Okay, I'm in slight panic mode now!!

[rklein01 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rklein01]

PLEASE don't do Greyline or similar tours. Manhattan doesn't have any complicated geography, safety needn't be a concern, and gawking from the top deck to people walking along the sidewalk won't give you any feeling for NYC as it is.

Instead, pick four or five NYC neighborhoods, take a yellow cab (or walk if it's near) to a central spot, and walk around!

Examples:
West Village (start at 8th avenue and Christopher Street)
Fifth Avenue (start at 5th ave and 57th Street)
Madison Avenue (start at Madison and 66th Street)
Museum Row (start at 5th ave and 81st Street)
Upper West Side (start at Broadway at 86th St; walk south to 65th Street)
Upper East Side (start at Lexington and 59th Street)

[Ann-Marie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ann-Marie]

I think your plan for the Gray Line is good. HGowever, I would do the "Hop On Hop Off" one. This way you get on and off whereever you want. You can get a multi day pass, and also do the Circle Line. I would maybe recommend the night cruise to see the beauty of the Statue of Liberty and the NYC skyline at night.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

PLEASE don't do Greyline or similar tours. Manhattan doesn't have any complicated geography, safety needn't be a concern, and gawking from the top deck to people walking along the sidewalk won't give you any feeling for NYC as it is.

Instead, pick four or five NYC neighborhoods, take a yellow cab (or walk if it's near) to a central spot, and walk around!

Examples:
West Village (start at 8th avenue and Christopher Street)
Fifth Avenue (start at 5th ave and 57th Street)
Madison Avenue (start at Madison and 66th Street)
Museum Row (start at 5th ave and 81st Street)
Upper West Side (start at Broadway at 86th St; walk south to 65th Street)
Upper East Side (start at Lexington and 59th Street)

While I am usually an advocate for seeing the city on foot, and getting away from the touristy areas, I think the hop on/off tour is a good idea for a day or two, or maybe one day and one evening. The OP has said she'd feel better doing it that way, and it is a decent way to get an overview of some 'highlights.' I even did it myself when I lived in the city (ok, I was desperate for an activity with my two year old, but still, it was good for the tourists on board).

But I would agree that you should plan to walk the West Village and Soho. Also the East Village/NYU area is fun. Chinatown if it interests you. The upper East and West sides are residential and not too interesting imho, but a stroll from the MC to Lincoln Center could be fun, with a stop through Central Park somewhere along the way to/from.

[bevvy5 Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bevvy5]

Thanks all. Yes, we are going to do the hop on, hop off. It includes "loop tours" of Downtown, Uptown, Brooklyn and a night tour. We thought that would give us a bit of an overview. We are also buying the nine day city pass that will give us certain things that we want to see.

I'm really hoping that the tour thing will put hubby at ease and he'll feel a bit more comfortable after a day or so in striking out on our own. I've been reassuring him that it's perfectly safe, but he has some problems with anxiety so it's a definite challenge for him.

Definitely doing the Circle Line, it's included in the City pass with a $5 upgrade. We have a few other things in mind, and by the time we leave some time for wandering as suggested here, I think it will be a very full week.

Bev

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Thanks all. Yes, we are going to do the hop on, hop off. It includes "loop tours" of Downtown, Uptown, Brooklyn and a night tour. We thought that would give us a bit of an overview. We are also buying the nine day city pass that will give us certain things that we want to see.

I'm really hoping that the tour thing will put hubby at ease and he'll feel a bit more comfortable after a day or so in striking out on our own. I've been reassuring him that it's perfectly safe, but he has some problems with anxiety so it's a definite challenge for him.

Definitely doing the Circle Line, it's included in the City pass with a $5 upgrade. We have a few other things in mind, and by the time we leave some time for wandering as suggested here, I think it will be a very full week.

Bev

Bev,

You guys sound like prime candidates for a Big Apple Greeter, if any are available. Welcome to Big Apple Greeter They are volunteers who take tourists around for an afternoon, maybe to explore a particular neighborhood from a local's view, etc... and get you comfortable with the public transit system. If none are available, please let me know via PM, as I have another idea...

[KathyJed Member Find all posts View Profile Close KathyJed]

We stayed at the MC in June, and loved it. Carmi, the concierge was really helpful. I called him with questions about shows and restaurants and transportation into ond out of ths city before we even got there. His number is 212-453-8266. This is the concierge desk at MC. We also enjoyed going to the club at the top for a drink the day we got there - travel can be exhausting, and we didn't have anything else scheduled.

I was amazed at how close everything was to the MC. Ed Sullivan Theater is just around the corner, and the Carnegie Deli is about a block away. The location is fabulous!!!!!

Have a great time - hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

[bigrick Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bigrick]

Not sure if you can fit it in but why not meet us for lunch in Queens on Nov 6. Bigrick will also be staying at the MC and you guys can come in together if you like. BTW Lunch is on me.

Actually I'll be at the Affinia Dumont but my wife and I can easily swing by the MC to escort Bev and company over to Queens. Let me know.

[bigrick Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bigrick]

I'm really hoping that the tour thing will put hubby at ease and he'll feel a bit more comfortable after a day or so in striking out on our own. I've been reassuring him that it's perfectly safe, but he has some problems with anxiety so it's a definite challenge for him.

Bev, I don't know where you live but I think once your husband takes a walk around the MC area he'll be at ease very quickly. Carnegie Hall kitty-corner across 7th Ave., Central Park a couple of blocks up 7th, Times Square a few blocks down 7th. All these places are full of people just like him. All are out and about enjoying the New York energy.

I don't know what impressions he's bringing with him but I do expect that once he sees the New York of today he will have new information that will improve his impression. I'll be curious to hear his feedback (via you here) after your trip.

Also, bring him to the Tuesday 11/6 lunch at Ben's where he'll get to meet honest to goodness real New Yorkers and some wanna be New Yorkers!

[bevvy5 Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bevvy5]

Thanks all, for your responses. Rick, I may just take you up on that offer of an escort. I'll PM you about that.

I should probably explain as well that Greg (hubby) has some rather daunting anxiety/depression issues, so anything outside his comfort level causes him more distress than it would, well, me, for example. I too think he'll be fine once we're there, it's just the anticipation of something different that sends him into a bit of a tizzy!!

I, on the other hand, am almost beside myself!!

Bev

[bigrick Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bigrick]

Bev, I sent you a PM.

My wife was talking to someone on the phone last night about our upcoming trip. My wife was tickled to say we're headed for New York!

[bevvy5 Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bevvy5]

Update - We're here

Posting from the business centre at the Manhattan Club.

We arrived Friday at about 5:00 in Newark. Carmel Limo was there but we didn't get to MC until almost 8:00. Yesterday we walked and walked and walked, down to Times Square, then a good chunk of Central Park.

Took the circle line three hour tour today and tonight we'll take the Greyline city lights tour. Decided to postpone the greyline tours as the concierge said the Marathon (which we didn't know was running this weekend) might impact with street closures.

Greg's doing well, although the closeness of everything (we ate at Carnegie Deli today and were shoulder to shoulder) is a bit daunting. The most exciting experience so far has been the cab ride back from the circle line pier - it was like some sort of virtual ride at a theme park with me pushing my imaginary brake the whole way.

Hope to see some of you on Tuesday at lunch.

Bev