<p>We always end up in gridlock in the Times Square area, unless it’s the dead of winter, and there isn’t anyone around. Now we just avoid it, anyway, because we’re usually in the village. You are just lucky!</p>
<p>How about the Guggenheim? We took my French niece there about 5 years ago and she absolutely loved it.</p>
<p>^^It surely is memorable, plus you experience a great architect in an unforgettable way, spiralling down from top to bottom. Am just remembering now S-2’s essay was about the Guggenheim, talking about the decision to ride the elevator up, then spiral down (go with the crowd) versus: trudge uphill and see the exhibit backwards (think outside the box). I also like their permanent room now for Chagall, and of course the fabulous Calder mobile in that gorgeous central space…
ah I want to be there right now!!</p>
<p>Regarding taxis vs. subways - I would say that it really depends on where you are going within NY. New York is a great city for walking - alwaysamom is correct. Most of the Christmassy/touristy things are in walking distance of one another if you plan it right. My kids and I think nothing of walking from Times Square to Rockefeller Center to Central Park, and then some. The Met is a little further uptown than the zoo, but you can do it. This time of year is gridlock alert time in Manhattan - the streets are packed from 34th-59th, so taxis don’t travel too quickly in that part of town. </p>
<p>I would recommend taking a cab if you were traveling from midtown to The Village or up to Washington Heights just because it’s easier than figuring out the subways and the cost would not be that much higher. If you are comfortable with subways, then they are definitely faster. </p>
<p>Marite - the Guggenheim is a great suggestion. It’s so much fun and it totally mangageable within the OP’s time limits. I haven’t been there for years and I think we’re definitely due for a visit. Thanks for the reminder.</p>
<p>We too have a short time in NY and trying to see a matin</p>
<p>Singersmom, it’s hard to say exactly how long that trip would take as you are talking about real rush hour traffic. It would be at least an hour - possibly/probably longer. Just getting out of Manhattan can take forever at that time, especially from the Times Square area which is especially congested at this time of year.</p>
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<p>Given the need to get to the airport early for checkin and security, I don’t think you can see a matinee and get to the airport in time. I’d suggest museums, walking, and window shopping instead</p>
<p>It’s expected to snow in NY/NJ tomorrow. It’s bitterly cold today and windy. So, stick to indoor activities like museums or an early afternoon Broadway show. </p>
<p>Agree with P3ts. Take the cab instead of subway tomorrow.</p>
<p>The trip is MUCH longer on Wednesday. It’s matinee day. Give yourselves 2 hours.</p>
<p>Zoosermom, you are probably right about the trip taking much longer on Wednesdays. I never drive into the city myself - and when I go with other people, we don’t go at rush hour, so it’s pretty hard for me to judge. I just know that getting out of that part of the city can be very time-consuming alone, so you might be right about them giving themselves two hours. Sad for them.</p>
<p>I don’t know where the OP is traveling from, but if there is any chance they could spend the previous night in NYC, they would have so many more options. I know it’s costly…plus at this time of the year, it might be difficult to get a room…but it’s worth a try. If they did come in the previous night early, they could go to a show that night…then they would have the next WHOLE day to poke around NYC and then be on their ways. Even if they have the original 6 hours, it will still be fun. Just bundle up…when it’s cold and windy in NYC, it is BITTER cold.</p>
<p>If you’re at Rockefeller Center, it’s a few short blocks to the Museum of Modern Art and several smaller, interesting museums (Folk Art, Art and Design). You can also take a subway downtown (Soho, Noho) and check out galleries.</p>
<p>“I just know that getting out of that part of the city can be very time-consuming alone, so you might be right about them giving themselves two hours. Sad for them.”</p>
<p>Sad for me. I make that commute five days a week.</p>
<p>You’re right, poor you! </p>
<p>I used to work at the Rockefeller Center complex - many years ago - but I never drove to work - I walked to/from Penn Sta and took the LIRR. Much easier than driving!</p>
<p>"You’re right, poor you! </p>
<p>I used to work at the Rockefeller Center complex - many years ago - but I never drove to work - I walked to/from Penn Sta and took the LIRR. Much easier than driving!"</p>
<p>I take an express bus, so I’m not behind the wheel, but OY! the traffic.</p>
<p>Well, at least you can read while you ride, so it’s not all bad.</p>
<p>You can have a really good lunch near the Met at Cafe Boulud, but when I was a student I usually ate hotdogs from the vendors near the front steps. The cafe in the Met is okay. I had a salad last time I was there. MOMA has a wonderful very expensive chocolate cafe.</p>
<p>One nice thing about the Frick is that no one under 16 is allowed in. It’s got some amazing old masters, and often has nice small temporary shows.</p>
<p>We’re back from NYC! Had a fantastic time. All worked out well. Alarm at 4am, flight left Charleston at 6:15, landed LaGuardia at 8:14. Rode the M60 bus to the Arcadia NW subway. Popped up from the subway at South Central Park and 5th Ave at around 9:00. Walked down 5th Ave, went into Trump Towers, St Thomas Cathedral and a few other neat shops. DW bickered with a few street salesmen selling the fake purses, but didn’t buy anything. The crowds were tremendous! Very cold for us Southerners. Scarves and beanies were selling well on the street. Loved to people watch. Lots of women wearing long tall boots with leggings, etc. Overall NYer dress well IMO. We strolled over to Rockefeller Plaza, watched the skaters, looked at the Christmas tree, went into several more shops. The NBC studios gift shop had all kinds of really great gifts for anyone who loves the show “The Office.” Too expensive though. Ate a street vendor pretzel and shared a Starbuck’s coffee. I think NYC must have more Starbucks per sq block than Seattle! Walked over to Times Square for more pictures. Our DD took lots of very unique and artsy type of photos while in NYC. At approx 12:00, we took the Red line all the way up to Washington Heights where we met up with friends of our DD who are living in NYC doing missions work. Ate pizza at a wonderful Greek place, then slipped into a Latino place for Spanish coffee. The chicken smelled great. Took a stroll thru Tyron Park, kicking all the leaves, got a wonderful view of the river. More great pictures. Jumped into the subway at 191st street at appox 3:00pm, popped up at 125th street switched to the M60 bus back to LaGuardia (cool ride thru Harlem and past the Apollo Theater) in time for the 5:00pm flight to Atlanta, home in bed after a shower, all before midnight! Everyone very tired, but extremely pleased. The entire trip including meals, transportation, etc was just over $200. (Editors Note Here: We were using standby airline passes that made the flights very inexpensive) Overall very impressed with NYC and the people. Everything clean and efficient. People very friendly and felt very safe. We are already talking about when we could go again!</p>
<p>It sounds like you had an AMAZING trip!</p>