NYC In one day.....tips?

Question

Planning to go to see family in philadelphia. but while i am up there want to see NYC for the first time. One day thats all and visit FAO SCHWARZ. MAYBE central park , the ice rink........any tips? how do i get around? my own car? any tips?

Answer 1

If you have only one day for NYC (as I did three summers ago) and you want to see EVERYTHING of importance then the Grey Line Bus tour company is the best in America. For less than $100 you will be taken to every major point of interest and you don't have to worry about driving, directions, traffic jams, parking fees, etc... I would NEVER, EVER rent a car for NYC itself. You will spend the whole day trying to find parking, trying to find your locations, and trying to find your car after it's been stolen.

I give Grey Line Tours 5 stars.

Answer 2

Do not drive. I drive it everyday and it is a nightmare. Take cabs it will cost , but effective. I know it is getting cooler , but the Bronx Zoo is getting good check it out, then you can head right over to Arthur Ave. For some of the best Italian ever. Go to Dominick's. You sit at tables with other people , no menus. Tell the waiters what you like and let them put you in food heaven, Get the Salad and the Mussels (red sauce) If the Knicks or Rangers are in town go to MSG for a game. FAO SCWARZ I would do, Central Park is a maybe, but the Ice Rink wait until another trip. If you can see a Broadway Play do it. I should have mentioned that first. It is funny I work my main job Monday through Friday in Manhattan, then I own a Restaurant in Philly that I go down to on the weekends. My Sister and her husband are in Philadelphia so it is nice. Philadelphia make sure you hit the art museum it is solid. Steven Star restaurants are generally good. First time to New York enjoy the greatest city in the World.

Answer 3

DO NOT DRIVE!!! You will regret it more than you can possibly imagine. Besides - if you are able to find parking - you will pay a small fortune for even the shortest of times. I suggest taking the train from Philly to NYC and then using the subways to navigate the city. They aren't as confusing as you might think and they run every few minutes during the daytime hours. Get a map of the city (available at any bookstore in the travel section) and decide what you want to see first and then what sights can be secondary.) then plan your day working from South to North. I suggest this because most of the major sights are in lower Manhatten and Midtown. This way - you will get to see most everything before the sun goes down. then, by the time you get up to Times Square - the lights will be coming on in their full glory. Some great sights to see are Wall Street, the Brooklyn Bridge, Chinatown, and the view from the top of the Empire State building. Have fun!!!

Answer 4

You can possibly do your own car on Saturday or Sunday but even then parking is a problem as you have to find a garage in most places and pay short term rates. But, first visit without a guide, it will be good if you drive through and see one thing. Drive up and take ferry and see statue of liberty and Ellis island and then drive back. FAO Schwartz is off the southeast side of central park on 5th Ave. Driving is restricted or banned on weekends in the park. If you drive up for one weekend day with someone who really knows Manhattan, I think it can be done. If you do not have a driving or subway riding guide, it may just be an exercise in frustration and futility. I do wish you luck though as NYC is amazing.

Answer 5

We live in Connecticut and often hit NYC for the day when friends or family come to visit. We take the train in, which should also be an option from Philly. Parking is easy enough to find but frightfully expensive. One of the best ways we have found to hit all of the touristy sites without breaking the bank or killing your feet is by catching one of the hop on hop off buses from near Times Square. Try going to www.graylinenew york.com. The beauty of the hop on is that you can ride when you want, get off wherever you want and then hop back on when and where you want. We did it with my 80 year old grandmother and it was a dream. It hits all of the big spots and your ticket will be good for the whole day. You can follow the line and get off at each place, or walk here and there only catching the bus when you need to cover a large distance. Subways are great for getting from A to B but you only see underground. Taxis are great for getting from A to B but you only see the ground level of most things. The hop on is a double decker bus that you can ride on the top in the open air and get a great feel for the whole verticle experience! Good luck with your trip. NYC is a place that everyone should experience at least once. Oh and you have to have a hot dog from a street vendor, a slice of real new york pizza, and a soft pretzel while gazing at the statue of liberty from Battery Park. Enjoy!

Answer 6

Central Park has a bigger ice rink than Rockefeller and the park itself is a must see. But from FOA Schwartz, if you're going Nov or Dec, its nice to just walk down Fifth Ave because they really spruce it up for the holidays.

Down Fifth, there's:
-Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock observation deck) and the ice skating rink
-Saint Patricks Cathedral (Beautiful architecture)
-If you want to go to the Empire State Building, its a better observation deck (at 34th st)

You should definitely take the subway (you can buy a one day pass for $7) or if you want to see the city as you go, take the public bus(you can use the same one day pass for that also). You can look at the map at www.mta.nyc.ny.us or pick up one at any subway station.

The staten island ferry is free if you want to see the statue of liberty and Times Square is at 42nd St and Broadway which is walkable from the Empire State Building.

Bottom line, there's no telling what you would prefer to fit into one day, but its definitely not enough time to see NYC.

Have fun!

Answer 7

This is a very tuff one. To go to New York City for just one day ? First of all you will travel several hours each way to and From Philli. That does not leave you much time. I have been all over the City and there is just too much to see in one day. Knowing all that I know about the City, though, I would go see the show at the Planetarium located at 81st st-museum of Natural History. This is the most fantastic place in the whole United States, beast any show at Disney and so on. It will also give you some time to visit Downtown, a place like no where on earth.....KECK

Answer 8

Hi.First of all drive a thing called yellow taxi!Don't use your own car.I really enjoyed FAO Schwarz!big toy store that's all I can say!Central park is fun too.If you have dinner in New York city eat at Tavern on the Green which is in Central Park.Have fun!

Answer 9

You can take a cab-expensive
or
buy a $7 all day subway pass and use the subway.-inexpensive
The traffic in NYC is horrendous. it will take much longer that way. It's difficult to find parking too.
Your best bet is to park your car (by Fashion Institute of Technology on 7th ave and 27th street. There's sometimes parking spots in that area. From there use the subway all day (you can get a subway map at the booth for free).
Have fun!

Answer 10

No! Leave yer car at home. Plan to do a lot of walking; it's the best way to experience NYC -- a great walking town. And be sure to get downtown, below 14th Street. The West Village (and East Village, too) and SoHo and very hip and happening spots. Good shopping, too. Lotsa vegetarian joints. Have fun! Can I come with?!