Hi everyone,

I am contemplating visiting New York City (NYC) for a couple of days and was wondering if any of you knowledgeable folk could perhaps recommend a good NYC tour that would depart from Toronto, Ontario.(Not... that I am... from Toronto... no:))

I suppose my question is rather broad; however, I would fly or take a bus depending on what would be the best, most cost-effective route.

To give some background, I'm planning to go with my mother 'cause I love her (awww, he's so sweet) but we don't need to see absolutely everything NYC has to offer (e.g. broadway). In fact, my ideal trip would be arriving in NYC and deciding on what to see whilst I am there. However, it seems that it would be a lot cheaper and more convenient to just take a bus tour?

Any advice or personal expereience would be very much appreciated and may result in a greenie somewhere down the road as a 'wink-wink' I like what you're saying kind of thing:)

You don't need to promise me a greenie.

I lived in Manhattan for a number of years. Before you go decide what it is that you want to see, how many days you will be in NYC and how much you want to spend. It's certainly easier to go on a "tour" with airplane, etc. included. It also often is MUCH less expensive because the "tours" have access to special rates and you won't get the room next to the elevator (if not the elevator itself).

I would look for a hotel with a snack bar/breakfast-type restaurant so you don't end up getting a heavy breakfast every day and can grab a bagel or whatever it is that you enjoy. That is not an option if you are in the City and there are only high-end restaurants in the vicinity.

Plan to shop - your mother would LOVE that. Window shopping, "pay money and come home with something" shopping, anything like that. The store windows are mind boggling; the stores themselves are wonderful.

BUT until you know what you want to do - Staten Island, Broadway show/shows, Chinatown tour - it's difficult to advise you. How much walking do you want to do? I LOVE the Bronx Zoo. I LOVE the Staten Island Ferry. The Twin Towers area is heart breaking (no joke) in person. I LOVE Staten Island itself and could wander around there for hours.

Again, you need to know how active you want to be, how much walking you want to do, how much money you want to spend - and plan generously. Everything is going to be more expensive than you planned.

I would NOT take a bus from Toronto to NYC unless I were held hostage and even then I would think it twice. There are all sorts of tours available on line, some of which you can sign up for at the Airport. Keep in mind that the Airport most definitely is NOT in the City so you will be "cabbing" or "shuttling" back and forth - and that's not cheap.

Your mother might love watching a live TV show - you could try to get tickets.

Your trip sounds wonderful. I'm all enthused. If your mother gets sick, call me.

Fly to NY and sign up for a hop on hop off bus. It may be brutally hot, it may be just right.
Statue of Liberty? Or MMA and small museums of Manhattan? Or shops and Broadway?

Here's a novel idea: Go to your local library and check out a book or two on NYC. Fodor's or Frommer's or Rough Guides or Nor For Tourists Guides (New York City Travel Guides - Best New York City Travel Guides for your Trip to New York City). Figure out what you want to do during the time you want to spend there. The Not for Tourists Guide book might be something you want to purchase and take with you.

A bus trip to the City might be fun if you have oodles of time (and a concealed-carry permit) -- since along the way is Niagara Falls and wine country, my mom and a piece of homemade apple pie, the Finger Lakes, Albany, the Hudson River Valley.

Judy!!

Thank you so much for your reply as this is quite an urgent matter. I'll note the 'don't give me a greenie' but I may very well just grant you one anyway:P

Truth be told, my mom's want's to see ground zero, pretty much. I, on the other hand, would like to see Wall street and Mulberry street. Furthermore, I'd like to eat at Sparks steak house. That pretty much sums up our interest.

As a resident, or former resident, you may be aware that I have an interest in 1950 NYC mob activities:) That's what I'm looking for and, as mentioned earlier, my Mother only cares about Ground Zero.

Suggestions?

I am walking out the door but I will get back to you - promise, but it will be tomorrow.

There used to be a tour (and I'm trying to remember) of the "immigrant" neighborhoods. It took you to all the neighborhoods, some of which still have push carts, and was perfectly safe because it was escorted. You could wander around Wall Street, there are WONDERFUL ground zero tours (or you could go on your own).

Sparks - no problem.

The UN is also amazing - I lived very close. The building itself is impressive.

And I moved back to my home town more than a few years ago but still go back to NYC now and then.

Let me see what I can dig up. I'm excited about the trip and I'm not even going!

Thanks everyone! I really appriciate this!

My Mother and I could use some good one-on-one time.

Knowing the absolute good people on this site, I'm sure you will understand.

Hi, City tour from newyork to torrent is about 4 days with different packages and prices.

The question was Toronto to NY -