Hi, In July my sister, niece (9 yrs old) and myself are going to go to New York City for almost a week. To celebrate my 50th birthday. We are going to go to Niagiara Falls for 2 days. I have researched the trip as much as I can online. Any info would be helpful from people that have gone or live there. Like are the New york pass/city pass etc worth it? Better to get the tickets online from each attraction before hand? What about the Staten Island ferry, can one see Liberty from the ferry? Anything would be helpful, please.
Thanks in advance,
Hexquilter.
Cathy

OK......... You have to go to Katz's Deli for lunch they have the best food in the world. It was in the movie When Harry Met Sally the scene where she pretends to have the big O at the table while they are having lunch. Magnolia bakery cupakes to die for. Nathans hot dogs, bagels anyplace there is nothing like NY bagels it has to do with the water. The same thing goes for pizza. Little Italy is fun and stop at Ferrara's's Bakery on Grand St for pastry's and coffee and only a few blocks from Little Italy is Chinatown. Great food and they have a museum which is small but interesting. You should visit the Statue of Libery and also Ellis Island I think you can get a combo ferry ticket to both. Rockefeller Center a must and St Patricks Cathedral is right across from Rockefeller Center. Go to the Plaza Hotel just to see the beauty of the lobby and Central Park is just across the street from the hotel. If you have the time and money as it might be price take a horse and carriage ride around the city and park. If I think of anything else I will let you know.

Wow thanks. Do you think Rockefeller center (top of the rock) over Empire State Building?

Catch a Broadway show! You can research to see what your niece might enjoy. They're all usually good! And I think since you have a kid in tow, you're going to have to visit FAO Schwarz, the infamous toy store. Even adults have fun there! Have a great time. New York is a magical city.

Macy's. Even if you don't buy anything, the upper floors have old wooden escalators. Fun to look at and to ride.

The Bronx Zoo is amazing. For the gorilla exhibit, the people are in the cage and the gorillas in the open! Check out their website http://www.bronxzoo.com/

Top of the Rock is new only a few years old but cool because it is all glass so you an see the city. However the Empire State Building is iconic. So it would be hard to deide which to go to but you seem to have lots of time if you could do both go for it.

The Statue can be seen all the way from Battery Park, but not well. I suggest you take the ferry that goes there. It also stops at Ellis Island and is a great day trip. Is also not far from Wall street area. Your niece will love FAO Schwartz. Is a lot of fun. Is not far from Columbus circle and you may enjoy a horse carriage ride in the park. In July is tricky because they don't do it in real hot weather. Of course, Times square is a must see. You may hit it on a day when Broadway is closed to traffic and looks more like a street fair.

For some shows is better to get tickets ahead, but you may look into rehearsal tickets, which are a lot cheaper. This are usually available for shows before they open. If the show is very popular it may be sold out, even by now, but at the tickets stores in Times square you can find them very cheap from cancellations.

Check this out for a few free events. they may fit your schedule:

http://www.timessquare.com/Theater/T...n_Bryant_Park/

http://www.bryantpark.org/plan-your-...mfestival.html

About Niagara Falls, Do you have a passport? Make sure you have one for everyone. The falls are seen better from the Canadian side but you need a passport to come back. Even if you see them during the day, the view is totally different at night with the light shows. The ferry ride is amazing. You can also get tickets to walk right up to the water.

Have fun.

Oh, and Central Park has a beautiful fountain..........for that matter Lincoln Center does too.

If you go to the Bronx Zoo, you may want to check out also The Botanical Gardens almost across the street, but impossible to do both in one day.

I forgot to send you to The City Quilter. Is a little expensive, but not as bad as you would expect from a store in NY with an amazing collection of NY fabrics so you can make a memory quilt of your trip. Also while in Times square you are close to the Fashion District, along 7th avenue and all the cross street. To die for. Stores after stores packed with all sort of fabrics, decorations and embelishments.

You can also get an extra suitcase very cheap. You may need it.