AboutJennifer Expertise I travel to Manhattan frequently and can offer a unique perspective because I am a tourist.I have so much curiosity about Manhattan and that has led me to gather lots of great information about the city. I consider myself a hotel buff of sorts, and touring them and analyzing their attributes has become a hobby for me. I can give some good advice on restaurants, shopping, and in general just how to maximize those "new york moments" we all want to experience. Whether it is something as small as how to hail a cab, where to enjoy a cocktail and a romantic stroll, or how to dress so you don`t stand out as a tourist, go ahead and ask.
Experience Traveling to Manhattan, reading about the city
Organizations Allexperts.com, expert for travel in Arkansas
Expert: Jennifer Date: 3/28/2008 Subject: A day in Manhattan
Question QUESTION: Hey Jenn!
My friends and I are taking a ten day trip from Philly to northeast Maine, and we're going to be in Manhattan for a day. I'm guessing Times Square and the Ellis Island ferry is a given. What would you suggest we could cram into one day and night?
Also, I really, really want a night picture of the city from slightly ashore, and from someplace up high. Dyu have any suggestions?
We'd really appreciate the help! Thanks!
ANSWER: Where is your hotel going to be located?
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QUESTION: It'll depend entirely on your suggestions of where to go. We'll try to get a hotel nearest to most of the places to see.
Answer This is a tough one, because everyone does not have the same preferences about what is most important to see, but having said that....
I would begin my day early and get in line for the Statue of Liberty and/ or Ellis Island ( I prefer the Statue of Liberty) And I mean like...be there at 7am!!!! You want to avoid standing in tourist lines. I would take the " slightly ashore" pictures from this vantage point to save time. After this I would take a little walking tour thru Chinatown, Soho, and then hop a cab to Johns Pizzaria in Greenwich Village on Bleeker Street. After lunch, explore a bit and then take another cab to the upper east side. Take an quick tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art ( difficult but so beautiful, sometimes I go there just to see the gift shop), after, stroll down Fifth Avenue along Central Park just to take in the beauty of everything, if you have extra time..pop over to Madison Ave to see great shopping and restaurants...or simply walk down fifth ave all the way to the Plaza Hotel where you could stop in for a refreshment. Now, if anyone is interested you are near Crate and Barrel, Saks Fifth Ave, FAO SHWARTZ toy store...etc. Catch another cab or walk further down Fifth Ave until you reach St. Patricks Cathedral and go in and look around. Great hotel for a drink near here: King Cole Bar at St. Regis Hotel. Next, take a cab to the Empire State Building...great to see at night...and catch a bite to eat in nearby Union Square....know that ABC carpet and home is nearby---not to miss home interiors dept. store. I think this will be in the end of the day, but if you are up for more...you can safely walk around times square and rockefellar center at night...and if your hotel is nearby them this is really easy. For your purposes I would think of lodging in Times Square or Midtown either one would be fine. The thing about NYC is that the attractions are not really in one area. The thing you want to come away with is knowing you have seen a glimpse of some different neighborhoods. I recommend splurging on taxi cabs to save time. It makes everything so easy...you can change your plan in an instant.
Get a Frommers NYC 2008 to help guide you along. Any hotel they recommend would be great. If I have missed something feel free to write me again.
Also, if you are determined to take the night picture from ashore you could take a cab across the Brooklyn Bridge and take the picture from the bridge ( there is a widely used pedestrian walkpath)...also...near to the bridge is Brooklyn Hieghts and there might be a restaurant on the river to take a pic from.
