Broadway for about 7 blocks.

Times Square is known as the “tourist hub” of the city. Everyone knows where it is and how to get there. Basically, it stretches from about 42nd Street to 50th Street (and a little beyond).

Rockefeller Center (where you’ll find the big tree and the skating rink) is very close to Times Square. It is located a couple blocks east at 50th Street and 5th Ave.

If you still don't mind walking, I'd suggest seeing Rock. Center then heading down 5th Ave. Lots of stores and things to see. Eventually, you'll hit the Empire State Building, which is on 5th Ave between 33rd/34th Street.

Ground Zero (which was the site of the World Trade Center) isn't quite what it used to be. It's not a hole in the ground anymore. It's a full-on construction site. They still have some memorials there, though, for you to see. It's located Downtown. Here are directions.

Finally, the Statue of Liberty can be seen in many different ways. The Staten Island Ferry is one way, but not my personal choice, since you'd end up on an old boat going to Staten Island. If you want to go to Liberty Island, where the Statue is located, you can take a nice ferry boat and, once there, you can still go inside (just not all the way to the tippy-top). Here are the details.

Have fun!!

sounds great. thanks for all the info. I'll post a note when we get back to say how things went.

NYC is very compact. Really, you could see all the major attractions in one day. Once you get there ask your relative to get you a subway map, show you how to use it and circle a few things on it for you (buy a day pass it works out cheaper). That's all you should need. Contrary to urban myth, the subway is safe and still the best way to get around the city, also appropriate for travel with a 13 y.o. as long as it's not too late at night (you know the club crowd) and stay close so you don't get separated at rush hours. One of those tour buses will frustrate you to death with the traffic and you'll see very little of the real city touring with tourists.

quote:

Originally posted by Spanky:
NYC is very compact. Really, you could see all the major attractions in one day.

I disagree- New York is huge. You can walk for hours and still not get to a fraction of the places you'd like to. As for attractions, I've spent weeks in New York, and I haven't even seen a fraction of the things I want to. It's really a matter of what kind of things you'll want to do.

I really love to walk for hours in New York- I think walking is the best way to see any city. But it will be pretty cold, especially coming from California (depending on what part of CA of course)- make sure you're dressed for winter. Scarf, hat, gloves. You'll probably be walking in slush, so make sure your shoes are appropriate. And make sure they're good walking shoes! Even if you take a lot of transit, you'll spend a lot of time on your feet.

The subway is pretty safe. And the rude New Yorker concept is largely a myth. I've always found New Yorkers to be extremely helpful every time I've been lost and needed directions. And New Yorkers know their public transit!

Here is a subway map that you can print off line. The site also has bus maps. I like to print them out ahead of time and have them with me. For $24 per person, you can purchase a 7-day unlimited ride metrocard good for as many subway and bus rides as you want. At $2 a ride if you pay for each ride, you'll probably get your money's worth with a week pass.

Have a great trip! It sounds like a lot of fun.

quote:

Originally posted by Spanky:
NYC is very compact. Really, you could see all the major attractions in one day.

quote:

Originally posted by Keppie:
I disagree- New York is huge.

You are both right. It's huge, but it has a very dense core. I lived in NYC - mostly in Manhattan - for 5 years all added up. Nearly all the major attractions are in the lower two-thirds of Manhattan, and that area is about a 3-hour walk from 72nd St. to Battery Park. So the main attractions are compact for such a huge city, but there are hundreds or thousands of them packed into that area.

So depending on one's interests, you could spend an unlimited amount of time in New York and never get bored, but you really can cover your personal top 10 in a 2 or 3 days. One day, probably not.

quote:

Originally posted by Spanky:
NYC is very compact. Really, you could see all the major attractions in one day.

I guess that depends on what you consider major attractions. I lived here for 7 years in the late 80s and early 90s and have been here over two this time around and there are still a lot things left on my must-see list.

This time of the year, be prepared for major crowds and lines at the various attractions. Also, dress warmly as most of the lines for things are outside.

Since you have a whole week, I'd recommend seeing one major attraction or so a day and spend the rest of the day visiting more out of the way places to avoid the crowds a bit. My wife works in Midtown (a couple blocks from Rockefeller Center) and most days I walk in to meet her after work -- it's amazing just how many people are there this time of year. Whatever you do, do yourself a favor and avoid the subway at rush hour -- it's, in a word, unpleasant.

