<p>masslou, </p>
<p>The double decker bus tours are a good idea for newcomers to the city. You can get on and off at any of the many stops and really get a good idea of different areas of Manhattan. The tours begin for most in the Times Square area on Broadway, but I believe that one of the tour companies starts theirs on 8th Ave. The buses are there everyday and there are many employees selling tickets, they’re impossible to miss. </p>
<p>[New</a> York City hop-on, hop-off double decker, open top bus tours](<a href=“http://www.inetours.com/New_York/Tours/DD_Bus_Tour.html]New”>http://www.inetours.com/New_York/Tours/DD_Bus_Tour.html)</p>
<p>You can get same day theatre tickets at TKTS right in Times Square at 47th between 7th Ave and Broadway. Depending what show they want to see, this is one possibility, if they don’t mind wasting time standing in line.</p>
<p>[TKTS</a> Discount Booths](<a href=“Discount Broadway Tickets for On, Off & Off-Off Shows | TKTS by TDF | TDF - Theatre Development Fund”>Discount Broadway Tickets for On, Off & Off-Off Shows | TKTS by TDF | TDF - Theatre Development Fund)</p>
<p>If they don’t want to stand in line, they can order discounted tickets for many shows ahead of time through playbill.com or broadwaybox.com. Not all shows will be available for purchase in this way, so if there’s a show they really want to see, they should order tickets the regular way online prior to arrival. If they’re willing to take a chance on what to see, then TKTS is okay.</p>