Grayline Manhattan, Partytour, or Magnificent Manhattan ?

Any differences among these three? The Grayline has a comprehensive Manhattan tour for 8.5 hours including lunch, tour of UN and cruise, the partytour is 5 hrs and the Magnificent Manhattan tour is 6.5 hours, lunch not included.

Any one have experience? I would like to pay for the hop on and off bus, but is there a guide giving information on this tour?

Thanks,

Simigirl

Grayline Manhattan, Partytour, or Magnificent Manhattan ?

I recommend you make either Party Shuttle or Marvelous Manhattan your means of getting oriented to NYC. Both get excellent reviews here at TA, and use 25-passenger mini-buses so it%26#39;s a somewhat more ';intimate'; experience. Note: Marvelous Manhattan includes a lunch stop at Katz%26#39;s Deli -- the clear winner to date in the poll launched this weekend:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k674852-鈥?/a> _span-New_York_City_New_York.html

Having done one of these overview tours, I think you can then skip the hop-on/hop-off bus entirely and simply take advantage of an Unlimited Ride Metrocard to get around. Use the time %26amp; money you save by not purchasing the hop on/off tix for some museum admissions or whatever strikes your fancy. I would urge you to do at least 1, more in-depth tour such as the free one of Grand Central Terminal; there are lots of ideas for such here:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k662722-鈥?/a>

Grayline Manhattan, Partytour, or Magnificent Manhattan ?

Thanks Cocklecove for the good suggestions. I loved the reference to the many other tours available, boy will we be busy! Are you familiar with the walking food tours in Greenwich Village and Chelsea/Meatpacking District?

May I purchase the subway pass at the airport when we arrive? Can you get on the subway at the airport?

Thank you,

Simigirl

Take a look at this very helpful ';Getting Here from the Airport'; page from NYC%26#39;s official tourism site for a concise explanation of all your options:

www.nycvisit.com/content/index.cfm鈥?/a>

The Air Train fare is $5, but you can%26#39;t use an Unlimted Ride Metrocard to pay for that. So what you%26#39;d need to do is purchase a $10 regular a/k/a Pay-Per-Ride Metrocard [to use coming %26amp; going] -- AND a 7-Day Unlimited Ride Metrocard ($24) to get on the subway in Queens and to use for the rest of your stay. The Metrocard vending machines accept cash and debit/credit cards.

A compromise between a taxi and wholly public transportation would be the blue Super Shuttle service: according to their web site, it%26#39;s $17/person for delivery to the Y%26#39;s doorstep [tolls included; I do give these drivers a tip]. This would still be cheaper than a cab, but less hassle than mass transit -- and in the humid weather we%26#39;ve been having, there%26#39;s a lot to be said for being transported directly to your accommodations :-)

CockleCove,

Thanks a million for ideas. I called this morning and scheduled a round trip with the shuttle service you told me about. It cost me $68 total for both of us going both ways. This is an immense relief knowing we won%26#39;t have to be bothered with this when we arrive. Thanks again!

Simigirl

Sounds good to me - enjoy your visit!! And please post a trip report and/or formal review of your Y digs after you return home :-)

Yes, CockleCover, most definitely. I am curious myself about this entire excursion. A teacher at my school said she%26#39;s been staying at the YMCA for the past 10 years whenever she visits, and thought it would be fun for my daughter, who is 17. It%26#39;s not the Ritz , but is affordable and apparently we have access to 2 pools and all the activities going on there. Of course, after walking all day, we may not be in the mood for a work out.

You have been an immense help.

Simigirl

I have been on the Marvelous Manhattan Tour and recommend it highly. The tour guide is humorous, and you go places the other tours do not...such as around Harlem, inside Sardi%26#39;s, walk thru Central Park, Meatpacking district, and much more. You get a chance to get out and explore at different sites, and you will learn a lot. Not only does he give you a thorough tour of the city, but also the history behind each area, how it was settled, etc. Very interesting!

Thanks Porchparty for the suggestion. It does sound like a worthwhile tour. I%26#39;m trying to get used to spending a $100 per person, but it may be worth it.

Simigirl

I do understand about the price. :) But, here%26#39;s a way of looking at it. People spend that much money for a 2 1/2 hour Broadway show. For this price, you are getting 7 hours of touring, a personal guide, history lesson, transportation provided, no hassles, and you%26#39;ll see more of Manhattan in 1 day then you could possibly do on your own.

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