retired_sedimohasel

If you get on top of a building do the Rockefeller and not the Empire (it's a better view although it's a little smaller)
Then I wouldn't guarantee it but I don't think the ice rink is ready yet. (not cold enough but soon will be)
The Staten Island Ferry isn't that bad but forget it if it's either cold or windy.
Then again there's a lot of things to do in NYC and you won't be able to make it in a day... Central Park, Wall Street, Ground Zero, the sea port, Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge, East Village... it all depends on what you want to see most in all honesty.

retired_sedimohasel

Depends on what you wanna do, hotel included? Eating in nice restaurants (tapas...) or fast foods? Going out every night? Going to clubs or just bars?
In terms of prices Barcelona is much cheaper than London, a little more expensive than Madrid if it means anything to you.

retired_superpenners

Open-top bus trip and a view from the top of the rock as suggested above.

retired_sedimohasel

Yeah the bus ride is good too :thup:

retired_autumn

I wouldn't bother doing anything that required waiting in a long line, which would rule out the Empire State. Why spend your one day standing around?

Also I don't see Ground Zero being very practical. Not much to see there, unless things have changed in the last year or so. But it should be just a big empty crater. And it's not like there's a lot of restaurants or shops or whatever nearby. Just office buildings and apartments. Unless you really need to go, it's not a great use of your limited time, imo.

Stuff not mentioned so far: St. Patrick's Cathedral (5th Ave. between 50th and 51st), and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine at 112 and Amsterdam. Definitely roll around the southern end of Central Park and enjoy the iconic views of of the skyline south of the park, see Tavern on the Green at 67th and Central Park West, and then head through the Park to the Met and museum mile, if that's your thing.

If you're there at night, the East and West Village pretty much has all you need. Just wander through and find a party.

retired_gomab2k4

Get up early, take breakfast at Tramway Diner (60and 2nd iirc) and then take the tram across to Roosevelt Island. Get off and get back on go back to Manhattan Island, go shoppping at Bloomingdales.
Get the subway to Brooklyn Bridge High Street and take a walk back over the bridge into Manhattan.
Visit Battery Park, go past WTC site and more shopping at Century 21, make your way up Lower Broadway visiting shops on the way and then head off to Greenwich Village for lunch.
Head off towards Gramercy Park via Soho, Chinatown and all the boutiques on the way, and check out the houses at gramercy Park then head towards 34th and take in Macy's and other shops nearby and get pics of Manhattan Square Garden (could take the tour around the inside).
Head off towards Grand Central via foyet of Chrysler Building and then into Grand Central terminal itslef.
Should be getting late now so grab something to eat anywhere but Times Square's overpriced, too busy restaurants.
Head up towards Central Park for a nice walk as dusk descends on the city.
Late on head up the Empire State Building and take in the view of the city at night.
Forget to catch flight and have another day checking out the museums and places you worked out you wanted to see but didn't have time on your first day.

retired_mountainsong

I already have the flights and hotel sorted, its with my girlfriend so I suppose nice dinners and sightseeing stuff

retired_rlkoenig16

Cheers for the replies guys, looks like I'll have to make a tough decision.