For ideas on interesting things to do, check out Critina-in-Brooklyn's Free and Cheap thread -- it's full of great ideas.

quote:

Originally posted by Spanky:
NYC is very compact. Really, you could see all the major attractions in one day.

True, depending on your idea of "major attractions." I hosted friends this summer who had a checklist and 24 hours. We managed to see: (skip ahead if you're not interested in a LONG list of tourist sites) - Central Park, Rock.Center, Trump Tower, Times Square, the Hershey Store, the M&M store, the Disney Store, the Empire State Building, Greenwich Village, West Village, the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero and Wall Street.

In 24 hours.

HOWEVER, it was just looking. Really experiencing those places was not an option, given the time factor. Which, to me, is the most important part.

But we did manage to find out what type of M&M we were.

The cheapest and best way I found to tour the city is to get a subway pass (super cheap! unlimited rides 7day metro card (bus and subway) is only $12 for the reduced fare right now! http://www.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm#unlimited

Also is you want to see the statue of liberty and staten island take the subway in mahattan down to South Ferry and take the Staten Island Ferry (free) across to the island, it goes right past the Statue of Liberty (our hostel told us about this)! Circle Line cruise is another way to see all of the bridges, buildings, Ellis Island, statue of liberty and have a guide narrating the entire way, costs around $30 a person..last over an hour.

I found walking the best way to see everything (just grab a street map and subway map and go! haha, they are available everywhere!) but I've never gone when it's been so cold out. Love the city. You'll have an incredible time!
Hope this helps!!!

I agree with the above post...people get caught up trying to "walk" NYC and conquer it...big mistake you will end up being so tired and cold especially when you come that you will end up in a taxi spending more money than a subway...the subways are really easy in NYC and perfectly fine...get an all day subway pass for 12 bucks...im sure you can use it for more than 6 rides, figure the first two will get you from your brother in law and back home...just about all major attractions are located near subways, some require transferring but still very worth it.

Some other places of note - Metropolitan museum of ART (MOMA), Natural History Museum, Canal street - for all your cheap chatchka needs.

China town for lunch, little italy for those canolis.

I'l second ground zero, empire state building is a tad overrated I think, central park is cool, SOHO for shopping,

Rose planetarium.

The tree at Rockefeller Center, the windows of 5th avenue are really cool (Macy's - 34th broadway), Sak 5th Avenue and lord and taylor - 5th avenue, as well as other stores that is a big one for the holidays...

GO see a broadway show if you can the strike is over!!!

If i think of anymore i'll list it...

"I disagree" OK, I deserve that. New York does have a lot to offer and more time is always better. I guess what I was trying to say is that you have plenty of time. It is very compact for an LA native like myself!

I'd also like to add that being from California you're going
to freeze your butt off if you try walking anywhere in New York in December. Though if you can tolerate it a short walk (DURING THE DAY and lose the tourist get up) through central park is usually pleasant. Fortunately, there are subway stops all over the place and taxi's if you're feeling desperate. (best place to look for them is front of big hotels and business venues, be prepared to fight, lol)

I'll second the Staten Island Ferry idea, unless you want to see the statue up close. There are some good small ethnic restaurants on the island. Have someone point one out for you.

I found the World Trade Center site depressing, a bit morbid for my taste. Though it did stir up strong feelings of patriotism in me I didn't even know I had. I think NYC does that for me anyway.

I'm a big lover of high places so I like the top of The Empire State, though the wait and the fee sucks. You should buy a ticket in advance, available on the internet and most tourist centers. Also, you will have to pass security so don't bring anything you shouldn't bring on a plane. (cameras are OK)

Order a slice of pizza and a slice of cheesecake somewhere.

See the tree at Rockefeller Center.

I also second the Natural History Museum.

I've never been to the Metropolitan Museum of Art but I hear fabulous things about it.

The Broadway show idea is also good if it fits in your budget.

Times Square, I really like the little indoor ferris wheel inside toys r us, hee! hee!

Thank you to christina-in-brooklyn for the link to The Lower East Side Tenement Museum. I think I will visit there on my next trip to New York.