Travel writers having fun in NYC
Are you a baby boomer traveler who’s explored the cities of Europe by hop-on hop-off bus? I’ll admit that I was a newbie to this type of touring until earlier this month. While attending the Travel Blog Exchange conference in New York City, CitySights NY offered press passes for the Shop, Hop and Top (4-day value package) ($110 retail value) to try out their double-decker bus tour. The tickets were good for 96 hours and included the Downtown Tour, Uptown & Harlem Tour, Night Tour and Brooklyn Tour. Admission to the Museum of the City of New York, a cruise around the city’s harbor on Circle Line, entrance to an observation deck at the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock, and round-trip bus ride to Woodbury Common’s Premium Outlets were also part of this value package.
Baby Boomer Travel Tip 1: Purchase your ticket at the CitySights NY website for a discounted price.
I joined travel writers and bloggers, Jennifer Miner of The Vacation Gals, Nancy D. Brown from What A Trip and Trisha Miller of Travel Writers Exchange for a two-plus hour tour of the must-see stops in New York City. To pick up our tickets, we met at CitySights NY Visitors Center in the heart of Times Square, inside the lobby of Madame Tussauds (234 W. 42nd Street, between 7th & 8th Avenues). The subway ride from my accommodations at Chelsea Pines Inn in Chelsea proved to be quick and convenient.
Baby Boomer Travel Tip 2: Save money by purchasing a subway pass for your time in New York City.
By 10:00 a.m. a line already snaked down the sidewalk at Madame Tussauds.
Baby Boomer Travel Tip 3: Arrive early and be prepared to stand in line.
After claiming our tour tickets at the desk in the lobby, we walked around the corner to wait at the bus stop for the CitySights hop-on hop-off bus.
Baby Boomer Travel Tip 4: Confirm that you are standing at the correct stop. CitySights NY staff members are available to answer any questions.
The CitySights NY bus pulled up within about 5 to 10 minutes. The first bus that arrived looked too crowded but it wasn’t long before another bus with more room pulled up to the stop. Once we were seated on the upper deck of the bus, the streets of New York City spread out in front of us. Sun glinted from the windows along a long corridor of New York City skyscrapers. Cars honked and engines revved as the bus drove from one red light to the next, while a tour guide offered a running commentary on the sites we were passing.
Baby Boomer Travel Tip 5: Sit up towards the front of the bus if you want to hear the commentary.
Flat Iron Building
Of course, the best thing about the CitySights NY bus tour was our ability to hop off the bus and then hop back on, allowing an individualized day of exploring New York City that met our needs.
Baby Boomer Travel Tip 6: Study a New York City map the night before to know exactly what you want to see.
Are you a fan of hop-on hop-off bus tours? Post a comment to share your advice. After experiencing CitySights NY hop-on/hop-off bus, I understand why my cruising friends swear by these types of tours on visits to European ports. Alan and I will be riding hop-on hop-off buses again this fall when our Seabourn cruise stops in Marseilles, Barcelona and Lisbon.
Disclosure: CitySights NY provided a complementary pass for my tour on their hop-on hop-off bus.
Would you rather walk instead? I enjoyed an impromptu walking tour of Greenwich Village. For expert advice, be sure to read Terry Trucco’s guest post on New York City walks.
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
HI, Donna.
Sadly, people often look down their nose at tourists. But, from my perspective the best way to become acquainted with a city is taking one of these tour buses whenever possible. Often, when I'm walking around NYC, I notice one of these buses go by and I think, NYers might want to give this a try. They'd learn a great deal about the City and if the tour guide is top notch, as many are, be entertained as well. But a native, caught on one of those buses…
Charles
Hi Donna,
Thank you for reviewing our bus tour! We hope you had a great time and enjoyed your stay in NYC.
Your tips are right on, especially tip #3. During the heavy tour season, its important to get an early start. Travelers want to avoid lines not only for the tour buses but for other attractions like the cruises, Empire State Building etc. The early bird catches the worm
Thank you for riding with us!
