Surprising husband with NYC trip!!!!

Hi! I am suprising my husband with a short trip to NYC. We have 2 kids we have never left at home- so it will be a very short get-a-way! We will arrive at LaGaurdia at 12:30 PM-(Wed.) and our plane leaves at 7PM the following night. It will be in the begining of November. How should we dress?

We just visited alot of Museums in Chicago and I don%26#39;t really want to pack alot and be on a schedule, so we are not going to do dinner reservations or shows. I would love some advice on exactly what to do- especially transportation wise. I am on a budget here, but i will pay for a clean hotel in a safe area.

We%26#39;d enjoy going to shops, bookstores,(Greenwhich village or SoHO? ) plus all the major stuff... Central Park, S.O.L, Empire State building, American Girl Store would be nice....

I know we dont have alot of time- I would really appreciate anyones advice- I know I need to book a hotel ASAP, but sort of wanted to get an agenda going first. Any imput about transportaion would be appreciated also. Also- my husband is 42 and I am 33 and we are healthy and able to walk, though I am sure taxis or subways will be faster? I know we won%26#39;t see it all but I%26#39;d just like some fun things to do together. Also, we will probably go to bed early and get an early start the next morning. Thanks!!!!!

Surprising husband with NYC trip!!!!

Our weather is pretty close to Ohio, so you should know how cold early November is (50s). Since you are not ';going out';, just dress casually and comfortably, whatever that is for you (jeans, shirt, sweater/jacket?)

whiz will help you with hotels, but I do recommend making booking ASAP since this is busy season for NY.

Bookstores... of course we have the usual Barnes %26amp; Noble all over, as well as the Virgin Megastore (Times Square, 1540 Broadway btwn 45th %26amp; 46th or Union Square, 52 E 14th at Broadway) but I like browsing through the Strand (http://www.strandbooks.com). They specialize in reviewers%26#39; copies for half-price, used books, and the out of print. They also have a lot of art books. For full-priced artsy books, try Rizzoli%26#39;s (31 W 57th btwn 5th %26amp; 6th Aves, 212-759-2424).

Transportation... depends on your itinerary and on where you end up staying. I imagine that you will be staying in midtown. Cetral Park, American Girl, and ESB are all in midtown. Since you do not have a lot of time, I think just take a cab from place to place around midtown. (A subway trip for four is $8. A short taxi ride is less or not much more than that.) SOL is way downtown, SOHO is downtown. I think just get one regular (not the unlimited) metro card. You can use this for the longer distance trips. One card is okay for all four of you.

Airport... the cheapest option should be to take a bus to the subway. This will cost $2 per person. Buy a metrocard, take the Q48 bus from right outside your terminal to 111th and Roosevelt. Transfer free here to the subway going to Times Square.

Surprising husband with NYC trip!!!!

lucky man!

Here%26#39;s what one person did with one day in NYC:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k267121-鈥?/a>

Here is another good post. Even though it%26#39;s about visiting with children, it includes basic info and suggestions that anyone would enjoy.

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k265632-鈥?/a>

Thanks for the tips- I guess I wasnt%26#39; very clear though... sorry-

I am a suprising my husband with the trip- Just he and I. The kids are staying home for the first time!!! That might make a diference in our plans, huh? Also, i just went to priceline for a hotel, but i didnt know to put in Midtown South, or West? What would be close to Central Park, American Girl (gotta bring home gifts!) , ESB, Etc.. We also love little 2nd hand shops, Thrift shops, botiques, things like that. WOuld that be in SoHO?

Sounds like you need to get a good map, and browse a little to narrow down your itinerary. Most attractions, sites, etc. are not clustered in one section of town. The things you mentioned are all over the place, but the subway and buses will get you everywhere, all the time, 24-7-365.

Check out this website about using the subway for tourism:

www.mta.info/metrocard/tourism/index.html

Re the post with kids: I thought that post had info that anyone could use about sightseeing, etc.

Check out this interactive map of Soho:

http://www.artseensoho.com/map.html

Here%26#39;s a website for Greenwich Village, but it is not that thorough. (There%26#39;s more out there):

http://www.greenwichvillagenyc.com/

This one%26#39;s a bit better:

http://www.villagealliance.org/

This trip is just over 24 hours long. If you%26#39;ve got 2 kids at home that you%26#39;ve never left alone, sounds like you guys need a REST. Chill out. You%26#39;ve got enough stuff on that list for a week or more. Get a grip girl. Forget about dang American Girl store. Have a romantic time. Pick a NICE hotel (my thoughts are the Michelangelo, the Casablanca, the Library or the Elysee). Have a romantic dinner ON YOUR ONE NIGHT ALONE. Maybe do the boat cruise for dinner (Bateaux NY)

On your Thurs., if you haven%26#39;t done the boat cruise the night before, go downtown and take a ride on the Staten Island ferry (free to see the Statue of Liberty). Then take a subway to Greenwich Village and have a walk around.

The biggest book store in the city is Strand Books at 12 st %26amp; Broadway.

http://www.strandbooks.com/home/

Have a nice lunch in the village. Then head to the ESB. If you have time, have a look at Central Park.

Relax and enjoy EACH OTHER.

Your visit is much too short, why not do 2 nites? With the time to/from LGA, your current schedule leaves you with very little time.

I would recommend taking the subway in Manhattan during business hours - it will be much faster than a cab/bus.

If you can only do one nite, I would recommend forgetting Soho/Greenwich Village and focus on Midtown only (Central Park, Americn Girl, Empire State)

Good luck

Thanks for the info.... If we have a a 7:30 PM flight out of

LGA- what time would we need to leave ESB? WOuld it be better to take a taxi or bus/subway to the airport?

Only one night because they can%26#39;t bear to be away from the little angels!

I think then you should skip SOL, and add a nice romantic restaurant.

Re: American Girl, it%26#39;s really only fun for a little girl (imo). If you need to buy something, just get it on the web and you might even save enough on the sales tax to pay for the shipping.

LGA is the closest airport to Manhattan and a taxi is really the best way to get there (about $35 max). It generally takes 45 mins. if traffic is moderate. For a 7:30 flight if you need to check in at 6:30 that leaves you departing the city during rush hour ;( Leave at 5:30 latest. Will you have your suitcase with you at ESB?

Please forgive me if I sounded harsh. I reread my post and it didn%26#39;t sound the way I meant it. I also may have mistakenly assumed the American Girl stop was for a child. If it%26#39;s for you, go. Otherwise, please use the time just for yourselves. Sounds like you%26#39;ve given the kids all your time and attention already. Have fun!

BTW, lines at the ESB are generally very long. You can either pay a stiff premium for VIP passes, or at least get your tickets ahead online so you skip the ticket buyers line. A while ago someone talked about a VIP pass at Jack Dempseys Pub on W 33rd Street. You might try that. I think you have to eat there (but maybe a drink is ok) to use it. People said the food was fine.

There%26#39;s actually a good restaurant now at LGA called Figs. I think they have take away if you want to eat on the plane.