What to do in NYC for a day?

[A930Rocket]

I’ll be flying into LaGuardia Thursday 7/18 and going to a class reunion in Westport, CT Saturday 7/20.

Our son works in Manhattan but lives in Jersey City. I’ll spend Thursday night with him and we will go out to dinner somewhere.

So, what to do in NYC or close by Friday during the day? I’ve been wanting to see the USS Intrepid. Has anybody been there? How long would you plan to see everything there? Based on time at the intrepid, what else is there?

I’ll have a rental car, but I’ll Uber around Jersey City/NYC Friday.

[wildthing]

Intrepid is half day (2-3 hours). Then after that, it could be anything from walking around Central Park and watching a Broadway show in the evening, to spending the rest of the afternoon at the Museum of Natural History. Really lots of things to do depending on what you fancy.

I personally went to places where 90s rom coms were filmed... I spread it out over a few days, but you could do it in a day.

[Robert Coats]

Some very cool aircraft on Intrepid...and an older diesel submarine as well

[flatbutt]

One day isn't much time so it depends on what you like. Museums? The Planetarium? People watching in Central Park? The Intrepid is interesting but as stated it's a couple of hours and that's it. There's Ground Zero and the observation deck in the tower.You can walk around SOHO and the Square. Like I said there's A LOT to see.

Maybe let your son show you his favorites?

[Brian 162]

We went on The Intrepid. We paid extra for the group tour. It wound up just being the 2 of us. You get to go behind the ropes and get a closer look. Best part was riding the lift that raised the planes from below. It was only the guide plus the 2 of us.
We also went on the submarine that’s there.
We were there at least 4 hours.
Ground Zero and the 911 Museum is a must see. It’s very powerful

[Por_sha911]

A really cool and not as touristy is the Frick Museum at the end of Central Park.
Walk down 5th ave and look at the cool stuff in places like Cartier.
DON'T eat at a restaurant that doesn't show prices on the menu in the window if you are anywhere near MSG.
Get a hot dog and/or a pretzel from the vendor carts on the street but don't look at the water in the cart.
Don't venture anywhere after dark unless you have someone who knows what they are doing.

[Baz]

Very cool - have fun and please come back and post some pics of your visit!

[berettafan]

Intrepid is definitely worth the time. If you are a shotgun person the Beretta Gallery is a fun stop. Used to be a Holland & Holland but not sure if it's still there.

[A930Rocket]

Good info. Thanks.

I was thinking about taking a helicopter tour as well.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Good info. Thanks.

I was thinking about taking a helicopter tour as well.

That would be cool!

I wuz gonna suggest spending the day searching for a slice ... from some guy named Ray

[wdfifteen]

Pizza! Do not miss NYC pizza.
The Intrepid tour is good. I wouldn’t go to a museum unless the weather is bad, NYC IS a museum. Walk around, use the subway, see Times Square, China Town, Little Italy, get a feel for the city.

[ramonesfreak]

Lived in SOHO for years. Not sure I would go there unless your wanting to go shopping and you crave overpriced galleries

There are only 4 things I miss about NYC. McSorleys. Katz’ Deli. Joe’s Pizza. Real black and white cookies.

The museums are great. I like MOMA and Museum of Natural History.

The NYC I knew and loved is basically gone. Been watching this Last Days of Little Italy series on YouTube, check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/@paulstonefilms

[Paul_Heery]

Since you will be in Jersey City, I recommend that you take the ferry into Midtown. It is a short nine block walk to the Intrepid from the ferry pier. The ride will provide you good views of downtown, an unobstructed but distant look at the Statue of Liberty, and both sides of the Hudson River for only $9.50.

https://www.nywaterway.com/JerseyCity.aspx

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I was thinking about taking a helicopter tour as well.

I have flown the VFR helo corridor down the Hudson, around the Statute, etc. probably 40 times.

It is really spectacular.

Not me:

[A930Rocket]

That’s a great idea. That must be the ferry that our son takes, as he lives on the water side of Jersey, and work is on the water side in Manhattan.

Originally Posted by Paul_Heery

Since you will be in Jersey City, I recommend that you take the ferry into Midtown. It is a short nine block walk to the Intrepid from the ferry pier. The ride will provide you good views of downtown, an unobstructed but distant look at the Statue of Liberty, and both sides of the Hudson River for only $9.50.

https://www.nywaterway.com/JerseyCity.aspx

[A930Rocket]

Now, that looks fun!

Are you sure you’re not in that crowd somewhere… 😂

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I have flown the VFR helo corridor down the Hudson, around the Statute, etc. probably 40 times.

It is really spectacular.

Not me:

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I wish I could go back to living in NYC and would but for the car addiction. Everyone has made good recommendations, I will only reinforce Intrepid, 9/11 Museum, Guggenheim, Central Park.

Have a cup of cart coffee so you know what hot water passed through an old paper bag tastes like, I guarantee every cup thereafter will be a treat.

Gray's Papaya is an absolute must to have their hot dogs. If I had more time I would go to NYC for the weekend and only eat them and pizza. Patsy's in Harlem is good but almost any slice in the city is pretty amazing. When I lived there over 20 years ago there was a window on the corner of 4Xth and 8th. You walked up and gave the man $1 for cheese, $1.50 for pepperoni, he pulls a pie out of the oven and gives you a slice. You stand there on the sidewalk eating it with 10 other people. Best pizza in the city, now long gone because the city needed another CVS/Duane Reade or something like that.

Have fun!

[rattlsnak]

I always take the three hour boat sightseeing tour. It goes all the way around Manhattan Island and the guide explains several things. You cover a lot of ground and see a lot of things with zero traffic!

[A930Rocket]

^^^ Another great idea.

Thanks, everyone!

[rcooled]

Here are 3 things that are all relatively close together that you can do in one day.

Take the Manhattan Architecture Yacht Cruise. It's aboard a vintage-style motor yacht and limited to only about 80 people (unlike the Circle Line which can take 100s). A docent will speak about the architectural history of NYC and point out significant sights. Book the 9:45 sailing so that you'll still have time for the other activities.
https://www.viator.com/tours/New-York-City/Manhattan-Architecture-AIANY-Yacht-Tour/d687-6288P7?mcid=42383&pid=P00082420&medium=api&api_version=2.0&target_lander=NONE&currency=USD&campaign=%3A03563532-d186-484e-9925-6605a1eb9b79

From there, grab a taxi or Uber over to the Intrepid. Spend a few hours there and grab some lunch onboard at The Aviator Grill.
https://intrepidmuseum.org/

After that, head over to The Edge. It's the highest sky deck in the Western hemisphere and the 360° views of NYC and the surrounding area from over 1,000' in the air are incredible. It's a timed entrance, so get tickets for the early evening so you'll be able to see the lights of the city come up at dusk.
https://www.edgenyc.com/en

Most of all, have a great time!