Help; which tour operator for cruise

Hi,

Which Tour Operator should I use for a family of four to take a cruise around Manhatten? This will be on a Sat. or Sunday.... Trying to see as many things as we can... Also, what is the best time to visit the empire state building? Any discounts? Where is the best shopping? Where is the today show? Any help with cost and sights is appreciated.. Thank you.

Help; which tour operator for cruise

I definitely recommend taking the Circle Line Cruise - You will get excellent views of the Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty, etc. I also recommend getting to the Empire State Building first thing in the morning, it opens at 8am (I see very long lines by midday, especially in the summer). You should get your tickets online ahead of time so you dont have to wait on another line to buy the tickets - The Today Show is in Rockefeller Center - Definitely worth walking around there, and seeing St. Patrick%26#39;s Cathedral (across from Rock Center on 5th Ave). Saks 5th Ave is right next to St Patricks..Shopping is a personal preferene so I am not sure what to recommend - SOHO is nice for some of the designer boutiques as well as great cafes/restaurants, and other cute/unique shops - I would also check out Central Park, its such a beautiful place, so many different areas to see (ponds, carousel, castles, fountains, gardens, etc)- Tavern on the Green restaurant is beautiful, even if you just walk by to check it out! Good Luck!

Help; which tour operator for cruise

I hate these ';best'; questions. If there were clearly one ';best'; for everyone, there would only be one company. ;) Different strokes for different folks.

The Circle Line is the only co. that does a tour ALL around the island of Manhattan, but if you%26#39;ve got young kids, this is probably too much, too long and too boring for them. Many people do the half circle which shows much of the ';main stuff.';

If you%26#39;re thinking of doing the hop on/off cruise, Grayline sells a package that includes a one hour Circle Line ride OR a ferry to the SOL and Ellis Island. They also have another all day tour that includes a boat ride. I%26#39;m not nec. recommending that, just an alert that it%26#39;s available. Here%26#39;s their website with more info

http://www.coachusa.com/newyorksightseeing/

You could also use the NY Water Taxi hop on/off boat to both see the city from the water and take time to do some sightseeing. This sounds like a good value to me, esp. if kids are restless.

nywatertaxi.com

If kids are boys and adventurous, they might enjoy a ride on ';the beast';.

There are no discounts for the ESB, but there is the city pass that gives you entry into several museums, the ESB and a Circle Line cruise. You should tally up which of these you%26#39;d go to anyway and see if it makes sense.

http://www.citypass.com/city/ny.html

Sorry, in the second paragraph above I meant to say ';...If you;re thinking of doing the hop on/off BUS TOUR...'; and said cruise by mistake just to complicate matters. ;(