Whirlwind Tour of New York City

It could take a week just to see all the sights in Manhattan. We did it in a day. We started our morning at about 6:30am by good-to-see Good Morning America. We were actually invited inside, and we got to meet Charlie, Robin, Tony, and Elizabeth Vargas. Diane was away. We left after the show and started a whirlwind tour of the city. We then took the subway to Ground Zero. It is really a somber, emotional place. From there, we headed to Battery Park, where you catch the ferry to Liberty Island (it takes a good 3-4 hours, and we skipped it). There's a good view of the Statue of Liberty. Then we walked to Wall Street, headed north to Herald Square, and then to the Empire State Building. We did the whole tour thing at the Empire. You have to do it if it is your first time; it is worth the experience, and the view from the deck is unbelievable. Then we went into Macy's and back to Times Square and on to Broadway (stopped along the way to grab a slice of NY pizza - yummm!). Stopped in at the Hersey Store (dessert), then to CBS's Ed Sullivan Theater (Where Late Night w/David Letterman is shot). Just around the corner is the "Hello Deli" from Late Night fame. Rupert was there, and they were filming for the night's show. Onto Central Park - it is just like the movies, handsome cabs and all, The Plaza Hotel (Plaza Suites & Home Alone), and FAO Schwartz (closed for renovation). Then we headed back to Times Square, taking in anything we might have missed on the way up. That evening, it was the Knicks versus Grizzlies in Madison Square Garden.

Quick Tips:

Wear good, comfortable shoes (it is easier to walk everywhere, but you should be in good shape). Stay in Times Square if possible. Be adventurous!

Best Way To Get Around:

Walking (if you're in shape), subways, or take one of the tour buses (like the Gray Line).

Location, location, location! If at all possible, when visiting New York, stay in Times Square. That is, if you want to be close to the action! The Westin was fantastic! It is a high-end accommodation. I was able to stay there because my friend's brother is in the NBA and the team was staying there. He paid the bill for all of us. But the place was great and within walking distance to everything in Times Square.

Maxie's is more of a restaurant than a deli. The location in Times Square is great, and the place looks very inviting, with open-window seating along the street front. The quantity of food was outrageous. My son had a chicken Caesar salad for $25. It must have had a pound of chicken it. But the quality of the food was very average. I do NOT recommend it for anyone looking for a TRUE New York deli.

UNBELIEVABLE!! Times Square itself is worth a trip to New York. It really is the "Crossroads of the World." It is like going to a 24-hour carnival. We arrived in town at about 1am, by 2am we were walking around Times Square, and while most of the stores were closed, there were people everywhere. Also, we felt extremely safe, as the NYPD were on every corner, and I really mean every corner. There were sometimes two to three officers on the corners or walking the block.

Daytime is something else! The people, the traffic... it is like electricity in the air. Our main means of transportation was walking. I would suggest good, comfortable walking shoes. There really is something for everyone.