NYC Day Trip Suggestions?

MarcyIam · February 2010

My dad wants to take my mom to NYC for a day and I don't know much about the city. We were all there as a family a couple weeks ago and did Empire State Bldg, Times Square and WTC.

My dad wouldn't be able to handle a Broadway show. ;-) Oh - and nothing too pricey.

He mentioned something about a planetarium and I know there are a couple zoos?

What else would you recommend and anything I should let them know if considering the idea?

Nest Dave · February 2010

When abouts will they be going? Just wondering if they can walk around a bit... I lived there for the first 30 years of my life...I can suggest some awesome things! Are they food buffs? Cuisine? Type of art they like? Modern?

MarcyIam · February 2010

Hey! They would most likely be going within the next month, so it will be cold, but not adversed to walking as long as it's not all over the place, all day long. They can handle the subway.

My parents are from a very rural area. My mom is much more adept to visiting cities - my dad is pure country at heart, but is going b/c my mom wants to go. ;-)

I would say no to art. My mom wants to go to Central Park. If you suggest food, nothing too expensive, but they would be open to trying a yummy restaurant. Although probably nothing too exotic. My mom would try anything, my dad - no. I hear there's a delicious mac 'n cheese place there. Hmmm....

Sorry I'm not much help!

Read2Me · February 2010

I highly recommend the Central Park Zoo- it's smaller than the Bronx Zoo but a nice way to spend a few hours. They could probably make a day of just walking around the park- the zoo, the skating rink, the stables, etc.

ljo128 · February 2010

If they will be in the park, they might want to do the Natural History Museum. It's across the street from the park (west side, at 81st street). It's a really cool museum. I take people there who aren't "museum people".
If they do that, there's a restaurant a few blocks west and one block north of there called "PINCH and SMACK" (pizza by the inch and mac & cheese). It's pretty cheap and very fun.

Nest Dave · February 2010

So if they really want to do a zoo, I agree with pp, Central Park makes way more sense than the Bronx Zoo. Though the zoo isn't large...I don't know if they would want to spend the whole day walking around Central Park..might get a bit cold and tried!

Without going to Broadway or a museum, you're talking about walking/sightseeing.

Some ideas - Take the 4/5 or W down to the last stop in Manhattan and take the Staten Island Ferry, which leaves every 30 min and is free. Do a round trip and get awesome views of the harbor (Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty) going out and of Manhattan/Brooklyn/Governor's Island on the way back.

Take the 4/5 to canal and walk through Chinatown and Little Italy. I can provide lunch recs for Chinatown as there are american-chinese restaurants there, but I would suggest to stay away from Little Italy for food (well, most of it).

Walk down Bedford St into the West Village. Take your time walking down quiet side streets, taking in early 20th century brownstone architecture. Can recommend cute restaurants there too.

Some food recs:

Italian - Becco is a semi-touristy italian spot from PBS awesome-chef Lidia Bastianich. http://www.becco-nyc.com/ Very pasta heavy restaurant in the theatre district. Will not break the bank.

Pizza/Italian - La Pizza Fresca http://lapizzafrescaristorante.com/ is a nice italian place just north of Union Square. Depending on where they are for dinner, either of the above would be nice. LPF is a bit more romantic and local.

I can suggest any american or something closer to where they will be if you need it!

ArcticFox · February 2010

Is it just them? (Not you and the LO too?)

Also when are they going? Weather is a big factor..

There is the Central Park zoo which is very nice.
MOMA or other artsy places.
Hop on the subway to China town, since it drops you off pretty much in the heart of China Town.
They could do a harbor tour that has dinner too on the boat (although they might be considered expensive).
I would definitely do something with food - Like I'm a vegetarian so I look up the best veg places - so figure out what your parents are into and search out the best of those cuisines.
I like to walk around in the village, go to cafes, grab a bite to eat, shop.

MarcyIam · February 2010

I thought I replied back with a Thank you, but I guess I didn't. They really liked the idea of doing stuff around the park and this was very helpful. And Ellis Island stuff. THANK YOU!

NYC Day Trip Suggestions?

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