Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Less than 4 weeks till our trip to New York . My mind is boggling over the list of things to do/see but we don't really want to do every single tourist attraction, more just get a feel for the place sp I can't decide if buying a pass in advance is a good idea or not . If we got a 3 day Pass plus the hop on/off bus we wouldn't really be saving much if we only went to the half dozen things we really want to see but I wonder if we would end up going to see lots more things if we had the Pass. If we didn't get it, would we regret not having the opportunity to nip into extra attractions? Also, my boys probably won't want to spend lots of time in museums/art galleries so perhaps a Pass is better as we won't feel we've wasted $100 entry fees if we don't spend long in each place? Is the hop on/off bus a good way to get around generally or would a Pass and using the subway be better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 The hop on bus is great if you have the time to get places but isn't a quick way to travel. You do get to see places you wouldnt get off andlook around in thoughsuch as some of the architecture of districts that are primarily warehouses. When we have been we have used combination of the bus, taxis and the subway to get about. We didn't buy admission passes just paid for what we wanted to see though you risk missing out on some gems by not realising they are there or concentrating on the famous sights - we once took a punt on the NY natural history museum as it was raining and it was one of the best things about our trip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 7, 2012 Author Share Posted July 7, 2012 The Natural History Museum is one of the things we definitely want to see (although a friend said she was disappointed by it ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 hmmm maybe I am just remembering the fab hot dogs in the cafe there...... No seriously we enjoyed it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 we went 2 years ago and got the pass, there was lots on it we didnt do but still worked out cheaper, bronx zoo, empire state, boat trips etc but we were there 10days . subway and by foot were the way we travelled, mostly by foot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 I'm not sure about the pass, depends how many things you are likely to see - I have to be honest and say that on my trip there, best friend and I were fairly dedicated to shopping rather than sightseeing! The hop-on, hop-off bus ticket is an absolute must though, we used it partly just for travelling up and down town but as Redwing says, the tours take you into areas you might not otherwise see and the commentary was very entertaining. I'm very - I'd love to go to New York again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeckledyEgg Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 I can't help with info about the pass I'm afraid (I only had a day really, in NY) .... but the best tip I have is to go up the Empire State building just before sunset - there were no queues at all by that time, we just walked straight in and up..... and then got to see NY city by daylight and then all the lit up buildings at night - amazing! We also saw the statue of Liberty in whirlwind time by getting on the Staten Island ferry (rather than one of the tourist boat trips) and getting straight back on the next one back 5 mins later - though if I'd had time I know Staten island has very pretty gardens etc to look at! I hope you have a fantastic trip - I'm sure you will!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Palmer Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 We spent 3 nights in New York as part of a bigger US trip and bought a 2 day pass. We used it to see loads of places in those 2 days. It was exhausting as we visited far more in those 2 days to make use of the pass than we would have normally, but it was an opportunity not to be missed. We went 4 years ago and I think the pass cost around $90 each and I worked out at the time that if we'd paid for each thing individually it would have cost us about $250 each. The Circle Line river cruises are great - we did a sunset one and a speedboat one and we loved the Guggenheim museum and Radio City music hall. As we were based in Manhattan, we walked just about everywhere and took the odd taxi. Hope this helps! By the way, we booked them ahead of the trip and collected them there as that was cheaper too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j00lz_12366 Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 Hi we went to NY at the beginning of June and it was fantastic. We were lucky to be there for 7 nights so we could be a little more relaxed about doing 'stuff'. We decided against the pass and weren't sorry, the only advantage I can see is that the things you want to do are paid for so you dont need to worry about the money side of things. We went up the Rockefeller centre so we could get photos with the Empire State building in the background-i think this is the cheaper option of the two, but as this was a once in a lifetime holiday for us we also went up the ESB-but we did this late at night so we got a totally different view of NY with it in darkness with all the lights glistening. We didn't have to queue for either of these visits I think they both took a maximum of 20-25 minutes from the door to the top, there's stuff to do and watch as well for part of the time when u are queuing. We did the Natural History museum as well..it was interesting but I wasn't 'wowed' by it-the building itself is great tho. We walked through Central Park a couple of times on the way to other places-we were staying right near the upper west side of Central Park, watch out for the squirrels-if you are a Lewis Carroll fan there is an amazing statue...also look at all the benches with plaques on-people pay to put plaques on in remembrance of people..I was close to tears reading some: there was a row which started off something like 'from Fred and Mary Liebemann who have enjoyed sitting on this bench for 50 years', then 'From Fred Liebemann for his beloved wife Mary whom he loved with all his heart'...then 'Fred Liebemann for his parents and sister who both died in XXX concentration camp' then 'From David, Daniel Liebemann for their parents Fred and Mary...' probably not got the words right but you get the idea..my eyes are filling up now thinking about it! We also went to the 911 memorial, if you are planning to go, get your tickets before you go-they are free but you have to book online and we had trouble accessing the website when we were there-I would say this is something that is really worth visiting, extremely moving and a lovely way to spend an afternoon-if you do go, watch out for a huge Century 21 store nearby, bit like TK maxx-my o/h got 'seconds' Levi jeans for $25, I got a Kipling bag for $29.. Another free thing to do is go on Staten Island ferry-takes you to Staten Island which means it passes the Statue of Liberty-you cant get off at Lib but shes shut at the minute anyway. Think thats about it....am very jealous and would love to go again, have a great time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 8, 2012 Author Share Posted July 8, 2012 Thanks for all the tips, everyone . I think we will get the Pass - I've been doing a lot of research (and my head now hurts ) and I think there are enough things on it that we'll definitely visit to make it worthwhile. It's at a reduced price till tomorrow too . (Although I bet there will be another deal after then .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
