<p>I went to the memorial on July 4th and it was wide open, no ticket needed. The only ticket you need to buy is if you go to the museum.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Sounds like it’s easy to get there on the subway! Perfect!</p>
<p>I’ll talk to everyone but right now I am thinking of viewing the memorial but not going to the museum. I got ferry ticket to the Statue of Liberty for 1 pm. Should give us time to view the memorial and have lunch before the ferry. </p>
<p>I really liked everyone’s suggestions and would love to do all of them. I tried to find something that my H would like to do even though he is pretty easygoing. But my D says I do things I want to do and she knows I would go to the Frick and the Guggenheim ;). I’ve been to the Met and love art museums, the others not as much, although my H was great at the Art Institue in Chicago. </p>
<p>D wasn’t sure we could get into the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island but it looks like both are open. Hoping there aren’t too many school groups in October lol! </p>
<p>I’m glad it is easy to get downtown on the subway. I really like to take public transportation and think it adds to the experience. I have a SIL who goes to NYC once a year or more and only takes taxis. She won’t even try the subway. </p>
<p>I don’t mind the subway. However, when I go on Friday, there will be four of us. The taxi won’t be that much more costly than four subway tickets. Plus…gotta say…taxi riding in NYC is an “experience”.</p>
<p>Thanks thumper, that’s good to know. We have 4 also. </p>
<p>Since you have already purchased Statue of Liberty tickets, it’s a moot point, but I would have done the 911 museum and the Staten Island ferry instead. You get much of the same harbor view from SI ferry and no lines, which can be bad at SofL. </p>
<p>These are unique NYC trips. Hate to say, but there are lots of good art museums around the world, so unless you are a complete art geek, they can be skipped. (FYI - I grew up in DC and got ‘museum-ed out’ as a kid; easy, free rainy day activities, plus must-do w out of towners and my school insisted we go to National Gallery of Art every year).</p>
<p>I would also recommend the double-decker bus. It will be a quick overview of the city and provide fun facts that you wouldn’t otherwise know. When I go to a new city and only have a day, it’s my goto sightseeing. </p>
<p>Since you are going to be downtown - how about eating on stone street (off of hanover street). It has outdoor seating on the closed cobblestone street - with many restaurants to choose from. I would avoid it at noon as it will be very crowded. </p>
<p>I will be in NYC next summer - Has anyone ever gotten tickets to see any of the late night comedians? My dad is interested in looking in to that. </p>
<p>Rather than a bus tour, I’d recommend a Circle Line tour that circumnavigates Manhattan. NYC is what it is because it’s a port city, and the boat ride brings that into focus. Plus snacks. Or city lights at night. </p>
<p>Oh heavens kgos. Years ago, I went with friends and relatives to a Night at the Improv. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard in my life! If it’s still there, absolutely go. I’m sure the others are good too. I think the show. We went to started at 11 PM. It might have been midnight!</p>
<p>Forget taxis - in the nicer weather I look for one of those “rickshaw like” pedi-cabs. Love them!! You can negotiate the price as well. </p>
<p>Thanks Thumper! I will have to check that out. </p>
<p>Don’t do the pedicabs!! Huge ripoff. There are stories every week about how tourist are taken to the cleaners. It costs well over $10 to go from Times Square to Macy’s down Broadway - a 5 minute walk. </p>
<p>I’ve done pedicabs in the past. Negotiate the price & be willing to walk away if you feel that you are being flim flammed!</p>
<p>Oh my, I live an hour away from NYC and we never tire of going to check out different places. If you want to see the 911 memorial, do so and then either take a ride out to Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island. Although, you are not shopping, it might be cool to check out Century 21,near the memorial. You might be tempted. An alternative to taking the tours out to Ellis or the statue would be to go up to little Italy or Houston street to Katz deli for some great food. We love walking the Highline as well with a stop in Chelsea Market for food. The museums uptown do take up a lot of time and they are not free so you feel like you should at least get your money’s worth. Even then, there is so much to see that it is hard to walk out quickly. </p>
<p>If you feel ok navigating the subways, you can get around fairly quickly. Just stay away from the rush hours where you will be packed like sardines.</p>
<p>Post #26:</p>
<p>My H & I got tickets to Late Show with David Letterman one summer when our kids were at overnight camp. It’s a process! I think we stood in line outside his theater early in the day for a half hour - an hour waiting to “be interviewed” as an audience participant. They then interview you to see if you have enough “excitement? I guess?” to be in the audience. Then you have to give them your cell phone number and wherever you are in the city, you must go back by a certain time since taping begins at 5pm. Was it worth it? Absolutely! But we were in the city for 4 nights/5 days and this was on our ‘bucket to do list’. However, it can keep you busy all day just for that one show.</p>
<p>We’ve also been to some NYC comedy clubs and they are always good. Some comedians are funnier than others, but they usually have three or more for a show.</p>
<p>Staten Island Ferry is free and my H & I went twice! 
Especially in the summer, it was so nice.</p>