Doug
CitySights NY
Twitter: ottsworld
July 13, 2010 at 2:01 pm
I do the hop on hop off subway tour when in NYC! That comes from living there for 4 years!
I've never done a hop on/off bus tour but see them all over the world. They do look convenient as I like having the freedom to do what I want. My parents are going to Rome and I think I'm going to have them do it in Rome as it seems like a nice way for them to see lots of stuff but not spend all day walking.
Some great tips about where to purchase and standing in line…thanks!
Twitter: DonnaLHull
July 13, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Thanks for commenting, Charles. I like the idea of becoming a tourist in your own home town.
Twitter: DonnaLHull
July 13, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Thanks for stopping by Doug. My CitySights NY hop-on hop-off bus experience has convinced me to try it again in other cities. I also appreciate your tip about avoiding lines for the other attractions.
Twitter: DonnaLHull
July 13, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Sherry, I had a great time traveling by subway through NYC. I found other passengers to be helpful, especially when I approached them with a smile when asking, “Am I boarding the right subway line?” Believe me, I asked that question many times over my 3 days in New York.
Let me know how your parents like the hop-on hop-off bus in Rome.
Yep! Great way to see a city. We've tried them in London and in Rome. Although the Rome one was disappointing because the sound system didn't work, and they stopped to change buses and the 2nd one didn't work either. Plus we think the ticket seller short-changed Ken. I hope that was just a one-time glitch. I haven't done it in NYC, because I'm generally happy to walk the streets. (Whoops! Bad image!)
Twitter: DonnaLHull
July 13, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Walking is my favorite way to tour NYC. I like to stand on the street corners and imagine stories about all the people walking by. Combining the hop-on hop-off bus with my own walking tour provided the best option for me. I'll be writing soon about the surprising garden that I found while walking in Greenwich Village.
I've never been to New York and have always been hesitant to go because of the hustle (this Southern girl takes things slow). I'm afraid that traveling this way would feel frantic. Does it? Is there a relaxed way to “do” New York?
Twitter: travelwonders
July 14, 2010 at 1:22 am
I've tried these in a couple cities of the world and have generally thought them good. Early in a trip, it gives a great overall view of a city, a little of its history and often gives good access to those slightly more distant sights.
I've visited so many cities that has these hop-on hop-off bus tours, and always considered myself a tourist but just never did one before NYC – it was such a blast to spend time exploring with you, Jen, and Nancy! New York is such a marvelous city and I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to learn a bit about it as well as see it.
Twitter: Nancydbrown
July 14, 2010 at 6:51 pm
The Hop on Hop off bus was certainly a fun way to explore New York City on the first day landing in the Big Apple. If I had stopped talking to you, Jen and Trisha, I probably would have learned more about the downtown area.
Fun, fun, fun!
Hi Donna, you know they have the same Hop On Hop Off tour service here in Malaysia offered by Tourism Malaysia. Seems like it's very popular with the tourist though I should try it one of these days here.
David
Malaysia Asia
I, like Mark, think these type of tours are a great way to get a lay of the land in an unfamiliar city . Too many people pass up on them because they think they're too touristy. They are often less expensive than taking multiple taxi rides or equivalent to a day on the subway.
Twitter: heathercowper
July 18, 2010 at 4:15 pm
I've never been on one of these sightseeing tours – I always felt that they could be good if you didn't worry about the cost and like to see the sights roll before your eyes, but I've always enjoyed walking or preferred to go direct to what I wanted to see – and then again there are often local bus routes that give you a similar perspective at a fraction of the cost
Funny, I've done these in other countries but never in the U.S. I opted to do the Empire State Building tour instead, which was a mistake. Long lines, mostly because they made everyone stand in line to have their photo taken. Sounds like I would have much preferred the bus.
I love the way you write. You're clearly a good and good-natured traveler, who shares the how-to details with style. Thank you.
I have always enjoyed walking or preferred to go direct to what I desired to see – & then again there’s often local bus routes that give you a similar point of view at a fraction of the cost.
Hotel Thirty-Thirty
The day before landing in the Big Apple. If I had stopped talking to you, Jane and Trisha, I probably would have learned more about the downtown area.
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