NYC Itinerary-review

[AAM2012]

We will be going to NYC for about 3 days and have the following itenerary. Please review and let me know if it's too much, not enough, do it in a different order, any other recs?

Saturday: Fly into JFK at 11:15am and will take the subway to Penn Station and get to our hotel likely around 1pm (hotel is right near penn station). Get some lunch somewhere nearby. Empire State Building. Ferry to Ellis Island (not getting off..just viewing from the boat). Visit Ground Zero. Walk through the financial district and/or then Chinatown. Highline. Dinner and then a late night boatride via Manhattan by Sail company which goes out 10:15-11:45pm.

Sunday: Rockefellow Center (do the NBC tour and observation deck) 5th ave/shopping. St Patrick's Cathedral, Metropolitian Museum of Modern Art. Dinner

Monday: Museum of Natural History, Central Park, NY Yankees baseball game at 7pm.

Tuesday: taking train to Boston

Also looking for food recs, preferably not italian since I can't have any gluten Thank you in advance!

[anna7602]

Your Saturday looks a little hectic, especially since you might be tired from traveling. The places you want to see that day are all over. And since you're planning a late evening outing, I might be inclined to take it a smidgen easier during the day.

Specific thoughts: Try to pick out where you want to have lunch on Saturday ahead of time so you don't just end up eating any random crap out of tiredness/rush to get on to the next thing. It would be a shame to waste a good meal opp by eating at the Sbarro at Penn Station.

The Highline is lovely and there are actually good food options in the Chelsea Market there. I would probably hit that first and skip the Empire State Building entirely. Or move the visit to the ESB to another day.

Ground Zero/financial district/Chinatown/ferry boat are in the same general-ish area, although I can't remember right now if the boat to Ellis Island leaves from the same place as the Staten Island Ferry. There's not a whole lot to see in the financial district, in my opinion. And even though all of this is clustered in Lower Manhattan, you'll still be doing a fair bit of walking. So, again, consider how much energy you want to expend when you're planning on going on a boattride at 10:15. Also, two boatrides in the same day???

Your Sunday itinerary is all in the same area, so that will work. You could even slot the Empire State Building visit in there if you're really determined to see it, since it's down 5th Ave. BTW, it's Rockefeller, not Rockefellow.

Double check the Museum of Natural History's hours (I can't remember off the top of my head if it's open on Mondays). You could do a picnic in Central Park, either hitting the Pain Quotidien in the middle of the park or the Whole Foods on Columbus Circle (59th Street).

[kc18]

Honestly, I'd probably do mid-town the first day (Saturday). You're going to be at Penn Station when you get in, so grab lunch near Bryant Park (lots of cute places around there), then make your way up 6th avenue or 5th avenue to Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, etc etc. You could see MOMA that afternoon too.

I'd probably pick one thing out of these two - Empire State Bldg or Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock). They both give you a tour, and they both take you up to the top to get an amazing view of the city. Top of the Rock is probably my favorite out of the two. Shorter wait times, and you get a great view OF THE Empire State Bldg, which is almost more impressive than actually being on it. I'd wait until sunset, or until it's almost dark to be there. It's incredible.

Restaurant recommendations: my favorite Thai place is called Highline, in the meatpacking district. Also highly recommend Tao (midtown) - asian fusion. For a fun dessert spot - Max Brenners in Union Square and Serendipity for frozen hot chocolate on 60th b/w 2nd and 3rd ave. So many good brunch spots in the city - Pastis is fantastic, as well as Blue Water Grill. For a more casual breakfast on the go, Essa Bagel is a must. Have fun!

[baconista]

I agree that you can choose between the Top of the Rock and Empire State Building for a view of the city AND I also prefer the Top of the Rock. Totally agree on doing it at sunset. When I was there, we were able to book a time which allowed for a minimal wait.

I would probably try and see a play if I were you, but that might not be of interest to you.

As an aside, the Met and the MOMA are two different museums.

It looks hectic, but it`s NYC! Have fun!

[lauree1183]

When I went to NYC we did Top of the Rock during the day (minimal lines) and Empire State Building at night (lines are super long during the day, but minimal at night). If you want to do both buildings, I would suggest doing it like this

[catsarecute]

Jun 11, 2012 12:45:15 GMT -5 lauree1183 said:

When I went to NYC we did Top of the Rock during the day (minimal lines) and Empire State Building at night (lines are super long during the day, but minimal at night). If you want to do both buildings, I would suggest doing it like this

We made the mistake of getting to the ESB just before sunset. It took 90 minutes to get to the observation deck and it was packed. We had to push our way up to get a decent view. We went to the Top of the Rock at 8:45 a.m. and there were 15 other people up there. The view was better as well. I would suggest going to the Top of the Rock for both day and evening views since seeing the city at night from that view is pretty awesome. I would skip the ESB all together.

[AAM2012]

Thank you all for your recs! I'll figured the first day would be too much so we will have to change it a bit.

[iheartrice]

Magnolia Bakery has the most amazing cupcakes!