Need vacation ideas?

Question

my friend and I are going to new york city for 2 days mid-week. She isn't crazy about crowds or museums. So far we have agreed to take the Circle Line tour around the island. Any Ideas New Yorkers? THX.

Answer 1

We live in Dallas but were in NYC last month, and had a great time. If your friend doesn't like crowds don't go to Times Square.  It's almost as bad as on New Years Eve.

Call 877-523-9849 for reservations to the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island.  Make reservations for the first ferry of the day and the crowd won't be large. They'll email tickets to you. $17 each.

We took the bike taxi around Central Park.  The park is amazing.  We couldn't believe how quiet it was once you were in the park.  It's clean and beautiful.  The driver pointed out where all the famous people live in the area surrounding the park and told us the history of the park -- which by the way is man made. It's well worth the $60 per hour for 2.

You must go to a Broadway play while you're there.  The theaters are closed on Mondays.  If you want 1/2 price tickets go to Marriott Marquis Hotel at 46th & Broadway.  Get there by 2:30 -- at 3:00 they begin selling tickets for that evening. The line will be long but don't let that discourage you because there are several ticket windows and once they open, the line moves very fast.  They post a list of shows that have tickets available.  They only take cash -- no credit -- no debit.

Tickets run between $50-$65 each. Dress for the shows is casual.

St. Paul's Chapel across the street from Ground Zero has become a memorial for the victims. It's the oldest public building in NYC -- George Washington  went there.  It's a quiet retreat in the middle of a bustling city, at Broadway & Fulton St.  No charge, of course.

If you want to go to the Empire State Bldg. be there before it opens at 9:00.  We got there about 8:30 and there was a short line.  You can see it and be back down before crowds form. Tickets $17.50 each.

Junior's has the reputation of having the best cheesecake in NY.  I think it does, but the food isn't very good, so just go to their bakery next door and get the cheesecake. It's at Broadway & 44th St.

Hope you have fun.