A few hours in Manhattan - my plan

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/03/2014 10:25:02 AM · #1

Next Monday and Tuesday I'll be about 30 miles north of NY city attending a class which should be finishing at about 4pm on Tuesday, I'll drive back to La Guardia, return the car, and check in at a hotel in La Guardia to take the plane back home on Wednesday morning.

That leaves me with time to kill on Tuesday night, I have thee option to keep the car, but maybe is better to move to manhattan on public transportation, avoid the hassle of driving / parking and at the same time leave my hands free to use the camera

I'm considering ...
Going to the top of the Rockefeller center at about sunset time , hoping to catch some views of the city
After that walk around , maybe to times square
and go back to the hotel

Does that sound ok/doable ? suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Devinder

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

09/03/2014 10:26:25 AM · #2

sounds doable. just make sure you have a route from/to laguardia planned out..

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

09/03/2014 11:48:59 AM · #3

You'll be able to get back to the hotel at any hour of the night; I'd add to your list to have dinner someplace interesting in the City first.

Canon EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 II

09/03/2014 12:00:43 PM · #4

Thanks,
yes I'll figure i'll get hungry and will dinner somewhere ... in the city, not room service :)

dtremain

Canon EOS 80D

09/03/2014 03:38:41 PM · #5

NY City - big subject.
You can drive to near where you want to be - public parking garages are available (expect approx $30 - $50) and parking in a central location to where you want to be, and walking / public transportation, coming back to pick up the car - is a good option. IF you opt to try to park on the street - read the signs carefully - the rules are complex (certain hours, certain days, public, non-public) and you don't want to pay a parking ticket - or towing bill. Plus, considering the time to find a parking spot you can use - I recommend the parking garage option. You can do a subway / bus combo to/from LGA for about $2 & 1 hour each way, but research it in advance, so you know what to do.
Bring cash. While credit cards are accepted some places, it is not as universal as one would want (or expect in a big city).
So much to see. So much to do. Staten Island Ferry is free, goes fairly close to the Statue of Liberty, and has great views of the southern tip of Manhattan skyline, plus usually some decent photo opportunities of other boats, harbor, etc. I think the subway A line has a stop right at the Battery Park ferry terminal. Ferry is about 40-45 minutes each way. Just pay attention that you don't get stuck on Staten Island overnight!
Empire State Building has an observation deck, but they want to charge $26/pp to go up (or more - $46 no waiting, $50 for both 86th & 102nd floors waiting, $67 both floors no waiting). On the 86th floor observation deck on the Empire State Building, you are outside - no glass between you and the view (no roof, either, so nothing between you & the rain). It is open until 2 AM.
Top of the Rock observation deck (Rockefeller Center) ticket is $29. I've never been up there...
Grand Central Station
Rockefeller Center
Times Square
St. Patrick's Cathedral (though they are renovating it currently, so there is lots of scaffolding and clutter)
Lots of local restaurants. If they have a menu posted outside, read it before going in. What looks like a hole in the wall may have prices that start at $30. Little Italy, Chinatown, and just interspersed among the other shops, etc. Even the food cart vendors are worth checking out (if they're not packed up for the day by the time you get there).
Be aware of your surroundings and alert for your personal safety. I've never had a problem in NYC, but there are plenty who have...
If you like the hustle and bustle of lots of people rushing to and fro, from all different cultures, speaking all different languages, you'll love the city.
Also, be aware that the street traffic is very dense - there is no such thing as driving anywhere quickly. On foot is the best way to get pictures.
Hope you have an absolutely great time!

Message edited by author 2014-09-03 15:49:43.

tanguera

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

09/03/2014 03:47:27 PM · #6

Times Square is a relatively small area of the city, clogged with people and cars, and possibly the highest concentration of neon lights in the world. Beyond that, meh. It IS centrally located, and iconic, so it depends on what you're looking for.

