Travel New York

No trip to New York is complete without going to the top of the Empire State Building. (Remember Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant – no? How about Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan?) Anyway . . . it’s a great building and the view is beautiful. You’ll go (almost) to the top, i.e. the 86th floor, via a high-speed elevator. There are high-powered binoculars to use for a small fee and there is plenty of room. Note that the rates are for the standard, online ticket purchase. There are three lines at the building: security, ticket purchase, and elevator. By purchasing online or if you buy The Pass, you can avoid one of them. They also offer (online) an ESB Express Pass which puts you in front of everyone at all the lines. The price for that ticket is $41.52 for all ages. Ouch. $18.45/Adult $12.92/Child $16.61/Senior

Inside the Empire State Building, on the 2nd floor, there is the NY Skyride – a virtual tour simulator of overhead New York. Kevin Bacon is the narrator on this really great “ride”. A MUST see.

$45.45/Adult $20.92/Child $37.61/Senior

Construction began on this glorious Cathedral in 1892. The building is the world’s largest Gothic Cathedral – even in its unfinished state. There is a poet’s corner fashioned after Westminster Abbey which pays tribute to some of America’s finest figures in literature. Any travel to New York really should include at this beautiful building and spiritual retreat.

$5.00

Do you love the Jonas Brothers? Marilyn Monroe or Angelina Jolie? With more than 200 wax figures, you’re sure to find someone you like and have your picture taken with. MD’s also has a new “Cinema 4D” which is the “4th dimenion of 3D”. You will feel as if you’re actually inside the film! Amazing. They even have an American Idol stage where you can record your own performance along side Simon! Very cool place and a definite step up from the old MD’s. (Please note that the prices quoted are for online purchases which are discounted by 20% from tickets purchased at the box office.)

$28.00/Adult $25.60/Child $22.40/Senior

Rockefeller Center, is of course, where the famous Christmas Tree resides. It’s also where Radio City Music Hall lives and the Rainbow Room is still alive and kicking. What most people don’t know, however, is that there are changing tours and events which are often offered with the Observation Tour (the Top of the Rock). Currently, there is a “Art and Observation Tour” which brings together art and architecture at Rockefeller Center along with the views offered up high. This combo tour is $30.00 for adults. The prices quoted to the right are for the observation deck only.

$18.00/Adult $13.00/Child $18.00/Senior

Nearly everyone knows that the Statue of Liberty was the first welcome most of the immigrants to America received in the 19th century. What many do not know, however, is that after 1892 and until 1943, Ellis Island served as the main immigration post in the United States. More than 12 million people travelled through its halls and left their stamp of humanity there. A truly moving stop and a fascinating journey for young and old into our families and our histories.

$12.00/Adult $5.00/Child

For many of us in the Metro NY area, it seems as if the Circle Line has been around as New York itself! This is a great way to see the city and the surrounding areas as well as some beautiful landmarks and scenic views. They offer several different cruises: 3-hour cruise around New York covering the entire island, the Statue of Liberty, down the Hudson around the southern tip (Battery Park) and up the East River around the top coming full circle. The 2 Hr. Semi-Circle Cruise gives you a glimpse of the lower half of the island from the Hudson and East Rivers. They also offer a 2-hr Harbor Lights Cruise which sales at sunset and there is a 75 minute Liberty Cruise which gives you a quick glimpse. The Circle line also offers rides on its “Beast” ride which is a 30 minute excursion aboard the 45 mile per hour speedboat.

$24.00 to $34.00/Adult $16.00 to $21.00/Child $21.00 to $29.00/Senior