Tourist Looking for NYC Info

I'm working in the Newburgh, NY area for the next three weeks or so and am looking for some touristy stuff to do in my downtime. I will be checking out some of the history around Newburgh but I'm also thinking about making a day trip down to Manhattan on a Saturday or Sunday.


My question is what is the best compromise, on cost vs stress, for travelling into and around the city? I do have a rental car but I would like to enjoy my time there rather than be pissed off about traffic. I am not opposed to walking several miles as long as the weather cooperates. I mostly want to see the 9/11 memorial, Central Park, and maybe the Empire State Building. If you have any other suggestions let me know but I am definitely trying to keep this to a quick day trip.


Thanks!

 

The attractions you have just mentioned comma should take you just about half a day. Unless you spend more time around Central Park like visiting Museum of Natural History on Upper West Side or art museums on the east side. This weekend there is a marathon running on Sunday, so parking and access to Central Park is going to be very limited.
What I would advise you to do, is to park your car somewhere on Upper West Side and use subway system to get downtown, and then back up to Empire State Building, and then back up to Central Park area. You could also take a taxi to complete your New York experience. I mean you can drive your car everywhere but it's going to take time to get places and parking especially around the Empire State State Building is going to be a nightmare. Even the price gouging parking lots are not guaranteed if there is an event going on in the area...
Another attraction that I could recommend is Intrepid Air and Space Museum oh, they have a space shuttle and SR-71 over there. While at Empire State Building you can also swing by, or walk by to the Times Square. And also while you going to be around The 9/11 Memorial you can walk to Wall Street (and the Bull).

Edit: speech to text

 

If you choose to drive to the city, on regular weekends (no special events), traffic is fairly easy until 9-10 am (depending on the area)

 

I appreciate it. I had seen the marathon info on the news and will definitely be avoiding that day for my trip. I would like to go to Times Square but it's not on my priority list. Same with the bull but if they’re that close I may go ahead and stop by.

My father-in-law also suggested the Museum of Natural History so I plan on making a stop there.

 

I understand that the bull and Times Square migh not be high on priority list, but my understanding is that tourists go there so they could check off that box from the list, lol. Aaaand you could take a taxi from Empire State Building to Times Square. Or better yet, to Grand Central Station! I have to admit, I live in NY over 20 years, and haven't been inside yet... it's on my short list!
Yes, Museum of Natural History is pretty cool! Just give yourself good few hours, because its pretty big. Go to their website and check the schedule for shows in the planetarium, from what I remember they are interesting (it's been years since last time I saw one, but my kids were still to young to appreciate it last 2 times te went to the museum).
You mentioned Central Park, 1 West 72nd street, where John Lenon used to live, and where he was shot.... right off W 72nd street in the park, you have an area dedicated to Lenon, Strawberry Fields... All You Need Is Love... <- yet another tourist attraction.

Enjoy your visit

 

I think one of my co-workers has me convinced to park at the Beacon Station and ride the train to Grand Central so I'll check that one off too.

 

That might be a better idea than driving in and worrying about parking

 

So, did you go last weekend? Planning going this weekend?
Depending on your answer , hope you had fun, or will have fun!

Sometimes I wonder, what is it with tourists coming to NYC to ride in a horse drawn carriage....?

 

I actually went today! I had a good time but did more walking than I planned to. I went to the WTC museum, the Bull (which was absolutely surrounded by people taking photos), and Central Park. I didn't make it to the Museum of Natural History because I walked around Central Park more than I planned. I was actually trying to avoid Times Square but wound up walking through it on accident. I don't think I'll be doing that again unless I'm going to the M&M or Lego store.

 

Glad you had good time.
Did you end up going to the empire state building?

 

Any photos?

 

I saw it from a few blocks away. It wasn't necessarily on the top of my list and I was running short on time.

I got plenty of photos. I'll put a few up when I get time but it may be a while. It's looking like yesterday was my last day off of work for a while.

 

Take metro north train from Beacon into the city. Parking is about $5 a day and you won't have deal with NYC parking fees and traffic. Check out museum of Natural History. Also just outside Newburgh George Washingtons last encampment. https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/22/details.aspx
Also must see West Point http://www.usma.edu/Visiting/SitePages/Home.aspx
Newburgh Brewing Company http://newburghbrewing.com/
Bronx Zoo https://bronxzoo.com
Best pizza worth the trip if in NYC http://artichokepizza.com
Rockerfeller Center https://www.rockefellercenter.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0bn1v_Wz1wIVy7bACh0G7QqVEAAYAyAAEgKl7PD_BwE
Statue of Liberty https://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm
Ellis Island https://www.nps.gov/elis/index.htm
PM me for further info
Steve

 

That's what I wound up doing. Definitely the way to go.

I went there and the Knox Headquarters my first week here. They were both interesting but I wish I had been able to tour the Knox Headquarters. It's currently closed for the off season.

I'm working on West Point and have been getting to different areas of it after work. I went to Trophy Point which is absolutely littered with cannons. They still wouldn't let me take one home. Not even a small one.

I will definitely be going there before I leave. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

If you want to see the American version of New York drive up the NYS Thruway to the Northway towards Montreal. You could stay here overnight http://www.adirondackhotel.com
Fort Ticonderoga
https://www.fortticonderoga.org
Once you go north of Saratoga https://www.nps.gov/sara/index.htm you will think your in Montana.
Adirondack State Park six million acres http://visitadirondacks.com/about/adirondack-park

 

My sister worked in Adirondack State Park for a few months and camped most of the time. I would love to go but I don't think I'm going to be able to cram it into this trip.

Also closed for off-season. Which sucks because I really wanted to go.