Critique my NYC itinerary

[nfowife]

My MIL, DD1 and I will be spending the weekend in NYC coming up soon. Here is my proposed itinerary...any insight?
It's my DD1's first visit to NYC.

Friday
Arrive Grand Central @11:30, meet at clock.

Walk to hotel- MUSE hotel 46th between 6th and 7th

Lunch: Serendipity3, 60th between 2nd and 3rd

After: Dylan’s Candy Bar (next to Serendipity)

Rockefeller Center- skating?

Top of the Rock @ Rockefeller Center $14/each (military/senior rate)

visit American Girl Place (5th avenue between 50th and 51st on east side of Rockefeller Center)

Dinner: 5:45 reservations @ Ruby Foo’s Restaurant, Broadway between 49th and 50th

Theater: 8:00 Tickets to see Cinderella at Broadway and 53rd


Saturday
Breakfast: taxi to Ess-A-Bagel 3rd between 50th and 51st, then walk to the subway station at 51st and Lexington. 30 minute subway ride. We should plan to get on the subway around 8:30 so try to leave hotel by 8.

Statue of Liberty: 10am reserved tickets

Take subway- Green Line to Bowling Green stop, walk to Ferry port security area. (use directions)

Lunch/snack on the island

Possible afternoon activities, dependent on return time from SOL
Times Square/FAO Schwarz (5th avenue @ 58th)
American History Museum- free for military -Central Park West @ 79th (could do Sunday morning?)

Dinner: Shake Shack 8th between 43rd and 44th

Show: 7 pm New Victory Theater, 42nd between 7th and 8th, show “Knee Deep” tickets. Show is about an hour.

Dessert: Waffels and Dinges Truck, Broadway @ 35th


Sunday
Breakfast: Eileen’s Stardust Diner- Broadway between 50th and 51st opens 7am

Macy’s flower show opens at Herald Square Macy’s- 34th between 6th and 7th (opens 11 am)

Museum of Nat. History if haven’t been (opens 10 am)

Back at Grand Central @ 1pm to catch coach home.

[hillview]

I'd skip the museum of natural history. It wasn't a hit with either of my kids and they both love science/nature

[SnuggleBuggles]

I'm not sure you've given yourself enough time to get to the Statue of Liberty. What do they advise for check in and security?

I think the Met would be the museum if choose over natural history.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Also, simply playing in Central Park was ds1's favorite thing (well, that and the Nintendo store!).

[hillview]

Also, simply playing in Central Park was ds1's favorite thing

[lizzywednesday]

The Met also has admission discounts ... and is still "pay what you wish" - meaning they "suggest" a donation of $25 for adults/$17 for seniors, but you do not have to pay $25. The admissions cashiers may give you the stinkeye, but I say pfft!

Kids under 12 are free with an adult. There's also a "student" rate of $12; depending on how young you look to the cashier or how strict they feel, you can usually finagle to get in for the student rate.

Located on 5th Ave at 82nd St - from Grand Central, you could take the 4, 5, or 6 train uptown to 86th St. This is the Lexington Avenue line; you want to walk 3 blocks WEST to 5th Avenue. You will see the museum as you get to 5th Avenue; it is on the opposite side of Central Park from the AMNH.

Here are some of their "suggested itineraries," including one targeted for kids ages 5+:

http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/itineraries

They also have a kids' map and various "treasure hunts" that you and your DD may enjoy:

http://www.metmuseum.org/learn/for-kids

I know that other families are not fans of AMNH, but I have to say that I have taken my DD to AMNH and she loves the taxidermied dioramas on the 1st floor ... and the dinosaur galleries upstairs.

My one caveat is that Natural History DOES get fairly crowded on weekends, though, so I would actually favor the Met. It's not any less crowded, but the crowds are a lot more pleasant!

[SnuggleBuggles]

Times Square is a must do, imo. Mostly b/c I love pointing it out in countless tv shows and movies to ds and reminding him that we were there. Making those sorts of connections was the purpose of our trip. We had a whirlwind but also some good down time.

I too think your Friday is really tight. There can be a long line to go to the Top of The Rock- it may not be at all doable for your schedule.

[nfowife]

Yes we may do Central Park depending on the weather. We have our physical tickets for SOL already so we just have to go through security there and onto the boat. They recommend about an hour in advance so that is what I'm planning.

So do you think I should Metropolitan MOA instead of AMNH? They open 10am Sunday so it's doable for sure. It's free for military so that's good.

[Giantbear]

Long walk from GC to the hotel, and you will want to have dessert at Serindipity. Their frozen hot chocolate and forbidden broadway make it a destination alone. many a time i have gone for lunch and only had dessert. FAO is a must, friends from Texas were just in and raved about it. Central park, weather permitting is also a great destination, they have a great zoo. Just remember, the city has a way of tiring you out, so plan some rest activities too. I think you are going to have one tired little girl saturday morning.

[nfowife]

The hotel is .7 miles from Grand Central, about 15 minutes, so I feel like it's definitely doable. DD is almost 9 and not a complainer. We can certainly hop in a cab if need be.
Also our hotel is right off Time Square so we can easily get there whenever.

I definitely plan to take time to smell the roses and explore! I just want to have the itinerary extra-packed with possibilities in case we get through things quickly and have extra time, I don't want to be scrambling to figure out what's nearby or what to do next. The main things we are definitely doing are Serendipity, Top of the Rock, Ruby Foo's and Cinderella (Friday), The Statue of Liberty, Shake Shack and the show Saturday night, and then Ellen's diner Sunday morning. The rest of the stuff we will try and get to, and adjust in terms of taking a rest, just walking and exploring, and seeing what DD wants to do.
I know she will be tired, so will I! We have a 5 hour bus ride each way (leave at 6:15 Friday morning) and I'm hoping she will rest on the ride there. She is super excited!