For spectacular views in almost every direction (including a view of the Statue of Liberty), I'd recommend going down to the completely reconstructed Battery Park area at the southern tip of Manhattan. There's even a historic fort down there! Huge number of things to see, including cityscapes, you could even walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and check out DUMBO, and get some REALLY great views of Manhattan. Dinner opportunities abound.

tanguera

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

09/03/2014 03:47:27 PM · #7

Hmmm, double post.

Message edited by author 2014-09-03 15:47:49.

posthumous

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

09/03/2014 03:50:03 PM · #8

for a better place than times square, I would go... anywhere else.

bvy

Sigma DP1x

09/03/2014 04:18:27 PM · #9

On street parking, make sure you place the parking receipt INFORMATION SIDE UP on the dashbaord. I learned the hard way during our last visit, that if you place the ticket upside down, you'll be quickly rewarded with a $65 fine.

smardaz

09/03/2014 05:16:06 PM · #10

we were in NY last year, went into the building at Rock Center, was told it cost $29 per person to take the elevator to the "top of the rock" and immediately walked out. ridiculous in my opinion.

Message edited by author 2014-09-03 17:17:35.

mariuca

Fujifilm X-T30

Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS

09/03/2014 06:14:07 PM · #11

Armando, skip the car and get to Manhattan by cab (about $40) or by:

Departure roughly every 30 minutes - Port Authority Bus Terminal, Grand Central Station and Penn Station. Fare is $13. Purchase tickets online at www.NYCAirporter.com. For more information, call (718) 777-5111
In this case get off at Grand Central terminal, look around and walk West to Bryant Park and then Times Square. If you had never been to Manhattan it's cute to see it. Not my favorite part but certainly a not-to-miss-tourists place. If you like oysters, go to the Oyster bar at Grand Central.

or by M60 bus $2.50 - get a Metrocard or have exact change, ask for a transfer - which leaves you at West 106 and Broadway. From there you can take another bus, let's say M104 that takes you downtown on Broadway past Lincoln Center to Columbus Circle and Times Square. Or take the subway #1, 2 or 3 (use the transfer in both cases) to Times Square and then walk up Fifth Ave towards Rochefeller Center. I don;t think you have the time to go to the top but enough to see there. You might want to stop at Columbus Circle and have a view form inside the what they call so badly The Mall.

Since you have so little time, I would not dismiss Times Square - sure, not my preferred spot in NYC but worth seeing esp now since they changed to favor pedestrians.

Johanna has a point about Battery Park but you won't have the time.
Also, if you are not a foodie, you might be pleased to get anything form anywhere and just look around. If you walk uptown from Time Square to Columbus Circle, there are plenty of really good spots where you can get a delicious thing without waiting:
balducci on 56 street
maison Keiser 59 street
and eat on the piazza and watch the people.

I am nuts about the City so the list can go on and on but for just an afternoon it might be enough
To get back to airport there is a cab flat fee of $37 plus toll and tip.

Bon voyage!

pgirish007

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-70 2.8L II

09/03/2014 06:19:45 PM · #12

Just to give you heads up after 4 in the NY, it will be nothing but all traffic so plan accordingly and leave as per that.

09/03/2014 06:32:45 PM · #13

Thanks for the comments
specially about using cash , I went to california a few months ago and used my CC everywhere

I have been in Manhattan 2 times
first around 1978 a few days traveling with my dad, didn't quite enjoy it, it was also my first time visiting the USA, in the middle of the summer, found it awfully hot, humid, crowded , dirty, smelly
Second time in 2001 arrived to central station and walked around all day, had a great time, nothing like I remembered from my previous visit
but neither time did I have a camera with me

so ... I'll like to shoot from one of the tall buildings, $29 sounds ok for the rockefeller center , the view is not good? why did you walked down immediately ?
times square ,maybe scratch that, no one here seems to like it
I'll spend more time on google earth planning what to do

Cheers!