24hrs in NYC - recommendation

jaytobe

Looking for the must do crammed way of spending 24hrs in NYC.
Arrive back to Newark Thurs 5pm and leave Friday evening 7pm.
I've been told, Ellis Island, Ground Zero and Times Square for the obvious reasons.
Anything worth doing at night rather than day, could head in Thurs night. Also, early riser so could be in the city by 7am.
Any tips welcome also!

InTheTrees

There's a great shuttle bus from newark Airport into Manhatten, it leaves from downstairs every 15 minutes, stops at times square (port Authority), bryant park and grand central. I've used it a lot.

jaytobe

Thanks for that, will check it out.

Any recommendation on a bar to meet the locals Friday afternoon?!

ianob7

I'd go rockafeller centre!! It's an incredible view.. Book in advance

Dave1442397

I'd also say Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock) for a great city view. One thing I really like is that you can go up to the second level viewing area and get an unobstructed view - no glass or wire fence in your way. It's open pretty late too, and the night view of the city is fantastic. Times Square is better at night too, so you could do both those things on the night you arrive.
If you have time and good weather, I took my parents out on this yacht for a tour around the southern part of Manhattan. It sails right by the Statue of Liberty, and you get a great view of the city and bridges. It cost more than the Circle Line tours, but it was worth it. If I remember correctly, the boat holds around 75 passengers, and we only had 13 on our outing. The Circle Line boat looked like a can of sardines when we saw it. https://www.sail-nyc.com/browse-by-boat/schooner-america-2-0/
Another cool outing is to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. You can do it yourself for free, or take a guided tour. If you walk to Brooklyn, you can visit Grimaldi's for that NY pizza experience. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60827-d102741-Reviews-Brooklyn_Bridge-Brooklyn_New_York.html
https://www.yelp.com/biz/grimaldis-brooklyn-4
The One World Observatory is worth a visit if you're down that way - https://oneworldobservatory.com/
Another cool trip is to take the Staten Island Ferry ride. It's free, you get some great views of Manhattan and the bridges, and you can just ride to Staten Island and go right back to Manhattan. http://www.siferry.com/

jaytobe

Fair play-will take some sort of boat trip early in the morning. Zoned after the week and 4am waking doesn't help. Is Ellis Island worth the stop? Walking the bridge is my sort of thing-good idea!

Another question: got 2 iPads for family members-would you carry on or check through. Carry on means opening the boxes but is that the safer bet??

circular flexing

Ellis Island is good but takes some time and requires advance booking. I wouldn't check in the iPads - a very good chance they'll go missing if you check them in.

Dave1442397

Yeah, Ellis Island is great, but will take a lot of time. You'll be in line for the boat, in line on the island, in line again to get back on the boat, etc. 
I would avoid checking in the iPads if possible, but with a direct flight I think the theft risk is less. My sister had a lot of stuff stolen at a stopover in Chicago, but they knew she wouldn't find out until she got to Ireland, by which time it was too late to do anything but report it.