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!

[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.

[boolady]

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

I have a few suggestions, but I know that my perspective is different as we can day trip it into NYC, and do go in a few times per year. I think your plan is great, but really tight. I know you're coming from a distance and want to see and do as much as possible, but I would be exhausted by halfway through Saturday. I think part of the NYC experience is just taking things and people in, and maybe getting to see some different neighborhoods, etc. So, my take or leave suggestions that are still touristy are:
1. I know that skating at Rockefeller Center seems cool, but I don't think I'd take the time. The rink is always crowded, it's not that big, and if you want to be able to say you did it, or take some photos, it might be fun, but I personally wouldn't prioritize it. I think your time frame for Friday is quite tight, so if it was me, I would skip skating. Instead, you'll be right there on 5th Avenue because of AG Place (and don't underestimate the amount of time you will probably spend there), and in the Rockefeller Center area, where there is also the Lego store, and if you want to do FAO Schwarz, you're within walking distance. If you do walk up to FAO, which is at 5th and 58th, you're at the Plaza Hotel and the corner of Central Park. If you do walk up 5th to FAO, you'll pass some other iconic stores- Saks, Tiffany flagship, Bergdorf Goodman, etc. I don't personally find FAO all that exciting, but I know that kids like it and we have been there with DD a few times. This takes going back to the same area just to go to FAO off your plate for Saturday.

2. Your DD might enjoy Times Square on Saturday, if you have time to get back up there after the SOL, but if you'd like to experience other areas of the city, we have taken DD to walk around the Union Square Greenmarket, which is fun and not as crowded as Times Square, and have even taken her over to Gramercy Park and Madison Square Park just so she could see some different areas of the city. I don't know how soon you'll be there, but in spring, these areas of the city are lovely. The original outdoor Shake Shack is in Madison Square Park. If you do Union Square, Books of Wonder is an amazing kids' bookstore on 18th Street a few blocks from the square (actually, it's probably just about equidistant from Madison Square Park, as well).

3. I just think I might build in a bit more time for diversion, or downtime. There's so much going on, that you might go one place, and see somewhere else you want to go, but feel constricted to stay on schedule. After all of the subway riding and sightseeing and walking, make sure to give yourselves a reasonable amount of time to stop at the hotel or sit down and get a cup of coffee if you need so that you're not completely burnt out. I don't live in NYC, and I really enjoy going there to take it all in, but there's so much going on that I think it's easy to be overambitious. If you want to do a museum, I personally prefer the Met, but haven't taken DD to either museum yet, so can't give you feedback on that. Have a great time!

[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!